Friends Newsletter Volume 2, Number 1 Fall, 2007

Budget Cuts Force Changes at Main Library By Cynthia Shulman, Main Library Manager

“This is anopportunityfor us torecreate theMain Library”

The new fiscal year began October 1, andwith it, the implementation of budget

reductions as a result of anticipated taxreform. The recommendation was toreduce the fiscal year 2008 budget by 9%, orapproximately $6.4million, resulting in anew budget of $67,794,010 million for thedivision. We were directed to reduce thebudget without closing libraries, reducinghours of service, or reducing maintenanceto the buildings.

The question was asked, how will thesechanges impact the Main Library?

While there are some changes which aregoing on system wide, some changes areunique to the Main Library. The following isa summary of both types of change.

Staff

Since the Remote Operations Center(ROC) will be closed next year, the decisionwas made to return 14 of 39 positions backinto public service. Due to that decision,three staff moved into public service at theMain Library, either bumping existing staffdue to seniority, or moving into a positionwhich had been frozen.

Some positions at Main have beeneliminated or frozen, due to 89 positionsbeing eliminated system wide.

Service

The Books by Mail service will beincorporated into the Main Library from theFort Lauderdale Library and two and a halfpositions will be eliminated as a result ofthis action.

However, the three staff involved inproviding this service will be coming to theMain Library, moving into other vacantpositions. The commissioners wanted tomake sure this service to the homebound

continued, especially since TravelingLibraries has been eliminated.

Florida Diagnostic and Learning ResourcesSystem (FDLRS) and the School Board ofBroward County Professional Collectionsare housed at Main and at this time, thosebudgets have not changed. The FloridaAtlantic University (FAU) contractualagreement and budget allocation to providelibrary services for the University Towerremains intact.Collection

The materials budget for the division hasbeen reduced by approximately $1.7million. Databases have been cut, and fewermaterials will be purchased. We are

Cynthia

Shulman

Main

Library

Manager

encouraging all library customers to also geta Nova Public Library Card, as manydatabases are available through thispartnership.

The Broward Public Library Foundationhas asked the Broward County Friends ofthe Library to partner with them on afundraiser to raise money to purchasematerials. More information on this will beforthcoming. Even the Bienes Museum of Continues on next page

Budget Cuts Force ChangesContinued from page onethe Modern Book has been given a budgetcut for adding to the collection. The MainLibrary serves as the library for the FloridaAtlantic University Downtown campus andI am happy to report that the amountreceived through that grant has notchanged. The Main Library’s collectionbudget has been reduced by 15% or$45,000.Programs

There could be fewer programs offered atMain. This would be due to a combinationof construction and renovation activities,less funding, as well as fewer staff beingavailable to work on programs.

The Broward Public Library Foundation,which normally supports many grantrequests for programs, has reserved some ofits program budget to assist the divisionwith other more pressing needs.

With less money for printing, there will befewer fliers and signs for programs. TheBroward Public Library Foundation hasgraciously offered to cover the cost ofprinting Bookings with a donation of$75,000.

The Friends of the Fort LauderdaleLibraries Board of Directors approved therequest of the Main Library Manager forsome funding to include advertising andprinting costs in this year’s Friends budget. Programming is looking at collecting emailaddresses and sending out announcementsabout upcoming events in electronic format.

Support Services

Travel will be greatly reduced, and thecounty has cut the tuition reimbursementprogram for employees from $2,500annually to $500 annually per employee.

At the same time, staff remaining at theRemote Operations Center will move backinto the Main Library. Offices will becreated for them on the 7 floor on the eastth

side, where Southeast Florida LibraryInformation Services (SEFLIN) offices usedto be located. Delivery of library materials

between branches has been outsourced toan outside vendor. Materials will beacquired preprocessed and precatalogued.

Renovations

In the midst of all of these changes, therewill be major renovations taking place at theMain Library. Some of these renovationsinclude: a new roof, replacement of allelevators, ceramic wall tiles, ceiling tiles onthe 8 floor, and air handlers on all floorsth

on the west side. These improvements willtake approximately 2 years and willnecessitate temporary relocation of staff andoffices on the 8 floor.th

Since the 8 floor will have such majorth

construction, the meeting rooms will not beavailable. The Small Business ResourceCenter on the 5 floor has been convertedth

into temporary office space for some of the8 floor staff. We anticipate the computerth

center moving up to its expanded cybraryon the 7 floor during this time period.th

So, as you can see, you will need a mapand a scorecard to try to keep up with all ofthe changes coming up.

