I have completed and returned the current library questionnaire, but I have several concerns about it that I want to express about it. We have had ample input from professionals in the field regarding the square footage of the proposed new library.  It is my opinion that the average Rockport citizen, with all due respect, has no idea how many square feet a public library in a town of Rockport's size should have.  Indeed, many citizens have no idea how many square feet their home or apartment has, much less how large a public library should be. Nor can a citizen have any opinion based on knowledge regarding the adequacy or inadequacy of the size of the building which has been proposed in the past.

Can a Rockport citizen picture what a typical municipal building looks like, one with "not a lot of architectural detail"?  It seems to me that our town office is an attractive building, with plenty of architectural detail.  This is a building many residents see each day, a building that matches the description of a typical "municipal building".  It is by no means unencumbered by architectural detail.  Actually no building worth it's bricks and mortar should be without architectural detail - why spend money to build warehouses for people to see and enjoy. 

Furthermore, how would an average citizen know how much he or she is "willing" to have the town of Rockport fund a new and viable library?  Is the company which prepared the survey looking for a shot in the dark?  Again, an accurate cost has been studied by professionals in the field, who have already done their work and been paid by the town.

The question which asks "how much investment in total do you think is required to create a library that would cover the needs of the town" is another startling question, in my opinion.  It verges on laughable. Again, the average citizen is being asked not only how much should a library cost (should that number include landscaping??), but also,  requires a thorough understanding of "what is required to meet the needs...."

Lastly, why in the world do the survey formulators need to know the average 2016 household income of our citizens?  Perhaps it would be more telling to study the real estate taxes each resident pays to the town 

In all, I think the survey is poorly formed and unsuccessful at being objective.  It takes into no account all the efforts of trained and experienced professionals and gives voice to those of us who do not value a library that represents the quality it's citizens need and deserve.

Thank you taking the time to read these comments. 

Marsha Steinglass lives in Rockport