Tomorrow is the last day to share feedback about a dozen ideas for the future of Arlington libraries.
Arlington Public Library is conducting the survey as it seeks ways to serve the broader community beyond books and a quiet space.
More from the library website:
We invite you to participate in a brief 10-minute questionnaire to share your thoughts and opinions on a set of 12 potential services and experiences we developed with the community. Your input will help influence the decisions and tradeoffs we make to enhance our programs, collections and facilities to better serve you and the community. The last day to respond to the questionnaire is May 31.
“Together, we can make our library an even better place for everyone,” the library said.
The dozen ideas offered in the survey are summarized below.
- KidZone — a dedicated area for children aged 0 to 5 to engage in creative and sensory play, promoting social and emotional development while providing a space for parents to let their kids freely be themselves.
- Third Place Space — be the ideal “third place” for community engagement, offering evening events like music and reading, where residents can socialize and unwind.
- Citizens of the World — to serve as Arlington’s gateway to global connections, offering programs to enhance multilingual skills, cultural understanding, and community diversity appreciation through international chats, language support, and multicultural arts events.
- Student Union — dedicated spaces for teens aged 13-19, fostering civic and community engagement through partnerships with Arlington Public Schools, Parks and Recreation, and Human Services, offering programs like the Arlington Emerging Leaders Incubator for academic credit and various teen-centered activities.
- Career Compass — would connect Arlingtonians to career advancement opportunities, serving as a vital resource for those lacking access to career counseling, through partnerships offering accredited learning and certifications via the Arlington Employment Center, companies, and local universities.
- Convertible Kit-Carts — revolutionize the traditional library cart by enabling staff to offer versatile library services in non-library spaces like malls and hospital lobbies, providing books, games, tech essentials, cozy seating, and play areas for children.
- “My ‘brary Does What?” Installations — use a mobile truck with innovative branding to challenge residents’ perceptions of the library by bringing services like Makerspace Technology and the Library of Things to community hubs like farmer’s markets and public parks.
- Appetite for Learning — offer hands-on nutrition, cooking, and sustainability education through community engagements, enhancing continuous learning and promoting nutritional and environmental benefits while embracing Arlington’s multiculturalism, exemplified by cooking classes where participants prepare and share meals like spring rolls.
- Borrow an Expert — would connect residents with local experts for 1:1 sessions on diverse topics, allowing participants to earn badges for involvement, which are celebrated annually to acknowledge community growth.
- Remote Work Space — cater to Arlington’s large remote workforce by offering attractive workspaces with lendable technology, co-working tables, and phone booths, with industry-specific meetups like engineers gathering at Aurora Hills Library on Tuesdays.
- Community Collective — would bring Arlington residents together through activities like coffee meet-ups and park picnics to foster multigenerational bonds and dialogue, with initiatives like “‘brary on the Block” providing curated library collections and librarian-led book discussions in residents’ homes.
- Arlington’s Town Square — transform the library into a modern community hub fostering connections through features like the “My Communities” app, enabling users to join interest-based groups and message fellow members beyond scheduled programs.
Of those ideas, which sound the most appealing to you? Select up to three.
(Note that this is an informal poll conducted by ARLnow and you should still fill out the library survey to have your opinion considered by the actual decision makers.)
