1. real estate
2. apartments

Library Bo ard
Kim Vanderwall, Chair
Janice Rapheal, Vice Chair
John Hakes, Secretary
James Berry
Craig Klausing
Paula Mielke
Tou Xiong
Ramsey County Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
December 17, 2014
4570 North Victoria Street
Shoreview, MN 55126
6:30 PM
A d m in ist r at ive O ffice
4 570 N o r t h V ict o r ia St r eet
Sh o r eview, MN 5512 6-5863
(651) 4 86-22 0 0
Fax (651) 4 86-2 22 0
h t t p :/ / r clr ead s.o r g
Library Directo r
Susan M. Nemitz
 Maple wo o d  Mo u nds V ie w  N e w Bright o n  N o rt h St . Paul  Ro se ville  Sho re vie w  Whit e Be ar Lake 
I.
II.
III.
Call to Order (6:30)
Mission Statement
Public Comment (6:30-6:35)
Consent Agenda (6:40-6:45)
A. Approval of Agenda
B. Approval of October 15, 2014 Minutes (2)
C. Accept State Library Construction Grant (3)
D. Resolution Regarding the Retirement of Dorothy Ashley (4)
E. Resolution Regarding the Retirement of Thomas Schafer (5)
IV.
Action Items (6:45-7:00)
A. Shoreview Pre-Design Approval (6)
B. Other
V.
Discussion Items (7:00-8:00)
A. White Bear Lake Project Update (7)
B. Children’s Services Update (8)
C. Shoreview Branch Report (9)
D. Racial Equity Planning (10)
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
Provide free access for all
to the knowledge and ideas
that transform lives.
Vision Statement
Create extraordinary
learning environments
and experiences.
Reports (8:00-8:10)
A. Director’s Report (11)
B. Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries (12)
Executive Session (8:10-8:30)
A. Library Director’s Annual Performance Appraisal and Salary Review
B. Other
Next Meeting – January 21, 2015, RCL – Shoreview, 4570 North Victoria Street, 6:30 p.m.
Adjournment
Scheduled Upcoming Meetings
January 21, 2015
RCL - Shoreview
4570 North Victoria Street
February 18, 2015
Location - TBD
March 18, 2015
Location - TBD
Annual Meeting
2014 Fourth Quarter Reports
2015 Workplan
Library Board 3-Year Agenda
New Brighton Hours
White Bear Lake Project Update
Shoreview Facilities Planning Update
2014 Year End Reserve List
Review Fines & Fees
Branch Update
Property Management Update
White Bear Lake Project Update
Shoreview Facilities Planning Update
Annual Report to State
Budget Overview/Timeline
Automation Services Update
White Bear Lake Project Update
Shoreview Facilities Planning Update
Minutes of the Ramsey County Library Board
November 19, 2014
Administrative Offices ♦ 4570 N. Victoria St. ♦ Shoreview, MN 55126-5863 ♦ (651) 486-2200 ♦ FAX (651) 486-2220
LIBRARY BOARD PRESENT:
Jim Berry, John Hakes, Craig Klausing, Jan Rapheal, Kim Vanderwall
LIBRARY BOARD ABSENT:
Paula Mielke, Tou Xiong
STAFF PRESENT:
Susan Nemitz, Library Director; Mary Larson, Library Board Coordinator; Bill Michel, Maplewood Library Manager;
Sandy Walsh, Deputy Director; Lynn Wyman, Deputy Director; Jeff Eide, Roseville Library Manager; Julie Neville,
Property Manager
OTHERS PRESENT:
Blake Huffman, Ramsey County Commissioner; Bruce Thompson, Ramsey County Property Management Director;
Jennifer McMasters, Kate Lohrenz, Victor Pechaty, Hammel, Green & Abrahamson
CALL TO ORDER:
Vanderwall called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Program Room of the Ramsey County Library in
Roseville, 2180 Hamline Avenue North, and introduced new Library Board Trustees James Berry and Craig Klausing.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
No public comment.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Klausing made a motion to approve the agenda for November 19, 2014 as presented. Rapheal seconded the motion,
which was approved by unanimous vote.
NAMING RIGHTS FOR WHITE BEAR LAKE:
Two naming requests have been received by the Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries Capital Campaign for
White Bear Lake, based on the amounts approved by the Library Board in May 2014 and October 2014.
The White Bear Lake Lions Club has pledged $10,000 for the naming rights to the Large Study Room at the
newly remodeled and expanded Ramsey County Library in White Bear Lake. The pledge would be fulfilled by
December 31, 2014. In recognition of this gift, the room would be named the White Bear Lake Lions Club
Study Room and marked with an appropriate plaque.
Nancy Hendrickson donated $5,000 on November 3, 2014, for the naming rights to the Butterfly Garden, which
will be located on the west side of the building, between the Library and Clark Avenue. In recognition of this
gift, the area would be named the N.J. Hendrickson Butterfly Garden and marked with an appropriate plaque.
Klausing made a motion to approve the naming of the Large Study Room in the Ramsey County Library in
White Bear Lake for the White Bear Lake Lions Club based upon their donation of $10,000 to be received by
December 31, 2014; and to approve the naming of the Butterfly Garden of the Ramsey County Library in White
Bear Lake for Nancy J. Hendrickson based upon her donation of $5,000 received on November 3, 2014.
Rapheal seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
REVISED 2015 HOLIDAY CALENDAR:
In October 2014, the Library Board approved the 2015 Holiday Calendar. Since that approval, the Staff
Inservice Day has been rescheduled from Thursday, April 23, to Monday, April 20, in order to accommodate the
Friends’ Spring Book Sale, which was scheduled the same day.
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Klausing made a motion to approve the revised 2015 Holiday Calendar. Raphael seconded the motion, which
was approved by unanimous vote.
AMH MAINTENANCE CONTRACT:
The warranty period for the automated materials handling (AMH) system at Roseville ended October 31, 2014.
To ensure that the Library’s investment is protected and service is not interrupted, a service agreement needs
to be renewed.
Because AMH technology is unique, maintenance is typically purchased directly from the manufacturer at a
percentage of the purchase price. Tech Logic is offering a three- year Full Service Agreement option at a 5%
discounted rate. The Library is recommending renewal of the three-year agreement to take advantage of the
discount that provides maintenance through the 2016 budget, and does not limit the Library’s ability to negotiate
lower rates or alternative maintenance for the following budget cycle.
The three-year Full Service Agreement is $51,585 per year and the 5% discount will also be applied to the
annual software licensing fee of $3,700. This agreement includes labor for mechanical repair, discounted parts,
preventative maintenance visits, and software support. This pricing represents an annual decrease of $3,642.33
from the previous cost for maintenance and software licensing. Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Jeff
Stephenson worked with Library staff on the development of the proposed maintenance agreement.
Klausing made a motion to approve the AMH Full Service Agreement with Tech Logic for a three (3) year term
at a cost not to exceed $51,585 per year (excluding annual software licensing fees), and authorize the Library
Board Chair to sign the Agreement; subject to the approval of the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Rapheal
seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
COFFEE SHOP LEASE AT MAPLEWOOD:
The coffee shop space at the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood has been vacant since January 2014 after
JaMocha’s terminated its five-year lease on the space. Library staff worked with a commercial real estate
company, Essence Real Estate of New Brighton, MN, to identify and contract with a tenant for the space. After
several interested parties toured the facility, Kumpon Boonwong and Navarat Poosansaard began negotiations
on a lease for the coffee shop space.
Tenant:
Use:
Term:
Extension Term:
Security Deposit:
Annual Rent:
Tenant Other:
Landlord Other:
Sanook, LLC (Kumpon Boonwong and Navarat Poosansaard)
Café
12/1/14 through 1/31/20 (5 Years)
3 Years
$20,000
$30,000 with 3% increases annually
Property taxes, janitorial, trash, natural gas, electricity
Water/sewer, common area maintenance
Klausing made a motion to approve the proposed lease between the Ramsey County Library and Sanook LLC
for the coffee shop space at the Ramsey County Library in Maplewood, and to authorize the Library Board
Chair and Library Director to execute the lease; subject to the approval of the Ramsey County Attorney’s
Office. Rapheal seconded the motion, which was approved by unanimous vote.
INCREASE WHITE BEAR LAKE PROJECT GMP:
Nemitz indicated that the project budget for the renovation of the library in White Bear Lake is fixed, but
additional funds have become available.
 The Library was notified that it has been awarded a $200,000 State Library Construction Grant.
 The Friends are fundraising and have already raised a large portion of their goal of $200,000.
 Property Management has capital improvement dollars available in the amount of $100,000 to pay for an
entirely new roof on the renovated building.
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In order to expend these funds on the project, the gross maximum price (GMP) must be increased. Property
Management would like to bring a request to the County Board of Commissioners to increase the GMP by up
to $500,000, depending on how much money is raised by the Friends. On previous projects, fundraising dollars
could be leveraged against the construction contingency and formally increasing the GMP was not necessary.
However, construction costs have increased since the project budget was developed, and the contingency will
be used to fund the higher project costs. The increased GMP will go to the County Board for approval on
November 25, 2014.
Berry made a motion to approve the request to the County Board of Commissioners that allows the Gross
Maximum Price for the project in White Bear Lake to be increased by up to $500,000 by the use of State
Library Construction Grant funds, Capital Campaign fund, and capital improvement dollars held in the Library’s
Property Management fund. Rapheal seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Hakes made a motion to approve the minutes of 10-15-14 as presented. Rapheal seconded the motion, which
was unanimously approved.
BENCHMARKING RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY TO COMPARABLE LIBRARIES:
Jeff Eide, Library Manager at the Ramsey County Library in Roseville, compiled a statistical report showing comparisons
between RCL, MELSA libraries, and nine other library systems across the United States with similar population size and
total income.
Circulation statistics have increased by 24% over the last 10 years, and staff workload has increased by 31%. In 2012,
Ramsey County Library was highest in circulation per capita, per FTE and per hour open; in collection turnover; and in
visits per capita and per hour open. RCL lags behind St. Paul and Hennepin County in revenue per capita.
ROSEVILLE BRANCH UPDATE:
TRENDS IN THE SERVICE AREA:
 Median household income in Roseville is $59,400 which is very near the state-wide average, but above the
Ramsey County average ($53,200).
 10% of the population of Roseville is below the federal poverty level.
 According to the school district, ethnic diversity in the district has gone up one or two percent every year
for the past 20 years. Currently, 47.2% are people of color. Karen people from Myanmar (formerly Burma)
are one of the more-recent immigrant populations. 14.9% of the district’s students are English language
learners. 46% are on Free/Reduced Lunch.
 Community News: City of Roseville is undergoing a park renovation project; a new Wal-Mart Supercenter
opened in the spring.
LIBRARY ISSUES AND SERVICE TRENDS:
 Circulation of materials is on pace to be down 5.7% this year.
 Visits to the library are down 0.7%
 Bookings of the Community Program Room and Board Room are up 1.3% and average 2.3 bookings per day
by outside groups.
 Public computer logins are down 9.7%, but wireless use is up 24.9%.
 There is increasing demand for study space with electricity and Wi-Fi – private rooms, in particular.
 Attendance at library programs is up 7.3% this year.
 More than 100 incidents have been reported thus far this year. Some of them are of a more serious nature – e.g.,
thefts, indecent exposure, and one serious fall.
INNOVATION:
 Offered “STEM Saturday” weekly since June.
 Attendance through September was 270; averaging 22.5 per session.
 Currently developing programming content through February.
Page 3 of 5
SHOREVIEW PRE-DESIGN UPDATE:
The Library’s Facilities Master Plan recommends creating a third regional library to serve patrons in the
northern portion of suburban Ramsey County. To further this goal, the Library has acquired the residential
property on the corner of Highway 96 and Victoria Street in Shoreview, and is in the process of acquiring the
remaining residential property south of the library in Shoreview. The building program was also revised to
accommodate shared space for Ramsey County services.
Representatives from Hammel, Green and Abrahamson (HGA) were present to discuss the pre-design report
and cost estimates that were developed after working with staff on several options for the past few months.
