Capacity Plan Status Report

Key Information

The Board Capacity Plan Committee has requested three sets of capacity recommendations:
1. 10% budget reduction
2. Status quo operations
3. Ideal operations

Capacity Plan Components

Communications Plan - Four public meetings were held, and online comments were accepted, to introduce the capacity planning process, and gather community input about the library’s priorities and services for the future.

Received: 1) Stakeholder Interview Notes Summary, 2) Summary of Comments from Four Community Meetings, 3) Website Comments Summary

Expected: 1) Four additional public meetings will be held to report the key findings and recommendations, 2) Communications Plan to market the capacity plan and specific capacity plan elements, and to help ensure that staff, stakeholders and the community are familiar with the outcome of the planning process and understand how it impacts them, 3) Action Plan with timelines to achieve recommendations.

Reduction, Status Quo and Ideal Scenario Recommendations

Draft Reports Received: 1) Reduction Scenario - JPL Schedule Option, 2) Status Quo Scenario - Services & Facilities Functional Assessment, 3) All three scenarios – Alternative Model Libraries (defined as less than a full-service facility, with minimal staffing).

Expected: 1) Ideal Scenario – White Paper based on Buxton data for ideal library locations if starting “from scratch”, 2) A presentation from the consultants that ties all of the data together to present a clear, transparent plan to present to the Mayor and the Council.

Facilities

Received: 1) Space Planning Guidelines and Preliminary Standards, 2) Physical Assessment of Library Buildings, 3) Building retrofit costs, 4) Functional Assessment of Facilities (includes manager and staff input)

Expected: 1) Long Term Facilities Plan

Information Technology

Received: 1) Information Technology Report Draft

Services

Expected: 1) Service Capacity Report

Market Segmentation

Received: 1) Mosaic Descriptions of Customer Profile Groups, 2) Model Draft Report (includes drive time, trade areas, segmentation profiles by branch, customer profiles by material category and branch, and score sheets that indicate branch materials use compared to JPL average use).

Expected: 1) Cross Over Charts, 2) Computer use data added to score sheets

Funding

Expected: 1) Sustainable funding plan

Next steps

1) Capacity Plan Committee Meeting – December 17, 9-12, Conference Center, Room G4. Consultants will share key findings and recommendations.
2) Administrative Team visits to branches to share key findings.
2) Four Public Meetings are scheduled in January:
January 11, 2:30-4:00, Beaches
January 11, 7:00-8:30, Highlands
January 12, 2:30-4:00, Graham
January 12, 7:00-8:30, Southeast
3) Final Capacity Plan Committee meeting – February 8, 9:00-12:00, Conference Center, Room G4.
4) When the final capacity plan report has been received by the Board, JPL will have 60 days to provide the Mayor and Council with recommendations for action by the legislative and executive branches of government.
5) COJ Budget workshops will be held February – April.

United Way - Did You Know?

December 7 is the deadline to turn in United Way donations to your JPL United Way representative. Please help us complete this capaign on time. Many people will be helped by our donations. Here are a few facts about where our donations go:

United Way's phone number 2-1-1 offers free, confidential information and referral 24/7 to North Florida and 117,00 referrals to callers were made in 2009; of these, 21,000 to callers who needed food, shelter, and clothing.

In the past two years, the RealSense Prosperity campaign returned over $10 million to low-moderate income families through the Earned Income Tax Credit. Nearly $6 million was saved by tax payers using RealSense free tax preparation over this same period. Clients saved over $3 million using this free tax service, and 23,000+ student hours were logged in all classes for free financial education.

UW's Achievers for Life's Dropout prevention initiative focused on 6th grade students at risk for academic failure. Through 2009, this program achieved a 20% improvement in GPA and 36% fewer absences. Our local economy is affected and the safety of our neighborhoods because dropouts cost all of us big time!

And on and on the help goes: the UW of NE Florida Community Fund invests in 87 programs in 60 agencies, all addressing our community's needs from infancy to the oldest in our five county area.

UW's Community Fund contributions are reviewed, invested and monitored by more than 100 local, trained, unpaid volunteers who themselves are contributors. Got more Qs? Find your answers at: http://www.uwnefl.org/about.asp

Staff Profile

Most JPL staff know Kathy Tekin, Youth Services Library Supervisor. You might not know the interesting path she took to her current position and all that she and her staff do so diligently to contribute to JPL's success.

1. What experience prepared you to supervise Youth Services?

I’ve spent many years working in a variety of library settings, starting as an elementary media specialist for Harper Creek Schools and then for four schools in Battle Creek, Michigan.

