Thursday, May 7, 2009

Throwing Sand

Today, we held the “groundbreaking” for our renovation. Since the project is a renovation, we didn’t exactly break ground but in fact threw some sand. Morris Fisher, President of the Board of Trustees, Nick Mavodones, City Councilor and Former Mayor, Scott Simons, Project Architect and I, all spoke to the attendees. Below are my comments made this morning on behalf of our staff and in recognition of accepting this gift from all of those who believe in Portland Public Library.

> Throwing Sand - Steve Podgajny, Peter Benard- Ledgewood Construction, Morris Fisher, Scott Simons, Joe Gray-City Manager, Taffy Field-PPL Trustee, Nick Mavodones
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I first want to join Morris in thanking my colleagues for doing their absolute best to handle the many years, and episodes, of disruption – especially over the past year. To have the opportunity to thank people is always a delight regardless of the reason.

Today, on behalf of the Library staff at all of our locations, I want to express our gratitude. The employees of the Portland Public Library are among the most fortunate in public service - the beneficiaries of a true public-private partnership. It is a partnership that provides resources to serve the City significantly beyond what might be possible from solely public or private sources. We refer to this support as our “Margin of Excellence.”

This morning we celebrate this Partnership, because its fruits have given us a Library that, at the end of Phase I&II, will express widespread levels of quality and excellence unattainable through other means and at the top tier for cities of our size.

Without the selfless commitment of the Trustees and volunteers, as well as the support of the citizens, City Council and City Manager of Portland, the federal, state and county governments, and our hundreds of individual, corporate and private foundation donors, we would not be here today.

Next spring we will have the privilege of occupying new spaces to perform our work. When we accept this gift, the staff of Portland Public Library will also embrace two measures of accountability.
First, we will become the custodians of its physical care, a responsibility that will be there for all to literally see how well we are doing.
Second, and even more importantly, but much harder to see on a casual level, will be the fulfillment of our individual and group responsibility, to, day-in and day-out, reach the service potential that this new building presents in our efforts to improve the lives of our users and to strengthen the fabric of our city.

Boiled down to the most basic level: These two imperatives are individual and organizational, ethical and moral obligations that the staff incurs upon accepting this gift. We recognize and embrace your generosity and the expectations extending from it.

I believe we will make you proud as the receivers of this gift and once again, I thank all of you for your faith and trust in us.

Thank you.