I (HEART) My Library!

"To pour forth benefits for the common good is divine."  
- Benjamin Franklin, founder of our first public library
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I don't have the technical skill to display an actual red heart in the title, but I did buy a bumper sticker today at the annual Friends of the Library meeting at the Bellingham Public Library.

After an extended absence, I was motivated to attend this brief meeting to hear remarks by our new Mayor Kelli Linville and reconnect with some folks I used to spend time with, including members of the Library Board, of which I was a part for 5 years.

But, the main reason I went was because there is unfinished business concerning the Library that I feel responsible for helping to get done.
We still need a new Library!
And, this will take significant public process, creative ideas and reliable funding solutions to achieve.

Two ideas are essential; prioritizing this project with public approval and finding a method that will guarantee public acceptance and support.

First, prioritizing sounds like a simple thing, but it isn't because of competing priorities and limited funding. Here's an excerpt from a past blog:

Some may remember the well-intended, but tepid exercise the City of Bellingham underwent a few years ago. It was called 'Priorities of Government' [POG]. and while most elected officials gave it lip service as 'an interesting concept', not many really wanted to seriously touch it to implement its clear implications. Believe me, I know - I was there!

Anyway, it's too bad that an absolute crisis seems absolutely needed for governments to seriously confront such intractable questions as defining what is necessary, fair and sustainable as public policy. Unfortunately -or otherwise- that is the situation we find ourself now.

Second, guaranteeing public support means going to the trouble of finding an effective method and then following it! Again, here's an excerpt from a past blog:

Some years ago the City engaged Drs. Hans and Ann-Marie Bleiker to conduct training sessions on how to achieve 'Systematic Development of Informed Consent' on major projects important to our community. The method was time-intensive, but often much more effective than the usual fumbling efforts. But, predictably, use of the Bleiker method was largely ignored, with few exceptions.  

For those who may be interested, here are 14 previous blogs I've written about the Library -including some that merely mention it- listed latest to earliest:

Library: Consolidation Via Deus Ex Machina?  Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Library: From Top Priority To Something Less  Monday, August 31, 2009

More Library Volleys  Sunday, June 14, 2009

Library: Facts or Attacks?  Monday, May 4, 2009

Library: Contingent on Waterfront Redevelopment?  Thursday, April 23, 2009

A New Bellingham Public Library: A Real Need  Monday, January 28, 2008

A Few Belated Responses on MLK Day:  Monday, January 21, 2008

On Libraries, Hiking & A Bobcat!  Saturday, January 19, 2008

On Libraries & Football  Sunday, January 13, 2008

On City Government, Football & Other Contact Sports  Saturday, January 12, 2008

Library Planning Update 2: Working Hard or Playing Games?  Thursday, October 25, 2007

Library Planning Update: Citizen Input Wanted!  Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Accentuating the Positive: Qualities to Reflect in Library Design  Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Parking Is Not Free  Monday, August 6, 2007

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There is a lot of information in these blogs, but not nearly all that has been discussed and considered by the Library Board and others over the last several years.

There is also some pointed criticism noted, as well as controversial -but related- topics like the little matter of parking. But, these also serve an important opportunity to confront all stated concerns directly and answer them factually as FAQs.

While I doubt this blog -and its links- will interest everyone, some may find it a useful reference from which to launch a renewed investigation of an important vision that can transform into a reality our community will truly love.

This article appeared Saturday in the Herald.

Library: Consolidation Via Deus Ex Machina?

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Fanatic: a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause);

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" - Winston Churchill

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The September Issue of Whatcom Watch carried yet a third article from Mr. Fred Volz on the subject of our Library system, the first two appearing in the March and June 2009 issues.
Sandwiched in between these first two articles was a clear and factual response in the May issue by Pam Kiesner, our Library Director.

Curiously, Mr Volz's second article was prefaced by an Editor's comment to the effect that some of his statements could not be readily verified and therefore ought to be considered as opinions. Good surmise!
Quite possibly, that may account for the fact that WW chose not to enable that piece for Internet reading.

Now, Mr Volz has again submitted a lengthy article that repeats much of his previous arguments, but also adds some rather presumptive speculations, thereby weaving a remarkable scenario that has an almost Alice in Wonderland quality about it, but not quite.
While it is apparent that Mr Volz has learned something from his various exchanges, the way he has chosen to apply this knowledge subtracts from his credibility.
This verified by the Editor's subtle -perhaps too subtle- lead-in byline; 'Deus Ex Machina'.

I had to look up Deus Ex Machina in Wikipedia
Here's briefly what it means:

A deus ex machina (pronounced /ˈdeɪ.əs ɛks ˈmɑːkinə/ or /ˈdiː.əs ɛks ˈmækɨnə/, or day oos ayks mokinah [1] literally "god from the machine") is a plot device in which a person or thing appears "out of the blue" to help a character to overcome a seemingly insolvable difficulty.

In fiction writing, the phrase has been extended to refer to a sudden and unexpected resolution to a seemingly intractable problem in a plot-line, or what might be called an "Oh, by the way..." ending.
A deus ex machina is generally undesirable in writing and often implies a lack of skill on the part of the author.
The reasons for this are that it does not pay due regard to the story's internal logic and is often so unlikely that it challenges suspension of disbelief, allowing the author to conclude the story with an unlikely, though perhaps more palatable, ending.
Sometimes the unlikeliness of the deus ex machina plot device is employed deliberately:
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I don't know if the author used this device deliberately, or what his intention might have been in doing so.
Maybe, it was just to get another badly organized argument with multiple opinions and personal wishes out there for others to read, become misinformed or confused about and thereby aid and abet whatever agenda he is pushing.
There are better ways to advance a principled public discussion on this important issue than the method Mr Volz has chosen, which may end up mainly discrediting him.

Perhaps, he will consider attending the public meetings of the Library Board of Trustees, joining the Friends of the Library, availing himself of the facts that are readily accessible on the various legalities, realities and methods available to initiate changes in the system we have, etc, if he has not already done these things.

Continuing to rely on some supernatural force, like deus ex machina or Superman won't help much.
Neither will casting dispersions on others who are doing what they can with the situation and resources available to even maintain the valuable library system we have now.

Instead of externalizing his perception of a problem to others, Mr Volz -and the public- would be better served by simply engaging in the hard and often thankless work of civic involvement.
Everything is not perfect, nor is it likely to be, unless one's imagination can conjure an endless array of deus ex machina devices at will, then believe they work.
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News links:

Bellingham Public Library announcement

Herald article

CNN article -digital libraries

Crosscut article

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' I cannot live without books.' - Thomas Jefferson 3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)
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Library: From Top Priority To Something Less

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About 8 years ago, the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee completed over 2 years of work in evaluating the City's future needs and methods available to fund them.
Public Works projects were excluded because these needs are generally met from revenues collected from services, like water, sewer, stormwater, etc.
The main focus was on public facilities that need to maintained or expanded and modernized for future needs, like libraries, museums, Mt Baker Theater and the like, which rely largely upon public funding approved by special public ballot.

As it turned out, the Bellingham Public Library was identified as the top priority in the Committee's final report, since the existing facilities were nearing capacity and in need of serious upgrading to handle modern electronic and Internet systems.
Also, libraries usually require a separate bond issue to build facilities as well as reliable revenues with which to hire staff and buy books, equipment and materials.

One unexpected finding was the possible availability of another funding mechanism for facilities which are deemed part of a 'regional center' that enhances economic development in our area.
For qualifying projects, the State of Washington actually rebates part of the sales taxes already collected from an area and makes these funds available to pay for them.

What happened here was that Bellingham & Whatcom County joined to create a Public Facilities District to sponsor improving our existing cultural center in the downtown, and over $10 million in funds were received to pay for projects to achieve this goal.
This has been quite a success story that uses taxes already paid.
The main beneficiaries have been the Museum and the Mt Baker Theater, each of which has been upgraded and improved after a very careful and public process.
The most recent and visible example is the new Children's Museum.
The Mt Baker Theater improvements aren't quite so visible, but the extensive electrical and HVAC improvements are necessary for its continued use and maintenance.

