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:
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Vision: An interconnected Aurora that is full of opportunity
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Mission: Nurture curiosity, capability and confidence throughout all of life’s chapters
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Values: Access, resourcefulness, belonging, generosity, community building and wonder
The five areas of focus determined during this process are:
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Resource and access navigation
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Comprehensive skills and literacy development
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Community building
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Digital equity and access
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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.
To view the full Aurora Public Library Strategic and Facilities Plan, visit AuroraLibrary.org.