Rural residents asked to share their thoughts on Oxford’s library system

Oxford County Library officials are asking rural residents to share their thoughts to help shape the future of local branches.

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Open until May 1, the Rural Community Engagement Survey is asking these rural neighbors for their opinions on branch hours, collections, technology offerings, programs and activities, physical set-up and more, officials said in a release.

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The survey, which takes roughly five to 10 minutes to complete, can be easily accessed via Speak Up, Oxford! — a county webpage dedicated to community feedback — or the Oxford County Library website.

Residents who complete the survey will be eligible to win one of five $40 gift cards from a local restaurant or store of their choice.

“Libraries play a significant role in rural communities, connecting people to information, education, ideas and experiences, while also providing access to community services, technology, the internet and more. We’re asking for feedback from these communities to understand how we are meeting their needs now, and what we can do to improve our services moving forward,” chief librarian and system CEO Lisa Marie Williams said in the release.

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For rural residents who would prefer sending their feedback directly, there is also an online question-and-comment form on the survey website.

Since this survey is intended for users of the county’s rural branches, urban residents who use the Oxford County Library’s Ingersoll or Tillsonburg branches — or patrons of the Woodstock Public Library — are asked not to respond.

Oxford’s rural branches can be found in Brownsville, Burgessville, Embro, Harrington, Innerkip, Mount Elgin, Norwich, Otterville, Plattsville, Princeton, Tavistock and Thamesford. The library also serves rural communities without easy access to a local branch through Ox on the Run, its mobile book unit.

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