Granby Library System 5-Year Plan Aims To Increase Visibility, Maintain Quality Services

The Granby Public Library system presented a five-year plan at the Granby Board of Selectmen meeting Monday, a long range collection of goals that aims to grow the library to meet the developing needs and changing uses of libraries in the 21st century.

Major themes presented in the plan were visibility, promotion and education about library resources, locating and utilizing alternative funding streams to improve the library and its offerings and meeting the growing demand for technology available at the library.

Created by the library’s long-range planning committee, the plan involves locating funding from outside the town budget as well as seeking “capital budget allocations for non-operational expenses,” according to the report.

Increasing the visibility of both the Granby Public Library and Cossitt Library is a major focus of the plan, with an emphasis on marketing the library system and expanding its outreach program. The creation of a library or even town-wide marketing position was discussed, as was increasing the library’s presence at town events. The technology improvement aspect of the plan also involves promoting the technology resources available at the Granby Public Library.

The committee wants to normalize the library’s hours of operation, which have been a source of confusion for Granby residents according to comments made at Monday’s selectmen’s meeting. The library is getting closer to consistent hours of operation: Cossitt Library is open from 10 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. The Granby Public Library currently operates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and on Sundays in January, February and March from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Additionally, the library system wants to foster a strong relationship with Granby’s public schools, families and seniors.

The ultimate goal of the plan is for the library to continue providing top-notch services to its patrons.