SWAMPSCOTT — Town residents can help plan public library services and improvement projects into the next decade on Saturday, Aug. 29 during a meeting on the lawn next to the library.
The 11 a.m. meeting will include an architect presentation and plenty of conversation about the library’s future. The meeting rain date is Aug. 30,
4 p.m.
“The (public library) trustees decided that we needed a long-range plan to accommodate the needs of the community. They also realized that we needed some structure as to how to proceed with implementing those things that we would need,” said Library Director Alyce Deveau.
Coronavirus prompted the library to open a pickup window for patrons to obtain books and other borrowed material. But it offers a range of online programs and information resources and Deveau said the residents can offer ideas on the 29th for expanding and reshaping programs.
The meeting will be set up with socially-distanced seating and led by Ron Lamarre of Lavallee Brensinger Architects, who will outline the steps that are being taken to provide the trustees with a 10-year plan for the library.
“The trustees realize that we have a great library here in Swampscott, but know that we can make improvements in order to answer future needs,” Deveau said.
Topics the meeting will cover and questions posed to residents will include:
Are there activities or activity spaces the community needs to take place at the library? Are there services that need to be added? Which services are working well and what improvements are needed?
The planning discussion is scheduled at a time when the library relies on different funding sources to support its work.
The Swampscott Public Library Investment Trust was established by the trustees to raise money for major capital improvements to the library.
The Friends of the Swampscott Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that accepts donations. It is dedicated, according to the library website, to support the library by purchasing museum passes, providing a bi-monthly newsletter, and funding adult and children’s programming.
In addition to tax dollar support, the library also receives assistance through donation and gift opportunities as well as volunteer support for event planning, mailings, book deliveries and book repair.
Thor Jourgensen can be reached at [email protected].
