FALL 2021 ISSUE
COVER TO COVER HCPLC STAFF MAGAZINE
FEATURES
WELCOMING BACK AFTER SCHOOLERS NEA BIG READ 2021 RIVERVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
CELEBRATIONS THROUGH PROGRAMMING NEW HIRES & PROMOTIONS HCPLC REPORT
New Budget, Growing Library Andrew S. Breidenbaugh, Director of Library Services
We've just started a new budget year. Here are some of the highlights.
Let's start with the most important
a
3% average pay increase
planned for early 2022
based on the current performance evaluation cycle ending November 30, 2021.
Other notable items in the budget: Increase in the materials budget 4 additional Library Associate positions Safety & security upgrades (like new camera systems and staff swipe card access)
As the County grows - so do we. This year's capital budget includes: Brandon Library replacement (the land is in place and we're looking for the architect now) Thonotosassa Library replacement (expanded library with a County park) NEW Fishhawk Library!
There is such amazing growth in east Hillsborough County and we are already in the initial planning stages for libraries in Apollo Beach and Wimauma as well.
This is going to be quite a year - so much going on and getting back to business. Here are some key dates you should know: November 1, 2021 - limited, in-person Early Literacy programs begin January 1, 2022 - return of in-person events and classes April 3-9, 2022 - National Library Week June 20, 2022 - Juneteenth is now observed as a paid County holiday!
As always, thank you for everything you do for the citizens of Hillsborough County!
B A C K
T O
business
I came across Chloe [Frechette] on 7/17/2021. I'm sure I was a bit trying with my various requests.
KUDOS!
It didn't faze her. She performed her tasks with pizzazz. Kudos to her.
I want to give a shout out to Ms. Joan Teal for her friendliness and prompt assistance whenever I visit the Austin Davis Library. It's a pleasure to see her every week.
Rain Jensen was very friendly, helpful, caring, professional and efficient. She helped me a lot and I think she is a real asset to your Library. She made my day and thank you so much. New
Wayne [Carley] was very patient and walked me through what I needed help with. Thanks very much!
Tampa Library is great and it is a real pleasure to be there. Thank you so much again!
I had very involved and complicated questions with how to transfer icloud info to my thumb drive. Amanda [Wright] is brilliant! When she didn't at first know the info, she never stopped
Excellent
searching until she found the answers
customer service,
and then, let me know in terms I could
[Trung Tran] was
understand. A wonderful experience!
extremely friendly
She deserves recognition! Amanda
and helpful.
seemed exuberant to find the answers.
WELCOMING BACK AFTER SCHOOLERS FRANK COLLIA, WEST COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE REGIONAL MANAGER The
ever-evolving
series
of
unknowns
that has marked the past year and a half has
made
reassess or
it
necessary,
everyone
had
a
and
at
never
school
times
can
be
August
very
activities
level
While
there of
on
when
we
into
our
many in
that
taxing
back -
to
process
beneficial,
participated
understandable
having
basis.
So,
students this
are
weekly
involved.
welcomed
we
long-standing
on
change
branches
like
another
service
much
feel
of
whom
our
after
was
"Parents have commented that they have seen a difference in their child’s academic performance in school." Raishara Bailey, Branch Supervisor C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library
an
uncertainty
across the system. While the sample size is small, the early returns are trending in a positive direction.
“Because
this
suspended
for
service so
long,”
has said
been
Raishara
Bailey, Administrative Librarian at the C. Blythe
Andrews,
students
are
Jr.
Public
appreciative
Library, and
“the
grateful
to have a safe space to come and enjoy the library.”
These sentiments were shared across the other
branches
program
hosting
initiated
Social
by
the
Zones,
Library
a to
address the need for a social outlet as a part
of
students'
after
school
library
experience. Those needs may differ from branch to branch (and from day to day), but
“one
learned,”
main said
lesson
Raishara,
that “is
to
we’ve have
multiple activities going on within Social Zone.”
