Introduce Larry Dittman of Church Street Associates
Administrator Simpson updated the committee on the building plans and passed out the latest of the proposed plans – includes a two floor layout with the community room restrooms and storage in the lower level and the Library Museum and visitors' center on the first floor. It includes a shared lobby system which allows the building to be open and the various functions to be open independently. It would be an open concept similar to a mall. Administrator Simpson indicated he would pass along plans to the committee upon receiving a set for the August 15th meeting. That meeting is a joint meeting of the Library Board and the building review committee. Scot invited members to join the August 20 City Council meeting.
Member Haskins inquired about State and Federal funds available. Administrator Simpson indicated that State and Federal funds will be available. Federal funds are limited and State funds primarily through Community Development Block Grant Financing, particularly for the elevator.
Administrator Simpson introduced Larry Dittman, of Church St. Associates who made several comments to the committee. First of all less than 5% of funding nationally comes from foundations or corporations. Therefore, this feasibility study will focus primarily on individuals.
One main question to be answered in the interviews is “Why now?”. It is important for the consultant and the committee to have a clear reason of why this should be done now and why not in one year or two years vs. five years, ten years from now. In other words show both a present and a future value.
In the long term it is not important to discuss endowment. Endowment is typically something that is discussed by donors after they have made an initial capital funding. Doesn't recommend that is necessarily a part of the stated campaign goals.
Cost issues if possible should be talked about with the interviewees. First understanding that the council will likely be receive that information at their August 20 meeting. It will be important to have the interviews as close possible. The committee is in charge of coming up with a list of people's names. Important things to consider when developing a list are to include a list of value brokers - people that are perceived by the community to be leaders, varied opinions, age and gender balance, involvement in the education community, involvement of some of the potential larger donars. Although the purpose of these meetings is not to ask for any money, it's important to have opinions of people who are likely to be involved in doing that.
The committee is asked to put together a group of “must talk to” and secondary list to pull from in order to maintain the balance and also if some of the people on the “must talk to” list are not available.
Interviews are typically done over 2-3 days, especially in a small community. It's important to have the interviews be able to frame the issue, it's typical in small communities if you interview people in the mornings, by the afternoon those people have already talked to others, so it's good to keep everything together.
Location would be two spaces, relative confidentiality, allow multiple meetings to go on, at least two meetings at a time.
Later on a campaign committee will be formed.
Mr. Dittman passed out samples of other case books he has done. He will be putting a similar one together for Lancaster. He will put together a profile of the community and county in general as well as background information on the library and other users of the facility.
It will be important for the City Administrator to provide 11” x 17” drawings of the building. It will include at least 3 sheets – 1 each of site plan, floor plan and elevation plan.
Tentatively planning for 45-48 interview slots, likely from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
on two consecutive days.
Mr. Kurth indicated that Dorothy Chadd should be included as contact point previous to the interviews to speak about the museum.
Mr. Dittman suggested that the library board have a discussion about naming rights and whether or not they will be open to the possibility of naming conventions. Specifically discuss what, if anything needs to be carried forward with the Scheiner name.
It was discussed that there are several parts of this project that could be involved in naming rights. Specifically the center as a whole could receive one name and within that center several functions: the library, the history center, education center or community room, the performance center and the visitor center would be good opportunities for people. Mr. Dittman recommended in our literature letters that we keep spaces and names somewhat neutral.
Administrator Simpson is going to provide Mr. Dittman copies of the project binders and spacing analysis.
Mr. Dittman asked the letter be modified and sent out immediately without his review. He felt the committee was capable of doing that.
The dates selected for interviews are August 27 and 28. These meetings will be held in the Council Chambers, which will be broke into two rooms. Mr. Dittman and his associates will be conducting all the interviews. He asks that at least a short break be included in each day for a meal period but would be willing to do interviews from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Some interviews can be done off-site if required.
