If you’ve done your homework…
If you understand the importance of libraries for your community, your business, your family…
If you want your children to be proud to call Grand Forks home…
If you believe in investing for the future…
Then check that “yes” box. Boldly.
Do it tomorrow. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This is a guest post by Susan Mickelson, GFPL Board President.
The three-year Library Revitalization process that was spearheaded by local volunteers was effective in its fact-finding, research, comparative studies and planning. The proposed solution has been thoughtfully developed, carefully documented and professionally reviewed. The $20.8 million project proposal was prepared and approved by the Library Board, based on the current situations existing in Grand Forks at this time. It is the proposal that is being offered to voters on May 3 in the form of a special election.
The Grand Forks Public library is well used and highly valued. Based on documented usage, we need a facility nearly twice the size to accommodate existing patron traffic. The proposed $20.8 million library project would be funded by a temporary 1-cent sales tax.
Although we’ve been encouraged by the amount of public interaction that has been generated by the upcoming Library Vote, we are also frustrated by deceptive messaging and blatant untruths that have been distributed by the opposition, Citizens for Responsible Government.
I would like to address five of the most deceitful statements at this time. These bullet points come directly from the flyer that is being distributed by Councilman Terry Bjerke and his supporters.
These are significant problems that require big-budget solutions. We have looked at options and requested proposals, and it would cost approximately $18 million to remodel and add on to the existing building. That is not a cost-effective solution, and it would force us to make the compromising adaptations that are always necessary when joining new construction with an existing building.
Voting “no” is not a solution. There are serious deficiencies at our library. Many of these problems need to be corrected immediately. Voting “no” will only prolong the problems, and in some cases the costs for correction will grow higher as each month passes.
What solutions have been provided by Citizens for Responsible Government? What alternatives have they proposed? What professional opinions have they garnered? What comparative facility reports have they prepared? What budgets have they offered?
Where will we carve out the necessary space for our existing library materials, as well as current children’s activities, computers, meetings, study groups, teens, staff and parking? And what about future accessibility for Grand Forks Public Library and our tax-paying citizens?
It’s very easy to say “vote no.” It’s even easier when you don’t bother to put in the time to research the problem, study the possible solutions, support your case with the necessary professional documentation and suggest a solution with a bona fide price tag.
The Library Task Force for Revitalization did their work and they did it thoroughly. The results have been made available to the public since October of 2008. Don’t be misdirected by an easy way out. Be an informed voter. Read the reports, study the research, learn about the advances within the library industry, and review the 35 line items in the proposed budget at www.gflibrary.com.
Most important, be sure to cast your vote on Tuesday, May 3.
The top 10 reasons why you should vote YES to a new Grand Forks Public Library:
10. Because we’ve loved our library to death.
9. Because books are alive and well.
8. Because our kids and grandkids deserve a brain playground.
7. Because the parking, technology, lighting and energy in the current building just aren’t cutting it.
6. Because meeting rooms build community. (And the current library has only one meeting room!)
5. Because the current library is overused and undersized.
4. Because libraries must be available to all.
3. Because libraries open minds and inspire imagination.
2. Because libraries advance people. (And people advance companies and communities.)
1. Because voting no is not a solution. (The current library needs serious help, and it’s going to cost a considerable amount of money either way.)
We need more space for parking, displays, programming, computers, teens and children, story hour and book clubs. We need more space for community. We need more space to grow.
Remember to get out and vote YES on Tuesday, May 3!
Have a yard sign? If so, great! If not, pick one up at SimmonsFlint or these other locations.
Use the image at right as a virtual yard sign by setting it as your Facebook profile picture. All you have to do is:
…and bonus points if you:
With the vote coming up in only 12 days, we need your participation. And soon! Thank you.
Much has been said about how much the Grand Forks Public Library has changed and added programs and services over the years. Here’s a rundown of that growth:
This growth requires a new library. Vote YES.
If you believe in a new library, please share this post with your family and friends, either through email or Facebook. The May 3 vote is quickly approaching! Thank you.
The hard-working volunteers, who have piloted the GF Public Library Revitalization Project for more than three years, appreciate this opportunity to correct erroneous information that has been distributed and redistributed recently through a very deceiving email thread.
The majority of the information in the email message was based on conjecture and untruths. The most egregious of the misstatements are corrected here:
It’s important for Grand Forks voters to be correctly informed about the proposed library project. Our library website contains complete information on current usage data, consultant’s reports, feasibility studies/traffic studies authorized by City Council and official meeting minutes from the three years of working through the planning process.
