Goshen Public Library & Historical Society | 203 Main St Goshen, NY 10924 | Phone: 845.294.6606 | Fax: 845.294.7158 | RCLS Member
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What have we been up to lately?
By plnkh | April 6, 2007
In February we hired Communication Services of Albany, NY to help us get our capital campaign and public information program on track. Libby Post and her staff have gotten our engine started and the train is nearly ready to leave the station.
The need for us to hire a consultant has been questioned by a resident with the belief that voters tell us everything we need to know. Voter turnout, even for the controversial 2003 tax levy votes, has been very low (371 people voted that year, in a near record turnout).In fact, we have regularly been criticized for doing a poor job of advertising our vote. Since 1998 the Library has reached out to the community for input in a variety of ways (focus groups, community meetings, strategic planning sessions, surveys, one-on-one conversation) to learn what you are thinking about the library.
On February 22 we conducted 3 focus groups for about 30 members of the community, most (but not all) of whom are library users. Our objective was to learn their impressions of the library, its services, place in the community and needs. We learned that we haven’t done a very good job of getting information out to the community (we agree), that those of you who use our services are pleased with what we are able to do with the resources available to us, and that we need a new building (though there is concern about the cost).
Our first step towards improving communications thereafter has been a question and answer mailing that was distributed via local newspapers and direct mail. We have received very positive feedback on this and we already at work gathering the next round of questions.
We are working with our architect to develop a building plan and realistic project costs. We expect to be ready to present these plans in the late spring.
The tax levy for Our FY2007-8 operating budget will be voted on April 18. The budget issue of our newsletter, Reference Point, is at the mailing house and should be in your mailboxes next week. We have taken care to have the budget information available on our web site and to send out budget/trustee press releases earlier than usual to promote higher voter turnout.
Once the vote and trustee election are behind us, we will be back to work on putting together the referendum package you will be asked to vote on next year.
Topics: Announcements |
