Following up: more on the Jay-Z takeover of the Brooklyn Public Library's Central Library

So, to follow up on my essay yesterday in Common Edge, Jay-Z’s Unseemly Takeover of Brooklyn’s Central Library, let me address a few of the questions and comments that have surfaced, plus add some bonus photos. (And I may update this further.)

Waiting on line for the video section

Isn't this bad timing? First, the exhibition's closing Dec. 4. Second, the library just got hit with a budget cut. 

Well, sort of. I first pitched an article in July to a major publication that said no. My response was, "OK, but please do publish something on this, perhaps both a critical and a supportive piece."

Then I got delayed, and decided to wait until after the gala. Then it took a while to get this published.

Does the money raised make up for the (proposed) budget cuts? 

Nope. Rather, $1.5 million goes to the Books Unbanned initiative. The take from the gala, $1.5 million gross--which likely translates to $1+ million after expenses--presumably goes to the general fund.

Why do you suggest the $1.5 million from the gala is "less than you might imagine"?

Well, as reported, it's not much more than last year's haul, which, yes, was a 125th anniversary event. Moreover, when I randomly asked people what multiple they thought honoring Jay-Z would earn, it was several multiples of the previous sums. That didn't happen.

The sculpture for the cover of The Blueprint 3

Is Jay-Z himself giving another $1.5 million, as one commenter said she was told?

That certainly hasn't been announced, and it might be a distortion of the $1.5 million pledge that his foundation announced, in concert with another, which I suspect is contributing all or most.

That said, could Jay-Z offer $1.5 million after this closes? Surely, it's been worth that much. Also, I wouldn't bet against a mini-documentary to come out of this, just as one did regarding his opening Barclays.

Why do you care in the first place?

Well, covering Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park has attuned me to the role that Jay-Z--a micro-owner of the Brooklyn Nets who served as a useful front man (and gained even more himself)--played in winning public support. See my October 2011 article for Salon, Jay-Z's hip-hop of distraction.

So Jay-Z's star power and magnetism meant that library leaders made the decision to let his company Roc Nation deliver a "tribute" exhibition. (And yes, as a former editor at Library Journal, I care about libraries.) So the first thing I noticed was that sculptural version of the Barclays Center, which hardly told the full story of the arena that Jay-Z promoted.

But isn't it impressive that so many people found the exhibition meaningful, and visited the library?

Sure. And that's why many people, even those troubled by the exhibit, think it may have been worth it. I just think the costs and trade-offs have been mostly ignored.

Are you a fan of Jay-Z's music?

Well, I didn't grow up with him, though I've absorbed some of his hits by being a reasonable aware New Yorker. Working on this piece, despite all the criticisms I aired,  I grew to find (some of) his work even more compelling. And that's part of why I thought this was a lost opportunity.

What more could've been done?

Besides the lists of relevant books and articles, why not provide educational programming on Jay-Z? Even without offering listening stations--perhaps cumbersome/risky in the library--what about asking fans to contribute annotated lists of their favorite songs? 

As noted, this exhibit--dominating a major public institution--is aimed at Jay-Z fans, taking his greatness as a given, but it doesn't do enough to contextualize his work or present it to those not already inclined.

Or, as one commenter (who thought the overall exhibit a good thing) suggested, why not offer a class teaching kids to do music recording?