Probably most important: Visit the library and see for yourself. GFPL has 825 visitors per day checking out almost 2,400 items daily. That’s more than any other public library in North Dakota.
The problems at our 40-year-old library will not disappear with a “no” vote on May 3. Total lack of ADA compliance, exploding light fixtures causing fire, antiquated HVAC systems, insufficient space for materials, programming, meetings and parking, as well as total absence of insulating material will continue to render our library inefficient, hazardous and noncompliant.
Let’s rectify the problems by approving a carefully researched, all-encompassing solution paid by a 1-cent sales tax with a hard sunset clause.
Vote “yes” on May 3 to provide the citizens of Grand Forks City and County with a 21st Century public library.
The biggest problem at the current Grand Forks Public Library is the lack of space.
Additional space is needed for:
Physical space can no longer be carved out of the existing floor plan in our 1972 building. Based on the Needs Assessment prepared by Library Consulting, PA, and comparisons with other communities of similar size and usage patterns, here’s how the current GFPL stacks up:
Proposed needs based on current usage:
See photos of the current library spaces issues in this Grand Forks Public Library slideshow, which is available for presentation to civic groups and organizations (updated 2/10/11).
Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy way to arrive at a cost-effective solution for the lack of square footage at GFPL. One of the proposed construction options during the three-year Library Revitalization Process was a remodel and addition to the existing building. The total budget for that option came in at $17,815,000 – nearly as much as for total new construction.
There are several structural challenges with the existing building that create significant issues for a remodel/expand. The 1972 building, although originally intended for second floor expansion, was not constructed with sufficient ceiling height to accommodate the HVAC and lighting requirements of a 21st Century Public Library.
Read more about these issues in the Grand Forks Library Site Feasibility Study prepared for City Council in January 2011. See pages 12-14 for budget specifics on the remodel/add option.
Below is a guest blog post from Jami Schumacher, mother of three book-loving boys. She was kind enough to share her perspective and support of a new library. Thanks, Jami!
My family is a family of readers. I have to say that my husband Matt and I take great pride in the fact that our three boys all enjoy reading. I believe we have helped them develop this love of reading and that it will serve them well in their lives.
On March 29, my boys and I attended the public session to listen to the architect share some ideas for our new library. To say that they were excited to hear what has been done at other libraries is an understatement.
My boys’ first exposure to the Grand Forks Public Library came through the Tuesday morning story time program. I was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years and this was a much-loved weekly outing. That they could check out any books they wanted week after week was such a treasure, especially during those years when we were living on a very tight budget. Eight-year-old Eliot said recently that the library “needs to get a bigger and better place for story time.” For many years the story time room was packed, especially in the summers when the Summer Reading Program was in session.
Now that all of my boys are in school, we do not attend story time but we still frequent the library throughout the year. My son Sam, 10 years old, gets hooked on reading books by certain authors and has said, “One of my favorite things to do at the library is check out books from series I’ve been reading, but don’t want to buy.” He has grand visions for a new library, “I hope our new library will have a 24-hour media pick-up center and a full cafe so I can spend the day there.”
My oldest, Max, is a teenager and has a more limited interest in what is currently available at the library. While he stills likes to go occasionally to check out books on particular topics of interest, Max has said, “In the new library I would like to see a teen multi-media area like I saw the architect show from other libraries.”
The needs of a 21st century library are very different from a library which was built almost 40 years ago. There is no doubt in my mind that a new library would enhance our community. We need this new library so it can reshape the role that it plays in the community, we need sufficient parking, and we need public support. My husband and I will be voting YES on May 3, and we would invite others to as well.
Are you getting behind a new Grand Forks Public Library? Show your support with a yard sign or window cling!
How to get yours:
We will be distributing yard signs across the street from the entrance to the Grand Forks Public Library at the following dates and times:
Additionally, signs are available at SimmonsFlint (downtown Grand Forks – 33 S 3rd St. Ste. D) or at the Widseth Smith Nolting office (intersection of Washington St. and 28th Ave. S), both during business hours (8-5). Consider taking a box of 50 to distribute in your workplace or neighborhood.
Two important things to remember when displaying campaign materials:
Here’s the yard sign – Vote Yes to the Hobbit.
And the window cling options:
Remember to vote yes to the library on May 3. Thanks for your help!
If you haven’t yet caught Sunday’s Herald article, please do so. Brian Schill provides answers to the top four questions surrounding the library project.
As Brian points out, we’d also like to remind you that:
Vote “yes” May 3.
speak up for your library 