Service Improvement of the Month

July 2008

Cutting Costs at Broward County Library

Broward County Library has instituted innovative cost-cutting methods that effectively reduce budgetary strain without sacrificing customer service. The closing of Broward County Library’s Remote Operations Center (ROC) will save over $800,000 annually.

As one of the first and unanimous service improvements agreed upon as a result of budget reductions, this closing will transfer all services conducted at the ROC to other locations.

In October, 2007, delivery functions were transferred to Main Library, and in January of 2008 Invoice Processing was transferred to Business Services (also at Main Library) while the Receiving Section (Storekeepers) were relocated to the Main Library and regional libraries. Most recently, in mid-June of this year, Central Selection (comprised of Cataloging, Collection Development and Serials) was incorporated into the Main Library.

For additional savings on personnel, Broward County Library has begun purchasing 95% of their materials “shelf ready” from vendors, and now have new materials either shipped directly to the branches or to six consolidated sites (Main/Regionals). Acquiring materials that are shelf ready has made it possible to relocate over 20 positions from the ROC to branches of the library.

June 2008

Libraries change lives. Broward County Library touches people in so many ways - improving literacy in our community, instilling a love of reading among our children, and providing education and information for all.

Our newest feature, "How the Library Changes Lives," tells us what the library means to our community and showcases our customers and their personal stories about how the library has changed and improved their lives. We'll introduce you to customers whose lives have been touched by the library and let them tell you why the library is important to them.

Click here to read "How the Library Changes Lives."

May 2008

Check Out Being Green @ Your Library

Broward County Library is promoting its Web site through a new campaign, Check Out Being Green @ Your Library. Each time a customer chooses to use a Broward County Library, it helps improve our environment in a myriad ways. Our goal is to make it even easier to find and use the vast resources available at BCL and therefore do our part to help both our customers and our global community.  In keeping with that goal, we've explored ways to make our web site better than ever.

Our customers have asked for more information on using www.broward.org/library, and to spread the word we're creating a new Check Out Being Green brochure that will give our customers step-by-step information on finding and using services online. It includes details on the basics, such as placing holds, using our catalog, and renewing materials as well as more focus on communicating with customers via e-mail.

Click here to view the new Check Out Being Green brochure. (.pdf - 4444 KB)
In May, a new online service, E-Spotlights, will be launched featuring Photo of the Day, the Staff Recommended Title of the Day (book reviews by Broward County Library staff members) and the Reference Question of the Day. This will give online visitors the opportunity to see something new on our site every day and, keep them coming back for more!

Click here to sign up to receive the new weekly E-Spotlights. 

Check Out Being Green@ Your Library is more than just a slogan - it's everyone's chance to help the environment through the use of Broward County Libraries. Here's how Check Out Being Green @Your Library will help:

• Customers can view program information online instead of receiving paper versions of flyers and brochures.
• Customers have the choice of receiving the latest information on what's going on at the library with our subscription-only free E-Newsletter.
• Better awareness of the many free computer classes and tech workshops at BCL for those who need help using the computer or Internet, or just want to learn new skills.
• By using free materials from Broward County Library, customers help preserve resources and leave a lighter carbon footprint. They'll also save money by checking out free books, movies, music and more!
• Going green also means buildings that help preserve and protect not just intellectual resources, but global ones as well. South Regional/BCC Library is the first LEED-certified structure in Broward County, meaning its environment friendly from top to bottom.
• Save resources by encouraging the recycling of used books, magazines, movies, and CDs by donating them to your local library. The Friends of the Library organizations resell them at book fairs to raise funds for programs, events and more.
  

April 2008

Customers Share Feedback in Survey
Broward County Library rates high in overall satisfaction, but customers would like more materials and longer hours.

In a recent survey conducted by Broward County Library, a record 1,345 Broward County Library customers took the opportunity to offer their opinion and assessment of the overall performance of the library, and ratings were overall very favorable.

The survey, which was administered in library locations countywide at peak usage hours, asked customers to rate a variety of factors including staff knowledge, courtesy, cooperation, and response times; library procedures; quality of service; convenience of library locations and services; library Web site services; and overall satisfaction.

Also, those surveyed were encouraged to write additional comments regarding Broward County Library and its services and staff. Write-in comments ranged from suggestions to offer better parking, longer hours and more materials to praise for "good overall service," and "wonderful environment".

"I love the Broward County Library system," says a customer who completed the survey. "As an RN, I encourage nurses and patients in my hospital and those I teach at two universities to recognize its importance to our personal and community development."

