Get involved
The in-person community conversations will be held in the Library Annex Room at 1011 S. Bagdad Road, Leander on:
- Aug. 27, 7-9 p.m.
- Sept. 5, 7-9 p.m.
Questions on the survey include asking residents how often and what services they use from the library; whether they have visited any other local public libraries and what amenities they enjoyed there; and to rate a number of programs, customer service and spaces. Parrish said similar topics will be discussed during the in-person town halls.
She encouraged everyone to participate in this feedback process.
“We want to know what they think,” Parrish said. “We want to hear from people who maybe only come to the library once a month, or just aren't here very often, or only come to vote when we have voting here. We'd like to know what they would want. What would bring them back to the library or have them come more often?”
Diving in deeper
Another question on the survey asks what spaces customers would like to see in a new public library.
Parrish said while there’s not a concrete plan to build a new library facility, the growth the city is experiencing is causing many departments to look at comprehensive changes to keep up.
“Within the library, and what I’m focused on, I know that we will have to make changes as we go forward,” Parrish said. “We will need more space; we’ll need more staff; we’ll need to increase our services, increase our collection, increase our programming.”
Parrish also said the plan will help the library maximize its current space and look at how they can better meet resident needs with what they do have.
What’s next?
The strategic plan will be completed by mid-October. It is being developed with a consultant from the nonprofit Partners Library Action Network, which helps libraries develop master plans and work on major projects.
Once the plan is developed, Parrish said she would present it to city administration and potentially City Council for approval before it is available to the public.
