The Creston and District Public Library is looking to the future — and the public’s input is needed to create goals.
“We need to set the direction of the library for the next few years,” said chief librarian Aaron Francis. “We need to know how people in the community want the library to allocate resources.”
Volunteers and staff will be out in the community through Feb. 4, asking three questions (and handing out free cookies) that will help with the process. With over 6,500 people using the library each month, answers are sure to be diverse, but Francis is looking forward to seeing what suggestions pop up.
“I want people to surprise me,” he said.
Since he began working at the library in September, a few needs have come up, including making the children’s area more inviting, and new bookshelves have been added to start that project.
And, in the spring, Francis wants to start a “living library” program.
“Information and knowledge are not just in a book or computer,” he said. “We want to set up a forum to share the knowledge of people in the community.”
That will be a step toward helping the library fill a vital role.
“We want to be the community’s living room,” he said. “It’s not just books, but a place where people can meet and share information. … The library is the centre of informal learning for the community.”
The survey can be found at www.crestonlibrary.com, and staff and volunteers will be offering it on Jan. 14 at the Creston and District Community Complex from 9:15-10:45 a.m. and the Canyon Street Walkthrough from noon-1 p.m., and at Extra Foods from 2-4 p.m. Jan. 17, Overwaitea Foods from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 18, and at the Canyon Street Walkthrough from 3-4 p.m. Jan. 21, noon-1 p.m. Jan. 28 and 3-4 p.m. Feb. 4.