by Phil Heikkinen, Library Director

In 2009 the Orcas Library explored the possibility of a building addition, in response to steadily increasing use, along with interest in more books, more space, and more quiet spaces. We had to pull back from that idea, due basically to the declining economy, and decided to focus on confirming and addressing what the community saw as our major current priorities given our existing facility.

Updating feedback from previous years, we conducted four separate surveys, including one for students, a second mailed to residents, a third for library visitors, and a fourth consisting of Library Trustee interviews with Library Fair attendees. Overall responses totaled about 650. Please read compilations of the results on our website, www.orcaslibrary.org. In brief, many people responded that:

• They see a strong collection as our first priority; and most think we’re addressing that effectively. (We have twice the state and national averages per capita for total items and spending for new materials.)

• Many people find the library a bit cramped and noisy for their taste. (We’re consistently among the top five libraries in Washington for visits and checkouts per capita; however, our amount of space is about average.)

• Most people like the building, grounds, and services, including interlibrary loans, which people can now request via our website. And those that use the wireless network, public computers, or online resources like them, although others come just to checkout materials.

• Many think we should expand for such purposes as a larger collection, quiet reading room, more study space, computer lab, and/or more space for kids’ programs. However, most also say this is not the best time to raise money for it.

• We saw divergent opinions about how to use our existing space (for example, more/fewer computers; fill the meeting room with books or computers/love that meeting room for classes).

Our most dramatic change: in response to modest though consistent interest, we will run a test in which we open from noon to 3 pm each Sunday from January 17 through June. Based on community use and feedback, we will then decide whether or not to extend the test further, or whether simply to implement the change long-term.

Thanks to Bob Henigson and Bob Lundeen for supporting this project.

Other changes: we’ve added online subscriptions to Ancestry.com (for genealogy) and Consumer Reports, strengthening our existing two dozen online resources, most available from home, including Oxford English Dictionary and Auto Repair Reference Center. We are developing an interesting community directory, the Whole Islands Catalog (linked from our website); and have received a grant from OICF to develop a demonstration project featuring hardy, low-maintenance landscaping with edible features.

Finally, this year we will update our long-range plan, important in setting priorities. Please call, email, or stop by the Library to share your ideas and to pick up a copy of our latest Library Update brochure (available also on our website). 376-4985 or pheikkinen@orcaslibrary.org. Visit our website at www.orcaslibrary.org.