Category: Blog News

Canyon Branch Now Open

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I’m proud to share that the 18th location of the Palm Beach County Library System has opened.

Canyon Branch, located in the Canyon Town Center in Western Boynton, is a 33,000 sq ft facility with a beautiful plaza space, a drive-up service window, our largest meeting room seating 300 people, and the first maker space in the system.

Reporter Carolyn DiPaolo wrote a wonderful article about our opening day and the amenities of the building.

As well, local NPR reporter Wilkine Brutus visited the branch for a preview day and published an article about the library along with an interview with myself.

A project of this size cannot be done without a great team effort. Thank you to everyone who made this new location possible. This includes our Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator, the Library Advisory Board, and the Friends of the Library. Most of all, thank you to all County staff who helped with the project, especially my library employees. Everyone went above and beyond to make this happen.

I invite you to visit the new Canyon Branch to see it for yourself. It is open seven days a week and four evenings until 9 pm.

Learn more about the Palm Beach County Library System by visiting our website.

Newest Palm Beach County Library Branch Opening January 11, 2025

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What is the most amazing way for a librarian to start the new year?

By opening a brand-new library branch of course!

I’m excited to share that my library system’s newest location, the Canyon Branch, is opening on January 11, 2025. Over the past five years I have been working on this project alongside our architects, interior designers, construction contractors and a host of library and County staff. It is the first location that I was involved in creating from the ground up. Now all the hard work that the Palm Beach County team has put into the project is about to come to fruition.

Thank you to all the people whose support made this new branch possible, including our library district residents, County Administration, and the Board of County Commissioners.

Do you want a sneak peek at the library before our official opening? On Tuesday, January 7, the Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System will host tours of the Canyon Branch from 3-6 pm as a fundraising event. Friends of the Library members pay $10 per person for the early access. Not a Friends member yet? Become one at the door for as little as $25 or sign up now through their website.

If you live in or near Palm Beach County, I invite you to attend the ribbon cutting on January 11, 10 am. Can’t make it that day? Then drop by anytime afterward to visit the new library. It will be open seven days a week all year round.

The Canyon Branch is located in the Canyon Town Center at 8915 Senator Joe Abruzzo Ave, Boynton Beach, Florida 33472, about a mile west of the Florida Turnpike exit.

Below is the press release for the opening day. I look forward to seeing you at the Canyon Branch library.

Press Release

The Palm Beach County Library System is excited to begin the official countdown to the grand opening of the Canyon Branch Library. The culmination of this momentous project is set for Jan 11, 2025, where the branch will officially open to the public. This has been many years in the making, with the official planning for the new branch library beginning in 2019.

A six marble column art installation called “Opening Minds,” designed by Brad J. Goldberg, graces the front of the building. The columns feature famous quotes and titles from American and World history and binary code representing the intermingling of the traditional and digital world. This installation reinforces the Library’s vision of opening minds to a world of unlimited possibilities.

The new building features an open and spacious design. It boasts a collection of 130,000 library materials, a beautiful atrium, a bright Children and Teen Area and our largest meeting room space.

Located in the heart of the lively and up-and-coming area of Canyon in western Boynton, the Palm Beach County Library System hopes to provide the community with a space that connects, inspires and enriches the lives of its members.

Library Director Douglas Crane stated, “We are excited to welcome residents to the new Canyon Branch. It will offer a wealth of resources, programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of our community.”

Follow the Palm Beach County Library System on social media for updates and sneak peeks of the branch, @pbclibrary, on all platforms.

Why You Should Join a Professional Organization

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As we move towards the new year, many professional associations are reaching out to retain existing members and invite new people to join. In my case, I am a proud member of the American Library Association, the Public Library Association, CORE, the Florida Library Association, and the Palm Beach County Library Association.

Some people resist joining an association because they don’t see the value in spending money on the membership. However, there are many great reasons to join a professional association and take full advantage of their offerings.

Photo by Christina Morillo on Pexels.com

Here’s my top seven reasons to join a professional association.

Networking Opportunities: Professional associations host events, conferences, and online platforms that allow members to connect with their peers. Access to a community of like-minded professionals fosters collaboration and an exchange of ideas.

Career Advancement: Many associations have job boards, recruitment events, or exclusive listings that help members find new work opportunities. Also, associations provide access to training programs, certifications, and workshops that enhance skills and share new ideas.

