The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library is pleased to announce a merger with the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. The merger was previously approved by the boards of both the Minneapolis Friends and the Library Foundation, and confirmed today by an overwhelming 95% of voting Friends members. The merger will take effect legally on December 1, 2008.
The united organization will be called the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. The Friends’ name will continue to be referenced for an extended period and a new name for the merged organization will be considered in the future. The organization will be governed by a board of directors with equal representation from both the Foundation and The Friends. All current programs of both organizations will continue through 2009.
Earlier this year, the Hennepin County Library and the Minneapolis Public Library merged into a unified 41-library system. The Minneapolis Friends and the Library Foundation subsequently began discussions to also merge into one support organization. Together, the joint nonprofit has 83 years of experience in supporting local libraries. Working collaboratively with the Hennepin County Commissioners, Library Board, Library administration and staff, branch Friends groups, and all library lovers, the new organization will be one of the premier library support groups in the nation.
Bringing together the strengths of two organizationsThe Friends of the Minneapolis Public
Library
Founded in 1949, The
Friends is one of the largest and most
accomplished library support groups in the
country. The organization has received the
Baker & Taylor Award for the nation’s most
outstanding Friends group three times – most
recently in 2007. With over 4,500 members,
The Friends raised $16.4 million to help
build the Minneapolis Central Library and
continues to provide significant annual
assistance for collections, programs, and
services. In addition, The Friends operates
two bookstores, conducts public awareness
activities, and presents free programs,
including such popular series as Talk of the
Stacks, The People’s University, and
Childish Films @ the Library.
Glenn Miller, Friends Board President, commented on the merger: “Throughout our 60-year history, The Minneapolis Friends has remained committed to our mission of enriching libraries. This mission will not change. In voting to approve the merger, the membership honors The Friends’ legacy of supporting libraries. We embrace the ‘next chapter’ with the Library Foundation to provide much-needed assistance to libraries across the Hennepin County system.”
Library Foundation of Hennepin County.
Since its founding in 1986, the Library
Foundation has raised over $6 million to
support programs and services at the
Hennepin County Library. Award-winning
Library programs funded by the Foundation
include the Guys Read book clubs for boys,
Family Read to Me at the adult correctional
facility, multi-lingual computer classes,
senior and new immigrant outreach, and
special collection initiatives. In addition,
the Foundation presents the acclaimed Pen
Pals series - now in its 12th season -
featuring some of today’s most prominent
literary figures. Pen Pals was recognized in
2007 and 2008 with a National Endowment for
the Arts Access to Artistic Excellence Grant
Award.
Reflecting on the united organization, Pam Gagnon, Library Foundation President, stated "This is an exciting time for the new Library Foundation. The board and staff are more committed than ever to building on our history of strengthening and enriching Hennepin County libraries. We look forward to working with the Minneapolis Friends, as well as community Friends groups, to stimulate thriving and vibrant libraries in the City of Minneapolis and throughout Hennepin County."
New Leadership Stu Wilson has been named the Executive Director of the newly united Foundation. For the past 12 years, Wilson was on staff at The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, serving most recently as Vice President of Operations. At the Saint Paul Friends, he oversaw individual giving, programming, public relations, strategic planning, and the Minnesota Book Awards. Wilson has written numerous articles for national library journals, and is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences. He currently serves on the boards of Coffee House Press and the Minnesota Library Foundation. He holds a Masters degree from the University of Oregon and an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.
On October 7, The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library board approved a merger with the Library Foundation of Hennepin County, contingent on the approval of our members.
Click here to download a pdf of the Summary of the Proposed Merger.
The Friends Board affirms that creating a unified, independent, and dynamic library support organization would best serve all the Hennepin County libraries. In passing the resolution, the board honors The Friends’ legacy of supporting libraries and embraces the “next chapter” by acknowledging that Minneapolis libraries are now part of the Hennepin County Library system. Members of The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library have an important role in shaping the future organization as they have the final vote on the board’s recommendation. Your input, participation, and support are critical to the success of the future organization.
Throughout our 60-year history, The Minneapolis Friends have remained committed to our mission of enriching libraries. This mission will not change. The merged organization would strive to be the premier library support organization in the nation by bringing the strengths of the two organizations together, and working collaboratively with the Hennepin County Library administration, Library board, the Hennepin County Commissioners, and all public library users and supporters across the county. Please join The Friends Board in supporting the start of this next chapter. If you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact The Friends office at 612-630-6174 or friends@hclib.org.