Staff will review the cost estimates in detail and determine possible areas of reduction in the building program.
The Mounds View School District continues to pursue the potential lease to purchase of the current Shoreview
facility. Revenue from the sale of the facility could offset some of the cost increase that would result from
building a new library on the corner. Further information will be shared with the Library Board in December.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL AND SALARY REVIEW PROCESS:
Each year at the Library Board’s annual Meeting, a Personnel Subcommittee is appointed. Members of the
Personnel Subcommittee coordinate the Library Director’s annual performance appraisal, and may meet
occasionally to discuss staff personnel issues. For the past several years, the Personnel Subcommittee has been
comprised of the Library Board Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary.
The committee typically works with Ramsey County Human Resources (HR) to coordinate the performance
review and salary appraisal of the Library Director. Appraisal forms are sent to each Library Board member.
Responses are sent directly to HR, where the information is collated and provided to the Personnel
Subcommittee along with information on current salary, potential merit increases and performance incentives.
The Library Board will discuss the appraisal and salary data in Executive Session at the December meeting.
RACIAL EQUITY PLANNING:
Library staff is beginning to develop the 2015 Workplan, including the area of racial equity. Steps underway in
2014 and goals for 2015 will be shared with the Library Board at a future meeting.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT:
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners will hold an Open House and Public Hearing on the proposed
2015 County Budget on December 1 at 6 p.m. at the Roseville Area High School.
The Commissioners have selected Jim Berry of White Bear Lake and Craig Klausing of Roseville to serve on the
Ramsey County Library Board. Both new members have been active in community boards. They will begin
serving at the November meeting.
RCL has been recognized as a Star Library by Library Journal (LJ). The LJ Index is a measurement tool that
compares U.S. public libraries with their spending peers based on four types of output measures of their per
capita use: library visits, circulation, public access computer use, and program attendance. Four libraries in
Minnesota received this recognition: Ramsey County, Hennepin County, Edgerton, and Grand Marais. RCL was
also a Star Library in 2013.
The Library will begin conducting the Impact Survey this month. The Impact Survey is an online tool designed by
the University of Washington specifically for public libraries that want to better understand their communities
and how people use their public technology resources and services. It takes 10-15 minutes to complete and is
anonymous. Library patrons took the survey in the fall of 2013 as well. Results will be available in a few
months.
The White Bear Lake Library is progressing nicely. Steel arrived on the site a week early which allowed
Knutson to get a jump on the weather. The bones of the building addition have been put in place and it is now
Page 4 of 5
possible to get an idea of the library’s eventual size. Parking lot and other site work has been completed for the
fall. Millwork has been ordered and other furniture orders will be placed in the next couple of weeks. The
project is still on track for a late March 2015 opening.
The Library was just notified that it will receive a State Library Construction Grant in the amount of $200,000
for the White Bear Lake project. The funds will be used to improve the quality of infrastructure including the
reading patio, window coverings, signage, millwork and furniture. It will improve accessibility through the
provision of hearing assistive technology and enhance technology within the building. Nemitz thanked Sandy
Walsh for her work on the grant application.
The following language was included in the County’s legislative package: Preserve Grants to Libraries, Including
Legacy Grants for Cultural Heritage Programming and Projects and Department of Education Construction Grants. In
Minnesota, local government provides most of the funding for the libraries in their communities. However,
Legacy Art and Cultural Heritage Fund grants and Department of Education Construction Grants offer
alternative sources for specific projects or programs. Support Item with Minnesota Library Association (MLA)
as the lead. This language allows Ramsey County Library to utilize the resources of governmental relations staff
to work on statewide library issues that benefit the County.
MELSA is seeking an Executive Director following the loss of Chris Olsen. Washington County Library Director
Pat Conley has announced her retirement, and the County has begun a search process.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REPORT:
To date, the Friends have received $59,208 in donations and $36,500 in pledges for a total of $95,708 (excluding in-kind
donations) toward the goal of raising $200,000 for the White Bear Library. A celebration of the Library's 100th
Birthday was held from on Thursday, November 13 at the Best Western White Bear Country Inn. The event included
opening of the time capsule that was placed in the cornerstone of the library building in 1973. Naming rights have been
requested for the N. J. Hendrickson Butterfly Garden ($5,000 gift) and the White Bear Lake Lions Club Large Study
Room ($10,000 gift).
The Friends are working very hard to plan the second annual Great Gatsby Gala to be held from 6:30 to 9:30 on
February 7, 2015 at the library in Roseville. Auction items, small or large, and event sponsors are needed! Please
contact the Friends if you can help or have an idea.
Every three years the Friends needs to apply for recertification as meeting all 27 standards set by the Minnesota
Charities Review Council for good governance, finance, fundraising practices, and public communication. The Friends
satisfactorily completed this intense process in September so continue to be included in the list of “strong and trusted
nonprofits. The Meets Standards seal is a visual marker of nonprofit strength, and a great way for nonprofits to
differentiate themselves, communicating their strength and impact to funders, donors, and the public.” (Quote from
Charities Review Council Accountability Standards)
NEXT MEETING: December 17, 2014 – RCL-Shoreview, 4570 North Victoria Street, 6:30 p.m.
MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Larson
Library Board Coordinator
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Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
_________________________
Meeting Date
December 17, 2014
Action Requested
Accept Grant
Presented By
Susan M. Nemitz,
Library Director
SUBJECT:
Accept State Library Construction Grant
BACKGROUND:
The State of Minnesota offers the opportunity to compete for Library Construction
Grants. An estimated $1,123,000 is available in 2014 for projects that renovate or
expand an existing building or that construct a new building. The maximum award is
$1,000,000, or 50% of the cost of the entire project, whichever is less. After receiving
authorization from the Library Board in September 2014, Ramsey County Library
submitted an application for a $200,000 grant for the White Bear Lake library project.
The Library was notified in November that the application for the Library Construction
Grant program was approved in the amount of $200,000. The grant funding will be
used for additions and enhancements to the project such as the reading patio
infrastructure, window coverings, upgraded millwork, furniture and signage,
makerspace technology, and hearing assistive technology in the library community
program room.
A dollar for dollar local match from non-state funds is required. The current approved
project funding qualifies as the County’s match. Grant funds cannot be spent before
January 15, 2015. The State will not reimburse any costs incurred prior to the execution
of the grant agreement, which is expected to occur in late January 2015. Projects must
be completed by June 30, 2019. If the Library is sold, the State may claim up to the grant
amount from the proceeds of the sale.
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved an increase to the Gross
Maximum Price of the White Bear Lake Building Project of up to $500,000 at its meeting
on November 25, 2014. This amount includes the $200,000 Library Construction Grant,
$100,000 from the Library General Building Fund, and all contributions up to $200,000
from the Friends of the Library’s Capital Campaign.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
To accept the Minnesota Department of Education Library Construction Grant in the
amount of $200,000 for the White Bear Lake project, and to authorize the Library Board
Chair and Library Director to execute the Grant Agreement.
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
_________________________
Meeting Date
December 17, 2014
Action Requested
Approve Resolution
Presented By
Susan M. Nemitz,
Library Director
SUBJECT:
Resolution Regarding the Retirement of Dorothy Ashley
BACKGROUND:
Librarian Dorothy “Dot” Ashley is retiring this month. A resolution honoring Dot for
her 22 years of service is being prepared and will be brought to the meeting.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
To approve the Resolution Regarding the Retirement of Dorothy Ashley, and to
authorize the Library Board Chair to sign the document.
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
_________________________
Meeting Date
December 17, 2014
Action Requested
Approve Resolution
Presented By
Susan M. Nemitz,
Library Director
SUBJECT:
Resolution Regarding the Retirement of Thomas Schafer
BACKGROUND:
Library Page Thomas Schafer is retiring in January. A resolution honoring Tom for his
13 years of service is being prepared and will be brought to the meeting.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
To approve the Resolution Regarding the Retirement of Thomas Schafer, and to
authorize the Library Board Chair to sign the document.
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
Ramsey County Library ___________________________
Request for Library Board Action
_______________________
Meeting Date
December 17, 2014
Action Requested
Approval
Presented By
Bill Michel,
Library Manager
SUBJECT:
Shoreview Pre-Design Approval
BACKGROUND:
Library and Property Management staff continue to meet with the Hammel, Green and
Abrahamson (HGA) to modify the pre-design report presented at the November
meeting. Representatives from HGA will be present to share the revised pre-design
report and cost estimates.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
To approve the revised pre-design report and cost estimated as presented.
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
Ramsey County Library _________________________
Request for Library Board Action
_________________________
Meeting Date
December 17, 2014
Action Requested
Information &
Discussion
Presented By
Sandy Walsh,
Deputy Director
SUBJECT:
White Bear Lake Building Project Update
BACKGROUND:
The addition portion of the library is fully framed and it is now possible to see the lines
of the new facility taking shape. Library and Property Management staff met with
Knutson Construction at the White Bear Lake site to check on wiring and cabling
locations before the sheet rock is installed. Minor changes were agreed upon to
accommodate two lighted display cases which will be donated by the Friends. The
display cases will flank a wall unit that will provide face-out display for new books,
creating a unified display area that will be more attractive than scattered displays. In
order to free up the north wall for displays, the self checkout stations will be relocated
closer to the service desk and will be free-standing like the units in the Roseville library.
Library staff took a field trip to an indoor playground in Eagan to observe interactive
projection technology in action. They loved it, and will pursue options for installing
some version in the children’s area.
The Library was notified that it was awarded a grant in the amount of $200,000 for the
White Bear Lake project. Before the grant can be executed, the project must receive a
Legislative recommendation. Letters and packets of supporting materials have been
sent to the six legislators who will review the project.
The construction site has experienced two thefts, one involving a significant loss in tools
and materials. Knutson has increased site security and is working with the White Bear
Lake police. The building will be completely enclosed in the next week or so, which
should help deter theft.
The Grand Opening has been scheduled for April 11. Details will be developed, but
please save the date.
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
For information and discussion.
____________________ Request for Library Board Action ____________________
Library Board Report
Children’s Services – 2014
PreK Programming




