Residents of Gadsden County were invited to William A. McGill Library in Quincy to discuss ways to improve their local library system and contribute ideas to help shape its five year plan.
The Dinner and Dialogue event took place on Tuesday, May 23 at 5:30 p.m. and was guided by Diana Silveria, president of Novare Library Services, an organization that provides consulting services to help improve library systems.
Silveria spoke directly with members of the public, asking them questions about what they liked and didn’t like about the current system, and programs and policies they would like to see implemented.
For example, one attendee remarked that a lack of public transportation was a big issue in getting senior citizens to the library, and this issue came up multiple times during the evening.
Possible solutions were proposed, such as a mobile library van, similar to a bookmobile, that would not require the driver to have a commercial driver license.
Silveria also went down a list of programs or classes a library might offer, such as cooking, crafting, gaming (bingo, trivia nights and the like), and book clubs, asking attendees if they had any interest in each item on the list.
Gadsden County Commissioners Kimblin NeSmith and Alonzetta Simpkins, were also present.
About halfway through the meeting, everyone took a break to enjoy a meal of spaghetti, garlic bread, and salad, provided by Divine Elegance Catering.
Stephen Klein – Gadsden County News Service
