After three years in a new building, the Mahomet Public Library has put together a task force of community members to gather input on the future of the library.
“This strategic planning helps us determine the major things people want so we can put the money we have in the right places,” Library Director Lynn Schmit said.
The last five year plan expired successfully in 2010 when the Library moved from their Main Street location to 1702 E. Oak Street. The library staff used the last three years to settle into the building, become familiar with what people expect and how to operate services in the space.
The library staff has also spent the last nine months integrating and training on the new Polaris catalogue system.
The task force, which includes nine community members, three library board members and two staff members will present a short overview of services provided by the library to churches and local organizations before taking comments on what patrons would like to see at the library.
“We want to know what to look towards five years down the road,” Schmit said. “A large portion of our strategic planning will be on technology, and making the library technologically available to people and current with the times.”
Schmit emphasized the importance of gathering Mahomet residents’ opinions during the three month survey. The library staff and board are interested in learning about topics such as how people feel about the building, service provided and the collection. Any comments related to planning are welcome.
“We want this to be a very open discussion,” she said. “We want to hear what the whole community has to say. Everyone is welcome. Everyone’s opinion is welcome.”
In April, the library staff and board will take the information and put it into a five-year strategic plan, which will be available to the public by July 1.
Comments can be directed to Lynn Schmit at lbschmit@gmail.com or Kate Smith at kate@mahometpubliclibrary.org. Anonymous comments can be mailed to Mahomet Public Library, c/o Lynn Schmit, 1702 E. Oak Street, Mahomet, IL 61853.
