The Seattle Public Library brought its “Citywide Conversation” to the Northgate Library last night, and North Seattle residents came out in droves to share their own vision for the system’s future.
At the casual open house, attendees were invited to write comments on sticky notes and attach them to the appropriate questions, or to write them privately on a sheet of paper or respond later via e-mail.
But most of the patrons seemed eager to take part in the community aspect of the question-and-answer forum by not only writing comments on the boards about how they use the library or what they would like to see changed, but also by reading others’ comments and often even agreeing with them.
“I think it’s wonderful that people are being so thoughtful and that they’re taking the time to give us feedback,” said Caroline Ullmann (who, in full disclosure, also is the wife of Maple Leaf Life co-editor Mike), assistant director of communications for The Seattle Public Library.
She later said residents were still at the meeting when the library closed and its computer-controlled lights turned off.
There were numerous notes requesting more reliable funding and hours, which come on the heels of recent funding cuts that led to the closure of the Northgate branch on Fridays, in addition to other cutbacks systemwide.
Under one question, “What would motivate you to use the Library more?” comments included:
- Consistent Hours & Days of Operation, Open in Evenings
- Consistent hours – open Friday evenings
And City Librarian Susan Hildreth addressed the logic behind planning for the future during a time of drastic budget cuts, noting that in the five to 10 years it will take for these goals to come to fruition, the money will be back.
“Now is the time to really determine … what our community wants and what it really needs,” Hildreth said.
Ullmann explained that the strategic plan the library is creating, dubbed “My Library: The Next Generation,” is a yearlong process that will provide plenty more opportunities for community members to give their feedback, including focus groups and public forums through the year.
But Northgate Branch Manager Rekha Kuver was nonetheless pleased with the turnout at her branch. “This is the first step to getting our new strategic plan going and it’s kind of the most important because we’re unable to work without getting feedback from the public,” she said.
If you missed last night’s meeting but still are hoping to attend one of the “Citywide Conversation” open houses, there are three more chances: 4-6 p.m. today at the High Point Branch, 3411 S.W. Raymond St.; 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W.; and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, at the Beacon Hill Branch, 2821 Beacon Ave. S.
To respond via e-mail, write to strategicplan@spl.org or contact project lead Eve Sternberg at 386-1119.
