Kennett Public Library Feasibility Study Redacted

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    KENNETT PUBLIC LIBRARY216 East State Street P. O. Box 730  Kennett Square, PA 19348

    October 2015

    Dear Library Patrons and Community Members,

    The following document is a redacted copy of a Feasibility Study conducted by

    McIntyre Associates. The only difference to this copy and the original is that names of

     participants have been removed. We ask that you not copy this document in any way.

    The Board of Trustees would like to thank McIntyre and all of the community

    members who took time to be part of this study. We are open to your thoughts andideas and are working diligently to respond to the results of this study.

    If you have questions or would like to serve on a committee to help the librarymove forward please contact Karen at kammonkpl@gmail.

    Board of TrusteesKennett Public Library

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    Kennett Public Library

    Campaign Planning

    Study

    Final Report

    July 2015

    Introduction and Proce 

    Analysis

    of

    Questions

    and

    Responses

    Conclusions and Recommendat ions

    ddenda

    Kennett

    Pub

    lic

    Library

    ann ing Study Report Page 1

    of

    37 7 / 17

    2

    01 5

    Page 2

    Page 3

    Page 15

    Page 20

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    Kennett Publi Library

    Campaign Planning Stud - Jul, 2015Analsis of Results

    Irc rce

    WHAT MACNRE ASSOCATES WAS ASKED TO D

    antre Assoiates (A) was ontrated to ondut a amain lannin stud for Kenntt

    Publi Librar (KPL) of Kennett Square Pennslvania. The urose of the stud was to assess theotential or a suessful amain to raise aroximatel $6 million in aital funs to build a newfailit in the Townshi of Kennett Square The Townshi of Kennett Squar enomasses th

    Borouh of Kennett Square

    But a amain Plannin Stud is not just a test of finanial viabilit of a rojet A roerl

    onduted Stud rovides extensiv information from a variet of stakeholders about reations andresonses to our effort t an identif roblems in our ase and lans resistan that miht beenountred ometin auses and the level of riorit of our rojet and onerns about

    manaement our future and the rojet And erhas most imortantl it identifies elemntsthat must be in lae to suessfull administer and manae a aital amain.

    MA onuted ersonal interviews with 41 individuals who ha been seleted b Kennett PubliLibrar in onsultation with Mantre ssoiates ersonnel and all were aroved b KPL. Thosseleted are reresentative ommunit leaders and KPL stakeholders Prearation for the stud

    was beun in late a 2015 and interviews were onduted in June and earl Jul 2015

    MA with the aroval of KPL leaershi develoe a questionnaire with 23 ke questionsonstruted strateiall to iv the best ossiilit of useful and revealin answers n additionMA develoed with KPL staff a ase r suort and from that reated a visual ase viewbook that

    was used durin the interviews The viewook showed the ission of and histor of Kennett PubliLirar the urrent rorammati oerins the need for exansion the lanned new roramsand the roosed finanin lans f r the new failit

    DATA ANALES

    Please note that the resonses on a artiular question sometimes do not total the 41 interviews

    t a also be noted that omments followin a question ma not seem to be related to thuestion itself Both of these anomalous situations are due to the interview roess whih is othart an siene and whih also allows and enouraes sontaneit in the interviewee A questionoen triers relat thouhts and A ature as man of these as ossile

    Not all questions alle f r omment and an resondents oered multile oments so thetaulation of siilar omments oen does not equal the nµmber of resonses

    Kenne Publc Lbra Plnnig Stdy Rpot - 2 of 37 7 /17 /2015

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    Analysis of Questions and Responses

    1. What involvement have you or your family had with The Kennett Library?

    Almost all respondents have had some involvement with the Kennett Public Library.

    However, underneath the positive comments MA immediately began to

    see

    another issue

    emerging

    th t

    will factor throughout the rest of this Planning Study,

    and

    will

    be

    treated in depth

    in

    our

    section on Conclusions

    and

    Recommendations.

    One respondent said,

    ..

    the Board was procedurally like a train wreck. Another mentioned,

    Poor leadership at the Library and their inabi lity

    to

    make a decision ... It is worthwhile to

    remember th t these sorts

    of

    comments were

    in

    response to the above question - about

    involvement with the Kennett Library. Interviewees were very ready

    to

    share their opinions that

    seemed very near the surface.

    Beyond this undertone, respondents mentioned long involvement with the Library

    as

    users, as

    volunteers, as Board members and committee members, and as thankful parents for the variety of

    children's programs over many years.

    2. How much do you value the Library and its programs, resources, services nd facilities?

    Very High

    27

    High

    6

    Medium

    2

    Low

    1

    Don't Know

    5

    This high level of positive responses (over 97 approval rating

    of

    those who had

    an

    opinion)

    speaks

    volumes about the long and illustrative service of the Kennett Library. As mentioned above, the

    children's programs received high marks, as well as the summer programs and services to the

    Hispanic community. Here are some representative comments:

    • Cannot have a community without a library.

    • A place for self discovery

    and

    community engagement.

    • Fantastic resource

    for

    the community.

    • No matter what people

    say,

    libraries are essential.

    3. What is your overall opinion of

    the

    Kennett Public Library?

    Positive

    24

    Negative

    6

    No opinion

    11

    The

    responses

    to

    this question continued to exhibit the dichotomy of opinion we encountered at

    the first question's responses. While some spoke of the outdated facility with high praise for the

    staff and programs, interviewees (11) began to make the clear distinction between faci lity and

    staff, and the volunteer leadership.

    Kennett

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    In fact, "The Library" meant different things to different people. Also, the word "Public" in the

    Library's name gave respondents the chance

    to

    express deep interest (and often dismay) in how

    the Library Board conducted their affairs.

    Some sample responses

    that

    speak to the building and to the staff:

    • Amazing job with what they have (referring to the building).

    • t is outdated and average.

    • I think that the library is inadequate as far

    as

    space

    is

    concerned.

    • The librarian is exceptional with vision for program and human resources manager. A Gem

    And some sample responses where the interviewee gave opinions about the Board:

    • Of the Library, positive.

    Of

    the Board, negative.

    • Organization lacks integri ty, leadership, direction and focus.

    • Inst itution positive, Board negative, tempered

    with

    the fact

    of

    the important services

    they

    provide - more about governance than services.

    • The Board is not known to, or appears not to know about, the community. Decisions appear to

    be made unilaterally and in a non-transparent way.

    4 Are you aware of the Kennett Public Library's need

    for

    a larger facility?

    es

    38

    o

    3

    There

    was

    widespread awareness

    of

    the Library's reported need

    for

    a larger facility,

    but

    this was

    perhaps due to the high degree

    of

    coverage

    of

    Board activities in local media

    that

    centered on

    Library issues beyond those of

    an

    aging facili ty. There did not seem to

    be

    detailed knowledge of

    the need.

    • Aware they say they need more space no real analysis

    to

    prove this

    • No, not really

    • Not aware of details

    • I heard that they were looking for a new site but that 's all I know.

    And there were some who had a deeper knowledge of the history of the Library's attempt to

    upgrade the facility:

    • Known about it

    for

    12 years

    es

    and have been for 15 years

    • Abundantly

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    Responses to Questions s

    6 7,

    8, 9, 13, 14,

    21

    On the next page

    is

    a graph showing responses to Questions

    5,

    6,

    7,

    8, 9, 13, 14, 21.