At a special board meeting on August 28, 2008, The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution approved the previous day by the Hennepin County Library Board, setting a framework for a merger between The Friends and the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. The new combined organization would create one dynamic library support organization to best serve all the libraries in Hennepin County. In passing the resolution, the board honored The Friends’ legacy of supporting libraries and embraced the “next chapter” by acknowledging that libraries located in Minneapolis are now part of the Hennepin County Library system.
Click here to download a pdf of the resolution.
The Friends Board approved measures to further the process by entering into discussions with the Library Board and Foundation, retaining independent counsel on the transfer of assets, and establishing and supporting Friends groups at each library in Minneapolis. The united organization will be charged with fundraising, programming and marketing, and supporting the important work of the independent library friends groups across the county.
Members of The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library will have an important role in shaping the future organization. At the annual meeting on October 1, the membership will elect board members to lead the organization through this time of transition.
The Friends seek to build a united organization that is the premier library support organization in the nation, which supports the February 2007 guiding principles recommending the merger between the Minneapolis Public Library and the Hennepin County Library that expressed a vision of creating the “premier library system in the country by building on the strengths and talents of the Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis Public Library systems." We will do so by bringing the strengths of the two organizations together, and working collaboratively with the Hennepin County Library administration and board, the Hennepin County Commissioners, and all those who so admirably support libraries.
The Friends will ensure that all gifts given for the specific benefit of libraries in Minneapolis will be honored now and in the future. The current Friends board will reserve adequate funding for establishing and operating 15 Friends organizations for each library located in Minneapolis, paralleling the Friends groups at the 26 suburban Hennepin County branch libraries. And, we remain committed to enriching libraries by raising private dollars for programs and services so critical in today’s environment.
In mid to late October, a merger plan will be presented and members will be asked to approve the merger by mail in vote. More information will follow.
Hennepin County Library Director Amy Ryan has accepted the position of President of the Boston Public Library. Here are links to local and national news sources about her departure.
STAR TRIBUNE:
Big
task ahead for next Hennepin library chief (8/17/08)
Hennepin
libraries have void to fill as chief heads to Boston (8/16/08)
Hennepin
library chief heading to Boston (8/15/08)
LIBRARY JOURNAL:
Hennepin's
Ryan Named To Head Boston Public Library (8/15/08)
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY:
Boston Public Library Press
Release.
The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library is pleased to announce a merger with the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. The merger was previously approved by the boards of both the Minneapolis Friends and the Library Foundation, and confirmed today by an overwhelming 95% of voting Friends members. The merger will take effect legally on December 1, 2008.
During hard economic times, more and more people come to rely on the wealth of free resources at public libraries. During the last recession, library use surged 11% across the country. Libraries in Minneapolis outpaced this trend with a nearly 13% increase in circulation, a spike in library visits, and more use of free meeting spaces. When the going gets tough, the tough get going to libraries.
It’s partly because libraries are a one-stop shop for the under and unemployed. Regular free classes at Hennepin County Libraries include computer training, individual career counseling, and business startup consultations. Responding to the specific needs of the day, several Hennepin County Libraries are hosting foreclosure information workshops to help homeowners understand the mortgage foreclosure crisis and how they can find assistance.And there is no better place for families for engaging education and entertainment. This summer, Hennepin County Libraries offer over 700 events for all ages, with programs for preschoolers to programs with Pulitzer Prize winners. Museum Adventure Passes, available across metro libraries, are good for free admission to twenty area museums, zoos, and activity centers.
The library’s selection of books, movies, and music beat any bookstore or video rental outlet. Instead of getting out a Visa card, library customers simply need a library card – the most powerful card in your wallet.
High gas prices are no barrier to library services. With 103 libraries across the metro, there is a library close to home for most residents. Moreover, incredible resources can be accessed from home. On the Hennepin County Library website, live homework assistance is available 24/7. Databases containing thousands of magazines, newspapers, and more are mere clicks away. Music, audio books, and movies are available through the Overdrive service. Recordings of headline events from The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library can be heard online too.
Despite the rise in demand, too many libraries facing a sinking budget. Libraries can only be part of the solution, as they have for decades, with sustained public investment.
The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library is proud to support public libraries in Minneapolis.
