Library task force wants to hear from Manchester residents

Jun. 3—MANCHESTER — The 21st Century Public Library Task Force is getting ready to begin a community outreach effort to hear what residents would like to see in an updated library system.

The task force is preparing to launch its "Our Library, Our Future" engagement effort soon after analyzing data and older public surveys regarding the Mary Cheney Library. In addition, the task force has researched best practices for modern libraries, toured both the Mary Cheney and the Whiton Branch libraries, and consulted with library staff about what modern libraries need.

The group was established by the Board of Directors in January after the idea had been heavily discussed. The task force includes the nine-member Library Advisory Board and three other Manchester residents.

LIBRARY

Who: The 21st Century Public Library Task Force is working on plans to upgrade the town libraries.

Needs: A teen space; quiet study and reading spaces; more technology; more space for programs; more staff offices and workspaces; better accessibility for those with disabilities; more restrooms; and better parking.

"Manchester residents have spoken up over the years about the services they want to have available," Task Force Chair Stephen Ristau said. "Now that we've done the preliminary review work, we're eager to engage even more of the community about their own vision for a 21st Century library."

After pouring through that data and material, the task force has identified some obvious needs for an updated library system, including: a teen space; quiet study and reading spaces; more technology; more space for programs; more staff offices and workspaces; better accessibility for those with disabilities; more restrooms; and better parking.

The upcoming initiative will consist of a community survey available digitally through the town's Your Voice Matters webpage. Over the summer, residents also will have the opportunity to share their ideas during events and activities.

After this outreach effort, the task force will submit a final report to the Board of Directors that combines its findings with community recommendations.

"Other towns in our area with more library space provide modern services every day, even towns with less overall library usage," Library Advisory Board Chair Miriam Byroade said.

Town officials have been talking about library improvements for more than a decade. A referendum on proposed renovations to Mary Cheney Library failed in 2012, but there has still been agreement that the library needs to be revamped. The 2012 referendum failed largely because plans called for expanding the building in Center Memorial Park, which drew opposition.

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