COVER TO COVER
MAY 2020
H C P L C
S T A F F
M A G A Z I N E
ANDREW S. BREIDENBAUGH
DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES
As Public Service Recognition Week 2020 comes to a close, I would like to say THANK YOU! Library employees know the real meaning of the word service. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, each and every one of you served the community providing much needed access to information and technology. More importantly you provided help with anything and everything that customers asked of you. Since the COVID-19 closures you have continued to serve. First by perfecting your skills and then by working toward relief from the pandemic. You sewed masks, 3D printed mask accessories, assisted at the EOC in a variety of roles, and helped distribute social services aid. You ordered, organized, transported and doled out PPE and other relief supplies. As always, you rose to the challenge and defined service for the residents of Hillsborough County. I could not be more proud! Thank you for all that you are doing.
I N V E N TO RY Recently during this period of social distancing staff have been asked to design and execute an impressive feat that has not happened in over a decade: to inventory the entire collection of Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library. This system contains over 2 million items both checked out and on the shelves. Staff have been asked to scan everything on the shelf in order to provide the most complete picture of our collection we have had in a decade.
see which items were listed as missing that were found, see which items are still missing, and a whole lot more. In 2 weeks, 25 separate branches will have had every item in them scanned and recorded. Thank you to the team that designed and tested the plan. As well as a big thank you to all of you who have spent the last weeks working on inventory and searching every nook and cranny for that last copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. You know who you are.
I’m happy to say that a combined effort from support and public services teams have devised an implementation plan. You, the staff, are executing it wonderfully. From SEAN MCGARVEY Austin Davis library all the way to Southshore every DIVISION MANAGER, LIBRARY SUPPORT SERVICES branch has started inventorying and will be done soon. This will give us the data to identify where we have gaps,
Sean
REEMPLOYMENT FORMS DISTRIBUTION From April 13 until May 15, library team members are distributing paper reemployment forms at two branch library drive-thrus to those who do not have access to a printer. This has made it easier for customers to access the forms. The forms are available for pick up Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library and the Jimmie B Keel Regional Library. Both libraries are also collecting completed forms and mailing them to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity at no charge. The library drive-thru service is open exclusively to distribute and collect reemployment assistance applications.
CHERYL WOLFE
DIGITAL MEDIA AND PR COORDINATOR
This service has resulted in over 200 press mentions at the local and national level. Below is some press we have received:
NPR A Staggering Toll: 30 Million Have Filed For Unemployment
https://n.pr/2zqAFdR
ABC News Florida among slowest states to process unemployment claims
https://abcn.ws/2SMJ9Dg
Good Morning America
Pending unemployment applications mark a month without income for many in COVID pandemic
https://gma.abc/2WGcyjh
Time
Florida Processing Unemployment Claims Slower Than Any Other
https://bit.ly/2xPazky
MASK SEWING
Safer-at-home has motivated many of us to exercise and sharpen our cooking and crafting skills. One great thing to come from COVID-19 is that it brought together a group of 50 of our library team members to sew masks. These talented people donated their time and talents to create 221 cloth masks for Hillsborough County Aging Services. These masks were distributed to residents of their senior housing and to employees that were travelling around the county delivering meals and supplies to these residents.
The volunteers then worked to sew masks for our Library staff. Over the past month they have sewn through 200+ yards of fabric and created over 500 masks! Through the process they shared experiences and coached each other through the tedious task of sewing binding strips. They have made a lasting impression on the community.
CHELY CANTRELL
LIBRARY BRAND INNOVATION OFFICER
3D PRINTING One constant in these uncertain times is that the Library will be there for our community. As of May 5, our team has 3D-printed over 700 ear guards and bias tape folders for distribution across the County to help ease the strain of wearing protective masks for frontline workers. The project, coordinated by Sean McGarvey, ran out of the Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library and featured rotating work teams led by Jenny Hodges, Connie Siebold, and Brian Walton. While not all the staff volunteers had previous printing experience, they were able to flatten the learning curve quickly with their commitment and enthusiasm.
FRANK COLLIA
PUBLIC SERVICE REGIONAL MANAGER, WEST COUNTY
IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR EFFORTS In addition to our library’s relief and support projects, many of our staff have been activated to fulfill their EERP roles. A total of sixty-eight library employees have been working on location and/or remotely for MOSI warehouse support, the Department of Procurement, Social Services, EOC planning support, and as MOSI drivers. A very BIG thank you to everyone who participated in the variety of projects and activities during these challenging times! Thank you to the support teams for creating and sharing trainings, tips, and the invaluable plethora of “How-To’s” in Gearbox along with programs and vital communication via our social media platforms! Lastly, but most definitely not least, thank you everyone who has patiently, yet anxiously awaited training email notifications. We hope that they truly did provide useful and relevant information deserving of the telecommuting hours that were devoted to them. Can’t wait to see you all in person again! Thank You to Everyone for Making a Difference!
ADAM BERKOWITZ
LIBRARIAN, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT
IGHLIGHT
MARCH 2020 • We added nearly 3,000 new cardholders. • Website visits are up 28% from February 2020. • Online learning sessions are up 66% from February 2020. • Digital circulation is up 16% from February 2020. • Database use is up 39% from February 2020. • App & social media interactions are up 23% from February 2020. • 46 story time and learn-at-home sessions had 4,500 combined views on YouTube in March and April. Most viewed: Filing for Florida Unemployment Benefits Step-by-Step Guide (1,284) and HCPLC Story Time with Mr. Frank (646). • Library staff increased their professional skills through 6,000 hours of online learning. [Customer Service: 1,558; Technology: 1,831; Professional Development: 2,589]