Otis Library Hybrid Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 10, 2023
6:00 PM, Meeting Room, Otis Town Hall
The Library Public Forum was the sole agenda item at the monthly August meeting. This session was facilitated by Kristi Chadwick of the MBLC. We are grateful to Kristi Chadwick for these notes. Introductions began promptly at 7:05 PM.
Members in attendance at this forum included: Brad Havill, Diane Dyer, Sue Brofman, Celeste Watman, Donna Rich, Carol Reife, Ross Reife, Lyn O’Brien, Arlene Tolopko, Frank Tolopko, Deb Fogel, Carol Lombardo, Hal Kobrin, Molly Kelmelis, Sam Kelmelis, and Susan Ebitz. On Zoom: Tom Burke, Emily, Jim Adams, Kendra Rybacki, Lois Hall, Oscar Lanza – Gali, and Kerry Bean.
Otis Town Library Strategic Planning Meeting, August 10, 2023
“What are the library’s strengths?”
Get books from CW MARS system
Helpful personnel in the library, everyone is wonderful
Trying to get children involved in reading
Provides a gallery for exhibits
Provides computer skill assistance for patrons
Place for people to go for printing, copying, faxing
Place for Otis Observer and other community papers
Refuge for people to think and talk and come up with ideas
Provides space for a book club
Varied hours
Museum passes – good help to families
Public Wi-Fi inside and outside the library
Love seeing the children’s area – seating, bookcases, design
Library is community centric
Museum is located in the same area
Library is centrally located, easy to park
New director – good writer, warm and welcoming
Director is collaborating with other libraries for possibilities
New Friends group
Provided space for other Town departments as needed
Library Board of Trustees is active and hard working
Participated in Small Library Pilot Project
Family Friendly programs/parents with children
Support for diversity groups
Worked on community fair
Story walks for community
“How does the Otis Library already address community needs?”
Computers and technology help
Provides a safe space for assistance for patrons
Providing a space for historical commission and town
Provides a space to showcase community art
Kids art projects – pre-COVID
Curb service during COVID
Speakers program – very impressive
Provides large print books for visually impaired patrons
Diverse selection of materials (books, audiobooks, CDs)
Patrons use alternative media (DVDs, CDs, etc)
ILL very helpful and professional work
Committed staff and volunteers
Space is welcoming to community members – they can see others
Works with cultural council to bring other programs
Membership in CW MARS provides access to other libraries’ collections
Knowledgeable and welcoming staff – patrons always want to come back
“What community needs are not currently addressed by the library?”
Accessibility to space
Building is not handicapped accessible
Space for young adults
Space for art
Mentoring program for children/homework help after-school
Outreach to school/school trips to library
Adequate space for children’s/any activities
Integration of technology
More PR about programs – higher use of social media
Meeting space for tutoring
Larger collection
Career training/job services
Computer programs and classes – programs for all ages
Bigger room for speakers
More space for small group gatherings: games, knitting, etc
Expand offering of classes that interest the public
Saturday programs
Makerspace
STEM programs – Flying Cloud Institute
Lending Library – Library of Things
Kitchen space to teach cooking/cooking club
Outdoor space for activities and enjoyment
Comfortable seating for adults
Music programs/music room
Provide heating/cooling for community
More communication to community about future needs
“What opportunities exist for the library presently to create a stronger impact in the community?”
More advertising of the library
Town hall rooms for library programs
Town newspaper – keep using the director’s column
Town website/library website/social media – increase posts
Collaborations with OPT, COA, school, Historical Commission, new superintendent, homeschool
Create a teen group for the library (give them food)
School bus stop?
Communicate with second homeowners
Even more technology programs – especially for those over 60yo (share with COA?)
Hybrid programs – in person and online
Promote access to Boston Public Library
Participate and maintain a tent at the Farmers’ Market
Library helps sponsor online access to programs
Saturday morning gathering for toddlers/young children
Online & in-person game space
Lend game collections
Use Friends fundraising to assist with new collections/programs
Reach out for more volunteers from community
New library!
Work with Cultural Council grants for materials? Education
Homebound services
Volunteer job fair for town committees/civic organizations
Library attends town events/meetings
“What are some of the biggest changes/concerns you see coming to the community over the next few years?
Aging population
Homebound community
People leaving town, turnover of community
Work from home population is staying year round
Socialization is harder for community
Increasing technology transition – digital divide and balance of what exists
Modernization within town – new construction and upgrades, look of town will change
No jobs
No bank
Most services are at least 30 minutes away
Economics – costs are going up
Find balance between providing services and keeping “remoteness” of community
Lack of volunteers around town, town pride?
Transportation to services, especially for seniors
Find ways to welcome new residents
Should library and COA be combined?
Keep community informed about library needs
Meeting needs across age groups
No local services/jobs/public transportation
“If you could build a new library, what would your “ideal Otis Library”
look like? What would it offer?”
Spacious
Community space
Makerspace
Children’s area
Young adult area
Computers – fax services
Staff space/director’s space
Kitchen area
Fully staffed
Longer, expanded hours (summer hours all year)
After school programs
Convenient to school bus stops
mommy & me classes
ADA accessible
Art shows & music programs
Staff workspace
Comfortable seating – indoor and outdoor
Adequate parking
Outdoor program space
Kids sized shelving
Study areas
Central location in town
HVAC system
Environmental/Sustainable building/zero carbon footprint/solar panels
Chromebook cart
Hotspots to lend
Located near town hall – more shared space
Library of Things
Natural light/skylights
Magazine storage
Storage space to house collection items
Façade fits with community
Outdoor hold pickup/drop box
Moveable shelving
Final Thoughts/Questions (open discussion)
No existing economic/strategic planning for town? Could that limit the library for getting new land space for a library?
How can we attract new services/businesses to Otis?
How do we outreach to older students when they go outside of town for school?
Could we get school buses to stop at the library?
Shorter hours during winter are not conducive to after school attendance
Need to start talking to community now for a new library!
The library can bring the community together, be the heart of town.
Start communicating with Select Board and Finance Board