Notes from First Meeting of Central Square Work Group

A meeting was held in the Central Square Library hosted by Fran Wirta with a large number of neighborhood residents to discuss the Central Branch and the Main Library and obtain input for future planning by Library 21.

1. When & How do you use the Central Square Branch?

Borrow, rather than buy
Also checks out CD's
Librarian can find it if item is not at branch
Location is important
Books on tape
Size fosters intimacy
Wishes library was open on Saturday in summer
on-line connects to main branch only, wishes it could serve this branch
Meeting room good and is only such location in the Square
Book signings
Computer terminal--need additional link to main on-line
Want wider range, particular of popular fiction
Computer/word-processing, particularly for children
Staff knows users personally, can make recommendations
Uses book request and reserve services
Walk in services

2. When do you use the Main Library? How accessible is it to you? What new materials are needed?

Tax forms available there
In fair weather -- she's a bike rider
Seldom in Cambridge, MA
Pick up videos
Magazine reading
Seats could be more comfortable
User finds wait list too long for popular new work
Reference use for high school students, helpful staff
Uses stacks
Author signings attended
Circulation is an issue
Main library has archival information on City
Teacher borrowing privileges on at Main
CD borrowing not as well-established in inter-library system
Magazines and newspapers in closed stacks
Opera music and scores should be together
Isolated location, not near T or busses
In winter, especially hard to reach
Telephone books, internationally
Newspaper collections better, more languages
FUTURE needs for knowledge; citizens use library as place for participation in govt.
Communications center, video hook ups to other cities
Teleconferencing
Community gathering place
Intercity communications

3. What would you like to see in children’s' services?

Latch key children not in regular after school programs
Literacy
Free programs are important
Enrichment
Safe local neighborhood place for local kids
International cooperation
Summer reading club, after school
Computers needed for success in completing homework
Facilitate volunteer participation and contributions
Where should children's services go?
--all branches
High school kids not allowed in library during the day
Better partnership needed with schools

4. How do we attract non-users

Attract through kids
Meeting spaces get people in the door; parking permits and other services bring people in
Community learning centers, ESL, adult education
Small business support: conference centers, etc.
Need for more information: health, pensions, etc.
Boring environment: design is important
Lack of knowledge about what is in the library
Kids: what would they like to hear, see -- lectures, authors
Depository for free or loaner books
Cable hook up so neighborhood can see local functions: City Council, School Comm
Cable broadcasts in general; use earphones? (Don't want to go to a bar)
Career resource center -- on-line workforce development

5. What kind of computer services do you want?

Internet connections bring many libraries around world to you
New technology: librarians have to deal with it
More electronic information: CD RAM, etc.
Computer terminals can be used as cable TV's
Hook ups of all city buildings are coming
How many terminals? Lots; hardware low cost space, training
Kids are falling behind if they're not computer literate
Schools open for community to use after 2:30; community sharing of resources; can health centers, public housing, schools, youth centers all be viewed as computer/library sites?
Sentiment for dispersing wealth of information, knowledge and access throughout the city

6. Functions: branch or main or both?

Heart (main branch) pumps stuff out to the hands (branches)
Branches are the preferred delivery spot

SUMMARY THOUGHTS

How do kids think? This is open door to using knowledge
Need a second catalogue terminal
More summer hours
Give up on big buildings
Library uses located close to where people are living
Branches have maximum services
Kids, close to home
Use non-profits to provide Internet training
Employment link to education to computer training
Computers, education
Cooperation with other organizations
$15 million could be used for staff development instead of a building
No bricks and mortar except to provide disabled access
Staff and equipment are most important
Weave library with non-profits and businesses, etc.
Give up main branch idea
Exciting shift in thinking about libraries
Kids of the future will be the smartest and most comfortable in the 21 century if the library has prepared them adequately.
Put library where use is lowest -- that's where people need it the most
Operations $ -- not bricks and mortar; staff need to run programs, instruct users
Allocate resources to neediest neighborhoods, e.g. Area 4
Bring back the Bookmobile