COVID-19's most immediate and disruptive impacts on library work may now be in the rearview. However, the pandemic has left in its wake lasting repercussions for every sphere of public life - and libraries are by no means exempted from this. With that realization in mind, in late 2021 Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) sought and received an American Rescue Plan Act grant from State Library Services. In keeping with the broad purpose of these federal COVID funds, SELCO committed to a scaled and comprehensive community needs assessment across its full 11-county service area. Overarching questions included:
- Have the hardships and habits forced by the COVID years changed how residents think about and engage with their local library in meaningful and indelible ways?
- What emergent and/or under-met community needs are rising to the fore?
- Given finite resources, what can libraries do to best align their service model in response to #1&2?
As means to this end, SELCO partnered with Library Strategies Consulting Group on a custom assessment methodology - one primed to provide direct touch points with, and usable insights for, each of the region's 37 libraries. Community engagement efforts (conducted February-June 2022) included 41 total focus groups, more than 70 one-on-one interviews, and a region-wide survey which drew more than 2,500 total responses. Panelists will share predominant trends (many of which have broad applicability to the field beyond southeast Minnesota), as well as tips for adapting and implementing this assessment model in your own service area.
