Questions from the November 9th Meeting

Here were questions posed as part of the needs assessment meeting on November 9th. Some of the previous postings have addressed several of these questions. If you are inspired by any of the questions below, we would love to hear what you have to say. All comments will be passed on to our library consultants.

How is or should the library be integrated within the overall public services of the city?

• What library services (books, seating, etc.) need improving?
• How should the library be serviced with regard to public and private transportation, parking and accessibility?
• How should the library serve and be complimentary to public education including home schooling?

What is your vision for the future of library services in Ferndale?

• What is your personal view of the future for Ferndale?
• How do library services fit in your view of the the city’s future?
• What are your priorities for library services—including books, media, magazines, newspapers, and community meeting and study spaces?
• What would you suggest be the basis for making the decision about the future of the library?

Current Library

• What would you like to see stay the same?
• What physical elements of the library need correcting?

Aspirations for the Future Library

• Green Building / Sustainable Design / LEED—do you support the integration of sustainable elements?
• What are security issues and needs?
• Integration of Public Art—is this important?
• How can the library best serve your personal needs?
• What role should technology play in the new library?
• What would be your top 3 wishes for a new library?
• What will you personally do to ensure the future library needs of the citizens be met?

Tell Us What You Think!

The Ferndale Library is bursting at the seams. Students using computers to do homework are bumped off because others are waiting in line, and 30 parking spaces fill up quickly when 600 people a day visit the library. It’s no wonder the library is busy; the community makes great use of it. Meeting room space is used by 59 different groups including the Boy Scouts, support groups, moms’ groups, the Literacy Council, and tutors. Space isn’t the only building concern: safety and security are issues in and around the library.

It has become apparent to Whatcom County Library System that Ferndale Library is not serving the community the way it could: it is just too crowded. The Ferndale community has also recognized this, and included the library in the Ferndale visioning discussion.

An anonymous donor understood the community’s needs and pledged $1 million dollars to the Whatcom Community Foundation to help the Ferndale Library. Now it is time to figure out what changes in the library are a priority.

The library belongs to everyone who uses it. Whatcom County Library System wants to know what you need in a library. The Ferndale City Council has authorized a needs assessment, and this blog is one of the tools we are using to gather feedback and keep you up to date with the planning process.

What kind of a library environment does Ferndale need? More computers? Study spaces? More meeting rooms? Space for children’s programs? More parking? Please let us know what ideas you have on how the library can support you.  After you share necessities, we would also like to know what your ideal library would be like.  Would there be a fireplace? A homework center?  A coffee shop?  Take us on a tour of your dream library!