photo by: Shawn Valverde

File photo of the Lawrence Public Library on Friday, July 26, 2024.

As the Lawrence Public Library works on its facilities master plan, it’s asking the public for input on what its services and amenities should look like in the future.

Brad Allen, the library’s executive director, said the library began a survey this week that will be open for responses through the end of February. You can take the survey online or print a paper copy at lplks.org/2026-library-community-survey.

Allen said via email that the 10-minute survey would ask about how spaces in the library are designed, what services users would like to see expanded and what other ways respondents want the library to “show up” for the community.

“Hearing from our community is paramount in our reimagining what the Library can be,” Allen said. “This is everyone’s opportunity to help define what the Library becomes.”

Among the things the survey asks are what respondents use the library for and what types of programs they’re interested in. It also asks them to choose things they would enjoy from a list of amenities and public spaces; describe their “library experience of the future”; and give their opinions on the library “expanding services outside the main building.”

The library’s website also says respondents have the chance to win a $50 Downtown Lawrence gift card.

The library’s facilities master plan process began last year. Allen told the Journal-World in December that consultants from Margaret Sullivan Studio would visit Lawrence multiple times this year to develop the plan, which will be the first such plan for the library in about 20 years.

Allen said the planning process is expected to take around five months, and will include other opportunities for feedback, such as public town hall-style meetings.