The Bellingham Public Library was not a part of the PFD projects, and must be addressed by its own process and funding sources.
It is unfortunate that the BPL has to wait through some tough economic times before necessary modernization and expansion can take place.
It is also unfortunate that the severe budget crunch has made it necessary to reduce the BP Library's staffing so drastically, but that does serve to point out the importance both of efficient building design and library system structure.
Both elements do impact operation costs, as well as capital costs, which is the main point of this posting

The main Library building, although too small for current needs, has two entrances which requires some duplicate staffing.
And, each branch library also requires its own staffing as well as separate facilities which must be maintained, built or leased.
The point is, any distributed system is more likely to be more costly than a basic centralized system, and that is true regardless of public preferences.
In any case, a central library facility, adequately sized and equipped, is the necessary heart of a library system.
BPL is trying valiantly to serve that function, but needs our understanding and help in doing so for the future.

Some have suggested that BPL and the Whatcom County Library system, with its 8 or 9 branches, combine for efficiency.
These libraries are already fully cooperating and collaborating, but because they are separate entities by law, can't simply combine.
First, these organizations have different levels of service, as might be expected when contrasting urban and rural areas.
Second, applicable laws and funding mechanisms would need to be significantly changed, and this would take time and considerable effort even it were deemed desirable.
Essentially, if combining the BPL and WCL were to happen, a new central facility would be needed even more to adequately service the various branches.
If that's what the public wants, its OK - but the public must find a way to pay for it.
That is the bottom line.

In the meantime, enjoy the debate. Who knows, you might be the one with the bright idea that help solve the problem!
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A few pertinent links:

Seattle's budget crisis forced Library closures, too.
Overdoing the Library's closure week

More Budget Cuts For Bellingham Library

With budget cuts, layoffs, Bellingham parks and library services decrease

More Library Volleys

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Back on May 4, I wrote this blog.

An article written by Fred Volz and published in the March issue of Whatcom Watch had sparked that particular blog because it contained so many errors and misrepresentations.

Subsequently, Pam Kiesner, our BPL Library Director, also responded to Mr Volz' comments in another article that appeared in the May, 2009 issue of Whatcom Watch

Now, in the June issue of Whatcom Watch, Mr Volz has again occupied printed space to spread misinformation and actually engage in personal attacks on Ms Kiesner.
I find that as offensive and mean-spirited, which may explain why Whatcom Watch has not chosen to publish this latest text in its online version.
Readers will need to obtain a hard copy of WW in order to read Mr Volz' latest sorry missive.
I suspect most regular WW readers will take Mr Volz with a large grain of salt, if they read him at all.
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In related news, today's Herald ran this story

From the Whatcom County Library System website, information is readily available.
And, from this site, answers to 10 Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs] are listed.

The Bellingham Public Library website also contains much information on its services, budget and 4 locations, including its most recent user's survey.
Although BPL -by law- is funded separately from Whatcom County's 9 rural branch libraries, it has a very close working relationship with the Whatcom County Library System.
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All of the public debate, questions and ideas on the future of our Library is legitimate, of course.
That is part of our system of checks and balances about priorities, as it should be.
And, no one doubts the dire financial straits that currently face our community and the restrictions that brings.
But, no one should doubt the hard work done over the last several years, either, to identify future needs and seek to scope them into a cohesive document that comprehensively addresses the challenges anticipated.

While it is a moot question as to the exact timing of the new library facilities required, their need is clear to any clear-eyed observer.
No amount of malicious or misinformed rhetoric can change our community's basic underlying need for adequate library facilities.
The time for asking citizens to support a library to meet more modern needs is coming, and when that occurs, it will be nice to have all the community input possible.
After all, that's how 'public process' is supposed to work, isn't it?

And, what is it about these arrant naysayers, that impels them to continuously bad-mouth ideas that clearly benefit our community?
Maybe they should just check out a good book to read, and learn something from it?
You can borrow one at any public library...
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Library: Facts or Attacks?

"I know no safe depositary of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power."
--Thomas Jefferson to William C. Jarvis, 1820. ME 15:278
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During the month of March I was 'out of pocket' and involved in some rather serious business.
That explains my failure to read that month's issue of Whatcom Watch, which contained an article that pretended to be about our public Library, entitled 'Another Fine Mess' by Fred Volz.
Not that this article was particularly worth reading, mind you, because it was filled with the kind of factual error and misinformation that one might ordinarily expect from either an ideologue or someone who is extremely opinionated on a particular issue for whatever reason.

Now, I don't know the author, nor can I recall meeting him at any public or private meeting - which itself, is a reason to question the source or accuracy of some of his suppositions and conclusions.
Suffice to say, this is a good example of the adage; 'don't believe anything you hear, and half of what you read'.
That assumes you know WHICH half to believe!
Kinda reminds of Winston Churchill's remark that 'there are a lot of lies going around, only half of which are true.'

Hard to imagine why folks aren't more careful with what they think, write, read and choose to believe, isn't it?
I don't intend to repeat any substantial part of this article here because that isn't necessary, and those interested can read it online at http://www.whatcomwatch.org/php/WW_open.php?id=1038.
Or, just go to past issues, click on March 2009, then click on the article.

Anyway, the main point of this blog is to alert those interested that this month's issue of Whatcom Watch [May, 2009] contains another article on the same subject, this one authored by Pam Kiesner, Bellingham Public Library's Library Director.
Entitled 'Another Perspective on the Bellingham Public Library', this article is a worthwhile read, partly because it provides factual responses to some pretty egregious errors that were previously published, but also because it gives good background and context to the important issue of providing an adequate, efficient and cost effective Central Library and Branch system.
[Note that this latest article has not yet been posted on the Internet - there is usually about a month's delay - but is available for WW hard copy readers]

I won't elaborate further on this topic now because the two articles cited are self explanatory, and I've already made known my views.
But, it is in everyone's best interests to be factually informed on this issue, which ultimately is a matter for citizens themselves to decide -hopefully after being thoroughly and accurately informed .
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'An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.' - Benjamin Franklin

A brief excerpt from this website: http://www.ushistory.org/FRANKLIN/philadelphia/library.htm

'Most Americans in the 1730s had limited access to books. Books, in early America, were rare and expensive. There were no public libraries. Only the very wealthy and the clergy had access to large numbers of books. Even men of moderate means could not readily afford books. Enter Benjamin Franklin.

On July 1, 1731, Franklin and a group of members from the Junto, a philosophical association, drew up "Articles of Agreement" to form a library. The Junto was interested in a wide range of ideas, from economics to solving social woes to politics to science. But they could not turn to books to increase their knowledge or settle disputes, as between them they owned few tomes. But they recognized that via the Junto's combined purchasing power, books could be made available to all members.

So it was that 50 subscribers invested 40 shillings each to start a library. Members also promised to invest 10 shillings more every year to buy additional books and to help maintain the library.
They chose as their motto a Latin phrase which roughly translates as
"To support the common good is divine."
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Yes, it does take funding to achieve something of value for the entire community.
What value do you place on an adequate public library?
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Library: Contingent on Waterfront Redevelopment?

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'First, get all the facts. Then, you can always distort them later.'
- attributed to Mark Twain
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Hard times do call for some hard measures, but the difference between hard-headed austerity and just plain hard-headedness ought to be clear!
So it is with the latest round of rhetoric around the idea of a larger and more modern Bellingham Public Library.

Over two years ago, the City Council passed a unanimous Resolution -with the, then, Mayor's enthusiastic support- to accept recommendations from its Library Board -which had deliberated 7 years or more- on building a new Central Library adjacent to the current aging and woefully inadequate library, a building that would require significant public expense to even extend its useful life significantly.

Of course, this property is already owned by the City and has been in used as a favorite destination for many years and is an established public meeting place, including the grassy depression that serves as a park.
Additionally, it is right across the street from both City Hall and the County Court House, plus within a block or two of the Mt Baker Theater and Whatcom Museum-including the soon to be opened Children's Museum.
This so-called 'cultural district' was conceived years ago to be a vital link between the Civic Center and the downtown business community, a concept that continues to have much appeal as a people-friendly plan.

All of this also means the area is often congested, but you know, that isn't always a bad thing because 'eyes on the street' are comforting.
Also, there are bus lines that access the area and public hiking & biking trails along Whatcom Creek that can lead in several directions, including the waterfront and toward Lake Whatcom.
Sometimes -maybe most times- folks prefer for things like Libraries to be familiar and popular with other people; maybe that's why such places are called 'public places' and are well used.

