NP Interview #1: Minneapolis Library Board candidate Alan Hooker
Alan Hooker Interview: Quicktime Medium [21 MB] Small [13 MB]
Alan Hooker Interview: Flash [21 MB]
Alan Hooker Interview: MP3 [6 MB]
Transcript (comming soon)
On Sunday, February 27, Chuck and I sat down for an interview with Minneapolis Library Board candidate Alan Hooker at his home in North Minneapolis. It is the first in what will hopefully be a series of citizen journalism interviews with local leaders.
We talked to Alan about what the Library Board is and what makes it unique; why he thinks he'd be a good addition to the board; his plans for Library Board transparency; how he would deal with the library funding shortfalls; and his thoughts about the role of the libraries in the age of the internet.
For more information about Alan, you can visit his campaign website.
We're looking to do more of these interviews in the future. If you're interested in an interview, or have a suggestion for a good one, please drop me a line at look@recursion.org.
posted by Luke Francl @ 11:45 PM |
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12 Comments:
New Patriot: At the bleeding edge of citizen journalism. Without all the blood.
Hey citizen journos, where can I find out about the other candidates for the Library Board?
Good question. I haven't seen a definative list.
Stonewall DFL has a list of candidates who screened with them but I'm not sure if it's complete.
Cool: the MPL is in a dire state (even despite the wonderful new buildings) so this is something to watch.
BUT just to play devil's advocate: don't you think that when two DFL activists from a liberal blog interview a DFL candidate, it counts as something rather the opposite of "citizen journalism"? Sorta like a mini-Gannon, innit?
(except you're not being paid, of course)
It is ideological journalism. I don't pretend to be neutral. How could I?
I call it citizen journalism because I'm not a paid reporter, doing this for my job.
Also, I think my ethics are a little higher than Gannons. Maybe you think my questions were softballs, but I didn't ask, "How will your bold leadership result in bold changes for a bold new agenda at Minneapolis's bold libraries?"
Also, I should note, this is something of a new frontier. We're figuring it out as we go along.
Hmm, I never thought of myself as a DFL activist!
I thought Luke's questions (which are greatly simplified in the video) were very even-keeled and neutral. I don't think the approach was much different than what you might see in mainstream journalism, except:
(1) MSM doesn't usually get hyperlocal.
(2) We're not mainstream journalism, we're concerned citizens wanting to inform other concerned citizens.
(3) Longer, and essentially unedited.
(4) More focus on digital issues.
What should our role be interviewing candidates? What would folks out there like to see?
Here, I think we're simply providing a new forum for the candidate - making people aware they exist, and enabling a somewhat in-depth exploration of their views.
A conservative blogger interviewing Alan would probably question a number of his assumptions and answers. Likewise if we interview a conservative, we'd be more likely to challenge the views rather than provide a forum, I think.
I feel like we're providing a service here, but I also wonder how we might differentiate ourselves from the MSM. Being a blogger and documentary filmmaker, I wonder if a more informal/conversational aproach would be more interesting? Basically hanging out with the candidate while asking them some questions, but also getting some personal angle on who they are.
A few more notes:
1) Diane Hofstede, currently on the Library Board, is running for City Council.
2) Star Tribune editorial of Dec. 5, 2004: Bosses galore/Accountability, efficiency suffer"End the independence -- a historical accident -- of the libraries and parks. They should become city departments, with their budgets considered against other city priorities. Their boards, to which people of less and less ability seem drawn, should be abolished, along with the park police. This would also have the salutary effect of making city funds go further by eliminating the duplication that comes from having independent boards and bureaucracies."
3) A response to that editorial: Library Board and full-time council helped guide system through tough times
Yes, I meant to ask Alan about his opinion on that, but I forgot about that question, which is a real bummer.
I think the structure of the Minneapolis city government is a very important issue, and I'd like to hear what local leaders think about it.
I think it is wrong to end the independence of the Minneapolis Public Library Board. The Library certainly needs an advocate. I do think the management structure of the Library needs to be examined. This is where they are top heavy. Services have declined at the Minneapolis Public Library because of a concerted effort by management to keep the highest paid employees around while the staff who actually do the work to serve the public were the ones left to suffer layoffs. Look at the numbers from 2003 to 2004. Here's a list of the 11 candidates I am aware of: Rod Krueger, Laurie Savran, Gary Thaden, Sheldon Mains, Victor Grambsch, Alan Hooker, Eric Hinsdale, Virginia Holte, Laura Waterman Wittstock, Samatha Smart, Anita Duckor. Posted by an insider.
[quote]
At 1:16 PM, Jonathan said...
.. .The candidates aren't even listed on the city's 2005 Voter Information page yet.[/quote]
Candidates are not listed on the City website until after the official filing period is closed. That is after July 19, 2005.
T-bonham@scc.net
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