Summary for the
Library Master Plan Open House:  
YOUR LIBRARY’S FUTURE: CRITICAL ISSUES

February 26, 2005
Boulder Public Library's Canyon Gallery

 

Present to Host / Assist

Liz Abbott, Library Director, Mission / Role / Future of Libraries

Orlando Archibeque, Master Plan Committee (MPC)

Clara Burns, Library, MPC

Steve Clason, Library Commission, MPC

Perla Delgado, Spanish Language Interpreter

Ghada Elturk, Library, Outreach

Susan Hartman, Library, MPC, Budget

Mary Jane Holland, Library, Children’s / Teen Public Services

Ray Ingraham, Library, Information Technology

Derek Kiernan-Johnson, LBCO project team member (Survey)

Sharon King, MPC, (Survey)

Jennifer Miles, Library, Facilities / Service Delivery Models

Heather Ormsby, Library, Public Services

 

Overview

The Open House drew close to fifty participants, many of whom also completed the community survey being coordinated by Sharon King’s Leadership Boulder group. Information tables were staffed by library staff members for each focus topic area. Posters for each topic area provided a starting point for discussion and fliers offered further information. At the information technology table, a laptop provided visitors access to the library’s electronic collection and to the Master Plan Website.

Over fifty sticky-note comments were posted. Posting locations were provided for each focus topic areas, and well as an “other” location. An additional poster display offered a brief photo history of the library, and information about the Master Plan process.

At a staffed survey table, provided with a second laptop, a number of visitors completed the survey online. General library information and fliers were also available at that table.

Surveys were provided in both English and Spanish, and a Spanish language interpreter was present to assist.

 

Public Comment Summary by Category

1.  Mission / Role / Future of Libraries

• Collaboration with other institutions

• Consolidation of branches to Main

2.  Information Technology

• Favorable comment regarding Wi-Fi

• Request to limit computer use (time / type of use)

3.  Public Services

Requests:

• More Latino literature, programming, etc.; better quality new fiction
• More frequent cleaning of men’s bathroom; more comfortable reading space
• Clarify free parking for patrons
  

Favorable comments regarding:

• Exhibits
• Multicultural programming
• Film program

4.  Public Services, Children's / Teen

• More support for YA literature

• Larger Teen Space, better lighting

• More staff support for YA

• Reading classes

5.  Facilities / Service Delivery Models

• North Branch – several comments strongly requesting a North Branch

• Microfiche room – requests for various improvements

• Audio Books – requests for improvements in shelving

• Reading space – requests for more space to read in comfort

6.  Budget / Funding and Regionalization

• Support for dedicated sales tax, regional library district

• Suggestion for more PR / fundraising

• Suggestion to continue book sales

7.  Other

• Ban cell phones except in foyer

• Praise for used books and magazines

• Request for Manga materials (Japanese graphic novel)