    Each

    of these

    questions relates

    to the

    appropriateness

    of

    the

    proposed project and general impressions

    of

    the

    ability of the Kennett Public Library

    to

    accept this challenge

    and

    raise these funds.

    For convenience, on

    the

    next page after

    the

    graph

    is

    a list

    of

    the questions which are covered in

    detail

    further

    along in the report.

    Our thirty-nine years of experience at Macintyre Associates conducting feasibility planning studies

    and managing capital campaigns

    has

    shown that each

    of

    these questions demands a 70% positive

    response in

    order

    to

    pursue a campaign

    with

    a high degree of success.

    In

    those

    cases

    where the

    70

    positive response rate is not met, delaying a campaign until expressed concerns are answered

    or revising

    the

    goal of the campaign is recommended. This allows

    the

    client

    to

    address the issues

    uncovered in

    the

    report and develop strong support for a successful campaign in

    an

    adjusted

    timeframe.

    The black line shows

    the

    70

    threshold marker for each question. The scale on

    the

    left shows the

    number of responses.

    The most encouraging responses would

    be

    those in

    the

    category

    of

    Very High, High, Positive,

    Yes,

    Very Much (light blue on

    the

    graph). The next category - Medium, Mixed, Somewhat - are shown

    as

    red.

    For this study, M considered the combined blue and red categories (Very High, etc., and Mixed)

    as

    posi tive responses

    to

    give this worthwhile project

    the

    best possible chance

    to

    proceed. These

    questions measure the overall support for the project. However,

    the

    percentage of blue categories

    by themselves was

    less,

    as many of those

    who

    selected Mixed had misgivings about the project

    due to

    their

    concerns about the current volunteer leadership

    of

    KPL.

    It is

    therefore critically

    important

    in this instance for

    KPL to

    know

    the

    strength of the fu lly positive support, and it further

    underscores

    the

    issues mentioned in Question 1, and which will be dealt

    with

    more thoroughly in

    Conclusions and Recommendations. The ful ly posit ive percentages are noted on the graph.

    Question 14 was a special case and

    has

    a

    different

    numerical interpretation and base. The question

    related to organizational support, and 12 of

    the

    41 interviewees were either retired, nonprofits

    themselves,

    or

    belonged to organizations that did

    not

    support capital campaigns. Therefore, for

    clarity, 28 (instead

    of

    41) was used as

    the total

    against which the mix of responses would be

    measured in this question.

    Kennett Public Library Planning

    Study Report -

    Page 5

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    45

    40

    35

    30

    25

    2

    15

    10

    5

    0

    76

    49

    39

    34

    34

    22

    22

    14

    Question 5 Question 6 Question 7 Question 8 Question 9 Question 13 Question 14 Question 2

    Kennett Public Library Planning

    Study Report - Page 6

    of 37

    - 7

    /17 2015

    Don t Know

    Negative/Low

    Mixed Medium Somewhat

    Very High/High/Positive/Yes

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    Questions represented on the graph

    Question 5: Does this project

    seem important for

    the future

    of

    the Library?

    (76 positive, 93 positive and mixed)

    Question 6: Do you think that it is feasible to seek funds through a capital campaign

    requesting gifts and pledges paid over a three-to-five year period?

    (39 positive, 76 positive

    and

    mixed)

    Question 7: Do you think the 6.0M goal is attainable over a three year period?

    (49 positive)

    Question 8: Do you believe the giving scale

    for gifts and pledges from friends

    of the

    Library or

    others are possible

    to

    secure?

    (22 positive,

    51

    positive

    and

    mixed)

    Question 9: Would you guess that one-third

    to

    one-half

    of

    such a goal might be achieved from

    ten or fewer gifts?

    {34 positive, 63 positive

    and

    mixed)

    Question 13: What level

    of

    priority

    would you consider for such a campaign in your own

    personal, or family, giving?

    (22 positive,

    54

    positive

    and

    mixed)

    Question 4:

    What

    level of priority

    would

    you consider

    for

    such a

    campaign in your

    business,

    corporation or foundation?

    (14 positive, 36 positive

    and

    mixed)

    Question 21: Do you

    think

    the Kennett Library should proceed with a campaign at this

    time?

    (34 positive)

    Kennett

    Public

    Library

    Planning Study Report Page 7 of 37 7

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    5: I would like

    to

    show you a visual summary of the Library programs and the proposed

    plans for the future. (The M interviewer then showed the Case Viewbook)

    Does this project seem important for the future of the Library?

    Very Much

    31

    Somewhat

    7

    No Don't Know

    3

    (Note: At this stage

    in

    the interview, the interviewees have answered some general questions

    about their relationship

    to

    the Kennett Public Library, and have been shown the

    case

    viewbook

    with the basic overview of the project.)

    While there were 37 (out of 41) positive and supportive responses, there were also multiple

    additional comments from respondents.

    The responses

    can be

    grouped into several large categories.

    The

    main categories are shown here,

    and specific responses are included as Addendum 1.

    • Sounds good - what could be more important

    • Concerns about the Library's leadership and their activities

    • Questions about the specifics

    of

    the new facility

    There were a number of

    negative comments, almost all dealing with the Board and the public

    perception of discord .

    These comments will

    be

    treated in our Conclusions and Recommendations.

    6. Do you

    think

    that

    it

    is feasible to seek funds through a capital campaign requesting gif ts

    and pledges paid over a three-to-five year period?

    Very Much

    16

    Somewhat

    8

    Mixed

    7

    No

    2

    Don't Know

    7

    There was widespread optimism about the funding possibilities of this project. However, as with

    responses to other questions in this study, there was an abundance

    of

    Yes,

    but .. answers.

    Some representative comments:

    Yes,

    but perceptions have to be addressed; need transparency and openness, build community.

    • In the Borough, very much. Outside, somewhat.

    • Under the right circumstances with the right leadership.

    • Based

    upon a lot of

    PR and

    cultivation.

    Kennett

    Public

    Library Planning Study

    Report

    - Page 8

    of

    37 - 7 17 2015

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    7. Do

    you

    think the $6.0 million goal is attainable over a three year period?

    Yes

    19

    No

    9

    Don't know

    12

    The previous question addressed

    the

    general possibility

    of

    funding,

    while

    this question

    put

    a

    number on

    the

    campaign.

    While

    there were a good number

    of

    Yes responses, this respondent

    expressed the feeling of many:

    It is possible, if it is

    done with community

    input. It will be extremely belabored with this

    leadership.

    Another

    said, Only if donors feel

    they

    have been heard in

    the

    process.

    8.

    Do you believe the giving scale for gifts and pledges from Friends of the Library or others

    are possible to secure?

    Yes

    9

    Maybe

    7

    Mixed

    4

    No

    8

    Don't

    Know

    12

    (Note: The ase Viewbook contained a chart showing the necessary number of gifts at each giving

    level.)

    The responses to this question, paired with the response to the previous question, tested the

    specifics of the proposed capital campaign. They also tested the level of optimism about the

    current giving climate and the

    community's

    enthusiasm

    for

    this project, given

    the

    mixed feelings

    about the Library.

    9. Would you guess

    that

    one-third to one-half of such a goal might be achieved

    from

    ten or

    fewer gifts?

