While Seattle has sometimes been criticized for becoming mired in its own public process, "Libraries for All" marks the culmination of the very best kind of public process. Responding to robust civic discourse and the thoughtful contributions of thousands of Seattle citizens, this plan is built upon an understanding of the needs and wants of the public that is both broad and deep. This is public service as it should be-soliciting open discussion and the contribution of new ideas, involving all stakeholders early on in the decision-making process, and then, in a timely manner, coming to a decision that is fiscally responsible and responsive to the high standards of quality we all want for our city. "Libraries for All" is an achievement in which we can all take pride. Clearly Seattle is ready for a more open, inclusive, and productive civic environment that will let us get things done.

There are a number of people who deserve my most sincere thanks for helping this process move forward. The General Services Administration and the Federal Courts did Seattle a much appreciated favor by giving us an additional ninety days to review our decision. Thanks to this additional time, today's announcement can be made in full confidence that no opportunity has been left unexplored and no question unanswered.

The deadline to the GSA's extension, as well as the hope for a place on the fall ballot, also required these last few months to be highly productive. That they were just that is due, to a large extent, to the skills and dedication of Tom Tierney, on contract from my office, who worked tirelessly with Deborah Jacobs and the Library's Board of Trustees. And as for Deborah Jacobs herself, no thank-you can possibly encompass the energy and bottomless commitment she has put into working with the citizens, the Board of Trustees, and the City to make sure this plan will result in a truly great public library system. We are all very fortunate to be the beneficiaries of the stellar abilities she brings to her role as City Librarian.

There is also another group of people to whom I want to extend my deepest thanks, and that is the thousands of citizens who volunteered their precious time to help build this plan. Their advice and suggestions and comments-their willingness to come out on rainy winter nights to help us work through a plethora of complex issues-are why we can give this plan its name, "Libraries for All."

Finally, I would like to thank the people of the Samis Corporation for their enormous investment of time and resources in exploring the various options considered for the "News Lane Block." I deeply regret that their generous offer of a partnership with the City was treated by so many with cynicism and suspicion. Strong, healthy cities are built on partnerships.

While there is certainly nothing wrong with open critical analysis or with respectfully rejecting such an offer, it is truly unfortunate that mistrust is so often the immediate and prevailing response. I am grateful to Samis for handling the situation so gracefully and I hope we can raise public awareness of this issue before we have trained our private sector that partnering with the City is not worth the trouble.

Early on in the process of choosing a site for the Central Library I considered the "Newslane Block" to be an opportunity for an inspired and exciting choice. While I still feel that way, I also have the highest respect for the process with which the Board reached its decision and I intend to support their work completely. I do believe in the open circulation of ideas and in the strong community decisions that result from that active give and take. "Libraries for All" represents just such a decision and I hope that we can now come together as a community and bring this plan to fruition.

From here on out, our collective goal will be to ensure that the citizens of Seattle get their money's worth in this project. As part of this effort, I win work closely with the Board to develop private relationships for funding. "Libraries for All" is a fiscally prudent plan and we will be calling on the private sector to ensure that the end results are of world-class quality. I am confident that this will be fruitful work.

Furthermore, I will also work closely with the Board on the design process of the Downtown Library. If Seattle is to grow with grace, we must step up our efforts to make beauty a part of our daily landscape. Our public buildings-our library perhaps most of all-make a daily statement about the values we share as a community. The investment we make in our new library should bring architectural excellence in a public building we will be proud to offer the generations to come.

Yet the downtown branch of the Library is only one part of the "Libraries for All" plan. Even more exciting and innovative is the tremendous neighborhood investment this plan contains. It is here that the public process has blossomed into plans for nine new neighborhood facilities, three of which will be in neighborhoods that today have no library at all. Seven other branches are to be renovated and expanded, and branches throughout the city will receive repairs and improvements or be relocated in more efficient facilities. This is where a clear call for better branch libraries has led to a reduction in the size of the Downtown Library by 55,000 square feet and a commitment to channel more public dollars to the neighborhoods.

To me, this proposed investment in the neighborhoods is a thrilling prospect. As a city of choices, Seattle must nurture each neighborhood's individual character and vibrancy. A neighborhood library-an inviting public space truly useful to Community members of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds can provide a wonderful centerpiece to local life. In a way that is different from the Downtown Library, a quality neighborhood library expresses our respect and appreciation for the importance of community. If we are to support Seattle's character as a city rich in diversity and local vitality, this kind of investment is essential.

Libraries are symbols, but they are also a very real and powerful tool. They reinforce the educational mission of our schools, they offer knowledge and information to any and all, and they play a crucial role in the ability of our citizens to compete effectively in the working world. There is no better investment we can make in the future of our city.