This spring, more than 400 area residents offered input to Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) on the Library services they’d like to see in South Jefferson County. And JCPL listened.
“We’re thrilled with the response we received from area residents,” said Pam Nissler, executive director, JCPL. “Their feedback is invaluable to us as we plan for the updating and expansion of services in South Jefferson County.”
The JCPL Board of Trustees has long acknowledged that the residents of South Jefferson County are underserved. With the November 2015 passing of a voter-approved mill levy increase, the Library has begun to address this issue; in fact, two of the Library’s 2016 strategic initiatives are related to Library services in this area. The first initiative is to plan for the refurbishment of the Columbine Library, scheduled for 2017; the second is to investigate the need for a future expansion of library services in South County.
In April, area residents were invited to help JCPL plan for these initiatives through an online survey and a series of community meetings. More than 400 residents weighed in on a number of topics, including:
- what services would encourage them to visit a library;
- what issues would prevent them from visiting a library;
- what they like about current Library services;
- what things could be improved;
- what they’d like to see in the future;
- what a Library should feel like; and
- how far they’re willing to drive for Library services.
These inputs will be considered as the Library works to enhance Library services. As a next step, JCPL will develop building and service plans for the Columbine Library remodel; hire an owner’s representative, architect and design firm; and come up with preliminary designs. A second set of community meetings will be held in the fall to solicit resident feedback on the design recommendations.
Residents are invited to view the Community Input Report and track JCPL’s progress on these initiatives at jeffcolibrary.org/locations/south-county.