Almost 15% surveyed requested more hours and encouraged the library to close later to accommodate people who worked and/or attended school. Many customers requested more computers and more materials including additional best-selling books, DVDs and music CDs.

However, overall satisfaction of the library was rated at almost 93 percent (92.788%), with one customer writing, "I am very satisfied with the library and services offered. I frequent the library and am always served well."

March 2008

Library's Homepage Re-Launches

Broward County Library re-launched its homepage, www.broward.org/library, with feedback and input from you -- our customers. 

The new page features four quadrants to provide quick access to our most requested information.  The first quadrant showcases the library system with a message from the Library Director, top reasons Broward County Library is one of the best in the nation, customer testimonials explaining how the library changes lives, and a list of all of the services the library offers.

Our customers not only selected the name of the second feature, but also its logo.  My Library Online highlights all of the library's electronic services in one easy-to-use portal.  The third feature shows the upcoming Programs & Events with information, links, and animated images.

The final quadrant displays questions and answers to the most sought information.  The site also includes a new header with flowing images of library locations and special events.

February 2008

Ground breaking for the new Lauderdale Lakes Library and Community Educational and Community Center

The ground breaking of the new Lauderdale Lakes Library & Community Educational and Cultural Center, a partnership between Broward County and the Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), will offer the community an updated facility to replace the existing Lauderdale Lakes Branch Library. The new 10,000 square foot structure will be located in an 1 ¼ acre parcel located south of West Oakland Park Boulevard and east of Northwest 36th Terrace. This site, selected as part of Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency's Bella Vista project, will serve as an anchor of the Bella Vista mixed-use community master plan.  For this important redevelopment project to the City center, City of Lauderdale Lakes decided to double the size of the original 10,000 square feet by contributing additional funding to add a second floor of community meeting rooms to the original library project.

The two-story building exceeds 20,000 square feet with the first floor offering a 10,000 square foot library.  The library will include a 75-seat multipurpose room with a kitchenette, a group study room, 19 public computers, a Youth Services area with five additional computers for children, an audio/visual section, lounge seating and a 50,000-item collection.  The library will also be equipped with Wi-Fi for wireless laptop access.  A new elevator and stairs will lead up to the 8,932 square foot community space leased to the CRA. These two programs will operate as separate entities with different staffs, operation budgets and hours.

January 2008

Databases - A New Look at Research

While "googling" is now an accepted verb, and Wikipedia is used more often than an encyclopedia, more and more of us are getting our information from the internet. Fast, easy-to-use, and accessible, the internet has brought a universe of knowledge to our fingertips; unfortunately, not all the information is vetted and checked.

But Broward County Library customers can access a slew of free databases that offer in-depth, accredited information; all they need is a computer, a library card, and some curiosity.

Interested in medicine and health care? Check out everything from the online Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine to an online directory of genetic disorders. Users can also access databases for information on careers, education, genealogy, business, or listen online to American folk songs. The library also offers documents in Spanish, including the text of many Spanish-language newspapers and journals.

Free and accessible to all, Broward County Library's databases bring a world of education right to your computer screen. Click here to access the central page for the library's databases. You'll need your library card and the last four-digits of the telephone number associated with your card to access these helpful tools.
   

December 2007

New Right Navigational Bar

Broward County Library's Web site features a new right navigational bar highlighting an array of exceptional services. Customers can easily find best-selling books, book clubs, computer classes, literacy classes, and teen volunteer orientations directly from the homepage.

To access these pages, visit the library's homepage at www.broward.org/library and view the right navigational bar. All of these pages are listed above the image of the library's monthly magazine, Bookings.

November 2007

The new West Regional Library



On Friday, October 26, the much-anticipated new West Regional Library hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the grand opening of BCL's newest facility. Almost 500 people attended this ceremony featuring guest speakers, the City of Plantation Color Guard, and music by the Gold Coast Jazz Society with prominent coverage in local newspapers.

The new library is located at 8601 West Broward Boulevard in Plantation. It is just east of the intersection of Pine Island Road and Broward Boulevard. Parking is available around the building and in an adjacent two-story parking garage.

