“Twenty 20 years ago the way people accessed education and information, and even entertainment, was very different; and so the way people used the library was really different,” said Erin Straszewski, with Anoka County Library. Now Anoka County Library is looking to the future and thinking about what the library may look like twenty years from now. “We’re looking at the hours that were available and the services that we offer,” said Straszewski. So the library has a patron survey available. It asks which library people use, what services and programs they use, and if there are new ways to grow. “We’re always looking at – not only just the books – but also our special collections, and what people might want.” Right now those special collections range from music, to movies, to audio books, and even cookware, and there could be room for more. One patron asked if the library could start carrying tools. “So if you just have a weekend project, and you’re trying to get that done at home, but you don’t want to own those tools forever – then the library might be a great way to make that sharing economy happen.” With shifts in the past few years with working from home and distance learning the library knows that the community needs may have changed as well “Especially after the past few years, with the pandemic and the way people’s lives have shifted with work and education, we want to hear the best way that we can provide what the community wants.” The survey will be available on the library’s website through the end of October.
ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY LOOKS TO THE FUTURE
BLAINE – (Oct. 27, 2022) – Over the past few decades, the offerings at the local library have changed.
