Four meetings this week will allow Jacksonville residents a chance to give their input into some potentially tough choices facing library officials.

A group of library consultants are taking a fine-toothed comb to the system as they prepare a report that will help guide where future changes and cuts are made.

The meetings, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, will give those concerned about the system's future the chance to ask questions and make suggestions directly to the consultants.

"Community input will be considered along with other data to guide the library in providing the very best programs," said Kathy Lussier, spokeswoman for the library system.

She said community input had been a planned part of the $190,000 study.

"It's important to attend these meetings so that your opinions about the programs, services and facilities at your library are heard as part of the library's capacity study," she said.

When presenting its initial observations to a library subcommittee, the consultant team said it had already pinpointed a few areas that need to be improved, including: branches in low-income areas not having enough computers, and that roofs on many branch locations are designed for residential, not commercial, buildings.

Library Director Barbara Gubbin said input is especially important during tough budget times.

"We are faced with difficult choices going forward," Gubbin said. "We must find more affordable ways to provide much-needed library services both now and in the future."

Wednesday's meetings will be held at the Webb Wesconnett Branch, 6887 103rd St., and the Pablo Creek Branch, 13295 Beach Blvd.

Thursday's meetings will be held at Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch, 1755 Edgewood Ave. W., and the Mandarin Branch, 3330 Kori Road. All meetings run from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

matt.dixon@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4174

link: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-09-13/story/public-input-so...