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Thursday:  9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Friday and Saturday:           10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sunday:                             1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Facility Information:

• Two-story, 72,000 square foot facility
• 100 public use computers
• Multipurpose room with a capacity for 250 people
• Three group study rooms
• Five tutoring rooms
• Youth Services room
• Large conference room to seat 30 people and a comfortable smaller conference
  room to hold 15 people
• Wireless hotspot
  

October 2007

Broward County Library's 2006-2007 Annual Report

Broward County Library's 2006-2007 Annual Report is an interactive web page highlighting the accomplishments and accolades our library system. To view this year's report, click here. Each section is separated by clickable headings on the left side and the text and images appear embedded in the right side of the screen.


September 2007

Miramar Branch Library-Education Center      
  
Images of the new building under construction

Opening in mid-2008, the new Miramar Branch Library-Education Center will be located at 2050 Civic Center Place in Miramar. The concrete for the third floor has been poured and the roof is being completed. The 30,000 square foot library, the first County Library branch in the City of Miramar will host two partners, each occupying 20,000 square feet on two upper floors: Broward Community College and Nova Southeastern University and will feature: 

• Collection Size - 100,000 items
• Multipurpose Room - 100 people capacity
• Tutoring rooms
• Quiet Study room
• Conference room
• Computers: 64
• Wireless Hotspot
• Storytelling/Program room
• A drive-up book return
• Friends of the Library Space

The managing general contractor is Centex Rooney and the architect is Cartaya & Associates. Public Art will also be by Robert Calvo. The budget for the new Miramar Branch Library-Education Center is $21,601,738.


August 2007

Tyrone Bryant Branch Library Project

Construction for the replacement for the 10,000 square foot Tyrone Bryant Branch Library began in April, 2007. The new facility, designed to accommodate a growing, diverse community, will replace the current 5,450 square foot facility, which will stay open during construction.

  

Features of the new Tyrone Bryant Branch include:

• 40,000 books, CDs, DVDs and other materials
• Multi-purpose Room - 75 person capacity
• Conference Room - 10 to 12 person capacity
• Seating Capacity (excluding meeting space) - 80 to 85 people
• Tutoring Room
• 23 Public Computers
• Wireless Access
• 11 Staff Members
• Friend of the Library Space/Meeting Room

July 2007

Broward County Library will soon begin testing a new program to notify customers via e-mail of library items on hold. This test project will inform customers who have provided their e-mail address when items that have been placed on hold arrive at the library location they selected. More information about this new project will be announced later in 2007.     


June 2007

New Visual Catalog

Broward County Library introduces its newest service improvement this month - the Visual Catalog, an exciting online tool that makes finding materials in the library easy and, yes, fun.

The Visual Catalog is a search tool that generates information about your desired subject as well as subject associations that appear in a "word cloud."

For example, type in the word library and you'll get a list of books on libraries (complete with book covers so you can actually see what you're getting) in the center of the page.

To the left, you'll get a word cluster with terms related to libraries such as "reference," "Congress," "school," and "literacy." The word clouds have terms that have something to do with the term you used, spelling variations of the term you used, translations of your search term into a variety of languages you can find in your library, and thesaurus terms with both synonyms and antonyms of your search term. Click on any of these to get listings on those topics as well. On the right side of the page, Visual Catalog provides a list of external sources - credible databases BCL customers can access to get online information about their topic.

Customers can place holds on items via the Visual Catalog, the same as you would on the Traditional Catalog; after reviewing the title you want, just click on the blue "Place Hold" above it and enter your library card information.

The new Visual Catalog offers an enormous range of categories, and there are over 30 different ways to customize your search to get exactly what you want. After you've searched your terms, use the menu to pick the exact format, author, subject, language, and series. To ensure no dead-end paths, there is a number next to each category that tells you exactly how many items are available.

Click here to check out this exceptional new feature.


May 2007

The 2007 National Association of County Information Officer (NACIO) Awards were more competitive than ever, with hundreds of entries throughout the United States.  This year, Broward County Library received the following:

• Superior (Best in Class) - Broward County Library's E-Newsletter
• Excellent - LEED Preview Meeting and Luncheon at South Regional/BCC Library
• Excellent - Audiovisual productions for Blues School Web Commercial
• Excellent - Photography - Photo of South Regional/BCC Library 
• Merit - Online How to Guide Brochure (.pdf)

April 2007

1st Annual Florida Book Awards
The Florida Book Awards is a new annual program that recognizes, honors, and celebrates the best Florida literature published in the previous year. The winners have been chosen representing seven categories of books published in 2006.