    Yes

    13

    Maybe

    9

    Mixed

    3

    No

    4

    Don't Know

    11

    The

    only comments

    that accompanied these responses dealt with the methods

    of

    soliciting these

    larger gifts -   200,000to $750,000. Essentially, who

    would

    make the ask and when, and of

    whom.

    10.

    an

    you

    think

    of

    prospective donors

    who would

    pledge

    in the

    range

    of

    $25,000

    or

    more

    over 3

    to

    5 years?

    In our

    experience, this question gives

    the interviewee

    a chance to express positive feelings about

    the

    proposed campaign by

    letting them identify

    civic-minded people in

    their community who

    have

    resources and who might support a

    project

    of this type.

    The names we received are listed in Addendum 2.

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    11. Could you suggest

    other

    sources of

    gifts

    you think might be

    interested

    in being

    significant

    donors to the Library building project?

    This is essentially a follow-up question, and while the list includes foundations and corporations, it

    also gave respondents a chance

    to

    add in some additional individuals. Please

    see

    Addendum

    3.

    12 Who are the persons you think could lead a capital campaign in the 8 communities

    served by the library?

    A

    total of

    29 people were mentioned and are in Addendum 4.

    13. What level

    of

    priority would you consider for such a campaign in your own personal,

    or

    family, giving?

    Very High

    6

    High

    3

    Medium

    13

    Low

    15

    Don't Know

    3

    Typically, we would hope

    for

    a 70% or higher positive response. This study's results give cause for

    concern, and we felt

    that

    a number of respondents were hedging their bets because of

    the

    issues

    they had with the Library leadership. We treat the possible remedies for this in our Conclusions

    and Recommendations section.

    A typical comment:

    If there

    was no more arguing, I might consider a larger campaign gift, especially

    if the

    board

    repaired the past damage.

    14. What

    level of

    priority

    would

    you consider for

    such

    a

    campaign

    in your

    business,

    corporation

    or

    foundation?

    Very

    High

    High

    4

    Medium

    6

    Low

    11

    Don't

    Know N/

    A

    7 12

    It is worth

    noting that

    not

    one respondent to this question rated the priority Very High.

    (Note: We include here the explanation

    for

    the Not Applicable category firs t seen on page 5.)

    Question 14 was a special

    c se

    and has a

    different

    numerical

    interpretation

    and base. The question

    related

    to

    organizational support, and

    12

    of the

    41

    interviewees were either retired, nonprofits

    themselves,

    or

    belonged to organizations that did

    not

    support capital campaigns. Therefore,

    for

    clarity, 28 (instead of 41) was used s the total against which the mix of responses would be

    measured in this question.

    The low percentage of positive responses

    is

    another cause for concern.

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    15. Would you consider a

    voluntary

    or leadership role in such a campaign?

    Yes

    3

    Maybe

    10

    No

    23

    Don't Know

    3

    Several interviewees

    said

    this, Been there - done that. It will be important going forward wi th

    this proposed campaign

    to

    identify a new coterie

    of

    volunteers who are

    not

    burned

    out

    and who

    cannot

    be seen

    as having any stake

    in

    the recent history

    of

    the Library.

    Those answering Yes

    and

    Maybe are

    in

    Addendum 5.

    16

    an

    you think

    of

    others

    who

    might

    take

    a leadership

    role

    in a capital campaign for

    the Library?

    We received a good list of possible campaign leaders,

    but

    interspersed with the names

    were

    concerns

    and

    cautions about

    how

    these suggested leaders might find

    it

    difficult

    to

    operate

    effectively in the current climate

    of

    controversy.

    The

    suggested names are in Addendum

    6.

    17 What

    do you think

    might

    be

    the

    most effective ways

    to

    motivate

    or persuade

    contributions

    to

    this campaign?

    This question produced many interesting responses

    as

    interviewees were given

    the

    chance to put

    forth

    some ideas about

    how

    to position this project

    to the

    general public.

    On the

    other hand, interviewees again made their feelings known about

    the

    problems

    the

    campaign effort will face while there

    is

    still perceived to

    be

    disharmony

    and

    discord swirl ing around

    the

    activities of

    the

    Library.

    Therefore responses fell

    into

    two main categories - helpful

    and

    enthusiastic ideas about

    how to

    promote

    the campaign, and further concerns about leadership.

    The specific responses are thus grouped and presented in Addendum 7.

    18. Do you think naming opportunities

    would

    be appropriate

    in

    this campaign?

    Yes

    3

    No

    9

    The high percentage

    of

    positive responses

    is

    typical, and led easily

    into

    another chance for

    interviewees to think

    of further

    community resources.

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    Can you name those who might be interested?

    Responses to

    this question are collected in Addendum #8.

    19.

    Are there any significant issues

    that

    you

    think

    would affect donors' willingness to

    support such a capital campaign in the near

    future?

    Responses

    fell into six major categories:

    • Board concerns - 16

    • Location issues - 12

    • Name change issue and procedure - 10

    • Will need a selling job - 9

    • Get the right people to lead

    it

    - 2

    • Operating costs - 2

    The

    complete response list

    is

    in

    Addendum

    9.

    20.

    Do

    you know of competing capital campaigns in Southern Chester County in 2015-2016

    that could affect potential support

    for

    a Library campaign?

    Fourteen campaigns were mentioned. They are listed in Addendum

    10.

    It has not been verified

    that they are all in-process or active.

    21

    Do you

    think the

    Kennett Library should proceed with a campaign at

    this

    time?

    Yes

    14

    Why or why not?

    No

    15

    Don t Know

    11

    There were eight Yes responses that were unequivocally positive, and six Yes responses that

    could be termed Yes, but .. . A number

    of

    the Don't Know responses fell into this category, as

    well, and a number of No respondents included the caveat that their answer might change

    if

    there was new volunteer leadership at the Library.

    All responses are listed

    in

    Addendum

    11.

    22. Wil l Kennett Public Library remaining

    in

    the Borough of Kennett Square influence your

    willingness

    to

    financially support

    the

    library?

    Yes

    12

    No

    22

    No opinion

    6

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    This question identi fied some feelings that

    can

    only be described

    as

    Borough loyalties, and some

    other

    thoughts about the value of its location to Kennett Square's downtown.

    As

    the data shows,

    for most it

    is not

    a primary issue.

    Wh~t did come out was the feeling

    that

    the location

    for

    the Library should be a community

    conversation -

    not

    a decision made solely by the Board.

    It

    also was mentioned by a

    number

    of

    interviewees

    that

    the issues of

    the

    availability of parking and the working relationship

    with

    Borough officials have been misrepresented and misstated.

    The individual responses are listed in Addendum #12.

    23.

    Is

    there anything else

    we

    haven't discussed

    that

    you think should be considered?

    This question served as a chance for interviewees to have a last go at expressing any remaining

    thoughts they might have had at the end of the interview.

    As

    one might anticipate, there were few

    new ideas, and many reiterations

    of

    previous comments.

    In

    all, we collected eleven pages

    of

    additional comments.

    We include here the new ideas, and the more constructive criticisms.

    • Board should be a mix of old and new. New for enthusiasm, old

    for

    • Don't be in a hurry; reevaluate, reassess plan.

    • Every

    time

    the board changes - everything gets reopened.

    • The notion

    that

    everything needs

    to be

    vetted

    is

    false. Need metrics

    to

    back decisions

    • Interested in knowing why things fell apart.

