2019 Community Engagement Summary

1. 2019 Community Engagement Summary Pawlet Public Library’s strategic planning in the Pawlet/West Pawlet area

2. 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!

3. Who took part • Bone Builders • 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

4. 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.

5. Top 10 Aspirations • Aspiration #1: More activitiesthat bring people together • Aspiration #2: Aplace 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 • 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

6. Top 10 Challenges • 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 • 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

7. Top 10 Changes • 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 • 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

8. 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.

9. STATEGIC PLAN • 1: PLANNING SUMMARY • 2: HISTORY OF ORGANIZATION & DEMOGRAPHICS STATEMENT • 3: MISSION STATEMENT • 4: VISION STATEMENT • 5: VALUES • 6: GOALS AND ACTIONS FOR EACH SERVICE PRIORITY • 7: IDENTIFY RESOURCES NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED OUTCOMES • Facility • Staffing • Funding • Governance

10. Resources • 2019 Community Engagement Summary • Community Input Raw Data • Pawlet Public Library 2019 Public Programs • Pawlet Public Library 2019 Children’s Programs