My first public library position was as a children’s librarian for Howell Carnegie District Library, housed in an 80-year-old building. After four years in that building, we moved to a newly renovated, expanded building. I worked closely with the contractors and architects during the building phase.

My next adventure was with the St. Johns County Public Library in St. Augustine where I served as a teen librarian and later promoted to branch manager of public service.

JPL is the largest library system I have worked for; I was hired as a children’s librarian at Highlands in June 1998, then promoted to Programming Supervisor in 2002. JPL is rewarding to me, working with staff and our community to create awareness of our library's many services.
Working in various library settings I saw how each area of a library can impact and influence other areas and the impact of programming in a branch and in a large library system like this. The Executive Leadership Academy helped me hone my skills with project management--as I worked on a project for JPL--and in communication. As a result of this course, the position of Early Childhood Specialist was created.

My most challenging role was as a branch manager and an Interim Library Director for the Howell Carnegie Library where I was involved in day-to-day operations and the project management aspects of the new building.

2. What programs have you seen JPL develop that have helped our community most?
JPL has had the opportunity to implement a number of youth services programs that have made a great impact in this community. After the Main Library was built, we could hold many more programs because we now had the space. We have dedicated children’s and teen spaces that were not in the Haydon Burns Library, and that has allowed Youth Services staff the opportunity to be creative and prolific with programs. Two of the most recent programs that have been a big success are Prime Time Family Reading Time and Teens Make a Difference.

Prime Time is a 6-week reading and storytelling program for families whose children are struggling to read and develop the necessary literacy skills to perform at their grade level. The program encourages families to read and discuss meaningful children’s books together and enables parents with limited literacy skills to create a home environment supportive of their children and their reading development.

The first stop of the three series program was at Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch, and after the six weeks concluded, we had served more than 26 family members. Each week we served a meal to the families and then had storytime. Families were sad when the six week program ended. All the families had grown close and had a rapport with the library staff, the scholar, and the storyteller. The case was the same at UPK as at NW, even though attendance nearly doubled to 49 family members.

Teens Make a Difference began in spring 2010 with seven teen interns. We are now in our second round of interns and as with Prime Time, we have nearly doubled our numbers. We now have 13 teen interns, who work at University Park, Regency, Webb, Argyle and Main. The teens work in a variety of capacities and in many different departments including, circ, reference, Talking Books, children’s and teen. They handle daily tasks such as shelving, helping customers with computers, finding materials, program planning, support and check outs.

3. How do you and your staff of three get all those youth programs ready and rolling?
A lot of planning and even more teamwork. I am so appreciative of my staff and their willingness to work hard to get the job done. Prime Time Family Reading Time is a great example of lots of teamwork within our staff and with our community partners. Planning and developing the path for successful programs is crucial and all players need to be on the same page.

Teens Make A Difference has been successful due again in part to community partners and JPL staff teamwork. The pilot for this program had seven teens working in three library locations that are easy to monitor and establish the criteria for success. This semester we have 13 teens in five branches and again we are successful due to partners and library staff. This Internship Program is reaching out to students who need that first break to obtain job skills that will be helpful in their future endeavors . They have a clear understanding of our expectations and they know they are contributing to their own growth.

4. How will Youth Services play a vital role in JPL’s future?
Through programs that meet the interest and needs of our youth. The interests of today’s youth are constantly changing--something that was new and exciting to them one day, will be out-of-date the next. By evaluating the trends, trying new programs and services, and asking for their involvement in helping determine their likes and dislikes, JPL's Youth Services will remain educational, fun, and relevant .

5. What is something you would like to share about yourself that most of us don’t know?
I thoroughly enjoy gardening and a variety of needlework styles like cross stitch and crocheting.

Mark Ely, Librarian, Southeast Branch, Retires

On December 3rd, Mark Ely, Librarian and resident cataloging expert, retires after 21 years with JPL. Mark has worked at three different libraries during his employment, Regency Square, Charles Webb-Wesconnett, and Southeast. Mark will be sorely missed as he has been the go to guy for difficult cataloging problems at Southeast.

Mark plans to begin his retirement by joining a gymnasium to improve his health and also start a gardening hobby. We wish Mark the very best in his future endeavors, and of course, as many as could came to add their personal wishes at a recent party in his honor. Pictured left to right, Theresa Barmer, Manager, Mark Ely, and Bob Silkett, Librarian Senior.

Latanza Sutton organized an employee art show at Mandarin in November. She modeled the way for her fellow staff members to show their artistic side. Congratulations to Latanza for using her leadership skills so creatively.