Family Storytimes
o Over 420 offered
o Estimated 25,000+ attendance
o Emphasis on Early Literacy
o Community partners include police/fire departments, MN DNR, Tamarack Nature Center, local
children’s authors and illustrators, and local music schools.
Baby Storytimes
o Over 200 offered
o Estimated 5200+ attendance
o Baby Storytime visitors include music, yoga and sign language instructors from the community
Other Storytimes
o Make-and-Take Storytime
o eTot Digital Storytime
Library Spaces
o Smart Play Spot at Maplewood
o Light Brite Wall at Roseville (pending)
o Interactive Projection at new White Bear Lake (pending)
Elementary-Aged Programming



Literacy and Art Programs
o Paws to Read program (currently have six dogs participating)
o Origami for Beginners
o Knitting Classes
o Creative Pastels
o Writing and illustrating for cartoons
o KidzArt Programs
Gaming
o Minecraft @ Maplewood
o YuGiOh/Pokemon @ Maplewood
o International Games Day @ Maplewood
o Family Board Gaming @ Roseville and Shoreview
STEM
o STEM Saturdays at Roseville (27 Saturdays in 2014)
o Duplicated STEM programs at other branches
o Funding from MELSA and the Friends



Tech Programs
o Stop-Motion Animation classes with the iPad Lab
o Tech Fridays at Maplewood (summer)
o Increased interest from younger kids in teen tech programs
Read Down Your Fines
o First Saturday of each month
o Heaviest users of this program in the 8-11 age range
o Continued support from staff to make program easier to navigate
Special Events
o Trivia contests
o Fancy Nancy Party
o Life-Sized board games
o LEGO Club at Shoreview
o Gingerbread-House making programs (STEAM)
o Collaborative programs with teen librarians for ages 9-14
o Children’s Book Week celebrations
o Star Wars Reads Day
PreK Outreach




ECFE
HeadStart
Ramsey County Local Preschools
U of MN Child Development Center
Elementary-Aged Outreach




CTEPs @ RV Elementary Schools
SRP Visits (2nd grade)
Kindergarten Classroom Visits
Everybody Reads Celebration in St. Paul
Summer Reading Program



