Be a part of the discussion—bring your voice and your vision

PHILADELPHIA, April 30, 2010—In order to uncover the needs of Philadelphia’s communities and to plan for the evolving role of the Free Library in the 21st century, Friends of the Free Library Director Amy Dougherty, along with the Free Library of Philadelphia President Siobhan A. Reardon and Mayor Michael A. Nutter, will launch a Libraries of the Future project this spring.

The project includes a series of public forums where Philadelphians will be invited to share their opinion and discuss a variety of subjects, such as how they use their library today and what their vision is for the future of the Free Library system.

The forums will be led by Jennifer Livingston Huber, organizational facilitator and founder of Shift LLC. Huber has assisted many local and national businesses and non-profits reach their goals by engaging audiences in focused conversation. “Participants will get to envision their ideal library and work together to create an actual image of their vision,” said Livingston Huber.

“Our goal is to provide a positive and productive environment in which we can converse with our neighbors and turn the page on the public’s view of library services,” said Amy Dougherty, Director of the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia. “By taking an active and progressive part in planning for the Free Library system’s future, the public-at-large, along with our Friends Groups, become crucial participants in its future.”

“The Free Library of Philadelphia is excited to be a partner in this effort, and we look forward to hearing directly from Philadelphians about how they envision their Free Library of the future,” said Siobhan A. Reardon, President and Director of the Free Library. “Public feedback is critical as the Library continues to grow and evolve, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to allow our customers to contribute to the Free Library of the 21st Century!”

Your Library: Today and Tomorrow
How do you use your library? What will make it even better? Community members are invited to share their vision and attend any of the five forums throughout the city beginning Wednesday, May 12 and running through June 9th.

Wednesday, May 12, at 6:15 p.m.
Kensington Culinary Arts High School
2463 Emerald Street, 19125

Thursday, May 20, at 6:15 p.m.
Neumann-Goretti High School
1736 S. 10th Street, 19148

Wednesday, May 26, at 6:15 p.m.
Enterprise Center
4548 Market Street, 19139

Wednesday, June 2, at 6:15 p.m.
John M. Perzel Community Center
2990 St. Vincent Street, 19149

Wednesday, June 9, at 6:15 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. High School
6100 Stenton Avenue, 19138

About the Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia
The Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia is an independent, nonprofit organization that stewards equitable library service through neighborhood based Friends Groups who volunteer to support their branch library. Visit www.libraryfriends.info or call 215-567-4562.

About the Free Library of Philadelphia
The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia is to provide all segments of the population of Philadelphia a comprehensive collection of recorded knowledge, ideas, artistic expression, and information; to assure ease of access to these materials and to provide programs to stimulate the awareness and use of these resources. With more than 6 million visits annually, the Free Library is one of the most widely used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia. Visit us at freelibrary.org

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The Free Library of Philadelphia system consists of 49 branches, three regional libraries, the Parkway Central Library, and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. With more than 6 million visits annually, the Free Library is one of the most widely used educational and cultural institutions in Philadelphia.