Topic: New Library or Else
started by: Nose for News
Posted by Nose for News on Mar. 17 2004,3:09 pm
Did I read this right or is it a misprint?If we don't build and expand she won't go after grants?
Are they difficult to obtain because of the librarian?
Grants would benefit local library, but are difficult to obtain
By Benjamin Dipman, Tribune staff writer March 17 2004
Although U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., announced that $2.7 million in federal funds will be given to Minnesota public libraries through competitive grants, the money will not be simple for the Albert Lea Library to access, according to Director Lori Barkema...
..."I would love to do it, but there's no point writing a grant until we have more space to do something well," she said.
Posted by farouk on Mar. 17 2004,3:38 pm
Let's spend $5,000,000 right now then so we can get a peace of the $2.7 million in federal funds. How does this make any cents. O' that right she works for the government!
Posted by Nose for News on Mar. 17 2004,3:51 pm
More library speakBy Benjamin Dipman, Tribune staff writer March 17 2004
...given to Minnesota public libraries through competitive grants,...
...But the process for obtaining grant money is strenuous.
"You basically work with your regional library," Barkema said, which is Southeastern Libraries Cooperating. But it takes time and it's not always a success, she said. "I have to wait to see what funnels down from the state."
Definition competitive grant :More people will try for grants than recieve them based on competition. (Competition by more than one party takes an effort)
Waiting in competition usually loses.
Posted by farouk on Mar. 17 2004,4:00 pm
Let's give her a new building so she can compete. It's for the kids! Let's charge it!
Posted by Frustrated on Mar. 18 2004,10:39 am
Perhaps its time for a new librarian that will appreciate and find new ways to make the most out of the beautiful facility already invested in. One that will come up with imaginative ways for improving existing services from existing facilities and one that will take the time to fill out grant applications.
Posted by MrTarzan on Mar. 18 2004,6:26 pm
She won't, she is lazy. That is why she is a librarian.
Posted by rosebudinal on Mar. 18 2004,7:22 pm
Actually, the other librarian moved over to the Austin library. But, I did like that one. Being female, my intuition tells me PR is up when the once bespeckled,mousy brunette has her hair blonded, and cut in a trendy fashion, style of dress updated and now wears contact lenses. I am not saying this as a putdown, but the changes were so obvious.....
Posted by Montyman on Mar. 18 2004,8:20 pm
Given the state of the State, I would say grant funds are tough as nails to obtain...
Posted by LisaMarie on Mar. 19 2004,11:05 am
Did you see now they're considering the Ahrens building next door? But of course they'd have to tear it down, not because it's not structurally sound but because the floors don't match 
Posted by Nose for News on Mar. 19 2004,12:28 pm
Bar owner now becomes an expert in buildings?Does any one know how many projects of this size he has done?
Arends building one of best library locationsAlbert Lea tribune March 19 By Benjamin Dipman
One possible library site that has received little attention is appearing as the favorite of some city officials, should the library be relocated or expanded.
The Arends Building on Clark Street, next to the City Center, is being greatly considered because of its proximity to the center and its price.
"That's the best site," said Councilor Jeff Fjelstad.
He envisions tearing the establishment down and rebuilding one that would be more appropriate as an extension of the center.
"I think it would definitely come down," Fjelstad said. Though he says the building is not in disrepair, the floors don't match the center's. But he said it doesn't cost too much to tear the building down.
City Manager Paul Sparks also has an interest.
"I would like to explore (the Arends building) further," he said.
Again, he said officials would be better off demolishing the building but contended that the site could be less expensive than the Broadway location, which was rated first of six sites by the architecture firm Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle...
...The Arends location rated second place in the Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle study. The construction cost was estimated at nearly $5 million which includes either a reinforced floor structure or demolition with new construction.
The total project cost was estimated at nearly $8.5 million, which includes about $1.15 million to acquire the building.
Posted by jimhanson on Mar. 19 2004,2:16 pm
| Quote |
| The construction cost was estimated at nearly $5 million which includes either a reinforced floor structure or demolition with new construction. |
Posted by LisaMarie on Mar. 19 2004,2:33 pm
Why Sparky is even allowed to speak in public is beyond my comprehension.
Posted by Nimble on Mar. 19 2004,2:42 pm
I am from Austin..I enjoy this site but don't know this building. Am I getting this right, they want to tear this building down because the floor doesn't match. What kind of political system do you guys have there? I thought ours was bad with the money spent on flowers!
