Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Big $1.5 million Brainstorm
Ten Suggestions to Save and Generate
Without Closing The Hamline Midway Library
1. Voluntary Donation Bins (estimated revenue = $595,512.00)
Like Como Zoo, the City of Saint Paul should provide large and visible places for individuals to donate to the library at every branch in the library system. There should also be smaller, temporary donation bins for use at each library branch before and after adult and children’s events. Presenters and/or the head librarian should refer to the temporary bins before and after the free programs.
Library customers visited the library 2.7 million times last year, which means that a donation of just ten cents per visit or $1 for ten would generate enough money to staff the Hamline Midway library ($270,000). If the 108,504 people who attended a library program last year also donated an average of $3 each, SPPL would generate an additional $325,512.00 in revenue. SPPL currently has no systemic method of requesting voluntary donations in this manner.
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)
Partner with local colleges and universities to employ four work-study students who are seeking degrees in early education or library sciences to staff the Hamline Midway Library. Reduce the current Librarian II position to half-time. This plan does not eliminate any current union employees, because there were 4 FTEs added in the 2009 Adopted Budget, which were not filled, in addition to one existing position that has been left vacant. The approximate savings from utilizing work-study students would be between $200,000.00 and $250,000.00.
3. Temporarily Reduce Materials Budget by 50% (savings = $600,000.00)
The current materials budget is $1.2 million. The proposed budget is $806,000, an approximate 33% reduction. If the materials budget were reduced by 50%, the savings would amount to $600,000.00. This temporary reduction should focus on adult books and entertainment DVDs. When the next governor reinstates LGA, the materials budget will return to current levels.
4. Eliminate the Cap on Late Fees (estimated revenues = $50,000.00)
Eliminating the cap on the amount of a fine that can accrue against an individual would result in an estimated $50,000.00. This was an alternative considered by the library director, but was not incorporated into the final budget proposal.
Decreasing mailed materials for a savings on postage would result in an estimated cost savings of $20,000. This was a savings considered by the library director, but was not included in the final recommended plan for budget reductions.
6. Room Rental Fee (estimated revenue = $30,000.00 - $50,000.00)
Similar to Parks and Rec, SPPL could charge a minimal fee to reserve meeting rooms. 3,472 non-library meeting room events took place in 2008. If every library that does not charge a fee, (or does not charge a fee to non-profit groups) instituted a $10 meeting-room fee, SPPL would generate approximately $30,000 in additional revenue. A $15 meeting-room fee would result in $50,000 in additional revenue. A limited number of libraries already charge a fee to rent rooms, so this would simply expand an existing policy to the entire library system.
7. Increase Late Fees for Adult Materials by 25% (estimated revenue = $82,660.00)
The current budget states that the City of Saint Paul generates $275,642.00 from fines on adult materials and $55,000.00 from lost and damaged materials. Increasing these fees by 25% would result in an additional $82,660.00.
8. Fee for Interlibrary Loan Requests (estimated revenue = $15,426.00)
There were 20,569 requests from library customers for books from other libraries. Charging seventy-five cents for this service would result in an additional $15,426.00.
9. Late Fees for Children’s Materials (estimated revenue = $206,250.00)
Currently the City of Saint Paul is one of the only library systems in the Twin Cities metropolitan area that fails to impose a late fee for children’s materials. Both the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County charge five cents per day for overdue children’s materials. Ramsey County charges ten cents a day. Dakota County charges five cents a day, with a $2 maximum for children’s books, but imposes a $1 per day overdue fee for children’s entertainment videos. St. Paul could add a daily fee for overdue children’s materials equal to the current daily fee for overdue adult materials, Although no statistics were available related to the number of overdue children’s materials, assuming the number equaled 75% of the overdue adult materials, the total would be approximately $206,250.00.
10. $1 Rental Fee for “New” Entertainment Videos (estimated revenue = $20,000.00)
Dakota County charges $1.00 per day for new entertainment videos. Specific statistics related to circulation of “new” entertainment videos were not available. Assuming, however, that patrons rent 100 new entertainment videos for 200 days each, this proposal would generate $20,000.00.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Facebook Group Grows To 235
The Save the Hamline Midway Library Facebook group has grown to 235, keep it going...
