Staff Profile - October 2014

Some employees know little about a department at the Main Library called Special Collections, and we thought most of you would like to know more about what Special Collections contains and about the special person who heads it up: Kathleen Krizek, Librarian III.  Kathleen is an enthusiastic leader, who, in her spare time, likes to accompany her husband, Joe, on kayaking trips.  Kathleen also enjoys being a creative cook, has two cats, and is an avid reader.

Q: You have headed Main’s Special Collections department for about a year and a half.  Tell us what the different areas that comprise “Special Collections” and what each does.
A: The Special Collections Department is composed of African American History, Florida History, Genealogy and Government Documents, although the Delius and Holocaust collections are also a small part of our area.
The African American area highlights contributions of people of African descent in Florida and throughout the South.
The Florida Collection covers Florida with an emphasis on Northeast Florida and Jacksonville.
The Government Documents collection contains materials released by all three branches of the Government through the Federal Depository Library Program. JPL has been a participant in the FDPL for 100 years and just celebrated the anniversary.
The Genealogy Collection has items selected to aid and assist the public in genealogical research, with a focus on the Southeastern United States.
The Delius Collection consists of monographs, scores, manuscripts, etc. about Frederick Delius, the British composer who lived in the Jacksonville area in the mid 1880’s. The Holocaust Collection was dedicated in 2006 and contains materials relating to one of the most horrific events in human history.

Our staff is able to research questions using materials from multiple areas. I enjoy the way we have different approaches to answering the questions and how we work together to find the customer the best answer.

Q: What is your work history prior to becoming Librarian III in Special Collections and how did your experience prepare you for your present position?
A: I started as a youth services librarian/assistant branch manager in Kernersville, NC. I worked there for 5 years until my husband decided to go to graduate school at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. I had the same type of job, although in a much smaller system. When my husband graduated with a Master’s in Coastal Engineering, Florida was the obvious place to look for a job. This was in the heyday of BJP and the library was experiencing a wonderful growth period. I was hired as the youth services librarian for Murray Hill, promoted to manager of Graham, then moved to UPK as they were preparing for the opening. I’ve been in Special Collections since 2007, as the Gov Docs coordinator. That was completely different from anything I’ve ever done, but I enjoyed working with the collection and getting it cataloged, so those weird call numbers pop up more often. With the whirlwind that was FY13, I became the supervisor of all Special Collections as the staff was halved and the other supervisors went sent to new locations. I think since my background is children’s, I prefer a teaching and sharing approach with my customers.

Q: What changes and outstanding events over the years have occurred in Special Collections that you would like to share with us?
A: Lyn Corley pressed to have the large painting of Jean Ribault on the shores near Fort Caroline restored and hung on the wall of Special Collections. It was unveiled in May 2012 and continues to draw attention. The antiquarian maps in the Map Room were photographed and made available through the library catalog for all to see. The staff has been working hard on various projects with one aim in mind - improve access to materials. We’ve added municipal documents, genealogy microfiche, had our vertical files listed on our home page and more. Our ILL and outside customer requests have increased. In the last week alone, we’ve talked to professors from UNC-CH, USC-C, and TAMU as well as had several local authors use our materials.

Q: How do you think we could spread the word so the community as a whole knows what treasures are in Special Collections?
A: Our reference staff produces a bimonthly newsletter, the Owl’s Nest, through Library Aware which is distributed to about 300 subscribers. I wrote, with Kate Holmes’ help, a staff tutorial to using gov docs, which I encourage branch staff to take as well, as you can offer customers information without a need to visit Main. The FDLP 100^thanniversary celebration drew politicians, several of whom took time to visit the collection to see the rarities we own. We offer genealogy classes both here and offsite (on request). Since last fall, we’ve begun offering a book talk series called “Special Collections: Local Authors”. I would like for our staff to create tutorials about using the other aspects of Special Collections, but that’s still in the future. I’ve offered to provide a program at the library for next year’s Southeastern Museums Conference to be held in Jacksonville. Recently we have begun working with Children’s’ staff to support the history fair and a holiday program. We’re always looking for ways to share our resources with staff and customers.

Q: What is something most of us do not know about you that you would share with us?
A: My husband is an avid kayaker and has completed most of the Florida Circumnavigation Saltwater Paddling Trail (about 1200 miles so far). I am his support wagon, dropping him off and picking him up in the wee hours. While he’s on the water, I’ve visited historic sites, museums, national parks and tiny towns all along the coast. I’ve been stopped by alligators crossing the Tamiami Trail in the Everglades, seen fluttering colors at Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, and gone shelling in Boca Grande.