The Masons have just announced that they will not sell the Masonic Temple – they will be staying in their building.
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 