Read, Write, Draw
o Second year with new format
o Tweaked MELSA form to better meet our needs
o Grand prize (year-long museum memberships) from reviews
o Over 5,000 participants
PreK Program
o Over 1,000 participants
o Focus on early literacy skills
Performers & Programs
o STEM and arts programs

o More drop-in programs (no registration)
o Weekly programs at larger branches
o Over 100 programs offered with average attendance 45/program
Outreach
o Piloted outreach to local school districts
o Close to 600 participants
Kindergarten Card Program


Classroom visits
o Over 40 schools visited
o Over 2800 kindergarteners reach at school visits
o 1214 library card applications processed
Kindergarten Party
o Guest stars David LaRochelle and Mike Wohnoutka
o Star Wars characters present for photo ops
o Over 1,000 attendees, including 280 kindergarteners
o Partnership with Friends of the Ramsey County Library
o Book donations from Central Pediatrics in Roseville
Collections



WB Opening Day
o Budget of over $30K for E and J materials
o System wide selectors responsible for ordering for WB
System wide Selection
o First year of area-based selection
o Ease of tracking budgets using Ingram
o Replacements/requests process made clear
o Staff with more hours selecting collections with larger budgets
Collection HQ
o Using software to weed and replace
o Needs based selection using subject tools
o Performance history of specific areas aids with selection
Technology

STEM @ RV
o Weekly at Saturdays since June
o Average attendance = 17 per program
o For ages 9-14 / grades 4-8
o Funding from MELSA and the Friends of RCL
o Larger attendance in summer – fewer attendees in school year
o Future programs will be summer only based on attendance
o Mix of paid presenters and RCL staff (CTEPs, Librarians)


iPads at Storytime
o eTot Digital Storytime / eTot Digital Learning Lab : attendance dwindled to essentially zero,
program ceased
o iPads used to enhance experience (visual, audio) at traditional storytimes
o Next steps : have iPads available for in-house check-out at RV
Partnering with teen librarians / C-TEPs
o 3-D printing classes
o STEM at RV
o Outreach by CTEPs at RV schools (grades 4-6)
o See greater need for this type of programming in future
Staff Development




MLA
o Four staff members presented at three sessions
LibTech
o Presentation by library staff on iPads and PreK programming
ALSC
o Two librarians attended national conference in Oakland, CA
MELSA Workshops
o All children’s librarians and substitute storytime librarians encouraged to attend yearly
workshop on best practices
Looking Forward – 2015



SRP Outreach – more dedicated
o At-risk populations
o More involved visits (less talking – more doing)
o Continue to provide books as prizes, esp. in other languages
o Partnerships with local organizations continues to be difficult but not impossible
K Card Party
o Saturday, January 24 at Roseville
o All children’s librarians present
o Michael Rex from NYC is guest visitor
o Marvel Superheroes (costumed characters) as passive/photo-op visitors
o Book from Central Pediatrics (pending)
Once Upon a Reader
o Statewide PreK program
o “Moo” by LaRochelle/Wohnoutka selected title for 2014-15
o Passive programs at all libraries
o Special visit from author/illustrator at Maplewood (April)
o Books available as handouts on limited basis
o All local area HeadStart children receive a free book

SRP Re-vamp?
o Evaluate prize distribution, especially State Fair ticket
o Continue to tweak ways that children can participate
o Look at other library systems in area and how they enlist readers and track participation
o Offer more programs that encourage engagement rather than passive/static programs
~~ Monica Stratton, Children’s Coordinator
Branch Library Report
Shoreview
December 17, 2014
Report to the Library Board
TRENDS IN THE SERVICE AREA
 More than two-thirds of the community's households are older than 45 years of age.
 Two new senior facilities are currently completed or under construction near Hodgson
and Tanglewood/Cumberland.
 Over 98% of the land in Shoreview has been developed leaving limited opportunities for
new housing.
 Two new single dwelling housing plans are under construction—one in northern
Shoreview near Lexington and Bucher and one north of Chippewa Middle School (1.2
miles from the library).
 A new upscale apartment 104 unit complex is located at Victoria and County Road E.
 Shoreview is in the midst of significant economic grown bringing new retail services and
tax base.
 The Lexington Avenue/694 corridor has seen retail development and renovations.
 City of Shoreview Demographic Profile – 95.8% of the labor force that lives in Shoreview
is employed.
LIBRARY ISSUES AND SERVICE TRENDS
 Increase in incidents with mentally and physically challenged adults and children.
 Attendance at children's programs exceeded the amount of space available.
 First time checkouts increased 7% in July and 3.6% in August.
 World Conversation Circle attendance is steadily growing.
 Increase in patrons asking for e-resource hardware assistance.
 Patrons looking for a quiet place to study.
LIBRARY SERVICES AND EVENTS
 One family story time a week.
 One Baby story time a week.
 World Language Conversation Circle weekly.
 One fiction book group a month.
 Two mystery book groups a month.
 Poetry circle and writer's group once a week.
 Lego Club meets monthly.
What is special and important about the library
 Strong community support of the library.
 We are within the Shoreview Community Campus.
 Easy accessibility.
Collection Highlights
 The Easy Fiction collection was expanded due to public demand.
 A browsing collection of “Staff Favorites” is popular with the public.
 It is easy to locate specific DVD titles.
User Experience
 Designed and implemented a parking lot plan to accommodate library patrons and also
those going to the North Oaks rummage sale at the Ice Arena.
 Programs for children and teens have expanded.
Innovation
 The majority of the White Bear Lake staff relocated to Shoreview.
 Acquired furniture from White Bear Lake to give Shoreview a more contemporary look.
 The Shoreview building program was to be our focus for innovation. With the slight
delay in the project, the staff is continuing to fine tune the collection in anticipation of the
project moving forward.
Key Partnerships
 Gallery 96
 Mounds View School District
 Daughters of the American Revolution
SHOREVIEW AT A GLANCE
YEAR BUILT
1992
SQUARE FEET
DAYS OPEN
18,000
Mon 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tues, Wed 1 – 9 p.m.
Thu, Fri, Sat 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sun 12 – 5 p.m.
HOURS/WEEK
53
NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMPUTERS
33
PRINT COLLECTION SIZE
85,144
STAFF FTE
12.05
TOTAL STAFF
24
VOLUNTEER HOURS
2,989
2010
2011
2012
2013
TOTAL CIRCULATION
868,806
780,525
702,947
646,861
CHILDREN’S CIRCULATION
(TOTAL # AND % OF TOTAL
375,363
45%
328,315
42%
295,174
42%
265,789
41%
REFERENCE
44,848
34,294
27,807
41,925
COMPUTER HOURS USED
25,706
22,429
22,278
18,817
WIRELESS USED
18,583
16,618
9,350
12,326
ANNUAL VISITS
316,070
275,464
256,968
239,068
6,469
6,756
9,235
8,913
887
671
969
584
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM ATTENDANCE
ADULT PROGRAM ATTENDANCE
Library Workforce Statistics, as of January 1, 2014
All Ramsey County Full & Part-Time Employees by Ethnic Group (N=3,603)
Ethnic Group
Percentage
Native American
1%
Black
12%
Asian
8%
Hispanic
4%
White
75%
Libraries Full & Part-Time Employees by Ethnic Group (N=127)
Ethnic Group
Percentage
Native American
0%
Black
2%
Asian
2%
Hispanic
1%
White
95%
Intermittent employment (the library’s sub pool) provides a gateway to permanent full and part-time
employment in the libraries. Intermittent employees are not included in the numbers reported above.
25% of reference subs are from communities of color; 22% of circulation subs are from communities of
color.
2014 Racial Equity Strategies
Human Resources




