FLA announces 2010 legislative awards

The Florida Library Association (FLA) announces its 2010 legislative awards for support of Florida’s libraries. With these awards, the Florida library community thanks legislators and state leaders who advocated for libraries in the 2010 Florida legislature. By honoring these leaders, FLA encourages local library supporters to recognize the hard work done by their leaders in maintaining state funding for public libraries.

State Aid to Public Libraries grant funding is a priority issue for Florida libraries and the communities they serve. Due to the tight state budget facing the 2010 Legislature, harmful cuts or even elimination of State Aid were not averted until the very last minute of the budget process. Many legislators and state leaders contributed to the effort to save library funding. Because this year’s effort was so intense and prolonged, the Florida library community would like to thank the many legislators who helped to save State Aid.

Florida Library Association legislative awards will be presented to legislators in their home communities by local library officials and supporters.

Legislators Who Led the Way in Insuring that State Aid to Public Libraries Is Funded for Another Year

§ Senator Jeff Atwater – Senate President
§ Senator J D Alexander
§ Senator Mike Fasano
§ Representative Rich Glorioso

These individuals were closely involved in the budget process and played critical roles in the decision to fund libraries. Senator Fasano and Representative Glorioso worked tirelessly and closely with the library community all year long. They stood up for library funding time after time. Senator Atwater provided support throughout the session and Senator Alexander intervened in the final budget meeting and proposed restoring library funding to the previous year level.

Legislators Who Went Out of Their Way and Made Special Efforts to Make Sure that Libraries Were Funded

§ Representative Leonard Bembry
§ Representative Marti Coley
§ Senator Paula Dockery
§ Representative Audrey Gibson
§ Representative. Mike Horner
§ Senator Al Lawson
§ Representative Evan Jenne
§ Representative Marlene O’Toole
§ Senator Chris Smith

Each of these legislators in their roles as members of their respective houses stepped up and went directly to the House and Senate leadership and made personal appeals for library funding.

Legislative Leaders without Whose Support Library Funding Would Not Have Been Won
§ Representative Larry Cretul –House Speaker
§ Representative Dean Cannon – Speaker Designate
§ Representative Will Weatherford
§ Representative David Rivera
§ Senator Mike Haridopolos – Senate President Designate

Special thanks to Secretary of State Kurt Browning!
In Florida government, support for public library service is part of the Department of State. Though Secretary Browning retired on the last day of the legislative session, it was not before distinguishing himself as one of the most supportive Secretaries ever. He worked tirelessly for libraries, even continuing until after midnight on the last night of the budget committee meetings.


The individuals named here are those whose efforts on behalf of libraries have come to our attention. There may be others whose efforts were not reported to us. We extend our thanks to all legislators who advocated for library funding and our apologies to any who may not have been named.

The Florida Library Association is a non-profit organization of libraries, library staff and those who support libraries with more than 1,000 members across the state.

FLA advocates for excellence in all types of library service throughout Florida. FLA also develops the skills of librarians and support staff and works closely with the information industry.

More information about the Florida Library Association and its advocacy efforts is available online at http://www.flalib.org/advocacy.php

Library Guy honored by FAC

Paul Clark, aka the "Library Guy," was honored yesterday by the Florida Association of Counties for his library advocacy efforts. In photo, Clark (l) is standing with former Secretary of State Kurt Browning.

Clark held signs in support of State Aid to Libraries funding for public libraries in the Capitol during the 2010 and 2009 legislative sessions. This is the first time FAC's "Lobbyist of the Year" award has gone to someone who is not a professional lobbyist.

Read the full story at http://jacksonville.com/community/clay/2010-07-27/story/clay-library-staffer-gets-florida-county-groups-top-lobbying-award

See the video of the presentation at
http://clayfl.swagit.com/player.php?refid=07272010-10

Masons Lay Cornerstone at Bay County Library

by Will Hobson

Panama City News Herald

3/5/10

PANAMA CITY — King Solomon’s Temple, the U.S. Capitol, and the Bay County Library. Before Friday, the three structures had little in common, except that they are all buildings (or used to be; King Solomon’s Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.).

After Friday’s cornerstone-laying ceremony at the library, the three buildings are now linked by their connection to Masons. Solomon’s Temple is used by the Masons as an allegorical basis for their organization, while the U.S. Capitol also bears a Masonic cornerstone like the one installed Friday morning in the Bay County Library.

