Rethinking Libraries for the 21st Century

What have we already learned?

In August 2007 a telephone survey conducted by the Center for Urban Initiatives and Research at UWM, and focus group sessions held in September 2007 revealed the following:

What the Public Wants:
More hours
Lots of parking
Meeting rooms of various size
More technology – PCs, WiFi, Laptop connections
More space to work, Segregated quiet space

When asked: Would you prefer many limited-service libraries or a smaller number of full-service libraries?
Fewer full-service libraries (62.5%)
Many limited-service libraries (26.8%)

When asked: Would you prefer a stand-alone library or a library located in another facility?
Stand-alone library (63.4%)
Library located in another facility (20.4%)

A Community Visioning Group made the following recommendations:
Expand partnerships and pursue opportunities to co-locate.
Redefine the library’s service concept.
Become “anchors” of learning campuses in neighborhoods around libraries.
Pursue big ideas, enlist partners, garner new resources to support libraries.