COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC HEARING AND PUBLIC MEETING BEFORE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, PUBLIC WORKS - - - Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wednesday, 11/29/2000 10:26 a.m. - - - BILL 000585 - Amending Chapter 16-400 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Vacant and Surplus Properties," by amending Section 16-404 entitled, "The Vacant Property Review Committee," by adding subsection on the Department of Commerce. RES. 000553 - Authorizing the City Council's Public Property Committee to hold public hearings on the need of the Central Library with regard to capital improvements and issues related to the ability of the Central Library to fulfill its mission in light of changing community needs. PRESENT: COUNCILMAN JAMES F. KENNEY, Chair COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL, V. Chair COUNCILMAN DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILMAN DAVID COHEN COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN THACHER LONGSTRETH COUNCILWOMAN DONNA REED MILLER COUNCILMAN MICHAEL A. NUTTER COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN FRANK RIZZO - - - VINCENT VARALLO ASSOCIATES, INC. Registered Professional Reporters Eleven Penn Center, Suite 600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 561-2220 2 11/29/00 PUBLIC PROPERTY & PUBLIC WORKS I N D E X Page Bill 000585 V. Dougherty, Commerce, Enterprise Zone Mgr. Judith Robinson, Real Estate Broker . . . . . Res. 000553 J. White, President, Friends of Free Library Ari Merretazon, Germantown Settlement . . . . U. Lawrence, Adult Workforce Ed., Temple Univ. 37 Dr. Donald Weinberg, Phil. Community College 41 Fong Wa Chung, Senior, Central High . . . . . 48 Frances Aulston, W. Phila. Cultural Alliance 50 Dr. Ellen Linky, Educator, William Penn High 55 Donald Cresswell, Philadelphia Print Shop . . 60 Charmaine Ijeoma, Independent Scholar . . . . 66 Ernest Cannon, Weidner Library Branch . . . . 69 D. Whelan, President, Verizon-Pennsylvania. . 71 G. Cooper, Portland, Oregon Library Director 79 A. Kerr, Chairman, Library Board of Trustees 86 R. Bullard, Foundation Board of Trustees. . . 97 E. Shelkrot, President, Free Library. . . . . 112 3 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - BILL 585 P R O C E E D I N G S
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Could we have your attention, please. Good morning. Could we have your attention, please. Councilman DiCicco said to pretend your in the library. We now have a quorum of the Committee on Public Property and Public Works. Prior to library testimony, we have one piece of business that we need to get out of the way, which is Bill No. 585, which is an ordinance 13 amending Chapter 16-400 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled "Vacant and Surplus Properties," by amending Section 16-404 entitled, "The Vacant Property Review Committee," by adding subsection on the Department of Commerce. Could you please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning. 4 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - BILL 585
My name is Vincent Dougherty, and I am the Enterprise Zone Manager for the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. I'm here today to testify on behalf of Commerce Department in support of Bill 000585. This bill authorizes the addition of the Commerce Department as voting members of the Vacant Property Review Committee. For at least the last years, since I've been in the 11 Department, Commerce has been an active 12 participant in the Vacant Property Review 13 Committee. Unfortunately, up to this point, our 14 role has been strictly advisory, with no official authority or vote on the committee. Since commercial or industrial properties regularly appear on the VPRC agenda and many other noncommercial or industrial properties on the agenda directly affect our economic development efforts in the neighborhoods, the Commerce Department, as the City's lead economic development agency, needs to assure that our efforts are coordinated with the efforts of the other departments, agencies, and community groups. To assure such coordination and 5 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - BILL 585 cooperation, especially as the Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative gets underway, the Commerce Department must fully participate in the entire process, which includes being a voting member of the Vacant Property Review Committee. For these reasons, I respectfully request that this committee give its favorable consideration to this bill. This concludes my testimony. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the bill, and I'd be happy to answer any questions the committee members may have.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Is there any questions for this witness? (No questions.)
Please come forward. (Witness comes forward.) 6 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - BILL 585
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record.
My name is Judith Robinson. I'm a licensed real estate broker, and I'm here to testify on Bill No. 585. I really -- I'm really quite concerned about adding another layer of bureaucracy to the vacant property. The committee is already at this point, to be quite frank with you (unintelligible). I have a list here, a very short list. If someone could please circulate this to you all.
This is just a small list of a substantial number of vacant single-family residences. I would suggest that instead of adding another layer of bureaucracy that you find a way to have members of the community where a substantial number of those vacant properties are to assist in picking properties that are still in fair to half-decent condition to put on the open market to sell. I think we're missing a great opportunity to sell 7 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - BILL 585 some of our vacant surplus properties and we're missing the opportunity to put them back into the hands of tax-paying citizens. So I understand the Commerce Department's position, as there are a few commercial properties among their inventory. However, the inventory is not moving back into the hands of tax-paying citizens as fast as it should be. And I would just like for you all to kind of open up to the idea of how the process could be streamlined, as opposed to adding another vote that is not necessarily helping the process. So I come here today to really ask the sponsors of this bill, how do they think adding Commerce to the review committee for another vote could actually streamline the process? How could that -- how effective is that in streamlining the process? is simply what I'm here to question the sponsors about today.
Yes, ma'am. In that regard, the Chair recognizes Councilman Goode, who is the sponsor of the bill.
This is not supposed to streamline the process. Essentially, this is 8 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - BILL 585 an added focus on commercial development within neighborhoods. The Vacant Property Review Committee right now is made up of housing focus entities; we wanted to add those entities that would focus on the economic development within the neighborhoods. So we see it as not expanding the vacant property bureaucracy, but adding a new focus to that.
I can appreciate that but I really wish this committee would open up their minds to a major streamlining of this review committee so that we in the community -- for instance, in the 5th District, we have so many vacant surplus properties that are sitting; I'm talking about properties already in the hands of the City of Philadelphia. And we need to streamline that program so that we could get these properties back into the hands of citizens. The process is so mired in red tape that a person starting that process never ends up getting the property and it just stays in the name of the City of Philadelphia. So I really just would encourage you all, if you will, to think more creatively about 9 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 how those properties can move from out of public property and back into the hands of tax-paying members of the community.
Thank you for your testimony. Is there anyone else to testify on this bill? (No response.)
Seeing none, we will now to move Resolution No. 000553, which is a resolution authorizing the City Council's Public Property Committee to hold public hearings on the needs of the Central Library with regard to capital improvements and issues related to the ability of the Central Library to fulfill its mission in light of changing community needs. The first witness on our list today is Jeremiah White, President of the Friends of the Free Library. And also, I would ask the next witness, Ari Merretazon, to please come to the table also, and we'll take this in groups. (Witnesses come forward.)
Please identify yourself -- first of all, good morning, and please 10 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 identify yourself for the record.
Good morning. I'm Jeremiah J. White, Jr., President of the Friends of the Free Library. Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Councilmembers.
I'm also the Director of the Philadelphia Development Partnership and have been very involved in neighborhood community economic development in the City of Philadelphia for the last years. 13
Excuse me, 14 Mr. White. Could you please pull that microphone 15 closer to you. 16
Sure. And I have been a 17 member of the Board of the Friends of the Free 18 Library for about four years, principally because 19 I believe you cannot rebuild and recreate a 20 neighborhood with jobs, affordable housing, and a cleanup of abandoned buildings without having a strong library in that neighborhood that people can utilize. So my personal commitment has been to making sure that library services are available for the people in the neighborhoods who need it. 11 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 I'm here today to make an important statement about the need to renovate and expand the Central Library on behalf of the many -- approximately 7,500 active members of the Friends of the Free Library. These are people who are volunteers; they are also people who are organizing to Friends group, who provide spirited input and attention to the activities of opening access to library services in the neighborhood. Historically, the Friends have supported the Library by advocating for public funding, volunteering, and increasing public awareness about the value of our libraries. Today, there are more than half a million Philadelphians with Free Library cards, more cardholders than there were when there were 2 million residents in the City of Philadelphia, so our numbers of people using the library are increasing. They check out more than 6 million books, magazines, videos, CDs, and audiocassettes each year. Tens of thousands more visit the Free Library to attend programs, use the Internet, or check out a reference book. Another 750,000 12 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 people call the library to ask questions to complete a homework paper, answer questions, or solve a work-related problem. Our services are used by the elderly, they're used by children, they're used by working adults. A lot of people across the board use library services, whether it's Central Library, which is a neighborhood library, or whether it's the branch library. In addition, for our investment in Web technology, more than 7 million hits to the Free Library Web site each year. That's a large number, and it's increasing. Together, the visitors to the Free Library outnumber the combined total of the 8 million people who annually attend Eagles, 76ers, Phillies, and the Flyers games. People are using our libraries. The Friends of the Free Library were active partners with Council, the Trustee and Foundation Boards of Directors, the business community, Free Library donors, volunteers and staff in the very successful Changing Lives Campaign, which is making it possible to revitalize 52 neighborhood libraries throughout 13 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 the City, in every Councilmatic District. To date, 48 branches and regional libraries are completed and open -- and we are very proud of that fact -- with new roofs and boilers and ADA accommodations, with beautiful interiors, bigger collections, expanded children's programs, and state-of-the art technology. People are streaming into the libraries like they haven't done before. However, there are four additional branches that need to be renovated and the Friends are firmly committed to working with the City officials, the Administration, and the library administrators to complete the remaining four branches. So our plan was that the Big Change Program -- our change with the Big Change Program was to renovate the neighborhood libraries first and then renovate the Central Library last. The Central Library is the heart and soul of the Free Library system. It not only houses the most treasured collections, it is also a vital neighborhood library filled with children, teens, and families. The Central Library is the administrative and technology hub of our 14 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 54-location system, and it is hopelessly overcrowded. The Central Library is the final project of the Changing Lives Campaign and the one location that is used by residents throughout the City.
The Friends of the Free Library want to work with the City to renovate and expand the Central Library to make it treasures available to people from all walks of life. The Friends would like to see the Central Library brought up to date, like has been done in many other cities -- like the neighborhoods branches that have been done and to protect the $60 million investment we've already made in the Free Library system. The Central Library was designed in 1911 to meet the needs of the 20th century, when only 4,000 books were published a year. The City fathers and the library leaders never envisioned the information and technology explosions of the 21st century. S. and abroad. Thousands more new magazines, audio books, videos, and CDs were 15 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 produced. The question is, if we look forward over the next 20, years, where will we house 5 all of these books and all of this additional 6 information? And how will we cope with the impact 7 of technology on transmitting and communicating 8 information. The question is, what will the 9 library do and where will we put those books? 10 Many of you ask, why put money into a building and 11 edifice when the Internet will bring people all 12 the information they need? 13 We've reviewed that question and 14 believe that technology is a big part of the 15 expanded library plan, a very big part. The 16 library boards and administration are planning for 17 new technologies and the flexible space to 18 accommodate them and to put people who want to use 19 them -- scholars, children and adults -- caught at 20 the other side of the digital divide. We're 21 looking forward to having a digital discovery 22 center in the works, where young and old can 23 explore new technology, new equipment, and new 24 software at their own pace. The idea is, in 2075, 25 if we project out 75 years, what is the role of 16 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 the library going to be and how is technology going to impact on that? We have to be prepared for that reality. Technology has always presented a passing challenge to libraries. When microfilm was introduced, folks thought that it would be the end of public library. Today, microfilm is an essential tool for storing information officially and is used side by side with newspapers, journals, and books that patrons demand to see and hold. Microfilm strengthens the library's role as a collector and disseminator of information. Technology forces us to be more innovative in connecting people with ideas and information. Technology is important to 21st century libraries, but it will never replace them. Libraries are, and will continue to be, very special public places for people. Ralph Waldo Emerson called the public library "The People's University," where all could gather and read and question and dream, regardless of their life situation. And, as you know, a lot of children, once they get out of the school, where do they go? They go to the neighborhood libraries. 17 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 We come to libraries because we want to, not because we have to. We come to pursue our own interests and learn at our own leisure. We come in yellow buses like I saw lined up at Lehigh Avenue Branch last week, on foot, and in cars to ask questions we want and get thoughtful answers to from knowledgeable librarians who have the time to help us. The Internet will never replace that kind of service, no matter how many online helpers we have. Recently, the library asked people why they came to the Central Library. They heard time and again that people love walking into the majestic building to be part of the community of learners whose curiosity brings them to pursue and peruse individually their ideas, their interests, and their dreams. They came to tap the expertise of the library staff on subjects, and they were pleased with what they found. But at the same time, many people were disappointed.
