Affirmation in Concept of the Report and Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Community Conversation on the Library’s Future

The Denver Public Library Commission extends its warmest thanks to the Advisory Committee on Community Conversation on the Library’s Future, whose Report and Recommendations we received on November 17, 2005. More than forty members of the committee freely gave their time, attention, and expertise to the project. This is a wonderful example of their care and concern for the Library and for the community at large.

The Commission wishes also to recognize the leadership of the Advisory Committee’s co-chairs, City Councilwoman Peggy Lehmann and former Library Commission member Landri Taylor. Their steady hands guided the work to a most successful conclusion.

Jackie Noble of Noble Erickson Inc., a member of the committee, contributed the work of her firm to the design and layout of the committee’s report, greatly enhancing its effectiveness. We are very grateful.

The consulting team of Civic Results and the Neighborhood Resource Center, led by Peter Kenney, John Parr, and Janie Hanley skillfully managed both the work of the Advisory Committee and the Community Conversations. We thank them for their excellent work.

The Recommendations of the Advisory Committee are detailed on Pages 13 and 14 of the Committee’s report. They concern the proposed Library Styles, Communicating with the Public, and Library Funding.

The Library Commission hereby affirms the Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Community Conversation in concept. The Library Commission agrees that the broad strategy discussed in the Community Conversation on the Library’s Future is built around an array of service styles designed to meet the diverse needs of Denver’s diverse population of library users.

The Commission recognizes that much additional work is required before we can commit to a specific plan of action: planning, testing, financial modeling, and facilities assessment, to mention only a few of the necessary elements. By affirming the recommendations in concept, we allow this additional work to begin.