Report data annually to the Library Board
Analyzed Page applicant pool, addressed geography issue
Provide work opportunities for youth using the Student Worker job classification not reported
above
Developed Library Board skills and characteristics chart
Training
 Provided Economic Prosperity Presentation – All Staff, Library Board
 Provided County Manager Racial Equity discussion – All Staff
 Provided Racial Equity Training – Library Management Team
 Presented Racial Equity challenges in the Library to the County Leadership Team
Partnerships
 RCL Director appointed to County Racial Equity Leadership Team
 RCL Director appointed to the County/City/SPPS Racial Equity Committee
 RCL Director appointed to the Suburban Collaborative Steering Committee
2015 Racial Equity Plan
Human Resources
 Rewrite diversity questions to racial equity questions/add points
 Expand public search processes
 Work with the County on exit interview questions
Racial Equity Team
 Develop why statement
 Review recruitment, hiring and retention of staff
 Implement and review materials selection diversity
 Review services
 Review programming
 Review policies and procedures
 Review communications
 Examine data gathering methodologies
 Develop work plan for 2016
Programs and Services
 Pilot programs for at-risk kids (summer reading, WIC)
 Develop outreach for at-risk youth
 Collaborate to offer job fair
Training/Development
 Provide Racial Equity training for Project Leads, Youth Librarians, Circ. Supervisors, Persons in
Charge and members of the Racial Equity Team
 Utilized April In-Service to present racial equity basics to all staff
 Develop racial equity book club
 Provide Library Board training
Authentic Voice
 Hold round tables using Marnita’s Table format
 Practice intentional networking – identify two organizations monthly
Identify Problems
 Have Management Team monthly review incidents/complaints
 Develop supporting data – e.g. Humphrey project
Director’s Report
 4570 North Victoria Street  Shoreview, Minnesota 55126  (651) 486-2200  Fax (651) 486-2220  www.rclreads.org 
December 2014 Update
Staff Updates: Hired: Pa Na Lor, Communications Associate, Administration
Important Dates: The Library will be closed December 24 and 25 as well as January 1 for the
winter holidays.
Please note the Friends Gatsby Gala is scheduled for the evening of February 7 at the library in
Roseville.
The Library: The County Board approved the Library’s request to raise the gross maximum
price of the White Bear Lake project to recognize Friends and grant funded enhancements. The
building turned green this week as the vapor barrier was installed.
Last week, the Library had the opportunity to present the alternatives being explored at the
library in Shoreview to the Ramsey County Capital Improvement Committee. The committee
seemed receptive.
A group of library science students from St. Catherine’s University completed a study for the
Ramsey County Correctional library on materials selection. A group of public policy students
from the Humphrey Institute completed a study of gathering racial and economic data from
library customers.
1
Ramsey County: The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners held an Open House and
Public Hearing on the proposed 2015 County Budget on December 1 at 6 p.m. in the Roseville
Area High School. Several residents were seeing double digit increases in their property tax
statements.
Ramsey County has formally requested a small portion of the Library’s Automation Services
Manager’s time (Chuck Wettergren) to advise them on the development of the County internet
and intranet pages.
The County is undergoing a major reassessment of its Strategic Plan, Strategic Goals and
Critical Success Indicators.
MELSA: The MELSA Advisory Team reviewed the MELSA Shared eBook program data and
decided to allocate an additional $500,000 toward sharing 3M eBook content in 2015.
MELSA October 2014
Library
Titles
Copies
Unique
Users
in Oct.
Holds
Placed
Circ.
Monthly
Turnover
(Circ./
Copies)
Percentage
of Titles
owned
Percentage
of Copies
owned
Anoka
2,268
2,309
744
2,435
399
105.5%
5.1%
2.9%
Carver
296
313
392
1,428
188
456.2%
0.7%
0.4%
Dakota
10,871
14,628
4,200
16,165
4,021
110.5%
24.6%
18.4%
Hennepin
5,994
6,977
2,343
5,255
934
75.3%
13.6%
8.8%
Ramsey
7,772
7,965
1,803
7,385
1,951
92.7%
17.6%
10.0%
112
120
317
1,173
153
977.5%
0.3%
0.2%
St Paul
9,915
10,983
1,127
4,860
1,180
44.3%
22.5%
13.8%
Washington
1,823
1,856
823
3,222
441
173.6%
4.1%
2.3%
MELSA
5,103
34,353
-
-
-
0.0%
11.6%
43.2%
TOTAL
44,154
79,504
11,749
41,923
9,267
Scott
State of Minnesota: The state economic forecast was released online by Minnesota
Management and Budget last month. A surplus of $1.037 billion is projected for the next
biennium (FY 2016-17). The current biennium is now forecasted to end on June 30, 2015 with a
surplus of $556 million. Under a new state law, one-third of any surplus remaining at the end of
the biennium will be deposited in the state's budget reserve. The rest rolls forward into the next
biennium, contributing to the total projected surplus of $1.037 billion.
2
Executive Director’s Update
December 2014
White Bear Lake Capital Campaign: To date we have received $106,964 in donations, $37,500 in
pledges, and $13,187 in-kind for a total of $157,651 toward our goal of raising $200,000 for the
White Bear Lake Library. We continue to submit foundation grant applications and encourage
donations from individuals, businesses, book clubs, and service organizations.
February 7th Gala: Members of the Gala Planning Committee and the Friends Development
Committee are working very hard to obtain donations of items for the Silent and Live Auctions.
We are also seeking individuals, businesses, and civic organizations to provide financial
sponsorships for this fun fundraiser that will add materials to the lending collection. So far we
have sponsorship commitments from the following:
Platinum Level Sponsor ($2,500)
Metro State University
Gold Level Sponsors ($1,000)
Falcon Heights-Lauderdale Lions Club
Wenck Associates
Andersen Corporation
BMO Harris Bank
Pamela M. Harris
Bill and Bonnie Frels
Frank and Jayne Harris
Susan Nemitz and John Curry
Fairview Wine & Spirits
Reservations for the Gala can be made at http://friends15.myab.co. We appreciate your help in
obtaining auction items and inviting your friends to the event. Flapper headbands are available
for purchase before and during the Gala.
Upcoming Events :
Kindergarten Library Card Celebration – Saturday, January 24 from 10 to 3 at the Roseville
Library. Volunteers are needed.
Friends Quarterly Board Meeting – Monday, January 26 at the Maplewood Library.
For more information contact the Friends office at 651.486.2213 or sgehrz@rclreads.org.
edia
Happenings
November - December
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k StarTribune
Two St. Paul libraries reopen with bigger,
brighter look
Article by: Kevin Duchschere
Star Tribune
November 17, 2014 - 8:24 PM
After nearly a year of renovation work, St. Paul is reopening two of its anchor libraries with expanded areas for kids, more
community meeting space and a lot more windows.
On Sunday, the newly dubbed Highland Park Community Center will open its renovated library and recreational facilities to
the public with a program featuring speeches, music, presentations by the architects and refreshments.
A similar ceremony kicked off the reopening last weekend of the Sun Ray branch library on the city's East Side.
The cost of the two projects was $13.5 million, with $7 million coming from the city.
Library Director Kit Hadley said that an assessment of library needs in 2011 found that the Highland Park and Sun Ray
branches were the libraries most in need of upgrades.
''They're among our most heavily used libraries," she said, adding that Highland Park circulates more materials than any
library in the city.
The Highland Park library was built in 1954 and redesigned in 1974. It shares its building with the Hillcrest Recreation Center.
The renovated library is more than 40 percent larger than it was before. The additional space was added without a change in
the building's footprint.
Bigger spaces for teens and children emphasize interactive learning, Hadley said. There will be a single service point,
combining check-out and reference functions, and more room for community meetings.
"This is really a transformed community center from what it used to be- a library that we wouldn't have called a 21st-century
library, and a rec center that didn't connect well ," she said.
''This really is a library for the next several decades."
Similar changes were made at Sun Ray, where more space was added for group and individual learning. A new glass wall on
the south side created more interior space and allows for more daylight, Hadley said, and a public plaza and outdoor reading
garden were added as well.
The Highland Park renovation cost $7.9 million, including $4.75 million in public funding. The Sun Ray project cost $5.5
million, including $2.25 million in public money.
This has been a year of changes for the St. Paul library system. In May, the new Arlington Hills library opened in the Arlington
Community Center, and last summer downtown Central Library was named for former Mayor George Latimer.
The Highland Park library, at 1974 Ford Pkwy., will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with the program scheduled for 2 p.m.
Kevin Duchschere • 651-925-5035
C 201 4 Star Tribune
St. Paul library on forefront of digital learning and entertainment
Updated: 11/26/2014 04:25:00 PM CST
TwinCities.com
St. Paul Public Library cardholders can now be active and engaged without stepping inside a
library branch for years, or ever -- and library officials are fine with that.
