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Focus is on the FF library [UPDATED]
Published 6:54am Friday, July 27, 2012 Updated 11:58am Friday, July 27, 2012Focusing on the library
It’s been a month since I last wrote about the Fergus Falls Public Library Renewal Project. It’s time for an update.
In my last column about the Project and the Library Renewal Task Force, I shared some of the insights the Task Force and I received during the Public Libraries and the Future Community Conversations led by members of the Minnesota Library Futures Initiative on Thursday, July 21.
As I mentioned in that column, which appeared in the Daily Journal on June 28, approximately 50 community members attended the sessions and discussed current and potential future library services and correlating needs.
These public input sessions served as the “kick-off” for the Library Renewal Task Force’s community engagement process. With these initial sessions under their belt, the Task Force has now begun seeking input on library services and needs from specific community groups.
During the next several months, the Task Force will be conducting focus groups with seniors, families with young children, young adults, and other targeted community groups.
Basically, Task Force members will be interviewing approximately six to12 community members from each group about how they use the library now or why they don’t, what they like and/or dislike about the library and its services, and how they think they might use the library in the future.
Input the Task Force receives during these targeted interview sessions will help the Task Force and library and city administration assess the library’s needs to better plan for the future.
In early 2013, the Task Force also plans to conduct a community-wide survey.
Interested in being involved in a focus group? The Task Force has planned a focus group session for seniors at the Otter Tail Power Community Rooms from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10.
We are still looking for interested community members to attend this session. If you are interested in being a part of this focus group or a future session, please contact me at the library at 218-332-5776 or esmith@fergusfalls.lib.mn.us. We value your input.
For more information on the Library Renewal Project and Task Force, visit the Fergus Falls Public Library’s website: www.fergusfalls.lib.mn.us and click on the “Library Renewal Project” link.
See you at the library.
Erin Smith is the director of the Fergus Falls Public Library Director.
