More Than 1,100 Residents Surveyed By Library Task Force

The 21st Century Public Library Task Force's 7-week "Our Library, Our Future" community engagement period concluded Saturday, July 31, 2021, with more than 1,100 local residents having submitted survey responses outlining the features and spaces they'd like to see in a modern Manchester Public Library. In addition, more than 300 residents spoke with task force members at community events, nearly 200 people took a virtual tour of Mary Cheney Library's staff-only areas, and more than 1,400 visits were logged by the task force's website. Public awareness outreach was conducted in all nine of the town's voting precincts, with special efforts made to reach traditionally underrepresented groups and neighborhoods.

The task force sincerely thanks all "Our Library, Our Future" participants for their thoughtful and detailed feedback regarding what residents want to see in the future of the Manchester Public Library. The comments received will help formulate the task force's final report to the Manchester Board of Directors, which will be delivered in September 2021.

If any community members still want to weigh in on what a modern public library should offer in our town, the Library Advisory Board can be reached via e-mail at librarycommittee@manchesterct.gov. The inclusion of e-mailed comments in the final report cannot be guaranteed, but all comments will be read.