Industry Knowledge and Resources: Many professional associations publish journals, articles, and white papers that provide insights into trends and research findings. Members also have access to webinars and speaking events to hear from leaders in the profession.

Credibility and Recognition: Being part of an association can boost member’s credibility and establish them as a respected professional. Many associations set standards and ethical guidelines, helping ensure that members uphold expectations of quality and professionalism.

Advocacy and Influence: Professional associations often lobby for policies that benefit their members and industry. Being a member allows you to have a voice in these advocacy efforts. Some associations offer legal support or resources on hot topic issues.

Leadership Opportunities: Volunteering for committees, boards, or events within the association can develop leadership abilities and help members stand out. This is especially helpful for those who are seeking supervisory experience to improve their resume.

Support and Mentorship: Associations often offer formal mentorship programs that connect less experienced professionals with leaders in their field. Having a network of people in similar positions can provide advice, support, and insight into career challenges.

Give yourself the gift of professional growth by joining an association today. For library workers and supporters, both FLA and ALA lowered their membership rates this year. So now is the perfect time to invest in yourself.

Florida Library Association Membership Drive – Join Today, Grow Today

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This year there is a great opportunity to join a collection of dedicated library professionals in their quest to grow, serve, and enhance libraries across the state.

The Florida Library Association has launched a membership drive. The goal is to get the organization up to 1,000 members by January. As Immediate Past President of FLA, I invite you to join Florida’s premiere Assocation for library workers and professionals.

To reach that goal, FLA has reduced its membership rates to make them more affordable for all library workers and supporters.

I have been a proud member of FLA for over a decade. Membership allowed me to expand my professional horizons, make lasting friendships, and voice my advocacy for the great work our libraries do every day to connect communities, inspire thought, and enrich lives.

Here are benefits that Individual members receive.

  • Participate on committees and the Executive Board – develop leadership skills
  • News and Support on fast breaking issues
  • Continuing Education Webinars and Trainings – professional development
  • Networking Events – meet people from across Florida
  • Awards presented at our FLA Annual Conference
  • Eligibility to vote in association elections
  • Discounts on registration to our Annual Conference 
  • Eligibility to form or join Member Groups on topics of interest
  • Access to member communications and mailing lists
  • Florida Libraries journal and eligibility to be featured in the publication
  • Exclusive online resources, including our member directory

Never been a member before? Thinking of returning as a member? Or simply renewing your membership?

All the information you need to commit to membership can be found on the FLA membership website. Please consider joining today!

Your support will go a long way in ensuring that libraries of all types will continue their mission to serve the residents of Florida. In return you will be part of a proud organization that has supported Florida’s libraries for over 100 years.

I look forward to seeing you as an FLA Member!

Kris McGuigan on Courage

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In these trying times, we all need to build more courage in our lives. The question is how to do it!

As the current Florida Library Association President, I am very excited about our upcoming conference in Orlando May 15-17. At the top of my list for the event is listening to our Keynote Speaker, Kris McGuigan. She is the author of The Requisite Courage, a book designed to help build confidence and clarity in your life in order to overcome any obstacle. As Kris describes of the book on her website.

Life is full of disruption: whether suffering a loss, altering your environment, or gaining a new leader. The Requisite Courage offers the precise know-how for navigating change, taking control of your destiny, and creating long-lasting results.

If you want to align your corporate strengths to personal values or just need to stop clinging to the status quo, The Requisite Courage is the direct and fearless approach to problem-solving you’ve been missing.

I am excited to share that Kris will be doing an exclusive Q&A with FLA members on Tues. March 5, 2 pm EST. This will be a great opportunity to meet Kris for a discussion about courage and other topics.

Also, see highlights of Kris as a speaker by checking out her Speaker Demo Reel on YouTube.

Registration is now open for the FLA Conference. I hope to see you in Orlando.

Effective Email Etiquette

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On Thursday January 25, I will return as a virtual presenter to the Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference. In 2020 I spoke on the topic of Developing Motivated Cultures (recording available through this link). This year I will share tips and tricks on Effective Email Etiquette. As a resource, the script for my talk is now posted on the Efficient Librarian website.

Here is the start of the presentation.