Of course, there were/are some challenges to be overcome if any new Library idea were to come to fruition.
You know, little things like paying for it; deciding what 'it' would be; providing adequate parking; addressing how library services can be extended to other locations; how many patrons can be accommodated; what architecture and furnishings would be employed; what the level of service would be, and with what staff.
Just little things like that.
But, don't we always need to think about such things before we jump into some important venture?

The point is, a new Library has been considered a 'top priority' for Bellingham for several years, at least since the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee convened in 1999 thru 2001.
But, this particular 'priority' has been repeatedly elbowed aside by other projects, like the Public Facilities District idea, Civic Field Improvements, and now the ambitious Waterfront Redevelopment effort.
When the new Library's turn finally arrived, the necessary resources had already been spoken for, and hard times were well on the way.

So, of course, another delay is prudent, as long as it is not used as a time to forget about all the good work that has gone into Library planning!
Unfortunately, some of that 'forgetfulness' has already begun to happen.
More troubling is the somewhat arrogant attempt to supplant all the good planning that has occurred with an entirely new concept that has not been exposed to the gauntlet of public process so essential to generate widespread support.
Here, I am referring to two statements that have appeared recently in print, one from our Mayor, the other from a new Council member.
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First, the Mayor is touting the idea of locating the new Library on or adjacent to the Waterfront, largely as a justification for building new parking structures!
That seems more like the flea trying to wag the hair on the tail of a dog to me.
I can understand the need for jump-starting the WF infrastructure, and the scarcity of public funds available for such projects, but what happened to the years of thoughtful good work by the Library Board and other interested citizens?
It's not OK with me to just chunk that work product into the garbage in favor of another bright idea designed to achieve multiple ends!

Of course, the Mayor's idea has the potential to be the best potential solution available, but it needs some serious vetting in my view.
But, we're not there yet - not even close!
For starters, it just simply ignores the several criteria that were thought essential to good Library planning.
Second, it seems overly dismissive of the Library Board's hard work, not to mention the many caring citizens who turned out for work sessions, presentations and creative idea sharing about desirable features.
Why, I'd be tempted to just resign from the LIbrary Board myself, but the good folks who serve in that capacity are so naturally temperate and civic-minded, that idea would likely never cross their minds.

Then, the Council person's conviction that not a stone or brick from the old Library building ought to be removed, as frugal and green as that sounds, ignores the fact that major, costly renovations will be required to transform this edifice into a modern and reasonably useful structure.
And, that also excludes the need for a serious, costly expansion of existing space, plus a place in which to operate while these disruptions are going on, things the Library Board have grappled with for years -but what did they know?.
Even the argument for historic preservation has no legs with this nondescript, 1950's building.
It is basically an outdated building that has pretty well served its purpose, except for lasting until its replacement can be constructed.

More troubling than either of these expressed opinions, is the abject wishy-washy-ness of the entire Council, which simply acceded to them without bothering to check the history of its own action!
You know, I can understand and accept the reality of today's difficult financial situation, but is totally rescinding the idea of a new Library necessary?
How about just deferring it for continued study and public process?
Isn't that the way Council often acts?
Thank goodness young Sam Taylor had the gumption to look up those pesky minutes from January 2007, and remind the Council of its own action!
Of course the Council can always reverse itself, but shouldn't that at least take another Resolution voted upon at a public meeting?
Surely, the Council wouldn't allow itself to be so easily jawboned into a position they haven't duly deliberated - or would they?
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Our Library Board is a 5-person advisory body on which responsible citizens can volunteer their service.
And, uniquely, the Library Board is also responsible for hiring and overseeing the duties of the Library Director.
Bet that may surprise a few people, possibly including our current Mayor and maybe even a newer Council member or two.
Point is, we need to treat these folks better, and while we're at it, the good folks of Bellingham, who have loved their Library for many years.
It's not right to act so authoritarian and knee-jerk about such important issues, and most people probably know that.

If a new Library is planned with children in mind, it will certainly work for the rest of us, too.
There is no reason why the excellent work already done can't be pared down into a new facility that is more affordable and will be enthusiastically supported at the ballot, one day to come.
If that is not sufficient, the project could also be phased and/or partly paid for in other ways.
But, to hitch the new Library to Waterfront Redevelopment just guarantees nothing will be accomplished for the next 10 years or more!
That seems irresponsible, despite the current hard times.
But, then there might be some advantages to that sort of delay; few, if any, of the current elected officials will likely still be around!
Of course, by that time even more dire circumstances could prevail.
Who knows?
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The Bellingham Public Library shares the power of information, encourages the discovery of ideas, and promotes the joy of reading with all members of the Bellingham Community.
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Excerpt from the minutes of the Jan. 22, 2007 City Council meeting:

PRESENTATION(S)

AB17281B 1. LIBRARY PLANNING UPDATE AND NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY SITE RECOMMENDATION

Dave Edelstein, representing the Bellingham Public Library Board of Trustees recognized current and former board members and the Friends of the Library, who have been tireless in their efforts in planning for this project.

Pam Kiesner, Library Director delivered a PowerPoint presentation of Library Board activity leading up to a recommendation for building a new Central Library on the current library block. Ms. Kiesner reviewed current Library service delivery and how it is present in the community. She described the Condition Assessment of the 102-year old Fairhaven Branch Library; how computers have changed the way we access information; and how self-services are accessed at the Library.

She continued with considerations of the City budget; population growth and areas of the City that are not covered; a brief review of the Citywide Library Services Study - a copy of which was provided to Council at the Joint City Council/Library Board Meeting held at the Library on January 17, 2007. Ms. Kiesner then reviewed the community's access to the City's libraries and for the immediate future, said they are actively working on partnership opportunities to provide more convenience to residents of neighborhoods that are currently underserved.

Ms. Kiesner responded to the common questions of “Why do we need a Central Library ?” and “Why do we need a NEW Central Library?” The Central Library services the growing downtown population as well as the entire city and it serves as a central location to the Bellingham community; provides a central hub: housing for materials ordering; processing and distribution; provides full service, primary materials and a resource center from which the community draws and it serves as the support services facility for all of the outreach services. The current Central Library serves as a strong central collection and an efficient centralized hub for materials handling citywide. The City has outgrown the Library's size, structure and function.

Ms. Kiesner reviewed the completed key steps and noted key findings: another floor cannot be added to the existing library, the building does not meet seismic codes, working with a building built in 1951 would be programmatically and structurally difficult with all the electronic resources used today. She also noted that underground parking on this site is possible.

Visions for a Central Library include:

· housing a materials collection;
· meeting citywide library needs at least 50 years into the future;
· a library that is beautiful, functional and cost-effective;
· invites the community in;
· reflects the unique character of the community;
· designed with public input;
· using at least silver LEED standards;
· an educational institution;
· easy to find;
· parking;
· accessible to all ages and abilities;
· spaces that are busy every hour of every day;
· flexible to meet the needs of a growing community and
· that the library remains and becomes stronger as a cornerstone of the community.

Faye Hill, Library Board Member reviewed the site selection process that began in 2001. To date, working with the Site Evaluation Committee, the Library Board has reviewed 20 properties and in 2006 the Board issued a Request for Proposal for available property in the downtown core with no responses received. In July 2006 the sites were narrowed down to the former ReStore site, Maritime Heritage Park site, Bellingham Municipal Court site and current Library block. A primary reason for focusing on these four sites is that they are city-owned, thus saving the taxpayers the expense of purchasing a site. In August 2006 a walkabout of the four sites was done, where valuable feedback was received. With it's adjacencies to civic arts and cultural endeavors in the downtown area including the new Children's and Art Museum, which is across the street, the current Library block has been a natural site to consider. The Board believes it has spent the necessary time to become well informed about each one of the sites and unanimously agree that the current Library block, minus the existing building, provides the best option for the new Central Library.

Ms. Kiesner outlined the next steps and said a timeline is in draft format. The Board wants to make sure that the community is as informed as possible and the Board would like to invite their input in a variety of ways. In the first half of 2007 the Board will be seeking a Bond Campaign Chair and committee and determine which is more likely to succeed – a General, Off-year or Special election. It is too early to know potential costs and they want to be as accurate as possible. This year, the Board will be looking at preliminary designs in order to more accurately estimate potential costs for the entire project and operating costs into the future. They will also be exploring funding mechanisms – most likely, a voter approved bond and they will be offering to the community, groups and individuals, opportunities for donating to the project.

