WISH LISTThe following charts indicate what attendees suggested and are listed in descending order of support:PROGRAMSLecture series featuring Signal Mountain notablesHistory of Signal MountainSpecial interest book clubsEvening programs for older children, such as scavenger hunt (maybe also for adults)Team with MACC for Arts and Craft show and receptionPossibility of Tenn. Humanities offering traveling programsWriter on children’s nutrition, share sponsorship with local elementary schoolsBest management for tree careWriter in residence programTechniques for genealogy researchTouring authorsComputer 101, dealing with Facebook, new technologies, perhaps for older adultsShow more movies hereMore programs for elementary and middle school kidsForeign Language courseGame nightBabysitting course for teensResume writingSponsoring trips to writers’ conferencesSingles clubFACILITIESCoffee HouseReading Room with fireplace and sofasSignal Mountain History Museum/ArchivesLarger staff facilitiesDrive-up book drop and covered entryElevatorMore Storage SpacePlaygroundObservatoryExpanded children’s area, indoor play areaToy libraryDoors on children’s sectionCOLLECTIONMore BBC productions on DVD (also Nova, Nat. Geo. Etc.)Expanded biography collection (not celebrities)Ask for donations for specific items/ Publish Wish ListMore Great Courses (ask for these on Wish List)Rosetta Stone CDsMore travel books/guidesMore history and politicsMusic (begin with donations of CDs)More classic children’s DVDs (cartoons, Animaniacs, Mr. Rogers, etc)More gardening and cookbooksTECHNOLOGYNew website for LibraryPreserve historical materialsNew computers for patrons and staffPrint out OPAC guideCheck out possibility of purchasing Kindles or e-readers to check out or rent to patronsNetwork with other librariesWork on OPAC (make more user friendly)Classes on e-books, tablet PCs and IPADsOutreach/research university without wallsMISCELLANEOUSChange hours, expandNot close on FridayHave Storytime on MondayUniform hours
The Signal Mountain Library is starting a new chapter in long-range planning and visioning by asking the community to contribute ideas.
“We want people to always feel they can come share their concerns, interests and requests with us,” said Director Karin Glendenning. “We just want to feel like the things we plan are things people want. We want to serve.”
Based on a recent meeting between officials and patrons of “different ages and different literature tastes,” a list of possibilities was created as a starting point.
“It was the first time we’ve had a big meeting like that,” Glendenning said. “We had about 40 people come. It’s something we hope to be able to do every year. Their ideas were just what we needed.”
She said everyone spoke at least once on the four subject areas of collection, technology, facilities and programs.
“We had everything from somebody who wanted to have spec programs on special things to somebody who thought we should add an observatory,” she said. “We wrote down everything everybody said and went back and prioritized by mentioning each item and asking people to vote.”
Although not necessarily the highest priorities but maybe the easiest things to implement are already in the works, including expanding the language courses, initiating talks on children’s nutrition, accepting and cataloging the gift of a few dozen Great Courses audio lectures, and making the online resource guide available in print.
“Those are just our first things,” said Glendenning.
A drive-up book depository may be in the near future as well.
Other things, such as extended hours and days of service and renovations or additions, will require more money and thus more time. The annual operating budget comes from the town and remains pretty consistent. Glendenning said the library has not had a capital funds campaign since it was built 20 years ago, and none are planned anytime soon.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t have it in the future,” she said.