Capital Campaign Feasibility Study
“When social infrastructure is robust, it fosters contact, mutual support, and collaboration among friends and neighbors; when degraded, it inhibits social activity, leaving families and individuals to fend for themselves.” -Eric Klinenberg, sociologist
The Request for Proposals
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is seeking to hire a professional collaborator to conduct and deliver a comprehensive Feasibility Study that will help us achieve a vision for libraries as neighborhood resilience centers through a joint partnership of public investment and private philanthropy.
TRANSFORMING LIBRARIES
A Case Statement for Infrastructure Investment in Saint Paul’s Public Libraries
The Saint Paul Public Library has developed a Facilities Direction that transforms library spaces in Saint Paul to meet the wants and needs of community members now and for the next generation. This Direction will transform three well-loved, well-used and well-worn libraries in Saint Paul that have not been renovated in more than 30 years: Hamline Midway, Hayden Heights, and Riverview. The plan also brings forward two visions for system-wide investment in all 13 library branches: creating technology-rich spaces as well as spaces for families to play and learn together.
Imagine gathering spaces in our communities for neighbors to meet and connect, for job seekers to access WiFi and resume help, for children to discover and learn through play, and for community members to work, study, and access services. These free, accessible spaces that welcome everyone exist in our public libraries. They are neighborhood resilience centers.
Libraries are essential to our social infrastructure. Through extensive community dialogue, Saint Paul Public Library learned community members—across demographics and age groups—see their library as a space for exposure to new ideas and people and a place to connect with others.
As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to welcome and invite community members back into public spaces and into connection with each other. People will need time and space to process, heal, and transform. We have an opportunity to engage community members, across similarities and differences, to reimagine, redesign and rebuild the library spaces they want and need—now and for the next generation.
Project Overview
The City of Saint Paul Public Library System includes the George Latimer Central Library, 12 neighborhood branch libraries, and the Bookmobile. Three of the neighborhood branches are outdated buildings that struggle to support their high use. These library branches have not been renovated in more than 30 years and require significant investment to meet and exceed the community’s needs and vision for its public library system. System wide investments in technology and play/learn spaces will ensure that all of Saint Paul’s libraries consistently fulfill their mission to welcome all people to connect, learn, discover, and grow. For more information, click here.
Estimated Total Cost: $22 million
Hamline Midway Library
Located halfway (Midway) between the downtowns of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, the diverse Hamline Midway neighborhood is home to engaged residents, large and small retailers, a private university, and a new professional soccer stadium. A community-informed, redesigned library would address the building’s space and technology constraints; poorly functioning mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; restroom conditions; significant accessibility issues; moisture and water infiltration problems; and more.
Estimated cost: $8.1 million
Hayden Heights Library
Located on White Bear Avenue in Saint Paul’s Greater East Side, the Hayden Heights neighborhood is one of the city’s youngest and most diverse neighborhoods, with 30% of residents under the age of 17 and the majority of residents identifying as persons of color. Renovations needed include but are not limited to: new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; windows, lighting, flooring, shelving and other furnishings; redesigned meeting spaces; improved technology capabilities; and exterior facade, parking lot, and landscaping improvements.
Estimated cost: $5.8 million.
Riverview Library
The West Side neighborhood is another of Saint Paul’s most diverse communities; it has a long history as the City’s Hispanic/Latino cultural, retail, and residential center. Nearly 1/3 of neighborhood residents live at or below poverty levels. Library renovations needed include but are not limited to: mechanical, electric, and plumbing systems; windows, lighting, flooring, shelving, service desk, and furnishings; redesigned community room and staff work areas; improved technology capabilities; updated restrooms and maintenance area; and improved exterior paving, concrete, and landscaping to better meet community needs today and in the future.
Estimated cost: $3.7 million
Technology Rich Spaces
Libraries play a critical role in digital access and equity. Technology within library spaces must evolve to keep pace with the needs of community members. All 13 Saint Paul Public Library locations and their meeting rooms will be enabled with technology to facilitate work and collaboration with outlets, projectors, video capability, and more.