“As Masons we’re always looking for light. Not just the light from the sun, which supports all life on the Earth, but intellectual light as well,” District 6 Deputy Grand Master Wayne Wert said before the ceremony.

Bay County Commissioners, three of whom are members of the Masons, participated in the symbolic ceremony, in which a 70-pound stone was set into the corner of the 55,000-square-foot building, which opened in May 2008.

“This is a custom that has not been in place here for a number of years,” said Commissioner Jerry Girvin, a Mason along with Commissioners Mike Thomas and George Gainer. Friday’s ceremony was the first in Bay County since the last county library had a Masonic cornerstone installed in 1966.

“I think it’s only appropriate, since we seek light, that we put a cornerstone on a library for the first time in 50 years,” Girvin said.

The Masons sported their symbolic garb, aprons signifying the aprons worn by real stonemasons.

Dale Goehrig, grand master of the Masons in Florida, explained the link between the imagery of stonemasons and the goals of his organization.

“Stonemasons build a building,” Goehrig said. “Masons build a better man.”

Jacksonville Public Library receives Seal Shield Donation

Seal Shield has donated 17 keyboards and mice to the Main Library Teen Department.

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Seal Shield manufactures completely waterproof, washable computer keyboards and mice. Unlike standard computer equipment, Seal Shield keyboards and mice are 100% spill proof, waterproof, antimicrobial and can be cleaned with soap and water, allowing the equipment to be cleared of germs regularly.

“Washable computer equipment is a great addition to the Teen Department,” said Keli Likins, Teen Librarian, Main Library. “With so much computer use in the Teen Department, washable keyboards and mice will save us from having replace equipment as quickly because of spills and exposure to liquid.”

“We are delighted to partner with Seal Shield to accept this donation on behalf of the Jacksonville Public Library,” said Maggie Hightower, Executive Director, Jacksonville Public Library Foundation, “and look forward to working with the Seal Shield in the future.” Demonstration of the waterproof feature of the keyboards and mice in the Main Library teen department is available upon request.

For more information about seal shield technology, visit www.sealshield.com.

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library working hard in 2010

The Friends Great Jacksonville Annual Book Sale raked in more than $90,000 this month and the number of people that showed up at the sale reached more than five thousand.

“The Jacksonville fairgrounds has more than adequate space for the sale, but this year even parking was a challenge for people attending, and that’s a good sign for us,” Harry Regan, president for the Friends, said.

The Friends of the Library volunteer their time year round to several major revenue generators to raise funds for the library including the Great Jacksonville Book sales held twice a year now in the fall and spring seasons.

The Booktique owned and operated by the Friends, and staffed entirely by volunteers, is located in the Laura Street entrance of the Main Library. The Booktique offers great buys on books for readers of all ages. The Saturday Morning Bookstore, also staffed entirely by volunteers, is open each Saturday and operated out of the University Park Library Branch. Volunteers sell, sort and organize thousands of books in preparation to sell by Friends volunteers.

The Friends had such a great success at this past book sale they’re extending their specials at the Saturday Morning Bookstore at the University Park Branch to include buy one get one free on fiction and audio/video materials.

The Jacksonville Public Library South Mandarin Branch receives new addition to their outdoor space

The South Mandarin Branch Library received a new addition to their outdoor space as another piece for the public park, located behind the branch, was completed.

A wooden pergola was constructed for the park so library customers and other groups may meet for program gatherings and a place to enjoy their favorite reading material while taking in the view.

"We hope the space will be one that everyone can enjoy and attract new visitors to the park as well as the library," Bill Walker, Rotary Club of Jacksonville member said.

The pergola was donated by the Rotary Club of Jacksonville in effort to complete the project that has been in the making more than five years. The club adopted the space nearly six years ago and has since added pieces to the park, after clearing the collected debris, including benches and soon-to-be trail markers that identify the plant life along the walking trails.

"This project has been one I've been most proud of during me as a Rotary member, " Walker said.

Jacksonville Public Library appoints new administrative supervisor

The Jacksonville Public Library is proud to announce its newest Administrative Supervisor, Ava Barrett.

Barrett was a resident of Lee County where she most recently held the position of principal librarian/regional manager. Her professional experience includes serving as the assistant director of the Broward County’s African American Research Library and Cultural Center for five years and extensive experience in libraries abroad including manager of library services at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada and Director of Library services at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica.

Barrett is working on her masters in Public Administration and will graduate this summer. She received her MLS from New York State University in Buffalo and her undergraduate degree from the University of West Indies in Kingston Jamaica.