First Committee Recommends Consolidation
The Committee on the Future of Libraries in Hennepin County (“The Futures Committee”) has now formally recommended a consolidation of the Minneapolis and Hennepin County libraries into a single, united library system. A second review committee, the Library Advisory Committee, is expected to issue its report in the next two weeks. There will be a period for public input in early March followed by action by the Minneapolis Library Board, Minneapolis City Council, and the Hennepin County Commissioners. State action would also be required to enable a consolidation.
The CFLHC recommendation is described in these "guiding principles." Click here to link to a printable document of CFLHC Guiding Principles.
Highlights include:
• The vision is to be a premier library system by building on the strengths and talents of both systems, and the goal is to provide better and more seamless service to the public – in buildings, on-line, and through outreach.
• The new system will be a department of Hennepin County. There will be a 10-member advisory board, appointed by the County Commissioners. When the board is first convened, it will include at least three Minneapolis residents.
• The united library system will be primarily funded by a countywide property tax. While the tax base will change over time, consolidation will not significantly shift the relative taxes currently paid by Minneapolis and suburban taxpayers for library services. Minneapolis will make an additional contribution of $7.8 million, which will be phased out over the next 10 years. This represents Minneapolis’ current commitment of LGA dollars to its library system and an additional $1 million to help cover MPL’s projected operating deficit. As these dollars are phased out, they are expected to be compensated for by the county’s expanded tax base.
• It has not yet been resolved whether Roosevelt, Southeast, and Webber Park will be re-opened. The Committee agreed that Minneapolis would need to make a multi-year financial commitment if those libraries are to be restored. Minneapolis would also be responsible for any additional increase in hours at Central or community libraries. That commitment would also phase out over time, replaced by county property tax funds.
• In the meantime, capital improvement projects in Minneapolis will continue as planned.
Stay tuned to future Friends updates for information on public input opportunities and the report from the Library Advisory Committee. If, in the meantime, you want to share your reactions to a potential consolidation, email us at friends@mplib.org. You can also check the library website, www.mplib.org for details on community meetings.