The Library of Fanwood and Scotch Plains

Focus Groups

What does the future hold for library service to the residents of Fanwood and Scotch Plains?

Should the communities consider the formation of a joint library to enable the provision of 21st century library service in a 21st century building?

What can the Fanwood and Scotch Plains libraries do today and in the next few years to keep pace with the community's expectations for library service?

What planning needs to take place to ensure that the libraries meet and exceed each community's expectations?

These are just some of the topics that were explored with residents of Fanwood and Scotch Plains, as well as members of each library's board and staff, during a series of focus group sessions held in October and November 2007 to learn more about the community's interest in improving library service. The focus groups were also the first public attempt to test the waters with regard to the formation of a joint library. More than 100 people participated in these focused conversations.

The results of Focus Groups are available here in three parts:

Focus Group Summary

Attachment 1: Focus Group Questions

Attachment 2: Detailed Focus Group Notes

The dates of the Focus Group meetings that were held are listed in the grid below:

Wednesday
SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 TRUSTEES 6:00 p.m. at the Scotch Plains Public Library

Friday
SEPTEMBER 21, 2007 STAFF 10:00 a.m. at the Scotch Plains Public Library

Thursday
OCTOBER 11, 2007 TEENS 11:00 a.m. at the SP-F High School

Tuesday
OCTOBER 23, 2007 SENIORS 1:00 p.m. at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Refreshments will be served)

Tuesday
OCTOBER 23, 2007 GENERAL SESSION
(Adults, Library Users, Library NON-Users, Commuters, etc.) 7:00 p.m. at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Refreshments will be served)

Wednesday
OCTOBER 24, 2007 BUSINESS COMMUNITY 8:00 a.m. at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Breakfast will be served)

Wednesday
OCTOBER 24, 2007 PARENTS & CAREGIVERS 10:30 a.m. at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Refreshments will be served)

Wednesday
OCTOBER 24, 2007 GENERAL SESSION
(Adults, Library Users, Library NON-Users, Commuters, etc.) 1:30 p.m. at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Refreshments will be served)

Monday
NOVEMBER 5, 2007 LIBRARY LEADERS 6:00 p.m. in Plainfield, NJ

Wednesday
NOVEMBER 28, 2007 TRUSTEES 6:00 p.m. at the Scotch Plains Public Library

We welcome the opportunity to discuss our project with you.
If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to
CONTACT us at any time:

Wednesday SEPTEMBER 5, 2007	TRUSTEES	6:00 p.m.	at the Scotch Plains Public Library
Friday SEPTEMBER 21, 2007	STAFF	10:00 a.m.	at the Scotch Plains Public Library
Thursday OCTOBER 11, 2007	TEENS	11:00 a.m.	at the SP-F High School
Tuesday OCTOBER 23, 2007	SENIORS	1:00 p.m.	at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Refreshments will be served)
Tuesday OCTOBER 23, 2007	GENERAL SESSION (Adults, Library Users, Library NON-Users, Commuters, etc.)	7:00 p.m.	at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Refreshments will be served)
Wednesday OCTOBER 24, 2007	BUSINESS COMMUNITY	8:00 a.m.	at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Breakfast will be served)
Wednesday OCTOBER 24, 2007	PARENTS & CAREGIVERS	10:30 a.m.	at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Refreshments will be served)
Wednesday OCTOBER 24, 2007	GENERAL SESSION (Adults, Library Users, Library NON-Users, Commuters, etc.)	1:30 p.m.	at the Scotch Plains Public Library (Refreshments will be served)
Monday NOVEMBER 5, 2007	LIBRARY LEADERS	6:00 p.m.	in Plainfield, NJ
Wednesday NOVEMBER 28, 2007	TRUSTEES	6:00 p.m.	at the Scotch Plains Public Library