Since the settlement was announced, Gannon’s president has told the media, “With this settlement, it is reassuring to know that even those who opposed this project in the beginning support the additional Gannon programming agreed to in the settlement in the end,” he said.

As we have said many, many, many times, KOLP never opposed the project. We opposed the location. Full stop. And just because there is a settlement in place, doesn’t mean that our opinion on that has changed. It means that we saw a way forward for the library, the community, and taxpayers.

It’s also important to note that the settlement terms came from KOLP. When Gannon and the county executive had no compromises to offer, we were willing to take the case to trial. Any guardrails put in place and any contributions that Gannon now must make to the library in terms of programming were a result of ideas set forth by KOLP. One of those guardrails includes metrics to determine programming and attendance. It will be interesting to see if there is any data to back up the attendance claims that have been made to date by Gannon.

For more information, please check out this link: New Year, New Lease. And please help us retire out legal bill by using the button below.

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”

~Mark Twain

What do library users and taxpayers receive as a result of the lawsuit settlement? Despite what a few social media trolls may say, the lease is quite different from the original lease agreement of 25-45 years. BTW, I would commend the Erie County Public Library System to said trolls in order to find a better hobby than trolling on the internet.

Some of the settlement terms:

• The first lease term is shortened from 25 years to 10. No early out clause. There are a series of four 5 year options to extend the lease, should neither side wish to opt out.
• The leased space must be open for free to the general public for the term of the lease. We requested 80%/ 20% but they did it by defined space. It still works out–better if anything.
• Money from the lease goes to a special fund to benefit the library beyond the county share in the annual budget.
• Gannon no longer has access to the Idea Lab or any of the classroom spaces of the library.
• Gannon only has access to the common areas of the library (front lobby, restrooms, Admiral Room, Hirt Auditorium) that are the same as the general public. They are not given priority.
• Gannon agrees to staff, operate and manage Project CLEER.
• Gannon agrees to keep CLEER open for hours that the library is open.
• Library staff will receive informational training on new equipment, software or other elements of CLEER as appropriate, but will not be expected to staff the space.
• Gannon agrees to provide evaluation forms, and to collect regular usage data for CLEER in writing, including number and age of visitors, same of formal groups, programs conducted within the facility, etc.
• Gannon agrees to report on usage and report on it monthly (where applicable) to the Library Director and the Library Board.
• Gannon agrees to review and assess the effectiveness of collections, programs, and offerings of project CLEER with the Library Director.
• Gannon agrees to fund and commit faculty, staff and / or students to work with library staff on an annual library membership drive, in compliance with collective bargaining agreements.
• Gannon agrees to fund and commit faculty, staff, and/or students to work with library staff annually on a project, initiative, program, or series of programs in the library unrelated to Project CLEER.
• Gannon will provide information on how the public may access in person and online resources through Nash Library. Gannon will waive the community card fee ($10 for adults and $5 for public school students prior to this) for members of the Erie County Public Library . ECPL users may also schedule appointments with Nash staff for additional one on one assistance.
• The County agrees that no future lease, sale, or transfer of library property will happen without an extensive public process that includes placement on the library board agenda for review and recommendation at least 30 days before being presented to county council.

Don’t forget, these additions came as a result of the efforts of KOLP and your support for our lawsuit. Please consider making a donation to help us retire our remaining legal balance.

“Each new year, we have before us a brand new book containing 365 blank pages. Let us fill them with all the forgotten things from last year–the words we forgot to say, the love we forgot to show, and the charity we forgot to offer.”

~Peggy Toney Horton