BARBARA RYAN / KNUTSON moved to approve that a replacement Central Library be constructed on the current “library block” and further, that the existing library building be taken down prior to construction of the new facility in order to provide the best design and site development possible.

MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
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A New Bellingham Public Library: A Real Need

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John Servais' most recent attack on the plan for REPLACING and EXPANDING the Bellingham Public Library simply repeats again the singular and uninformed positions that both he and the Whatcom WIndy have espoused for a long time. Neither critic has bothered to open their ears to the deliberate, candid and accurate arguments the Library Board has proffered after at least 7 years of considering the various options available. Both Servais' and the WIndy's position seem remarkably rigid, opinionated and wrong, which -taken together-motivate this response.
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Reprinted below is John Servais' recent missive, pompously entitled 'Library planning versus needs', from his website 'NW Citizen' dated Mon, Jan 28, 2008. I have inserted my comments in BRACKETS [] below:

"Tomorrow the Bellingham Library Board of Trustees meets and will probably produce a plan for a new grand downtown library building and a bond issue of between 20 to 60 million dollars to pay for it. It will be sent to the city council and mayor for placement on the May ballot - and they will start a "grassroots" campaign to pass the issue with former mayor Tim Douglas leading the "grassroots" effort. The project will contain teaser branch library tidbits as a hook to get voters to approve it. It is all pretty bogus.

[Does Mr Servais have a problem with a duly appointed and confirmed LIBRARY BOARD submitting their duly considered recommendations to the Mayor & Council? If so, what alternate method does Mr Servais advocate? Does he doubt that a strong CENTRAL BRANCH is absolutely essential to any DISTRIBUTED branch system?]

Briefly, here is an analysis and alternative direction for our city.

The Library has not seriously considered any options to the one big building.
[Huh? Are you paying ANY attention AT ALL?]
As such, their statements that branch libraries are more expensive and that our city is not big enough are merely that - statements of opinion without any study behind them. They cite some facts of other cities but have not actually researched our Bellingham situation. They have reacted to neighborhood requests for branches by tossing crumbs in the form of pickup points.
[What research have you done, Mr Servais, that suggests otherwise? Branch Libraries are inherently more expensive!]

An underground parking garage for city and county employees is the real reason behind a new big library downtown.
[This surmise is absolutely false! There are BMC requirements which do specify parking requirements]
There are laws that prevent the city from just building this - and they know the voters would never approve a 30 million dollar bond issue for a parking garage. So they have wrapped it in a library.
[Just exactly what are these laws? How do you imagine any additional parking will be financed?]

Traffic and parking will be worsened with a big central library.
[We already have a 'BIG CENTRAL LIBRARY! We need a somewhat larger one which can also provide the support required for more branches. We also need to be realistic in providing additional parking when we have the opportunity. Additional parking can be provided by Councilmanic Bond, separate from any Bond Issue.]
With branches, people can get full services and school kids can safely go to their branch libraries. In 1992, several of us in the Fairhaven area formed the Friends of the Fairhaven Library when then mayor Tim Douglas and the Library Trustees were preparing to close our Fairhaven Library. We organized south side residents and we stopped city hall.
[Friends of the Library exists nation-wide and function to help Libraries achieve their public purpose! Please do not claim full credit for 'FRIENDS'!].
We wish other neighborhoods could have such a fine facility. Its use has continued to grow each month and year. It serves all five south side neighborhoods and is very efficient on a any number of library measurement criteria.

Enough analysis for this post.
[Analysis and YOUR OPINION!]
There is more analysis that is damming to the city plans.
[What are you talking about, Mr. Servais? More conspiracy theory?]
But here is an alternative plan which I think will provide a much higher level of service to all residents for the same or fewer dollars.
[Where is your factual analysis? This seems based upon nothing more than your own preconceived speculation.]

1. Build a book storage facility in a low cost manner on the north side of town - Bakerview area, for instance. Put the 80% of the books that only get checked out 20% of the time there. Keep the 20% that get checked out 80% of the time at the central and branch libraries. The building needs humidity control but can be inexpensive and efficient for storing and retrieving desired books.
[Who would man this facility, and at what annual cost? Do you have a clue?]

2. Start building full service branch libraries. No bond issue this May. Instead meet with residents in the neighborhoods and plan branch locations and build them one at a time over the years as we continue to grow as a community. The first branches are needed in the Alderwood or Cordata neighborhoods. For years Talbot Company has been offering the city free space at Barkley Village but the library has ignored them till now - when some interest will help pass the bond issue.
[How many branches would be needed, and at what cost? What is the estimated capital cost? What is annual operating cost? Where would additional annual operating costs be funded?]

3. Combine the Bellingham and Whatcom County library systems. Talk about cutting costs and saving tax dollars.
[Are you aware of the restrictions that might prevent that from happening? Are you aware that this possibility has already been investigated?]
Whew.
[That is an appropriate reaction!]
That book storage system with daily van deliveries of books is exactly how the County system works and efficiently runs 9 branches. Combine the two and efficiently run all our libraries. While the two systems cooperate now, we taxpayers are paying double for the administrative services.
[That conclusion is accurate, but legalisms do exist to prevent better collaboration. Please illuminate us to the realities. not the suppositions. DO YOU IMAGINE THAT THE LIBRARY BOARD has not already thoroughly investigated this possibility?]

4. Lets examine just what services and value we want from our library system. The Internet is steadily wiping out reference services. Do you know free libraries were started in the 1800s for - not school kids and not the general public - but to get the blue collar working men out of the bars in the evenings? True. Over the century they have evolved to serve the community. One new service they could efficiently perform is to provide as our public records source for government documents from the city, county, port and other government agencies. This is only one idea of how their services could be expanded to give us more bang for our dollar.
[Directionally, you are correct, but everybody should already know that. The Library Board's desire IS TO GIVE THE BIGGEST "BANG" FOR THE BUCK! How can you imagine anything different would be acceptable?]

5. A final point. Browsing library shelves. Well, when you do, you do not see the most popular books as they are checked out. But new Internet catalog services now allow us to browse a shelf of books at our local library and see all the books. The screen shows the book spines with titles and you can view the title page, forward and even the table of contents. Then you can put a reserve on the book you want and it can be delivered to your branch library for convenient - and environmentally friendly - pickup by you. With today's and tomorrow's Internet, we can browse the actual shelf visually online and see all the books. And that is the service we want and need.
[Of Course! Most younger -and other - folks already appreciate this, but there are still older folks among us who do not depend upon the Internet as much as as some do. Certainty, you would not want to exclude them, would you?]

We citizens need to insist that our city government and library board make a serious effort to compare their big parking garage/library plan with the options of branches, big warehouse storage of materials and combining the city and county systems. That has not been done - but the hype from city hall implies that has been done.
[You are seriously mistaken! All of these considerations are critically important and have been seriously considered by the Library Board. Before you make such accusations, please reasonably apprise yourself of the several years considerations that the Library Board has undertaken.]
We need to insist on real studies. It is worth spending good money on a cost benefit analysis and waiting a year instead of spending tens of millions of dollars on a big library that may be of low value in the future. The parking garage for city and county staff perks is the only high value thing hat we are being asked to fund with the May bond issue. The library is just wrapping for the parking garage.
[Again, you are seriously mistaken! I would hope that you would undertake to attend more than the the 2 or 3 Library Board Meetings than I have seen you attend in the last 6 or 7 years. Please do not undertake to undermine the serious work that at least 7 years of serious and deliberative Library Board considerations!]

[I hope our community will see past the biased and exceptionally uninformed opinions that Mr Servais has posted, and understand that all of these serious considerations have been thoroughly addressed by the Library Board in its deliberations. I can't imagine a group that is better focused on the best interests of our community! While I thoroughly respect contrary opinion, I strongly support the effort put forth by the Library Board in identifying community needs and addressing our community's long term vision.]

A Few Belated Responses on MLK Day:

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Let's honor the memory and legacy of Martin Luther King! He was an inspiration to us all, but much is still left to do since his death.
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Since the last posting some stuff has happened.

Nice hike at Point Reyes, Oysters for Dinner, NFL Conference Championship Games, fixing up an old house for retirement, watching the Demo debates in South Carolina, and finally catching up on reading about Bellingham and its 'issues'.

