A new five-year strategic plan is guiding the Cochrane Public Library, as staff works to make it an even better place.
The plan addresses ways to connect, explore, grow and play. CEO Jessica Horne says major input came from a community survey and booths at the Fall Fair, the Sportsmen Show, and Live at Lakeside.
“We really wanted to talk to people who aren’t currently library users,” says Horne. “It was a way for us to educate them on what they’re missing and to find out what we’re missing – why they don’t use the library.”
One measure that’s already been implemented is extending library hours to 7:00pm three evenings of the week, allowing after-work adult programs.
Another change you can expect is more work space and study space for patrons working or going to school remotely.
“So we want them to have enough table space, enough outlets to plug their laptops into; strong enough Wi-Fi to host everybody at the same times.”
There’s a lot more to the strategic plan. You can hear about it in the audio of our interview with Horne posted below. You can also get a paper copy of the plan or read it on the library’s website.
