Minneapolis Public Library
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Minneapolis Public Library and Information Center (MPL) is a library system serving the residents of Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States. It was founded as the Minneapolis Athenæum in 1860. The library today comprises a central facility downtown, fourteen branch libraries, and a bookmobile. Each library also has a staff member who is assigned to local schools to discuss the services available at the library. According to the 2004 board report, the collection numbers about 3.1 million items with about 2.2 million of these housed in the central library.
After Minneapolis voters approved a $140 million package to improve library services on November 7, 2000, many renovation projects were begun. The new Central Library building, designed by César Pelli, opened to the public on May 20, 2006. At a cost of $250 per square foot, the library features a host of energy-efficient measures, including a roof garden and substantial daylight. While the building was under construction, most services were provided at the interim Central Library Marquette location, located on two floors in Marquette Plaza (formerly the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis). Cost of providing an interim site while the old library was demolished and rebuilt exceeded $10 million.
Until the 2002 closure and demolition of the old central library, the Minneapolis Planetarium found its home there, possessing a projector machine literally older than the space age itself (delivered and installed originally in 1954, three years before the launch of Sputnik I). As of May 2006, a 37,000 square foot planetarium is planned for the roof of the new building.
Improvements are also being made to the community libraries. East Lake and North Regional libraries are closed as they are undergoing renovation. Sumner Library is also closed for remodeling. Pierre Bottineau has re-opened after moving into a new building. Linden Hills and Hosmer have recently re-opened (The Hosmer project was completed before the referendum). Improvements are in the works for Nokomis, Northeast, Roosevelt, Southeast, Walker, Washburn, and Webber Park Libraries. Some locations (such as Roosevelt and Nokomis) may be consolidated at one location, and "express" library services along major transportation routes are also a possibility. The framework for the future of the library is a document called "Outlook 2010."
Despite city funding and generous taxpayer support, the library has suffered from reduced funding from external sources, including the federal government and the State of Minnesota. Hours have been drastically cut and money for acquisitions has sharply declined. MPL also faces competition from the Hennepin County Library (HCL), which is remodeling its three regional locations in partnership with other government services. Instead of separate, single-use facilities, public-private partnerships are being considered to help keep neighborhood libraries open in the future. In 2005, the Minnesota Legislature apportioned funding for the inclusion of a planetarium in the new Central Library building.
The Central, Franklin, East Lake Regional, Roosevelt and Nokomis Libraries are well-serviced by the Hiawatha Line. All locations are either wheelchair-accessible or will be after renovation.
