Lawrence Rudnick argues:
A quick look at the Metropolitan Council's summary of top-bond-rated cities
(www.metrocouncil.org/Region/ri121.htm) lists five cities with rankings
of Aaa or Aa1: Minneapolis, Dallas, Phoenix, San Diego and Seattle.
Except for Minneapolis, all four have breath-taking central libraries or
new ones approved or under construction. Pictures of these other
cities' jewels can be found at dallaslibrary.org/central.htm,
pac.lib.ci.phoenix.az.us/web/hoursframe.html,
www.sannet.gov/newlibrary/, and www.spl.org/lfa/central/design.html,
not to mention spectacular new libraries being built across the country.
So while I understand the concerns about potential risks to our
absolute top bond-rankings, I also know that other top-rated cities have
found it wise to invest in facilities that serve and inspire their
citizens.
I don't think many argue that Minneapolis needs a better central library,
but the above reasoning might be a bit incomplete. Other cities may have
been able to finance great libraries and retain their top bond rating
precisely because they didn't burden themselves with other costly subsidies.
Minneapolis may be in danger precisely because it has already used the
credit card on other things.
David Brauer
King Field - Ward 10 - still a reluctant library-initative supporter