285
sessions
526
4,106
hours
students August & September 2021
At the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, staff
have
board
set
out
games,
laptops,
and
craft
video
and
supplies,
and
have begun introducing students to their
"The kids seem to be more respectful not only towards staff but just about being in a 'library.'" Julio Granda, Branch Supervisor Seminole Heights Branch Library
3D printer. “Parents who have come in to pick up their students have been amazed at
what
we
have
expressed
their
Bethany
Fisher,
to
offer,
gratitude
to
Library
and
have
staff,”
said
Service
&
Technology Guide 2.
A
separate,
dedicated help.
But,
for as
quieter
space
studying Bethany
and
is
also
homework
pointed
out,
sometimes “students who come in prefer to play on their phones or just talk with their as
friends.”
we’ve
And
learned,
that’s we’re
adapting to the unknown.
Jan Platt Regional Library staff offer crafts like these "homework buddies" and take informal surveys to help develop future program ideas.
fine, pretty
because good
at
NEA BIG READ Matthew David Learning Experiences Manager
I want to share a few thoughts about why this year’s NEA Big Read project is so special. This year marks the fourth time our organization has been awarded the grant. This will be our first of the four projects to be inspired by a book of poetry and the book itself is excellent. It is personal and historical, thoughtful and emotional, piercing and hopeful. An American Sunrise will be the basis for a variety of events with support from a terrific array of community partners and multiple HCPLC teams. Our customers will have access to book giveaways, book discussions, cultural exploration, poetry education, and a virtual visit from Joy Harjo who is both the source of our selection and our country’s national poet laureate. Most of the event series will take place during Native American Heritage Month (November), in honor of Harjo’s background and invaluable perspective.
HCPLC Project History 2021-2022 An American Sunrise: Poems by Joy Harjo
2019-2020 The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
2009-2010 The Joy Luck Club: A Novel by Amy Tan
2008-2009 Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.
NEA Big Read 2020: The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
“Love of reading” is an objective in our strategic plan and while instilling a love for reading in children is crucial, teens and adults often need the same level of motivation. Achieving this through activities for all ages inspired by a single work is not only a cool concept, it is something public libraries are uniquely qualified to do. Reading is not always everyone’s thing – nor is poetry for that matter – but sometimes a big effort can grab the attention of a prospective book borrower. After all, what better way to pursue our mission and promote “broadened horizons” than with a breathtaking sunrise?
NEA BIG READ 2021 EVENTS for a complete list, visit HCPLC.org/NEABigRead
NEA Big Read Preview Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m. - Online NEA Big Read Kickoff Nov. 6, 10 a.m. - Tampa Bay History Center Native American Exhibits Virtual Tour Nov. 9, 10 a.m. - Online Writing Poetry for Kids & Tweens Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m. - Online Cultural Cooking: Fry Bread Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m. - Online One Book One Night: NEA Big Read Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. - Online Youth Out Loud Poetry Workshop Nov. 20, 1 p.m. - University Mall
THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS BIG READ, A PARTNERSHIP WITH ARTS MIDWEST, BROADENS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF OUR WORLD, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND OURSELVES THROUGH THE JOY OF SHARING A GOOD BOOK. SHOWCASING A DIVERSE RANGE OF TITLES THAT REFLECT MANY DIFFERENT VOICES AND PERSPECTIVES, THE NEA BIG READ AIMS TO INSPIRE CONVERSATION AND DISCOVERY.
from Arts.gov/NEABigRead
Poetry on Demand: NEA Big Read Nov. 22, 6:30 p.m. - Online Youth Out Loud Poetry Showcase Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. - Online An Evening with Joy Harjo Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. - Online Book Clubs - see HCPLC.org
CELEBRATIONS through programming AMANDA JONES & CHRIS STURGEON
OCTOBER 2021
LEARNING EXPERIENCES CONSULTANTS
Tampa Bay Teen Lit Fest Oct 1 - 28
It has now been a year and a half since we began offering virtual programming. While we all await the opportunity to offer in-person experiences again, online classes and events continue to be a safe, enriching alternative for our customers. Each month we are exploring ways of providing a dynamic balance of options for all ages and October 2021 was no exception.
