U. chief luring library-upgrade funding

Some might see it as one of Michael K. Young's first big tests as the new University of Utah president — to get $48 million from the Legislature for the U.'s Marriott Library.

Young will try where others have fallen short in recent years.

In the past, fear tactics have been employed instead of emphasizing a need to improve a library that, technologically, some feel is stuck in the 20th century.

So far, Young has done his homework, meeting with lawmakers face-to-face long before the 2005 session begins, and the effort seems to be working.

In outlining her proposed budget Friday, Utah Gov. Olene Walker said she wants to put $100 million in surplus funds toward fixing up the Marriott Library and to help pay for a new library at Utah Valley State College.

"President Young has done a very good job of reaching out, contacting legislators, and that has boded well for the university on many fronts," said newly elected Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem.

It's a switch from last year, when U. students rubbed some lawmakers the wrong way with a "confrontational" phone campaign.

"I think we were a little in-your-face last year," said Alex Lowe, president of the Associated Students of the University of Utah. He added that students helped bring a lot of needed attention to the library.

"It just felt adversarial," Valentine said. The push last year was to raise the "specter" of the building falling down in an earthquake.

"That was counterproductive. It actually hurt the efforts of the people trying to obtain funding for the library."

Others see last year's approach as a valuable learning experience for upward of 900 U. students, who became part of the democratic process.

"I think people in general have a good understanding of the seismic problems with this building," said Heidi Brett, library public relations specialist. "They heard it loud and clear last year."

Brett said the new U. president is concentrating on the overall quality of what the library delivers.

Young's approach is diplomatic. His focus is more on creating a top-notch facility.

The U. is asking the state for about $48.5 million to make major seismic upgrades to the building and to build a state-of-the-art book retrieval system.

"It is indeed what we need the state's help with," Young told the Deseret Morning News.