2019 Community Engagement Summary Pawlet Public Library’s strategic planning in the Pawlet/West Pawlet area

This could not have been done without you! Thank you! 13 Organizations 7 Individuals Town of Pawlet Pawlet Public Library Strategic Planning Committee Pawlet Public Library Board of Trustees Erica Freudenberger, Southern Adirondack Library System consultant This could not have been done without you!

Who took part Bone Builders Pawlet Library Volunteers Home School Parents Mettawee Community Church Mettawee Community School Rupert United Methodist Church Pawlet Community Church Pawlet Library Strategic Planning Committee & Board Members Pawlet Library Volunteers Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department Pawlett Historical Society Town of Pawlet Planning Commission Town of Pawlet Select Board St. Frances Cabrini Church Individuals representing Pawlet Food Cupboard, farmers, retirees who moved to community

The Process Step 1: The Library Board designated a planning committee comprised of two trustees, the library director, and three community members. Step 2: Planning committee members received training in conducting information gathering exercises with groups and individuals. Step 3: Community members were asked three questions: What are your aspirations for your community? What challenges do you face in reaching these aspirations? What changes are needed in your community to reach your aspirations? Step 4: The Planning Committee analyzed notes from information gathering exercises by repetition of common themes and recommended three service priorities for the library. Step 5: The Library Board approved three service priorities for the library’s strategic plan.

Top 10 Aspirations Aspiration #6: Young people are attracted to community and get involved Aspiration #7: A healthy local economy with opportunities for small businesses and jobs Aspiration #8: Community embraces and conserves rural character and natural areas Aspiration #9: Transportation to provide seniors and those without cars access to goods and services Aspiration #10: A safer intersection in Pawlet, organized and ample parking, safer walking paths Aspiration #1: More activities that bring people together Aspiration #2: A place to gather Aspiration #3: Town and community organizations work together and share information with the community Aspiration #4: More community members participate in organizations and town government, and volunteer services. Aspiration #5: Individuals and groups bridge divides, respect differences and come together

Top 10 Challenges Challenge #6: Town government and community organizations depend on volunteers to meet objectives, while volunteer ranks are aging and dwindling. Challenge #7: The financial capacity of the Town of Pawlet is limited by tax revenue from property owners Challenge #8: Communication through modern technology is circumventing face-to-face interactions and leaving non-users behind. Challenge #9: An aging population creates the need to attract young families that will sustain the community in the future Challenge #10: Lack of affordable housing and jobs deter young families from settling in the community Challenge #1: Lack of individual leaders or a lead organization to facilitate collaborative community efforts to address community improvements Challenge #2: Debilitating divisiveness and disconnection among community members Challenge #3: Local economy weakened by dramatic downturn in agricultural base Challenge #4: All adults in households need to work, reducing available time to volunteer or participate in town government Challenge #5: Community members commute to work and have limited opportunities to get to know their neighbors

Top 10 Changes Change #6: An entity actively markets the community, promoting rural and natural areas, Mettawee River, local businesses, community organizations and schools Change #7: Community members support local businesses, new diversified farms and individuals in private practice Change #8: Increased collaboration with state and regional resources for expertise and planning Change #9: Cultivate and support additional leaders to participate in Town organizations and drive initiatives to completion Change #10: Opportunities for young families to interact Change #1: A lead organization connects Town and community organizations to facilitate combined efforts to build community Change #2: A place where inclusive, intergenerational community activities are created, hosted and managed Change #3: A central multi- channeled monthly newsletter to inform community members about town and community organization activities Change #5: A planning entity addresses economic development, intersection, parking and walking paths

Lessons Learned Emphasize things you want for library Only two or three or maybe four things

Where the Library fits Priority 1: Provide a place for people to gather for social activities and community discussions. Priority 2: Offer programs and activities that bring people together and bridge community divisions. Priority 3: Facilitate Town and community organizations in working together and sharing information and resources with each other and the community.

Resources 2019 Community Engagement Summary (insert link) Community Input Raw Data (insert link) Pawlet Public Library 2019 Public Programs (insert link) Pawlet Public Library 2019 Children’s Programs (insert link) Town of Pawlet eNews (insert link) Pawlet Public Library Strategic Plan (Draft) (insert link)

Discussion/Questions

Thank you!