In recent years , the library has rolled out an expanding number of digital services available to its
users on the Internet.
Patrons can borrow e-books through OverDrive and Cloud Library, download audio content via
Freegal and OneCiickDigital, read digital magazines using Zinio, take programming classes via
Treehouse, learn a new language by using Transparent Language Online, practice for student and
professional tests via Learning Express Library, and more-- all for free and from home or work.
The St. Paul Library this week rolled out its latest digital offering: Complimentary access to
Lynda.com, a self-learning site with hundreds of courses and thousands of videos that focus on
software training , business-skill building among other things.
The only requirement to get in: A St. Paul library card with an account in good standing.
The library contract with Lynda.com , running through Nov. 18, 2017, offers unfettered site access
for up to 75 simultaneous library users who can create video playlists, track their learning and
perform other functions available to paid subscribers.
Lynda.com had previously offered the St. Paul library limited free access via terminals at local
branches, but digital-services director John Larson said he held out for a better offer.
Now, he said, the St. Paul library is one of only a few U.S. library systems to give patrons remote
Lynda.com access.
Home-based library services are becoming more prevalent in recent years, and "people are
demanding it," Larson noted. The convenience of such offerings means "We are hearing from
customers we hadn't heard from in years."
The library has long offered classes in basic topics, such as creating e-mail accounts and
composing Word documents, but Lynda.com has an exponentially superior curriculum , he said.
This helps move the library from its old role as a quick-reference source, which Google is
rendering obsolete, to a fountain of meatier, more-sophisticated knowledge that gives Patrons
long-range learning and training options, Larson added.
The library also offers a growing portfolio of digital-entertainment options, including text and audio
content, though video entertainment is not yet one of the options.
But instructional videos are now part of the mix via Lynda.com , which is known for slickly produced
video courses featuring expert instructors.
One instructor, Christopher Breen, a Macworld.com tech journalist who has made a second career
of teaching classes about Apple-related topics , and is also a bit of a ham, quipped about the deal
with the St. Paul library: "I would strongly urge your readers to click at least seven times on any
Lynda video that bears my name. A pleasant chocolate aroma results ."
Breen added, "Kidding aside, Lynda produces some outstanding content. Not only do they hire
great instructors, but the production quality and delivery are just outstanding . It's my first place to
turn to learn new skills.
"And you guys get it for free from the library!? " he said. "Amazing."
Letters to the editor for Nov. 26, 2014
Pioneer Press
Updated: 11/2512014 10:17:42 PM CST
TwinCities.com
Disenfranchised?
1 have
one question for my fellow citizens of this country, and in particular of Minnesota. Please
explain to me how I am disenfranchised from my privilege (not right) to vote when I am required to
show a valid Minnesota-issued ID but I am not disenfranchised from the privilege of checking out
library books with this requ irement (quoted verbatim from the Ramsey County Library website):
"Who can apply for a library card? Any resident of the seven county metropolitan area with a
current picture identification may register for a library card. A parent's or guardian's signature with
current picture identification is required for those under 16 years of age. Your library card is
required for all transactions. "
-- Dana Masek, Shoreview
An innocent child
Tom Powers' article of Nov. 19 ("Time to move on ") is right on the money. Why aren 't we more
concerned with the harsh punishment of a 4-year-old child? The total lack of regret for what he did
to this innocent child should be the issue. The big money of the NFL union seems to be more
important than the welfare of a child. Mr. Goodell handed out a judgment and Mr. Peterson should
live with it. Please remember that football is supposed to be a "game" and the players should not
be put on a pedestal and worshipped . The Vikings will be a better team without him.
-- Terry Hogenson, Lindstrom
Retailers pushing the boundaries
I am very upset and concerned about all of the stores that are choosing to be open to consumers
on Thanksgiving Day. For the employees of those stores, I apologize on behalf of all the people
who will take advantage of shopping on Thanksgiving. And I'm sorry your employer is more
interested in making money than caring for the morale of its employees. As a consumer, I want you
to know that from Thanksgiving Day through the end of 2014 I will not be shopping at any of your
stores. While that may make my shopping trips more difficult, I will feel better about making a
statement. Black Friday is bad enough. I have NEVER shopped on that day. But that was my
choice. Then you kept pushing the boundaries of common sense. Yet people kept shopping ...
going out at midnight or 6 a.m . But you've gone too far. And this is my protest. I hope that opening
on Thanksgiving Day is a financial disaster. It probably won 't be. This is my small part to say stop
the greed.
-- Sharon L. Karas, St. Paul
Shoreview
@.
he burglary in the libra ry
irginia Wolff said she "ransacked libraries, finding them fi lled with sunken treasure." So did the 31-year-old man who used his
amily library account card issued by the Ramsey County Library System to register 16 names and to check out 197 items in a
flurry of September and October activity. The overdue DVDs and video games have a value of $2,988. The suspect has also
racked up $611 in late fees. Library officials, who suspect the man is selling the items, have canceled the man's account.
Professional thief
They kept a close eye on the known shoplifter at the Lexington Avenue discount store until they saw enough to stop him and
relieve him of bottles of high-end perfume that he planned to sell , including Burberry, Polo, Dolce, Gucci and Ed Hardy. The
61-year-old is known throughout most of the stores in the chain . "This is how I make my living," he told a deputy. Packaging for
the perfume bottles was found in a rest room. The homeless man was cited for the $752 theft and booked at the jail on a felony
gross-misdemeanor theft warrant.
Vadnais Heights
Shoplifting
If you have a state trooper's badge, and you are not a state trooper, you should leave the badge at home when you go
shoplifting. Two men, stopped after leaving a discount store with $55 worth of stolen perfume, cologne and jewelry, were cited
the morning of Nov. 1: a 33-year-old Bellechester, Minnesota, man for driving after license suspension and a 23-year-old man
out of Vadnais Heights for shoplifting . The badge was confiscated from the younger man and an investigation continues.
Lights and sirens
The "long haul" turned out to be not all that long after all. When deputies attempted to stop a Mahtomedi man for a traffic
offense, he took off, leading deputies and officers from three other agencies on a 26-mile chase, back and forth on 35W and
1-694, and ending at 694 and Hwy. 100. The 31-year-old, who told deputies "I've got a full tank of gas and I was in it for the
long haul ," was booked at the jail on charges of felony fleeing police in a motor vehicle, driving after license cancellationinimical to public safety, felony DWI , and open bottle.
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StarTribune
Long wait but Webber Park library finally
on track
Article by: Steve Brandt
Star Tribune
November 27 , 2014 - 8:35 PM
The far north Minneapolis voters who barely backed a library bond
referendum in 2000 are on track to see some con crete results in
their area after a mere 17 years.
Hennepin County hopes to open a new library on Victory Memorial
Parkway in 2017.
The Webber Park Library project has morphed a great deal since
the referendum. It's changed from a $1 .9 million renovation of the
now-razed former library, which stood for only 34 years, into a new
building that will cost six times as much. And it's no longer going to
sit in the park that gave the library its name, and where an even earlier
Jacob Brogan, 5, looked for reading options at the Webber
Park Library in Minneapolis. The library is currently in
temporary space in a strip mall.
JIM GEHRZ , Star Tribune
library stood for twice as long.
The wait may be fitting , given the scant support that area voters gave the referendum. Just 55 percent of Fourth Ward voters
supported a bond issue in which most of the $140 million authorized was devoted to replacing a downtown library, compared
to two-thirds support citywide. Two of the ward 's precincts, including one bordering the old library, were the only ones in the
city in which a majority of voters opposed library bonding.
One indicator of just how long the project has been gestating is that it's been six years since the county selected the project's
architect. Besides the project that razed and replaced the downtown library, eight branches in the city have gotten major
renovations or replacement in recent years.
But not Webber Park. First, the city's library system was absorbed by the county at the end of 2007. Some $18 million in
unspent referendum money went with that merger, of which $4 million remains after other branch library projects. The old