So much information, with so little to add, but some comments anyway from the perspective of someone who has recently served in local office, but is now sufficiently removed from that obligation to comment more candidly and without the caution of 'officially' offending any constituent.

1. Tip Johnson's lament about 'non coverage' of a 'mob' attending a Fairhaven Highlands [Chuckanut Ridge] public hearing is ludicrous!
I've got news for you Tip, it was not a newsworthy event. That is, except for some NIMBY folks who want to manufacture an 'issue'.
This land was zoned for development in 1980 [your watch?], is within City Limits and makes sense for development as long as the EIS conditions are reasonably met. If development cannot occur there, where can it occur?
Didn't this happen on your watch on the City Council?
Before?
Why didn't you take action on it then?
I'm thinking the entertainment value of mischievously taunting local government is more of an incentive to folks like you than any other reason, but what do I know?

I invite advocates of 'saving the 100-acre woods' [actually 85 acres, of which 50 will likely be saved for Critical Areas purposes anyway] to adopt a cause that is more worthy of their effort.
Like maybe protecting the Lake Whatcom Reservoir, truly affordable housing, or meaningful Charter Review for example.

Find another way of having fun, other than at citizen's expense.
I know it is tempting to keep doing what you're doing, and reliving visions of emulating the Chicago 7, but grow up will you?
--------------

2. The brouhaha over GMA Land Supply needs to end as well. The City did its due diligence and came up with a its estimate of future land supply needs, which the County disagrees with for whatever reason. The new Mayor and Council Members are now advocating less land supply, which is their prerogative regardless of whether they participated in the lengthy process of analyzing future needs.

Political reality dictates their pronouncements be honored. Do it! It makes no difference who is right or wrong, because the County has the stroke to make the final decision. But, make sure what the City agrees to conforms to what it can deliver!
To me that means to reduce the percentage of City agreed growth from 51.4% to about 40%. Make sure that happens and I believe the City's liability will be minimal.
-----------

3. Today's Herald story 'Cordata-area residents seek branch library. North-siders say they may oppose bond proposal.
That litany is beginning to sound like the whines of the so-called 'Greenways Legacy' crowd. You know, the ones who were willing to sabotage Greenways 3 if they didn't get their way?

Get serious people! It's hard enough to get folks to vote for the real necessities, much less the wants of every neighborhood in town! Do you have any idea of how expensive any of these projects are likely to be? Public Bond Issues only pay for capital projects. They don't even begin to meet the ongoing operating costs of sustaining a Branch Library, which would likely require 2 or 3 permanent staff at $50k to $75k per year apiece to maintain. That money needs to be provided from the General Fund, and would likely amount to the entire 1% in Property Taxes that the Council is able to approve without a public vote!

The idea of additional branches has been very seriously considered for several years by the Library Board, all of whom are citizen volunteers. If the feasibility is not there, you need to respect that finding. And, without an updated and modernized Central Library, there is no strong Trunk to support the Branches.

People already know where the Central Library is -in everyone's neighborhood- and are using it in numbers that are growing nearly every month, despite Internet use and travel time. The current site was picked largely for that reason, and partly because the City already owns the site. That alone, saves millions on the cost of another site. The 'park' behind the Library will be preserved, but to the south of the proposed new library building, where it can enjoy -above grade- sunshine with closer access to the Childrens' Museum and the Cultural District. And does anyone really doubt there is need for some additional parking?

I hope you good Northside folks aren't really willing to oppose a bond campaign! I -and the entire reading community- certainly hope you will get behind this issue as one that will benefit everyone in our community for many years to come.
--------------------

4. The NFL Conference Championship Games sounded pretty good, although I only saw some of the last parts of the 2nd game between the Jints and the Packers, including the overtime.
My sense was that the Jints deserved to win.
Also, that the Super Bowl may be closer than the 14 point spread in favor of the Patriots.
I really don't care who wins as long as it is a close, competitive, well played game.
You know, kinda like local politics.
-----------------

Out.

On Libraries, Hiking & A Bobcat!

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Joan & I joined the San Francisco Library down at our Glen Park Branch this past week and were each issued a bar-coded card on the spot that is good to use at any of the 30 locations here in town.
The card, along with a personal PIN CODE also allows use of the Library's computers up to 30 minutes at a time.
Because WIFI is available, we could bring our own laptop and use the Internet connection as long as we want.

The hours of operation each week are as follows:

Sunday - Closed
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 10 AM to 6 PM
Wednesday - 12 Noon to 8 PM
Thursday - 1 PM to 7 PM
Friday - 1 PM to 6 PM
Saturday - 1 PM to 6 PM

3 or 4 librarians were on duty all three times we visited our local Branch.
Most of the patrons were kids, but a variety of ages were present.
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Wednesday, we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and visited Mount Tamalpais State Park for a hike in the sunshine.
Mt Tam is practically unparalleled in the variety of hiking experiences it offers.
The drainages to the North are actually part of the Marin Water District, which carefully restricts the uses allowed, so that the system of surface reservoirs below Mt Tam are protected.

The hike offered terrific views of San Francisco and most of the northern Bay, plus Mt Diablo to the East.
Good ocean views, too, over Stinson Beach and Bolinas Lagoon, out to the Farallon Islands and Point Reyes National Seashore Park.
There was a little haze, but sometimes you can actually still see the High Sierra from these heights, over 200 miles away!

I tried unsuccessfully to download a couple of the digital images I took of a bobcat we encountered, followed for a while and eventually passed on our our way out.
This guy was a healthy specimen, one of about 30 or so that are known to inhabit the Marin Headlands and its surrounds.

At first, we thought it might be a coyote, but a look through binoculars confirmed this was a really good-sized cat!

He -or she- was hunting for dinner, and the preferred menu seemed to have been gophers or other small burrowing rodents.
This particular Bobcat wasn't very interested in us, but when it eventually became aware of our presence, it moved off the trail and downslope about 30 yards or so where it sat in the tall, dry grass and watched us pass, then continued it's hunt.

As luck would have it, the very next night we watched a presentation by Tony Rowell, the late Galen's son, in which he showed some shots of a Marin Headlands Bobcat hunting and pouncing on its prey!
------------------------

Here's some general info on Bobcats from Wikipedia, plus a couple of digital images much better than than the ones I took:

The Bobcat (Lynx rufus), occasionally known as the Bay Lynx, is a North American mammal of the cat family, Felidae. With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States. The Bobcat is an adaptable predator that inhabits wooded areas, as well as semi-desert, urban edge, and swampland environments. It persists in much of its original range and populations are healthy.

With a gray to brown coat, whiskered face, and black-tufted ears, the Bobcat resembles the other species of the mid-sized Lynx genus. It is smaller than the Canadian Lynx, with which it shares parts of its range, but is about twice as large as the domestic cat. It has distinctive black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby tail, from which it derives its name.
Though the Bobcat prefers rabbits and hares, it will hunt anything from insects and small rodents to deer and pronghorn antelope. Prey selection depends on location and habitat, season, and abundance. Like most cats, the Bobcat is territorial and largely solitary, although there is some overlap in home ranges. It uses several methods to mark its territorial boundaries, including claw marks and deposits of urine or feces. The Bobcat breeds from winter into spring and has a gestation period of about two months.

Although the Bobcat has been subject to extensive hunting by humans, both for sport and fur, its population has proven resilient. The elusive predator features in Native American mythology and the folklore of European settlers.

---------------------------------

We'll try to spot more wildlife tomorrow, this time at Point Reyes.
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On Libraries & Football

Does this remind you of goal posts?
-----------------------------------------
I may have found a new method of blogging while watching football.
You know, like multi-tasking.
What a concept, but like most things a little prior research is useful.

Yesterday’s blog got posted before the Seahawks game was over, at least technically over.
They were a disappointment again, which was no big surprise.
The Patriots showed the Jaguars why they are the champs, but the issue was in doubt during the first half.

This morning’s game between the Chargers and Colts was one of the most interesting I’ve seen in recent years. The outcome was in doubt right up to the end, and it was remarkable how the Chargers managed to overcome the injuries to their best players to prevail.
I doubt they will beat the Patriots, but its good to see some different teams advance to the next level.

