2016.01.13 Parks Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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RESOURCES AVAILABLE — Facilities require funding, not only for bricks and mortar, but more importantly for operational funding that allows the facility to remain open and offering service. A great facility open only a few hours is unlikely to serve residents well, whereas as an acceptable facility open greater hours may be more likely to provide superior service. Determining long-term public and private support can be the critical factor in advancing a facilities project. QUALITY AND LEVEL OF SERVICE — Because libraries today offer such a diverse range of offerings and services, determining quality of service can be difficult. Is customer service most highly valued or a large, easy -to -checkout collection? Or both? What are residents expecting and what do they have for comparison. Because Washington County residents are mobile and a high percentage use other metro area libraries, there may be expectations by some residents for Washington County Library services, hours and facilities to match or even exceed peer libraries in the region. NEED FOR ENHANCED SERVICES — In the strategic planning process, a number of community needs for increased or enhanced services that may affect facilities planning emerged. Particularly, these needs included increasing services for seniors, especially for training, programmatic and learning activities; enhanced spaces for programming, training, and meetings; newer or more innovative spaces for teens; flexible spaces for use by workers, small business owners, and self-employed individuals; and outreach to under -resourced households, and families with small children. These expressed needs have many system ramifications, but definitely point toward the need for more flexible, meeting/training type spaces across the system, as well as possible exploration of larger, enhanced teen spaces in at least some facilities. PROJECTED USE, AND TYPE OF USE, BY TARGETED POPULATIONS — This is a difficult issue faced by many libraries. Different populations use libraries at different rates, and use different services at varying rates. For instance, women and highly educated individuals tend to use libraries at higher rates than the general population, particularly for traditional services such as check out of books. On the other hand, outreach services, workforce development, or strong cultural programs may be needed and may have significant impacts on the households and individuals in particular communities. While full-service libraries have some offerings, such as strong collections, that may be used by the majority of communities within an area, determining the need to target the service needs of particular populations, particularly underserved communities, may be a critical factor in planning facilities and services.