Estimated cost: $1.5 million
Play and Learn Spaces
Investments in design can transform libraries from “shhh” to vibrant, interactive family learning centers. All 13 Saint Paul Public Library locations will transform children’s areas to include spaces for quiet and loud play that spark curiosity, imagination, and wonder for children, teens, and all ages, supporting social and cognitive development.
Estimated cost: $2 million
About The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is a catalyst for libraries to strengthen and inspire their communities. Established in 1945, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the work of the Saint Paul Public Library (a department of the City of Saint Paul) through robust fundraising and advocacy programs. The Friends invests in The Library because we believe learning is a human right and that libraries are essential to creating healthy, strong, welcoming communities. We are committed to advancing equity through all of our work – including this project – in order to be more inclusive and reflect the strength of Saint Paul’s diversity. We annually contribute close to $1 million to library programs, services, and initiatives and have raised nearly $20 million to support capital investments over the years.
Background and Scope
The Saint Paul Public Library has identified more than $21 million in funding needs. In these extraordinary times, opportunities for public funding from federal, state and local resources are being actively pursued. As is the history with all capital campaigns in which The Friends has participated, this campaign will ultimately succeed through a partnership of both public and private investment. The purpose of this request is, in part, to determine the level of private contribution – from foundation, corporate and individual support – The Friends can expect to secure through a vigorous capital campaign effort to achieve this vision for Saint Paul’s libraries.
A successful Feasibility Study will:
- Determine if key stakeholders (including library users), community leaders, and potential donors believe this comprehensive project is important.
- Identify how much / whether the community can raise funds to support the project at this time.
- Analyze The Friends’ existing donor base for prospective contributors to this campaign.
- Identify key messages and themes that resonate with potential supporters.
- Propose community-centered approaches to creating an inclusive campaign that welcomes, facilitates, and recognizes not only major gifts but financial contributions of all amounts.
- Determine whether The Friends’ staff and board are prepared and capable of achieving the campaign’s goals (planning, administration, solicitation, recognition, etc.).
- Provide an estimated timeline for achieving all fundraising goals and securing support.
Deliverables
- A written document summarizing findings, including clear recommendations and insights related to:
- Likely prospective donors
- Likely range of funds to be raised
- Proposed timeline for completion (both pledges and payouts, if possible)
- Insights regarding current donor participation
- Insights and proposed community-centered fundraising engagement strategies
- Summary of key messages
- Analysis of Friends’ staff and board capacity
- A presentation (undetermined whether this will be in person or virtual) to The Friends Board of Trustees (or Executive Committee) on findings and recommendations.
Proposals Must Include:
- Primary contact Name and Information (phone, email, address, website, etc.)
- Understanding of project (including vision, scope, deliverables).
- Project Approach (including explanation of process and methodology, proposed timelines for all deliverables outlined above, and description of any additional proposed activities).
- Project Responsibility (including clear description of duties you perform and those you expect to be performed by The Friends or the Library).
- Proposed fee and fee structure for all work described above.
- Summary of respondent’s capabilities, experience with similar organizations, experience with capital campaigns, and a representative list of clients (who may be asked to provide reference as part of the selection process).
- Respondents are encouraged to identify if they represent an enterprise owned and/or operated by women, people of color, or other groups that have been historically excluded from the benefit of full participation or consideration in this type of business opportunity or venture.
- Additional information you choose to provide (limited to two additional pages).
- Total proposal must not exceed ten (10) pages.
Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library to provide an equal employment opportunity to all individuals. We are committed to a diverse workforce and to diverse vendor relationships. We value all employees’ talents and support an environment that is inclusive and respectful. We are strongly committed to this policy and believe in the concept and spirit of the law. It is the policy of The Friends to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity to all employees or applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, status with respect to public assistance, disability, age, military status, genetic information, familial status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law.
To Be Considered:
Please submit your complete written proposal electronically as one document (Word or PDF preferred) to [email protected] by Monday, September 20, 2021. Proposals received after that date may not be considered.