I’m rooting for the Giants over the Cowboys now, which is probably enough to jinx that outcome too!
So, with less than 14 minutes left in the game the 'Jints' have taken a 21-17 lead.
Will that last?
You'll have research that final score for yourself -after the game is over.
-----------------------------------------


Main SF Library

On the subject of libraries, maybe a few facts about the San Francisco library system would be of interest.
You can research this subject yourself at this URL:

http://sfpl.lib.ca.us

Of course, there are some big differences between San Francisco and Bellingham, which need to be recognized.
Considered the second most dense city in the US [16,000 people per square mile] SF has 10 times the population of Bellingham, has a significantly higher median income and has a long established Library system, including a large Main Library and 29 Branches. Only 14.5% of its population are children. Also, SF has a pretty low poverty rate, at 7.8%.

The current Main Branch was completed in 1996 after a long planning and funding process. It was built near the same site as the old Main, which was constructed in 1917.

SF is also a consolidated City & County jurisdiction [since 1856], where the Mayor also serves as County Executive.
An 11-member Board of Supervisors, elected by District, serves as the co-equal legislative branch of government.
Notice each District has nearly the population of Bellingham?
-----------------------------------------


Glen Park Branch Library

The new, nearby $5.5 million Glen Park Branch Library was opened last October about 3 blocks away, across the street from a BART Station and on 4 Bus Routes. The new 7185 SF space is 6 times larger than the older leased wooden building, which became a bookstore. The new Branch occupies the second floor, above a food market which itself was part of a mixed-use redevelopment that replaced a severely fire damaged older building.

Financing for acquisition and construction of the new branch was funded by a $105.9 million bond measure passed by voters in November 2000 and $500,000 in private funds raised by the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library for furniture, fixtures and equipment.
The Branch Library Improvement Program [BLIP] is the largest capital improvement campaign in the history of the San Francisco Public Library. BLIP calls for 17 branches to be renovated, 4 leased buildings to be replaced with City-owned buildings, 2 branches to be replaced with new buildings, and 1 brand-new branch in Mission Bay.
-----------------------------------------

One point I'd like to make is that while Branches are a great idea, they are expensive to build, maintain and operate, plus they strongly depend upon a Main Branch for support.
But, if citizens want a larger Branch system and will vote to pay for it, it can certainly happen.
In coming to a decision like that, let's be careful about setting up false choices, like the Main versus Branch argument the need for parking and be realistic about the costs and competing priorities.

-----------------------------------------
Additional info:

The Main Library is the resource center for the entire San Francisco Public Library system and the libraries of Northern California. Its large collection and extensive programs and exhibits support the Library’s mission of “access to information, knowledge, independent learning and the joy of reading.”

http://sfpl.lib.ca.us/librarylocations/main/buildmain.htm

Other Facts about the Building

About the Library
· Hours & Phone Numbers
· Main
· Branches
· Meeting Rooms
· Kids
· Teens

Financing:
Construction was financed by a $109.5 million bond measure approved by San Francisco voters in 1988. Construction of the Main Library cost $104.5 million.

The remaining funds were used for branch renovations. Furnishing, interior finishes and equipment were financed through $30 million in private funds raised by the Library Foundation of San Francisco.

Site:
Marshall Square in San Francisco Civic Center. The site is bounded by Larkin, Fulton, Hyde and Grove Streets
Chronology and Schedule:

1974: The Library Commission, the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, Keep Libraries Alive!, and other citizen groups fight successfully to retain Marshall Square as the site for a new main library.

1985: The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library offers to work with Mayor Dianne Feinstein on the completion of the Civic Center, including use of Marshall Square for a new library.

1986: A task force is created by Mayor Feinstein to complete the design of the Civic Center.

A report by Becker and Hayes/Omni-Group criticizes the Old Main and calls for building a new library in Marshall Square.

The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library inaugurate a private fund-raising campaign for the New Main.

The Library Foundation of San Francisco is established to support a New Main.
(Friends & Foundation of the San Francisco Public Library.)

1987: A second study by Becker and Hayes/Omni-Group underscores the use of Marshall Square for a new library. Another study, by Skidmore Owings Merrill, recommends that the Old Main be used for a museum. (Future of the Old Main.)

The mayor calls for a new main library in Marshall Square as part of a Civic Center master plan.

1988: Library bond for 109.5 million passes for renovation of a few branches and construction of a new 376,000 square foot Main Library.

1989: Pei Cobb Freed & Partners of New York and Simon Martin-Vegue Winkelstein Moris of San Francisco are hired by the Library Commission as architects for the New Main.

1991: The Library Foundation officially announces its campaign for the New Main.

1992: Groundbreaking ceremony is held in Marshall Square.

Special Gifts campaign is launched to seek funds from various local constituencies (affinity groups) for particular collections and capital gains.

1993: On March 15, construction of the New Main begins.

1994: Topping-out ceremony marks the completion of the framing of the new building.

The Library Foundation reaches $30 million fund-raising goal and keeps going.

1995: New Main is completed. By the end of the year, the Library Foundation has raised $35 million.

1996: Opening of the Main is on April 18.

2000: Post Occupancy Evaluation Report (POE): Executive Summary

Seating:

Seating Capacity: 2,043 (5 times that of the Old Main Library)
Public Service Areas: 1,180 (3 times that of the Old Main Library)
Meeting Rooms: 544 seats
Auditorium: 235 seats
Study Rooms: 46 seats (2 in each study room)
Size:

Square Feet: 376,000. Six floors above ground. One floor below ground.
-----------------------------------------------

On City Government, Football & Other Contact Sports

----------------------------------------------------------
What could be better than being in the sunshine again and watching the Seahawks score on a takeaway less than 30 seconds into the Packers game?
We’ll see if that happy moment holds up during the course of the game, but even if it doesn’t it really won’t matter in the greater scheme of things, will it?

Its been over a week since my last blog, time that was spent in traveling almost a 1000 miles south through some interesting weather in a van loaded with stuff destined to remain in San Francisco after we have departed for our next destination.

Reoccupying our former abode and the associated fixing up and reconnecting with neighbors has taken a little time, as has catching up on much needed rest.
And now, as if on cue, the sun has returned and it is time for some fun!
That’s where the Seahawks come in, I hope! [Now they’re up 14-0 with over 10 minutes left in the 1st quarter!]

----------------------------------------------------------
Football and fun aside, city government must continue providing essential services and addressing issues as best it can, hoping that the solutions reached will be effective and lasting in value.

I’m confident that the new –and not so new- City elected officials are up to this task, and indications are that the transition has been reasonably smooth so far.
With other things occupying my time and a slow dial-up Internet connection, I haven’t spent much time keeping abreast of things, but from what I have read, here are some comments on a few issues.

Waterfront Redevelopment:

The idea of a Public Development Agency has always made sense in my mind, whether it will cover just the City’s portion of the Waterfront District or not. The Port would be smart to willingly do the same, but their culture has blinded them to this reality.

Also, the lack of information –planning & financial- provided regularly to the City Council has been a major concern that has been expressed frequently.
Now that a Master Agreement and Development Regulations are expected this year, it is not only appropriate, but essential that the Council –and the public- are kept fully in the loop and made aware of the options being considered.
There is a limit to what the City can reasonably finance, and a sequence of providing essential infrastructure that makes sense.
I’m glad the Mayor is forcefully making that point. And, it is good that the Council has decided to establish its own Waterfront Committee to cement better liaison and input to this undertaking.

The issue of Waterfront impact fees also needs re-addressing, either up-front or deferred with certainty of payment. If the Port disagrees, that is their prerogative, but it is the City’s decision!
The Inter-local Agreement and subsequent Supplements clearly allow for such changes, which can be initiated by either party. This has always been the case, despite the persistent claims of some critics.

But the spirit of cooperation between City and Port should be retained and continuously renewed, for that is the foundation of the ultimate success of the Waterfront Redevelopment.
It is also particularly critical to keep the clean-up momentum moving forward since that action will facilitate whatever redevelopment scenario will follow.

Transportation:

Setting up this committee with a more comprehensive purview is a positive step that I hope will also reflect the way the City will consistently address this general subject and its several subsets.
Using the new transportation concurrency requirements will help put teeth into its intent.
Just how the regional transportation planning will be changed remains to be seen, but the issue of UGA arterials and connectors continues to need serious attention.

Parks Recreation & Open Space Plan:

The update due this year will need to correct some obvious inconsistencies that impacted the Land Supply discussion last year and earlier.
The Parks Committee of Louise, Jack and Stan is the strongest I can imagine, and I think they will do a first rate job on this working with the Parks Dept.