They wanted materials to be easy to find, more computers. They didn't want to wait in line, comfortable seats, attractive rooms, on and on and on. What they were suggesting was, there 18 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 was a need to improve the condition of the current condition of the library. The Friends, as part of the library team, hopes to advocate for and support this improvement. We want to see children and students and families, small-business owners and job seekers flock to the Central Library for Story Hour and spacious new first-floor Children's Department, to work in class projects in the new small meeting rooms just off the high-tech teen center, to enjoy an author's lecture in the proposed 600-seat auditorium, or to research potential investors on line in the state-of-art Business Department. Maybe attending a pre-workshop on resume preparation in the expanding workplace center. Perhaps even they could stay and browse through the Friends of the Free Library Used Bookstore and enjoy a cup of coffee before heading home. If you haven't visited the library lately, let me show you how it's changed over the years. The Central Library opened 1927, nearly 75 years ago; and as you can see, there's a picture of it. This magnificent Beaux-Arts building 19 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 featured expansive spaces for required reading and study such as Pepper Hall. It's not what we see today. Today, the Central Library is filled with thousands of books, magazines, audiocassettes, and CDs. There's scarcely a place for visitors to sit. And as you can see, obviously, there's a need -- there's overcrowding and it's very difficult to operate a learning environment. Pepper Hall now houses the Literature and Art Departments. The majestic chandeliers and the long reading tables are gone. Book shelves crammed with materials cover the beautiful marble floors. New information technology is difficult to add and is stuffed everywhere. Vital services are hard to find and crowded with the small spaces barely accessible to the public. The Children's Department is teeming after school. Children from grades K through 12 come afternoons every week for our after-school program. But there are not enough computers, and the older children spill over into the preschool area. And as you can see 20 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 in that particular slide, the seats are too small for children at computers. People will learn at any cost; that's what they say. The small Story Hour room overflows on days when special programs are presented. Some children miss out on the program because there's simply not enough room for them to sit. The Workplace Career Information Center, which is a very important innovation of the library, helping people find jobs in this economy, is two small rooms on the balcony above the Education, Philosophy and Religion Department. Only four people can use this place at one time. A person in a wheelchair can't even reach it. The world-famous automobile reference collection is overflowing and hard to reach. No 19 one is allowed into this collection without a librarian because they have to climb over boxes to find what they want. The outstanding theater collection is on Floor 3-1/2. It's the only building in the world with a one half. You have to take the elevator to the fourth floor and walk down one 21 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 flight to access this, and you better have an appointment, because there's only one room for two visitors -- there's only room for two visitors. The librarian has to find the materials you need because there's no space to browse in the back overstuffed room where materials are stored. The Central Library's sold out speaker series regularly turns away the public because the current 400-seat auditorium cannot accommodate the Philadelphians who want to hear the likes of Toni Morris, Norman Mailer, Ted Koppel, or Spike Lee.
In 1927, the Central Library had expansive spaces for people to gather together to read and study and learn in an inspiring environment. Today, the shelves and materials fill those spaces, and there are few places for people to really enjoy the Central Library. The Free Library boards have a vision, the community has a vision, I think we all have a vision: We want to free the Free Library. We want to expand and open it so that people can use it and enjoy the magnificent spaces and the outstanding collections. We want to make sure the Central Library is a place for people and not just 22 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 books and materials. All of our boards want to work with the City to renovate the existing building and return it to its 1927 grandeur. We want Pepper Hall and other spaces to be restored, as the New York Public Library has restored the magnificent Rose Room. We want to create a destination of choice on the Parkway, where children, families, and seniors will come and find ideas, information, and inspiration they need to be productive citizens of the new millennium. And as the President of the Friends, we have worked tirelessly in the neighborhoods with all of these programs in supporting the Free Library, but we believe clearly that the direction that the library has taken to renovate the branches and to expand and add capability to the Central Library system is an important part of what we see, having access to information in the community. And my final point is that as we continue to see more capital move out of the community and more and more working people residing in our communities who will not be able 23 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 to afford the digital computers, who will not be able to afford the notebooks, who will not be able to afford access to technology and information, we see the library system as a central place for them to be able to do that. And I would like to say that we have a host of people here. They are members of the board of directors of the Friends and also members of the Friends groups. Could I just have you stand for a second.
Members of the board and the Friends groups, come on, don't be bashful. (Individuals stand.)
Please let the stenographer note that there's about 20, people 19 who have stood. 20 Thank you. 21
Thank you very much 23 for your testimony. 24 We're going to let Mr. Merretazon 25 testify first, and then we'll have questions. 24 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Please identify yourself for the record. And, sir, could you pull that unit closer to you.
And good morning to each member of City Council, good morning to all of the library supporters that are here this morning. I am Ari Merretazon, Director of Resource Development for Germantown Settlement. I'm sitting in for Emanuel V. ), President and Chief Executive Officer of Germantown Settlement and its family of agencies. We service the lower Germantown community, an area of approximately 44,000 residents in zip code area 19144. We have about 13,000 resident contacts for human services support and assistance per year. The Honorable Donna Reed Miller is our Council representative, Council District 8. I am Before you this morning to give testimony about the Free Library as it relates to community development, our field of work, in 25 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 respect to how our family of agencies use of Free Library, the differences the renovation and technologies have made at the Northwest Regional Library, located at Chelten Avenue and Green Street in Germantown, what we like best about the Central Library, and the limitations of the Central Library system, and the branch in the heart of our service area. Of the five agencies within our family of agencies, the Family Center and the Aging Services Center use the Free Library the most as an integral part of their services to children and families and our senior citizens respectfully. A key feature of the activities for educational purposes, tutoring, individual and group research are regular visits by children and families supported by our Family Center, the first in the City of Philadelphia. Our Aging Center uses the Free Library's redevelopment program to support continued education, literacy education, and free books for our reading club. The renovations and technology within the Central Library will make information and knowledge easily accessible to our population of youth, working adults, and seniors 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 in larger numbers. A valuable addition to the Central Library is the Regional Foundation Center Section 5 that provides our residents with the opportunity to access philanthropic funding sources for charitable activities that they endeavor to start. Also, the Central Library is a backup support to directors of our programs in accessing demographic and marking data as well as resource development information when our Internet network server is down. As a community-based organization, what we like most about the Free Library is that it's still free, relatively accommodating, and with a mission to serve the education and information needs of our residents. Like most services to low-income families, there are limitations, moreover challenges, yet to be achieved by the Free Library in our service area. Waiting in line is difficult for active youth needing one-on-one attention, the ability of senior citizens to ambulate comfortably poses a problem with access. Accommodations for seniors, for example, extended one-on-one attention at their pace to adapt to 27 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 technology improvements would be a good starting point. While these are limitations, I (unintelligible) as the type of challenges we fact to reach to universal access moving forward to the 21st century. ). This act allows libraries to expand telecommunications services, Internet access, and information access to impoverished urban communities. ERATE provides substantial cost discounts ranging up to 80 percent based on the percentage of students in the areas served whose family incomes are within 85 percent of the federal poverty level. The challenge of expansion and increased access to the Internet by low-income urban residents, in collaboration with the Central Library, will be a significant activity to help close the digital divide between the haves and the have-nots. Meeting this challenge would give 28 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES.
553 better access to neighborhood nonprofit organizations with respect to community development, best practices, and how community development organizations can more effectively collaborate with libraries in the field of community development. In closing, I do hope Mr. Freeman's testimony on the matter of the Central Library is central to Council, and it is indeed a pleasure for me to represent him at this hearing. And I thank you for your attention.
Thank you very much for your comments and for your testimony. I think it's appropriate that we're having this discussion. Sometimes timing is everything. And in the shadow of stadia conversations and legislation, this seems to be the appropriate time to be having this discussion. Are there any questions on the part of committee? Councilmember Blackwell.
Thank you very much. We certainly want to thank you for your 29 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 testimony. Certainly West Philadelphia claims Jerry White, and we thank him for all of his leadership in the West Philadelphia community over the years, more than years, his commitment to 6 our area. And we certainly thank you for your 7 commitment to the Free Library. 8
Jerry I thought you 12 were from North Philadelphia. 13 (Laughter.) 14
I'd like to ask a question. As you saw on the chart earlier, the 5th Councilmatic District, which I represent, probably has the least amount of libraries. And 30 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 too frequently, we find ourselves having to set up impromptu libraries and community centers. I was at a center last week -- I guess it was over at 21st and Berks -- Heritage CDC, with Miss Ruth Burchette (ph.), and I was concerned that the children -- some of the books that the children had there to read were sorely outdated. And I would like to know what the Friends groups can do in terms of outreach to these communities where we don't have an actual physically municipally-owned library but we have people who would like to have access to that type of information.
We -- I became president of the library several months ago, and part of our mission and initiative is to actually become more of a community-oriented umbrella organization. And what we have directed -- we're in the process of hiring a new executive director, and what we're directing that person to do is to specifically work with branches that were closed due to renovation and didn't have an active Friends group, and also, branches that are in transition so we can help them build the capacity to work and 31 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 build a voice in that neighborhood that could have input and have impact on the choices that the library makes about library branches and the need of facilities. We believe that agitation is important. We also believe that constructive engagement is important. So I have been briefed on the needs in your district, and we are engaging the library -- the administration of the library in discussions about how to deal with some of those challenges. I also think in the capital budget -- and Elliot will address more specifically the operation side. In the capital budget, there are some very specific funds earmarked for trying to upgrade and to provide better services in your Councilmatic District.
I think my question was more in terms of non-library type of activities. Realistically, I mean, there's a limited amount of capital dollars.
And I can recall Councilman Cohen having a 15- 20-year battle to 32 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 get a new facility built up on Ogontz Avenue.
So I think in the interim, what I would like to see is some attempt to assist individuals in facilities that have small libraries that are not necessarily run by the system, that are run by community organizations, and they need some assistance from you. And I'd like to see for you to outreach to those type of organizations until we can get more facilities built in the district.
Definitely. And I would love to come in and sit down and meet with you to get a better understanding of your view of that, definitely. Or meet with your staff to try to focus on doing something very specific. Thank you.
Thank you. Mr. White, is there a plan, is there a cost associated with a plan? Or is that a 33 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 question I should hold for someone else? Or would you like to speak to that?
Well, I think the people -- there are people that will testify specifically --
Okay, I'll hold my question for them. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Let me echo Councilwoman Blackwell and congratulate your new chairman. It's my personal opinion that the board made a prudent decision to have your leadership. To follow up your, quote, constructive engagement, in these days of dwindling resources in all areas and your commitment to ensure that 34 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 the library engages now in more community development kind of activity, what discussions have taken place with regards to deepening the linkage with the Philadelphia school system? When we acknowledge and recognize what is not happening with libraries there and when we look at the richness that the Philadelphia Free Library has, in spite of the fact that there's this need for a renovation of the Main Branch, what are you doing in those areas, when we know that partnerships and collaborations are what's vogue for the day?
Councilwoman, I think I would really like to leave that question to the executive director of the library, 'cause it's an operations question, but I do know in our board meetings, in our discussions and in my individual meetings with the executive director and his staff, that we have pushed the question of how do we link and act as a backup system for the public library -- the libraries in the school system? We view the Central Library as a nervous system.
And we have technology, access to information, videos, and we're 35 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 constantly going out attracting -- you know, at some point in 2000, I think, in 2050, kids will be able to go to the library and look through the Hubble Telescope. I mean, we will be able do all kinds of things that we can't even dream of. We'll be able to talk to someone on top of the Himalayas on a portable device. So I think that our -- what we are attempting to do is to make sure that in some way, we protect the community's interest in the investment in the library and access to information. But I think that Elliot and his staff, through very specific arrangements that they're making with the libraries -- and they have a couple that they will talk about -- that they are moving in that direction. Because I have a fear as well; I have a fear that while we're trying to straighten out the public school system and get all of those things straight, what are our children going to do? I think that the library system has a very important role to play in helping people make it up and out, if that's what the case may be.
