AMHERST — Even as a 10-month survey of Jones Library patrons indicates most feel welcome and have a sense of belonging when visiting the town libraries, being greeted by friendly staff and having access to representative collections and programs, a handful of respondents are indicating some improvements are needed.

For the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee of the library trustees — which was formed to ensure libraries where diversity thrives, inclusion and belonging are the norm, and equity is a guiding principle — the survey results show that work is needed to meet this commitment.

“The goal of our survey was to get feedback as to whether patrons feel a sense of belonging in our libraries,” said Farah Ameen, a trustee chairing the subcommittee. “These findings will help inform our work on JEDI, so we can provide guidance to the Jones Library system to meet its mission of serving everyone in our diverse community.”

Most of the 75 people who completed the survey between September 2023 and June 2024 cited positive experiences at the libraries, including the main Jones branch on Amity Street and the North Amherst and Munson Memorial branches, while those who didn’t pointed to a lack of racial and ethnic diversity, racial profiling and a judgmental atmosphere. Ameen said a few people also complained that available materials are too politically progressive, wanting an option for more conservative books.

Ameen said the subcommittee may do another survey, but also may participate in more diversity training for staff and do community outreach. “There’s a lot of work to be done,” Ameen said.

The trustees endorsed the report at a meeting on Nov. 8.

Trustees President Austin Sarat said he is glad the survey was done, observing the work of the JEDI subcommittee is important. “I think there’s much more work to be done to understand what would make the library even more a home for everybody in the community,” Sarat said.

Trustee Nat Larson said anyone who doesn’t feel welcome would not be coming to the Jones and likely didn’t participate in the survey. “It’s worthwhile to keep that in mind, as well,” Larson said.

The 2015 Jones Library Mission and Long Range Plan has a goal for the libraries to “be a community hub to a diverse population of Amherst residents, where books are celebrated, and all members of the community can enhance their educational, cultural, and lifelong learning pursuits.”

Surveys, with four questions to gauge patron perspectives, were available at the libraries, on the website, as well as through the library newsletter, at public events and at the schools, and on town listservs.

The JEDI committee defined belonging as “feeling safe, considered, represented, included, and empowered.” Of those who completed the surveys, 69% of respondents reported that they and their family members always feel a sense of belonging in the town libraries, with another 22% often or sometimes feeling belonging, and 6% who rarely felt a sense of belonging.

About half of those respondents attributed their sense of belonging at the libraries to the staff’s support, friendliness, positivity and willingness to help patrons effectively. Others noted that the sense of belonging is partly due to the libraries’ collections, exhibits, programming, services, other friendly patrons, and the quiet, cozy and comfortable environment.

Respondents who said that they and their family members did not feel like they belonged in the libraries attributed this to such factors as a lack of racial and ethnic diversity; racial profiling; unresponsive, unwelcoming, and judgmental staff; and the need for a better, bigger and more welcoming space for children and teens.

“This is a starting point,” Library Director Sharon Sharry, who staffs the JEDI committee, said in a statement. “We are pleased to know most respondents feel they belong in our libraries, but now we want to focus on the comments from community members who don’t feel the same way. We will continue to discuss findings and next steps, including collection development initiatives, library programming, and hiring procedures.”

Beyond distributing the findings to the public, the JEDI subcommittee will use the information to guide work related to diversifying programs, collections, and staff training and development. The committee will also develop and deploy additional feedback mechanisms to gain more insight and information about community members who feel a lack of belonging at the Amherst Public Libraries.