Tuesday’s the day to invest in our future!

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.

Voting no is NOT a solution.

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.

• The proposed library project is not a Taj Mahal. It’s a functional 21^st Century library.  A library to provide our citizens today and in the future with the necessary space and resources to compete in the classroom, the workforce and everyday life. Additional amenities such as a fireplace or aquarium could be included, but only if private contributions are made available to fund them.

• This project will not exceed the proposed $20.8 million budget. It cannot exceed that budget. The language is specifically included on the special election ballot. All necessary funding for the library project will be provided by the temporary 1% sales tax. As soon as the $20.8 million is raised, the sales tax is retired. It’s done.

• A larger, more energy efficient building with new technology will not demand increased staff. Current library staff will definitely be utilized in different ways, with automated checkout systems, book return processing equipment and radio frequency ID tags performing the tasks that will no longer require personal interaction. Most public libraries installed those technological upgrades several years ago.

• Lack of space is the single largest deficiency with our current library. We have no more space to use, so a remodel of the current building will not solve our problems. Although the building was originally constructed to include a full second floor, advances in mechanical and lighting systems now require 15-foot ceiling heights, and we don’t have that space. We have received opinions from multiple experts, and the current library is not structurally capable of supporting an additional floor, so a third story is not possible. We’ve learned that the library’s current mechanical system is one of the most inefficient models ever made, with heating and cooling running simultaneously 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also have serious issues of accessibility in this building, which prevent some of our residents from fully utilizing their public library.

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.

• It is the Library Board’s intent that the new library be located where the existing building stands, with acquisition of adjacent property as needed to accommodate the plan. If Councilman Terry Bjerke has a different idea for a location, he will need to pursue that with his fellow Council members. As always, majority will rule.

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.

Mayor Brown supports the library.

Mayor Mike Brown

The Special Election for the proposed Grand Forks Public library project is just 12 days away.

When I delivered the State of the City address in February, I talked about the many exciting things that are happening in our City. I mentioned the Library and I acknowledged that I had questions about the proposed project that needed to be addressed before I was ready to support it with a “yes” vote. I encouraged my fellow citizens to study the issues and become informed voters.

Today, I am here to tell you that I have done my homework.  I’ve visited the library, studied the reports, researched the usage levels, and talked to the experts.  Concerns have been addressed, and questions have been answered to my satisfaction.  I’m ready to vote “yes” to the plan for funding our Library Project.  I support the proposed 1% sales tax to raise the necessary $20.8 million to build a 21^st Century Library for the citizens of Grand Forks.

The problems here have been clearly documented.  Our library is well used and valued, but increased population and expanded offerings have pushed this 40-year-old structure well past its limits. The Grand Forks library has the largest circulation of any public library in the state. Usage has increased every year since it was built.  More than 825 people a day visit this building.  Based on current usage, we need a facility nearly twice this size to accommodate the existing patron traffic.  We need more room for materials, but also for children’s activities, computers, meetings, study groups, teens, staff and parking.

Since lack of space is the biggest issue, a remodeling of the current building will not solve our problems.  We have opinions from multiple experts, and this building is not structurally capable of supporting an additional floor.   We’ve learned that the mechanical system in this building is the most inefficient model ever made, with heating and cooling running simultaneously 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  We also have serious issues of accessibility in this building, which prevent some of our residents from fully utilizing their public library.

These are significant problems that require big-budget solutions.  I have looked at the proposals, and it would cost approximately $18 million to remodel and add on to this building.  That is not a cost-effective solution, and it would force us to make compromising adaptations that are necessary when joining new construction with an existing building.  Total new construction is definitely the best solution.

The three-year Library Revitalization process that was spearheaded by local volunteers was effective in its fact-finding, research, comparative studies and planning. Their proposed solution has been thoughtfully developed, and it is the right one for our city at this time.

There is quite a bit of misinformation out there, and I want to help clarify a few things that may have been inaccurately represented in the past few weeks:

• The proposed library project will not exceed the $20.8 million budget as stated on the special election ballot.  All funding for the project will be provided by the temporary 1% sales tax.  As soon as the $20.8 million is raised, the sales tax is retired.  It’s ended.

•  The library will be located right here where the existing building stands, with adjacent property as needed to accommodate the plan.

• 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.  How will we deal with the safety and accessibility issues?

• The public library is our responsibility.  The money for necessary upgrades, improvements and corrections must come from us.  A 1-cent sales tax is a funding mechanism that is less burdensome to residents, with a defined sunset that will be retired in three years or less.

• It is not a Taj Mahal that’s being proposed here.  It’s a functional library.  A library to provide our citizens with the necessary resources to compete in the classroom, the workforce, and everyday life.

If you are undecided on this issue, it’s time to do your homework. Ask questions, read the consultant reports, learn about the site selection process, and get a better understanding of the project scope.  This information is all available at the library website: www.gflibrary.com  If you prefer, you can request copies of the documents at the reference desk right here in the library.

To post specific questions regarding the project and to review the ongoing dialogue within our community, visit www.speakupforyourlibrary.com.  Information on this site is updated several times each day.

Most important of all, prepare yourself as an educated voter and go to the polls on Tuesday, May 3.

I urge you to join me in voting “yes” to lifelong learning.  “Yes” to informed citizens of all ages.  “Yes” to a resourceful and connected community.

Vote “yes” to fund the proposed project that will provide our residents with the 21^st Century Library we deserve.

As Mayor Brown said – educate yourself and ask questions before you vote. We invite you to ask questions right here in the comments.

Virtual “yard signs.”

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:

1. Right click the image.
2. Select “save image as…”
3. Save it (on your desktop seems to be the easiest spot to locate the file later).
4. Go to Facebook and change your profile photo, uploading this image.
5. Title the image with this link to this blog post: http://bit.ly/virtualyardsigns

…and bonus points if you:

1. Tag 5 local friends (or more) in your new profile photo. Make sure they’re from Grand Forks (including college students) and able to vote.
2. Update your status, explaining your new photo and stance, with a link to the blog post. For example: “I’m voting YES on May 3 to a new Grand Forks Public Library! Want a profile picture like mine? Go to http://bit.ly/virtualyardsigns.”

With the vote coming up in only 12 days, we need your participation. And soon! Thank you.

Support family reading time.

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.