Effective Email Etiquette – How to Ensure Your Messages Are Understood

All of us send email every day. However, have you ever considered what makes for an effective email that will be read and understood by the recipient? As a primary means of communication with colleagues and the public, it is important to consider the most effective ways to compose email to ensure it is read fully and understood clearly.

Photo by Miguel u00c1. Padriu00f1u00e1n on Pexels.com

Don’t Send that Email … Unless You Have To!

One of the biggest challenges in effective communication is deciding the medium for the message. For many people, email is a common way to share information. In fact, it is often preferred, as implied by the saying, “this was another meeting that should have been an email.”  Yet it does have limits. Here are times when email is appropriate:

  1. Routine communication: Emails are suitable for routine updates, sharing information, and conveying non-urgent messages. If your message is not time-sensitive and allows for a delayed response, email is a suitable choice.
  2. Documentation: When you need a written record of communication, such as project updates, agreements, or decisions.
  3. Scheduling and coordination: For arranging meetings, confirming appointments, and coordinating schedules.
  4. Formal communication: In professional settings, emails are often appropriate for formal communication, such as job applications, official announcements, and business proposals.

Read the full article to learn more about how to be more effective with CC and BCC, writing impactful subject lines, the perils of public records, and more!

Preview the New Library Website

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I’m proud to share that the Palm Beach County Library System is upgrading its website. Right now, we are offering a preview of the new site to get feedback from the public. Take a look by visiting: https://palmbeach.bibliocms.com/

The new site features:

  • easier to navigate drop-down menus
  • an upgraded catalog overlay to more effectively display search results
  • easier to sort event listings
  • “staff pick” book lists
  • and quick links to all of our electronic media offerings

Please use the new contact us page to provide your thoughts on the site.

We look forward to launching the new website by October 1.

We’re Stronger Together: A Conversation with ALA President Emily Drabinski

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I recently had the opportunity to interview the new ALA President Emily Drabinski on behalf of Public Libraries Online. As she begins her year in the role, I asked her how she became involved with ALA at a national level.

I’ve been an academic librarian in New York City for 22 years. I joined ALA in 2002 when I had just finished library school, because it took this bold position against the Patriot Act. I was excited to be part of a profession that takes difficult stances in difficult political moments. And we definitely are in one of those right now. So I was interested in using some of my skills as a connector of people to work inside the association that I think can be valuable in this moment. My involvement at ALA was primarily in my division home, ACRL, which is common for most people. I was on a number of its committees and have been editing the book reviews for our journal for the last three years. I served one term as ALA Council and that was a really interesting experience. I saw how the sausage gets made a little bit, in terms of what kind of a national presence ALA has, which I think is really important.

Later on in the interview, I asked her to share her priorities for the Presidential year. Her first priority is to advance sustainability in libraries.

Past Presidents say you plan and then the year happens. My plan is to focus on bringing to completion projects that Past Presidents Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada and Patty Wong worked on. For a long time, ALA has had sustainability as a priority. We have a round table, we have a council committee, and we have sustainability now as a core value. So will be focused on tying up those loose ends so that we can have national climate strategy for libraries coming from ALA to guide people in managing through environmental crises. Also it will include ways that we as institutions can contribute to reversing some of those climate change trends.

Read the entire interview at the Public Libraries Online website.

Obama’s Letter to Librarians

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This past week former President Barak Obama surprised librarians across the country by releasing a letter of support. In it he spoke openly about the free expression of ideas and the importance of libraries.

Below is the opening of the letter:

To the dedicated and hardworking librarians of America: 

In any democracy, the free exchange of ideas is an important part of making sure that citizens are informed, engaged and feel like their perspectives matter.  

It’s so important, in fact, that here in America, the First Amendment of our Constitution states that freedom begins with our capacity to share and access ideas – even, and maybe especially, the ones we disagree with.  

More often than not, someone decides to write those ideas down in a book.  

Later in the letter he expresses deep appreciation for librarians and their work.

Nobody understands that more than you, our nation’s librarians. In a very real sense, you’re on the front lines – fighting every day to make the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions, and ideas available to everyone. Your dedication and professional expertise allow us to freely read and consider information and ideas, and decide for ourselves which ones we agree with.  

That’s why I want to take a moment to thank all of you for the work you do every day — work that is helping us understand each other and embrace our shared humanity.  

Read the rest of the letter on the Penguin Random House website.