How much can the library save you? Get a customized estimate from the Florida State Library. Libraries pump money into the economy at large; an independent study concluded that public libraries return $6.54 to the economy for every $1 invested in them.
During the last weeks of May and the early part of June 2008, The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library and the Hennepin County Library Foundation posted a survey seeking input and opinions about library support organizations. The response was great – we received approximately 565 completed surveys. The survey results have been reviewed by the United Organization Steering Committee and will be utilized in their planning process as they continue to explore the possibility of merging the two library support organizations. Many thanks to those who participated. Following are a summary of the results.
On March 25, Hennepin County Commissioners approved plans to add Sunday library service hours at thirteen libraries across the County, including four libraries in Minneapolis (Central, East Lake, Hosmer, and North Regional).
The following libraries will be open Sundays beginning June 1: Minneapolis Central, Augsburg Park, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, East Lake, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Hosmer, Oxboro, North Regional, Rockford Road, St. Louis Park and Westonka. Currently, five Hennepin County libraries – Brookdale, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Ridgedale and Southdale – are open Sundays.
The expanded hours were made possible with revenues from the Twins’ stadium ballpark tax; Minnesota statute provides that up to $2 million per year of sales tax revenue in excess of amounts needed for ballpark debt service may be used to add hours at Hennepin County libraries.
“We are thrilled that more families, students and working adults will be able to visit, enjoy, study at and open new doors at 13 more libraries on Sundays,” said Hennepin County Library Director Amy Ryan. “We looked at library size and resources, proximity to other libraries open on Sunday and financial sustainability to select these libraries. We look forward to greeting more customers on weekends starting this summer.”
At the Hennepin County Library Board meeting on Wednesday, February 27, initial planning to increase library hours within the Hennepin County Library system was discussed. Excess income from the stadium sales tax, up to $2 million annually, can be used to increase library hours. This provision was provided by the County Commissioners and the State Legislature when approving the stadium tax last year.
Income and cost projections must first be completed and discussions will begin as to the implementation of expanded hours. The schedule will be determined within the next few weeks in consultation with County Commissioners, County Administration, Library Administration and Library Board. Discussions will occur with managers, staff and unions. New hours will become effective within the next few months.
A PDF of the Ballpark Library Hours - Preliminary Outline can be found posted on The Friends' website.
The Hennepin County Library Board unanimously passed a resolution at its Wednesday, February 27, board meeting supporting a unified support organization that would combine the strengths and talents of both The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library and the Library Foundation of Hennepin County. The recommendation was presented by the Board’s sub-committee, which included representatives from the Library Foundation and the Minneapolis Friends.
According to Library Board Chair John Gibbs, the goal of the consolidation effort is to create the strongest independent support organization for the newly merged library system. The sub-committee recommended that the Library would be best served by having one support organization.
Glenn Miller, President of The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library and a member of the sub-committee, said, “This resolution provides the framework for The Friends to become the best library support organization in the country. We will seek the input from all of our stakeholders – members, donors, sponsors, and the community of library users - to help us design the new organization.
“The Friends remain committed to enriching public libraries and look forward to working with the Foundation to design a new library support organization that supports the Hennepin County Library system.” comments Anita S. Duckor, The Friends executive director. “Our hard work, vitality, and commitment to helping libraries be dynamic centers of discovery and learning will benefit all libraries, ensuring a strong system for the whole county and vibrant libraries in every community.”
PDFs of the Resolution Guidance Statement on the Consolidation Process and Blueprint for Guiding Principles for the Consolidation Process can be found posted online. These two documents will serve as starting point for discussions about the future of private support for libraries in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County.
The newly-expanded Hennepin County Library Board’s 2008 membership is now
complete. Former Tennant Corp. CEO and Library Advisory Committee chairman Roger
Hale, former Minneapolis Public Library Trustee Kathleen Lamb, Excel Energy
Foundation Director John Pacheco, and Jill Joseph were appointed to the board
today by the Hennepin County Commissioners.
This action satisfies terms
of the consolidation of the Hennepin County and Minneapolis Public Library
systems, enlarging the library board from 7 to 11 members with at least three
initial appointees being Minneapolitans. Hale, Lamb, and Pacheco are Minneapolis
residents and Joseph is from Eden Prairie. The board advises the County
Commissioners on library matters for the 41 library system, including 15
libraries in Minneapolis.
Schedules and minutes of the Hennepin County Library are found at: http://www.hclib.org/pub/info/libraryboard.cfm