Florida Center for the Book, a section of the Broward County Libraries Division, is a charter member of the committee that established the Florida Book Awards. "We researched other state book award programs, worked on the program design, nominated jury members and promoted the competition to authors and publishers," explained Eileen McNally, Executive Director of Florida Center for the Book. "Three jury members have a Broward County Library connection: Susan Hodos, Margate Library Manager; Gina Moon, Teen Services Coordinator; and Marlene Lee, retired Youth Services Coordinator. Now that the winners and finalists have been announced, Florida Center for the Book will promote those authors here in Broward County and statewide to accomplish our mission - To bring readers and writers together."

The winners are:

Popular Fiction: Gold: James O. Born, Escape Clause; Silver: Ward Larsen, The Perfect Assassin; Bronze: M.D. Abrams, Murder and Wakulla Springs; Randy Wayne White, Dark Light; Brad Meltzer, The Book of Fate

General Fiction: Gold Medal Winner: Tony D'Souza, Whiteman; Silver Medal Winner: Carl Hiaasen, Nature Girl; Bronze Medal Winner: Elizabeth Dewberry, His Lovely Wife

Nonfiction: Gold: Michael Grunwald, The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise; Silver: Daniel S. Murphree, Constructing Floridians: Natives and Europeans in the Colonial Floridas, 1513-1783; Bronze: Bill Belleville, Losing It All to Sprawl; Martin A. Dyckman, Floridian of His Century; J. Stanley Marshall, The Tumultuous Sixties: Campus Unrest and Student Life at a Southern University

Spanish Language: Gold: Daina Chaviano, La Isla De Los Amores Infinitos

Poetry: Gold: James Kimbrell, My Psychic; Silver: Jay Hopler, Green Squall; Bronze: Kelle Groom, Luckily; Peter Meinke, The Contracted World

Young Adult: Gold: Adrian Fogelin, The Real Question; Silver: Joyce Sweeney, Headlock; Bronze: Caridad Ferrer, Adios to My Old Life; Tracy A. Akers, The Fire and the Light

Children's: Gold: N.E. Bode, The Somebodies; Silver: Laurie Friedman, In the Business of Mallory; illustrator Barbara Pollak

Winners will be recognized in Tallahassee on March 23. The Gold Medal Winners will receive additional recognition from the Governor and the Secretary of State on March 28 at the Florida Heritage Gala, also in Tallahassee.

The Florida Book Awards is coordinated by The Florida State University Program in American and Florida Studies, and co-sponsored by the Florida Center for the Book, State Library and Archives of Florida, Florida Historical Society, Florida Humanities Council, Florida Literary Arts Coalition, Florida Library Association, "Just Read, Florida!," Governor's Family Literacy Initiative, Florida Association for Media In Education, Florida Center for the Literary Arts, and Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America.

For more information, call Florida Center for the Book at 954-357-7404 or visit the Florida Book Awards website:  www.fsu.edu/~ams/.

Feature Films Now Renewable

Effective April 1, 2007, Broward County Library customers will be able to renew feature films in DVD or VHS format twice, for two days each time the title is renewed.  If a feature film title in DVD or VHS format has a hold pending for another customer, the item will not be renewed and needs to be returned by the original due date.  This is the same policy as for best-selling books.

Customers can renew materials at any Broward County Library, via telephone at 954-357-RENU, or through the Broward County Library website. For step-by-step instructions on how to renew online, visit www.broward.org/library and click on Renew/Hold Materials, the second item in the left navigational bar.

Riverland Branch Library Re-Opens

After being damaged in Hurricane Wilma, the Riverland Branch Library re-opened to the public on April 2 at 10 a.m. Below are photos from the event:

  


March 2007

Go Wireless at Your Broward County Library

Broward County Library now provides free wireless internet access at library locations throughout the County. The wireless broadband service - commonly known as "WiFi" - offers the public the opportunity to surf the web, check e-mail, access online databases and more without being connected to a network.

"Offering wireless service to our customers is yet another way to offer them more opportunities for information access quickly and easily," says Robert E. Cannon, Broward County Library Director. "We are constantly looking for methods to improve and add to the services we already provide, and we feel that WiFi is something our customers want and need."

The initiative to provide wireless internet access at Broward County Library's is part of a countywide effort to provide opportunities to boost technical advancement for Broward County residents. Wireless access is available both inside and outside of library locations so that customers can more fully utilize the resources they need.

"I like to bring my laptop to the library because I can study the books and go online at the same time, wherever I want to," says Ann Helmers, a regular at downtown Fort Lauderdale's Main Library. "This way I'm not tied down to the computer, and I can sit in a comfortable chair and study, go from floor to floor or even outside."