library was one of three to close for a year before the merger because of a lack of city library funding . The county reopened
the cramped library in 2008 but closed it again last July after ceiling tiles began to fall. A temporary library was opened last
January in a nearby strip mall.
Two county commissioners got a new library budgeted in 2007 but the County Board iced the project in 2012 after failing to
agree on a price with the owner after protracted negotiations. The project got renewed vigor and a new budget of $12 million
when the county finally agreed to pay $380,000 for the property earlier this year, a figure $105,000 above its assessment.
Nobody knows what the new library will look like when it opens in a little more than two years. The project is merely at the
point where LSE Architects is deciding how the building will fit on the site. That will be discussed at a Dec. 6 community
meeting at 9 a.m. at Webber Community Center. Up to six developers will also share ideas for possible uses of an adjacent
supermarket site the county bought for the project.
One area resident sees the project as a lost opportunity. She's Kris Brogan, who works as a consultant with nonprofit rental
projects. "Unfortunately, we're getting a single-story library sitting on the parkway with its back to the neighborhood," she said.
She lobbied the county for a library building with housing above, much like apartments above St. Paul's Rondo branch.
The concept of a shared-use building was floated once before. Robert Miller, who previously headed neighborhood programs
in Minneapolis, recalled trying to advance a suggestion by neighbors that a combined park-library building be erected in
Webber Park to serve as a community center. "It was a very frustrating experience for the neighborhood and for me," Miller
said of that effort to get park and library officials to agree. He attributes some of the lack of support in the area for the
referendum to that failure .
County Commissioner Linda Higgins, who got the new library a place in the county's building program , said the site was
chosen to capitalize on the refurbished Victory Memorial Parkway. She's pushing for a more traditional building. "I don't want
it to be a fancy glass building," she said.
Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438
Twitter:
@ brandtstrib
© 201 4 Star Tribune
The right to vote
Pioneer Press
Updated: 12/0112014 05:29:10 PM CST
(8)
TwinCities.com
The right to vote
I'll offer the explanation requested in the Nov. 26 Spotlight letter "Disenfranchised?" :
In order to conduct a transaction (i.e., check out library materials) a Ramsey County library card
holder doesn't need to again present picture identification to library staff. If using a library card and
voting are comparable privileges, one could argue requiring a pre-registered voter to again show
ID to election staff at the poll is an infringement not placed upon a library card holder. A Ramsey
County resident might also argue a phone bill or checkbook with address ought to be sufficient
identification for library card issuance -- it is in other Minnesota counties.
The underlying library analogy is flawed because five amendments to the U.S. Constitution
(numbers 14, 15, 19, 24, 26) address the "right to vote" -- no language references a library card .
Library systems are able to have different identification rules and operational procedures because
a Minnesotan can't be disenfranchised by them if no right exists.
E.A. Barton, North St. Paul
Media: Do your job
So in the space of two days we have a St. Paul superintendent of schools display a racist view in a
tweet (publicly known ONLY because it was a tweet) and , the day before, a scathing letter from the
Department of Justice chastising the Minneapolis superintendent of schools for her apparent racist
policy of reviewing disciplinary suspensions ONLY for "people of color" (NOT publicly known due to
under-reporting).
Could the news outlets please do their jobs? And might we choose different and less
race-obsessed educational leadership, lest we foment greater and greater division in the schools?
Chris Foley, Dellwood
Real justice
We are being told that Ferguson protesters are still calling for justice. Evidently, they don't
understand the lawful brand of justice issued by the grand jury. Perhaps they will get the message
when real justice is rendered to the arsonists, thieves and vandals among them .
Rodney A. Davies, St. Paul
A 'regulation nation'
As Americans, we had many things to celebrate on Thanksgiving Day. But I think there are also
things we should be concerned about. For example, according to a new study from Legatum
Institute in London , those in 20 countries, including France, now feel they enjoy more personal
freedoms than Americans.
Duluth library's seed-sharing program deemed unlawful
Associated Press
Updated: 1210212014 07:49:36 AM CST
TwinCities.com
Duluth library's seed-sharing program deemed unlawful
DULUTH , Minn. -- Minnesota agriculture officials say a seed-sharing program at the Duluth library
is on the wrong side of the law.
The seed exchange, one of about 300 such programs in the U.S., allows members to borrow
vegetable seeds from the library in the spring and later return seeds they collect from their
gardens. Program manager Carla Powers said about 200 members borrowed 800 packets of
seeds in the first year of the exchange.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture caught wind of the program and has informed the library
it is likely violating state seed law. Anyone who sells, trades or exchanges seeds in Minnesota
must follow state rules and proper labeling .
They must also pay a $50 fee and have the seeds
tested to make sure they germinate, Minnesota Public
Radio News (http://bit.ly/ 1vAJ1 VD) reported .
"We didn't consider ourselves to be selling seeds,"
Powers said . "However, selling, in (the) Minnesota seed
law, also includes free distribution or even exchange. "
-..;~Packets of seeds lay in a basket, part of a Duluth seed
sharing program, at the Duluth Public Library in Duluth,
Minn. (AP Photo/Minnesota Public Radio,
Steve Malone, a supervisor in the state agency's Plant
Protection Division, said the department is working with
the library to bring them into compliance with the law,
which was intended to create a level playing field for
seed companies and protect consumers.
"Our enforcement of this is to try to coach and bring
them along, rather than just come in and blast them ," he said.
The biggest hurdle for the library is the germination testing.
Malone said labs will usually test about 400 seeds to get a valid result, but doing that many will be
difficult in Duluth, where most gardeners are only returning a few dozen seeds.
Malone said a gardener in Duluth could test a smaller sample size.
"That may be a way for them to do it," he said . "It wouldn't be as good as an official test ... but it
would at least give you an idea that you would know that most of them are live, or if nothing comes
up, they're all dead."
St. Paul Public Library chooses 2015 •Read Brave• book
Associated Press
Updated: 12/0912014 09:08: 14 AM CST
TwinCities .com
The St. Paul Public Library has chosen Kekla Magoon's "How It Went Down" as its 2015 Read
Brave book.
Read Brave is the library's annual citywide program encouraging young people and adults to read
a young adult novel and discuss it.
"How It Went Down" examines the shooting death of a black teenager by a white man and its
effects on the victim's friends, family and community.
Magoon, the author, will visit St. Paul on Feb. 25 and 26.
Read Brave previously featured the novels "Everybody Sees the Ants" by A.S. King in 2013 and
"Eleanor and Park" by Rainbow Rowell in 2014.
St. Paul Public Library Read Brave website: http://sppl.org/teens/brave
St. Paul council OKs budget, but Coleman to nix longer library
hours
Updated: 12/10/2014 11:12:56 PM CST
TwinCities.com
• Oct 22:
• St. Paul OKs $42.5M bond sale for Palace Theatre, bikeways, more
• Oct 2 :
• St. Paul hit with questions over street-tending costs
• Sep 24:
• St. Paul City Council approves $103.64 million tax levy limit for 2015
•Aug 16:
• Home values rising on St. Paul's East Side. So will taxes.
• Dec 11 :
• St. Paul council approves 2014 budget with new spending but no tax levy increase
• Aug 14:
• St. Paul budget plan freezes taxes; 'single-sort' recycling to debut
• Mayor Coleman's capital improvements plan includes street and library upgrades
In a rare showdown with the St. Paul City Council, Mayor Chris Coleman has promised to veto a
budget decision that would have added evening hours to seven small branch libraries.
In adopting a $250 million city budget for next year, the council agreed Wednesday to include
about $400,000 for the extra library hours.
"We know that some of the biggest users of the physical library buildings are kids ages 14 to 21 ,"
council President Kathy Lantry said. "This has some really direct benefit to those populations that
we all talk about wanting to serve every single day."
The libraries -- Merriam Park, Dayton's Bluff, Rice Street, Hayden Heights, Riverview, HamlineMidway and St. Anthony Park -- close early Tuesdays and Thursdays, causing some confusion
with users, she said .
With the new funding , which was approved by a 6-1 vote, hours would be extended from 5:30p.m.
until 8 p.m. on those days. The city cut library hours to save money during the recession.
But Coleman said the city would have to shift parking meter and parking ramp revenue to pay for
the additional hours. And , he said, that's not a reliable long-term revenue source for libraries.
He has five days to line-item veto the library spending.
"As any executive making hiring decisions knows, you never want to hire someone if you don't
