Elise had question for the BIAC members. The questions were about consultation and engagement, re-vamping how the BPL does community consultation. Also how they receive and track feedback that comes in, they want to make sure that their methods are inclusive.
Questions to BIAC members and answers that they provided:
1.) What makes it easier to share input or feedback?
- If there could be something on the website that says "general feedback", inviting the public to provide feedback. This helps to keep it open. It can be difficult to sign-in each time - the online process could be made to be a bit easier than it currently is. The idea of having incentives for people to give feedback (food for example). Try not to have barriers (such as language and/or accessibility barriers).
- Ensure that it is accessible across all formats (keeping things simple online).
- Recommendation about the comment cards, the following wording could be used "your feedback will help us improve the library programs".
2.) What makes it harder to share input or feedback?
- Language
- Accessibility
- Parents requiring child-minding
- Online feedback formats can be difficult for those who are less familiar with using online methods
- Reach out to people directly rather than waiting for them to come to you
- An example was provided of how language barriers were addressed in a positive way: having language translation and interpretation such as Culture Brokers to assist with this.
3.) Do any of these methods present particular barriers? (Surveys, comment cards, online feedback forms, in-person and phone comments, advisory groups, and in-branch engagement activities like comment and sticker boards)
- Surveys are often used at the City, people want to hear how their input was heard and considered (for example: you asked, we answered campaign).
4.) How can we do better at reaching people with disabilities, non-library users, and equity-deserving groups to gather input?
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- what creates a negative engagement experience or supports a positive one?
- 'closing the loop' has come up before—what can we do better here?
- Some members of the public don't engage, therefore it can be hard to get as much representation as possible. Something that could help with this is if there is an option that there will be a follow-up.
- Get the information that we received back to the individuals who participated and provided feedback. This way the City or the library can follow back up with those who participated. The option could be given for those who give feedback to leave their contact information in order to receive a follow-up/results.
Elise advised that the timeline for this BPL project is as follows: there will be a draft of the framework that will be presented in mid-Fall, then it will be approved in late 2026, and implemented in early 2027.