Family Heritage Festival Oct 23 National Hispanic Heritage Month Sep 15 - Oct 15
Public library festival season is upon us! During the month of October, we were excited to host yet again Tampa Bay Teen Lit Fest and Family Heritage Festival. Although they may differ in content and audience, both festivals share a common purpose stated in the library’s strategic plan: life enrichment. Whether we are visited by YA enthusiasts, amateur genealogists, or just those who are curious, there is room enough for all in these fantastic fests!
Tampa Bay Teen Lit Fest Last year we held our first virtual Tampa Bay Teen Lit Fest, which welcomed nearly 250 attendees. Its overwhelming popularity made it a must for 2021.
Family Heritage Festival 2019
Lit Fest not only offers young adult fiction fans a chance to interact with authors, it is a platform for diverse voices. Shout out to Becky Greer, Librarian at SouthShore, for her work on this project. The 2021 panelists represent myriad styles, perspectives, and backgrounds. Tampa Bay Teen Lit Fest 2020
world views
Of the thirteen Teen Lit Fest authors, five either reside in or were born in a country other than the United States!
Family Heritage Festival Not to be outdone, the Family Heritage Festival is in its seventh year! As in 2020, all sessions were delivered online. This year’s theme was Using Your Community Resources for Genealogy. Carmen Negron (Supervisory Librarian at John F. Germany Public Library in Florida History & Genealogy) and Jennie Grubb (Supervisory Librarian at Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library) wanted to spotlight resources unique to us and to leverage our special collections. The past 18 months have yielded an endless wave of webinars - genealogy and history included. Although those sessions hold value, the deluge has created a logjam of introductory and “how-to” sessions. With that in mind, we strove to plan events that weren’t more of the same. Focusing on what’s unique about our communities and collections just felt right. The 7th Annual Family Heritage Festival took place on Saturday, October 23, with 250 attendees across five sessions.
FLORIDA HISTORY & GENEALOGY THPL has 2,076 Florida city directories, which is the biggest collection anywhere. The Burgert Brothers prints are kept in archival safe sleeves in locked drawers out on the library floor. The public can request to see these and scan them for personal use.
Hispanic Heritage Month Spanning parts of both September and October, National Hispanic Heritage Month ran through October 15. This date also corresponded with the end of our annual Hispanic Heritage youth art contest. We appreciate all staff contributions in facilitating the contest, by talking it up to customers to printing out entry forms, and collecting entries and sending them to LEX. Keep in mind, you can support Hispanic Heritage year-round by showcasing the great resources we have in our collection in which students can learn about Hispanic culture and history. This is a great opportunity to enrich our young customers' worldview about the scope and impact of the Hispanic community outside of the popular media view. When you see an opportunity, encourage their learning and exploration as part of this celebration through art. On October 12 we held a virtual Celebrations around the World: Día de los Muertos program in which all ages learned about the food, culture and celebrations of this holiday. We posted excellent book lists on the website landing page. From there, customers could also go to Recursos en Español and take an even deeper dive by exploring aulaPlaneta Banco de Contenidos, an online encyclopedia with over 170,000 articles for students. It includes, among other things, a virtual museum and an encyclopedia of Mexico.
2020 Bookmark Winner Grade 6-8
RIVERVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY CANDY GRANDA, SOUTH COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE REGIONAL MANAGER
The
new
Riverview
Riverview 33,000
Road
is
square
large
Public
of
truly
Library
multi-purpose recording
suites,
Learning
room,
Early five
meeting
9951
magnificent
beautiful
makerspace,
at
space,
with
Hive,
rooms
with
four
a
room,
two
enclosed
and
over
including
community studio
Balm
editing
children’s
small
study
rooms, a covered and screened reading porch, a
vending
10,000 huge
café,
square
picture
a
foot
Friends reading
window
with
a
bookstore, room view
and
a
featuring
a
to
the
green
space beyond.
Live edge table with seating for six and laptop dispenser in the background.
OLD FLORIDA GRANDEUR Children’s library with fun colored seats of varying heights, stools that look like logs, and tables on wheels.