have a sustainable way to pay their salary," Coleman said in a statement. "While I am pleased we
can continue to invest in our libraries .. . I cannot support an expense that will only force cuts down
the road .
Before Coleman's veto promise, the city council voted 6-1 to adopt his recommended $250 million
general fund and library budget. Council member Dan Bostrom cast the sole "no" vote.
The budget includes a 2.4 percent increase to the 2015 tax levy, for a total levy of $103.6 million.
At the council's request, Coleman's budget still includes $55,000 to restore Sunday hours to the
Merriam Park branch library and $300,000 for library materials through the STAR program , which
is funded by the city's half-cent sales tax.
Also included is $500,000 for parking ramp repairs at the RiverCentre convention center
downtown .
The new spending items, like the mayor's veto , do not alter the city's long-proposed $2.4 million
tax levy increase in the budget. Instead, the funds will come from better-than-projected revenue
from the city's half-cent sales tax.
Alexandra Iverson, chief budget analyst for the city council , said the city has traditionally used
some money from the general fund to replace parking meters, but meter revenue and revenue
from city-owned parking ramps has generated enough money to cover the expense on its own . As
a result, about $350,000 could be shifted to other uses, such as the library system.
"It makes sense to pay for those parking (meters) out of parking dollars, which frees up money in
the general fund" for libraries, Lantry said.
During meetings of the library board and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority earlier in the
afternoon, council member Dave Thune cast repeated "no" votes against the amendments, noting
that parking fund dollars should stay within the HRA budget for bricks-and-mortar projects.
"This is money that could be used for redevelopment in any ward in the city, not just downtown,"
said Thune, a former HRA chairman. "It's essentially taking HRA development dollars ... and then
sending it to do operations in a totally different department, in fact, a totally different agency, which
I think is really shortsighted and wrong."
Coleman said in an interview that cuts in state aid, the recession and other factors have caused
"wild fluctuations" in revenue that have made municipal budgeting difficult.
To help stabilize the process early in his administration, his office developed a four-year plan to
create "structural balance" within the budget and link ongoing expenses to ongoing revenue
sources.
"That's the problem with this," the mayor said of the budget changes. "It's not an ongoing source of
funding. One of my very rock solid principals has been to have .. structural balance."
He said parking money could be used for a parking study at the former Ford Motor Co. plant in
Highland Park, the removal of a blighted building at the corner of Dale and Maryland avenues or
any number of development-related uses that taxpayers have requested.
Coleman said he told council members that "if you want to fund this, then eliminate other ongoing
expenditures, and they chose not to."
The seven-member city council can override a veto with five votes.
The 2015 budget supports several priorities outlined by Coleman in August. Among them:
-- The "8-80 Vitality Fund" dedicating funding for the Palace Theatre in downtown St. Paul.
-- Repairs for the city's "Terrible 20" most-traveled roads.
-- Funding for the first leg of a downtown bike loop, likely along Jackson Street.
The budget also includes money to rebuild Wheelock Parkway and other sections of the
incomplete Grand Rounds bike routes , which circle the city.
Overall, the budget provides $30 million in new money for streets.
Eager to host a competitive bid for the citywide recycling program at the end of 2015, the mayor's
office has chosen to delay a plan to roll out wheeled , lidded carts so homeowners can store their
organic waste for pick-up next year.
The mayor's office also proposed a paid parental leave benefit for city employees, which recently
won council approval. The new benefit offers four weeks of paid leave for the birthing parent and
two weeks for the nonbirthing parent.
The budget closes what had been a projected $9.6 million budget gap driven by inflation and labor
costs.
There will be no cuts in the city's sworn complement of police officers and firefighters, though there
will be some belt-tightening among clerical workers at the impound lot and records workers after
attrition.
Frederick Melo can be reached at 651-228-2172. Follow him at twitter.com/FrederickMelo.
ST. PAUL 2015 BUDGET
City and library budget: $250 million
City levy: $103 million, a $2.4 million increase from 2014
Impact on taxes: $15 increase for a median-value home of $145,000 (2015 assessed value)
Highlights:
--$54 million for road repair, including repaving the "Terrible 20."
-- $13.2 million to complete Grand Round bike paths, including road reconstruction and bike paths
along Wheelock Parkway and bike paths along Johnson Parkway and Pelham Boulevard.
-- $8 million to reconstruct Jackson Street and complete the first phase of a proposed downtown
bike loop.
-- $8 million toward renovation of Palace Theatre. The project also relies on $5 million from the
state and about $1 million from private management partner.
-- $1.1 million for a new fire truck.
Budget does not fund:
-- Curbside or alley collection of organic waste in wheeled , lidded carts will not be funded in 2015
--About 10 city staff positions will be lost through attrition , including police record workers and
clerks in the impound lot.
Decem ber I I , 2014, 3:20pm
9
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Wednesday, December 10, 20 14 5: 10pm 1Updated: 5: 12pm, Wed Dec 10, 20 14.
by Jim Berry 1
The New Library o f White Bear Lake Capital Campaign Committee thanks all library patrons and supporters who came to the lOOth
birthday party for the library.
ft has been I 00 years since the Carnegie Library opened on the comer of Clark Avenue and Second Street. ln 1973, the current bui ldi ng
replaced the Carnegie structure and Ramsey County Library acqui red ownership of the library from the city of White Bear Lake.
Your enthusiastic comments concerning the improvements and finishes that wi ll be applied to our library are greatly appreciated. The
committee was reassured, along with the Ramsey County Library staff, that the project is on track with your
expectations.
We wish to thank members of the Event Committee that planned this very successful 'Expo' - style event: Nancy Gueri no, Pat Pickering,
Deanna Wyman, Nancy Uppgren, Judy Anderson, Sonja Irlbeck, all residents of the area. Deanna provided the perfect background music
with her talents as violinist.
Carol McFarlane and Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman were the greeters/hosts for the event. Commissioner Huffman stepped
in for Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt as she battles pneumonia. Commissioner Reinhardt championed the concerns of the community task
force with Ramsey County and was instrumental in securing the $3.5 million for the structural expansion and remodel of our library
building.
The opening of the 1973 Time Capsule woul.d not have been as entertaining without the emcee, J.P. Barone, as well as WBL Area Historical
Society Director Sara Markoe Hanson, retired Ramsey County Library Director Norman Vinnes, and the current director, Susan Nemitz.
Two area arti sts contributed personally to the success of this event. Author Julie Kramer met with party goers and donated signed copies of
her book ' Missing Mark' to the first 50 supporters contributing $ 100 or more. And watercolor artist Michael Daly contributed 20 percent of
the proceeds from hi s sales at the party to the Library Campaign.
We thank Bill Foussard for providing the conference hall at hi s Best Western White Bear Country Inn. It was the perfect room for this event.
We cannot say enough about the Ramsey County Library staff and the great job they did in providing the samples and information to
patrons' questions concerning the improvements happening to the building. White Bear Lake Branch Manager Therese Sonnek, Deputy
Directors Sandy Walsh and Lynn Wyman, Director Nemitz.
My personal thanks to Sue Gehrtz, executive director of Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries. Wilhout her expertise and that of the
'Friends' staff and volu nteers (past and present), a lot of what we have accomplished to date would not have been possible.
The contributions and pledges we received during the birthday party event put us over the ha lfway mark to our goal of $200,000. The
contributions have kept coming in since the birthday. And with the holidays co ming up, what would be a better gi ft than a paver block with
an inscription that honors your family or loved one? The paver blocks wi ll become a large part of the exterior reading garden located on the
Clark Avenue side of the library. Check our website for details .. .www.wblibrary.weebly.com. Paver forms, applications and donation
opportunities arc located there. Opportunities are avai lable beginning at $35.
Thank you to all of you who make up this great community we call home. Your support for the enhancement of our library has been
inspiring to us all. We encourage those who have not become a part of the project, it is never too late.
-
Jim Berry is chairman of the WBL Library Branch Community Capital Campaign Committee.
©: 2014 Your local o nline ne..,.spaper All right s reserved. This material may n04 be publ ished, broadcas1. rewritten or redJ stributed.
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