Arden Hills: The Future of Library Services

Many Library patrons have expressed concern over the future of the Arden Hills branch and asked what can be done to support the branch. Indeed, this Web page was created in order to address those concerns by providing you with updates about the progress toward a solution.

A public library by definition does not exist without the support of the public and the political bodies that frame the community structures. In order for library representatives to best understand and communicate to political bodies what the library means to the public, we need to hear from you directly.

If you would like to share written reflections on your experiences at the library in Arden Hills and on the role this branch plays in your life, please send your letter to Meg Robertson, manager of the Ramsey County Library in Arden Hills at the e-mail address or regular mail address below (or hand-deliver it, we'd love to see you). Please include written permission to use your words in public presentations, in library publicity, or in meetings with potential library partners if you are willing to grant that permission.

Thank you for your continued interest and support.

Meg Robertson
mroberts@rclreads.org
1941 W. County Rd. E-2
Arden Hills, MN 55112

Community Task Force Members

Brandon Krosch
Leslie Goldsmith
Barb Crassweller
Sushila Shah
Arnold and Mary Anne Lindberg
Grace Peck
Peter Breuch
Paddy Satzer
Paul Bjerke
James Alvey
Christine Catlin
Paulette Fleming
Cynthia Boyd Buoen
Sharon Borg
Joann Usher

Arden Hills Task Force Meeting
February 22, 2010

Five citizen members of the Arden Hills task force travelled to the North St. Paul library and met with Meg Robertson, Arden Hills branch manager, Sandy Walsh, RCL deputy director, and Paula Mielke, Library Board member. Carol Jackson, North St. Paul branch manager, gave us a tour of the North St. Paul library and answered questions about the operations at the library and the cooperative relationship with the community center and the City of North St. Paul. Sandy provided updates from Susan Nemitz, library director.

Budget info-
The Governor has announced a plan to cut state payments to local governments by $250 million. Ramsey County receives about $18 million in County Program Aid; the library has a line item for $400,000 in CPA in its budget. Our budget has already been reduced by $350,000 this year. The $400,000 would come on top of that.

Obviously we face a very unstable financial future. We intend to keep moving forward with our plans in order to have options to offer the County, no matter what the budget situation.

Task force members (absent and present) were provided with copies of a PowerPoint presentation given to the Arden Hills City Council by Susan Nemitz on February 22, specifications of Gateway Library desired characteristics, a summary of the task force members' community connections and the request for advocacy letters sent out to the public via the Future of Arden Hills Library web link. The meeting concluded with a discussion of the role of the task force member and an exploration of the relationship of this citizen group to the elected officials that represent the Arden Hills/New Brighton taxpayers. The importance of clear communications about what defines a 21st century library and about the RCL system building decisions was discussed.

The next meeting of the task force is on Monday, March 29 at 6 pm at the Arden Hills City Hall.

Arden Hills Task Force Meeting
January 11, 2010

Fourteen task force volunteers from the Arden Hills and New Brighton communities attended this first meeting held at the library in Arden Hills. The charge of the Arden Hills Task Force was identified as the following: Find financially and politically feasible solutions to providing library service in the Arden Hills/New Brighton area.

Library Director Susan Nemitz presented background information about why the Arden Hills branch is vulnerable to budget cuts. Deputy Director Sandy Walsh supplied supporting statistics and information, including information from the Facilities Master Plan (link to plan located below).

Task force members asked for explanation on funding details and political situations. They expressed concerns about the reduction in quality of life if this branch is not sustained in some form in the Arden Hills/New Brighton area. Task force members responded to a brainstorming question asking for ideas for potential partners. Their written responses will be consolidated and presented to the group with the possibility of forming subgroups to pursue various ideas.

Some early conversations have taken place with potential partners. Presbyterian Homes has been contacted and expressed interest in working with the Library although they have concerns over the Library's short timeline. A preliminary discussion with the Mounds View School District may lead to further exploration of collaboration.

The Library Director, Arden Hills Branch Manager and two residents will speak to the Arden Hills City Council on January 19 and 25 on the status of the Ramsey County Library in Arden Hills. A meeting with the New Brighton City Council is scheduled for February 8, with two New Brighton residents volunteering to speak at that presentation.

Task force meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of every month. Meetings will be at 6 p.m. and will alternate locations between Arden Hills and New Brighton. The next meeting is on Monday, February 22 at the Ramsey County Library in North St. Paul. Task force members will tour this shared facility to get an understanding of one representation of the Facilities Master Plan portal model.

The Ramsey County Library in Arden Hills is a vibrant and popular library serving the communities of Arden Hills and New Brighton. In 2008, it circulated 267,823 items and had 98,969 visits. Over the last ten years, circulation has increased 53 percent and library visits have increased 34 percent.

Despite the robust and growing use, the Ramsey County Library budget cannot support the higher costs of operation for this aging, inadequate facility. The Arden Hills building has maintenance requirements and infrastructure challenges that increase its operating cost. The 40-year-old 8,172 square foot building needs an immediate investment of at least $300,000 for major repairs to the air handler, electrical systems, soffit and roof. The building is not ADA compliant and has no fire sprinklers. The construction of the building makes technology improvements difficult and costly.

Because of the financial burdens created by the Arden Hills library facility and the current economic conditions, on September 8, 2009, the County Manager recommended funding the library in Arden Hills through December 31, 2010. The County Manager posed a challenge to the Library Board: find a cost effective solution for providing service in this area or close the library.

Ramsey County Library's Facilities Master Plan (2008-2018) recommends that the Library develop and maintain a mix of regional and portal libraries. This plan envisions a community library within a multi-use facility shared with a complementary partner (public or private) that offers the following services:

Targeted collections for adults, teens and children

Full-service computing

Children's programming

Information assistance

After-hours materials return

Programming space

While the Arden Hills library is situated in an area of natural beauty, the current building does not incorporate the outdoor setting in any way. The site lacks population and commercial density, has no access to public transportation and has little visibility. The possible sale of the Arden Hills building could finance an improved facility on an alternative site.

We have 14 months to find a solution. There are many options to explore as we move forward. The Library is reaching out to the communities of Arden Hills and New Brighton to help find a solution.

To share your thoughts and concerns, send an email to ah@rclreads.org or call the Library at 651-628-6831.