This is an opportunity for us to recreatethe Main Library and focus on what it canand should be for future generations, whilemaintaining and preserving our heritage. Maya Angelou stated that: “Life is pureadventure and the sooner we realize that,the sooner we can live life as art”. Well, wecertainly face an adventure as we move intothe next phase of service to the public at theMain Library. #

Yes, we are in for an adventure.

If you have any time to give you

could help the Friends of the

Fort Lauderdale Libraries by

volunteering. Becoming a

Friend is easy. Just call 954-

357-7415. It could be the

beginning of a wonderful

adventure. Thanks, in

advance. .

Barbara Correll, Friends President

Our President as a Camera

We’ve all read stories that start ‘onceupon a time.’ For Friends President

Barbara Correll ‘once upon a time’ startedin early September when she received thisinvitation from first lady Laura Bush.

Barbara was invited because she has beena consultant with the Laura BushFoundation which has been providing fundsfor school libraries on the Gulf Coast destroyed by hurricanes Wilma andKaterina. Believing one picture is worth1000 words we’d like show you whathappened.

Barbaraand nieceLisaSorensonat theLibrary

The event started on Friday night at theLibrary of Congress with a dinner andprogram hosted by Laura Bush.

Being a library event there were authorsand authors and books and books – allhappening in what is one of the world’sbeautiful libraries. So Barbara was off on a‘once upon a time’ adventure.

Enteringthe

Libraryof

Congress

The next morning it was breakfast at theWhite House, again presided over by theFirst Lady and of course featuring authorsand books.

Flowery

table for400 guests

at thebreakfast

buffet

After breakfast the attendees were off tothe National Mall about a third of whichwas devoted to– guess what?–authors andbooks and book sales.

Out on the Mall next to the Smithsonian Castle

And this, a true story, did end with theother side of once upon a time – that is, ‘andthey lived happily ever after.’ O

Once Upona Timeincluded ablack tiedinner anda tour ofthe WestWing

New TABPresidentDanielleCooper

News and NotesM

Friends Elect New OfficersThe Friends of the Fort Lauderdale Librarieselected new officers for the 2007-2008 fiscalyear. They are: Barbara Correll, President Deborah Hohler, Vice President Cathryn Driver, Treasurer Micki Campbell, Secretary Pat Seibert, Corresponding Secrectary Barbara, the Friends new President, servedas Vice President last year. Debra Hohler isa new officer while Cathryn Driver, MickiCampbell and Pat Seibert continue theirpositions from last year. John Reynolds,outgoing president, continues on as a valuedmember of the Board.

MJo Cancelo, Trudy Jermanovich, andDeborah Hohler each spoke at the lastCounty Commission Budget Meeting.

MConundrum! We thought Book Fair neededmore space but our energetic volunteerscleaned up the book room so well that werealize we need more books. Suggestions?

MWe are considering buying software to helpmanage our book collections and joiningThe Road Scholar program -- a good sourceof speakers.

M.

TAB Elects New OfficersTAB (the Teen Advisory Board) elected anew slate of officers for 2007-08. They are:: Danielle Cooper, President. Spencer Robelen, Vice President Christina Singh, Secretary Arianna Ruolo, Historian.

MWhat else has TAB been doing? Well,their “End of Summer Bash” was successful.In October TAB held a drawing workshopwith Baldo cartoonist Carlos Castellanos and participated in Teen Read Week (theweek of October 14 ). TAB also featured a th

Friends sponsored Ventriloquism workshop.M

TAB initiated Playstation 2 that the Friendsprovided. If you’re not a teen you won’tunderstand Playstations but they look likethis.

You can always spot a winner. TAB brother andsister combination Ashley and Jose enjoyPlaystation 2. Well, actually Jose enjoyed. #

A good book is the best

of friends.

Have Your Pick

of Friends Book Fair

Hidden TreasuresMany think the best books are

hidden in the work room. It is where books are categorized andpriced before being put out.

Book Fair customers who jointhe Friends of the Fort LauderdaleLibraries can use the work roomwhenever it is open and it’s noweven open Wednesdays 12 to3pm. That means you get a first

shot at the ‘hidden goodies.’ Interested in joining?

Pick up an application at theCirculation Desk or call us 954-357-7415. Memberships can be

opened instantly.