Amidst Uncertainty, East Lake Library Will Re-Open to Fanfare
(1 Mar 07) by Eric Gustafson, CNO Staff

Tonya DePriest calls herself a ‘cockeyed optimist.’ Perhaps that’s how this librarian finds space for celebration amidst dark days for Minneapolis Public Libraries. Local Government Aid, which provides 30% of MPL’s operating budget, was cut dramatically by the State in 2004, leading to lay-offs and closures. But residents had already passed—in the 2000 election—a referendum to fund a new Central Library and improve branch locations, including $4 million to expand and remodel East Lake Library.

East Lake Library (2727 E. Lake St.) will host a reopening celebration on Saturday, March 3 from 1—6 pm. I got a sneak peek inside the spacious and elegant new interior with Tonya DePriest, who I met years before the remodel when she was head librarian and I was an avid patron. At the time I was involved with CNO’s Land Use & Transportation Committee, and would serve as Corcoran’s representative on the design advisory team that in 2004 helped re-imagine East Lake Library. I asked Tonya a few questions during my recent visit.

Tonya, how does the new library reflect the changing neighborhoods it serves?
TD: You’ll recall that the design advisory team pushed for a Business and Career Center, and that’s a primary feature of the new library. Here we’ll have seminars aimed at entrepreneurs and job seekers, in English and Spanish. It also includes a collection of resources, computers, and a job listing kiosk provided by the Star Tribune. We’ve also created fun, separate areas for teens and for children, each with their own collection of books and their own computers. We’ll offer teen book clubs and Homework Helper. And there’s a cozy story time corner for children.

What are some other features that reflect input by the design advisory team? I recall Corcoran pushed for energy efficiency and sustainable materials, and more computers.
TD: This building has a lot of windows, and they’re all ‘Low-E’ to let in fewer UV rays, and to lower the summer air conditioning load. A rain garden east of the building will help absorb storm water drainage. There are over 30 computers available for use, and wireless internet access.

Has the Library taken any cues from the large retail booksellers that have conquered local independents, in terms of service or patron experience?
TD: In many ways, yes. As you enter East Lake, the first things you’ll run into are the new books and new videos. An information kiosk will be a prominent feature. We’re trying a new service model where you’ll no longer see librarians sitting behind desks. Instead you’ll find us out in the library, meeting you where you are. Also, there’s a lot of comfortable seating in this library. The teen area especially will be a place that’s fun to hang out. We won’t have a coffee shop, but Café of the Americas is very close by and outside beverages are welcome.

Our local video store is closing, due in part to the rise of internet-based rentals such as Netflix. But I’ve always marveled at how many films—including old, foreign and obscure titles—can be ordered through the Library catalog. How does today’s Library fit into the evolving media marketplace?
TD: We can never fill the shoes of the local store for providing movies on-demand. While our collection development policy doesn’t set out to “compete” with Netflix, we’ve always tried to provide what patrons are asking for. I use Netflix, mainly because they carry DVDs of many television shows that the Library does not. But in many cases the Library is timelier. For instance, I had to wait six months to get ‘Battlestar Galactica’ from Netflix. On the other hand, I was able to borrow the entire ‘Sex and the City’ series through the Library.

Are you in favor of the County-City unification proposal?
TD: I’m for any solution that will make us a stronger library system, and when I look at Hennepin County’s libraries, their hours far surpass those of Minneapolis right now. My hope is for a solution that will allow all libraries—including Roosevelt and the others shuttered in December—to go back to being open six and a half days a week. If that can happen under the county-city proposal, great; if it can’t, maybe something else will come along to make it work. I guess I’m a cockeyed optimist.

Tonya DePriest is Area Manager of East Lake, Nokomis, Hosmer, Washburn, & Roosevelt Libraries.