Notes from our September 18, 2021 Community Meeting

The ideas, questions, and comments from our Paschalville Library meeting attendees are important to us. Below, please take a look at the discussion highlights and notes from the participants of our September 18th, 2021 Community Meeting.

Highlights & Notes from the Community:

• Issues with folks sleeping on furniture, look at smaller pieces over long benches.
• Someone suggested moveable furniture for the story circle. Kids would be able to bring a chair out from the library to make them feel self-sufficient, give a sense of independence, and learn responsibility for “their chair” (may have to consider storage space issues for this).
• Flexible outdoor space for activities: movie night, “journey night”-lectures and talks about history, local knowledge (idea of storytelling for all ages) , community events, music performances - Closest “movie night location is at rec center in other SW Philly neighborhood, would like something closer/more accessible.
• Mother with ASD child, wanted focus on making the spaces accessible for all abilities, also softer seating.
• Add more greenery!
• Compactor trashcans so no overflowing trashcans on site (like in center city).
• More color and vibrance for the children.
• Safety (drug use and homelessness concerns, specifically in children areas); add fencing, security cameras connected to Police stations.
• Shed location and size issues-make smaller, not against the residence next door.
• More lighting.
• Connection to community groups (Paschalville Partnership).
• Connect landscape to the community- plants that are significant in the area, connection to Bartram’s Garden.
• Create clear Identity for library (replicate bike rack “library” in railing design).
• Like the idea of painting transformer/shed.
• Need durability in seating (natural stumps in story circle could be damaged easily).
• Concerns about furniture materials/ upholstery and bed bugs.
• One woman felt that the elevator needs to be big enough for a mom with several kids and a stroller to fit. The LULA is too small to accommodate that.
• Media center/ meeting areas that are used by kids should have some storage lockers or cubbies for them to put their backpacks and jackets. Lots of kids come to the library to study after school.
• The neighbors (Robert and Karen) are concerned about the size and location of the storage shed. They don’t want it to be too large or right next to their house. Asked if it can go in the rear area way access walk. They said the shed probably doesn’t need to be that big since the library has a service that cuts the grass.
• Some conversations about the type of glass proposed for the stair enclosure. Could it be part of an art installation? What kinds of glass could be used? Patterns, textures, colors, laminations between the glass?
• Several people really liked the folding partition at the community room. Thought it would be great to have the ability to subdivide the space.
• Programs for seniors/ fitness at the lower level.
• People I spoke with really liked the media hum space. Asked if it could be used for meetings.
• Make Saybrook side of site adaptable for use as outdoor community space. People liked using it to set up the tents for this event.