Seattle Public Library -Libraries for All Capital Projects home page

Libraries for All Index Library Home Page
Capital Project Information New Central Library Neighborhood Libraries Information for Architects, Consultants, Contractors & Bidders Oversight & Citizen Review Financial Summaries Archive Libraries for All Capital Program Office: capital.program@spl.org 1000 Fourth Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 206-386-4624		Bond Reallocation Ordinance, Background Information Return to Libraries for All Financial Summaries main page and other information relating to the bond reallocation ordinance. FROM: City Librarian Deborah L. Jacobs and Library Board President Gordon McHenry Jr. TO: City Council DATE: Nov. 9, 1999 RE: Bond Reallocation Ordinance Attached is background information on a $15 million gift from Bill and Melinda Gates to the Seattle Public Library Foundation. There has been an unfortunate spread of misinformation regarding the incorporation of this gift into the Libraries for All program through a proposed bond reallocation ordinance. Our commitment has always been to fully fund the Libraries for All program at $239.5 million. Not a penny has changed for the Libraries for All capital budget, nor has our strong commitment to involving citizens and neighbors as we build our libraries together. This sudden uproar has taken us by surprise. We have always been clear and consistent in stating we would need to raise $25 million to complete the Libraries for All program and there would be a need for this ordinance. It has been stated in written publications, as well as on our Web site and was discussed at a joint meeting of the City Council, mayor and Library Board in January 1999. The bond reallocation ordinance is a housekeeping measure that allows the Library to accommodate the generous gift from the Gates Foundation, while at the same time maximizing voter-approved bonds to benefit the entire Libraries for All program. Seattle Public Library is - after all - a system of libraries. The Gates Foundation has clearly stated that the gift was to be applied toward the Library's $25 million Libraries for All fund-raising goal. The Libraries for All capital fund-raising campaign is broad-based and encourages contributions to any element of the program. That is why the original bond-authorizing ordinance allows for rebalancing of the program as needed. We are working hard visiting neighborhood and reaching out to residents as we move forward building Libraries for All. We are doing this with an unprecedented level of public involvement and openness. It saddens us to hear accusations that we are doing anything but implementing Libraries for All to the greatest benefit for all the people of Seattle. We urge this ordinance be approved so we may continue our work of building Libraries for All - a plan that was developed through a creative and thorough public dialogue over how best to serve this city of readers for the next century. Content Modified: 15 November 1999 12/30/2005 © 1999-2006 - The Seattle Public Library

Libraries for All
Capital Program Office:
capital.program@spl.org
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-386-4624

Bond Reallocation Ordinance, Background Information
Return to Libraries for All Financial Summaries main page and other information relating to the bond reallocation ordinance.

FROM: City Librarian Deborah L. Jacobs and Library Board President Gordon McHenry Jr.
TO: City Council
DATE: Nov. 9, 1999
RE: Bond Reallocation Ordinance
Attached is background information on a $15 million gift from Bill and Melinda Gates to the Seattle Public Library Foundation.
There has been an unfortunate spread of misinformation regarding the incorporation of this gift into the Libraries for All program through a proposed bond reallocation ordinance.
Our commitment has always been to fully fund the Libraries for All program at $239.5 million. Not a penny has changed for the Libraries for All capital budget, nor has our strong commitment to involving citizens and neighbors as we build our libraries together.
This sudden uproar has taken us by surprise. We have always been clear and consistent in stating we would need to raise $25 million to complete the Libraries for All program and there would be a need for this ordinance. It has been stated in written publications, as well as on our Web site and was discussed at a joint meeting of the City Council, mayor and Library Board in January 1999.
The bond reallocation ordinance is a housekeeping measure that allows the Library to accommodate the generous gift from the Gates Foundation, while at the same time maximizing voter-approved bonds to benefit the entire Libraries for All program. Seattle Public Library is - after all - a system of libraries.
The Gates Foundation has clearly stated that the gift was to be applied toward the Library's $25 million Libraries for All fund-raising goal.
The Libraries for All capital fund-raising campaign is broad-based and encourages contributions to any element of the program. That is why the original bond-authorizing ordinance allows for rebalancing of the program as needed.
We are working hard visiting neighborhood and reaching out to residents as we move forward building Libraries for All. We are doing this with an unprecedented level of public involvement and openness. It saddens us to hear accusations that we are doing anything but implementing Libraries for All to the greatest benefit for all the people of Seattle.
We urge this ordinance be approved so we may continue our work of building Libraries for All - a plan that was developed through a creative and thorough public dialogue over how best to serve this city of readers for the next century.

Content Modified: 15 November 1999

12/30/2005