Madawaska Valley Public Library wants community feedback this summer to develop its strategic plan for the next five years. Community input received in 2014 has guided the Library’s activities and it now wants to hear from you again. The Library Board asks that residents complete a survey by the end of September. Forms are available at the Library and will be at the Farmers’ Market in Barry’s Bay on Friday August 2. Residents can also complete an online survey by following the link below. Above from left: Frances Mawson, Karen Filipkowski, Councillor Mark Willmer (representing MV Council), Natalie Barrington.
Library Board Chair Frances Mawson told a community forum on July 17 that libraries have moved on from being just a place to get books. They have changed not just technologically, but also in the role they play in society. She said the Board wants to address the Library’s expanding and changing role in the community. This involves not only the building itself, but also what goes on in the building.
Forum suggestion “Lose the books”
In a brainstorming exercise at the community forum, Mawson asked participants to break into groups and “Think big” without any budgetary constraints. They responded with visions of a library complex with a community theatre, indoor/outdoor fitness centre including a swimming pool, language learning labs, music studios, healthy living activities, meeting and workshop spaces, and much more. Mawson also asked them to think of ways to achieve some of these ideas within the existing building which prompted one group to suggest that the library remove the books and go completely digital so as to free up space for other community purposes. Forum attendees also considered what places and organizations the Library could collaborate with to better serve the community. Responses included the municipality, mobile library vehicles, schools and sports facilities.
Library CEO Karen Filipkowski said the 2014 planning process gave them direction, and helped them see what was achievable and important. She said the two biggest limitations the library has had to deal with during the past five years are space and technology. Renovating the main floor space and adding security measures for the children’s area were among the improvements achieved since the 2014 plan.
Filipkowski said residents can speak to any Library Board member. They are: Frances Mawson (Chair), Peter Fright (Vice-Chair), Natalie Barrington, Shawn Eagles, Bill Houle, and Council representatives Andrea Budarick (for Brudenell Lyndoch & Raglan) and Mark Willmer (for Madawaska Valley). She said,
We are hoping for lots of feedback from the community. We’re really hoping those surveys get filled out. They are online and available in the Library.
Click HERE to complete an online version of the survey.