(The following information was provided by the Lansdale Library.)
Last month, Lansdale Library held two Community
Conversations as part of the Libraries
Transforming Communities grant received earlier in the year. One of the
conversations took place in person at the library, and the other was online via
Zoom. The topic of the conversations was “What can we do to enrich our
community?”
Library staff, who received facilitation skills training as part of the grant, led the conversations amongst seven people, a group of three on Zoom and four in person.
"While we had hoped for more participants to join us, based on previous conversations and data gathered during surveys, we feel the information we collected during these conversations is representative of our community," said Tom Meyer, Director of the Lansdale Library.
Adapting from The Harwood Institute's Ask Tool, Meyer asked five questions during the conversations. Children’s' librarian Lisa Green took notes for the Zoom session and circulation supervisor Denise Brackin was the note-taker during the session at the library. Library staff did not participate in the conversations — they just facilitated the discussions. Information about The Harwood Institute and their Ask Tool is available on their website, www.theharwoodinstitute.org.
Conversation Findings
Conversation participants want a diverse, clean, safe, accessible community. One that is connected, where neighbors help each other out, and there are plenty of activities for people from different backgrounds to gather together for learning and recreation. There is a strong desire to get involved and volunteer to bring Lansdale closer to this ideal. Participants aired concerns about traffic, litter, empty stores, and political divisiveness. They expressed appreciation for the library and its offerings. The library is considered a community hub.
The main concern uncovered during the conversations is a lack of unified communication. The library and other organizations in Lansdale offer plenty of activities, but it isn't easy to find out or keep up with what's happening in town.
Lansdale Library needs to communicate more often and through more channels than they currently do. The library can do more outreach and work with other community organizations to spread the word about what the library offers and promote the offerings of those organizations. The library could facilitate more meetups, bring back field trips, and coordinate opportunities for volunteering in the community.
"It's great to hear that the library is appreciated and
to know that there is a desire for the programs we offer," Meyer stated.
"We understand the need to improve our communications and will strive to
do so by increasing the number of messages shared and increasing the channels
we use to get our news out. We look
forward to reaching out to other community organizations as we work on this. These
two conversations are just the beginning of a process to align the library's
offerings to the community's wants and needs."
Libraries are unique institutions that are open to all. Everyone in the community
can use the library. Lansdale Library wants to hear from you. More
community conversations are being planned, and the library has created a survey
to learn more about how you would like to hear from them and what services you
use. You can access the survey online through https://www.lansdalelibrary.org/survey.
See also:
Manna on Main Street Seeks Frozen Turkeys, Other Holiday Items
Online 'Auction To End Hunger' Benefits Manna on Main Street
Variety to Hold Annual Fall Fest, Monster Mash Music Mania on Oct. 9
Community Mental Health Series Set For Christ Lutheran Church
Join The Parade: Lansdale's Mardi Gras Returns Nov. 20
