Leander Public Library supporters are envisioning new ways to serve residents in the next five years. With an average of 10,000 visitors per month, Library Director Priscilla Donovan said she would like to add more media and expand programs catered to community needs.

"As Leander continues its rapid growth, the library must develop along with it and provide the resources and programs our users need," Donovan said. "To make sure the library is moving in the right direction, we're encouraging community input."

This spring, library staff asked visitors to complete a survey about what services and products they most often use. The information, as well as any input contributed through August, will be used to design a five-year master plan.

"The library is an integral part of the community, and if there are some needs and demands that aren't being met, we can ask if some of those could be met by the library," said Bob Windrow, vice president of Library Systems & Services LLC, a partner of the Leander Public Library.

Windrow and other library supporters met July 25 and discussed the findings of the community survey, which showed most people visit the library to borrow books, children's materials and films. Donovan said she received many requests for electronic books, and she plans to add some to the library's collection by year's end.

"The reason we haven't gotten them is because I've just heard complaints about the platforms that are out there, and I would like to find the best platform," Donovan said.

The library is asking for community input through the end of August, though surveys are no longer available. Staff will present the strategic plan to the Leander City Council in October.

Leander Public Library

By the numbers

10,000 visitors per month

More than 43,000 items including:

• 35,200 print volumes
• 4,500 audiobooks
• 3,100 DVDs/videos
• 400 music CDs
• 24 public computers with Microsoft Office

Programs Offered

Weekly:

• Pre-K story time with George
• K–5 story time with Janki
• Toddler/pre-K story time with the Goddard School
• Baby play group
• Friday story time
• Bow-Wow Buddies reading therapy dog
• Draw, Write Now
• Beginning computer class
• Computer applications class
• GED classes

Monthly:

• Teen gaming night
• Adult book club
• Teen book club
• Junior high book club
• Kids book club
• Leander Writers' Guild
• Leander Knitters' Circle
• Travel Talks lecture series

Special events:

• Teddy bear bash
• Poetry contest/National Library Week
• Summer reading club
• Halloween trick-or-treat
• Winter Wonderland
• Tax preparation workshops