The project currently includes most Broward County library locations; new ones are regularly added, so please contact your local branch for more information.


February 2007

  

In April of 2004, a site for the new South Regional Library was selected, and plans were immediately made to build the new library as a "green" building in accordance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System -- an environmentally sound, energy-efficient structure for both private and public use. More and more are being built in America as issues such as global warming and energy conservation take center stage. In Florida, a handful of green buildings exist, including MTV Latin America's headquarters in South Beach, among others.  Broward County Library's South Regional/BCC Library will be the first "green" building in Broward County.

LEED buildings are the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance buildings, promotes a whole building approach by recognizing five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

The two-story high building was designed in a box shape that is extremely efficient in terms of both library functions and energy efficiency, Windows are placed in strategic places for maximizing natural light and minimizing glare, while the roof is "green," painted white to reflect heat from the sun. Additionally, the building's structural system and mechanical system were both designed to preserve energy and keep operating costs low and a special construction method that places insulation closer to the buildings' outside face keeps even more moisture and humidity out.

In addition to structural features that adhere to the LEED's guidelines, South Regional Library also features Other sustainable features of South Regional Library include bicycle storage and changing rooms; carpooling spaces adjacent to the building; on-site storm water retention; light pollution reduction and landscaping that uses only native, drought-tolerant plants. Inside, only low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints and carpet were used in the construction, and there is carbon monoxide monitoring inside the building.

   In the left navigational bar, customers can browse all eBooks and Audio Books or select by format or subject. Staff recommendations and recent searches, excerpts as well as reviews and information about the author are also available for each title.
 

December 2006



With the groundbreaking ceremony for the Miramar Branch Library and Education Center scheduled for November 30, Broward County Library takes another step toward increasing library services for the community.

• Collection Size - 100,000 items
• Multipurpose Room - 100 people capacity
• Tutoring Rooms
• Quiet Study Room
• Conference Room
• Computers: 100, including 25 stations in a separate area for undisturbed instruction, Wireless Hotspot
• Storytelling/Program Room
• A Drive-Up Book Return
• Friends of the Library Space
• Public Art by Robert Calvo

A new Hispanic Cultural and Educational Center is under design and will occupy 15,000 square feet of the Main Library's third floor. This new center will feature a welcome area, study and meeting rooms, a computer center, Spanish language storytelling room and large exhibit and reception areas. Space will exist for 20,000 books and it will also contain very large collections of Spanish language music and films.  Computers, Internet connections, column and wall art and 21 plasma screens will tell the story of the 21 countries the Center will highlight.

Click here to view a partial rendering of the new center and click here to view the floor plan.

August 2006

Broward County Library's website, www.broward.org/library has been enhanced with more information and new features in the last year.

• An Online How to Guide has been added to the homepage to aid customers who want to use our online services.
• Downloadable features including certificates, bookmarks and origami have been added to offer children fun things to do while strengthening the importance of the library and reading.
• More information has been added to the website for the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale. Floor plans, exhibits, photos and a complete story have been included so customers can enjoy a real-life experience of this beautiful facility.
• The E-Newsletter has been redesigned with a new format including easier navigation, more features and additional photos. 
• More buttons have been added to the homepage to highlight the exciting programs and services Broward County Library offers.
• New branch pages are being created that include online fact sheets, slideshows, maps and nearby locations.

• Main Library (Ft. Lauderdale) (12:00 to 5:30 pm)
• African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (Ft. Lauderdale) (1 to 5:00 pm)
• Hollywood Branch Library (Hollywood) (1 to 5:00 pm)
• North Regional Library (Coconut Creek) (1 to 5:00 pm)
• Northwest Regional Library (Coral Springs) (1 to 5:00 pm)
• Nova Southeastern University Library (Ft. Lauderdale) (11:00 am to 11:30 pm)
• South Regional Library (Pembroke Pines) (1 to 5:00 pm)
• Southwest Regional Library (Pembroke Pines) (1 to 5:00 pm)
• Stirling Road Branch Library (Hollywood) (12:00 to 5:00 pm)
• West Regional Library (Plantation) (1 to 5:00 pm)

All of the above eleven libraries, except the Stirling Road Branch, are open seven days a week. Per hour customer use is typically the highest on Sundays.


June 2006



Broward County Library will open the new Hollywood Branch Library on June 8 at 10:00 a.m. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, the new 30,000 square foot library will be open to the public.

The new library currently has 56 computers and a wireless hotspot. It will also be open seven days a week and hold 100,000 items at full capacity.