Aurora Public Library has completed its Strategic and
Facilities Master Plan, which includes a revised vision, mission and a
set of values. Five areas of focus were chosen to assist in guiding the
library’s services to the community, and facilities’ needs, including
potential new constructions, were identified.
The extensive
planning process began in January and included a comprehensive
evaluation of facilities, a community survey, workshops, a staff
questionnaire, among other initiatives, as well as the use of urgency
index and growth mapping tools. All the efforts with the goal to guide
the library’s growth and transformation over the next two decades. The
bilingual community survey garnered over 2,700 responses and assisted in
developing a cohesive view of the needs and wants of the community.
Three workshops were held with library leadership, including the Library
Board and a representative from the Friends of Aurora Public Library,
to evaluate the survey, findings from the consultant’s assessments, and
to provide input on the library’s strengths and challenges. The lead
consultant on the project was Gensler.
From these conversations, Aurora Public Library’s new vision, mission and values are:
-
Vision: An interconnected Aurora that is full of opportunity
-
Mission: Nurture curiosity, capability and confidence throughout all of life’s chapters
-
Values: Access, resourcefulness, belonging, generosity, community building and wonder
The five areas of focus determined during this process are:
-
Resource and access navigation
-
Comprehensive skills and literacy development
-
Community building
-
Digital equity and access
-
Passion and culture cultivation
“Completing
this Strategic and Facilities Master Plan marks a pivotal moment for
Aurora Public Library,” said Ginger White Brunetti, director of Library
and Cultural Services. “Our community showed up in extraordinary numbers
to help shape this vision. This plan gives us a clear, long-term
roadmap to ensure our libraries remain vibrant, equitable and
future-ready spaces for all Aurora residents.”
“With
a renewed vision and mission, we’re charting a path that expands
access, deepens learning and strengthens community connections across
Aurora,” added Joanna McNeal, deputy director for Library Services. “The
facilities assessment makes clear that modern, flexible and welcoming
library spaces are essential to meeting our residents’ expectations.”
The
facilities assessment helped gauge future renovations as well as the
direction for community needs and service priorities. From the analysis,
between capital improvements and deferred maintenance for the five
libraries, the cost estimate is $12.8 million. The plan also recommends
the construction of new libraries after calculating the weighted center
point of planned residential units within known developments. The first
proposed new library in northeast Aurora would cost approximately $18
million.
The
plan will also provide insight and guidance as the Build Up Aurora
Infrastructure Task Force continues its work to develop long-term
solutions for maintaining existing city infrastructure and providing for
our growing community’s immediate and future needs. To learn more,
visit EngageAurora.org/BuildUpAurora.