Earlier this month, the Jefferson Market Library assembled a group of 30 individuals representing a cross-section of the community to brainstorm on a vision for the future of Greenwich Village. The gathering was part of a New York Public Library program called “Planning for Results.” All 85 New York City library branches are participating and the Jefferson Market Library was in the second group of six branches to hold the meetings.
The goal of the forums is to determine what each branch should be offering to its particular neighborhood in terms of programs or other amenities. Each library branch will in turn make its decisions after reviewing the input from these overview sessions.
The participants, representing a mix of library supporters, local organizations and community leaders, included the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, the Joffrey Ballet School, Jefferson Market Library Garden Committee, Village Nursing Home and teachers from P.S. 41 and the Greenwich Village Middle School. They broke into small groups, then reported back to the whole group on their discussions.
“We had broad representation,” said Frank Collerius, Jefferson Market Library branch director. “It was clear that Villagers love the Village. They’re proud of it being historic… and the gardens — we have one next door. There were the usual concerns with balancing tourism with residents who live here.”
Collerius said the ideas that were generated may result in “more, enhanced services for families,” which could take the form of a free family event at the library once a week. The results will be compiled into a report by next month.
