The RPL Board meeting is at Regent Place Branch today Sept 25 at 4:30 in the Regina Market Mall at 331 Albert Street.
FRPL will be giving a presentation concerning obtaining information about the Central Library upgrading design process.
Come out and see the newly opened Branch.
8:00 – 9:00 pm: All-candidates meet and greet. Meet the mayoral candidates and city council candidates from all city wards.
Sponsored by Clean Green Regina, Friends of Regina Public Library, Making Peace Vigil, Queen City Tenants Association, Real Food Regina, Real Renewal, Regina Anti-Poverty Network, Regina and District Labour Council, and Regina Citizens Public Transit Coalition.
Eventbrite: http://electionforum.eventbrite.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/143149345828948/
NEWS RELEASE: Wednesday June 27, 2012
“No Plan, No P3 for Library”
REGINA — The Friends of the Regina Public Library were astonished Tuesday afternoon to hear that the Regina Public Library now has no plan for the rejuvenation of Central Library.
The Regina Public Library Board disclosed it had spent about $400,000 on feasibility and design studies, which became largely useless when the Masons declined to sell their neighbouring building. The work apparently provided no alternative plans, according to the Library Board Chair.
While the Friends would like to retain the existing Central Library building for heritage and environmental reasons, the need for some major renovations is pressing. There is a need for new elevators, a new heating system, a functioning accessibility ramp and many other upgrades.
“We find it troubling that is no alternate plan. These problems have been documented for many years,” said Jim Holmes, member of the Friends of the RPL.
The Library did commit to release the report detailing the reasons why the Board feels that the Central Library needs to double in size.
The Friends were happy to hear the Library Board has abandoned a public-private partnership (P3) for the Central Library. Chairperson Darlene Hincks Joehnck claimed the Friends would never understand P3’s but evidently she understands them well enough to know it is not a good idea for the Regina Public Library.
Without a plan, the Board does not foresee any public consultations over the summer.
“We are pleased that the Library Board has informed us that it will not be pressing for quick decisions and holding hasty consultations during the summer, a time when it is difficult for the public to participate,” said Joanne Havelock, Chair of the Friends. The Friends are hoping this means there will be no decisions made on Central Library until after the October Civic Elections.
The news was revealed at an RPL Board meeting held on Tuesday, June 26 after repeated requests from the Friends for information about planning for Central Library.
The Masons have just announced that they will not sell the Masonic Temple – they will be staying in their building.
Please join us for an evening with Saskatchewan Poet Laureate, Don Kerr
Doors open at 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at The Artesian 2627 13th Avenue, Regina. Everyone is welcome to this public meeting sponsored by Friends of the Regina Public Library. Donations gratefully accepted.
Don Kerr is a strong advocate of public libraries and heritage conservation. He is the author of A Book in Every Hand, which celebrates the history of public libraries and chronicles the struggles and triumphs of this world-class, made-in-Saskatchewan achievement. Don taught English at the University of Saskatchewan for forty years. He has written short stories, non-fiction, poetry and produced five plays. Don Kerr has worked for architectural preservation and has served on many organizations dedicated to culture and the arts.
The evening will include an update on the Library Board’s proposed redevelopment of Central Library and a public discussion of this plan.
For more information call 535-9570
Poster FRPL_Jun13_mini_poster
On Tuesday, May 22nd, The Friends of the Regina Public Library (FRPL) will once again ask the Library Board for more information about the plans for Central Library, and is challenging the Board’s assertion that it has held extensive public consultation.
“We are aware that there have been private discussions with organizations and with City Council members about Central Library, but these have not been shared with the public,” said Joanne Havelock, chair of the Friends of the Public Library. “What does the Library Board consider public consultations to be?”
FRPL is also recommending changes to the Library Board’s meeting process. In recent years, the public meeting has become brief, with the majority of the Board’s discussion held after the public meeting is adjourned. “Accepted practice is that human resources and contract negotiations are reviewed in camera, but other business topics could be discussed in the public meeting,” said Ms. Havelock. “This would make library governance more democratic, giving the public the opportunity to know what decisions are being made and why.”
The Friends is also requesting that the Board’s meeting agenda be posted in advance on the RPL’s website, and that minutes be posted in a timely manner.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Boardroom of the Regina Public Library. It is open to the public.
Plans are moving ahead on this project. FRPL is holding a meeting to discuss recent developments about Central Branch and determine next steps.
Thursday May 3, 2012, 7 pm.
Fellowship Hall, lower level, Westminster United Church, 3025 13th Avenue. Wheelchair access via elevator at northeast corner of the building.
FRPL made a presentation to the Regina Public Library Board on April 24, asking for information about plans for Central Branch. Covering letter FRPL to RPL Board – April 18, 2012 – letter – final Presentation FRPL to RPL Board – April 18, 2012 – presentation – final wih addition
A letter from the Library Director dated April 17, 2012 arrived after FRPL had met the formal deadline for making a submission to the April 24 meeting. Jeff_Barber_Letter_-_April_17,_2012
FRPL commented that the information in the letter did not provide enough detail and that the information should have been provided before the Library Board proceeded with its current actions about Central Branch.
The Board did not ask any questions or make any comments on the FRPL presentation.
The following is a LeaderPost article about the presentation. “Friends of the Regina Public Library cries foul” http://www.leaderpost.com/entertainment/Friends+Regina+Public+Library+cries+foul/6513882/story.html
On March 21, 2012 FRPL made a presentation to the City’s Executive Committee and then to City Council on March 26 expressing concerns about a new procurement policy for public-private partnerships.
The City’s Policy cr12-30 – City’s P3 purchasing policy
FRPL letter de12-27 – FRPL – purchasing policy
CUPE Saskatchewan Division presentation de12-26 CUPE presentation – purchasing policy
CUPE locals 7 & 21 presentation cupe7-21-brief – purchasing policy
City decisions cc0326-public-decisions – March 26, 2012
LeaderPost article “P3 funding alternative approved” http://www.leaderpost.com/news/funding+alternative+approved/6370168/story.html
Prairie Dog article “P3 or not P3?” http://www.prairiedogmag.com/archive/?id=1185
Friends of the Regina Public Library 