Hamline Library Meeting

A Grip n Grin with the mayor will take place and the Hamline Midway Library this evening. If you recall, both my neighborhood library AND the closest rec center are on the chopping block. Staunch community activism has created a swell of support to keep the library open. It truly is a pillar of the community. We recognize that everyone needs to make sacrifices during these difficult times, but for my neighborhood to get a double whammy seems like more than our fair share. If you must, take the Rec Center, but leave our Library alone. I'll be making that pitch to the mayor this evening:

Updated Information here:

Community Meeting with Mayor and Library Director

Tuesday March 10, 5:30/6-8pm

Hamline Midway Library, 1558 Minnehaha

5:30 – Community Celebration/rally outside – family-friendly local music, wear red, bring neighbors and friends, signs, balloons, etc. Media is invited.

6-8pm – Meeting in Auditorium. Come with ideas for new partnerships and ways to use the library to make it stronger. Some parents will be watching their children upstairs. Get your friends from all over the city to come!

There are a variety of ways to juggle the current proposal that will secure the library for years to come. Those at 'Save Our Library' present them in detail, but here are the items in general:

1. Voluntary Donation Bins (estimated revenue = $595,512.00)

2. Use Four Work-Study Students and a Half-Time Librarian II to Staff the
Hamline Midway Library (approximate savings = $200,000.00 - $250,000.00)

3. Temporarily Reduce Materials Budget by 50% (savings = $600,000.00)

4. Eliminate the Cap on Late Fees (estimated revenues = $50,000.00)

5. Reduce Postage (estimated savings = $20,000.00)

6. Room Rental Fee (estimated revenue = $30,000.00 - $50,000.00)

7. Increase Late Fees for Adult Materials by 25% (estimated revenue = $82,660.00)

8. Fee for Interlibrary Loan Requests (estimated revenue = $15,426.00)

9. Late Fees for Children’s Materials (estimated revenue = $206,250.00)

10. $1 Rental Fee for “New” Entertainment Videos (estimated revenue = $20,000.00)

Is the Mayor listening?!?

See you tonight!

Flash

PS: For those who want to contact the appropriate individual directly, here is their information:

Email: mayor@ci.stpaul.mn.us, ann.mulholland@ci.stpaul.mn.us (Deputy Mayor), melanie.huggins@ci.stpaul.mn.us (Library Director), and copy russ.stark@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Online form: https://www.stpaul.gov/forms.asp?FID=69

Snail mail: Office of the Mayor, 390 City Hall, 15 Kellogg Boulevard West, Saint Paul, MN 55102

Phone: 651-266-8510