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Date: 8/24/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Members of the public still have time to let the West Springfield Public Library (WSPL) know what they think.
WSPL is asking the public to partake in a survey that will assist in their creation of a new strategic plan.
According to a press release from WSPL, “In an effort to provide residents of West Springfield with up-to-date comprehensive services, programs, and events, WSPL is administering a short survey that will be used to help shape the direction and priorities of the library over the next five years.”
Antonia Golinski-Foisy, director of the WSPL said a strategic plan lasts anywhere from two to five years. Right now, they are focusing on a five-year plan. She claimed that their purpose of the survey stems from and follows the 18-month shutdown of the library during COVID-19.
“Before that, we were a newly constructed library,” said Golinski-Foisy. She added that prior to doing a strategic plan, they wanted to see what people’s needs were and how the library would be utilized.
When the WSPL was constructed five years ago, they added study rooms, community rooms, etc. These rooms are utilized for a variety of reasons including workshops, training, meetings and more. Golinski-Foisy estimated that these rooms alone have brought in nearly 10,000 extra people to the WSPL. “It used to be seen as an information center and now it's a community hub.”
With the endless opportunities that WSPL provides to its residents, Golinski-Foisy and her team decided it was now time to hear from the people.
The survey that was constructed takes approximately five minutes to complete. For those who can’t obtain access to the survey online, printed versions can be found at the WSPL, the Council on Aging, or the Municipal Office Building. “We are an age-friendly community,” said Golinski-Foisy. “It’s available to all the public – [we are trying to] be as inclusive as possible.”
The survey opened on Aug. 16 and can be accessed through Aug. 27. All responses will remain anonymous. While a certain number of responses are not required, Golinski-Foisy said they have reached out to as many people and different avenues as possible.
As of press time, Golinski-Foisy said they have received about 120 online survey responses. Written survey responses will remain unknown until the survey has closed. Once closed, Golinski-Foisy said they will “colate everything and then create the document.”
The WSPL encourages everyone to take a few minutes and fill out the survey. “It gives us an understanding of what makes up the community and how we can service and expand their needs,” said Golinski-Foisy.
The survey can be found online at https://tinyurl.com/WSPL-Survey-2021, through the WSPL website www.wspl.org, or through the WSPL’s official Facebook page.