Service Improvement of the Month
Service Improvement of the Month
November 2009
Customers with limited vision will now have the option of utilizing a large-screen monitor and a large-print keyboard that will make it easier for them to operate Broward County Library's free public access computers. Each of Broward County Library's 35 regional libraries and branches will receive one of the new monitors and keyboards, which can be used during regular library hours. These new computer systems will offer further information access to all of BCL's customers, and will greatly enhance the library experience for the visually impaired.
Broward County Library had been receiving customer requests for large-screen monitors for the visually impaired for some time. After extensive research from qualified library staff, 35 Vizio 22' LCD HDTV monitors and 35 ZoomText keyboards wew ordered. The ZoomText keyboards are specially created with a high-contrast white-on-black color scheme with easy-to-read 36-point type.
These new computers, in addition to Talking Books, Braille translations and large-print materials, are just one more service available to customers of Broward County Library who have limited vision or are visually impaired.
October 2009
The old Sunset Strip Branch library was closed to the public October 1st. The new library, currently in re-design to bring it up to the new "green building" standards, will be constructed near the old library. The new library should open in 2011. For the first time, a city government, in this case the City of Sunrise, has provided a grant to the Broward County Library to continue to provide after school literacy and homework assistance to the children of Sunset Strip in an adjacent City building. For the first time also, with the help of the Children's Services Council, the City of Sunrise, the Broward Public Library Foundation and the Florida State Library through the federal program the Library Services and Technology Act, the Broward County Library can offer the public seventeen adult literacy and/or after school literacy and home work assistance programs to children throughout Broward County.
September 2009
Through a grant from the State of Florida and the federal program under the Library Services and Technology Act, the library has received a $153,000 grant to establish four "Literacy Help Centers" at four branch libraries. The Sunrise Dan Pearl Branch, the Davie/Cooper City Branch, the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center and the Tyrone Bryant Branch libraries will each receive a literacy specialist, providing adults and children with needed access to technology and structured after school homework help and other literacy services.
August 2009
Broward County Library's Web site added three significant service improvements to enhance its Web site experience for customers.
New Navigation - The library introduced a new left navigation bar with subject-related materials under expandable headings marked with a + sign. Customers now have access to even more information, with fewer clicks and with faster results.
New Search Capability - The library's Web site has a new search tool on its home page -- SingleSearch. With one click, customers now have the option to perform a quick search to receive results gathered from all of the library's online resources of free databases and library catalogs instead of using the search tool of each individual resource.
New Best Sellers Web Page - Teens and adults can access a list of the best-selling graphic novels and manga directly from the right panel of the library's home page. Updated each week, the list provides descriptions for the best-sellers as well as direct place-hold links for the books that are in the library's collection.
July 2009
"Router" Technology Increases Efficiency for Holds
For many customers, one of the most convenient and utilized services Broward County Library provides is our "hold" system, which allows customers to place online, telephone and in-person holds for books, CDs, DVDs, and other library materials that are currently being borrowed by other library users. With a few keystrokes, BCL cardholders can reserve copies of the latest feature DVDS, the hottest new bestsellers, or in-demand academic books online, or call or visit their local branch if computer access is not available.
In our efforts to constantly upgrade and improve our library services, BCL is now installing new "router" technology at all Broward County Libraries. This new system will allow library staff to retrieve and process on-hold materials faster and more efficiently, so that our customers can get the books, movies and music they want in an even quicker and timelier manner than before.
This Service Improvement is designed to allow even greater access to BCL's vast collection of materials and information, a vital public service for our communities and their citizens.
June 2009
Summer Reading Calendars
With input from both parents and teens, this year's summer reading programs are arranged in easy-to-view calendars. Feedback from last year's online promotions indicated that parents and teens wanted:
1 - A calendar to know exactly which day of the week a program was being held on due to busy schedules.
2 - Clear distinctions between children and teen programs. Many teens indicated that they wanted to know they were going to attend a teen program. Parents also indicated that they would be more inclined to take their children and teens to program if they could easily glance and see which programs were appropriate.
