CN-CFNBA Library Portfolio

“Creating Intelligent Business Campuses,

A Key for Urban and Rural Environments”

Welcome and Keep Coming Back!

Our Focus:

  • Milwaukee

Square miles: 97
Lake: Lake Michigan
Population: 602,782

Races:
White - 46.7%
Black - 39.5%
Native American - 0.8%
Asian - 3.6%
Hispanic - 13.3%

Population of People of Color:
57.2%

Poverty
Children - 41%
African American - 41%
Hispanic - 38%
Caucasian - 12%
American Indian and Asian populations are part of the 9% total that makeup 100%.

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CN-CFNBA LIBRARY PORTFOLIIO, a snapshot

The global internet environment is changing by leaps and bounds.

Milwaukee
People of Color and the Working Poor - middle class make up the majority of Milwaukee.

They are “invisible” as far as being connected to the wide/wide web.

Issue
Even though, the Common Council (15 Aldermen) and Mayor Barrett signed off on a 20-year Agreement in September, 2006 for a 100% Wireless Initiative with Midwest Fiber Network, LLC, People of Color and the Working Poor are dismally neglected.

At a time of high unemployment and crushing “poverty”, it is tantamount that a foundation is put in place for immediate access-connection, literacy development, communication, quality of life, economic development, problem solving and navigation.

In July, 2006, Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA added “Linking Wireless Technology to the Inner City Initiative” to address this gap - digital divide.

MPL/Milwaukee Public Library was recommended as the most feasible first level of access in August, 2006.

Research and review by Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA of the structured MPL and Federated connections supported a natural access for the citizenry of Milwaukee.

In October, 2006, the 5-Year Signature Plan benchmarked Milwaukee Public Library system as “the platform foundation” for Milwaukeeans, especially People of Color and the Working Poor - middle class to access the internet on a regular basis.

Over the last 12 months, significant day-to-day research conducted by Mary Glass, Research Director for 5-Year Signature Plan, supports the use of the public library system as the leader in access for Milwaukeeans.

It is already in place, tied to an annual budget funded by taxpayers, has done significant installation of WiFi and computer use/training to date.

Over the past year, research by has been conducted by Campaign Neighborhood - CFNBA thorugh the leadership of Mary Glass has been to look at some key areas for increased use of libraries of all description and making the libraries more “intelligent campuses” for the people.

Some immediate issues are:

  • a clearer focus of how best to provide customer care through community involvement and decision making.
  • connectivity with neighboring facilities - local businesses, schools and churches
  • coordination of services w/other providers; i.e., Milwaukee Area Technical College, University of WI - Milwaukee, other colleges and universities, law firms, federated system
  • cost of printing
  • community employment and volunteers
  • customer care - hours, training, flexibility, cost, digital options - dvd, cameras, etc.
  • e-commerce
  • e-learning
  • e-mail
  • ergonomics
  • EXPANDED HOURS
  • facilities update
  • laptops as options for use
  • less rigidity of rules for today’s stakeholder needs
  • literacy training – more often and more sophisticated
  • neighborhood investments - business, churches, schools, social organizations, business districts, neighborhood strategic planning areas
  • printing options increased - color
  • special environments - cell phones, earphones, document preparation, customized class training (MPL), customized class training (stakeholders), viewing of movies
  • teleconferencing, video conferencing

Oases
“We are about the business of building oasitic environments in desolate neighborhoods that are people and land fertile”, said CEO Mary Glass.

Use of libraries at the ground level and creating oases within neighborhoods that are without technology was specifically attached to the 5-Year Signature Plan as its vehicle for leadership in this area.

This year, 2007, we adopted the construction of “Intelligent Campuses”.

To benchmark this concept, our Media, Wireless & YOU Symposium theme was about creating Intelligent Campuses; and, our keynote speaker, Jim Carlini, keynote address was Intelligent Business Campuses: Keys to Future Economic Development.

We have adopted specific tracks for growth and begun research and dialog for the feasibility and viability of the following:

  • 2007/08 Theme - “Creating Intelligent Business Campuses, A Key for Urban and Rural Environments”
  • 1st Level Access - Milwaukee Public Library, Federated Library and Wisconsin State supported schools, namely Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College and University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
  • 2nd Level Access - Private college libraries
  • 3rd Level Access - Law Firms and other business centers
  • 4th Level Access - Construction of specific environments that utilizes the people, land, and today’s market needs for stimulating and growing employment in Milwaukee, especially in People of Color and Working Poor neighborhoods.

Keep coming back!

We would like your ideas and suggestions at:

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Last edited by mary.   Page last modified on November 11, 2007

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