Lake Whatcom Reservoir:

We will have to see what progress 2008 will bring on this conundrum.
First, the City & County will need to consummate more than talking about it.

Then, the DOE will need to finally issue its TMDL Study, which has now been in progress for 9 years. [Technically, the Agency has up to 15 years]
The final issuance of that document would give elected officials some official ‘cover’ for taking whatever corrective action they will.
But, we already know what the Phosphorus Limits ought to be, both in urban and rural settings, don’t we?

Maybe the City will also get around to acting on the WAB Recommendations regarding how to care for the watershed properties now owned by the City’s Water Fund.

And then there’s the matter of the County ‘Park’ to be gained by the ‘reconveyance’ of DNR forestlands. That ought to create enough distraction by itself to prevent any other meaningful action to be taken.

Land Supply & Use:

This is a topic that has already gotten too much attention.
Who cares? Besides the developers, the no-growth ideologues, and folks who were duped into thinking the City’s lengthy analysis really meant something, I mean?
Just make sure the City isn’t committing to more growth than it can reasonably accommodate. Otherwise, we’re kidding ourselves in the opposite direction.

Besides, the County likes things just as they are, and it’s their decision!

Library:

I’m glad to see the scoping & planning process is proceeding ahead in anticipation of the public being able to decide on its future needs soon. The process has been very deliberate and slow as is fitting in matters like this. The Library Board is getting good advice from its consultants, who are legitimate experts in assessing community library needs.

While there will always be diverse opinions on such things, these are actually helpful to any rational discussion because they force thinking about options that might not have otherwise been considered. And, if a community can’t have an intelligent discussion on something like a new Public Library, what topics can we discuss?

Aside from fairly assessing future community needs in terms of space & function, the issues of cost, transition plan, parking and branches all come with the territory. All of these are part of the mix that has to be sorted out and presented to voters in the best combination, form and timing possible. It would be great if whatever evolves from this process passes the ballot on the first try. We’ll see soon.

Open Public Meetings:

One item on the agenda for the January 13 meeting is a discussion of how to televise ALL Council meetings –evening and afternoon- and make them more readily available for the public to access in a timely fashion.

Suffice to say I am delighted this is about ready to come to pass!
I believe most citizens do want their officials to meet and deliberate in as open a forum as possible. That’s also the law in the State of Washington. At essentially no extra cost, the proposal now before the Council has no downside that I can see.
Do it!
----------------------------------------------------------

Now, here we are a little later in the Seahawks-Packers game.
Just under 9 minutes left in the 3rd quarter and the Packers are ahead 35-17!

What happened?
Oh well, there’s still time left to play, and there are more important things, aren’t there?
Care to guess the final score?
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Library Planning Update 2: Working Hard or Playing Games?

Bellingham Public Library is the

...Power of Information...Discovery of Ideas...Joy of Reading!
---------------------------
"Freedom of the press belongs to those who own one." -A.J. Liebling

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts."
- Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan

"Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome." – Samuel Johnson

"There are two stages to the public policy process; too early to tell, and too late to do anything about it." - Anonymous
---------------------------

I was disappointed, but not surprised, to read yet another negative editorial in today's WIndy about the Library planning process that is now underway.

So, I've decided to comment on that, and to use this blog to print more feedback from the October 9 meetings.

The first quote above seems to accurate reflect the way things are in general, and the way news gets mixed with opinion.

But, nowadays there are more ways to get information than we used to have, thanks to the Internet, cell phones and video channels.

In fact, one of my motivations in starting this blog was to be able to communicate some information I thought was important that wasn't easily available, and to respond to other information being put out to the public that I thought was wrong, misleading or questionable.

This Library editorial is one of those cases that may need responding to in a timely manner, while impressions are fresher in people's minds.

Mind you, this blog comes no where close to reaching the circulation of the WIndy, or the Weakly, or the Herald.
But, it will reach some people, and they will have an opportunity to hear another view on this subject.

Here goes;

To say the Library Board has done anything other than expend hours and hours of honest hard work and effort in their deliberations since 2001 is inaccurate to say the least!

I should know because I was the (non-voting) Council Liasion to the Library Board for 5 out of the last 7 years and attended most of their meetings during that time.

Former Council Member Dr. Grant Deger acted as Liaison the other two years, and he also attended most meetings.

In 2001, the Capital Improvements Advisory Committee [CIAC] completed over 2 years of its extensive review of the City's Capital needs over the next 20 years.
I also participated fully in that remarkable learning exercise, and agreed with its carefully considered conclusions and recommendations.

The CIAC rated the need for a new Central Public Library as its number 1 priority six years ago!

The Library Board has worked on this goal ever since, despite turnover among each of its 5 positions, the Library Director and Mayor.
At this moment, I happen to be the one person with the most experience of participating in this process!

Yet, the WIndy concludes that the 'public process' is severely flawed?

Baloney! I'm not buying that.

But, that is often the argument heard when some folks don't think they're getting their way on something, and seek to simply sandbag the efforts that others actually work towards.

Suffice to say, the WIndy and anyone else is entitled to their opinion, but substituting that opinion for 'public process' doesn't work very well either!

The WIndy seems to think the central argument should be a choice between having a new Central Library, or a system of Branches.
I believe that is a false choice, because we can have both!

But, like a tree, without a sturdy trunk there is no support for strong branches!

So, what seems appropriate is to have the discussion focus on how a well-conceived Library system can be designed to provide more widely distributed service to the community.

That's the discussion we are having now, despite claims to the contrary.

The practical side of this that it may be impossible for everyone to get everything they want all at one time.

That might break the bank and prevent any Library bond issue to pass at the ballot box.

'Phased implementation' is a term most people will recognize.

It means working on a bigger objective, one piece at a time, until the entire goal can be realized.

So, I see that as a basic strategy that can help whatever the community decides to do for its future Library needs.

Does anyone really believe a central hub is unnecessary?

The location of that hub is already known; it is the current Library site.

That decision has already been approved by the City Council, based upon the recommendation of the Library Board.

It takes advantage of the fact the Library is already a well-used facility that people know how to find.

It saves millions of dollars in property acquisition costs, because that property is already owned by the City.

It replaces a tired old building that is way too small, needs major repairs and is unequipped for modern technology.

Bottom line; its cheaper, quicker, more easily done to tear it down and build another modern facility that can meet the City's projected needs for the next 50 years or more.

A big part of those future needs is a central storage and distribution center, a place to concentrate staff, a place to hold more public meetings and events, a place to park, including school buses, ADA vehicles, book mobiles, and a high tech nerve center capable of linking to branches.

How is that for explaining quickly phase 1 of a plan?

I don't know if a plan like this will result, but it sounds logical to me.

But then logic and politics don't always agree, do they?

Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.

Hope it helps.

But, its no excuse for not participating in the public process that is now taking place.

Now, printed below is more information on 6 of the 7 categories discussed in the October 9 meetings:

Please don't tell me this doesn't count as public process, because there were many citizens who showed up and participated!

Plus, the meeting that night was televised on BTV10, just as the October 23 meeting was.

And now, here it is again, right here on this very public blog, for your reading pleasure....
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Community Spaces

Bright, open, easily-accessible Friends of the Library space. Consult Friends regarding what kind of space they need. Friend’s bookstore. Courtesy phone in community space. Computer labs for staff training, the public, and for community groups to use for training. Technology play room. Large internet area. Common space for gathering, relaxing, talking, learning. Flanked by commercial space. Create pedestrian conduit between City Hall and new Art and Children’s Museum. Reading area with comfy chairs. Study areas with comfortable chairs. Small study/gathering rooms for tutoring and study groups. Comfortable reading places with light. Quiet research area. Whatcom Genealogy Society space. Literacy Council. Small office for COB police. Light, light, light. Coffee shop is a must. Potentially next to public meeting space and Friend’s bookstore. Large enough for small meetings. Café, comfy space to meet friends. Lunch opportunity for civic center employees. Concession area with wireless internet capability. Space for community events, inside or outside. Gallery spaces for art. Places for local artists to display work. Small and large meeting rooms that offer flexibility. (10, 25, 50, 100, 200-500 people) Large meeting room for civic purposes, 200 plus people. Moveable partitions for flexibility. Meeting room that can be opened to the outside and available for after hours use. Meeting rooms with technology tools, AV equipment. Will be able to use 3-D holograms of regional and national speakers. Co-location with public access TV, radio and other community media. Classroom space for teaching. Indoor/outdoor spaces for the community. Program outdoor space for activities such as outdoor performances. Casual meeting areas, not always in rooms. Ability to combine rooms for book sales. Small amphitheater/meeting/lecture area. Theater/performance area. Establish the Library as the place of open dialogue in the community. Keep a water feature. Inviting outdoor spaces offer cover as well as take advantage of sun. Rooftop garden room like Chicago Public. Any opportunities for interactive first floor spaces with street. Strive to design spaces to be used by the community for non-library events and programs. Zone areas; Children’s, Teen’s, Genealogy, Reading, Study rooms, Tech areas. Quiet reading space for kids in children’s area. Kid’s area with some limited recreation. Destination for families. Nice staff lounge.
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Collections

