In February, the Pendleton Library Board initiated a process to complete a strategic plan to help direct the growth and service provided by the library over the next 3 years. As part of this process, a questionnaire was distributed to every household asking for feedback on the library's collection, hours, programs, technology and service. Whether or not you personally use the library, it is available for you, and we wanted to know your opinions.

Almost 700 people took time to respond and now we would like to let you know what will happen to all those great suggestions. 

A team of citizens worked with the Library Board to take your ideas, add some of their own, stir it all up with information about new trends in library science and produce a plan to make the library more useful and enjoyable for everyone.

BOOKS!

Most of you want books, books and more books. The New Book section will be upgraded in 2009 to make it easier to see what the library has recently added. New book lists will be posted along with best-seller lists from several sources.

THE NOISE ISSUE

You let us know that the library needs a space for quiet study. We will develop a study and seating area on the lower level away from the business transactions at the check-out desk and exuberant children arriving for Story Time!  Speaking of children, we are busily upgrading our collection of materials for children and improving the areas available to serve them.  Remember, the library is building readers - and "construction" can by noisy!

REFERENCE

We will attempt to schedule more help on the Reference Desk during evening and weekend hours.

OUTREACH

Your top three requests for new services were to the elderly, young children and teens.

This fall, we will begin planning an outreach program to bring library materials to the homebound  and frail elderly. By winter 2009 we will be working on service to teenagers and by 2010 we will expand our Children's programming to include babies and toddlers.

TECHNOLOGY

Computers are the tool of choice for many of you seeking information. The library has added classes on how to use the Internet and electronic resources to make searches easier. More computer classes will be added over the next few months.

Many of you commented on the positive changes you have seen in the library over the last year. Our new library director is determined to develop the library into one Pendleton's “must see” places.  Our goal is to provide excellent, effective service in a facility that is clean, bright and welcoming.

The library has an excellent staff and dedicated volunteers. They work hard every day to make sure the community has access to the kind of library service that helps identify Pendleton as a vibrant, healthy, literate place to live and grow.

We will do all we can to continue the conversation with you, the public, to ensure we are on the right track and to keep you proud. 

If you would like to review the full 3-year plan, please ask for a circulating copy at the reference or check out desk.