Service Improvement of the Month for 2008
December 2008
Early Voting at Broward County Libraries
Broward County Libraries Early Voting program broke records this year as hundreds of thousands of Broward County voters flocked to libraries countywide to cast their ballots early for the 2008 election. Thirteen Broward County Library locations participated this year which accounted for more than half of the early voting sites in the entire county. Additionally, the BCL early voting locales attracted more than 250,000 voters - 69% of all early voters in Broward County.
As a focal point of our community, Broward County Library provides essential services - such as providing convenient, accessible early voting locations - that improve the quality of life for all citizens of Broward County. Over a quarter of a million people walked through the doors of Broward County Library between October 20 and November 2, 2008 to vote early for local, state and national elections, a testament to both the importance of voting and the role of our libraries in the democratic process.
November 2008
Broward County Library has expanded its electronic information with a two-feature communication item that allows customers to view what's new at the library. E-Updates provide customers with a listing of monthly programs and events for specific library locations and is paired with a current listing of new items added to the library's full materials collection.
Whether customers link to one or more of the individual E-Updates on the library's Web site or whether they sign up to receive monthly E-Update/s via e-mail, customers will be able to view a double feature of information. With E-Updates' Programs feature, customers can view information about monthly library activities, such as author presentations, classes, cultural events, business programs, children's story times, anime programs, SAT preparation, book clubs, discussion groups, workshops, and more. With E-Updates' New Materials Added to the Collection feature, customers can browse sections of their interest to see what new books, CDs, and DVDs have been added to Broward County Library's collection; that feature also includes A Selection of New Acquisitions, which provides details as well as place-hold links for the featured items.
E-Updates, Broward County Library's latest electronic- communication item, is featured on Check Out What's New, which is located in the right navigation panel of the library's home page, www.broward.org/library.
October 2008
New Service in Miramar
The new Miramar Library and Education Center officially opened to the public on Thursday, September 25 at 10:00 a.m. It now provides service to an area of the county that was not serviced by a local library for more than two decades. This burgeoning area now has a tremendous resource located right in the heart of Miramar's community.
Construction on the three-story facility began with a Ground breaking Ceremony on November 30, 2006. The first story houses the new 30,000 square foot Miramar Branch Library. The second and third floors are occupied by Broward College and Nova Southeastern University. The Miramar Branch has room in its collection for 100,000 items including books, reference materials, DVDs and CDs as well as 100 public-use computers.
September 2008
The new Tyrone Bryant Branch Library 
The dedication ceremony for the new Tyrone Bryant Branch Library, held September 4, brought library supporters, members of the community, civic leaders and library administration together to celebrate the opening of Broward County Library's latest branch. The new library, built with funds from the 1999 Bond Issue, replaced the old Tyrone Bryant Branch, which was located across the street from the new site in Osswald Park.
Click here to view an online photo album
Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, Jr. and City of Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Carlton B. Moore both delivered inspirational speeches, and Broward County Library representatives - Library Director Robert E. Cannon, Broward Public Library Foundation Executive Director Dorothy Klein, and Friends of the Broward County Library President Evelyn Grooms - also addressed the gathered crowd. The ceremony included musical entertainment by Walter Williams as well as refreshments provided by the Friends of the Libraries.
The new 10,000 square foot library, located at 2230 N.W. 21 Avenue in Fort Lauderdale, offers a collection of 40,000 items, including books and magazines for adults, children and teens as well as DVDs, CDs, audio books and more. Additionally, there are 21 computers for public use, wireless access, and a multi-purpose room (used for programs and meetings) and a tutoring room.
The original library opened in 1980 and was previously called the Rock Island Library. Tyrone Bryant, a librarian who joined BCL in 1976, was instrumental in getting the library built. Dedicated and involved, Bryant believed in bringing libraries and literacy services to areas lacking in library facilities. Additionally, he was also responsible for spearheading efforts to build much-needed libraries in Collier City, Carver Ranches, Dania, Rock Island and at the Mizell Community Center. After his death in 1988, the Rock Island Branch was renamed the Tyrone Bryant Branch Library in honor of his achievements.
August 2008
Changes and Enhancements to Broward County Library's Online Best Sellers List
Broward County Library recently enhanced its Online Best Sellers List, adding a new Best Sellers List for Kids and providing links to the Library's catalog that makes it easy for customers to place online holds for best-selling books. Broward County Library has also increased the links to include large-print and audio book formats for the best sellers available at BCL.
Visitors to the Broward County Library Web site will now be able to view two different lists for children, Children's Picture Books and Children's Chapter Books. The lists are updated weekly, and customers can also access links for placing online holds for these books. The Online Best Sellers List also includes the lists for hardcover fiction and hardcover non-fiction.
Clicking onto the Best Sellers List, located in the right navigation panel of the Library's home page at www.broward.org/library, now enables customers to view The New York Times Best Sellers List with its provided descriptions and to place holds for these items directly from the Library's Web page. The place-hold links are positioned beneath each book's description in the available format choices. After selecting a best seller, the customer is switched to the Library's "Place Hold" page to fill in library card information and select a library location for pick up.
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 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 ΒΌ 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.
