Comin' Up: Maker Space At Main

Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop, Main/Urban Manager Michael Sullivan and an audience of about 40 were excited to hear Sara Radovic's "Maker Space" presentation, May 23, at Riverside's Unity Plaza.  

What's that all about? JPL will be moving Main's Popular media collections and romance books now shelved on the first floor to the second floor. (Browsing will remain on the first floor.)  This will avail about 4,000 square feet to be used for a collaborative space that will include furnishings. This project will amplify and complement smaller-scaled spaces which are already being developed and they will bring together resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in a way that has not been done before. The spaces will also afford library customers the opportunity to enjoy musical presentations, view artists' works, learn low to high technology, use 3-D printing, work on their inventions, etc. 

Collaborative spaces have done well in other libraries and Admin is looking forward to having Main's new venture ready by August 2016. Both the Orange County library system and Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative have collaborative spaces featuring a variety of programs and services.  

Staff Profile - March 2015

Aubrey Winship reports to Eric Lawrence, Assistant Director of Facilities Management and Planning.  Soft spoken and amicable, Aubrey is a no fanfare person who is as tenacious as a dog with a bone; she does not give up until she gets the input needed to get a workable plan to resolve the challenge of the moment.

Q: What are your responsibilities as Executive Assistant l, Library Services in Facilities?

A: Executive Assistant I, Library Services is a fancy way of saying that I am the Facilities Manager. In that role I am responsible for the day to day physical issues concerning library buildings and furniture. I also help with budgeting, capital improvement projects, general maintenance, and furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E). My job is essentially to serve as the one stop shop for facilities questions or concerns. I'll either answer the question, fix the problem, or know who to go to who can.

Q: You are relatively new to JPL; what particularly attracted you to this position?

A: I have always had a love of libraries and books. Combine that with my degree in building construction from Georgia Tech and this position was a wonderful fit. I get to daily be involved with two of my favorite things: reading and construction.

Q: What do you find most challenging in your work for Facilities?

A: I would say that the transition from private industry into the public sector was a significant change that came with a steep learning curve. I am sure that many people can understand how much more paperwork seems to be required for every step in the process with the city! I came from a world where I found the issue and I fixed the issue. I didn’t have to explain anything until after I had the resolution in hand.

Q: What past experience has helped you enjoy the success you have had in Facilities?

A: Past experience has taught me to be patient and calm. Nothing ever gets solved by getting worked up over an issue. I’ve always heard that your facilities department is doing their job best when you never have to think about them. While things will always happen - you never know when someone will steal, say, the flush valve off a toilet in the children’s section (this really happened at CW!), the facilities department strives to handle all issues quickly and efficiently.

Q: Who is your favorite author and why?

A: I’m not sure I have a favorite author (though JK Rowling would probably take the prize if you twisted my arm enough) but I certainly have a type of book that I love best. I like easy, happy reads. The world is a harsh enough place so I don’t need my books to be as well. Now within that: my interests vary from Harry Potter to Tina Fey’s Bossypants or from Stephanie Plum to Pride and Prejudice. If it’s a quick read that keeps my attention or can make me smile, I will probably love it.

Aubrey is pictured with her boyfriend, Roshan.

Staff Profile

If you have seen a tornado whizzing by with a smile as wide as east is from west, you might have seen Garland Wilson, JPL's Distribution Services Supervisor. He and his crew are essential to providing the high quality service JPL consistently delivers (no pun intended) to its customers. As an employee said when he was nominated for a first quarter award for Modeling the Way, "Garland manages any situation with extraordinary poise and style."

Q: What is your professional background, and what experiences do you draw upon for your position as Distribution & Supply Supervisor?

A: I graduated with an MBA from Webster University in 2006. I was formerly in the U.S. Army and served in the Gulf War.

Q: What are your goals for the Distribution Department?

A: My goals for distribution include reducing turnover in the department and training my staff to model the way of good customer service. I would like for the department to lead by example and be recognized as the backbone of the library system.

Q: What has surprised you about working at Jacksonville Public Library?

A: I am surprised at how important the distribution department is to the rest of the library system.

Q: Please share something about yourself that most people probably don’t know.

A: I am originally from Jacksonville and I'm a single Dad of 3 children (2 boys and a girl). I enjoy all sports, but especially football, springboard diving, and swimming.

Facilities Management & Planning - Maximizing Efficiencies in Difficult Economic Times

The Facilities Management and Planning group is taking a closer look at internal processes to ensure we maximize efficiencies in FY 2010. In our effort to reduce operational costs, we adopted a new strategy in delivering custodial services to JPL facilities. In October 2009, we switched from nighttime janitorial cleaning to daytime cleaning at all 21 branches and eliminated hourly day porters at 13 locations. The reduction in services will save JPL $312,000 annually, while enabling staff to closely monitor daily cleaning activities. Branch managers are reporting that the change has resulted in improved cleaning of their facilities. Another benefit of the daytime switch is the reduction of contract security staff at the Main Library saving JPL an additional $16,000.

Recently we continued our efforts to promote sustainable building practices by installing 19 electric hand dryers in public and staff restrooms at the Main library. Thirty five additional hand dryers are slated to be installed in upcoming months at AR, CW, DU, KR, NW and WBK. Once completed, paper towels will be removed from public and staff restrooms, reducing consumable paper products at those locations. We expect to see significant savings as a result of the decrease in paper towel orders.

In other exciting ‘sustainable’ news, the Facilities Management and Planning group established a partnership between JPL and the North Florida Chapter of the US Green Building Council to promote residential green building practices. The USGBC will hold workshops at seven library locations beginning January 14th at SOM. The workshops will provide information on advantages and incentives for local home-owners to build ‘green’, or remodel their homes with energy efficient products and appliances. Promotional flyers and posters were distributed to the branches to stimulate workshop attendance. Please visit http://greenjpl.wordpress.com/ for more information.

As we are continuously challenged to do more with less, FMP staff will keep working with vendors throughout the year to find cost-effective solutions for delivering services while ensuring that customer and staff needs are met.