The Castlegar and District Public Library is currently looking for feedback from the community.
The library is encouraging residents from Castlegar and the district to fill out a community survey by Friday, Dec. 18. The results of the survey will be used to make future decisions about the library’s programs and resources.
“After we get those surveys back, we also do some focus groups with our stake holders: the staff, our volunteers, friends of the library, literacy groups in the community, local government,” explains Heather Maisel, library director. “Then the library board come together in January and do a planning session to come up with a plan for our next three years.”
So far the library has received 800 responses.
“Which is really great because it gives us a good idea of what people’s ideas are for the library, and what they like and what they don’t like, and suggestions for how we can improve,” says Maisel.
The library does a community survey every three to five years.
“Our cycles are getting shorter and shorter because so many things are changing, especially with technology,” says Maisel. “Five years ago, e-books were not popular, now they are hugely popular. So that kind of thing really affects what we can plan for, so we always want to keep in touch with what the community wants.”
Previous surveys have led to the library expanding certain parts of its collection, and have resulted in the book drop at the Castlegar Complex and Castlegar’s Living Library.
Those who participate are eligible to win gift certificates at Crumbs Bakery Café and Café Books.
“We really appreciate all the response and that people in the community really care enough about the library and our services to give us their honest feedback,” said Maisel. “It really helps.”
The full survey ran in the Nov. 19 edition of the Castlegar News and is available online at surveymonkey.com/r/cdpl2016.