06.03.20 BLC HandoutsCommission Memo
Meeting Date: June 3, 2020 – via Microsoft Teams
1. Items from Commission (verbal)
a. Ongoing outreach efforts (All)
i. Outreach to Council Members, review of letter drafted by Joel
b. Discussion of email exchange with tech support, another example of why a district makes sense
c. ALA – Engaging Library Supporters During COVID-19 Pandemic – ongoing webinars
2. Updates from Commissioners Representing the Commission in other Venues (verbal)
a. BLF Update (Jane / Joel);
i. Update on HALO
b. Champions – joint efforts
3. Update on Emails & Phone Calls to Library Commission
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
June 1st, 2020 email response
from: juana@lawrenceandgomez.com
Hello, Emmy,
Thank you for taking the time to write to the Boulder Library Commission. We are thrilled that you and your class
at Crest View Elementary have spent part of your school year studying, thinking, and designing pieces for the
future North Boulder Library. I saw your projects at the end of the semester and am so impressed by how sensitive
and creative you have been.
As you know, the architects, landscape architects, and all the other consultants have also been hard at work to
make that building a reality. The library staff and we, the Commissioners, share your enthusiasm to see that design
take shape and come closer to reality. Yes, we have heard from many more people like you who are looking
forward to the day when that new library opens in your neighborhood. As you say, it will be a great space for all to
learn.
Please stay involved and keep up the good work in middle school.
Best regards,
Juana Gomez, Chair, Boulder Library Commission
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: noreply@bouldercolorado.gov <noreply@bouldercolorado.gov>
To: "bpl-com@boulderlibrary.org" <bpl-com@boulderlibrary.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020, 9:45:42 AM MDT
Subject: Commission Contact Form
Formstack Submission For: Commission Contact Form - Celia
Submitted at 04/30/20 9:45 AM
Your Name: Emmy Valentine
Email: bouldervalentines@gmail.com
Message: Dear Library Commission,
I live just outside of North Boulder and attend Crest View Elementary and I would LOVE to have a library close to
me. I'm not the only one, a bunch of people think it is a great idea to have a Library in North Boulder. Also this isn't
just going to be a library it is going to
be a space for kids to learn and have fun! Even if there are a few people that
don't want this library built, there are so many more that do. The kids that
had the opportunity to get their ideas out there and in this project are going to be
very disappointed that they don't get to anymore, I hope you do end up building the
library.
Sincerely,
Emmy
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello, Ms. Shea-Bower,
I responded to Elsa's email to the Library Commission, but it bounced.
Are you able to forward this to her?
Thank you and have a safe summer,
Juana Gomez
June 1st, 2020 email response
from: juana@lawrenceandgomez.com
Dear Elsa,
Thank you for your email regarding the North Boulder Library. We at the Commission are so impressed by people
like you and your classmates who are taking the time and effort to study the positive impacts that a library has on
a neighborhood. You are right that the current situation makes this a hard time for the City to decide where to
spend money. Fortunately, a good portion of the funds required to build the new NoBo building are specifically
dedicated for that and could not be used for other purposes. We and the Library Foundation are still hopeful that
we will find the rest of the funds with the help of library staff. I am impressed that you are thinking about all these
factors.
The librarians and we Commissioners share your passion for all the good that a library brings to a neighborhood.
Your story of the library's impact on your life is an important one. As you say, we all miss out if we don't have that
opportunity.
Stay involved and keep thinking creatively in middle school.
Best regards,
Juana Gomez, Chair
Boulder Library Commission
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: noreply@bouldercolorado.gov <noreply@bouldercolorado.gov>
To: "bpl-com@boulderlibrary.org" <bpl-com@boulderlibrary.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020, 10:31:44 AM MDT
Subject: Commission Contact Form
Formstack Submission For: Commission Contact Form - Celia
Submitted at 04/30/20 10:31 AM
Your Name: Elsa Dean-Kendall
Email: patricadean8@gmail.com
Message: Dear City Council ,planning board and Library Commission,
My name is Elsa and I'm currently in fifth grade at Crestview Elementary. I know due to the Coronavirus and
reduced tax revenue, budgets are probably a lot tighter. It's not going to be the easiest option to go forward with
this project, but sometimes it's not the easiest route that's the best for everyone in the long run.
