Your voice matters: Help us improve Library access across Grand Rapids

Community members are encouraged to take the short online survey through July 25

The Grand Rapids Public Library (GRPL) is inviting residents across the city to share their feedback through a brief Library Hours Survey. As part of the recent launch of its new Strategic Plan, the GRPL is taking a close look at its current operating hours to ensure that all eight GRPL locations — as well as its events, programs, services and collections — are available when the community needs them most.

Although GRPL’s schedule has remained mostly unchanged for more than twenty years, the ways people use the library have evolved. By combining public feedback with its existing usage data, it aims to create a more consistent, predictable and impactful schedule that reflects contemporary habits and supports future community needs.

“Our future decisions are grounded in real and projected community behavior,” said John McNaughton, library executive director. “We’ve analyzed our usage patterns, but data only tells part of the story. We need to hear directly from our neighbors about their habits, needs and desires so we can ensure our operating hours serve our community best.”

The survey effort and operating hours analysis is focused entirely on growth and innovation. GRPL explicitly notes that adjusting hours is a proactive, future-focused initiative—not a reaction to budget constraints or funding changes. There will be no staff layoffs or location closures. Instead, optimizing the schedule will allow the library to enable its strategic vision, better align with modern library standards, and position the institution to meet new and future opportunities and needs.

McNaughton added, “Our primary goal is to ensure that when our doors are open, we’re serving the community during the days and times that matter most. We remain committed to providing the excellent resources, collections, experiences, and support that our patrons expect from us.”

How to Participate

Community members are encouraged to take the short online survey through July 25.

For more information, please call 616‑988‑5400 or visit www.grpl.org.

Thank you for your continued partnership. The Grand Rapids Public Library reflects and connects our community to trusted resources and each other. It appreciates your help in spreading the word and encouraging participation in this important effort.

-steve