By Bill Parry
Seeking to provide better services and programs at its 62 community libraries that draw 11.2 million visitors a year, Queens Library launched a community survey in 9 languages last week. The survey is part of a sweeping five- year planning initiative that will guide the library for the next five years, and enhance and align its services and programs with the needs of the most internationally diverse corner of the world.
“We want to hear from a broad range of stakeholders to determine how Queens Library defines its mission and vision, sets its priorities, uses its limited resources, and secures its position as one of the most vital institutions in the city of New York,” Queens Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott said. “As part of this ambitious and highly inclusive planning process, we’ve opened a dialogue with everyone who uses, could use, serves, oversees, funds and cares about our libraries about our strengths and weaknesses as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead of us.”
The survey, which includes 50 multiple choice and open-ended questions, is available on the library’s website in English, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Haitian-Creole, Urdu, Arabic and Bengali. The deadline for completion is Feb. 28.
The survey also asks those who take it whether they want to participate in focus groups and further conversations. Other groups being surveyed include the library’s staff and board of trustees, the Queens Library Foundation board of directors, elected officials, community boards, and the Friends of Queens Library groups.
For more information visit online at: www.queen
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
