Libraries move a step closer to merger

By MARY JANE SMETANKA, Star Tribune

Last update: December 19, 2007 - 12:07 AM

The merger of public library systems in Minneapolis and Hennepin County cleared another hurdle Tuesday when the Hennepin County Board unanimously approved consolidation.

It's now up to the Minneapolis City Council to seal the deal on Friday. If the council approves, the library systems will become one on Jan. 1.

Much work remains. While the city and county have resolved key financial and legal questions, the two library systems have many differences.

They use different catalog systems and technology, have varying fines for late or damaged materials, and employ different policies on how facilities are rented out. Though city and suburban users already can borrow from both systems' libraries regardless of location, it will be some time before the new system has a single library card.

But a merger will solve the Minneapolis system's financial problems, allowing the reopening of Roosevelt, Southeast and Webber Park libraries, which have been closed for a year. On Tuesday, the County Board approved spending $15 million to replace Webber Park, with construction starting as soon as 2009. Improving Walker Library in Minneapolis and the suburban Excelsior Library are priorities in the county's capital plans.

Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, who pushed hard to get the merger done before the end of the year, said he knows there are misgivings among some on both sides. But he and other board members predicted the combined system will be better than ever.

"This is absolutely the right thing to do," he said. "It's the path to creating the greatest library system in America, and that should be our goal."

In other action, the board unanimously approved a $1.63 billion budget for 2008. It includes a property tax increase of 6.5 percent.

Mary Jane Smetanka • 612-673-7380

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