We're learning lots

We really want to know what people in town are interested in having at the local library. Our goal is to direct staff time and energy to services and programs that will meet a need, rather than deciding abstractly on something we would like to offer.

This past Thursday morning, January 24, the Parents’ Focus Group met with 7 folks in attendance. Some great suggestions were generated plus a lot of ideas on how to get information to parents about programs being run by the libraries. The use of the schools to spread the word will be put into action soon.

On Saturday, Jan. 26 16 Mature Adults (not “seniors”) as they suggested the group be named, met to give us lots of opinions and ideas. The group was tech savvy, most of those involved have emails and are Internet users. With suggestions from adding a fireplace (we have two in the original building, stop in and see them) and a Starbuck’s café to offering more best sellers and even charging to use them, they kept the comments lively.

The same day in the afternoon there were four people present to bring issues relating to limits on access to the buildings and programs in the Disability Focus Group. By this point many of the opinions were shared by all the groups – limits to hours, days and spaces of both libraries were felt by these folks as well. Naturally the need for an elevator was expressed but this is something anyone on crutches or a cane needs, as well as the mom with a stroller, so it’s not limited to disabled residents alone.

Many thanks to all the Sheltonites who have come forward to share their time and ideas. It is encouraging to hear the nice things most people have to say about the staff and the collections. It is necessary to hear the criticisms and negative comments to fine tune staff time and funding for the best results.

If you will not be able to make a focus group, please send comments to the blog or email: elydon@biblio.org with “planning” as the subject. Community input will end the middle of February, after the final sessions on Feb. 9. So let your attitude lead the way – tell us why you don’t like something, where changes should be made, what additions would improve the libraries. Don’t worry about how your suggestion will be implemented, that’s the job for the planning committee, staff and library board. Just tell us where we are coming up short, brief comments are sufficient – we don’t need an essay answer.

The future is waiting…