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Public input sought

Board asks public about library options

Starting Wednesday night, citizens have a chance to help write the next chapter in the story of the Milwaukee Public Library - a chapter that could change the shape, number and locations of libraries throughout the city.

Here's the plot so far: Over its 131-year history, the library has developed a network of 12 neighborhood libraries, only a few miles from one another and from the Central Library downtown. Generations of Milwaukee residents have grown up with libraries within walking distance, a popular public service even as the libraries' emphasis has shifted from books to computers.

But now the city has fallen on hard times, beset by falling property values, rising benefit costs and stagnant state aid. Since 2000, the library's budget has been cut 20%, adjusted for inflation. And seven aging neighborhood libraries need new heating and cooling systems, at a cost of $750,000 each, or nearly $5.3 million total.

Yet any discussion of closing libraries has been ended by furious public opposition.

Now the Library Board is pondering options that would rebuild the citywide library system, combining some libraries with each other or with other facilities and creating as many as three new types of libraries. All of those plans would take several years to implement.

The public will be able to learn about the options and offer opinions at eight public meetings, from Wednesday through Aug. 26. Each session will last 1 1/2 hours, with the first hour in open-house format and the last half-hour as a town hall meeting for public questions and comments.

Library Director Paula Kiely and her staff have crafted four options for the future of 11 of the 12 neighborhood libraries. The Center St. Library is federally funded and therefore not affected by city budget considerations.

Each option would mix two to four types of libraries, trimming operating costs by $500,000 to $1.1 million a year:

Neighborhood libraries: The existing libraries range from 12,000 to 20,000 square feet each, with 60,000 to 80,000 books and other items and 20 to 40 computers. They're open 45 to 54 hours a week. Two to five of them, plus the Center St. Library, would remain open in their current form, under the various options.

Mixed-use libraries: Each of these buildings would include a new library - replacing an existing neighborhood library - and some other function, such as housing or shops. The first mixed-use library is already planned on the northwest side, where the $10 million Villard Square project will combine multi-generational housing with a replacement for the Villard Ave. Library.

Kiely figures most mixed-use libraries would range from 8,000 to 12,000 square feet, with collections of 40,000 to 50,000 items and 20 to 25 computers, but some could be larger. They would be open 45 hours a week. Two to seven of them, including Villard Square, would be built.

Area libraries: Each of these larger libraries would replace two or three neighborhood libraries. They would be comparable in size to many suburban libraries, ranging from 30,000 to 35,000 square feet, with 70 computers and 100,000 to 150,000 items in their collections. They would be open 54 hours a week. Up to three of them could be built.

Express libraries: This would be a new concept for Milwaukee: small satellite library centers in supermarkets and other easily accessible locations. They would not replace existing neighborhood libraries, but would supplement other library services, Kiely said. Patrons could pick up and drop off library materials, pick up a hotline to the Central Library's Ready Reference service or use a computer.

Each express library would be 500 to 1,500 square feet, with two or three computers and a small browsing collection. They would be open 48 hours a week. Up to two of them could be created.

Option 1 would leave four neighborhood libraries and build seven mixed-use libraries, saving $600,000 a year. Option 2 would build two area libraries, two mixed-use libraries and two express libraries, leaving five neighborhood libraries, a $500,000 saving. Option 3 calls for two area libraries, three mixed-use libraries and two express centers, leaving two neighborhood libraries, at a savings of $1.1 million. Option 4 would add three area libraries and five mixed-use libraries, leaving three neighborhood libraries and saving $700,000.

© 2014, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved.

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