Place and Space
Evanston Public Library designs welcoming and inclusive environments to foster learning, community engagement, and social interaction, reflecting and honoring neighborhood needs. A deliberate, strategic effort will focus on space for services in traditionally underserved neighborhoods.
Place and Space includes custodial services and facilities maintenance, community outreach and engagement, safety and security measures, makerspaces, cultural connection and community meeting rooms and spaces, youth and children's areas, emphasizing customer service excellence.
Strategic Objectives
- Implement strategies to create welcoming and inclusive environments across all library spaces, prioritizing the needs and preferences of diverse community members.
- Prioritize traditionally underserved neighborhoods for the expansion of library services and facilities, ensuring equitable access to resources and programs for all residents.
- Enhance custodial services and facilities maintenance protocols to ensure library spaces' cleanliness, safety, and functionality, providing a conducive environment for learning and community engagement.
- Strengthen community outreach and engagement efforts to solicit feedback and input from residents in underserved neighborhoods, fostering collaboration and co-design of library services and programs.
- Develop culturally relevant spaces, programming and events that celebrate diversity and promote cultural connection within the community, facilitating social interaction and mutual understanding.
- Establish a trauma-informed and culturally responsive customer service model that aligns with community needs, prioritizing the well-being of both patrons and staff members.
2024 Actions
- Develop a Master Facilities Plan to create welcoming and inclusive environments, begin planning for renovations or collaborations in existing library facilities, and explore the potential for future branch operations.
- Complete a memorandum of understanding between the Evanston Public Library and the City of Evanston.
- Establish a contract management system for greater financial accountability.
- Forge collaborative partnerships with priority population partners to establish dedicated spaces within the main library, facilitating the inclusion and representation of historically marginalized voices in library programming, collections, and outreach initiatives.
- Provide comprehensive professional training sessions for library staff to develop their understanding of trauma-informed care and cultural responsiveness, emphasizing the importance of self-care and wellness practices to support patrons and themselves.
2025 Actions
- Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to identify underserved neighborhoods and their specific needs regarding library services and facilities.
- Develop outreach programs to engage residents in underserved neighborhoods and gather feedback on desired services and amenities.
- Begin renovations and explore space-sharing opportunities in underserved neighborhoods, ensuring that the design reflects the needs and preferences of the community.
- Launch new programs and services tailored to the identified needs of residents in these neighborhoods, such as culturally relevant programming, community workshops, and outreach events.
- Implement training programs for staff members to enhance their skills in customer service excellence and cultural competency, ensuring that all visitors feel welcomed and respected.
- Collaborate with local organizations and community leaders to promote the newly expanded library spaces and services, fostering greater community engagement and participation.
2026 Actions
- Evaluate the impact of the redesigned library spaces and expanded services through surveys, focus groups, and data analysis to measure community satisfaction and usage.
- Adjust programs, services, and facility designs based on feedback from community members and staff observations.
- Continue to prioritize maintenance and custodial services to ensure that the library spaces remain clean, safe, and inviting for all visitors.
- Explore opportunities for further expansion or enhancement of services in underserved neighborhoods based on ongoing community needs assessments and feedback.
- Implement regular feedback mechanisms, such as surveys or focus groups, to gather input from community members on their experiences with library services, ensuring that the customer service model remains responsive to evolving community needs and priorities.
- Develop a culturally responsive model for supporting employees, enabling the library to establish systems that nurture individual and community well-being.
Our outreach events at Temperance Beer Co. are a popular entry point for new patrons to engage with us outside of the library and learn more about our offerings.