Exactly. It's an 36 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 important role important but also an important opportunity.
When you recognize that there are limited capital dollars, and when we on this side of the table have to make decisions about where to place them, there's a strong argument when we see institutions make linkages with other institutions in our city.
You may not have heard the point I made that 8 million a year attend all the sports teams' games; we double that in terms of people using the Free Lending Library. So, I mean, when you make the capital judgements, it's yeah, we got to do and deal with the sports and the economy, but we also have to pay attention providing needs to people who need it in the community.
Well taken. So at some juncture, you will give us an update on where the library's moving --
-- with regards to linkages and building on what is already there. 37 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 We have to acknowledge that there's great stuff in place, but there is -- when look at the need on the public school side, there's still much to be done.
Thank you very much. Are there any other questions? (No further questions.)
Thank you very much for your testimony. Ulicia Lawrence and Dr. Donald Weinberg. (Witnesses come forward.)
Would you please identify yourself for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is Ulicia Lawrence, and I am the Assistant Coordinator of Adult Workforce 38 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Education at Temple University. In 1996, an initiative was coordinated between the Marion Anderson Recreation Center and the Career Achievement Program, which was a part of the 18th Street Development Corporation. This was an education-to-work initiative to assist the unemployed and underemployed in the South Philadelphia area by enhancing their basic skills toward employment, advancement, and education. The non-traditional component of the program was the evening class at the Central Library's workplace. Bimonthly, these adults converged on the Education Department with enthusiasm and excitement. The Central Library may overwhelm children with its high ceilings and rooms and rooms of books, but the adult learners expressed that this library made them feel important. They were learning where the smart people, quote/unquote, sought knowledge. They stated that the branch libraries were great for their children, but the Central Library was for them. They began to independently attend the Workplace Evening Workshop series as part of their 39 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 educational instructional hours. Simultaneously in 1997, I began consulting at Temple University as a job-readiness instructor, and one of the facilitators of the Neighborhood Adult Education Program there, a literacy component of the Mayor's Commission on Literacy. A visit to the Workplace was a mandatory trip. Fifteen to twenty learners would visit the two tiny rooms to learn about new and exciting occupations. As both a job-readiness instructor and literacy provider, I had the pleasure of watching adults' faces light up when they walked through the front doors of the Central Library. The library helped to build a sense of self-esteem in adult learners while they were learning to navigate independently through the library system. Acquiring a library card was no longer just for their children. A family trip then became a trip to the Central Library. Unfortunately, there are only two computers to service the class at the Workplace, and the students could not conduct research with the materials unless they removed them from the 40 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Workplace and took them downstairs to the Education Department. We did figure out an alternative, though. We sent half the group over to the computers, and we dominated two computers outside, and then we dominated the Education Department to make sure that everyone would have access to the Workplace. Unfortunately, we could not have any of our students who were handicapped attend any of those session because they could not go to the second floor. Today, there are still obstacles to overcome. The Workplace and some of the other presentation rooms are not large enough to facilitate family groups. Family literacy, under the Workforce Investment Act, is equally important as important as workplace education. An educated family is a successful family. Children acquire one or two hours of computer instruction per week in public schools, but their parents do not have access to computers on a monthly basis. Lines are long at the library and the time is allocated so very short. The Workplace should be able to accommodate classes of at least 20 to 30 people. In view of the fact 41 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 that it must directly link with the Career Link Center, we need to have the availability of more access for adults on a regular basis. Information provided by the Workplace is vitally important to every training provider in the City of Philadelphia. In conclusion, the Central Library deserves the full support of City Council in its effort to service the Philadelphia community. Programs like the Workplace need adequate space to continue their impact on the unemployed and disadvantaged population.
Space and more space will allow families to build quality time around the services provided at the Central Library. Thank you for listening and thank you for your consideration.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Dr. Weinberg, please.
I'm C. Donald Weinberg. I teacher at Community College of Philadelphia in Councilman Clarke's, where I also live, where the 42 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Central Library is also located. The district combines both a lively and a diverse population and some of the City's greatest cultural landmarks, among which is the Central Library, a part of what is, in fact, Philadelphia's People's University. Today I'm here on behalf of the library as a whole and the Central Library in particular. Let me tell you what the Central Library is from a scholar's point of view. In a place where there are more prestigious colleges and universities within miles than almost any 14 other city in the world, each with a library of 15 its own, none has a book and materials collection 16 with the range and depth that equals the Central 17 Library. It is a place where a person could go, 18 much like Eric Hoffer did, and get a world-class 19 education because of what Central Library has and 20 what it is. Speaking of linkages, which was of concern to the Council, in the case of Community College, three blocks away from the library, the Central Library is, in reality, the college's library. In accreditation, evaluation after 43 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 evaluation, and I served on these committees, the college's enormous achievements have been recognized as well as its one consistent deficit facility: its library. What allows the college to function in enabling its faculty and 29,000 students at the Center City campus to do their research? Central Library. There is no other facility that will give the students and the faculty the services and depth of materials that Central Library holds. For scholars from high school to those doing post-doctoral work, the library staff and holdings provide a broad range of materials and services, much of which can only be found there and few other places in the nation. Let me give you two examples of the uniqueness of the collection from my own research. I was doing research on 17th and 18th Century women writers to get a sense of early feminist literature; everything I needed was in the collection, and much of it was available nowhere else in the region. The same is true of my research into African epic poetry; once again, everything I need is in that collection. Consider 44 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 the nature of a collection that holds so much over such a broad range of topics. All of that, of course, is remarkable, praiseworthy and good, but there is much that isn't good. Let me give you an image. The Central Library is like a Cadillac upon blocks. It's a fine machine that is not able to go forward because it doesn't have the capability to do so. Consider this: There's been a knowledge explosion. What can be know and the ways knowledge is transmitted have both grown enormously. The truth of that is in the expanded campuses of every college in the City from Community College of Philadelphia to Penn. Its City facilities have been expanded, rebuilt, and revitalized in recognition of that. Only Central Library has been forced to offer more services in more ways to more people in the same space that sufficed in 1911. The result is this: Staff are crowded and can't be as useful to the public as they ought to be. More tragically, there is almost no space left for library users to do serious work in the library. The Literature Department has only five 45 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 open tables, the Social Science Department has none, the Lending Department has none. The infrastructure dates from its founding, so you'll find wires and conduits snaking up corridors and pancaked on the floors in racks freestanding in work areas. Areas that were once available have been sliced up to make way for these new services. The Workplace has been sliced out of the Education Department.
The Foundation Center, so necessary to MGOs, individuals, and hungry art groups, have been carved out of the Social Science Department. But let me speak to you on a personal level. I'm a product of a library. I was a dropout. I was working on the docks of the City of New York, pumping bananas into Yale trucks. I was 17 years old. I worked for $20 a week, barely surviving. I know what it is to go without food; I did it regularly. Changing myself was partly my responsibility, but I needed help. And I needed help because on the docks, there was narcotics, there was gambling, there was danger, and there 46 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 was death. And there were bananas. )
I practically lived at the library on 40th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. It was always open, it was warm, it was always free -- that was great -- and I was always treated as though I had dignity. And this was a person who had two changes of clothing: the one he had on and the one in the wash. At first, I read because it was the only thing I could afford to do. And then I read because that was the thing I most wanted to do. When the opportunity arose, I was ready, with scholarship help from NYU, and I went back to school. And now I teach. So I'm here today because of the library as a service, because of me. This city is full of "me." And now I'm asking you to make what I had available to anyone else who, like me, will want it and will need it. Thank you.
Thank you very much. (Applause.) 47 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553
Thank you very much for your testimony. Are there any questions for these witnesses? (No questions.)
Are there any openings in the doctor's classes at the college? If you have any room, I'd like to study under you sometime.
It would be a pleasure, although I suspect I could learn more from you than you could from me, but I'd happily have you. Thank you so much.
Thank you very much. The next witnesses are Fong Wa Chung and Dr. Ellen Linky, Frances Aulston and Donald Cresswell. (Witnesses come forward.)
Good morning, everyone. Please identify yourself for the record. And whoever would like to go first, proceed with your testimony.
Good morning, members of 48 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 City Council.
My name is Fong Wa Chung. I live at 1014 Spring Street, 19107. I use the Central Library frequently because it is the library closest to me. I do a lot of research for school, borrow books for leisure time. And I go at least once a week to attend a Youth Advisory Council meeting. Members of the Youth Advisory Council work to attract more teenagers to the Central Library. Renovations would give us more to work with. When people go to the Central Library, it can be a pain trying to find an available computer because there aren't enough computers, and the ones it has are scattered throughout the building. Having all computers in one room would save patrons the frustration of having to look for them and waiting to use them. A computer lab could be built where there are Macs as well as PC's. The library now only has PC's, but Macs are what students use at school. There would be young adult room, with materials geared toward teens, or at least rooms 49 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 allotted for group work. Teens usually go to the library to do group work but don't use the library as often as they should because it feels cramped. There isn't enough space to gather and spread out materials, but if the library had rooms which were set aside for such work, teenagers would be more inclined to use the library. I think one of the biggest changes that could be made to the Central Library would be to make it a welcoming environment. The building now is dreary, confusing, and intimidating. People are turned off by this, and if they aren't regular visitors, they leave the library. There should be helpful signs directing people to where they want to go windows and certainly more windows for sunlight and better lighting. This would help make patrons feel more comfortable and welcome and encouraging them to use the library more often. The Central Library is filled to bursting with old and new materials. Sometimes it feels like there is no more room for patrons. All the books and hardwood tables and chairs make the library and its staff seem formidable. I've worked at the library and I recognize that the 50 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 staff are great people who knew so much, but the patrons, especially young adult, don't give them the chance the staff because the impression is that the staff is like the way the library looks: unforgiving. (Laughter.)
Drastic changes to the library to help the library catch up to modern times would attract more patrons, especially teens, and help them to be able to fully appreciate the library for the amazing place that it is. I hope that young adults of Philadelphia can count on City Council to make the library a bright and welcoming place for us to visit and learn. Thank you, members of City Council, for giving me this opportunity to speak.
Thank you very much for coming in. Please identify yourself for the record.
I'm Frances Aulston. And 51 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 in absence of Council President Anna Verna --
Ms. Aulston, could you please pull that closer to you. Thank you very much.
Sure. Fellow concerned members of the Philadelphia community, I have over 30 years of experience with the Free Library of Philadelphia and retired in 1993 as a research librarian. I am founder and am currently serving as the Executive Director of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, WPCA, President of Arts West, and Director of the Historical Paul Robeson House Museum, located in the heart of West Philadelphia. We are in close proximity to the West Philadelphia Regional Library, which is just around the corner from the Paul Robeson House at 50th and Walnut. West Philadelphia Regional Library has consistently provided the WPCA with an extensive amount of support and information technology, grantsmanship, and educational resources out-sourced from the Central Library. The Central Library, one of the most comprehensive reference resources in Philadelphia, with world-famous 52 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 collections, continues to be a primary source for the procurement of statistical data, outreach programming, historical documentation, and professional research support. Working with the library system has allowed WPCA to launch a new initiative in early literacy and parenting. Because of the library's partnerships and mission to improve the quality of life within the community, West Philadelphia Regional librarians were provided professional development opportunities to present literature adaptable for multisensory learning and the multiple intelligencies. And the Early Literacy Initiative, the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, was featured in local newspapers, most prominently -- you should have a copy of it with your testimony -- the Learning Tree, the educational supplement of the Philadelphia Tribune, dated Tuesday November 7, 2000. " So this is a wonderful article 22 here, which we wish that you would take the time to read. The need to improve the Central's technology and spatial demands can best be served 53 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 with a financial commitment from the City government; thus, through our contact and onsite visitation, we can recommend the following: First, the purchase of advanced technology and sufficient programming space will better serve nonprofits and community organizations in the rapid retrieval of accessible funding sources, programmatic needs, and audience access. The second requires a little vision and also the passion to promote our wonderful Philadelphia treasures, and that's the purchase of informational teletrons, which provide 24-hour notice of library schedules and resources, the PECO lights skyline display. All the Councilmembers I've worked with have demonstrated that passion for encouraging and marketing our Philadelphia treasures. Upgrading the existing technology of the theater collection, which was referred to earlier, used by renowned professionals such as Jerome Lawrence, author of Inherit the Wind; Terrance McNally, Broadway playwright of "Master Class"; and locally, Bernard Havard, producing 54 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 artistic director of the Walnut Street Theater, the oldest running professional theater in the country; and Pew Fellowship recipient in playwriting, Kimmika Williams. Kimmika was responsible for the WPCA's founding, and just last evening, was acknowledged at the Painted Bride as a Pew Fellowship recipient in playwrighting. A financial commitment is a necessity for the technology and spatial upgrades needed to service special collections, including the second largest theater collection in the United States, which continues to maintain the tradition of Philadelphia as a world-class city and a major theater town.