And check out Mandarin's new

display highlighting Imani the

Swahili word for faith. The

figures featured in the display are on loan from the collection of Carolyn Woods.

Kudos from Customers

Mandarin Branch - "Mary has been very helpful. She is very pleasant."

Pablo Creek Branch - "Complimentary comment about library associate Kim Greenwood was received 11/15/2010. Original comment card was lost, but comment was along these lines: Librarian Kim Greenwood is always professional, helpful, knowledgeable and pleasant."

University Park Branch - "I would like to let you know what a good job Mina Figuerrez is doing at UPK. She sponsors or heads all of your cultural programs. She does an outstanding job of organizing and setting up these programs. I look forward to attending all of your programs and I appreciate good leadership and organizational skills such as Ms. Mina shows. ..."

Willowbranch Branch - "Jason Brown is an amazing librarian and his customer service is great!"

Award Winners of JPL's 4th Quarter FY09/10

Pictured L/R are Julie McNeil, winner of the Employee of the 4th quarter and Enable Others to Act. Julie is Library Supervisor of several areas at the Main Library: Popular, Teen, Talking Books and Inter Library Loan. Next to Julie is Jill Haile, Librarian Senior in the Collection Development Department, which is housed at University Park Branch. In the center is Sandra Lockley, Library Assistant at Webb Wesconnett Branch, winner of Model the Way. Ashlee Song is a Part-Time Clerical employee at Pablo Creek Branch, and another winner of Model the Way. Greg Pierce, Library Associate at West Regional Branch, is winner of Encourage the Heart award.

These exemplary employees were recognized at the Library Board meeting, November 10, when this picture was taken. They are a beautiful representation of JPL's success and all of us congratulate you!

Webb Wesconnett Gets in the Mood of Halloween

Webb Wesconnett took Halloween to a new level on October 29 as kids wandered through Miss Laurie's (Mills) scary forest. She told them a story about creepy things they might find in the forest. Fog and dry ice embellished effects with lights out, candles burning, and outdoor sounds of scary wolves, owls, cats and crickets. They played "How to Train Your Dragon" in the library children’s department and games like "Sweep the Pumpkin Down the Aisle". Bags of candy treats topped off their event. It was a wonderful turnout with 88 kids attending this program.

Staff weren't to be outdone and pictured left to right are Vickie Leonard and Sandra Lockley, seated. In the back (L/R) are Carol Bunker, Pat Turner, and Melloney Shepherd.

30 Years? Yes, 30 Years - Congratulations, Carolyn Williams!

Carolyn Williams, Deputy Director, was truly surprised November 9 when staff threw her a celebratory luncheon honoring her 30 years with JPL. Not only did Director Barbara Gubbin pay tribute to her many contributions through the years, but Library Board Chair Jim Selzer also added his words of appreciation.

Trustee Brenda Simmons congratulated Mrs. Williams and said she has known her

since they attended church together as children.

Barrett King, Deputy Director, Administration, presented Mrs. Williams with her 30 year pin.

Mrs. Williams' husband, Vaughn, also joined in the fun (left). Ava Barrett, Main Library Administrative Supervisor, Diane Alexander, CSAII, Tenesha Anderson, Library Assistant, and Stephanie Harley, AR Clerical Supervisor, did the lion's share of planning. Many employees throughout the library system brought an abundance of culinary delights and proved once again that they know how to do it right.

We believe Carolyn knows we appreciate her personally and all she has done professionally contributing to the great success of the Jacksonville Public Library.

Southeast - Brief Encounters of Some Kind

On October 30, the day of the Halloween Costume Parade put on by the Children’s Department, a number of Southeast employees dressed for the occasion. Pictured from left to right are Barbara Hughes (Library Assistant), Ananth Subramanian, (CSII), Lauren Banks, (CSII), Carisia Rooney(Children’s Librarian), Melissa Snowden (CSII), Marela Cajic (CSII), and Alan Clark (Librarian). Pictured above are “out of control” robots caught eating mass quantities of candy to be given out to the participants of the Children’s Halloween parade.

Staff Profile

Ed Murray currently holds the title of Library Supervisor of South Mandarin Branch Library; however, he is a multi talented man, who has a cram packed experience relating to library management long before JPL days.

Q: What fostered your interest in library management?
A: I resisted librarianship when I first graduated college, and worked on Wall Street for several years with American Express. I considered law school, too, but found libraries to be a better fit. I worked at the Brooklyn Public Libraries while attending Pratt Institute and felt confident in that decision. Maybe I never had a chance; my mom was pregnant with me while she worked circulation desks at the Newark Public Library. At first, I never considered the profession to be a very macho pursuit, but I eventually caught librarianship like a disease.

