Residents had an opportunity to weigh in on the direction of Dartmouth’s two public libraries at a community forum held at the North Dartmouth Library on August 11.

The Community Library Planning Committee is in the process of drafting a new long range plan for Dartmouth’s libraries. The plan will identify about four to five key objectives to implement from 2018 to 2023, according to Library Director Lynne Antunes. Long range plans are required to be filed with the state in order to remain eligible for public funding.

To open the forum, consultant Cheryl Bryan began by asking the 15 people who attended to envision themselves living in a community that suits all of their needs, and list off what makes that community special. She explained that in the early stages of the planning process, the committee wants to get an understanding as to what residents want for their community, as opposed to just thinking about traditional services like access to books.

“Libraries have a much broader role than people perceive,” Bryan said.

Residents began by listing off components they felt are missing from Dartmouth’s libraries, such as a bookmobile service, easy walking distance, partnerships with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth to help provide more guest speakers and activities, more space for community meetings, and expanded children’s programming.

Others thought more broadly about Dartmouth’s needs as a community, such as more green spaces to enjoy, more volunteering opportunities, wellness and career exploration programs, technology programs for kids, and before- and after-school child care programs.

The talk shifted gears to concentrate on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats facing libraries in Dartmouth. For strengths, residents praised the museum pass program, interloan system, online services that provide free ebooks and music, and community support and funding of the system.

In weaknesses and threats, residents worried about distance and coverage because of Dartmouth’s large size by land area, space constraints, the risk of reductions to funding, and difficulties connecting to local schools.

Antunes said the long range plan is especially important this time around because of the planned demolition of the existing North Dartmouth Library at 1383 Tucker Road, and the construction of a new building on Cross Road. The new building will help to address problems faced at the existing facility, including the lack of space for children’s events and meeting spaces, according to Antunes.

“This is the right time to do a new long range plan because we have this major project,” Antunes said.

Antunes said she has seen success in addressing all areas of the old long range plan, which comes to an end this year. The libraries went from offering no online services to over 16 programs—ranging from services providing ebook and MP3 downloads to online test preparation and language learning services—and also implemented an early childhood education program.

A second public forum was held the same day at Southworth Library, located at 732 Dartmouth Street. Following the meetings, the Community Library Planning Committee will meet on August 25 to analyze the results of August 11’s public forums, and will identify the key areas to list as objectives on the new long range plan. The completed plan must be filed with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners by October 1.