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=48993742661
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=48993742661
Tuesday Library Fest and Mayor Meeting
From Carrie:
It's really important that we all show up at the meeting with the mayor and library director at Hamline-Midway Library, 6-8 pm on Tuesday, March 10. But let's have fun while we're at it.
Please come to a community celebration in front of the library starting at 5:30. We'll have hot cider and treats and family-friendly local music starting around 5:45.
Wear red, bring signs and balloons, and be sure to invite friends.
Baked goodies to share are welcome, too!
It's really important that we all show up at the meeting with the mayor and library director at Hamline-Midway Library, 6-8 pm on Tuesday, March 10. But let's have fun while we're at it.
Please come to a community celebration in front of the library starting at 5:30. We'll have hot cider and treats and family-friendly local music starting around 5:45.
Wear red, bring signs and balloons, and be sure to invite friends.
Baked goodies to share are welcome, too!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Statistics and Alternatives
1. The Hamline Midway Library provides highly cost-effective services.
With a small staff, and small square footage, the H-M Library compares favorably with other branches in terms of services provided:
• 4th in gate count per FTE;
• 4th in number of non-library meeting room events;
• 5th in circulation per FTE;
• 5th in information and reference provided per FTE;
• 5th in number of adult attendance at library programs;
• 8th in number of juvenile attendance at library programs.
The Hamline Midway Library also ranks 1st in the number of patrons who walk to the library!
2. Most of the savings incurred in closing Hamline Midway would be related to FTE.
FTE stands for a "Full Time Employee," which is the bulk of the cost for running the Hamline Midway Library.
• Closing HM Library saves $345,000.00 / year.
• $332,230.00 of HM Library yearly costs are related to FTE.
• Only $12,932.00 of yearly HM Library costs are related to building maintenance.
• Reduction of FTE costs can be accomplished without closing any single facility.
3. Alternatives to closing Hamline Midway Library.
Our goal is to reduce overall library costs without closing the Hamline Midway Library.
Alternatives to consider include:
• Supplement FTE with volunteers or work-study students, both at HM Library and the other small branches;
• Reducing hours or days of operation across the library system;
• Raising private / community funds to cover materials costs (including donation bins, such as those at Como Zoo).
We are in the process of working with the Library Director to obtain more specific data in order to provide more specific (dollar amount) proposals.
In summary, closing Hamline-Midway Library would save a minimal amount in building maintenance ($12,932.00 / year) while having a disproportionate negative impact on our neighborhood's culture, livability, property values, and economy. Reduction of FTE costs can be accomplished more equitably than closing an entire facility in one neighborhood.
With a small staff, and small square footage, the H-M Library compares favorably with other branches in terms of services provided:
• 4th in gate count per FTE;
• 4th in number of non-library meeting room events;
• 5th in circulation per FTE;
• 5th in information and reference provided per FTE;
• 5th in number of adult attendance at library programs;
• 8th in number of juvenile attendance at library programs.
The Hamline Midway Library also ranks 1st in the number of patrons who walk to the library!
2. Most of the savings incurred in closing Hamline Midway would be related to FTE.
FTE stands for a "Full Time Employee," which is the bulk of the cost for running the Hamline Midway Library.
• Closing HM Library saves $345,000.00 / year.
• $332,230.00 of HM Library yearly costs are related to FTE.
• Only $12,932.00 of yearly HM Library costs are related to building maintenance.
• Reduction of FTE costs can be accomplished without closing any single facility.
3. Alternatives to closing Hamline Midway Library.
Our goal is to reduce overall library costs without closing the Hamline Midway Library.
Alternatives to consider include:
• Supplement FTE with volunteers or work-study students, both at HM Library and the other small branches;
• Reducing hours or days of operation across the library system;
• Raising private / community funds to cover materials costs (including donation bins, such as those at Como Zoo).
