Desmond-Fish Public Library to Hold Community Conversations: Workshops Open to All
In a time of momentous change in how people live, learn, and interact, the Desmond-Fish Public Library is eager to understand what the Garrison community seeks in its future, and how the Library can contribute to achieving that vision. To gather community input, the Library will hold a series of informal workshops, open to the public, at a variety of locations over the next few months. The workshops, called “Community Conversations,” are part of a planning process by the Library’s Board of Trustees. These conversations are inspired by an American Library Association initiative designed to help Libraries work together with their communities.
Each workshop will be moderated by Library Board members. According to David Lilburne, a Library Trustee involved in planning the workshops, “These conversations are a chance for us to better understand people’s aspirations for our community, the concerns they have, and what they believe might make a difference in strengthening the community.”
“The Library is a reflection of the community we serve,” says Library Director Dede Farabaugh. “Hearing directly from our friends and neighbors will help us to focus our efforts and resources in support of our community’s larger goals.”
“We are very enthusiastic about this process and encourage all our friends, neighbors, and patrons to come join us for one of the workshops,” says Charity Shumway, a Library Trustee who has been part of the organizing effort for this outreach.
There will be five Community Conversations held in October and November.
Friday, October 21, 4:30 p.m. — Antipodean Books, 29-31 Garrison’s Landing
Saturday, October 22, 1 p.m. — Desmond-Fish Public Library, 472 NY-403
Tuesday, November 1, 8 p.m. — Garrison School Learning Commons, 1100 NY-9D
Thursday, November 3, 7 p.m. — On Zoom
Saturday, November 5, 1 p.m. — Continental Village Clubhouse, 49 Highland Dr.
A short survey asking for your input is available here.