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Community engagement report for Russell Library urges accessible downtown site and expanded programming
Summary
Margaret Sullivan Studios presented a community engagement report showing broad support for keeping Russell Library downtown and highlighting priorities such as accessibility, social‑service linkage, cultural programming, tech training and outdoor community space.
Margaret Sullivan Studios consultant Jade presented the Russell Library community engagement report, summarizing outreach methods and the four principal findings from two rounds of engagement. She said the work drew on tabling events, interactive workshops, open houses and a community survey to capture who participated and what they prioritized for the library.
Jade said the report’s four findings are: community characteristics and consensus favoring the downtown library site; community aspirations and values (accessibility, safe welcoming spaces, and stronger local partnerships); programmatic opportunities (culture and history programs, digital and tech training, learning and wellness offerings); and design characteristics (accessible circulation, quiet study areas, outdoor gathering spaces and maker spaces). "We found four words kept coming up: connected, curious, fulfilled, and relaxed," Jade said.
Committee members asked questions after the presentation. Chair Jay asked whether the findings contained surprises; Jade said not really, but noted a growing emphasis across communities on libraries responding to social‑service needs. Committee member Eamon thanked the team and suggested adding Phil Pacino to the committee roster, saying Pacino has been nominated to serve.
The report frames the library as both a cultural and practical community hub, recommending flexible multipurpose spaces and programming that ranges from genealogy and local history to coding and wellness classes. Jade said the concept plans and renderings shown during engagement illustrate how many of those activities could be accommodated in a modernized Russell Library while retaining the downtown location.
The presentation concluded with an offer to provide the committee a more detailed copy of the report and the underlying slides. The committee agreed to keep the item on the January agenda for further discussion of any funding decisions tied to next steps.
