Dedham library seeking public input through online survey

By Natalie Feulner, Town Correspondent

The Dedham Public Library is seeking the public’s input that will be used in developing its state-mandated "Strategic Plan."

In order to receive state grants, the library must submit a five-year plan to the Massachusetts Board of LIbrary Commissioners by Oct. 1. The plan will include a profile of the community, the library’s history, information about services, its mission and a values statement, Library Director Mary Ann Tricarico said.

Tricarico added that even though most of the information is geared toward use in the plan, she hopes it will also help create a new vision for the library.

“We want to know where people would like to see us go in the future,” she said. “We need to see what they would like their town library to be and become.”

In the coming months, Tricarico said she and staff will use the information to expand on the libraries four goals -- resources and services, staff, facilities, and operations. Each goal will have a written objective and action item that explains how the staff plan to reach the goal.

“We want to envision the library we will have in the future,” she said.

The survey is open to all residents and nonresidents and is available on the library’s website, http://library.dedham-ma.gov/.

Natalie Feulner can be reached at natalie.feulner@gmail.com.