Title
Vote on a request to approve Chatham County Public Libraries submitting a grant application to the State Library to request funding to hire a consultant to conduct a community assessment.
ABSTRACT
Action Requested: Vote on a request to approve Chatham County Public Libraries proceeding in submitting a grant application to the State Library.
Introduction & Background: During the past twenty years the 3 branches have received facility improvements. Some buildings were refurbished and a joint-use library was constructed on the community college campus in Pittsboro. These improvements have benefitted the community by accommodating a growing collection of reading, listening and viewing materials, increasing access to technology, and space enhancements to provide locations for meetings, and programming for adults and children. After many years of being in a regional library, Chatham County became an independent library system in the past decade. During the past year the library partnered with CCPS to encourage academic success by developing the PASS program to create fine-free student accounts by using their school ID numbers to check out library materials.
The library staff's customer services skills were rated positively on the biennial survey. Each branch collects data related to circulation, program attendance, and general usage of the libraries. The statistics have indicated a disparity in attendance at events and in the number of items checked out.
Coming up with a plan to provide more equitable library services requires knowledge from a variety of sources. Input from residents, stake holders, elected officials, county employees, business leaders, agency members, and all community partners is necessary in obtaining an accurate picture of the needs of current and future library users.
Discussion & Analysis: Previously the library has benefitted by contracting with consultants who made recommendations about space needs, building requirements, organization...
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