    • Facilities are worn and broken. A/C and heat erratic. Does the public know that the need is not

    just cosmetic - that systems fail or don't work. Not enough space for literacy programming and

    meetings.

    • Small town politics has been getting in the way for 15 years. Lack of communication and poor

    leadership have held the library back.

    • Be seen as bridging silos for service. Consider partnering with other community resources: the

    Y and the Senior Center, Garage and Library

    to

    become more efficient. Make a communi ty HUB

    of culture and activity - a campus like setting.

    • If ask was done properly

    with

    proper preparation the door to

    the

    communi ty would open up.

    • New money should be solicited. Check real estate transactions for $1mmm

    +

    transactions.

    • Failures are because it 's too personal - once someone

    is

    dug in you have a problem. Need

    metrics to back decisions. Use facts to keep things from being too personal - Use

    to

    move the

    dial forward.

    • Maintaining accessibility for Latino population is vital. Library being in town allows people who

    don't

    have computers to have them. Need transportation/sidewalks to make sure people can

    get there. Need special programs to welcome Latinos to library; bilingual signage.

    Be

    aware of

    diversity of Kennett and celebrate it.

    • People want to support a community venture - let them do it.

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    • People say things like WAIT UNTIL

    THEY TRY TO GET

    MONEY OUT OF ME

    • They should consider

    borrowing to

    build if needed using dedicated tax funds

    Can the town

    float a bond

    to

    refinance.

    • A goal of 3 million might be more realistic

    How

    are

    they

    going

    to

    fund increased operating funds in

    the

    future.

    • PECO energy is doing growing greener grants if the building is going to be

    LEED

    certified the

    library may qualify.

    • I

    think that they

    should raise

    at

    least 90

    of

    the funding before

    they

    even

    put

    a spade

    in the

    ground. I

    think that the

    best

    time

    to raise money is a year

    or two

    after you have raised money

    for

    a capital campaign. They

    know that they

    will

    write

    a check

    for

    a

    few

    thousand dollars.

    People love a winner. And

    the

    library has had loser

    written

    all over it.

    You

    need

    the

    perception

    that

    you're backing a winner.

    • Check out the

    RJM

    Robert John Mary Foundation

    How

    do

    PA

    libraries get state funding? Check

    with

    West Chester Library since

    they

    recently did

    this.

    • Create a

    priority

    list

    of

    things

    that

    can be eliminated

    from

    the

    plan should

    there

    not

    be enough

    money raised.

    Must

    re-establish public trust. Answer

    the

    question

    Why

    is

    this

    appeal different?

    • Create phone bank solici ting public opinion of people's preferences, opinions and needs -

    benefits are PR and information. Then do a little selling. Make people stakeholders. We want

    to

    build

    the

    library you want.

    • People here are used

    to

    having a say in everything - give

    them

    a

    say

    • Library project needs

    to

    be

    thought of as

    part

    of

    a larger

    community

    need.

    • Looking

    for

    big picture

    community

    thinking.

    • Jennersville

    YMCA- community center used much more than originally anticipated. Builds

    Community.

    • Spend

    the

    money up

    front

    on a plan

    that

    will serve

    the

    whole

    community not just

    part of

    the

    community. Make it work

    with

    creative thinking

    • . Look at  

    Don't

    understand

    how

    all

    the

    groundwork could be done in 2004 -

    now

    has

    to

    be done again.

    • Feelings are hard. Knows

    of

    some merchants who

    would

    not

    participate in

    the

    Home and

    Garden tour because of name change.

    Must

    secure a couple of high profile large donors and gracefully highlight

    their gift

    to gather

    support.

    • Make some accommodation

    to

    list people

    who

    have supported Library in

    the

    past.

    Acknowledge past large and small donors. Make this a

    community

    project

    not

    just a high

    profile wealthy person project. You never

    know

    who has money.

    • People

    who

    move into an area have their

    own

    opinions and seek to impose their beliefs

    without

    much in

    depth

    sensitivity

    as to what

    the

    BTL

    meant

    to the

    community. They don't have

    a

    clue.

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    Conclusions and Recommendations

    Macintyre Associates (MA) successfully conducted 41 interviews for Kennett Public Library

    KPL)

    to

    assess the potential for a successful campaign to raise approximately $6 million in capital funds for

    a new facil ity in Kennett Square Township. M and KPL developed a questionnaire with 23 key

    questions constructed strategically

    to

    give

    us

    the

    best possibility

    of

    useful and revealing answers.

    In addition, M created a visual case viewbook that was used during the interviews. The viewbook

    showed the mission and history of Kennett Public Library, the current programmatic offerings, the

    need for expansion, the planned new programs, and the proposed financing plans for the new

    facility.

    Conclusions

    General Comments

    M found a great deal of support and awareness

    of

    the Kennett Public Library in general. Most

    interviewees have used the Library's resources, and there was general agreement as to the high

    quality

    of

    programs and staffing.

    However, we quickly realized

    that

    there

    was

    another issue beyond the Library's current and future

    plans for programmatic expansion and a new facility, and this concern insinuated itself

    into

    most

    responses, regardless

    of

    the question being asked and answered.

    This strong concern emerged

    as

    a virtual third issue beyond the two tested in the case for support

    and will factor into our recommendations. Regardless of

    the

    question asked, respondents almost

    universally wanted to

    talk about what they saw as

    the

    primary issue - the recent Board activities -

    and not about the project and its funding which they saw

    as

    secondary issues.

    interviewees made the necessary and useful distinction between facility and staff, and the

    volunteer leadership. In fact, The Library meant dif ferent things to different people. Also, the

    word Public in the Library's name gave respondents the chance

    to

    express deep interest (and

    often dismay) in how the Library conducted their affairs.

    The comments we recorded point to a perception among respondents

    that

    the Kennett Public

    Library's volunteer leadership

    has

    not kept in touch with its base of support. and has not partnered

    with

    the communities

    it

    serves

    to

    fulfill the public part

    of

    its mission and its societal contract.

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    The Study

    It

    is important to note

    that

    the Campaign Planning Study was meant to determine 1

    support for

    the

    feasibility of the project as well

    as 2

    the financial support

    for

    a campaign

    for

    capital funds

    within

    the scope of the original goals expressed in

    the

    case statement.

    1) Support

    for

    the Feasibility of

    the

    Project

    The vast majority of persons interviewed were impressed

    with the

    quality and variety of programs

    and services offered by

    the

    library. However, many had little knowledge

    of

    all the ways that the

    library serves the total community. There

    is

    an opportunity for the Library

    to

    increase

    community

    awareness of its services.

    The information that we were furnished to build the

    Case

    Viewbook - the visual representation of

    the

    case

    for support - had

    few

    specifics about the project beyond expected increases in Library

    usage and some proposed new programs and services

    that

    would be made possible

    with

    a new

    facility.

    There were no drawings or architectural plans, and while

    the

    new location was identified, most

    respondents knew that

    the

    final decision about location was yet to be made. In fact, one of

    the

    pages in the Case Viewbook mentioned the reopening

    of

    discussions about relocating in

    the

    Borough.

    The amount of money estimated to be needed

    for the

    new facility was not itemized

    other

    than a

    rough cost based on square footage. There was no information about the sustainability

    of

    the new

    facility - can

    it

    make its own way.

    All these factors influenced the comfort interviewees had with the proposed project, and therefore

    the

    feasibility of the project. Do we need it? Will it serve our needs? What will it look like? Where

    will

    it

    be? Can it sustain itself?