To view the library's summer reading calendars, click here.
May 2009
Four New Free Online Resources
Broward County Library is now offering our customers even more free online research options; in May alone, we've added four new online databases that open up a new world of information right at their fingertips. Literature Criticism Online is a suite of 12 resources on literary criticism and biography, including an extensive archive of past articles that cover a wide range of literary genres and authors. Contemporary Women's Issues is a comprehensive database that includes coverage of specific gender issues throughout the world, written by top scholars that offer many perspective of past, present and future issues affecting women worldwide. Historians, scholars, students and history buffs can now access History Resource Center - World, which covers everything from ancient to modern world history with both primary and secondary sources. Both seasoned and novice entrepreneurs will find our online Small Business Resource Center an important asset in today's business world, with information on sample business plans, how-to guides, articles, and web sites of particular interest to this vital sector of our local and national economy.
All of these new databases can be accessed for free from any computer; all you need to get started is your Broward County Library card number. Just visit www.broward.org/library, click on "Electronic Information" and then "Research Corner" to begin your knowledge adventure.
April 2009
Library Tweats
Broward County Library now offers customers communication through a Broward Library page on Twitter. Since Twitter has more than 14 million unique visitors in its network, it is an excellent tool to promote the library and communicate with the community without any additional cost.
People and organizations use Twitter as a platform for professional or marketing communication totaling 50 percent of the site's usage.
The typical age group of Twitter's users is between 25-54 years old.
Customers who follow, Broward County Library receive communication including information about library materials, services, and programs.
Click here to view the Broward Library page on Twitter.
March 2009
American Sign Language-interpreted Story Time
At Broward County Library locations, children can participate in an array of creative and fun story times. Listening to a storyteller or interacting with crafts or instruments during story time builds valuable literacy skills.
For children who cannot hear, story time is silent. However, at Broward County's South Regional/Broward College Library, deaf children can participate in a story time that is open and accessible.
Every Thursday at 10:30 a.m., children from three to five years gather around for story time. Children who cannot hear can also participate with interpreting services provided by the Alliance for Families with Deaf Children.
Broward County Library is now offering children in the county the opportunity to experience the benefits of story time with American Sign-Language-interpretation.
February 2009
Annual Report
Broward County Library serves a large and diverse population here in South Florida, and in recent years it has evolved into one of the country's largest library systems. The new 2007-2008 Annual Report will make it even easier for our customers and supporters to keep up with all of our progress. In an effort to "go green" and create a more eco- and cost-efficient product, the Broward County Library Annual Report is available online, offering a simple and easy-to-use format that's a perfect combination of form and function.
The new 2007-2008 Annual Report is a vital service improvement for our customers; with just the click of a mouse, you can now view almost every facet of Broward County Library including its rich variety of programming for all ages and our new construction and renovation projects. Find information about the library, our attendance and circulation statistics, and our movement toward more interactive features between the library and the community it serves. Learn about the exciting new services and resources available to all, including advances in technology, literacy efforts and cultural enrichment, and discover the myriad ways Broward County Library can enrich every aspect of your life.
Click here to view Broward County Library's 2007 - 2008 Annual Report.
January 2009
Broward etutor
Broward County Library offers an online service to help families start off the New Year. Students and lifelong learners can benefit from free online homework help from Broward etutor.
Why is Broward etutor a great service improvement?
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It is easy to use - customers can utilize the service completely online with an interactive white board for easy comprehension.
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Everyone can use it - preschoolers, students in elementary, middle, and high school, and adults.
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It offers students a chance for one-on-one instruction with homework even after they have left class and school is closed. Broward etutor is available seven days a week.
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It is confidential. Schools will not know if students used Broward etutor.
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Tutors are certified and subject specialists.
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Broward etutor is available both in English and Spanish.
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Most importantly - it is free! With a Broward County Library card, anyone can use Broward etutor.
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