Odessa, Texas

In 2022, The Ivy Group partnered with the Ector County Library (ECL) to perform a Community Needs Assessment. The project began with Commissioner interviews, a staff forum, and a working session with the Library Advisory Committee. Next came the community engagement: online and telephone surveys, bilingual town halls, and interviews with community leaders.

Ivy collated and analyzed the information from each, and also conducted demographic research and a benchmarking study.

In the project’s next phase, we held a full-day research summit with the Library Advisory Committee. Together, Ivy and the Committee identified themes and brainstormed ideas for meeting opportunities. We then drew up a full assessment, organized into three impact areas.

Among the detailed opportunities and recommendations, the assessment answered the Library’s most pressing question: the Library did need a new building. Resident feedback substantiated many problems and limitations with the current building, and it also revealed a common vision. Residents wanted the Library to be a lifelong learning center and a lively community hub. They hoped to see more workstations and gathering spaces, more events and opportunities, and a technology center.

With a collective vision, and an energized staff and community, ECL has begun implementing many of the assessment’s exciting recommendations. With a detailed and objective report, the county’s Commissioners better understand the need to fund a new building.

ECL and Ector County are now planning the next steps: identify a potential site, perform a feasibility study, and talk to engineers and architects about the new building’s desired functions.