We are in the process of working with the Library Director to obtain more specific data in order to provide more specific (dollar amount) proposals.
In summary, closing Hamline-Midway Library would save a minimal amount in building maintenance ($12,932.00 / year) while having a disproportionate negative impact on our neighborhood's culture, livability, property values, and economy. Reduction of FTE costs can be accomplished more equitably than closing an entire facility in one neighborhood.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Restore Local Government Aid Press Conference
Glen Fladeboe, who is working with the City of St. Paul and the
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, called today about a
campaign being launched to publicize the impact of local government
aid cuts. The goal is to restore local government aid funding.
If local government aid is restored, our library is saved.
The campaign will hold a 15-minute press conference this Friday, Feb.
27, 11:30 am in Room 125 of the State Capitol Building. Glen asked
me to spread the word and encourage people to attend with their
children and signs about the library. The campaign's website is
www.ThankLGA.org.
Thanks in advance, and PLEASE spread the word. I know this is short notice, but any presence there would be helpful--and don't forget to bring signs and WEAR RED.
Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, called today about a
campaign being launched to publicize the impact of local government
aid cuts. The goal is to restore local government aid funding.
If local government aid is restored, our library is saved.
The campaign will hold a 15-minute press conference this Friday, Feb.
27, 11:30 am in Room 125 of the State Capitol Building. Glen asked
me to spread the word and encourage people to attend with their
children and signs about the library. The campaign's website is
www.ThankLGA.org.
Thanks in advance, and PLEASE spread the word. I know this is short notice, but any presence there would be helpful--and don't forget to bring signs and WEAR RED.
300 Turn Out In Support Of Library
GREAT Pioneer Press coverage of last night's meeting! THANK YOU to everyone for attending the meeting. I think we sent our message loud and clear.
http://www.twincities.com/ci_11778081?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com
http://www.twincities.com/
Meeting With The Mayor
Save the date/new event:
Community Meeting with Mayor and Library Director
Tuesday March 10, 6-8pm
Hamline Midway Library (auditorium), 1558 Minnehaha
There may be volunteer child care upstairs – check back for confirmation (or contact Jun-Li if you are able to help).
Community Meeting with Mayor and Library Director
Tuesday March 10, 6-8pm
Hamline Midway Library (auditorium), 1558 Minnehaha
There may be volunteer child care upstairs – check back for confirmation (or contact Jun-Li if you are able to help).
We Need Your Help...
PLEASE help flyer your neighbors in the HM especially if you know they are not online. We do not have a great way to get library news to folks who are not on the Hamline Midway listserv or who do not get emails forwarded to them by a friend (info will be in our HMC newsletter delivered March 5, but that's a week away). If you have time this weekend, please help distribute a flyer to your neighbors. To get the flyer:
a. Contact Jun-Li at jwang@hamlinemidway.org or 651-646-1986 by Thurs Feb 26 10am with how many flyers you want, and we will deliver a stack to your door by Friday evening.
b. Stop by the Hamline Midway Coalition (1564 Lafond) between 10-5pm/M-F to pick up flyers. Stop by the letter-writing campaigns (see #2) to get flyers.
c. Print it yourself by going to http://www.hamlinemidway.org/news/announcements and scrolling to the bottom of the page.
a. Contact Jun-Li at jwang@hamlinemidway.org or 651-646-1986 by Thurs Feb 26 10am with how many flyers you want, and we will deliver a stack to your door by Friday evening.
b. Stop by the Hamline Midway Coalition (1564 Lafond) between 10-5pm/M-F to pick up flyers. Stop by the letter-writing campaigns (see #2) to get flyers.
c. Print it yourself by going to http://www.hamlinemidway.o
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wear Red
If you are going to the Mayor's meeting tonight, wear RED! And if you have time to do some flyering around your blocks, look for Jun-Li or other people with stacks of pink flyers - we need to get the word out to folks who aren't online. If you aren't going tonight, but can help flyer, contact Jun-Li at jwang@hamlinemidway.org or 651-646-1986 & let her know how many flyers you want, and where we can drop a stack off (or come by the office/1564 Lafond Ave).
