-----Original Message-----
From: Nalbandian, John [mailto:nalband@ku.edu]
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 8:27 AM
To: Mike Amyx; Sue Hack; Boog Highberger; Michael dever; Rob Chestnut
Cc: Dave Corliss; Flanders, Bruce; Nalbandian, John
Subject: RE: Library agenda item for Tues evening Nov 6
Dear Commissioners,
Bruce Flanders and I have reviewed the decision trees that Jonathan has
prepared, and also we have looked at your busy agenda for Tuesday
evening.
Given the likely extended duration of your Tuesday meeting, and the
placement of the library agenda item on the agenda, I hope you do not
take the limited number of library advocates at the meeting as a lack of
interest. I have asked Bruce to let our friends know that the nature of
the item and the lateness of the night minimizes the value of public
comment.
Nevertheless, Bruce and I would like to convey three thoughts about the
decision trees.
First, and most importantly, the decision trees serve great value in
that BOTH point to a critical decision point early in either process.
"Is the CC willing to spend significant additional money on library
services?" We assume, based on past discussions, that the CC would
chose to hold a public vote to support the increased allocation
necessary to support and expanded library. But following the decision
trees, the critical decision leading up to a public vote comes very
early in the process. The library board encourages you to make that
decision as soon as you can and not be derailed by trying to determine
which decision tree is the most appropriate one to follow.
Second, one decision tree, when extended, calls for an RFP for a public
private partnership. I think we already have taken that step and that
you might want to consider the message it sends to the private
developers who already spent significant time and money preparing
proposals earlier. As you will recall, at the CC's request, the library
board with an extended committee, reviewed the proposals and recommended
a proposal at or near the present site. In effect, given ownership of
the relevant properties, the Fritzels are the only group who might be
involved.
Last, we want to reiterate our lack of enthusiasm for branch libraries
without a significant investment in the central library. Library
experience nationwide shows that branch libraries without a strong
central library presence will not accomplish much and simply extend the
concept of the 20th century library--making materials easily
available--into the 21st century. The contemporary library is about
more than making materials accessible. It is about creating an
"intellectual community center," and a building that attracts visitors
to wherever it is located.
REQUESTED ACTION:
1. We ask that you consider taking a straw vote or an authoritative one
on Tuesday night regarding the question: "Is the CC willing to spend
significant additional money on library services? It may be difficult
to imagine the challenge it is for the library board, the foundation
board, and the friends board trying to determine its role and actions
without this decision on your part.
2. If you cannot make the decision on Tuesday evening, we urge you to
instruct staff on Tuesday evening to put the item on an upcoming agenda.
3. As a fallback position, if you wish, you may want to instruct staff
to send the decision trees to the library board for its comment.
If you decide to move forward to a public vote, we will be delighted. If
you choose otherwise, we will take your decision not as a "NO," but
rather as "NOT YET." Thank you.
Thank you very much.
John Nalbandian, Chair, Library Board of Trustees
and
--
Bruce Flanders, Director
Lawrence Public Library
707 Vermont Street
Lawrence, KS 66044-2371
(785) 843-3833 phone (785) 843-3368 fax
bflanders@lawrence.lib.ks.us