As the founder and director of one of Philadelphia's premiere community arts and cultural organizations, the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and on behalf of the constituents that we serve, we thank you for the opportunity to encourage Council to provide capital funding for the Central Library's renovation and expansion project. Thank you.
Thank you very much 55 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 for your testimony. Perhaps we could switch seats and continue. Dr. Linky, please identify yourself for the record.
Good morning. My name is Ellen Linky. I use the Free Library of Philadelphia in a number of ways: as a resident and lifelong learner, as an educator, and as a fund developer to find financial ways to support youth. As a resident and lifelong learner, I walk to the Central Logan Circle Branch weekly to learn from and enjoy the varied exhibits peppered throughout the library rooms. I attend musical, speaker-centered, and special events held regularly in the library. Frequently, when I entertain family and friends who do not live in Philadelphia, we visit the library for its spectacular architecture as well as its multifaceted services. It is an exceptionally splendid Philadelphia landmark and should be added to every tourist's route while visiting our wonderful city. 56 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 As an educator, the Philadelphia public library and I have had a long and comprehensive relationship. In my responsibilities as school principal and district superintendent of Philadelphia public schools, all students in those schools for which I was responsible were required to hold and use a library card. Teachers would assign topics that could only be researched in the public library; and, of course, this is pre-Internet. Once students were taught how to access information through the Internet, many students were able to utilize the computers in their schools; but after hours, they depended upon the public library system for their assignments. In my principalship in the Morrison School, our students decorated the Olney Library Branch with short stories and poems and episodes they created based on their library readings. In addition, the children's librarian visited our school once every ten days and shared book talks about new and classic titles. The children's librarian was viewed as a part of our faculty. Further, the branch librarian held teach in-service sessions right there in the Olney 57 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 library. Our active and large Home and School Association was engaged in the use of the public library services as well. We recreated this model in 33 of Philadelphia's public elementary, middle and high schools in my role as District 7 superintendent. During my principalship in William Penn High School, we carried forth all of the numerous and diversified uses of the public library I just described and added one more component. We developed six smaller focused schools within the large comprehensive high school. Two of the smaller learning environments were employment- centered. In our CEO program, the young adults were required to spend three afternoons each week in the Central Branch of the library, researching careers and the credentialing leading into those careers. Along with journals, books, specialized references, and the Internet, these young people were able to review, and, if appropriate, study from the preparatory books for licensing in various employment fields. All of these assets were free and accessible to our youth. Our non-English-speaking and 58 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 special-needs youth spent many hours in the Central Branch with teacher guidance, learning how to access information and explore employment and other information interesting and relevant to them. My schools either had vital libraries, or we created them; and we were able to create them because we worked closely with the public library system. We used the team approach, and our team members included teachers of English for reading, the school librarian, teachers working with the non-English-speaking, and the special-needs students, the public branch librarian, and myself. As a fund developer, the Central Library section specializing in grants and foundations has been a lifeline in creating learning opportunities for youth. While the Central Branch is a stimulating and cordial place to be, it requires updating and upgrading.
The Grants and Foundations Service Center should be expanded in size, scope, and assistance. The computerized card catalog system needs simplification, and the numbers of terminals 59 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 should be dramatically increased. Some of the collections need to be expanded as professional literature, and every field of endeavor is exploding. Computer work stations with Internet access need to be plentiful everywhere within the library complex. We know that the library's youth programs have been successful. Not only should specific programs expand, but youth should feel at home in the library. The existing children's area is wonderful, but it is packed. It should be enlarged in space and assets. Elementary school-aged children should have their own space. Adolescents should have a space tailored to them. Just as book stores have become entertainment, restaurant, and social centers, the public library can, with your help, Council, judicially reshape and reinvent itself to maintain its current user support and to capture a whole new generation of users, from the very young citizen to the very senior citizen. With your advocacy and support of Philadelphia's jewel, the Free Library of Philadelphia will become the central player in 60 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Philadelphia's educational renaissance. And I thank you for the privilege of speaking with you this morning.
Thank you very much. Mr. Cresswell, please identify yourself for the record.
I'm Don Cresswell. I'm the co-owner of the Philadelphia Print Shop, at 8441 Germantown Avenue, in Chestnut Hill. My partner and I own the building and the retail business, which sells historical prints, antique maps, and rare books. We have six employees, so our business supports eight people, who live and work in Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy, Center City, and Northeast Philadelphia. Last year, 1999, we enjoyed gross sales of almost $1 million in that little shop. That money was mainly collected from outside of Philadelphia because we exhibit at antique shows and book fairs as far south as Birmingham, Alabama, as far west as Kansas City, Missouri, and 61 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 St. Louis, Missouri, as far north as Blue Hill, Maine. I should add that in Washington D.C., some of our major sales are to the Library of Congress, to the U.S. State Department, to the White House, and to Congress. So I'm sort of adding that because I want to stress that politicians and lobbyists are not the only people to extract money from Washington, D.C. (Laughter.)
We issue catalogs and have recently produced a Web site that enables to us to sell our products worldwide, and we do, we sell things in Egypt and Turkey over the Web. It's pretty incredible what's happening. Now, besides letting you know that I'm the owner-operator of a small specialty business, it would be of interest to the City of Philadelphia that in 1999, that I've -- I'll read these 'cause they're statistics -- we paid over $106,000 in payroll taxes, we collected $20,415 in sales tax, and $1900+ dollars in business usage tax. We have been in business for 19 years 62 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 and are proud to be a part of Philadelphia. I came here from Charlotte, North Carolina; my partner comes from Buffalo, New York. In the last mayoral election, there was a lot of stress on supporting small businesses and thriving good businesses, bringing people here, and maintaining them, and I feel that we fit into that category. Now, as to libraries, all of our employees use the Chestnut Hill Branch and the Mt. Airy Branch for some of the basic reference tools and certainly the Internet material. We especially enjoy getting books on tape when we make trips and, you know, that's sort of survival tactics. However, my partner and I are refugees from Academe and we use the research facilities of Main Library extensively. We use the Rare Book Division, we use the theater collection, we use the map collection, we use the Art Department with its wonderful print collection certainly, the Music Division. Wonderful information on art and artists is in the children's collection, so there's just a lot of research to be done. Essentially, when I have a print, such 63 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 as this (holds up print) and I research it at the library, the higher -- the more information I can get on this print, the higher price I can ask for it. Now, let me share an adventure that I had in researching this print at the Main Library. We brought it and a number of works, and they're done by Jacques Coelemans -- they're obviously French -- but we didn't know much more than the average kind of biographical information that I could get on artists and artisans. But when I got to the Free Library, using some few small clues, and this like a detective work, we were able to find that this is from a portfolio -- it's one of a type that was in a portfolio -- and it was listed in the library's catalog. When I ordered this catalog, it couldn't be found. And the librarians searched, I pestered them every Monday for five weeks, trying to find where this portfolio was. And, finally, Bill 22 Lange, who's now the rare books librarian, who was then in the Art Department, found it deep in the basement, under a huge stack of portfolios. We got the book out and I was able to 64 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 pinpoint the theme. This has to do with the celebration of French culture in 1744, during the reign of Louie XV. It's a wonderful book. It's the kind of things that back in the 1920s, the Weidners and the Elkins would have donated to our library. Well, using that information, I was able to price this at $850, and I was delighted at that. But there's a further hitch: We were all delighted because that particular book had the autograph and the book plate of the great English painter and esthetic theorist Sir Joshua Reynolds. And, needless to say the, good end of the story was that that book went up to the Rare Book Division for better keeping. The warning and the danger in that is that it was lost for five weeks. This a book that's probably worth about $15,000 today. And everyone was concerned and we were very pleased to be able to do that. So the story came out well. Last year, I helped the map librarian, Richard Boardmen, acquire a collection of 62 huge folio Atlas volumes of Sanborn maps showing the City of Philadelphia in the 1950s. And this is a 65 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 wonderful treasure.
Richard had to hustle like crazy to get the proper storage space for that, but they've been preserved, and it's a wonderful piece of our Philadelphia history. For my business, the Main Library is a vital tool. , Chicago because they all have new libraries and expanded facilities. For me, the library is a wonderful place, where I do research and I see other researchers. It's a think tank for the City. If we had to hire a think tank like the Rand Corporation, it would cost us a lot, lot more or we could not afford it. I urge you to support the library in every way that we can. We need renovation and expansion of our Main Library. Thank you very much.
Thank you very 66 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 much. I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge Fran Aulston and the Cultural Alliance and the Paul Robeson House. Thank you, Fran, for your work. And I received all the information you sent on the Free Library, and we're certainly committed to it.
Thank you very much. I'd like to ask Mr. Earnest Cannon and Dr. Charmaine Ijeoma to please come forward. (Witnesses come forward.)
Doctor, would you please identify yourself for the record.
My name is Dr. Charmaine Ijeoma. I am an independent scholar and resident of Philadelphia, and today I'm honored to speak on the issue of the Free Library's request for funding to renovate and to expand its facilities. For the record, I spend so much time in the Free Library that I've been mistaken as an employee. Now, I have no problem answering patrons' questions and showing them where they need to go. Over the past six years, I have 67 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 learned a great deal about the resources available at the Free Library. While I use all areas of the library, I spend most of my time in the Business Section. For instance, about three years ago, I became interested in investing, and I discovered that the library has not only Value Line but it also has Standard & Poor's Investment Guides. These materials are worth thousands of dollars in yearly subscriptions. Access to these sources has helped the research efforts of those of us who cannot afford the luxury of a subscription. In addition, not everyone -- and a computer either. As a member of this unfortunate group, I rely on computer services available at the Free Library. For example, as a scholar and as an amateur investor, I use the computer technology throughout the library to do online research. As an individual in the midst of changing careers, I also utilize the facilities at the Workplace to type, print or send resumes. Needless to say, the library and its staff provide invaluable service to the community. The librarians are professional and courteous. More 68 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 importantly, they also enforce the rules. Regrettably, the library is in desperate need of repair, and its facilities needs to be expanded. For example, there are noticeable holes and visible water damage in the ceilings of a few of the rooms. In addition, the bathrooms are eyesores. Finally, some of the rooms are crowded with library materials, computer and people. These deplorable conditions need to change. Ladies and gentlemen, excellence should be rewarded. In this era of economic prosperity and budget surpluses, it is perhaps wise to give the Free Library the funds it needs as well as deserves at this time to renovate and to expand, thereby continuing its mission. These changes would benefit the residents plus the tourists who frequent or visit the City for the purpose of doing research at the library. Thank you.
Thank you very much for your testimony. Mr. Cannon, please identify yourself for the record. 69 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553
Good morning. My name is Ernest Cannon, and I'm the President of the Philadelphia Community (unintelligible) organization that's located in the 2500 block of West Lehigh Avenue. I'm here respectfully on behalf of the Weidner Branch that's located in the 5th District. Mr. Chairman, the Weidner Branch has been in our area well over 50 years. Let me give you a little history on the Weidner Branch. It was built when we had PTC. Do you remember PTC?
