Greetings, library colleagues.
As previously announced, the Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) has engaged with a consulting firm, Blue Willow Consulting LLC, to conduct a statewide needs assessment. The role of public libraries within their communities throughout Pennsylvania is evolving, and to effectively serve all Pennsylvanians, it is crucial to understand the needs and expectations of Pennsylvania residents so that public libraries can be prepared to address emerging needs and future developments.
This project will assess the role of public libraries using a collective impact approach representing the views of individual Pennsylvanians, library leaders and staff, and other partners. The outcomes of this assessment will serve as a foundation for OCL’s efforts over the next five years or more in supporting library development and ensuring the provision of equitable library services for all Pennsylvanians.
The first portion of this project involved holding focus groups in July and August with statewide partners as well as library directors, administrators, and consultants. We are now in the survey portion of the project, and the survey to gather insights from the library field is currently open. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and does not ask for personal identification. If you haven’t already, please consider completing the survey by 5pm on Monday, September 30, 2024. This is your opportunity to share your thoughts about the future of public libraries!
If you have any questions regarding the survey specifically, please contact Survey@bluewillow.llc. And if you have any questions in general regarding the assessment, email me at hsharpe@pa.gov.
Heather Sharpe, MLIS | Director, Bureau of Library Development
Office of Commonwealth Libraries | Pennsylvania Department of Education
607 South Drive | Room 230 | Harrisburg PA 17120
Office: 717.783.0565 | Mobile: 717.903.1819 | www.statelibrary.pa.gov
The Bureau of Library Development (BLD) in the Office of Commonwealth Libraries supports libraries and library services for Pennsylvanians through the administration of state and federally funded programs and grant opportunities including LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act), Library Access, LAMP (Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians), the Public Library Subsidy, and Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities. BLD also provides advisory services, professional development, and continuing education for library staff and volunteer leadership at public, school, academic, and special libraries.
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