Director's Message

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Library's Long Range Plan   

Some months back I wrote about the future of libraries and posed the question, “What is the right path?” As many of us are aware, libraries are heralding in a new age of services with the rapid change in technology and the expectations resulting from it. Yet, there are the tried and true traditional values libraries are long known for so how do you marry the two? Libraries want (and need) to be responsive and relevant yet not commit that fatal mistake of being too far out in front of the communities they serve. Kindles are hot and looks like the future but what of our old printed friend? And it doesn’t stop there. With limited budget and staff, here are some things you may want to ponder:

• What library hours would best fit my needs?
• What are the essential library services I need (want)?
• What are other libraries offering that I would like to see here?

Over the past few months I have been and will continue to conduct focus group sessions throughout the community in preparation for the library’s next Long Range Plan, 2013-2015. I have spoken with Palm Harbor Fire Rescue, Palm Harbor University High School, Palm Harbor Lutheran Church and others and have scheduled to meet several organizations in the next two months to come. In addition I have set-up up times here at the library on Monday February 13th at 2 pm and Friday March 2nd at Noon to find out what you think. These are the questions I have been asking:

• What library service(s) do you use?
• What service would you like the library to offer?
• What should the library’s role(s) be in the Palm Harbor community? 

It will be sometime in late spring when the Long Range Planning Committee convenes to review responses and best determine where next to take the library and perhaps  more importantly, how to get there. Once this has been accomplished, the new Plan will be posted on the library’s website.

During an informal in-house strategy session back in 2009, someone asked “what are we all about”? The response I heard never left me. “Our library is a destination site. We do change lives”.   

Please attend one of our open meetings or suggest a group I should visit. Of course you are always welcomed to respond to me directly at gene@phlib.org.

I look forward to hearing from you.