Patrons plan future of Sisters Library

A town hall meeting at the Sisters Library on Thursday, November 9, brought out an enthusiastic and diverse group to help chart a future course for the library.

Facilitated by Margot Helphand, discussion topics ranged from community problems and their impact on library services to fantasizing about library offerings.

The 30 people assembled included Don Rowe, Sisters-Camp Sherman fire chief, and Celeste Douville, Sisters COCC Director. Pastor Ron Gregg, Dr. May Fan and school board member Heather Wester and many others also contributed to the evening.

Deschutes Public Library District (DPLD) held five town hall meetings over two days at the five library branches (Bend, La Pine, Sunriver, Redmond and Sisters).

General consensus in the Sisters meeting focused on improving youth activities, particularly for teenagers, at the local library. Suggestions for better partnership with local schools were also mentioned.

"Great spaces" for use at the library such as bean bag chairs, use of the outside area in warmer months and a coffee bar were mentioned.

Everybody agreed on the need for "tons" of new books and quicker access to books, particularly best sellers. Meeting rooms were also high on the group's agenda of needs in future library expansion. That expansion is scheduled in 2004 and estimates are for tripling the current library (2,550 square feet) floor space.

Technology was also stressed with priorities set for increasing the number of computers, more Internet access, audiovisual equipment, satellite connectivity with local schools and more books on tape. Easier library access from home via the Internet was also suggested.

Since 1998 DPLD has been an independent municipal corporation, funded with a dedicated tax rate (55 cents per $1,000). The library system is no longer a part of Deschutes County government.

Two members of the five-member DPLD Library Board, Pat Lawrence and Mary Beth Pearl, were present at the Sisters meeting to listen to citizen input.

The library district presently serves about 115,000 residents on a budget of $5.5 million and has a staff of 75 full time employees. Total library circulation exceeds 800,000 items per year throughout DPLS.

There also were suggestions from the Sisters group for better PR to keep local residents aware of various library services. Present services include books, periodicals, videotapes, books on tape, audio CD's, newspapers, a bookmobile (available next spring in Sisters area), computer classes, reference assistance, assisting teachers with preparations of bibliographies and research on the web and other activities.