LIBRARY/MUSEUM PROJECT COMMUNITY FORUM

Tuesday March 25, 2008

7:00pm

Mendon Fire Hall

A twohour round table discussion was attended by thirty-five people. The meeting’s purpose was purely togather information from town residents; any idea was a good idea.  As a means of encouraging dialogue,talking points were provided. Thequestions and comments they generated were as follows:

Ø What do you see as a timeline?  Given that one possible deadline isAugust 22 for a construction grant application, is it important to you to seethe project underway soon?

-Yes,it’s no longer a concept; it’s a project that’s in the works.

-Wehave an excellent location, secured Town property, to work with right away.

-Lotsof local talent is available now to assist us with the design and

implementation.

-Wehave a great opportunity this year for grant funds.

-Thisis the year, there’s commitment from the community, the Town Board and

the Town Supervisor.

Ø In an effort to provide value to all town residents,what programs or services would you like to see offered other than the lendingof books?

-libraryshould be a community gathering space.

-goodquality reading room

-slideshow/lecture/multi-purpose room, up to 30 people (community center for

larger groups)

-supporttechnology

-children’sreading room

-invitingareas

-kitchen

-youngadult music area – soundproof

-separatechildren/adult computer areas

-projectroom(s) for kids/small groups

-displayHistorical Society art, maps and photos on walls, etc.

-mediacenter

-computerwork stations, music/headphones capable

-lendingof media and use of media on site

-comfortablefurnishings

-youngadult area

-periodicalreading area (popular with seniors)

-storageand sales space for Friends

-vendingroom

-havelocal merchants rotate providing snacks

-outsidecourtyard with tables, chairs and garden

-coffee/snackbar in library

Ø In an effort to provide value to all town residents,what programs or services would you like to see offered other than the lendingof books?

-movies& popcorn on Fridays

-expandmovie & DVD section (why pay Netflix?)

-displayarea for community

-collectionideas: tools, toys, fishing gear

-beer,wine, food tasting

-nativeheritage

Ø What do you see as the greatest obstacle for thisproject?

-fundingconcerns

-demonstratingvalue to community

-taxpayerapproval

-howto use the original brick portion of the current library

-fearof “overdoing” the building

-misinformation

-theidea that libraries are obsolete

-raisingtaxes

-pooreconomy

-neighborson Locust, Monroe & Main

-fundraisingfor library building vs. fundraising costs for publicity

-singlepurpose vs. multi-purpose

-referendumvote

Ø Where do you think the greatest resistance will comefrom?

-residentson a fixed income

-townresidents living furthest from the library site, particularly those closest to

the Pittsford Library

Ø How do you think we can reach out to those that areresistant to find a way to “get them on board”

-concept/ideaof proposed facilities

-convincethat library is not needless duplication

-valuefor money

-promoteconcept of reinvigorating Village

-benefitto local business

-morebusiness = less taxes for residents

-publishgood welcoming image

-buildstakeholders: suggestion box, your vision

-moreto library than books

-publicinput outings at HFMP, Festival on the Green, etc.

-hostsocial events

-givespeople a reason to come to village

-providea breakdown of how a “per dollar” increase in taxes compares to gas

prices, coffee, etc.

Ø How do you think we can reach out to those that areresistant to find a way to “get them on board”

-explain/advertisethe way a community with a good library looks to an outsider/

new resident

-emphasizethe value of libraries, schools, parks and other public areas to a town

-share library usage stats so community really understands how widely thelibrary

is used

-greenbuilding saves $ over long run = win/win

-parkingfor the new facility will assist the Village with its shortage of parking

-identifynew services that current facility can not offer

-kiosksetting, i.e. grocery stores, etc. with a “consultant” to record their concerns

-weall share responsibility to not only maintain but improve “infrastructure” for

future generations, just as we have beenprovided for

Ø What types of fundraising would appeal to you andwould you help?

-namingrights

-askfor donors for special features (fireplace, etc.)

-museum/libraryties: historic house & genealogy info for a fee

-museum/librarysharing one facility expands grant opportunities

-sellbricks to supporters (arrange in a wall as if books?)

-plaquesmarking special donations (benches, trees, furniture, etc.)

-bucka duck “duckie drop” (?)

-silentauction

-“watchus grow” on postcard mailers, lawn, etc. *rising stack of books as

“thermometer”

-sellchairs, rooms, shelves, bricks…..

-donationsin memory

-inmemoriam tree, can add future branches and leaves

-“buya book” (paper book ornament at local stores), ornament to hang in local

businesses for donations of certainlevels

-kidsevent, get them involved in fundraising

-quiltauction for seniors

- allnight event for teens

-tryfundraising ourselves without hiring a professional

-hirea professional for capital campaign

-for adonation receive coupon for a local business with library receipt

Ø How do you think we can approach people regarding thetax issue, to help lower the sting?

-createa series of useful metaphors for cost comparisons, i.e. cup of coffee per

day, gallon of gas per week, etc.

-explain/advertisethe way a community with a good library looks to an outsider/

new resident

-emphasizethe value of libraries, schools, parks and other public areas to a town

-increasedtraffic in village = businesses to fill empty buildings = tax dollars

generated by business and not fromresidents

Ø What messages would you like to see included in aregularly scheduled postcard campaign (assuming costs are covered by a donor)?

-“it’sno longer a concept, it’s a project that’s in the works”

-“centerof education”

-“towncentre”

-“bringingus together”

Ø Anything else?!

-webads

-uselocal papers

-communication/inputto one location