Dayton Metro Library passed a $187 million bond issue in 2012 with 62% of the vote and a 73% passage rate in the City of Dayton. This huge investment in our libraries brings great opportunity, but also comes with an enormous responsibility and heightened public scrutiny. Engaging the community throughout the process is essential to not only deliver on the campaign promises by creating the 21st century libraries the public wants and deserves, but also to sustain trust, confidence, and understanding when we must someday return to the voters for the next operating levy.

Community engagement was a key criterion in Dayton Metro Library’s qualifications process for the design firms to ensure the architects understood the importance of involving the public in the design process. DML held at least two public forums for each of the segment one project, and will continue that approach for the three remaining segments. There will also be forums to get neighborhood input on site selection for some branches. The forums are carefully planned to be interactive – visually recording comments, marking up renderings, and utilizing “dot voting” exercises. Exit surveys are distributed, and many attendees have taken the time to fill them out. A Facilities section was added to the drop-down menu on the library website. Because several branches are being consolidated, a prominent feature is a county-wide map that allows visitors to easily find out information about their new branch. They can also sign up to receive branch-specific emails. There is a dedicated comment and question section monitored and responded to as needed by the Community Engagement Manager (a new position created to handle the facilities communication process). The online feedback is supplemented by simple binders with renderings, information and comment cards in the branches which have been popular with older patrons and those who rely on the library for computer access. Regular research is built into the process. An online survey about the facilities process received 2,295 responses in just two weeks in April 2013 with more than 1,000 providing additional comments. In March 2014 the library commissioned a phone survey of voters to ensure satisfaction was remaining at the high levels that contributed to the success of the bond issue.

The community engagement process has resulted in sustained trust and confidence in the library as measured by our research. In addition, it is reaffirmed in anecdotal evidence. One of the initial projects was a new branch replacing three aging urban neighborhood branches, including one in a beloved historic building with a high degree of walkers. We initiated conversations about the need for consolidation and potential locations at the grassroots level with neighborhood associations and other community stakeholders. We continued the dialogue with these groups when we selected a site (located within 1 to 1-1/2 miles from the three current branches) and moved to the design phase before holding our open community forums. This understanding created champions among these neighborhood leaders who then vocally supported the library at the public meetings. Our success in building consensus has been hailed by the City of Dayton mayor as a model to be replicated with our future projects. 2) The facilities web emails have been largely positive but they have also given patrons a place to voice complaints or concerns. Either way, the two-way communication is appreciated as noted in one reply: “Thank you for taking the time to actually read my suggestion and respond back. It is really appreciated to know that my voice matters.”