Input needed for library survey

by Gladys Shay
| August 10, 2011 7:37 AM

Questions concerning present and future of Columbia Falls Branch Library are continuing. Situation does not just center on location of the branch library. There are many issues facing and concerning Columbia Falls Library Association.

Fact-finding committee for Columbia Falls Library Association was appointed by Robert Webb, president. Result is summer 2011 survey seeking to ascertain opinions from area residents. It is being circulated with hopes for returns by Aug. 15.

Lack of communication with Kim Crowley, Flathead County library director, is obvious among main problems. Letters sent to Crowley are not acknowledged nor answered. For example, survey questions including ongoing community concerns were sent to Crowley. A written response was requested. Crowley did not answer.

Fact-finding committee members learned Jane Lopp, Flathead County Library Board chairman, during a recent board meeting stated the board does not recognize representatives from specific areas. It is interesting to note the County Library Board Web site refers to representatives of specific communities or at-large.

Current Flathead County Library System policy is that gifts cannot be restricted and will not be guaranteed to remain in any particular branch library. In the past, memorial books remained in Columbia Falls.

Survey board members for Columbia Falls Library Association are Carmen Wyman, 892-5264; Bob Webb, 387-4599; and Bernadette Kemler, 892-0316.

Summer 2011 survey forms are available by contacting committee members or at Harvest Health Shoppe and Sun Drop Health Foods in Columbia Falls. Forms may be mailed to Survey Committee, Columbia Falls Library Association, P.O. Box 903, Columbia Falls MT 59912 or taken to Harvest Health Shoppe, 426 Nucleus Avenue, Columbia Falls. E-mail address is survey4cflibraryassn@gmal.com.

Responses to the summer 2011 library survey may be shared with Flathead County Library Association System, per their request.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.