Push back on the false claim that the library is not used
The underutilization claim is false.
There are fourteen libraries in Saint Paul’s library system. The Hamline-Midway library has consistently ranked in the top half related to attendance at juvenile and adult events over the past three years. Use of its meeting rooms is in the top quartile of all Saint Paul libraries. In fact, the Hamline-Midway library does not rank last in any usage category.
Even in categories in which the Hamline-Midway library has a low rank, the raw statistics are misleading.
For example, the Hamline-Midway library ranks 12th out of 14 in “internet use.” The ranking, however, does not adjust for the number of computers available at each library or the fact that the Hamline-Midway library is not open as many hours as other libraries. Of course the Rondo Community library is ranked first and the West 7th library is ranked last, because the Rondo Community library has the most computers of any other library in the entire system and the West 7th library has the least number of computers in the entire system. When the number of computers and hours are taken into consideration, the internet usage at the Hamline-Midway library is comparable and often higher than the computer usage at other libraries. The current rankings do not create an accurate picture.
Based on the annual budget and square footage of the Hamline-Midway library in comparison to its circulation numbers, it is actually one of the most efficient and inexpensive libraries in the city. It is all in how you look at and calculate the numbers.
There are fourteen libraries in Saint Paul’s library system. The Hamline-Midway library has consistently ranked in the top half related to attendance at juvenile and adult events over the past three years. Use of its meeting rooms is in the top quartile of all Saint Paul libraries. In fact, the Hamline-Midway library does not rank last in any usage category.
Even in categories in which the Hamline-Midway library has a low rank, the raw statistics are misleading.
For example, the Hamline-Midway library ranks 12th out of 14 in “internet use.” The ranking, however, does not adjust for the number of computers available at each library or the fact that the Hamline-Midway library is not open as many hours as other libraries. Of course the Rondo Community library is ranked first and the West 7th library is ranked last, because the Rondo Community library has the most computers of any other library in the entire system and the West 7th library has the least number of computers in the entire system. When the number of computers and hours are taken into consideration, the internet usage at the Hamline-Midway library is comparable and often higher than the computer usage at other libraries. The current rankings do not create an accurate picture.
Based on the annual budget and square footage of the Hamline-Midway library in comparison to its circulation numbers, it is actually one of the most efficient and inexpensive libraries in the city. It is all in how you look at and calculate the numbers.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Video Tape A Message...
Tomorrow, Saturday from 1 to 2, we'll be at the Hamline Midway library with a camera and we'll send it on via YouTube and Email...all you have to do is speak, sing, or dance from the heart.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Letter and Sign Party
Come meet your neighbors and write letters to save the Hamline-Midway
Library!
WHERE AND WHEN: Hamline-Midway Library Auditorium Meeting Space,
1558 W. Minnehaha Avenue West,
Feb. 25 and 26, 6:30-8:30 pm
or
The Brian Berg-Carrie Pomeroy home
Sun., Feb. 22, 2-4 pm (RSVP at carriepomeroy@tcq.net or 651-645-1196
for address and directions)
WHO'S WELCOME: Anyone who cares about libraries. Even non-writing
kids can be helped to write a letter or draw a picture about the
library.
WHAT TO BRING: Paper, pens, pencils, markers, and posterboard if
you'd like to make a window poster
WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED: Talking points, sample letters, addresses for
contact people to write to, and a few extra writing supplies for
anyone who forgets theirs
WHAT WE'LL DO WITH THE LETTERS: At dates in late February or early
March to be determined, we hope to deliver letters in person to the
mayor, Library Director Melanie Huggins, and Councilmember Russ
Stark. If you can't come to a party but would like to be involved in
the letter campaign, please call number below.
FOR MORE INFO or to RSVP: Carrie Pomeroy, 651-645-1196 or
carriepomeroy@tcq.net
Please pass on the info! Feel free to forward to listservs, email
groups, post on blogs, etc.