    As detailed in

    the

    report of answers

    to

    Question

    5:

    Does this project seem important

    to

    the future

    of the

    Library? , we noted

    that

    interviewees

    said that

    the project sounded good

    but

    there were

    questions about the specifics for the new Library.

    And

    as

    we have noted elsewhere, and as will be discussed in Recommendations, there was great

    concern about the Library's leadership and

    their

    activities in the recent past.

    • In conclusion, M did not

    find

    deep acceptance and suppor t for the specific project in its

    present

    form as

    outlined

    to

    the interviewees.

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    2) Support for a Campaign

    for

    Capital Funds

    Support for a project of this magnitude and of this importance to a community has to come from a

    wide and deep donor base - individuals, corporations and governments. There was widespread

    optimism about the funding possibilities of this project. However, as with responses to other

    questions in this study, there was

    an

    abundance

    of

    Yes,

    but

    ..

    answers.

    While there were a

    few

    potentia l donors identified, all were contingent upon having

    new

    Board

    leadership or a whole new Board.

    There was no commitment from representatives

    of

    any of the municipal entities interviewed

    to

    provide additional support

    to

    the library under the current circumstances. Organizations -

    corporations and foundations - were more forthcoming, but not specific. They expressed support

    as a

    matter

    of course,

    but

    they all seemed to know of the recent activities of the Board, and the

    negative publicity and public reaction to those activities. These would have a deleterious effect on

    the

    level

    of

    support, because no organizations, especially foundations, want

    to

    be seen

    as

    embroiled in a local controversy.

    Persons who have given before were unwilling to give again until they had a full accounting

    of

    how

    their previous donations have been used

    or

    protected. This

    was

    especially

    true

    of persons who

    gave

    or

    worked on the previous capital campaign.

    Another indicator that caused some concern was the difficulty that MA had in obtaining interviews.

    There were ultimately 98 names on the potential interviewee list. 40 names (41%) did not make

    themselves available, or refused.

    Each

    situation is considered below.

    Within the total of 98 names we found the following:

    • The high number of individuals - 28 -

    who

    either did not respond or did not make themselves

    available

    to

    be interviewed (29%) is beyond any previous response, or lack

    of

    same,

    that

    we

    have experienced in any other feasibility study. Given that 9 of the

    28 (33%)

    were directly

    related to Township governance shows the resistance that exists to being involved with the

    Library at present.

    • Of the 12

    (13%)

    persons who refused to be interviewed 5 (42%) were previous donors.

    Until the eight municipal entities show confidence in and support of the Library and its leadership

    there will be little or no public support for a capital campaign.

    • In conclusion,

    MA

    did

    not

    find adequate strength in

    the

    ongoing support of donors to warrant

    a positive outlook for fundraising

    from

    individuals at this

    time

    due

    primarily to

    the negative

    feelings about

    the

    recent controversy surrounding

    the

    Board.

    • Few individuals said they would come forward and provide major support as long as the

    current volunteer leadership remained in place. There was

    little

    financial support indicated

    for this project for the same reason.

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    • There is not $6M available for a capital campaign for

    the

    library

    at

    this time. In fact, recently

    even large capital campaigns with strong community support have

    not

    made

    their

    goals and

    have had to reduce or phase in

    their

    projects.

    Based on

    the

    conclusions

    noted

    above,

    Macintyre

    Associates does

    not

    recommend proceeding

    with

    a campaign

    for

    capital funds

    at

    this

    time.

    Recommendations

    Macintyre Associates recommendations and strategies needed before the Kennett Public Library

    embarks on a capital campaign:

    A decision about expansion

    and/or relocation needs

    to

    be made sooner rather than later. It needs

    to

    be made

    with

    good data points about

    the

    rationale. Above all

    it

    needs

    to

    be made in a

    joint

    announcement with all eight of the municipal entities as a show of transparency, good will and

    cooperation.

    For whatever reasons the current Board President and Vice- President need

    to

    consider

    withdrawing from Board leadership.

    It is

    hoped

    that

    a way can be found to let this happen

    natural ly and gracefully.

    To

    do otherwise would surely build new resentments in the community.

    The current Board needs

    to

    expand by allowing municipal entities

    to

    nominate representative

    to

    serve on the Board. These nominees can fill at large positions and can be seen as a partnership

    gesture to the community.

    Consider establishing, in consultation with

    the

    townships, an accountability process so that the

    Board

    is

    part of a regular reporting matrix.

    A massive communications strategy needs to be designed and implemented that focuses on what

    the

    Library does, who

    it

    serves and

    the

    benefits it provides throughout Southern Chester County.

    Some ideas are:

    • Personally invite each township and

    the

    borough to hold one meeting a year at

    the

    Library.

    Create a special orientation program for

    the

    event.

    • Work

    with

    the

    local press on a regular Library column in a dedicated space

    to

    feature programs,

    etc. Use photos and testimonials from participants.

    • The press should have a tour to see

    the

    current crowded conditions and show the actual need

    for

    expansion.

    • Consider polling cardholders to gain

    their

    opinions about relocation, program offerings etc.

    lean

    up

    the

    identity

    to

    be consistent with telephone answering system, website etc.

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    Among the programs that got the most positive responses were those

    that

    served

    the

    Latino

    population. Every bit of publicity these programs receive will build community support for the

    library.

    A development program that

    has

    a viable and updated data base strong communication with

    current donors, a cultivation process

    for

    major donors and a strategy

    for

    engaging donors in

    ongoing activity at the library needs to be instituted. In kind,

    as

    well

    as

    monetary, donors need to

    be included in any development initiative.

    An accurate donor data base needs to

    be

    created

    as

    it is key to any in additional fundraising.

    In

    the

    capital campaign conducted from 2003 to 2005 there was 1,416,154 pledged according to

    KPL

    data. However, only 833,073 was collected. This

    left

    583,081 uncollected. When

    the

    Board

    leadership issues are resolved, the controversies with the municipalities are healed and there is a

    clear plan to move forward given location, design and costs, this money might be able to be

    recaptured. t would take a quiet approach from persons known

    to

    and respected by these donors.

    When there seems

    to

    be a new day at the Library, when the necessary hard

    work has

    been done

    with community help and support,

    it

    might be prudent to confidentially re-interview the original

    interviewees and see if there is a new level of financial support. Perhaps by that time, new goals

    will have been set, new Board boundaries and rules will have been established, and an excitement

    will have developed

    for

    a Library

    for the

    future.

    By authorizing and funding this Campaign Planning Study, and by carefully considering its findings -

    both positive and negative - The Kennett Public Library has taken an important first step in making

    this project a reality.

    t

    is critical to

    the

    success of this venture to begin immediately to address the

    issues we have uncovered. These issues are not uncommon,

    and

    with proper planning and

    professional guidance, do

    not

    mean the end of the road.

    Macintyre Associates has been honored to partner with the Kennett Public Library on this

    Campaign Planning Study. We thank you for this opportunity. It is obvious that the Kennett Public

    Library is important to this community.

    Based

    on the recommendations above, we would be willing

    to discuss partnering

    with

    you to determine next steps

    for

    this project.

    Sincerely,

    Bonny Anderson,

    MSS

    Managing Director

    Macintyre Associates

    Kennett

    Public Library Planning

    Study

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    Addendum 1 - Responses

    to

    Question :

    Does

    this project seem important

    for

    the future

    of

    the

    Library?