At the time that this branch was built, Mr. Chairman, we had five schools that was using the Weidner Branch at that time. That was Simon Middle School, Walkman, (unintelligible) Elementary School, and Whittier Elementary School. Now today, we have 15 schools that use the Weidner Branch on a daily basis from Monday to Saturday. The Weidner Branch is inadequate. The materials in the Weidner Branch is outdated. There's one floor, and the second floor has no 70 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 accessibility for handicapped use. We, the people in that area, has been waiting well over years 4 for a new branch. We have raised $10,000 for new 5 computers to be added and replaced into a new 6 facility. We've been asking for a very long time 7 to move the facility in a space that the City 8 already owns, which will cut the cost of 9 acquisition. We have been waiting for a very long 10 time for this new facility, and the reason we've 11 been waiting is because we have faith in our City 12 government. 13 The 5th District only has three 14 libraries, and that's inadequate. We are in a age 15 of information. Whoever controls the information 16 controls their destiny. The children in our area 17 is being shortchanged on a daily basis. I come 18 here to ask this committee to afford $2.4 million 19 for new construction of the Weidner Branch. 20 I thank you, and again, it's an honor 21 addressing this committee. Thank you. 22
Thank you very much 23 for your testimony. Thank you. 24 (Applause.) 25
Mr. Daniel Whelan 71 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 and Judy Cooper, please. We'll do it two now and then three. (Witnesses come forward.)
Good morning. Please identify yourself for the record.
I'm Daniel Whelan, President of Verizon Pennsylvania. I'm also a member of the Free Library Foundation Board of Directors. I might add that I'm also a library user and have been since 1951, when I first went into the Logan Library at Wagner and Old York Road. It's a pleasure for me to testify this morning because the Free Library is important to Verizon and to the corporate community and the City of Philadelphia as a whole. Like most companies struggling to compete in this technological age, Verizon is challenged to find and keep good employees. My human relations department tell me that for every applicant for nonmanagement positions of all types at Verizon, of every 2, (50 percent) do not have the basic 72 1 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 skills necessary to work -- for us, at least. By this, I mean: basic reading, math, computer, and general workplace skills necessary for our entry-level positions. Clearly, Verizon and other major employers work with schools to inform and to encourage them to provide us with graduates ready to work. But we also value the support role played by public libraries and our community organizations in creating a support system for our future employees. The Free Library's LEAP after-school homework program, the computer classes and clubs, the summer reading program, the Books Aloud preschool literacy program, the Workplace Career information programs are all vital ingredients in providing Verizon and other major employers with a pool of applicants with stronger basic skills. The Free Library also helps Verizon attract and keep good employees in Philadelphia. Forty-five hundred of our employees work in the City, and twenty-nine hundred of those live in the City. We recruit widely, for both management and nonmanagement positions. We sell Philadelphia to 73 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 newcomers as a center for education and the arts. The Free Library is part of the cultural fabric that makes Philadelphia a great place to live and work. And a great city simply needs a great library. I've served on the Foundation Board since 1997. It's been my privilege to observe the visionary leadership of Elliot Shelkrot, the Library President and Director; Roland Bullard, Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors; and Alex Kerr, Chair of the Board of Trustees. " They have created a free library system that is addressing aggressively many of the needs of the City's residents. They have also made the Free Library a vital player in bridging the digital divide that we hear so much about. That gap between information haves and have-nots exists in the City. Philadelphians without access to computers still outnumber those who have PC's and Internet access at home or at school or in their offices. Fortunately, in our city, no one needs to be excluded from the digital revolution. It's 74 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 as close as their neighborhood library, where at least eight computers for public use, with educational and office software and free access to the Internet exist. There are also classes for novices and one-on-one instructions offered by teams employed by the library. To date, 48 of our neighborhood libraries have been renovated and outfitted with the latest information technologies. Children and adults from all walks of life flock to our libraries to use the new computers and sign up for classes. Last year, I visited -- last year, I visited the Lehigh Avenue Branch. I was amazed to see the number of people in their 20s, by my guess, at computers. They were practicing their word-processes skills, completing their resumes, and searching for jobs on the Internet. Verizon has played a leadership role in helping the Free Library address the digital divide in Philadelphia. In 1994, then-Bell Atlantic made a $500,000 gift to the Free Library to create the infrastructure that would link every library location in the City to the wide-area 75 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES.
553 network of the library. I am proud of the investment we've made in that technology I, and want to ensure that the technology plan is completed and Verizon's investment is well used. The Free Library is also a customer of mine. Bell Atlantic, now Verizon, has been working with the Free Library since the mid-1990s T-1 lines, big data pipes, and now even larger T-3 lines and local-area networks to bring state-of-the-art information technology to the people of Philadelphia and to make it as near as their branch libraries. Today, more than 700 network computers at branch and regional libraries are all connected to the Central Library's Support Operation Center. Verizon has worked side by side with the Mayor's Office of Information Services and the Free Library staff to meet the challenges of adding 21st-century technology to what, in many cases, are very early 20th-century buildings. Nowhere has it been, and will continue to be, more challenging than at the Central Library. Despite these problems, the library has made exciting plans for technology at the Central 76 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Library all designed to serve the public better. These include: More than 250 network computers integrated into the design of the addition to the Central Library; A 150 percent increase in the number of computers currently available in the building; A Digital Discovery Center designed especially to bridge the digital divide, where children, their parents, and teachers can use newly-released technologies to explore library resources that are unique through multisensory media; A wireless component so users and staff can work together without constraint of desks or wires; An information commons, where visitors can access the Internet for free, check their e-mails, and use office application software; A state-of-the-art information training lab to teach the public about online resources and search strategies; A special department where staff and technology create digital resources for the 77 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Central Library's most treasured collections so that they can be more accessible to educators and the general public; An Assisted Technology Center where persons with disability can use modified work stations to facilitate access to library resources; A video conferencing capability to distribute educational programs to branch meeting rooms and desk tops throughout the Free Library system; A new support system to expand customer self-service for checkout, reserving books, and paying overdue fines. The wiring of the Central Library has been on the technology agenda of Free Library since the earliest days of the branch renovation project. It is essential -- it is an essential final step to bringing the Free Library system into the present and ensuring that it will be ready to accommodate the technologies of the future. Today, the technology available to the public at the Central Library is not even as up to 78 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 date as that available at their branch libraries. At the Central Library, as you saw in some of the slides, the staff tries to fit in a few computers here and there, but there is no cost-effective way to install an information network of the 20th century into the present building. The antiquated electrical systems, the marble floors, and the sculptored-plaster ceilings all combine to pose monumental challenges, expensive challenges. A new facility with information technology designed into the structure from the ground up is essential. The Central Library is the hub of the library's information network of more than a thousand PC's used by the public and staff. It is where the massive network is managed and controlled; it is where the over 800 library staff members are trained to make the most efficient use of the network in order to better serve the public.
We need to make the Central Library a showcase of information technology for the public and for those who serve them. We need to make the Central Library an exciting, modern destination of choice for children, business people, senior 79 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 citizens, and family; a place they will visit first, either in person or on line, when they need information for either business or pleasure. As I said earlier, our great city deserves a great central library. I hope you'll help us create it. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Thank you for your testimony. Miss Cooper, please identify yourself for the record.
I'm Ginnie Cooper, and I'm the one person who does not know Philadelphia and does not live here but will speak to you today. I'm the Library Director in Portland, Oregon, and I'm here to tell you a little bit about our experience has been in Portland and at other libraries nationally. In considering a new library, you have the potential to join other world-class cities with new or renovated libraries, cities like Los Angeles, Cleveland, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, San Antonio, Chicago, and two more cities that earlier this month made the decision, through 80 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 efforts at the ballot box, that they would build wonderful new libraries -- San Jose California, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. And of course, my own city, Portland, Oregon. What difference does a new library make? Well, I can tell from you experience that it does make a difference. Of course, library service is improved, and that is important now as never before. In fact, with more books being published today than ever before, libraries matter more than they have in the past even. Second, and a key reason your library needs to be renovated and expanded, is to provide access to that wired world of information, especially for those who do not have access to computers at home or at work or at school. In fact, a recent survey, a national survey, said that the majority of Americans who access the Internet can do so at the public library, and they do on occasion make use of that. And this will continue to grow, but not with regard to the Free Library's central library unless changes can be made there. But in a very important way, improved 81 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 library services is not the biggest benefit of a new and improved library. For one thing, the new library speaks to the value of public community space, which a library can provide. In Portland, where our renovated Central Library opened in 1997, people love their library, and it is visited and used by an average of 4,000 people a day 7 days a week. It's a very busy place. They bring their friends and relatives, they bring out-of-town visitors -- perhaps some of you have been taken there by people who live in Portland. In fact, each spring since we reopened, about 600 people $150 apiece to participate in a library gala to attend a party at the library for the benefit of our summer reading program. And we rent the space as well for bar mitzvahs, for weddings, for parties, for community and business functions. It is the place in Portland -- we love it, and hear that from people regularly. More than that even, the beautiful, technologically up-to-date library is a clear testimony to what matters in our city. The new library says books and knowledge matter, and our elected officials, our decision-makers and 82 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 citizens have said that the very best record of civilization will be available to all, rich and poor, educated and those learning, and we say that through our library. There will be a place for learning, whether you're in school or not, because the library is able to accommodate that. And with the Central Library, we say that children matter in our community. We say that we will provide a glorious place for the wonder of a three-year-old child finding exactly the right book to light up his eyes, the place for a 7th-grader to find the information she needs to succeed in school. Those things and many more happen at our Central Library. Philadelphia is the place where public libraries began. You have a long and noble history of public libraries. The Free Library in Philadelphia is known nationally because of the excellence that library has provided now and in the past. You have the opportunity to make sure that you continue that reputation, that you take the next step in this great tradition of public libraries. 83 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 This is a city that I love to visit.
It's a city with such rich cultural life. The Philadelphia Free Library should match that. To bring this reality, this grand vision to update the Main Library, to restore to its former grandeur and update the technology. By the way, your library was designed in 1911 and completed in 1928, I'd like to point out, years after 10 Portland's library was completed, the one that we 11 renovated and reopened in 1997. 12 Think of the number of things that we 13 use in our everyday life that would plug in, which 14 weren't invented in 1928 or 1911, think of the many ways we go about our business, and think about how difficult it is to accommodate all of those things in this building constructed in 1928. Believe me, the public library has a hard time making do in that old building. They do a wonderful job, and they do it at a cost and with sacrifices that are necessary because of the age of that building. They have the opportunity to take the block behind the building to provide space for books and advanced technology, for other features 84 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 needed for the rest of this new century. And that, by the way, is one of our biggest regrets at Portland. Our building is a beautiful building, which people love just where it is and as it is, and we did not have the opportunity to expand the space in that building as much as we might have hoped. We went up a bit and we down a bit with a sub basement and a facility at the top level, but I would have welcomed the opportunity to add the kind of space that may be possible here in Philadelphia. And I worry about whether we actually have our library for the next century because of that space constraint. You have the opportunity to make sure that this once-in-a- century opportunity to serve the citizens of Philadelphia is done and done right. And the wonders of a historic renovation, that's what we've enjoyed in Portland with our building, built, as I said, 14 years before yours was constructed. You have wonderful examples here in Philadelphia of how historic buildings can be made right for today's needs and to get ready for tomorrow's needs as well. You 85 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 have this once-in-a-century opportunity to be sure that the people of Philadelphia have the library they need, the library they want, deserve, will use, and surely will love. As a voice from outside, I urge to you make that possible for people here in Philadelphia. Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you. )
Thank you. Thank you both very much for your testimony? Are there any questions from members of the committee? (No questions.)
Thank you very much. Next, we'll call Alexander Kerr, Chairman, Library Board of Trustees; Roland K. Bullard, II, Chairman, Library Foundation Board of Directors; and certainly our own Elliot Shelkrot, President and Director of the Free Library. (Witnesses come forward.)
