[For a pdf printout of this update, click here]
On April 14th, the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation hosted a community meeting about the County’s proposal to close Noyes. The following is a recap of that meeting and a short list of actions people can take to support Noyes. Thanks!Thank you all once again for coming out to support Noyes last Wednesday evening! Here is an update on the status of the Foundation’s proposal to the county and the actions we can all take. We are still in the midst of a series of meetings to get a budget resolved so that the Council can fully consider the Foundation’s proposal.
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION AT THE APRIL 14TH COMMUNITY MEETING AT KENSINGTON TOWN HALL
The Noyes Children’s Library Foundation – established in 1991 in a public-private partnership with Montgomery County to help fund the Noyes’ operating expenses when the County proposed to close Noyes for budget reasons – called the meeting to give the community information about the County’s proposed closure and changes to Noyes, as well as the Foundation’s “counter-proposal,” and how the community can help keep Noyes open.
#1 – In March 2010 the County announced plans to close Noyes in July ’10 for two years to save Operating Budget funds in this very difficult economic environment.
#2 – Meanwhile, the Friends of the Library received an $85,000 bequest designated for the enhancement of Noyes. With this bequest as the beginning of funding . . .
#3 The Library Department, with verbal support from the County Executive, announced that it would use the two-year closure to renovate Noyes for ADA accessibility and to re-purpose the Library as an “early literacy destination” modeled along the County’s existing Learning Discovery Centers and Baltimore County’s Storyville locations. The Director of Libraries met with members of the Foundation to discuss these plans and ask for the Foundation’s support.
#4 – In response, the Foundation proposed that it re-establish its public-private partnership with the County in order to help fund Noyes’ Operating Budget beginning with FY ’11 (as of July , 2010); raise funds to assist in proposed renovations; AND insure that Noyes will remain a circulating library by expanding that renovation to include accessible use of Noyes’ second floor for literacy activities and programming space.
#5 – The Foundation seeks community support for this proposal; community involvement in raising funds and awareness; AND the support of the County Council for the renewed public-private partnership. It is hoped that all parties understand that a community effort to enhance Noyes will help guarantee that it is not threatened with closure at every budget crisis!
PROGRESS
#1 – County representatives with whom we have discussed the proposal feel that the Council will be in favor of it as long as it is revenue-neutral – in other words, as long as the Foundation agrees to contribute the complete amount that MCPL designates as being saved if Noyes closes. This figure has not been determined yet, but will probably be around $100,000.
#2 – If we are able to keep the Library doors open as of July 1st, we will next join with the MCPL in researching and, if feasible, planning the proposed renovations and enhancements to the Library. These could include ADA changes, providing stairs and a lift to the second floor, and preparing the second floor for use by families, caregivers, and groups as an early literacy destination with features that complement the services already provided at Noyes, without compromising its character.
ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:
- Offer your services in setting up a website for the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation!
- Become a “fan” of SAVE NOYES LIBRARY on Facebook. Here’s the link to the fan page: http:www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Noyes-Library/109281445756528?ref=ts. When you become a “fan” you can click on “Suggest to Friends” so that others who are interested in supporting the Library can fan the page as well. Please post your opinions and/or thoughts about the value of Noyes!
- If the Foundation’s proposal is approved by the County Council, we will :
- hold a fun event at Noyes to launch our awareness and fundraising efforts, probably a Storybook Parade for children;
- begin planning an immediate fundraising mailing;
- and begin planning a future fundraising event such as a gala auction. All of those activities will require a lot of hands-on help!
- Write to all County Council members using your own words or this suggested template:
Dear Council Member NAME,
We are writing to ask you to support a proposal by the Noyes Children’s Library Foundation that will keep the Noyes Children’s Library open while proposed renovations are planned and funded.
On any given day, Noyes is filled with children from all over Montgomery County enjoying the rich and wonderful world of books. The Library’s book collection; activities such as puzzles, trains and make-believe toys; and its trained Children’s Librarians give children, families and caregivers precious opportunities to build pre-literacy and literacy skills.
The Foundation would like to provide the funds to keep the Library open for FY ’11 through a renewal of the public-private partnership through which it helped fund Noyes in the 1990’s. We plan to do all we can to contribute to this effort and ask you to support it within the County Council discussions.
Thank you,
NAME
address
Phil Andrews; councilmember.andrews@montgomerycountymd.gov
Roger Berliner; councilmember.berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov
Marc Elrich; councilmember.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov
Valerie Ervin; councilmember.ervin@montgomerycountymd.gov
Nancy Floreen; councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov
Mike Knapp; councilmember.knapp@montgomerycountymd.gov
George Leventhal; councilmember.leventhal@montgomerycountymd.gov
Nancy Navarro; councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov
Duchy Trachtenberg; councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov
IN CONCLUSION
Those of us who were involved in “saving” Noyes in the 1990’s remember that the community support for Noyes really energized Library users; added activities and programs that made the Library even more valuable; united supporters in a fabulous and successful group effort; and led to really fun events like the Gala Auctions! Hopefully we’re all ready to roll up our sleeves and work to make it happen again!
Thanks for your support. Please pass this along to friends and fellow patrons!
The Noyes Children’s Library Foundation
Jan Jablonski, janjablonski@msn.com
Sheila Dinn, dinnsofmd@aol.com