A Bit of JPL History From A Soon To Be Retiree, Heather Campbell

Heather Campbell, Senior Librarian in the Main Libarary's Popular/Fiction Department, will spend her last work day at the library on September 28 after 33 years of faithful service.  Needless to say, she will be missed.  Heather has seen many changes in library service and we thought you would like to hear about some of JPL's history from someone who has experienced many changes in library service in her 33 years:

"I have been at JPL since May 1979. I started out in General Services at the old Main Library. One of my duties was Interlibrary Loan, which was a lot different from the ILL we know now. It involved teletype machines and paper forms. I was there for seven years. In 1985, I promoted to Senior Librarian and went to Highlands Branch which opened that October. It was the first branch to have computer catalogs and a Circulation system; both were still in beta testing at the time. I was there 13 years. Then I was transferred to Bradham Brooks Northwest and was there a few months. I was transferred to Literature and History at the Main Library in May 1999. I served as Senior Librarian there and then transferred to ILL in December 2003. While in ILL, I oversaw the shift from multiple softwares to the ILLiad (ILL) system. Just before I left ILL, I oversaw the introduction of the Florida Navigator system. JPL was the first Florida public library to use ILLiad for both lending and borrowing. JPL also led the way in being the first and largest public library to sign up to be a "first wave" participant in the Florida Navigator project. In October 2011, I was transferred to the Popular Department. In addition to my reference and supervisory duties, I led the Art Walk Committee, was the contact person for Tai Chi classes, and was one of the JPL representatives for ShAdCo and Downtown Vision."

We wish you and your family the very best in the years to come, Heather, and hope your retirement years will bring new adventures and much joy.  Thank you for all you have done for JPL; we have enjoyed working with you.