Q: How long and in what areas of library management have you served?
A: I’ve been a librarian for 25 years, initially in New York and upstate. I was a 35-year-old Library Director of the Escanaba Public Library (MI.) There we passed a multiple-million dollar bond issue, built a new building, and automated the collection. I also did things like march in a parade dressed as Clifford the Big Red Dog and pumped free ice cream to kids from a rented truck. I’ve spent much of my career as the Executive Director of the Public Library of New London (CT.) Before coming to Jacksonville, I was Executive Director of Libraries Online, Inc., a 22-member multi-type consortium providing wide area networks, ILS, and Internet services to a region running along the Long Island Sound coast and up the Connecticut River.

Q: What is special about South Mandarin Branch?
A: Pound-for-pound South Mandarin is the Mighty Mouse of the regionals. (I tell the staff we’re like 10-pounds of mud packed into a 5-pound bag. ) South Mandarin was never architecturally designed to be a regional, yet we’re consistently the 4th or 5th busiest location in JPL on a month-to-month basis. We see this through the often filled parking lot, and the painted parking lot lines completely worn from the traffic. The people who work at SoM have much to do with this dynamic, working well with the public and enthusiastically celebrating success. (They know how to party.)

Q: What components do you think are necessary to keep customers coming back to the library?
A: For many of our customers, South Mandarin is another one of many retail outlets available to them on San Jose Blvd. Many of those folks look to us for the “latest and greatest”- particularly in DVD film releases. We hope to maintain those expectations. We continue to also focus on our customer service.

Q: Do you have leisure time interests that don’t include “library”?
A: Many. I’m a long time kung fu practitioner. (I’m admittedly

entering the tai chi part of my life!) For some years I’ve been a

passionate ballroom and Latin dancer (foxtrot, waltz, swing, salsa, tango, merengue, cha cha, bachata, hustle, tango.) I’ve also become a pretty fair trumpet player, and often arrange my own pieces. (I recently played at my niece’s wedding in Atlanta’s Catholic Cathedral, it took a lot of my air to compete with their amazing pipe organ.) Libraries and family keep me very busy, however, and keeping up with a schedule of appearances and rehearsals preclude me from playing in a regular band. Maybe in my post-library period.

Halloween Luncheon on BOB in SST

Debbie Moore of Support Services suggested to Cindy Chism a Halloween Luncheon might be a fun activity at the end of October. Cindy revved into high gear with decorations that transformed the BOB area into the “Bat Cave” or perhaps a somewhat scary haunted house for the month of October. Staff signed up to bring delectables such as Witch’s Fingers (breadsticks w/ almond “fingernails”), Hot Dog Mummies and more traditional lunch time goodies. And a new use for the BOB roller/conveyor was found—a lunch time smorgasbord on little wheels.

A number of staff went the whole nine yards and clown costumes, vampires, 60s fashionistas and a Victorian Lady Steam Punk (Cindy Chism, top pic) could be seen in SST on Friday October 29th. Other staff who didn’t dress for the occasion were only able to say, “Wait till next year!” If you had stopped by SST after all of the eating was done you could have found a few staff doing the Electric Slide to work off some calories. Pictures of the dancers were withheld to protect “the innocent”, but this reporter could perhaps be persuaded to reveal who was getting down and maybe even sharing a picture or two for the right payment—say a Halloween candy bar or two! (Middle pic: Gretchen Mitchell's back to camera and Jill Haile admiring the feast; bottom pic: L/R: Cynthia Byrd, Charlene Adkins, Vondera Brown and Debbie Moore. Sorry, AJ, your full face did not get through.)

Oktoberfest Is Really Happy Birthday at SOM

No birthday went unnoticed at South Mandarin Branch, October 28. when five staff birthdays were celebrated: Tylor Grady and Katherine McDaniel, Shelvers; and Aracelis Diaz, Melanee Terrell and Doreliz Montero, Library Clerks.

The beautiful cake is no more, thanks to other staff, who lifted a slice of cake, instead of a beer stein, at what was called their Oktoberfest. Pictured L/R: Front: Suzanne Waller, Library Assistant, Taylor Brandt, Shelver, Toni Rachel, Library Associate, Senior, Aracelis Diaz, Terrian Adams, Library Clerk, Melanee Terrell, Library Clerk, and Doreliz Montero, Library Clerk. Back: Charles Summey, retired Library Clerk, Larry Robinson, Shelver, Pat Dowdell, Library Assistant, Ed Murray, Library Supervisor, Betty Williams, Library Associate, Seniorr, and Karen Dwyer, Librarian.

