It’s hard to believe that we have already begun a new fiscal year and are about to close out another calendar year!
The Board of Library Trustees held a planning retreat with senior staff and representatives of the Friends and the Foundation. Much was accomplished, but additional work has yet to be done as we evaluate strategic direction and plan ahead for the 2010 budget.
Performance measures are in place for FY2009 and I am looking forward to seeing the October reports. I congratulate each of you who have participated in destination:LEADERSHIP by developing your own action plan to integrate leadership practices into your day to day activities. I am also pleased that branch and department teams have identified and adopted local customer satisfaction measures this year. Thanks to all the staff members who participated in developing these and other performance measures with an eye toward insuring good customer service outcomes.
I will look forward to discussing these and other issues with you at the first Town Hall meetings this year.
I have directed my staff to schedule town hall meetings each quarter this year. A senior staff member will join me at each meeting to discuss his or her area of operation and answer questions. Keith McLaughlin will join me at the first round of meetings to be held Monday and Tuesday, December 1 and 2nd at the Main Library Conference Center, Room MP1. Town Hall meetings will be from 2:30-4:00. For the convenience of staff attendance, the meetings will also be broadcast to two other libraries, details forthcoming.
In addition to taking questions at the meetings, I will be happy to answer other questions submitted via this blog (yes, your questions can be anonymous). To submit questions via the blog, just click on the word “comment” below and follow the directions. All questions and answers will be posted after the town hall meetings.
Very best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving holiday,
Barbara Gubbin
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Living Library Books
Did you see the article in the October 18 Times-Union about the "living library books"? Customers in Santa Monica, California, can "check out" a human for 30 minutes and use them as a reference resource. They can check out a Buddhist, a vegan, a nudist, a homeless person, 14 in all. I'm jealous. When are we going to start?
Learn more at http://www.living-library.org/.
(Forgive me if the word's already been spread on this month-old article.)
Learn more at http://www.living-library.org/.
(Forgive me if the word's already been spread on this month-old article.)
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Advice for Dealing With New Technologies
On Friday, Stephen Bell discussed the topic "Reversing the Ratchet: Basic Technology Adoption Strategies for Library Workers" in a College of Dupage webinar sponsored by NEFLIN.
If you missed it, but want to hear what it was about, check out NEFLIN's blog entry: http://neflin.blogspot.com/2008/11/reverse-ratchet.html . This provides a good summary, as well as information on viewing a recording of the presentation.
p.s. If you do view this, you are eligible for training credit, so please notify jpltraining@coj.net .
If you missed it, but want to hear what it was about, check out NEFLIN's blog entry: http://neflin.blogspot.com/2008/11/reverse-ratchet.html . This provides a good summary, as well as information on viewing a recording of the presentation.
p.s. If you do view this, you are eligible for training credit, so please notify jpltraining@coj.net .
Friday, November 07, 2008
Staff Profile
Anthony Williams is a Library Associate at the Beaches Branch Library.
Q: How long and where all have you worked at JPL?
A: I started working at the library in 2004 at the Beaches Regional Library. I was then transferred to the Main Library in the African-American Collection, where I stayed for 6 months. I later transferred back to the Beaches Library.
A: I started working at the library in 2004 at the Beaches Regional Library. I was then transferred to the Main Library in the African-American Collection, where I stayed for 6 months. I later transferred back to the Beaches Library.
Q: What do you look forward to most on the weekends?
A: Weekends are far and few. When I'm not working at the library, I have my military commitment to the Navy so that leaves me only one weekend out of the month.
A: Weekends are far and few. When I'm not working at the library, I have my military commitment to the Navy so that leaves me only one weekend out of the month.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your family.
A: I have a wife, Deborah, who just finished completing her Masters Degree in Librarianship at University of South Florida and my daughter, Alia, who attends La Villa School of the Arts where she plays the euphonium. My wife and I are from Philadelphia, Pa., and my daughter was born here in Jacksonville.
A: I have a wife, Deborah, who just finished completing her Masters Degree in Librarianship at University of South Florida and my daughter, Alia, who attends La Villa School of the Arts where she plays the euphonium. My wife and I are from Philadelphia, Pa., and my daughter was born here in Jacksonville.
Q: What's one thing that people probably don't know about you?
A: I own my own part-time business that involves event planning and cruise destination travel.
Q: What books are you reading?
A: Robert Ludlum and Vince Flynn’s cloak and dagger type novels.
Q: What's the best part about working at JPL?
A: I enjoy helping our customers with their questions and seeing them leave knowing the fact that I made their day a little easier.
JPL/United Way Campaign 2008 - LIVE UNITED!
The City/Library United Way Campaign is in full swing, and your branch or department United Way representative will be encouraging you to donate this year. There are many worthy organizations United Way supports, and they help people from babies to seniors. Your UW rep can give you financial information about distribution of funds to these agencies.
One of these agencies is The Bridge, which helps troubled teens learn how to live productive lives and experience the satisfaction of becoming successful.
Even if you can’t give a lot, together all of our giving makes a big difference in our community. United Way headquarters reported that calls for help are up 20%. If you already donate, please consider increasing your gift. Payroll deductions do not begin until January 2009, or you can make a one-time donation, if preferred. Please give your completed United Way donation form, signed and dated, to your United Way/JPL representative by December 1.
One of these agencies is The Bridge, which helps troubled teens learn how to live productive lives and experience the satisfaction of becoming successful.
Even if you can’t give a lot, together all of our giving makes a big difference in our community. United Way headquarters reported that calls for help are up 20%. If you already donate, please consider increasing your gift. Payroll deductions do not begin until January 2009, or you can make a one-time donation, if preferred. Please give your completed United Way donation form, signed and dated, to your United Way/JPL representative by December 1.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Kudos from Customers
Interlibrary Loan (Main Library): I want to commend you on the excellent work that Carolyn Hampton in ILL provides. She is so competent, helpful and friendly.
Murray Hill Branch Library: Revondolyn Dubois is awesome.
Children’s Department (Main Library): Thank you so much, Marie Myers, for all that you do to stimulate our children's development. The French Storytime is really wonderful as it teaches children something they can’t get anywhere else!
Pablo Creek: My children and I visit this branch about three times a week and Christie Rogers is always ready to lend a much needed helping hand.
Teen Department (Main Library): On a scale of 1 - 5, Keli Likins is a 1,000,000,000.
San Marco Branch Library: I needed assistance locating my sons' textbooks. Mia Brack has been very kind and helpful every time my sons and I need help.
Murray Hill Branch Library: Revondolyn Dubois is awesome.
Children’s Department (Main Library): Thank you so much, Marie Myers, for all that you do to stimulate our children's development. The French Storytime is really wonderful as it teaches children something they can’t get anywhere else!
Pablo Creek: My children and I visit this branch about three times a week and Christie Rogers is always ready to lend a much needed helping hand.
Teen Department (Main Library): On a scale of 1 - 5, Keli Likins is a 1,000,000,000.
San Marco Branch Library: I needed assistance locating my sons' textbooks. Mia Brack has been very kind and helpful every time my sons and I need help.
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