Posted by Nose for News on Mar. 19 2004,3:36 pm
Nimble The same excuse was used to build the new Courthouse
Freeborn County Newsletter Jan 2000
Why Does Our County Need A building Addition
...The proposal call for demolition of the 1954 building...
...The three existing buildings are at different levels for poor ADA compliance...
The building was in complete compliance after signage bathroom etc at about $12,000 were spent. Elevator stopped at all the levels also.
Library LocationsTribune March 19 by Benjamin Dipman
..."That's the best site," said Councilor Jeff Fjelstad...
He envisions tearing the establishment down...
..."I think it would definitely come down," Fjelstad said. Though he says the building is not in disrepair, the floors don't match the center's. But he said it doesn't cost too much to tear the building down.
Should we listen to real engineer or awestruck bartender ?
Posted by farouk on Mar. 19 2004,3:42 pm
Better off demolishing the building!How about having a qualified engineer go into the building before anyone else overloads their a$$ with factless statements, and a strong desire to spend public money. Enough of this making judgements from the either of city hall.
Posted by Liberal on Mar. 19 2004,3:42 pm
< http://co.freeborn.mn.us/gis/gisdata/TQuick.asp?Gpar_Field2=340050020 >According to the county tax records the estimated market value on the building and land is $350K but this guy wants 1.15 million
If it's worth 1.15million why isn't he taxed on at least half that amount?
Posted by GEOKARJO on Mar. 19 2004,4:12 pm
Amazing the 54 building was never considered for the library.
Posted by The Advocate on Mar. 19 2004,6:06 pm
No, what is truly amazing is that the majority of the citizens of Albert Lea DO NOT want a renovated or new library at all. And how do I know that, I don't because it has not gone to a vote. Please explain to the citizens and myself when and what the constituents of each district wanted? When a question was posed to the public, it was not the obvious do we need a new or library or do we NOT need a new library; it was simply, where should it be? Once again and again and again, the constituents are being manipulated by the Albert Lea City Council and the Mayor. Now is not the time to pour salt on still opened wounds. I wonder if the Albert Lea City Council and the Mayor are aware of current economic conditions not just here but across America.??? It is very difficult for many of our fellow neighbors to pay their bills. Our taxes went up astonomically this past year with the addition of the new courthouse and school. It would be a hardship on many of the citizens to once again shoulder this along with all the other new tax related projects. And I stongly believe that if Ms Barkema is that unhappy with her present employment surroundings perhaps she should have thought of that prior to taking this position. Let me inform her that there are a large number of librarians that would be quite happy in her position receiving the compensation she does. It has become more commonplace that city and government workers are unaware of the harsh realities in the private sector. The Albert Lea City Council and the Mayor must advocate on behalf of their constituents and help them ease the current money crunch many of them are in. And finally, I do not live in Albert Lea, I live in the County, so as it stands the County is not involved in this potential endeavor. The Freeborn County Commissioners have not been involved in library issue so the County residents cannot be taxed on a project that they have not been represented from its inception. As I have stated previously, that is taxation without representation.
Posted by rosebudinal on Mar. 19 2004,10:10 pm
Okay get out your lipton tea bags, it's time to throw em in the lake!!!! 
Posted by MrTarzan on Mar. 19 2004,11:41 pm
Why are we even discussing a new library? I have never had to fight for a seat or stand in line, or anything in the Albert Lea library. Nationally, library usage is down because of the internet. Libraries can only compete by adding computers and free DVD's. C'mon, why should my tax dollars be used to compete with Blockbuster. If they can afford a DVD player, they can rent movies. Scan all the books onto CD's if you are running out of room. "Print is Dead" was even talked about after the first Ghostbusters movie, it became all the rave to debate it on campus, and even back then the conclusion was that big libraries were becoming obsolete, that is why smart Librarians (i.e. College trained to be permanent career government employees) immediately moved to have computers added. What a crock. Subsidized internet cafes is what they have become.
Posted by Mamma on Mar. 20 2004,8:17 am
I think I want to be a librarian. I can walk softly, know how to go "shhhhh" and I am good at cluttering up places. If I get any where near what she gets for pay, I will be happy. By the way.....the new library is still listed in the union news as in the "planning stages". You know....I can't think of one person who has been hurt by not having a big library. In fact, I haven't been to the library since the internet came about. If I want to read a paper, I subscribe. If I want to read a book I buy it. If I want to research something , I use the internet.Are there really crowds in that library?