Good morning, Madam Chairperson. 86 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553
Thank you. I'm Alec Kerr, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Free Library of Philadelphia, and I'm also a partner in the Philadelphia law firm of Hoyle, Morrison & Kerr, LLP. I'm speaking today on behalf of the 10 members of the Board of Trustees of the Free 11 Library, who have the responsibility for governing 12 and overseeing the library system under the City 13 Charter. ). I believe I saw Reverend William 16 Moore, President Steven Curtis of Philadelphia 17 Community College, and I apologize if I have 18 missed some of my fellow board members. 19 The Board of Trustees has overseen, as 20 you have heard, the renovation of 48 neighborhood 21 libraries. It's an extraordinary success story. 22 And in my duties as Chair, I visited every one of those libraries. I've seen the before, I've seen the after, they're in every one of your Councilmatic districts, and it's almost impossible 87 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 to describe the excitement of the local community once a new library has been renovated, opened, and the children and the citizens pour in, it's really wonderful. We will not have finished the job, we will not have done our duty unless we complete this renovation by renovating the Central Library. As you've heard, it is the nerve center, it is the lynch pin of the system. During the past two years, the trustees have taken a leadership role in developing and refining a plan to renovate and expand the Central Library. The concept for a 21st-century library that I'll present to you today has the unequivocal and enthusiastic support of the Board of Trustees. I'm here to tell you why. Dan Whelan said it best: A great city needs a great central library, and a great city deserves a great central library. We do not have one here in Philadelphia. As you've heard today, in the current facility, we're not able to meet the needs of the thousands of people who come through our doors. This is not news to the Board of Trustees. Studies over the past 40 years have 88 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 repeatedly warned of the inadequacies of the present Central Library to permit good stewardship of the priceless collections we own. More importantly, we cannot meet the information needs of the children and adults who wait on the front steps of the Central Library to open in the morning and who reluctantly leave at closing time. Let me talk a little bit about our special collections. Several of them are priceless and they're world-class. They are sought after, as you've heard, by scholars; and if they could be made easily accessible, they would attract more teachers and parents and high school students. We aren't taking very good care of these priceless collections. They are crammed into small spaces, subjected to improper lighting and wrong climate control. We're not preserving them for the generations to come. I keep remembering a comment made by author Susan Sontag when she spoke at the Central Library several years ago just after returned from Sarejavo. She told us told us that the first thing the Serbs did when they entered Sarejavo was to destroy the library, because that's how you 89 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 destroy a civilization, that's how you destroy a community. Her words hit home. We must take steps to safeguard or Central Library. In case you haven't been to the Central Library lately, let me just take you on a brief mental walk, a mental tour. We'll visit the renowned theater collections, where some of the world's best resources on live theater in America, which got its start in Philadelphia, of course. They have programs from every single production that's ever been performed here in Philadelphia. We take the elevator to the fourth floor, walk down the long corridor as if we're headed to the cafeteria and look for the sign to the staff stairwell.
" If no one else is visiting, we might get one or two of the seats at the table for the public, provided plastic isn't spread over the table to catch drips from leaky pipes. Do you want to see our famous automobile reference collection, which is on exhibit in the main hallway? It's second only to the Detroit public library's holdings on cars. 90 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Well, if it isn't on exhibit downstairs, you can't see the collection. Safety concerns and crowded quarters prohibit the public from climbing the narrow stairwell to the half-floor that houses this world-renowned collection. We'll have to ask the librarian to bring the materials to you. How about our Fleischer orchestral collection, used by orchestras around the world? It was damaged by severe leaks in 1999. Other collections are stored in closets, small offices, and overcrowded vaults. The Conservation Center for art and historical artifacts reported in 1998 that the library needs nearly three times more space to adequately care for our special materials. I could go on and on, but the need for more space, though very real, is not only about materials; it's much more about our customers -- the people, the citizens of Philadelphia who use the Central Library and who deserve to have free and easy access to the treasures that are housed there. In its discussions about a revitalized Central Library, the trustees have been driven by 91 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 a vision for a Central Library that is open, dynamic, filled with Philadelphians connecting to the information and ideas of the past, the present, and the future. We've been captivated by what has occurred in Portland and the other cities that you've heard about. We've even visited some of those cities, and we've seen what happens when their central libraries have been brought into the 21st century. We want the people of our city to have the same opportunities at their Central Library. Let's take another walk, a walk into the future. Our present building, that extraordinarily beautiful structure on the Parkway, remains unaltered, until you walk inside. On your right is a lending library brightly lit, with comfortable chairs welcoming readers to sit and browse through a book. It's filled with people and rivals the best of America's bookstores because it's so inviting and full of current materials. The Children's Department is on the left. No longer a hideaway in the basement, the 92 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Children's Department has doubled in size and is full of youngsters of all ages reading at kid-sized tables, using computers to build their literacy skills and listening to story-telling in the expanded Story Hour room. Further down the hall, the Teen Center is jumping. Through our work with teenagers -- and you've heard from one today -- we've learned that teens want an attractive place of their own at the Central Library. They want a place where it's considered cool to check out teen materials and where there is plenty of space to work on collaborative school projects. Technology will be everywhere and anywhere, integrated right into the furnishings so you hardly see it at all. There will be hundreds of computers for public use and a cutting-edge digital discovery center where companies will be invited to introduce their new multimedia products to willing library audiences who come to be educated and entertained. Our special priceless collections will be brought together and housed in ideal climatic conditions. More and more will be cataloged and 93 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 digitized so they're easy to search, without putting undue wear on the originals. In the collaboration facility, people, equipment, and resources will come together to conserve priceless materials and train staff and educators how to use them for classroom instruction.
The outstanding materials and intellectual resources of the Free Library materials will be used much more widely to educate our children. But let's not forget the quiet reading spaces that our customers tell us they miss from the early days of the Central Library. Time and again, we're asked, whatever happened to Pepper Hall? It's still at the Central Library, it's just filled with book cases and computers, and we call it the Art and Literature Department today. There's scarcely a space anywhere to sit and read in Pepper Hall. We plan to change that. We've set our sites on returning Pepper Hall to its original grandeur, much like the renovation of the magnificent Rose Room at New York Public Library. Down the hall, we'll walk by a larger exhibit of medieval manuscripts from the Rare Book 94 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Department, on our way to get a cup of coffee and browse through the Friends Used Books Store. The doors to the new auditorium are just opening to 600 school kids arriving for a story-telling program. You'll probably feel as if you've never left the original structure, but you will have crossed seamlessly into a new edition that we are planning. It will provide the flexible space that is so desperately needed for collections and library programs, community reading rooms and public training, quiet reading nooks and tables for group work. The Board of Trustees looked long and hard at the needs of the Central Library and what it would take to address them. We ask ourselves repeatedly, can we make better use of the existing building, can we move some of the collections to the branches, can materials be stored offsite? We looked back at the four previous building studies that recommended everything from abandon and move in 1959 to add 150,000 square feet in 1988. Since the first study, the library has made very few changes to Central, except to rent 95 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 29,000 square feet of office and processing space at Rodin Place in 1993. The Board of Trustees has decided we simply could not put a great library, a 21st century library, in the four walls of the present building. And after careful study and consideration, including a reduction of some 40,000 square feet from the original concept, the Board is recommending a historically-sensitive renovation of the existing building and the construction of a 180,000 square foot addition on the land to the north of the library, most of which is currently owned by the City and set aside for the library. This renovation and expansion will feature flexible new spaces to accommodate more people and programs than ever before and open access to special collections. We estimate the cost of the renovation and expansion to be $120 million. This includes 79 million in site acquisition, renovation, and new construction costs, nearly 11 million for information technology, 8 million for furniture and equipment, 10 million in relocation costs and fees, and a $12 million endowment to maintain the 96 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 new and renovated facility. That's a lot of money, no doubt about it. It will have to come from both the public and private sectors, in the same kind of partnership that has made it possible, and is making it possible, for us to renovate and add technology to each of the 52 libraries in your districts, the ones that I've visited. We need to finish the job by completing the Central Library project. The Free Library Board of Trustees is committed to building this public-private partnership to make this project happen for the millions of library users who are depending on us to provide 21-century library service in Philadelphia -- not only today, but for the generations to come. People have been planning for this for over 40 years. It is time to stop planning and start doing something. A great city needs and deserves a great central library.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to offer testimony to you today.
Thank you very much for your testimony. 97 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 (Applause.)
The $120 million is planned over what period of time? What's the life of the project?
It's five years, okay. And have you identified specific sources in addition to what is being asked from the City directly? Is there other sources of matching dollars? Is there a mechanism that we can understand as we move -- and I think it's a good time to be talking about it anyway because we're moving into the budget cycle and, you know, the capital budget and operating budget cycles. So we really need a little more specific information on what is anticipated or going to be asked from the City and what other sources there are that's available. And if you could flesh that out in your testimony, Mr. Bullard, I'd appreciate it. Please identify yourself for the record.
My name is Roland Bullard. I'm Chair of the Board of Directors of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. I am 98 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 also the President of FastShip, Inc., headquartered here in Philadelphia.
Working hard. I'm speaking today for the 33 members of the Foundation Board, some of whom are in this room with us. You've heard from Dan Whelan, Marcy Mellon was here, Linda Johnson, and Loretta Duckworth. The Free Library Foundation is the tax-exempt nonprofit organization that provides private support for special projects, programs, and services at the Free Library of Philadelphia, beyond those provided by public funds. Since '94, the Foundation Board has worked in close concert with the Library Board of Trustees and the Friends of the Free Library to craft the successful Changing Lives Campaign that secured $35 million in private donations to renovate the branch libraries. With the unique partnership with City Council and the Administration, $25 million in City capital dollars were committed to the branch renovation project. What a difference this 99 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 public-private partnership has made in our neighborhood libraries. Now, during the last two years, the Foundation Board has been working with the Library Board of Trustees and the Friends to develop the plans for renovating and expanding the Central Library, which Alec just described. We've often asked ourselves the hard question of where's the money going to come from? I'm pleased to tell you that the Foundation Board of Directors has committed itself to raising private dollars to help get the job done. We're currently establishing a fund-raising strategy to raise approximately $40 million of the $120 million total for the Central Library project. Now, these dollars, we anticipate, will come from individuals, corporations, and foundations in Philadelphia as well as around the nation. The Foundation Board established a strong fund-raising record in the Changing Lives Campaign, raising 35 million in private donations in less than 5 years. We are confident that we can reach our $40 million goal for the Central 100 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Library in a similar timeframe. But we need your help in securing the rest. The Central Library is a City landmark, an elegant reminder of the City's commitment to the education and inspiration of its residents. We've already begun discussions with the Commonwealth and the federal government. We anticipate and hope that that could provide up to $20 million in funding for this important project, but we all need to work together.
Right. So we all need to work together to find the additional funds. One thing that we do believe we can guarantee is a commitment to the Central Library project. That will make one of the best investments that we can make here for the citizens of the City. The investment will help to reduce school crime, return welfare recipients to work, decrease prison population, and educate the workforce. As we heard, it helps to build the 101 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 small-business sector, which is the life blood of the region, and it will enrich immeasurably the intellectual and cultural lives of our children, senior citizens, and their families. Although economic impact studies have not been done for public libraries, Glenn Holt, who is director of the St. Louis Library, did commission a study in '95 to determine the value of that library system to the City of St. Louis. That study determined that for every tax dollar spent per capita, $4 of business services were returned to library users. We think we can have a similar result here as well. When Governor Ridge visited the Free Library last January to announce its new literacy initiatives, he stated: "I don't believe that in the public service community there's an organization that stretches the public dollar further and maximizes the benefit of the investment better than libraries." We'll take him up on that. There you have it: the Central Library, which is in desperate need for renovation and expansion; a committed staff; a community of 102 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 users whose information needs are not only being met but where demand is exponentially increasing. We have neighborhood libraries that are now, thank goodness, through our Changing Lives Campaign, are now in better condition than the jewel on the Parkway. The three boards wholeheartedly support and are committed to working with you all to find the dollars for this project. Thank you very much.
Thank you. If I do the math right, our end would be 60 million over a 5-year period of time?
And I know I'll get in trouble for saying this, but I'm going to say it anyway. It seems ironic that the plans for the stadium, which moved over to the Jetro facility, requires the acquisition of four additional properties at a cost estimated at $54 million, and may go as high as 60. Simply building the Phillies facility on the North Lot of Veterans Stadium could save the money necessary to have the City's share 103 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 committed to this project over five years. (Applause.)
