Staff Profile - December 2016

Pablo Creek Manager Jackie Spiritas won the Challenge the Process Award and, subsequently, the Employee of the 4^th Quarter (July-September 2016).  Why?  Read on:

Q:  PCR is now a popular gathering place for not only customers but also businesses, City departments, and other organizations—particularly once a month.  What do you attribute this to?

A: Pablo Creek has a very large inviting space and can accommodate the needs of a wide variety of groups. We have enjoyed hosting programs for our customers that demonstrate our willingness to adapt. For instance, this past month we had a Goodwill Fashion Show in the middle of the library. This is something that we normally would have tucked in a meeting room. We don’t see our walls as barriers and this attitude toward programming creates more opportunity to help bring people and groups together. I am always looking for community groups and organizations that share similar goals; then the ideas and possibilities gain momentum more quickly and have more of a lasting impact. I have found that to be a very productive way to increase our visibility and create new and deeper partnerships and collaborations.

    

Q:  When and how did Turn It UP begin? 

A:  The idea originally was introduced by Region Manager Sara Roberts who continues to bring a unique perspective to the programming table. She recognizes the niche for innovative programming like Turn it Up and has witnessed the success of such programs in other library systems. She coached Greg Pierce and me through the process in stages and we began learning how to adapt it to our community. We held our first Turn It Up in April 2016 and we began by focusing on adult programs and demonstrations, hoping that would attract and inspire our customers. What we discovered in the process was that Pablo Creek is a family-centric library. Most adults are either accompanied by children or are using Pablo Creek in different ways than by attending programs. We turned our attention to the Children’s department and used that information to bring in programs that focused on families and children. Once we had a captive audience of adults, we learned how to promote our adult services during those moments where the children’s program transitions in to the adult area. For instance, while the children are playing games like Library Bowling or Putt Putt in the Stacks, staff can demonstrate Tumblebooks to the parents. We have found a way to tie in an online database demonstration to each program. For November, the theme was Gratitude so we focused on Transparent Language Online – how to say Thank You in different languages. Not to leave out the adults that are working on computers during Turn It Up – they get to enjoy live music, food demonstrations in the lobby, and are drawn to the activity generated by the other programs.

Q:  How did you get staff on board with this new challenge? 

A:  Honestly, the staff has been so invested in the success of Pablo Creek programming that all we have to do is describe what we are trying to accomplish and ask for help. We have a committee whose members rotate which allows everyone the chance to contribute. Staff from every department, including our volunteers and part-time staff, is given a job to do.  We meet every week to discuss and inspire each other. Every person’s idea is considered and no one is in it alone. We carve out time on the schedule to pair people up to discuss and create their ideas, whether it’s a display or just to figure out the best way to move people. I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside people who understand what we are trying to do for the community and then help to do it. I give the staff a wide berth to explain their ideas, create them, and own the success when they bring it all to life.

 Q:  How many turn out for Turn It UP now and what have been the benefits to all concerned? 

A:  We have averaged around 150 with some coming for just the Children’s program and realizing we also have live music, crafts and games. Others who are on the computer or just passing through to get a book wind up getting a free cupcake and enjoying a four-piece woodwind quartet performing by the Ask Here desk. The impact of the programming is more than the number – it gives people a story to tell when they are advocating for the library. The benefits are threefold – the staff gets to be a part of something bigger than their individual duties or responsibilities. This is a quality of life issue that I feel improves staff morale and is an incentive to continue doing excellent work for the library system. The outside groups that participate have an opportunity for extra exposure and to push the message they want out to a captive audience with no sales pressure. The library gets to live its own mission by bringing people, ideas, and information together.

Q: Tell us something about yourself most of us would not know. 

A:  I am an enigma. There is stuff even I don’t know about myself. How about this? If you see me wearing tiger eye – ask me anything. I am at my most open and confident. It’s my secret weapon. Oops – not any more!