Second Public Meeting Scheduled Oct. 26
Energized by an initial public meeting held this past summer, the Haverhill Public Library is taking the next step in gathering feedback for the library’s expansion, renovation and modernization.
At a second public meeting to be held Oct. 26, library patrons and the general public will have the opportunity to discuss concepts developed by architects in response to wish lists cultivated at the first meeting and across surveys, interviews and focus groups. The event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the library’s Johnson Auditorium, 99 Main St., Haverhill, MA. Pizza will be provided, and children are welcome. Feedback from the public will set the groundwork for next steps in the process.
On the horizon is a major renovation under consideration by the Trustees of the Haverhill Public Library. Now in the feasibility and planning stage, library officials are actively listening to Haverhill citizens, including patrons who use its services.
“At our next public meeting, we hope to see people from the first meeting and new people who’d like to engage in the planning process,” said Sarah Moser, director of the library. “Among our many priorities are to create flexible, welcoming spaces, enrich patron services including access to cutting-edge technologies, improve the exterior’s appearance and accessibility, and expand the library’s stature as a cultural hub for Haverhill’s diverse communities.”
More than 60 people attended the initial Aug. 24 brainstorming meeting, where they engaged in creative exercises such as imagining a library for the future in “Dream Machine” breakout sessions and spending “Haverhill Bucks” to indicate their most significant priorities. In addition, 140 people responded to an online survey, providing the library and its architectural team valuable feedback for possible ways to transform the library and its spaces.