Submitted by Berlin Free Town Library
Today libraries are faced with the possibility of becoming obsolete if they remain an institution that is only about the borrowing and lending of books. Libraries across the country and the globe are changing their models to stay relevant; they are diversifying. They view themselves as important community centers, but not just a place to borrow a book, conduct research or use a computer.
If there is one thing we have taken away from living through a pandemic, it’s that societies cannot stay healthy when they remain socially isolated. Libraries everywhere are becoming a place where people can gather, in person or remotely, over like interests, participating in activities and programs both educational and recreational.
With this knowledge in mind, in the spring of 2021, the Berlin Free Town Library set forth to create a long-range plan. It began by sending out a survey to 2,000 local residents gauging their use of and interest in the library, not just as it currently stands but how it could stand in the future. From survey results and feedback from a focus group, the Board of Trustees came up with three main goals to focus on:
- Broaden the scope of activities and services to appeal to a wider demographic
- Create an interactive, up-to-date online presence
- Create a more comfortable, user-friendly space
This year and over the next five years, the Berlin library is setting out to offer:
- Wide-ranging educational, informational and recreational programs on a regular basis
- Regular, ongoing activities such as chess club, knitting circle, game night and possibly table games such as pool or ping pong
- Special events such as bingo, open mic and concerts
- Adjust hours of operation to meet the needs of our user base
- Redesign our web platform with updated calendar of events, links to video and photo archives and access to online programming
- Create an internet café style atmosphere, with comfortable seating
- Create a usable outdoor seating and play area
In the immediate future, the Board is searching for a new director to help guide it in achieving the three main goals. It is replacing the old carpeting with vinyl plank flooring that is more conducive to art programs, dancing and food spillage. It is reconfiguring the floor plan, acquiring new computers and furniture and has started a chess club, hosted by Library trustee Isaac Coffie, every 3rd Monday of the month at 7 pm.
The trustees hope to achieve their goals through generous community financial support, grants and their endowments. The Library’s Board meets on the first Monday of every month at 7 pm. Meetings are open to the public, with a public comment period at the end. The Board welcomes any feedback and support to help the Library remain an important part of your community. You can also contact the Board president, Rebekah Lamphere, directly via email at president@bftl.org. If you have any special skills that you would like to share with the community in the form of a program, or any ideas of programs or activities you would like to see the library offer, that would be another great form of support.