UPK Makes "Unshelved" News

You might want to see how University Park Branch scored with "Unshelved" for a display they created:

http://www.unshelved.com/2010-10-10/The_Unshelved_Book_Club_at_Work?utm_source=Overdue+Media&utm_campaign=419bd6c372-UA-127250-5&utm_medium=email

Kudos from Customers

Beaches Branch: “…The commitment and professionalism displayed by the Facility Manager, Ms. (Sally) Doherty, in addition to…Tony Williams…suffice it to say ‘Professional at it’s Best’!”

Main – Admin: “…I went to a wonderful gathering at the St. John's Cathedral. I would personally like to thank the public library for sponsoring such an event. Special thanks go out to your Deputy Director Carolyn Williams. She gave an inspiring speech. …”

Main Library - Popular: “I wish to acknowledge Matthew Moyer (for)…listening closely to my concerns, making suggestions, or taking the time to research before giving a reply. It is so refreshing to find another City worker who takes pride in doing the job correctly and is willing to offer respect.”

Mandarin Branch: “My daughter CONTINUOUSLY requests that we go...where "Mr. David (Foster)" works. He is very kind & helpful!”

University Park Branch: “Great service! Gail (Midon) gives superior service. Josh Wise @ front counter is very professional, well spoken, and very helpful.”

Capacity Plan - October Report

Four public meetings held at Northwest, Mandarin, South Mandarin and Webb were attended by 100 library customers who offered their ideas for providing quality programs and services in a cost-effective way. Ideas ranged from increasing volunteers to improving communications to trimming costs. Customers who could not attend the meetings had an opportunity to share ideas online, and over 100 comments were received. Ideas, comments and priorities from the community will be considered by the consultants and incorporated into the Capacity Plan.

As a result of public interest in the capacity planning process, ILS has created a page for the Capacity Plan on JPL’s website. The purpose of the page is to post information and documents during the capacity planning process so staff and the public can keep abreast of developments.

The Capacity Plan is now linked from About the Library. It is listed in the yellow floatbox on the right as one of the options to click to learn more about the library.

http://jaxpubliclibrary.org/lib/about.html
http://jaxpubliclibrary.org/lib/capacity-plan-page.html

Please let us know what you think!

Who Likes Diced Fingers?

The Southeast Branch Fun Bunch has been at it again!

A riddle was recently sent to each branch through the delivery totes with the understanding that the first two branches to respond correctly would win a GRUESOME October prize.

The riddle was: Name three consecutive days without using the words Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Answer: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow!

Congratulations to the first two branches that had the right answer: Brentwood and Highlands! They will receive their prizes, including diced fingers. Regency Square and Webb Wesconnett also deserve a drum roll; they both won honorable mention prizes. All the winners will receive their prizes through tote delivery soon.

Thanks to those who participated and look for more opportunities to win in the future.

In keeping with the Halloween season, pictured are (left to right)Blake Fowler, CSII; Crystal Kadkhodaie, CSII; Deborah Wainwright, Circulation Supervisor; Mirela Cajic, CSII, and kneeling is Melissa Snowden, CSII, showing some of the gruesome prizes for the first place winners.

The Fun Bunch is a rotating group of Southeast staff members who add a little fun to our daily life at JPL.

Pirates Party at Webb Wesconnett

Brothers of the First Coast Pirate group garnered 72 people of all ages at Webb Wesconnett Branch recently and talked about pirates and displayed pirate items.

Staff decorated the room with pirate loot and the program included pirate games. Children were asked to come in pirate dress and everyone had fun being a pirate for the day--especially "Captain Hook".

Laurie Mills, Library Associate, is in the process of making a collage of children's programs to be hung on the wall so kids can see themselves when they participated in different programs.

Hispanic Heritage Day Celebrated at CW

Webb Wesconnett celebrated Hispanic Heritage Day, September 18. Jessica Serrano (in picture at left, far right), Library Associate, danced with the Venezuelan group.

Another dance group, Raices De Colombia, also performed in their colorful outfits, and the 69 people in attendance, as well as the dancers, had a great time.

Webb's Toddler Time Is Maxed Out Every Week

Programs for all ages are very populare with all of JPL customers. Laurie Mills holds Toddler Time every Wednesday at Webb Wesconnett Branch. They do exercises and then pre-K activities, such as finger painting fall trees.

High demand for this class resulted in preegisration being required. Now they can only take the first 16 toddlers and parents who arrive before 11:00 each Wednesday. This program is always full.