Posted by Spidey on Mar. 20 2004,10:50 am
I agree with you Mamma ... I don't see the mobs swarming at the doors of the library. In the past I have visited the library a lot because I am a "bookworm" so to speak mainly for reference material. However, since the internet I don't go in there as often ... maybe once every six months. When I did go in there more often never once were there over five people in there at a time. Many times I was the only one in there. The library as it is now is just FINE!! The view of the lake is very nice ... the parking is great ... the size of the library is more then adequate if they would just clean house a bit ... I've thought that from day one. I wonder if they would let me go in there and show them how it's done ... I would be more then willing to do that for free if I had a little help.
The librarian they have in there now seems to have a power struggle going on with her self and all of Albert Lea. She’s “demanding” a “new” library … with comments such as, no sense in writing grants if I don’t get a new library < not a quote. This alone should be an outrage from all of Albert Lea’s citizens, the board, and City and County heads. That is her job … and if she’s going to use her abilities as a weapon she should have her butt canned. Perhaps she would like life better if she was flipping burgers or working on a line somewhere? For what she’s getting paid she shouldn’t be complaining about anything.
The question in my mind now is … what can we do about this before it really gets out of hand?
Posted by Hanna on Mar. 20 2004,11:20 am
I agree with you Spidy. And I think if Ms. Barkema worked in the private sector, she most likely wouldn't consider telling her boss to spend millions on a new building.Why is it when certain people work for government, they feel they have more power over the people who pay them?
Posted by minnow on Mar. 20 2004,12:04 pm
Because her former boss, hirer and mentor, Paul Sparks, taught her that's how you get what you want in this town. Who paid for Pauls "Ego billboards"? And that's what they are because he's not retiring, he's moving to another position. What other motive could there be? Those Paul Sparks Billboards were designed to stroke Mr. Sparks ego and nothing more. Hey! I'm already paying this guy 100K a year for which I know I'll recieve no tangible return and now I have to pay to stroke his ego too? He's not even retiring for crying out loud!
This is just another example proving to the world that we are getting exactly what we deserve by choosing the leaders that we have. No growth and fast rising tax bills.
Posted by rosebudinal on Mar. 20 2004,11:52 pm
Mama you're home where have you been? I missed your posts!!!!
Posted by MADDOG on Mar. 30 2004,12:55 pm
Looks like we're not alone on the library issues. From the March 11, 2003 Globe Gazette. | Quote |
| Public library move met with criticism [quote]By MARY PIEPER, Of The Globe Gazette BUFFALO CENTER — The Buffalo Center City Council has taken several steps toward moving the public library out of its home. Not everyone is happy with how it is being done. The council passed a resolution 3-1 Tuesday to purchase a building on Main Street from Marvin and Beverly Heyes that formerly housed the Marv’s TV and Appliance store. The city plans to move the library there until a new one can be built on the lot next to it. Councilmen Charles Silber, Tim Heitland and Marty Schaefer voted for the resolution. Councilman Troy Armstrong voted against it. “I was not in favor of putting the library on Main Street to begin with,” Armstrong said. He thinks getting another business to move in would be a better use for the Heyes building. A petition against using taxpayer dollars to purchase the Heyes building was presented to the council on Feb. 10. The petition was signed by more than 100 people. “We prefer that the funds go toward a new building for the library,” said former Councilwoman Marsha Peterson, who organized the petition. “We want a new library, but we do not want it on Main Street in a retail business building.” Silber said the resolution allows the city to put the library in a one-story building to provide the handicapped accessibility the current library lacks. The city is paying approximately $37,000 for the Heyes building, according to Armstrong. The cost to build a new library is estimated at $200,000 to $250,000. Buffalo Center Mayor Reinert Levik said library officials want to move out of the current building, which was constructed in the early 1900s, because it is too small, crowded, and has a leaky roof. Sound familiar? Purchasing the Heyes building allows the library to move into a better building at a reasonable cost, according to Levik. He said the remodeling costs will be minimal. At a January meeting of the council, the first one after Peterson left office, the new council approved a motion to purchase the Heyes building. Underhanded dealing all over everywhere The council had to vote on the purchase again Tuesday in the form of a resolution rather than a motion. Rick Hanson, acting city attorney, told the council the motion wasn’t enough to satisfy the legal requirements. The city’s original goal was to break ground on a new library in the spring of 2005. However, Levik said he now believes it will take a little longer than that to raise the funds needed. |
There are a lot of pi$$ed off people down there. One person, who is friends with the mayor, ain't very happy with him now.