Library task force solicits public input
What is needed in the new Pike County central library MILFORD - The Task Force organizing the program to construct a new central library in Pike County has initiated a series of meeting with community leaders, including local and state public officials and candidates, to brief them on the plans for the new library and gather input to ensure that the new facility serves the needs of all area constituencies. Karl A. Wagner, Jr., county commissioner; Matt Osterberg, Milford Borough Council president, and Mike Billig, vice chair of the Pike County Planning Commission, were among local leaders who recently participated in a group discussion regarding the new library. Task Force members Jenni Hamill and Amy Litzenberger also recently met with Lisa Baker, Republican candidate for the Pennsylvania State Senate to discuss state funding opportunities for the local library project and to provide an overview of the information gathering campaign currently underway to secure community input on the project. “I appreciated the opportunity to learn about the plans for a new library to better serve area residents. I congratulate the library on its vision and look forward to working together in the future to help meet the growing needs of Pike County,” Ms. Baker said following the meeting. The outreach sessions are part of a comprehensive program to solicit input regarding the Pike County library system and the need for a new central library. Task Force co-chair Maleyne Syracuse reported that, “We will be holding two town meeting’ forums at the Columns Museum; on August 7 at, 7:30 p.m., and August 8 at 8 a.m., to present the findings to the community and outline the proposed program to build a new central library.” The findings from the focus groups and upcoming community meeting, along with demographic analysis and a community needs assessment by Providence Associates, will provide the source data from which to formulate a Strategic Plan for a new central library, including capital requirements, structural design elements, management operations, technical and support services, personnel, Information Technology and marketing.