So, I mean, in that context, I'm sure that most members of this Council, if not all, are committed to getting this project funded and on its way over the next five years. The key -- the problem that we have is dealing with the strategy internally on how to have that done. And, again, I think that the sense of the Council -- and we'll try to get an overall sense of the Council in the next couple of weeks -- is that this is something that should and could be done, and we're committed to trying to see it get there. Councilman DiCicco has a question.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Great segue into my question. This was not planned or rehearsed, but when we speak about the stadiums --
Since we're Fumocrats, I'm sure they will say that. It's ironic also that the balance, the 104 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 gap, assuming you get the $40 million through Foundation money and the million between 4 federal and State, it would leave us with 5 $60 million. There's this so-called Children's 6 Fund that is a part of the stadium deal. I'm not 7 certain as what the Children's Fund will 8 represent. I would suspect that at some point in 9 time, all Councilmembers will be a part of 10 figuring out a way in which we could dispose of or 11 spend that $60 million, which may be kind of an 12 effort for all of us to figure out what districts 13 get what kind of money. And, again, I'm just 14 assuming that there will be this $60 million pot 15 of money, and the $2 million -- $1 million from 16 each team that will be committed over a 30-year 17 period for a Children's Fund, which adds up to 18 $60 million. 19 And I was sitting here listening to 20 this testimony, and I can't speak for the rest of Council, but I was thinking that what a great opportunity it may be to use that $60 million, or some portion of that $60 million, and dedicate it to the restoration of the Central Library, because this would enable all Philadelphians, all of the 105 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 schools, as Councilwoman Reynolds Brown stated earlier, about the linkage between the libraries and the schools, and we all agree that this would be a great enhancement if we can get the Central Library up to the level that it should be and how that could benefit the schools. Why not -- this is just out there for discussion, and I'm sure we'll have a lot more discussion going forward -- figure out a way in which possibly we can use, again, a portion of that $60 million, which is over a 30-year period, I understand, but there may be a way of leveraging some of that money for a special fund, Children's Fund, dedicated to libraries. Assuming that the stadium deal is approved -- and I won't make that assumption for all of City Council, but just assuming that it happens, it's already part of the plan or the deal that 60 million or $2 million a year cumulatively from the two teams will be dedicated to a Children's Fund. So we don't have to go back to them and say we need more money, or create something, a need for that. We have a need and we have a commitment. So I would think that we might 106 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 want to continue to look at that. And, you know, this money is spread all across the City. Every neighborhood, every school, every child, every family would have access to the benefits of that fund as opposed to maybe some portion of that Children's Fund being put into one district, into one Councilmatic District as opposed to another, or one neighborhood as opposed to another, and not get into the internal debate that we would all get into, all trying to bring more money back to our districts. So it's just a thought I had. And Councilman Kenney's question or statement, I mean, just kind of really led into that. And the other question I have is, although I've been in the Central Library a few times in the last couple years, I've really only been in the auditorium; I've really not been through the building. Is there any private coffee shop kind of thing going on in there? (Laughter.)
No? I thought that -- I mean, is that something that you're 107 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 thinking about? And I don't want to promote Starbucks or the other coffee -- I mean, the 30th Street Station is a great building and it's -- you know, they've figured out a way in which they can incorporate some private entities and generate revenues going forward.
One other thing. Before you do that, I would suggest that I think it would be appropriate for all Councilmembers that were interested, is that perhaps the Public Property Committee could organize a kind of a private tour of all of the areas. Those Councilmembers that are interested, we could maybe get on a trolley, go up at one specific time, have you walk us through the problem areas of the building so that we can get -- pictures are nice and testimony is very helpful, but I think it's good to see it. And also -- I mean, I've been in there a number of times from my youth into adulthood, but I wasn't always aware of some of those priceless collections and other things, obviously, 'cause they can't be shown, 'cause there's no 25 space to show them, but you really don't realize 108 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 it's just not books and other types of reading materials; there's a lot of treasures in there. And I think that it may be impressive Councilmembers to be able to see both the problems associated with the building and also what is kind of lurking down there unseen by the public for many, many years. Councilmember Reynolds Brown.
I just wanted to underscore Councilman DiCicco's remarks that the time is right, and there may exist an opportunity to have a representative of the library at least at the table to discuss the involvement of the library currently what you're already doing in the area of children and youth and to see how we can factor that into the discussions around the Children's Fund. So there will be some follow-up on my end to engage you and involve you in the dialogue and discussion of what that Children's Fund ought to look like. And we're both thinking along the same lines, of course, to ensure that that is the ideal and the expected scenario is that the disbursement and distribution of that 60 million, 2 million 109 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 over the next 30 years happens citywide.
Thank you very much. Mr. Shelkrot. If there are no other questions -- Councilmember Goode, I'm sorry.
Yeah, real briefly so we don't get people's hopes too much. We actually can't use the 60 million for the Children's Fund in any way that's going to flow back into the City, or else we can't float the bonds or the taxes on that basis.
I think I understand, but what I'm suggesting is that maybe the fund be set up as a foundation or a private entity, and they could figure out a way of getting the money back in. It doesn't necessarily have to go --
If it flows back into the City, if there's any perception that it may flow back into the City, the whole legal work around the bond issue makes sure that it has to be 110 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 tax-exempt and follow certain rules.
Well, again, I'm sure the Law Department and others may be able to figure out a way. I'm not suggesting it will happen, but I just threw that out as an idea. And I'm certain that there's a way in which they can figure out getting that money to them. (Inaudible.) The lawyers could figure it out for us.
If we float the taxes and bonds and have that money flow back in the City in any way, we jeopardize the tax-exempt status, and we end up paying more in bonds than we would normally.
I think probably what's important is the willingness and the desire to see it happen and try to figure out the mechanism to make it work. And whether it's the Children's Fund or we convince the Administration to go back to the North Lot of Vets Stadium or we do some other things, you know, as long as the will is there, I think there's always a way. Councilman Cohen.
I think the last 111 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 statement made by the Chairman of the committee is a very sound one. And to those who fought hard to get the idea of a Children's Fund established and supported, you're going to find many different groups at various times ready to spend that $60 million for purposes other than the original idea. So fight hard for it, Councilwoman Brown.
Because there will be lots of efforts made to switch it. I think maybe the library would help itself a lot if you could add the name "stadium" to the name of the public library, because my most conservative estimate is that from the City's general funds over the next 30 years, there's going to be an expenditure of something like more than a billion dollars for the stadiums. And I think that when we consider those kinds of things, we've certainly got to make room 21 for money for projects like this one. I think you've developed an excellent case, and I'd be very confident that it would have strong support, and I think the City's got a way to do it, 'cause it will just benefit everybody. 112 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. (Applause.)
Elliot, please, could you identify yourself for the record and proceed.
Certainly. I'm Elliot Shelkrot, and Mr. Bullard has to leave so why don't I just --
I'm Elliot Shelkrot. I'm President and Director of the Free Library. Let me just say that there is a cafeteria, it's real hard to find. It's, you know, a contract, a City contract, it's contracted, and it's on the fourth floor. So when I -- when we have that tour, we'll be sure to get you a cup of coffee in the cafeteria on the fourth floor.
I assume there's no 21 Starbucks; is that safe to say?
At this point, it is not, but that's a great idea. In Portland, it's a Starbucks.
I especially want to thank Councilman Kenney and Councilman Clarke for cosponsoring the resolution to have this hearing before the Public Property Committee. And I want to, right at the beginning, assure Councilman Clarke and other Councilpeople who are concerned about those four branches that are not finished yet, that have not been done. But the Weidner Branch -- the Haddington Branch is underway now. The Widener Branch, the Walnut West at 40th and Walnut, and the George Institute Branch are absolutely our highest priority. They have to be done. And if we have anything to say about it, they will be done. But we need to begin to bring people's attention to the issues facing the Central Library. And the resolution points out many of these inadequacies, the resolution calling for this hearing. The inadequacies to meet the needs of customers, to meet the demand for children's services, to meet the need for access to the wonderful things that are in our library but, as you have pointed out, are just not -- people don't know. The inadequacies of the Central Library 114 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 make it impossible for the Free Library to fulfill its mission, its mission as a -- to provide free and easy access to a comprehensive collection of recorded knowledge, ideas, and information. We can't do that within the confines of the Central Library as it is today. We will never be able to realize the potential of the Central Library as a mecca for children and families and seniors and business people and tourists. We'll never be able to share the collections that we own. Sometimes in library circles, I'm regarded as an iconoclast because I have said many times that a book on a shelf isn't any good; it's only when the book is used by somebody that its true value is realized. And that is the goal of this renovation and expansion program. We will never be able to use the outstanding resources or the expertise of our staff if we don't find a way to move ahead with this project. The library can play an essential role in resolving the digital divide that we know is facing our communities and communities across America, but it can't be done within the existing 115 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 structure of the Central Library. You, as members of Council, have been tremendously supportive in helping the library turn from being a problem in the City to being a part of the solution to the problems facing the City. You and the Administration have provided financial, political, and moral support as we've renovated an added new technology to the branches and regional libraries. Together, we've raised over $60 million in public and private money. The library has managed those funds so that neighborhood projects were completed expeditiously. And as some of you may know, those projects were completed on budget, on time (mostly), with union labor, and exceeded the City's MBE/WBE goals, and with the least amount the disruption possible in public service. There are, as I mentioned earlier, still four to go, and they are underway, the planning is underway, and we're moving ahead with those. City Council and the Administration funded the library's after-school programs and expanded the hours so that we could have our 116 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 libraries -- enable us to have our libraries open at least six days a week throughout the City. Council, the City and the State, as well as private resources, supported the growth of the information network that has brought all of our libraries on line. And, of course, there's the Independence Branch in East Philadelphia that should open in January. The Central Library is the next step, an essential next step in the commitment that is needed to assure outstanding library services for the citizens of Philadelphia for today and tomorrow. And we know it's a big challenge.
Today we have heard testimony from just a few of the people who care very, very deeply about the library; and, of course, there are many, many thousands more. Future generations of Philadelphians are depending on us to finish this essential renovation and restoration of library services to the fullest extent possible, a process that began in our neighborhoods. Philadelphians care, they really care 117 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 about their libraries. You as City Council care, the Administration cares, the business community cares. And certainly, you've heard from the boards -- the Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board, and the Friends of the Library. We must work together to finish this job that was started in 1995 when that first commitment was made to renovating the branch system. We need to work in partnership again, we need to create a landmark of civic pride, a landmark of learning on the Parkway, an engine of knowledge where future generations of Philadelphians are welcome and are inspired to learn, to know, and to grow. And together, I am sure, we can do it. And I thank you.
Thank you very much, Councilman. Mr. Shelkrot, one, I appreciate your 118 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 testimony. You and I have had an opportunity to talk about the proposal that you have laid out a couple days, and I apologize, I've been in and out of the room. I am interested in the project. I've spent a fair amount of time either physically in the building or on the phone, driving many of your staff crazy with my own requests for information. The $60 million, tell me a little bit more about, I guess, your thoughts on how that would be acquired or the source of funds for that. You're anticipating City capital dollars for that $60 million portion?
Well, Councilman, we believe, and our foundation believes and is committed, as I said earlier to raise $40 million. In our preliminary discussions with the State and the federal government, we believe that there is an opportunity for 20. We have not identified where that additional 60 would come from, but we know that we need, you know, the commitment of everyone to work together to find a way to do it.
Refresh my 119 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 recollection on the Big Change Project. I seem to recall numerous budgets ago there was a lot of perception about how that whole project was put together. I think the Foundation raised some money. Did you also obviously use some of the William Penn dollars? And then there was, certainly, some City money. What was the total price tag of the Big Change?
