The Henderson County Public Library is looking to the community as it prepares for its 2020-23 strategic plan.

Two of six listening sessions scheduled for the system’s locations have been held this month, one at the Edneyville Library and the other at Mills River Library.

The input meetings are the first step for the library system in developing its plan. Feedback will help library staff identify community priorities to shape the services that branches provide in the coming years.

The last strategic plan was adopted in November 2011.

Ed Graves, branch and collection coordinator, has led both discussions. About a handful of people attended Tuesday’s listening session in Mills River, and around a dozen came to the one in Edneyville, according to Graves.

Higher turnouts are expected later on, particularly at the main branch library and Fletcher Library sessions.

Graves led a broad conversation about aspirations for both the community and the library. Attendees Tuesday evening discussed concerns specific to the Mills River area, such as the library being located in the Town Hall building, which is a hurdle for visibility.

Many people do not know that is where it is located, according to Mills River Library Branch Head Brittany Wist Smith.

Since Mills River does not have a “town center” like other communities, the library has an opportunity to be that sort of gathering spot for the community, attendees said, but the library is limited with space.

Attendees said they’d like to see events such as Touch-A-Truck return outside the library, and a farmers’ market closer to the building. Community fairs, educational activities and historical seminars were also given as ideas.

One hurdle for Mills River, like other communities, is offering events that appeal to both the retiree population and families.

An online survey is also available for community members to voice their views, and can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/r/J9LN3N6.

Questions include how often the person visits the library, which library branch they prefer, what they like best about that library, which services they use most, the best times to visit the library, how they find out about events, if they have a library card and more.

Four community listening sessions remain. The next is at Etowah Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, followed by the main library branch from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, the Green River Library from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, and the Fletcher Library from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17.

For more information on the library, go to www.hendersoncountync.gov/library.