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Friends/Foundation Committee Meeting Summary January 30,
2008 Committee
members: John Gibbs, Holly
Guncheon, David Pratt from Hennepin County Library Board; Glenn Miller and
Holly Denis, Friends of Minneapolis Libraries; Pam Gagnon, Library Foundation;
Amy Ryan Library Director and Char Sohlberg, staff Public:
Sue Halvorson Purpose:
provide information to the Library Board to help frame conversations at future
Board meetings on the work being done by our highly-valued partners, the
Friends of Minneapolis Libraries and Library Foundation. Inform one
another by sharing perspectives from the Library Director and representatives
from the two groups. Update on post-merger activities included work
underway to develop a framework for expanded hours with $2 million from
ballpark revenue to be shared between city and suburban libraries. ·
Overall wide
support for mission and vision of all libraries. ·
Collections.
Suburban libraries experience tremendous volume usage, have popular focus; city
library collections reflect a more comprehensive, archival focus. ·
Aggressive
capital plans. ·
Capital and
operating funds go hand in hand. Support and funding (discussion) ·
Operating expenditures
support rich library "basics." Some programs and services like
Homework Helper and ttyl@HCL would not happen without private support. ·
Special
collections are tangible opportunities for private donor support. Tutors,
atlases, encyclopedias for Homework Helper; books on tape, large print
additions for 55+ programs. Great interest from donors to support
technological advances, keeping libraries on the "cutting edge." ·
Expanding hours
plan. ·
Current support
similarities and differences noted: programs and collections overseen by
library staff and some by Friends and Foundation (cultural events/galas, Pen
Pals series). Programs are free and considered true Library programs.
Support for both entities: staff salaries, office space, are similar. ·
Acknowledged
philosophical differences that include city/suburban issues; tension is there
but is manageable. ·
Does the status
quo suggest it is just as well or better to bring the two enterprises
together? If main mission is to support programs and services over and
above tax-provided support, is there any reason to have two different groups
working simultaneously? One organization working through the process
seems to make sense acknowledging there are some expressed concerns along with
support for merging the two groups. Anticipate needs and desires; help define
what we must do to find support to meet the needs. The answers may drive
the structure. ·
Importance of
communication cannot be overstated: keep Library Board aware, talking
points for donors critical, expanded Library Board with mission/vision as a
priority. Progress with two groups is evident with joint meetings
scheduled. Next
steps ·
Accelerate
meetings and work of committee to assist Friends/Foundation future discussions. ·
Information on
independent Friends groups, look at integration for efficiency. ·
Develop framework
for sharing information at ·
Next meeting
date: Char Sohlberg February 1, 2008 |