More copies of best sellers, movies, E-books, and NW related. Hip/new/fresh movies, books, and CDs. Current, new, attractive titles. Face out display like bookstores. Multiple copies of popular items to satisfy demand. More copies of new releases. More periodicals. More room to browse shelves. No closed stacks, everything out for the public. Continue with local/Northwest authors. Responsive; attractive; relevant; cutting edge formats. Downloadable video, music, and books. Lots of media, a variety of formats. E-books. Books on CD. Expand documentaries on DVD; PBS quality documentaries. How about playaways? Databases that are popular and well used. More computers if we’re accessing collections from computers. Web based collections to order remote and pick-up/return at street level. Teen collection with current appeal. Zones for Children’s and Teens. Children’s area for play and exploration (library and book related) Business center. Expand the world language collection. Expand genealogy collection. Local history, genealogy, LEED, and green practices. Security system. Small collections for new branch locations- Barkley? Keep up the great work. Maintain great service we currently enjoy. Maintain high quality of print and non-print materials.
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Operations/Service

Friendly and efficient. Adjacencies that make sense. As automated as possible but simple to understand. Secure Library from public space; allow doors to public space to operate alternate hours. Roving staff. None to very little staff sitting. Contemporary signage to direct customers. Welcoming lobby/entry. Information desk at entry. A better flow of traffic in and out of the Library. One service point. Only one exit. Additional staff at service points. Full service website, virtual branch. 24/7 virtual reference. Separate phone reference (behind scenes?) Homework help chat. Additional IT help to speed up introducing new technologies/applications. Must use innovative service technologies to reduce staffing costs. Longer hours. Outside book drop that presorts materials. Well-designed space for deliveries. Auto CKi. Large space for delivery processing. Easier flow of holds pick-up to self check. A better flow of incoming deliveries to acquisitions (cataloging, processing) and cki (reshelving). Drive-up book drop that can be accessed from the driver’s side. Efficient parking/circulation for all employees and customers. Better way to store books when not in use. Easier way for donated books to get into “Friends” space for distribution. Outdoor book bin for Friends donations. Customer service orientation. Staff members to go to other sites to do presentations. Marketing component. Every fall establish community outreach program. Include children’s program, transition from high school to technical school/college, adult program, and seniors program. Self service. Staff room near staff. More adequate staff lockers and storage. Excellent customer service always. Areas for service/questions set apart from reading/quiet areas. Plan for adequate custodial staff for high use public building. Bathrooms on all floors. Expand services to branch at Barkley location. Act as a clearinghouse/advertising center for all local recreation program providers. Ability to view council meeting tapes. Potential to combine funding with PFD and parking fund to build joint parking. Any proposal for bond measure must fit within City debt capacity. Must be cost-efficient, affordable over long-term. Must support multi-modal transportation goals of the City and community.
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Technology

Use technology to make the new library more efficient. Get wider band width. Wifi throughout. Places for laptop users. Public library should be cutting edge of technology, especially for those without access. Computer access for all residents. Audio-visual. Incorporate presentation needs into conference room design. State of the art. More computers than we presently have. Internet stations away from reference area. More internet stations throughout the library. Many computer stations for children’s area. Kid-sized. Electrical outlets everywhere, including tables with built in outlets for laptops. Keep/expand web-based library services. Ability to check book availability from personal computer. Home access through library site to online journals for monthly or annual fee. Online viewing of DVDs/documentaries. Access to services like lexus-nexus research services for a fee. RFID materials handling system. Plan to include it even if can’t afford it now. Book sorting. CD/DVD dispenser. Phones with cordless/wireless options. Staff can answer questions on the floor. State of the art public announcement system. Automated checkout/check-in. Automated tracking for books. Self-check becomes the norm. Catalog stations by the stacks. More catalogs throughout library. Technology lab- enclosed room with windows to inside with computers and library staff person. Computer labs. On-line books. Copier/fax area enclosed to cut down on noise. Design flexibility will facilitate change as it is hard to know what future technology will be. State of the art security, cameras, book theft protection.
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Interior Environment

Warm, inviting, welcoming environment. Warm, friendly children’s spaces and separate teen spaces. Fun reading area for small kids groups, like a little barn or boat. Fun/dynamic kids area with fun entry to space. Motif such as Mt. Baker, lake, creek. Teen homework room where they can talk/work together without getting yelled at. Cool, rad teen zone with flat screen TV. Creative teen space with teen appeal. Teen approved comfortable chairs in teen area. Design each space for its purpose. Inspiring. Modern looking that is inviting. Neat, modern, environmental products for flooring, shelving, etc... Reflect the diversity of the community. Fun and exciting. Perhaps public art, interactive or mobile displays, programming. Pacific Northwest architecture. Use of local materials, lots of wood. Reflects a sense of place. Active commercial areas that are compatible with library. Sound and noise control. Quiet spaces for reading. Lots of natural light. Bright and open. Excellent lighting, including daylight dimming. Windows with views. Seating areas along windows. Tall ceilings. More places to sit. Comfortable seating areas. Fire place with comfortable furniture. Study areas for small and medium sized groups. Quiet, cubby type reading areas, especially for children. Variety of areas for people to retreat with books and studies. Variety of public meeting spaces. Computer spaces should incorporate space for backpacks, purses, etc... Logical furniture layout with smooth traffic patterns. Variety of furniture choices from cozy by the fireplace to desks and chairs for study. Softer chairs for longer meetings. Earth tone furniture. Furniture that is Northwest craftsman, comfortable. David Gray style furniture would be perfect. More space to browse shelves, even sit on floor. Safe, secure. Security for restrooms. Pleasant restrooms. Convenient bathrooms in visible areas. Efficient work spaces. Easy to maintain. Clean. All areas easily accessible. Allow for donations by category and use plaques. Signs with large letters and in visible locations. Display work of local artists, both permanent and temporary.
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Spirit of the Place

Embrace the Northwest. Northwest feel in materials and design. Lots of wooden structure. Historic, reflective of outdoor environment. Honor what Bellingham is. Make Bellingham proud. Connection to natural elements. Bayside, Oceanside feel. Salish theme; eagle and raven, orca and salmon, bear and wolf. Totems; sun and moon, earth, water, sky/air, and fire. Make it feel earthy, granola, tree-hugging. Reflection of community character. A place for everyone to gather. A community gathering place. Engaging and comfortable for all ages. Diverse culturally, community, and programming. A destination. Soul enriching. Visually inspiring and exciting. Architecturally superb. Peaceful yet stimulating. Fun and dynamic. Quirky, whimsical, playfull, and joyful. Enriching. Accessible. Easy to use. Welcoming. Holistic. Inviting. Open and light. Warm. Safe. Inspiration for learning and exploration. The place of open, objective, relevant information. Leader of community; free speech, freedom of information, embrace all people and cultures. Leader in dissemination of information; new technologies, sustainable ideas, renewable energies, objective information. Celebrating the arts. Include lots of art, serious and whimsical, stationary and interactive, large and small. View of Mt. Baker. Start with the thought that we are doing most everything well, we have a lot to be proud of in our library.

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"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." – Thomas Edison

“Opinion is power.” - Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1816

"There are two stages to the public policy process; too early to tell, and too late to do anything about it." - Anonymous

"The purse of the people is the real seat of sensibility. Let it be drawn upon largely, and they will then listen to truths which could not excite them through any other organ." --  Thomas Jefferson

"My experience in government is that when things are non-controversial and beautifully coordinated, there is not much going on." - JFK

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. - Winston Churchill
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