Local committee gives library advice

Jim Anderson (left), listens during DPLS recommendations meeting. Ann Tollefson, Michael Gaston, DPLS Director and Mary Beth Pearl-Gent, local Sisters representative (center to right) look on. Photo by Conrad Weiler

Paul Bennett, Sisters Library Advisory Chairman, laid out his group's recommendation for a new Sisters Library at the Wednesday, November 20, meeting of the Deschutes Public Library Board (DPLS) in Bend.

"Seniors (must) have adequate and friendly access to informational needs using computers for research," Bennett stressed in his recommendation.

In order to accomplish this goal a second recommendation stated, "Seniors (must) be adequately educated in accessing and utilizing library resource information from electronic sources."

These recommendations come after months of interviewing workers and meetings and discussion of senior needs at Sisters Library.

Bennett spoke of his own difficulty fully understanding the setup of the DPLS web site: "It seems overly complicated and easy to get confused with and may need refinement."

Presently, Sisters Library has four Internet stations for public use but no formal training program. Library workers provide individual help in using the computers.

It is hoped that library expansion will help alleviate the problem by offering more computer stations and training. There are plans to expand the present 2,600-square-foot library to 8,000 square feet, but that may not be until later in this decade (around 2008).

DPLS is presently collecting citizen input suggesting sites

"The goal of this process is to locate the library where it will be used with the greatest frequency by the broadest segment of the population," said Michael Gaston, DPLS Director. Cost projections for the new facility are around $1.4 million.

Suggestions continue to trickle in from individuals and it is hoped that a site decision will be reached by spring, 2003.

There are five branch library advisory councils representing Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Sisters and Sunriver.

At the November 20 meeting, the Redmond group recommended consideration of providing better library services to Terrebonne residents who currently travel to Redmond for library use. This and the possible need for providing better service in east Bend have raised questions about the Sisters funding package.

Both Peg Bermel, Sisters library manager and Mary Beth Pearl-Gent, DPLS board member from this area, stated that, "The Library Board is committed to the Sisters project."