    • Doesn t seem important from presentation. But there needs

    to be

    community library.

    Don t

    like

    the name - misrepresentation. Doesn t signify the community - users are outside

    of

    Kennett

    Square. People who give money have a feeling

    for

    Bayard Taylor - Went through all this in 2004.

    • What could be more important?

    • Let me say this. I think that the Library moving

    is

    very essential. However, I

    am

    very concerned

    about how it

    has

    been handled. How it has been perceived in the community over the past 1

    1/2 years. There

    has

    been a lot of bad press. At this point, I believe that the Board

    has

    almost

    no credibility because

    of

    that.

    • People may not

    be

    forthcoming with the funding. People need

    to

    see a board

    that can

    articulate

    without

    infighting. Week after week with stories in the local papers, these things

    have destroyed all confidence

    in

    the organization.

    • Board leaders need to work on how they are perceived. They don t handle criticism or

    questions well.

    • What were the renovations to do initially? Asbestos? Still there?

    • I think

    that it

    is needed but sadly there is a gap between what

    is

    needed and what is feasible.

    Which is a shame. I think that it would be used. There s no question that they need it. They will

    have a

    lot

    of

    trouble raising the money. Every capital campaign in the area seems

    to

    have had

    to revise its goal downwards. The library does not have a good reputation and there

    has

    been

    dissention for years.

    • A library is critical---do not know if

    it

    needs to

    be

    bigger.

    In

    spite of leadership. Should have had a contract with architect given all

    that

    they did.

    • Tired of hearing about parking.

    Is

    it

    going

    to

    be geothermal?

    • What happened to the given 10 years ago? Where has it been funneled?

    • Why haven t they shared these facts about usage and growth?

    • The project has morphed over time so it is never quite sure what is going to happen. Things

    keep coming up in the borough that have had to be accommodated.

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     Addendum 2 - Responses to Question 10: Can you think of prospective donors who woul pledge

    in the range of $25,000 or more over 3 to 5 years

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     Addendum 3 - Responses to Question 11: Could you suggest other sources of gifts you thk mgh

    be nterested n bng sgnificant donors to the brary buldng oject?

    • The mushroom rowers. Is there an ownersfarmers association

    • American Mushroom Insttute

    • TrM• Lonwood Foundation• Lonwood Garden Foundation•

    • Danso• Geness Health• hatham Fnancal• Excelon

    ·-• Walmart

    • WAWA

    • Herrs Foundaton

    • Gore

    • What about crowd-undn It s rett viable and not lmted to ths eorahic area. For

    examle, lovers o lbraries

    • Loo at who ave to the Y caman

    • How about comanies that want to beta test new technolo

    • Start cultvatin relationshs with newcomers to the communt-uscale housin and

    aartments that are under constructon and drawin new amiles

    • The older eole have ther areas o ocus established

    • Governmentassume the commssoners and state ocials will hel•

    • Victor Brew Pub

    • Farla Foundation

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    Addendum 4 - Responses to Qestion 12: Who are he perss yo hink cold lead a caia

    camaign in he 8 commnities served by the library?

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    Addendum 5 - Responses

    to

    Question 15: Would you consider a voluntary

    or

    leadership role in

    such a campaign?

    These are those respondents w o answered Yes or Maybe.

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    Addendum 6 - Responses to Question 16:

    Can

    you think

    of

    others who might take a leadership

    role in a capital campaign

    for

    th Library?

    • here

    is

    money

    in

    th area and leadership. These people need

    to

    be cultivated.

    • Look to old board members.

    • - leadership candidates

    • Events committee people;

    • - knows where the money

    is

    loves libraries;

    • - Kennett Twp; utilizes it heavily

    • Genesis

    or

    Excelon are usually public spirited

    • Others might change th ir minds

    if

    they

    see

    stabil ity in leadership.

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    Addendum

    7

    Responses to Question 17: What do you think might be the most effective ways to

    motivate or persuade contributions

    to

    this campaign?

    • Need some folks with voices to express a need

    to

    get over issues.

    • Need to think of a way to revisit contentious issues to give people a voice so they can get over

    objections.

    • First

    time

    around had meetings to show people the plans and gather support. Same could

    • be done now.

    • I just

    think

    basically the way that the former board chair was ousted-all of

    that

    history is going

    to

    take time to come to terms with. That kind of behavior will not be tolerated in this

    community. They need

    to

    re-establish confidence, which takes time.

    • Personal visits with someone who knows them

    • PR - identifying and cultivating, Re-visit name change

    so

    people feel

    can be

    heard

    • PR -through board members; past board; garden tour; branch

    out

    from there;

    don t

    get

    involved

    with

    press.

    • Don t continue

    to

    bring up the negative; Stirs the

    pot

    • No easy answer; things need to be tailored to potential donors; depends on who you re

    • reaching out to.

    • much

    better PR

    for

    the

    Library and

    better

    services

    • Need to persuade people that this

    time

    is different. Need to make a final decision and

    • stick with it

    • Social media is key for public support.

    Reach

    people who would actually use it.

    • Vimeo; social media. Public relation campaign

    is

    important

    to

    build excitement and overcome

    obstacles

    • PR strategy first and foremost; clean up

    the

    mess ; people don t trust organizational structure

    of

    leadership.

    Must

    create a

    PR

    campaign before capital launch

    to

    address perception

    of

    mistrust and lack of transparency.

    • Need

    to

    identify key issues at heart of the conflict

    • The last

    time

    we sent

    out

    invitations and the architect gave a presentation

    • People would like to see it stay in the Borough. A lot of history. People would get excited to

    work

    the

    campaign if they were sure that it would stay in the Borough

    • Friends of

    the

    Library - show and tells; need to think further; Library serves community in

    positive way; If can get

    that

    across to community leaders, then the appeal will

    be

    successful

    • Direct mail over a course of years. Public outreach effort - PR

    • n organized campaign with a clear concise vision - respected leaders who have proven

    community confidence

    • They need to address all of the negativity that came before. They should take time to mend

    fences with the community. They need

    to

    act like they have their heads together

    • Picnic or some

    other

    event where speak about the proposals----like park events

    • Challenge grants A positive for the library

    is

    that

    it

    has not asked for funds for a long time

    from Longwood

    • Need to

    settle the question of location. Work within

    the

    general community

    to

    sway opinion.

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    • Gather opinions; let the people have a voice; Actually survey a random sample; Will give you

    metrics allowing

    the

    library to make

    their

    case

    for

    name/location or whatever. Create a travel

    show

    with

    architectural drawings.

    • Show how a cutting edge library in a similar rural area improve the quali ty of life in concrete

    terms, such

    as

    attracting investment, contribute

    to

    the livability, housing, monetary outcomes.

    An example

    of

    an amazing state of the art, cutting edge library demonstrating a huge impact on

    the

    community.

    • Need to better explain where you are going. It seems vague and unclear at this time.

    • Get

    their

    act together so people know there is a commitment to a clear plan of action.

    • Demonstrate a commitment to a real plan of action

    with

    support from

    the

    Borough.

    • Get

    it

    together and demonstrate unity and consistency; people will be relieved

    • The Library cares about how YOU feel about the Library. Major community conversation

    (with food) and make them feel appreciated

    • Increase transparency; reach

    out

    to all members of the community not just the normal

    • Go beyond traditional asks Need

    to

    create community.

