Mayfield Library Focus Groups Meeting on Wednesday

Patrons can shape the future of the Cuyahoga County Public Library by participating in focus groups helping to create a new strategic plan.

Three focus group meetings will take place at the . The general public is invited to sessions at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday. There also will be a focus group at 4 p.m. May 14 for educators only.

"We are reinvestigating our strategic plan for the next five years," Mayfield Branch Manager William Rubin said.

Focus groups, including sessions geared at new Americans, youth and small business owners, have been held at various county library branches in April and May. Monday's session for educators will be the final patron focus group countywide.

The last strategic planning effort led to the creation of six priorities to address community needs:

• Reconnect with reading
• Ensure every child enters school ready to learn
• Help youth to reach maximum potential
• Put Cuyahoga County back to work
• Keep seniors healthy, happy and independent
• Connect with new Americans

"We're asking the community how we're doing on those initiatives and if those are still the initiatives the library should have or if there's something else we should be doing," Rubin said.

Library patrons also can participate in an online survey.

Rubin said staff focus groups also will be scheduled and the new strategic plan should be in place at the start of 2013.