Library!
WHERE AND WHEN: Hamline-Midway Library Auditorium Meeting Space,
1558 W. Minnehaha Avenue West,
Feb. 25 and 26, 6:30-8:30 pm
or
The Brian Berg-Carrie Pomeroy home
Sun., Feb. 22, 2-4 pm (RSVP at carriepomeroy@tcq.net or 651-645-1196
for address and directions)
WHO'S WELCOME: Anyone who cares about libraries. Even non-writing
kids can be helped to write a letter or draw a picture about the
library.
WHAT TO BRING: Paper, pens, pencils, markers, and posterboard if
you'd like to make a window poster
WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED: Talking points, sample letters, addresses for
contact people to write to, and a few extra writing supplies for
anyone who forgets theirs
WHAT WE'LL DO WITH THE LETTERS: At dates in late February or early
March to be determined, we hope to deliver letters in person to the
mayor, Library Director Melanie Huggins, and Councilmember Russ
Stark. If you can't come to a party but would like to be involved in
the letter campaign, please call number below.
FOR MORE INFO or to RSVP: Carrie Pomeroy, 651-645-1196 or
carriepomeroy@tcq.net
Please pass on the info! Feel free to forward to listservs, email
groups, post on blogs, etc.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Plugging-In
There are a lot of exciting ways to plug into this grassroots effort, share your ideas, and save the Hamline-Midway library (just remember to keep it respectful). We want to make sure the Mayor knows that this library is a priority, and find a creative way to make that happen in these tough economic times.
Here are our three ways to plug in:
NUMBER ONE--CONTACT THE MAYOR: So, if you haven't already, it is really important to write to Mayor Coleman. Elected officials need to hear from us. Send mail to: Office of the Mayor, 390 City Hall, 15 Kellogg Boulevard West, Saint Paul, MN 55102 or use the online form at https://www.stpaul.gov/forms.asp?FID=69
ALSO, MAKE SURE YOU SEND A COPY OF YOUR LETTER TO COUNCILMAN RUSS STARK. HE'S COLLECTING THEM TO MAKE OUR CASE!!! You can email him the letter: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us
NUMBER TWO--TALKING TO NEIGHBORS: If you've already contacted the Mayor then it is time to get your neighbors to call or write the mayor. If you are interested in participating in a petition drive, handing out flyers, or going door-to-door, shoot Jun-Li an email at the Hamline Midway Coalition. There are neighborhood folks who are heading up those efforts and she can help you connect. Her email is:
jwang@hamlinemidway.org
NUMBER THREE--ATTEND THE MAYOR'S TOWN HALL: The Mayor's Town Hall is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 in the Bullard Rainforest Auditorium at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Visitor Center, 1225 Estabrook Drive.
Here are our three ways to plug in:
NUMBER ONE--CONTACT THE MAYOR: So, if you haven't already, it is really important to write to Mayor Coleman. Elected officials need to hear from us. Send mail to: Office of the Mayor, 390 City Hall, 15 Kellogg Boulevard West, Saint Paul, MN 55102 or use the online form at https://www.stpaul.gov/for
ALSO, MAKE SURE YOU SEND A COPY OF YOUR LETTER TO COUNCILMAN RUSS STARK. HE'S COLLECTING THEM TO MAKE OUR CASE!!! You can email him the letter: ward4@ci.stpaul.mn.us
NUMBER TWO--TALKING TO NEIGHBORS: If you've already contacted the Mayor then it is time to get your neighbors to call or write the mayor. If you are interested in participating in a petition drive, handing out flyers, or going door-to-door, shoot Jun-Li an email at the Hamline Midway Coalition. There are neighborhood folks who are heading up those efforts and she can help you connect. Her email is:
jwang@hamlinemidway.org
NUMBER THREE--ATTEND THE MAYOR'S TOWN HALL: The Mayor's Town Hall is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 in the Bullard Rainforest Auditorium at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Visitor Center, 1225 Estabrook Drive.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)