[Mpls] Re: T-H-E W-I-N-G

[md]

Spent some time looking up at T-H-E W-I-N-G today.
I tried to see what Pelli saw but I can't.   It's god awful hideous.

It's like some disembodied wrecking debris from the top level of a metal house
just hanging there! 
 
Even the structure that supports it, looks overblown... like it's smoothering the rest of the building...
 
Hmmm...add flashing lights to that thing and it could resemble an alien spaceship 
descending to zap the library...unless it' a landing strip FOR them...

I also had a look at MPL's website today which by the way, since their latest chop
in hours is the only way I can use the Central library ...(from the computer in my office)

According to an October 5, 1001 press release from MPL...

The citizens of Minneapolis voted on a referendum to provide "$110 million to build the
new central library and $30 million for a decade of community improvements," on
November 7, 2000.    Athough the public was invited to attend and comment on the 
all the potential architects designs on August 1 and October 4, 2001, Pelli's design 
was selected by "Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, the MPL Library Board, and 
the New Central Library Implemention Committee."

The public did not vote "yes" on Pelli's design.   So the statement that:
"we did vote for the building we're getting."  is not accurate.

I agree that a new library building was needed and I applaud Carol Becker 
and Diane Hofstede's hard work in advocating for the referendum.

When they talked to Minneapolis residents about the library,  I'm sure that they
heard more about the importance of the library in our lives, than about the
building it was in.   As I said before...what people learn inside the library 
from working with the staff, from using all of the library's resources and 
from participating in the programs is more important than the elegance of
the structure all around it.

The American library Association has a campaign promoting the value 
of libraries with the slogan, "Libraries Change Lives." Many of MPL's
annual reports provide plenty of examples of people who improved their
lives by using the library.

A New Central Palace is not necessary for this experience.

A library that's OPEN, with knowledgable "service oriented" staff, a good
selection of materials, and community centered programs IS necessary.  

Raising money to support these should be the focus, not flashy bricks and mortar.


Madeline Douglass
Kingfield