A library can open up so many opportunities. I was fortunate enough to live near the main Boulder library before
we moved to North Boulder. Up here there is not a decent sized library. At the NOBO corner library you can’t really
get all those connections and fundamental experiences needed to really build a community.
Libraries can open up so many opportunities ,you can really learn something new everyday it's not just an
expression. There's so much out there to learn and it's an amazing privilege that everyone should have. Not
everyone is able to go to one of the bigger library branches in Boulder. This means they miss out on story time and
a lot of the activities they have at the bigger branches. Story time can help kids get interested in a lot of different
books at an early age and the bigger libraries have activities to keep kids interested like Legos, games, crafts and
the maker’s space..
Libraries in community spaces can build fond memories. I remember going down for Story Time, plays, movie
making and other activities. It taught me how to read and gave me all of those amazing experiences that libraries
offer.
Libraries aren't just places with books. They are places where people gather, learn and collaborate together. As
Boulder continues to grow without a North Boulder library that can function as a community space the
opportunities of knowledge are taken away from more and more people. Most kids can’t just go downtown so
instead of picking up one of those books they have read for the millionth time they will just watch T.V or do
something else. If you do decide to build the new NoBo library there will be so many opportunities for Knowledge
and connections. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and listen to my opinion. I really hope that the
new NoBo library is built and I can continue building memories together with my friends as a community
Sincerely
Elsa Dean-Kendall
TO BE SENT TO COUNCIL AND JANE B – with added paragraph
First and most important, we hope you are well.
Thank you for your rapid response to issues facing our City as a result of COVID-19. While there continue to be major
difficulties, you should be recognized for addressing these matters quickly.
A reduced budget presents immediate challenges. This summer's financial situation highlights the urgency for the City to
diversify its sources of revenue. Though our timeframe has been altered and this year is not the time to move forward
with a vote, the Library Commission continues to advocate for a Library District. You may recall that after months of
research and community input in preparation of our 2018 Master Plan, we concluded unanimously in our foreword that
a District is the most appropriate structure to ensure sufficient and continuing financial support. When a District is
formed, the city's General Fund will be alleviated by $10-12 million dollars. [fact-check with David] This will be a big
relief for our City's finances.
The Boulder Library has suffered disproportionately [fact check with David] in the last two rounds of staffing and budget
cuts. These are only the latest setbacks in a long string of setbacks of the last 20 years. [fix the clunky grammar] While
our city consistently ranks in the top tiers of creativity, entrepreneurship, education, and technological savvy, it is
shameful that we continue to underfund and underappreciate our central institution of social infrastructure.
After every economic downturn, demand for library services grows as people work to rebuild their lives. Our library’s
programs and services will be in even greater demand as our community rebuilds form the devastating effects of the
coronavirus pandemic. School closures and job searches will put greater demand on our services. When libraries have
resources and are supported, they provide equitable access to all members of our community.
The last ten days have renewed the imminent need in our nation to discuss race and privilege. The Library is one
of the few safe places where communities can come together and have a dialogue about society. With such a
skeleton library staff, how can we facilitate this, whether in person or virtually? Our librarians had scheduled
race conversations in the One Book One Boulder event in the fall, but without staff capacity that has now been
withdrawn. Many other programs have been cancelled, for example, the I Have A Dream scholarship program in
BLDG 61, the House on Mango Street high school event, Boulder Reads, the art shows, musical performances.
etc. The Library is key in our community's healing and future strength.
In the fallout from this pandemic, Municipal Libraries including ours have furloughed or laid off staff in the face of
budget cuts. Library Districts, however, have retained staff [yes?] and are re-deploying them to help with COVID 19
response and the economic and social fallout from the pandemic. Library districts are well positioned to help rebuild
local economies and to support individuals and families as they rebuild their lives.
Libraries are an excellent return on investment for our tax dollars. In 2016, our library's ROI was calculated at $4.17 for
every tax dollar spent. [ ..check where this fact came from]
Don't let the library become a victim of the pandemic. The library is an essential part of the recovery. Let us be the
creative, entrepreneurial, educated, and tech savvy city that leads by example.
Over the next few months, we welcome to continue our individual conversations with Council and appropriate City staff.
We will develop a game plan after conferring with you. [premature?]
Thank you in advance for your consideration. Moving forward...........
Boulder Library Commission
Joel Jane Steven Scott Juana