Library Feedback Sessions Postponed Until In-Person Sessions Can Resume

Update Posted on Sept. 29, 2021

Following the scheduled Sept. 30 virtual Library Facilities Plan feedback session, future virtual sessions will be paused. The County will continue to monitor COVID-19 metrics with the hopes of returning to in-person sessions as soon as possible, although that may possibly be in the new year. Future in-person sessions will be prioritized for the Oakley, Shiloh, Swannanoa, and Weaverville communities.

In June, the Board of County Commissioners paused moving forward with the Library Facilities Master Plan to allow for more community input. No elements of the recommended plan have been adopted at this time and will not be adopted before the in-person community input sessions resume and the Library Advisory Board brings those recommendations to the Commissioners in 2022.

Since the start of the feedback sessions in July, the County and Library Advisory Board have heard valuable input from more than 400 community members. Community members are encouraged to continue to send feedback to prteam@buncombecounty.org. Find more detailed information at buncombecounty.org/library. Want to stay up-to-date on the latest news? Sign up for the Buncombe County newsletter at buncombecounty.org and for mobile text notifications text “bcalert” to 99411.

Update Posted Aug. 30, 2021

Due to the continued and rising increase in community spread of COVID-19, Buncombe County will continue hosting virtual feedback sessions through September. Should metrics improve, additional in-person feedback sessions will be scheduled at the end of the series, with priority for the Oakley, Shiloh, Swannanoa, and Weaverville communities.

Upcoming sessions:

• Tuesday, Aug. 31,  6-7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 15 , 12-1 p.m. with simultaneous live Spanish interpretation and broadcast live on Facebook in English at @BuncombeGov and in Spanish at @BCHHS
• Monday, Sept. 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

The Zoom links for each session can be accessed from the calendar below.

Last fall, more than 1,500 residents weighed in during the development of the proposed Library Facilities Master Plan, and this series of feedback sessions is designed specifically to gather input on facility structures and locations. During the feedback sessions, community members will be asked to share their opinion on the proposed regional model and share information that will go to the Board of Commissioners about the proposed plan. Feedback can also be emailed to prteam@buncombecounty.org.

In June, the Board of County Commissioners paused moving forward with the Library Facilities Master Plan to allow for more community input. No elements of the recommended plan have been adopted at this time.

To help curb the spread of COVID-19, masks are required by all staff and visitors at all Buncombe County Government facilities, including libraries. Free COVID-19 vaccines are available to anyone 12 and older Buncombe County Health and Human Services between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 40 Coxe Ave., Asheville. No ID is required. Learn more at www.buncombeready.org.

Update  posted Aug. 6. 2021

Due to the rapid increase in community spread of COVID-19, all in-person library feedback sessions have been paused. Should metrics improve, additional in-person feedback sessions will be scheduled at the end of the series in October, with priority for the Oakley and Shiloh communities. The session scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Oakley community will be held virtually. See the calendar below for more information on that session and to attend virtually. More virtual opportunities will be added.

*Photo depicts summary of recommendations

“We know that our libraries are true community hubs and our patrons are passionate about their local branches,” says Library Director Jim Blanton. “Our goal with the feedback sessions is to take the consultant’s recommendations and ideas out to the community to continue our public engagement process.” 

Additional sessions may be announced. 

What to expect

There will be no formal presentation during the feedback sessions. Sessions are scheduled for approximately one hour, start with a brief introduction, and then facillitators will request feedback and opinions on the proposed Library Facilities Master Plan. 

View the consultant's presentation to the Board of Commissioners. 

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

See more information below the calendar.

Upcoming Sessions