Designed
with
an
Old
Florida
grandeur
theme,
the building has many magnificent details that make walls,
it
special
faux
terrazzo
–
white
wooden
“River
of
wainscoting
beams
Fire”
in
in
the
the
lobby,
along
the
ceiling, live
a
edge
tables in the vending café and a large feature table
in
the
reading
room,
stained
glass
windows highlighting natural resources native to the area, a metal roof (with solar panels), and French doors throughout.
Did you know that we could fit four of the old Riverview Branch Library inside the new building and still have nearly 1,000 square feet to spare?
HCPLC.ORG/LOCATIONS/RIVERVIEW
The
library
also
has
some
new
and
exciting
technology and maker equipment. The recording studio and two editing suites each have both a PC
and
Mac
for
editing
with
high
videos,
end
sound
software
and
recordings,
tools
podcasts,
etc. There is a laptop dispenser with 18 laptops available the
in
addition
makerspace
to
there
the
is
a
12
desktop
Dremel
laser
PCs.
In
cutter,
new 3D printer, Cameo Silhouette cutter, sewing machines, and much more.
The community room (pictured above) is divisible into
two
separate
sections,
each
side
with
a
projector, drop down screen, wired podium, and ClickShare devices for screen casting. The
outside
cochere
at
is
just
the
as
lovely
main
with
entrance
a
large that
porte allows
customers to drive up to the book drops without getting wet (pictured right).
On
the
north
granite
book
books
by
side
is
benches
famous
a
“book
and
garden”
sculptures
authors
both
with
depicting
local
and
international (pictured left). This is just a small preview of this exciting new addition
to
the
Tampa-Hillsborough
Public
Library. If you haven’t had a chance to come see it in person, you can visit the branch web page or better yet – come on down! We’d love to see you and branch staff would be more than happy to give you a tour.
A special shout out to all of the Riverview staff for all their hard work moving into the building and getting it up and running!
Welcome to Please reach out and extend a warm welcome to our newest employees!
North County
Mid County
Celena Caine, Librarian (MGL) Yendry Calderon-Borbon, Library Associate (LUT) Abigail Farr, LSTG 2 (MGL) Wayne Holder, LSTG 2 (MGL) Cynthia Mogel, LSTG 2 (MGL)
Sarah Conner, LSTG 1 (SAU) Jessica Cox, LSTG 2 (SAU) Ashley Elliott, LSTG 1 (SEM) Misher Garcia, Library Associate (SAU) Cassondra McCarthy, Librarian (SAU) Julius Sanchez, Library Associate (SEM)
Downtown
Crosstown
Job Garcia, Library Associate (JFG) Jasmine Mohammed, LSTG 1 (JFG) Cassidi Ross, Library Associate (JFG)
Jennifer Anderson, Library Associate (JPL) Joanna Corrado, Library Associate (BRD) Ana Maria Guzman-Borrero, Librarian (JPL) Cristina Wray, LSTG 2 (JPL)
Library Brand Innovation
East County
Maria (Crissy) Hensley, Early Literacy Specialist (TFL)
Erika Cooley, LSTG 2 (NTR) Naomi Mendez, Library Associate (BDL) Jose Santiago-Mora, Library Associate (NTR) Joshua Sorg, LSTG 1 (BDL) Natalie Thompson, LSTG 2 (BDL)
Support Services Patrick Tanner Rodriguez, Multi-Trades Worker (TFL)
Congratulations! Promotions July - October 2021 Shedriek Battle, Supervisory Librarian (CBA) Angelee Beauvais, LSTG 1 (BRD) Anna Binder-Camacho, Librarian (NTA) Carise Cruz, LSTG 2 (NTA) Jennifer Hofer, Librarian (RUS) Jennifer Iley, Administrative Librarian (MGL) Lanette Jackson, Administrative Librarian (SAU) Jared Kimbrell, LSTG 1 (PTM) Melissa Nye, Librarian (NTA) Jenny Tolbert, Supervisory Librarian (TSC)
ARE YOU READY TO REPORT? launching November 2021
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