New Bedford Library Officials Seek Feedback At Forum

New Bedford library officials are looking for feedback regarding what services library users want to see.

Library Director Olivia Melo told WBSM News this will help to develop a three to five year plan about what the library will need to do to remain an important resource in a more digital age.

"We are competing with other sources and we want to stay relevant with what our users want us to provide them with," said Melo "the plan will help us establish programs and services and goals for future development of things the community is interested in seeing their public library offer."

Melo says this is vital feedback for modern libraries which are being used more and more by community members as a place where they can access essential technological services which can include computer, internet access, scanning, and printing.

"We need to have a discussion about technology and how it impacts so many of our lives now," said Melo " the library now is expected to meet that demand quite a bit."

E-content is also becoming a mjor issue for libraries as readers continue to move away from traditional paperback and hardcover books and increase the use of e-readers such as Kindle and Nook.

"Alot of people are downloading books now and that's a challenge for use to be able to aquire that collection into our services," said Melo.

A Strategic Plan Community Forum will be held at the Main Library at 613 Pleasant St. between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

All are welcome to attend.

Those who were unable to attend can provide feedback through the library's website.