Tuesday, 27 June 2017

Woodstock library is conducting a 'strategic planning' survey

Is Woodstock large enough for a satellite library?

With technology and downloading, what does the future hold?

By Mark Schadenberg
And the survey says . . .
The City of Woodstock is asking for your assistance, and in particular a series of questions are currently pondered as part of a survey conducted by the Woodstock Public Library.
At 40,000 residents is Woodstock large enough for a satellite library?
If the community has out grown the library at Graham and Hunter, do they plan an addition to their current facility?
Since this is 2017, what does the landscape of future libraries look like when you consider technology, computer stations, access to (hard copy) newspapers and magazines, and also current hard cover novels. Should the method of reading books be simply understood to be on-line or downloads. If music and movies are downloaded or streamed from the internet to a high portion, does a library have to continue featuring DVD’s and CD’s for its loyal customers.



What is the percentage of Woodstock people who attend the library for any reason on a consistent basis? In other words, families with small children likely love the story time and some adults would certainly be quite upset if the book clubs ever ended.
Your local library can also be seen as a gathering place.
What is your vision of the Woodstock Public Library for the next 25 years?

PUBLIC CONSULTATION
Thursday, July 13, 7 - 9 p.m.
Goff Hall at the community complex

If a secondary location was built it would most certainly appear at the northeast park called Cowan Fields where currently there are 3 ball diamonds, a playground and a splash pad, plus more than 60 acres of vacant space for indoor and outdoor recreation. The outdoor recreation will certainly include a basketball court and pickle ball courts, but what about indoor needs for the community? The recently completed recreation master plan would quickly draw a picture to say Woodstock most certainly does not need a 4th hockey arena, but maybe the Civic Centre Arena should be replaced.
A regulation size indoor gymnasium for youth programming could be part of a community focal facility which could / would include a library, meeting rooms and other uses.
By the way, you can place my name on the top of the list of people who would completely disagree with adding a full size gym at Southgate Centre near Southside Park as the 55+ social group wants a larger facility and hopes to attract a youth centre (user group) component at the same time.


LIBRARY
I have compiled a long list of amenities at the library and invite you to take the survey online, which is easily found at their website.
The Woodstock Public Library is a marvellous destination currently for kids of all ages, adults with any interests, and everyone else in between -- from reading clubs for adults to story time with hand puppets.
One final commentary, is that it is my opinion that their fee structure for late returns should be much higher. I’m guilty of returning items, and in particular movies I simply didn’t watch, without any real substantial penalty for late fees. A late return on a book should be at least 50 cents / day. With the ability to renew items online (unless there is a hold on it), there truly is no excuse for returning anything late.
The website is excellent for researching the database / catalogue, learning about all programs for all ages, surfing the internet, and even discovering local history.      
I have noted before that the Woodstock library should be applauded for its 50 week series of featuring 3 Canadian authors each weekly for a total of Canada 150.
As you will see from this attachment, the process of asking questions and listening will continue with public meetings on July 12 and 13.






LINKS:
www.mywpl.ca


Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative
Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES designation)
Royal LePage Triland Realty
Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage
757 Dundas St, Woodstock
(519) 537-1553, cell or text
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Twitter: markroyallepage
Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland

Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination

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