The total price tag of the Big Change, sometimes called the Changing Lives Project, was a total of $60 million. Of that, some 35 was raised from the private sector; and by the private sector, I'm including foundations and others. The other of that, 16 over 5 years, came from the City capital dollars. 17 I do want to mention -- 18
And that was 23 60 million total, and there are 54 libraries? 24
That's correct. 25 And I do want to mention that the 120 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 William Penn Foundation money, if we were to add that William Penn Foundation money, it was part of that 35 that went beyond that because it had purposes that were beyond the mere renovation and the putting the technology in the branches.
Now, is it also my recollection that in that same transaction -- and I think there was maybe a little bit of controversy with it but I think we ultimately worked it out. Some of the City dollars, did they end up over at the Foundation as a way of speeding up the work? I mean, it's a fairly significant amount of work that was all done pretty much at the same time, at least according to general City standards. Is that correct?
Yeah. There was a special arrangement that was made, worked with the -- out through the -- of course, with the City Solicitor's Office help whereby the Library Foundation was able to manage those monies, both the private money and the public money together. And as I said earlier, we believe that that is one of the reasons why the projects were able to be done as quickly -- and, again, using union labor. 121 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553
Yeah, I understand. And I think we used somewhat of a similar model to help speed along renovations for the new U.S. Airways terminal out at the International Airport. It's about a $500 million project. With regard to the $60 million, I'm sure you've heard on more than one occasion that we are starting to reach our debt ceiling limit on how much money the City can borrow. We've had a lot of that discussion earlier this year with the City capital budget and discussions about Veterans Stadium repairs and the like. In that context, have you explored the prospect of utilizing financing tools or mechanisms by outside quasi-governmental agencies or authorities for them to do a bond offering on behalf of the library, and then the City would then be in a position to pay the debt service on that and not have the $60 million go against the City's debt capacity? 122 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553
Councilman, we haven't begun to support that. It's my sense that once there is a commitment that we have to find a way to go ahead. Then the path is clear to begin those discussions with the various quasi- governmental organizations. But there needs to be a commitment that this is something that the City government wants to do.
Thank you Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon now. Mr. Shelkrot, in the earlier chart, I noticed the disparity in terms of the number of facilities in the various Council districts, and unfortunately, I was kind of low on the totem pole. Can you give me a history of how or why that happens and continues to be as such?
Well, to be honest, although I've been here 13 years, I don't know exactly how the history evolved. 123 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 I will be quite frank with you. In a meeting I had recently with now-Secretary Augusta Clark, she explained to me the political aspect of very powerful people in different Councilmatic districts over the years who -- what can I say -- made it happen through the processes of Council and the Administration, that there were additional branches built in their communities. The -- there certainly is an imbalance but --
We used to have a pretty powerful Councilman in the 5th District.
The reason I asked you about the history of it is 'cause, you know, it's clear that some of the facilities are older than the others and, I mean, it could potentially be that some of these were built 20, 30, 40 years ago, before any of us were here.
That's correct. 124 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553
Well, I think from a historic perspective, you know, in the last -- in the last years, the last years since I have 7 been here, there has been one new library built, 8 and that's the one up on Ogontz Avenue. 9
There is now to be 11 another one that will be opened in Councilman 12 DiCicco's area, and that is -- that will be opened 13 in January. But that's all. There have been no 14 new libraries built in that length of time. I might -- there may be somebody on the staff who can testimony how long it was before that that we opened a new library. How long? (Discussion among Mr. Shelkrot and colleagues off the record).
Okay, 1978 was the library before the one that opened on Ogontz Avenue. So it's been a long time.
So -- and I know, 125 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 you know, you probably can't answer that because you weren't here, but I'm trying to get a sense of the policy associated with facilities, I guess, in the past. Is it determined more by politics or by some set of guidelines as it relates to the population or the need? Or as we move ahead, you know, I'd like to get that number up 'cause that's a little embarrassing over there. And I just need to know, should I try and exert some level of politics or influence with my friends and my colleagues on this Council to get that number up? Or should I look from a policy perspective?
I believe that it would be from a policy perspective, not the library, but within City government, within Council and, of course, the Administration. The task has -- you know, when I arrived in Philadelphia, the policy of the Library Board had been for many, many years no new libraries because, and simply because -- it's not that they didn't believe that there was a need for libraries, but simply because the operating budget was being trimmed again and again and again. And what it meant was, there were facilities out there 126 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 but they were not really providing library services. I mean, my predecessor told me once it was, in his mind, a sham that we were calling these "libraries" because they were so poorly staffed. We have been able to staff our libraries now, as you know, and provide what I think is high-quality service. The challenge of building new libraries is a challenge of making sure that there's no only the capital money but also the operating money year in and year out in the future to provide those services.
If I could just add. When I first joined the Board of Trustees, one of the earliest debates we had was, because there wasn't enough money, how do you pick which branch libraries to close? I hope I never, ever have to participate in such a debate and discussion again. We were able to then initiate the Changing Lives Campaign so that we were able to keep them all open and, in fact, renovate them through the wonderful public-private partnership that was developed with the City Administration 127 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 and our fund-raising efforts. I don't ever want to ever see this city debating again which libraries to close.
Okay. Can I ask you a similar question that I asked Mr. White earlier about -- because of, you know, our operating budget and our limitations on the capital side that we look at some creative methods of assisting the individuals who head up these libraries throughout our various communities, that are not necessarily -- definitely are not run by the City of Philadelphia but are staffed most of the time by volunteers but simply don't have the materials to have a productive facility. So, you know, I would like to ask you to give me some help on that.
Sure, absolutely. And we -- Councilman, we have programs that are designed to help with that, and we'd be very pleased to talk with you about some of those community locations and organizations who need additional support with books and the kind of things our library services can do. So I'd be happy to talk with you or a member of your staff 128 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 about making sure that those community centers and those entities that are not, you know, libraries have those resources.
Thank you very much. Certainly, it is obvious, I'm sure, to you that the Council supports the library renovations. Of course, as you know, knowing my area, Mr. Shelkrot, I have to mention Walnut West or they will tie me to a tree and light me up. So could you comment on Walnut West, please.
Certainty. The Walnut West Library, as Councilwoman Blackwell knows very well, has been closed for several years now. It was planned to be renovated quite a few years ago, but when the work began, we found that there were structural issues there, that the workmen came out and said, We cannot continue to work there, there are things that -- it just was unsafe. 129 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 We are now -- I won't go through the whole history, but we are now at a point where -- where we are awaiting a final report with the dollars attached to it which, will let us know from a financial point of view whether it is best to tear the existing building down and rebuild or whether the existing structure can be saved and we can build within that existing structure. That report is due this week, that final report. We've gotten preliminary information, but without the dollars, which of course, are critical. We will then take that and work with the Space Allocation Committee and the City Administration, and we have had preliminary discussions with them, and we will move ahead and meet with you and talk to the community, if you suggest that we do that, about the next step. Whether it is a -- if we can financially and responsibly keep the existing building, that's exactly what we want to do and just renovate the insides and fix those structural issues that were identified when the project came to a halt several years ago.
Thank you very 130 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 much. And as you realize, the community wants to preserve that Carnegie building.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman Mr. Kerr, you outlined for us very neatly the formula that you are going to use that will move you towards the 120 million, with the anchor piece being public-private partnership. Much is to be learned from how other like-cities are addressing this type of challenge. Could either you or Mr. Shelkrot let us know how some of the other cities have met the challenge that you are now confronted with.
I can start. It's -- and I'm going to let Mr. Shelkrot primarily answer your question.
I think what we've established here as a public-private partnership 131 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 is quite unique because, as I understand it, in many other cities, either libraries have their own ability to issue bonds or they have their own independent tax stream that's dedicated to the library or whatever. So it's extraordinary, as I have met with other chairs of libraries around the country, how different the financial challenges are that each city has faced. And I'm sure there is some creativity that can be used here, as was suggested before. But I have not heard of anything quite like the public-private partnership that we were able to put together. And what was also unique here was doing the neighborhoods first. And that's something we're very proud of. And I'll let Mr. Shelkrot --
I have a list of a variety of main central library projects that were done over the last five to ten years across the country, and almost every one of them were done with predominantly public money. Again, it's -- you know, other cities are not faced with the bonding limitations that we are in Philadelphia, and it creates a different kind of challenge for 132 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 us in Philadelphia than it does in other cities. So, you know, the simple answer is, yes, many other cities used for the bulk of the construction and renovation bond money. But our situation in Philadelphia is different, and we have to figure out a way to solve the problem for Philadelphia.
And work within those limitations. One final question. In one of your slides here, you mentioned several constituencies. One of them was tourists. Share with me and for those of us who may not be aware of the kinds of ways that you engage tourists at the Free Library, which to me sounds a bit remarkable, that you've been creative enough to find a way to attract tourists to the Free Library Main Branch.
Well, I can tell you that our ability to do that is very limited because of the -- again, because of the physical structure. We have done some things. We bring in, for a speakers series that we have, about 6 to 8 in the spring and 6 to 8 in the fall, we bring 133 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 people in from New Jersey, we bring people in from certainly the suburbs. The restaurants in our area are delighted because they're always full that evening. But the opportunity for reaching out to tourists has not been met because the -- those things that we have in the Central Library that would attract tourists from all over the region and beyond, you can't get to. I mean, I think, for example, of -- we saw a picture of what that automobile history collection is. I mean, that has, as was stated earlier, the finest collection of shop manuals, owner's manuals, advertising literature, pictures, photos, designs. A car buff, whether it be a youngster who's working on a car or a person who collects fancy cars, across the board, that would be a major attraction to people if we had a way to make it visible and available for people to see. If we look at our theater collection, because, as was mentioned earlier, our theater collection -- you know, musical theater especially started in Philadelphia. There was a day when Philadelphia was the mecca of theater, just as New 134 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 York is now. And we have the pictures, the photos, the play bills of those days. And to be able to show those, it would be a draw for people, you know, from hundreds of miles. And it can go on and on. But the potential for tourism is there, but it just hasn't been --
If I could just add, we have one of the, I think, the finest collection of Beatrice Potter outside of the United Kingdom; people come to see that. We have an extraordinary prints collection, Arthur Rakum (ph.), really first-class, one of the finest children's collections. People would love to come and take more advantage of those treasures.
Thank you very much, gentlemen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you very much. Are any other questions? That brings 135 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 us -- I'm sorry, Councilman -- almost to the end. Councilman Nutter.
Thank you. Mr. Shelkrot, I do want to strongly encourage finalization to the Walnut West Library. Now, that is obviously in Councilwoman Blackwell's district and she has talked about it. I do want to lend my voice in support to that particular library. I've used that library in my younger days of my life, when I was actually, you know, kind of doing homework from time to time, when I wasn't at the Cobbs Creek library, but also when I was in college. That library has been closed for some extended period of time, and I know that there are some unique situations with a couple of libraries that are not completed. We've also talked about one in my district as well. It seems to me, though, that with the incredible amount of construction activity that is literally surrounding that library as it sits on the University of Pennsylvania campus, and with some of the recent things that we heard about the University project that I think for the moment has 136 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 stalled, it seems to me that between the City of Philadelphia, the Library, and the Library Foundation, and the University of Pennsylvania working with Councilwoman Blackwell, there is really not much reason for that library to be closed much longer. And the people out there, whether residents or students, should have an opportunity to go to that facility.
Thank you very much. That is -- that concludes our witness list. If there's nothing else from anyone in the audience, that will conclude our public hearing. - - -
We will now enter into our public meeting, and the Chair recognizes Councilmember Nutter for a motion on Bill No. 585, with a suspension of the rules.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that Bill 000585 be reported out of committee with a favorable recommendation and a further recommendation and a 137 11/29/00 PUB. PROP. PUB. WORKS - RES. 553 further recommendation that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next session. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and seconded. All in favor, aye. There are none opposed. Bill 585 will be reported out of this committee with a favorable recommendation and a request be made for a suspension of the rules to allow for first reading at our next Council session. Thank you very much for your attention. This concludes the business of the committee. Thank you. (Adjourned at 1:00 p.m.) - - - 138 C E R T I F I C A T E I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Wednesday, November 29, 2000, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of same. RE: COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, PUBLIC WORKS BILL NO. 000585, RESOLUTION NO. 000553 __________________________________, JOSEPHINE CARDILLO, Registered Professional Reporter