West Tisbury Library Holds Focus Groups on Library Design

As part of its continuing effort to gather community comment on the proposed renovation and expansion of its outgrown facility, the will be holding a series of focus groups tailored to varying age groups within the community of library users.

“Each age group has its own needs, its own favorite features and spaces in the library,” explains library director Beth Kramer. “It makes sense to address them separately, and let each demographic segment focus on the design elements that mean the most to them.” Community-wide forums on the library expansion, renovation and design have been a regular library event since spring of 2010.

On Monday, November 7, at 5:30 p.m. the first focus group will be dedicated to parents, tutors and caregivers of children of any age. That same evening, at 7 p.m., the entire community is invited to express their views on the general proposed library design. Both sessions will be held at the Howes House, across from Alley’s Store.

On Tuesday, November 15, 9:30 to 11 a.m., the focus group will concentrate on seniors’ concerns, and will take the place of the weekly discussion group at the Howes House.

In July of 2011, the West Tisbury Library was one of only eight libraries in Massachusetts to be approved for a state construction grant. The $2.98 million grant will cover half the cost of the project. The library is in the process of raising $1.5 million in private matching funds, and the town will be asked to approve the design and contribute the remaining $1.5 million at Town Meeting in April, 2012.