    • Challenge Grant

    • Show the plan, have something concrete; action plan and design that makes sense

    • Need concrete plans and timeline. Need to overcome the past failures. People need to believe.

    • Show studies

    that

    show benefits of libraries and mentors.

    • Get out there and tell the story about all the library does. There is

    so

    much more going on than

    just borrowing books

    • Leadership change

    is

    necessary

    • Make it/speak of it as a concrete reality. This is the way it will look. A final decision needs to

    be

    made. Right now it all seems too vague.

    • For each municipality to have a voice and representative on

    the

    Board

    • Need

    to

    reinforce need

    for

    a library in this cyber age. The Business Center

    is

    a great idea.

    • A new Board

    be

    constituted that has a broader representation of the community. Enter into a

    public dialogue - change the name back and listen to the community. You have a great

    product with abysmal leadership.

    • Get rid

    of

    the

    Board if you want forward thinking leadership. Problems with leadership since

    the

    90's

    • I think  

    is

    a wonderful proponent of

    the

    library.

    and then some of the board seemed to step in and were more

    publicized and vocal and were much

    less

    persuasive and negative.

    I

    have a

    lot of

    good things

    to

    say

    abou continues to

    be

    active and is doing

    so

    well bringing programs. But

    that

    has been

    put

    on the back burner because

    of

    others. should

    not

    have

    to

    be the torch bearer

    for

    everything.

    • Their passion

    to the

    mission. You have to look at your

    base

    of supporters.

    • Better service, education for children, learning environment, green tag for building

    • Get into the heart of what the library means to people.

    • It's a community gathering place

    It

    serves

    the

    total population

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    Addendum 8 - Responses to Question 18: Do you think naming opportunities would be appropriate

    in this campaign? Can you name those who might be interested?

    • Memor iam gifts -

    • History conscious people

    • Competition for

    naming

    Vote with your check

    • Naming opportunities

    can

    be tricky if it looks like you are diluting the brand. Community

    organization

    not

    corporate

    • gave a lot toward library, wanted to name Children's room after

    Then wanted

    the

    room after making a larger donation. Don't know

    what

    happened

    • Naming opportunities are important as long

    as

    done

    with

    sensitiv ity and fairness.

    • All of these questions go back to the same thing. They might

    say

    why should I name something

    when they have changed the name of the library. What do these really mean?

    • Does

    not

    work

    • Bricks

    Not

    area of expertise but it worked

    for

    the YMCA Go

    for

    it

    • Engagement or memorialize portions and services will definitely assist efforts

    • Large landowners

    • people. residents value education. Collectively or individually will

    support an expanded Library

    • Get names from

    the

    Y recognition board

    • Need

    to

    somehow carry forward recognition of those who gave significantly in the past.

    • Plaques are all

    that

    is needed

    or

    wanted by most

    • -

    has

    a foundation - look for grants

    • If

    it

    were known and opened up people would respond.

    • In fact, based on the negative press on this topic, suggest steer clear

    of

    addressing the name

    change

    or

    naming rights. This has been a

    PR

    disaster and requires damage control at this point.

    • Could influence some donors.

    • That was part

    of

    the previous campaign. There were plans

    to

    name rooms. That

    has

    all been

    talked about before. I think

    that

    there was one family

    that

    names something specific.

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    Addendum 9 - Responses to Question 19: Are there any significant issues that you

    think

    would

    affect donors' willingness

    to

    support

    such

    a capital campaign in

    the

    near future?

    • If

    you have the right people on the solicitation can work. Will take more than 3 years. Friends

    influencing friends. Will take time.

    • Moving out

    of

    the Borough is a potent ial problem. Need walking access. Accessible walking

    Kennett is important. Sidewalks a must to lead back to Town if

    the

    library moves to Waywood

    Road.

    • Yes the Library

    has

    had a lot of negative press and the leadership seems marginal

    • Public trust.

    • Name, location - need to be addressed

    • Convince people

    that

    decisions are/were based in reasoning and logic.

    • Legacy; trust in leadership; public good will.

    Take

    a step back

    from

    the personal;

    Transportation is large issue for Latino community if you move it

    out

    • Kennett is becoming very high end. Not economically accessible to much of community.

    If

    you

    move it

    out

    - how will patrons get there? Need a traff ic study to quantify impact of move.

    • Nothing else besides the name change

    Past

    hurts with naming issues. People

    not

    convinced property site is best. People upset with

    the

    Library name change and

    how

    it was handled

    • Some people concerned about ongoing operating expenses also flap over name change

    • Name and location

    • Location.

    • Change in general

    is

    a problem.

    • Many people perceive that not a good way

    to

    spend community money. Need

    to

    sell benefits

    and persuade people

    • Need

    the

    right people working on it.

    • Possibly moving

    out

    of the borough. Don't think it's a problem- personally

    • Yes. Board leadership

    • Location of the Library

    • Name change presented,

    not

    consulted

    with

    the larger stakeholders.

    • I think that there are opportunities for donors but that they

    want

    to know if they are funding

    something

    that

    will be successful. I don t think

    that they

    can prove that now.

    • Name of the library----controversy

    with the

    board

    • People need to feel a part of it.

    • Asking

    not

    telling

    • Can't

    think

    of

    any

    • No

    other

    than board and community issues

    • Need

    to

    convince people that this is real. Need a site, a plan and an architectural plan -

    wow

    effect will help people

    to

    forget the past.

    • More than just a place

    to

    borrow books. Impressive array

    of

    programs needs to be the message

    • Lack

    of

    trust

    in the board and faith in the functionality of the board. Restructure the size and

    composition

    of

    the board; Each

    twp

    gets one rep and one at large. 11 to 13 at most

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    • There appears to be instability at the Board, Staff level/Confidence in CEO/depend on

    the

    degree of overall public support

    • Don't believe the library has done a good

    job

    of explaining the plan and if there is a real

    commitment to the plan.

    Yes

    - There is a perception of incompetence, disorganization and backstabbing. Feels

    th t

    to

    donate money would

    be

    throwing

    it

    into a black hole

    • Look at earlier parking studies - What

    is

    the reality of need? What are the operat ing costs

    of

    expanded facility? Where will these funds be generated?

    • Informat ion management does not require square feet. Social implications of the Library

    services.

    • Community focus.

    • The more we ask the question, the most frustrating

    it

    is

    • The pushback on the name change. Someone might feel upset about it moving outside

    of

    town. But then maybe it's a positive thing

    for

    someone. Will it have parking?

    • Location

    • Board reputation

    • Current Board.

    • The name change with no community input. Community was told. Will negatively impact the

    campaign.

    • Expand the board and replace

    the

    leadership. 4 areas are

    not

    represented currently.

    • Need to be representative of all 8 jurisdictions.

    • This Board is not accountable

    to

    the people. For whom are they a voice?

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    Addendum 10 - Responses to Question 20: o you know of competing capital campaigns in

    Southern Chester County in 2015-2016 th t could affect potential support

    for

    a Library campaign?

    (This list includes

    the

    comments surrounding

    the

    names.)

    • Boy Scouts

    is

    running a campaign

    to

    build SMM.

    • Is the YMCA done?

    • LaComunidad is already engaged in a campaign

    • West Chester is

    trying

    to rehab the Armory

    to turn

    into the ter space

    • United Way

    • Kennett Parks new dog park

    • Oxford Lighthouse and Y

    • Stroud

    is

    finishing up one

    • Food Bank

    is

    coming up

    with

    one, and the Chester County

    Land

    conservancy.

    • Always something in Jenners Pond/Jennersville - medical faci lities; always something

    • Believe the Garage is starting a campaign

    • Upland School

    • Firehouses are coming up soon

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    Addendum 11 - Responses to Question 21: Do you think the Kennett Library should proceed

    with a campaign at this time?

    Why

    or why not?

    • But issues need to be addressed. Get people

    on

    board.

    • Have no choice must keep going. Can t afford to put it on hold.

    • Changes to process must occur simultaneously with campaign.

    • It s

    time

    for people to put feelings aside and work for what we need - the Library

    • Need

    to

    clean up; can prepare but should be quiet until they have improved public face.

    • What s the down side? Should probably proceed

    • Proceed but think

    of

    it as longer term project.

    • Unsure.

    • Need is there and apparent. Will enhance the community.

    • Not sure

    if

    people have quieted down after name change and location decision

    • They have to proceed - they can t linger

    • There is no clear vision, no confidence in the Board, and no plan.

    • Sooner the better

    • Need to get the location squared away, and see actual plans and timeline.

    • I think that

    the

    library needs to proceed

    with their

    plans. I

    am not

    a

    PR

    person

    but

    I really do

    not

    know

    what

    they can do to repair

    the PR

    problems. I would

    say

    it is way past the time when

    it should have been started, but success at this time is questionable.

    • When I heard that they changed the name, it seemed like a smart idea but that s not

    how

    it was

    perceived in the community. I think

    that

    they should take the time to develop a better

    reputation. They probably could accomplish this with some thoughtfulness and competence.

    • There is never a good time

    to

    do a capital

    campaign-it s

    a lot of work. Perhaps they could

    whip up some enthusiasm during the quiet phase.

    On

    the other hand, people in Kennett Square

    seem

    to

    be

    more receptive

    to

    change. Then again the market

    is

    up.

    • Need to straighten out issues. Can t ask people for money when there is active dissention

    • Board issues need to be settled. They need to build good will and trust. There is no community

    passion for a campaign under the current board leadership.

    • Reignite the passion

    for

    what a library means to the community

    Might

    as well times will not get any better

    • Depends on the result of the study/would examine results closely

    • Need to do some P.R. damage control.

    • Need to get organized - will take a year to get everything organized.

    • Won t get a thi rd chance to ask people.

    • But

    not for

    GM;

    this isn t attainable.

    • They need to do an intensive educational campaign before going forward.

    • · Not ready. Need to mend fences and act cohesively - plan and identify

    the

    need not the

    • want. It s about the community need.

    • Yes, because - time

    to

    start fresh. Lots of people

    don t

    know the history and are ready

    to

    go.

    But, need to gather community support and provide reasoning for location choice ; need

    to

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    gather support for choice; do that by sampling

    the

    public. o valid dedicated market research

    study; 10 Questions

    o

    this once issues have been resolved re: site, location, cost. Create a road show fi rst.

    • Not with this leadership

    • Goal is

    too

    high

    • Controversy - need to repair the perception

    • Not until they straighten

    out

    their problems

    • I don t have enough knowledge

    • Board membership is critical to this process. Unless municipalities feel they are a part of

    the

    decisions made by the Board, the campaign will be unsuccessful.

    • Ready

    as

    they are going to get but need

    to

    work on keeping mouth shut

    • Not ready - to much controversy

    • Not understanding that the community cares.

    • The Board isn t showing

    that

    you want others included and value their opinions

    • Leadership has offended everyone.

    • Inclined to

    say yes

    but

    don t

    have inside information.

    • Haven t laid the groundwork.

    Have

    confused the message given the dithering.

    • I

    don t know how

    it can

    proceed because I

    don t think that

    it

    has

    the backing

    of

    the community

    and how that will be obtained I do not know.

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    Addendum 12 - Responses to Question 22: Will Kennett Public Library remaining in

    the

    Borough of

    Kennett Square inf luence your willingness

    to

    financially support the library?

    • But need systems

    to

    get people there.

    Love

    it but

    the

    numbers say most people live outside

    the

    borough

    • Don't

    think

    location

    is

    the issue; cultivation

    is

    the issue

    • It does not matter. It

    is

    only a

    few

    yards outside of the borough. It

    is

    the only solution.

    • Makes no difference

    • I'll support i t wherever

    it

    is

    • Not really. It needs to make a change.

    • How much

    of

    the borrowing is electronic vs in person? Does the physical location matter

    as

    much as the virtual site?

    • A

    lot

    of history having the Library in the Borough. Like the idea of a walkable village.

    Uses the Y

    , the Library, considers Kennett home. What makes

    the

    Borough work makes

    the community

    work.

    KS

    has become the town center for all

    the

    contiguous area. Even though he lives in

    the

    Township, he values the library

    as

    a

    town

    center.

    It

    is

    the village

    for the

    entire area.

    • Would like

    to

    see

    it

    ful fill its mission inside the borough

    • Will influence level of support. Would very much like to see

    it

    stay in

    the

    borough.

    • Strongly

    want

    it in the borough; Genesis employees use

    it

    ; The company wants it in the

    borough.

    • Will probably not support

    it

    if

    it

    moves out

    of

    the borough.

    • Would be nice for Kennett

    but

    not total ly necessary

    • Not

    as

    important as it once

    was

    Address location in an open fashion.

    • I

    guess that

    it

    has

    been deemed to

    be an

    impact

    but for

    some people

    I

    think

    that

    i t

    is

    a factor.

    • Move it.

    It

    has

    NEVER

    been

    true that

    the Borough

    didn t want

    the Library. The Borough always wanted

    to solve the parking and convince the library to stay

    • Doesn't think the Borough deserves to have it.

    Feels that

    the Borough

    didn t

    play fair in the

    past with

    the Library. Made them look foolish.

    • No opinion - one way

    or

    the other, just be clear about the decision and demonstrate

    commitment to it.

    • Have heard so much about this

    that I think

    it

    is

    a BIG factor

    for

    a lot of people though tax base

    and/or

    parking issues take it in another direction

    • I certainly would prefer they stay in the borough but recognize

    that

    a reality check may take

    them in another direction.

    • Not sure why the Borough

    wouldn t

    work

    with

    them

    to

    keep

    it

    there,

    but

    if

    that

    can't be

    worked out, fighting a losing batt le and wasting time. This has gone on for some time/move

    on.

    • Why not expand over the parking lot in the rear?

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    Addendum 13 - Results of Inerviewee Contact Efforts

    There are four categories:

    • Those successfully interviewed

    • Those who were contacted but declined to be inerviewed• Those we contacted or attempted to contact, with notes about their responses

    • Persons not contacted and thus not interviewed

    • The * denotes those who gave to the previous capital campaign.

    Individuals Interviewed

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    Individuals declining to be interviewed

    Contacted or attempted to contact

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    Each of hese individuals received at least 3 phone alls when phone numbers were availale, with

    essages lef on achines or callbacks

    They also received at least 2 emails when eail adresses were available. The * denotes those

    who gave to the previous capital campaign.

    Persons not cotacte

    Peoples names were redacted from this list