A Slice of Passion: An Evening with California Pizza Kitchen Co-Founder Rick Rosenfield

September 20, 2026Leave a comment

If you live in the Palm Beach area, I invite you to attend what may be the most delicious author talk of the year. Learn how pizza and passion came together to form one of America’s most successful restaurant chains.

Join me for an engaging interview with Rick Rosenfield, a former Federal prosecutor and co-founder of California Pizza Kitchen. During the evening, Rick will share about his experience as an attorney, the impetus to jump into the restaurant business with no prior experience, and the ups and downs of expanding CPK across the country. Along the way you will learn the importance of partnership, practical decision making, and following your dreams.

The event will take place at the Gardens Branch library on Mon. Oct. 5, 6:30 pm. Preregistration is encouraged through this link.

Rick Rosenfield recently wrote the story of California Pizza Kitchen in his new book, The California Pizza Kitchen Story: How Two Federal Prosecutors Changed the Way America Eats Pizza. According to the book’s website:

The California Pizza Kitchen Story: How Two Federal Prosecutors Changed the Way America Eats Pizza is an honest business memoir that tells the unlikely journey from federal courtrooms to the creation of one of the most predominant brands in modern casual dining.

What followed was the moment California-style pizza became mainstream—with its unexpected ingredients, open kitchens, and a relaxed yet elevated dining experience—and the rapid growth of CPK from a single location into a global brand. Along the way, Rosenfield and Flax navigated explosive expansion, skeptical bankers, partnerships with major corporations, and the pressures and consequences of private equity ownership.

Audience Q&A will follow the interview and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signature. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System and will be joined by the CPK franchise in the Gardens Mall.

Please sign up on the Palm Beach County Library website through this link. I look forward to seeing you there.

Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month

September 7, 2026Leave a comment

Do you have a library card? If not, now is the perfect time to get one.

September is the annual celebration of a simple card that opens up a world of unlimited possibilities. Your library card allows access to a wide range of print and electronic resources for free. National Library Card Sign-Up Month is an invitation to everyone to visit their local library to explore and discover a wealth of knowledge right at your fingertips.

The national musically inspired theme this year from the American Library Association is “A Library Card Hits All the Right Notes.” As described on the ALA website:

No matter what your tastes are, a library card hits all the right notes!

Check out a classic story or hit shuffle and try something new. Find harmony at your library’s book clubs, movie nights, crafting classes, and author talks. A headphone kind of day? Find your focus in a study room or vibe out in a cozy nook. Compose your future with new skills in your library’s makerspace or check out instruments and tools in the Library of Things. No matter what rhythm you find yourself in, there’s a seat in the front row at the library for you.

This September, B sharp, and sign up for a library card!

To celebrate, some library systems are providing incentives to sign up for a free card. For example, the Palm Beach County Library System is offering this deal.

This September, the Palm Beach County Library System is celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month with a special incentive encouraging members to share the Library with friends and family.

For members who bring a friend or family member to any Library location to sign up for a new Library card, or renew an expired card, both will be entered into a drawing for a special prize. Both participants will also receive a limited-edition Pop-It keychain featuring the phrase “I Heart Palm Beach County Library System,” while supplies last.

To participate, visit any Palm Beach County Library System location in person: www.pbclibrary.org/locations

In a time when reading for pleasure has declined, a library card is a great way to expand your mind beyond endless phone scrolling. In fact, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners declared 2026 as the year to Rediscover Reading. Even if you don’t live in Palm Beach County, you can participate in the themed months to expand your reading beyond the usual.

What are you waiting for? Drop in today to get your card! You deserve it!

Busyness Isn’t A Badge Of Honor

August 23, 2026Leave a comment

Are you busy? I mean, really busy? So busy you barely have time to read this post?

It is easy to fill our days with endless tasks, whether they are assigned to us by others or self-chosen. It is in the nature of knowledge work that there is always something more that can be done or a project that can be constantly refined. However, does that approach to work, the attempt to do as much as possible, effectively work?

In a recent post on the Choice360 website called Busyness Isn’t A Badge of Honor, blogger Alejandro Marquez argued that falling into the busy trap is not a worthy goal. Coming at the problem from the perspective of librarianship, he shares the following insight.

Within the library profession, this susceptibility to busyness is arguably even more pronounced. Library work is often demanding and time-sensitive, requiring constant engagement. Workers are expected to be a resource, a guide, a confidante, and a problem-solver. The pressure to be available, responsive, and supportive can feel immense, particularly when students themselves are struggling with similar pressures.

Added on to this problem, is the burden of “Compassion Fatigue.” Marquez identifies this mindset in the following way:

Compassion fatigue is the emotional and physical exhaustion experienced by those constantly providing care and support. It’s the cumulative toll of advocacy work, direct student support, and the relentless urgency that permeates our daily routines. Workers are constantly asked to be empathetic, understanding, and proactive, often without adequate support or recognition. This labor of constant care, coupled with the pressure to be “always on,” can lead to a profound sense of depletion, leaving professionals feeling drained, overwhelmed, and disconnected.

How can librarians, or any profession for that matter, overcome the busy trap? The first step is about reclaiming boundaries.

This is crucial. Establish clear boundaries around work hours, communication channels, and availability. Learn to say “no” without feeling guilty.

Additionally, workers should prioritize self-care outside of work.

Workers can engage in activities that replenish energy and support well-being through exercise, mindfulness, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.

Read the rest of the article to learn more idea to reclaim a sense of self-worth and avoid the busy trap. Go ahead, make the time for it. The lessons will be worthwhile.

Librarianship Beyond the Textbook

August 9, 2026Leave a comment

I am excited to share wonderful news.

I have written a chapter for a new book on librarianship that came out this week. The book is titled, Librarianship Beyond the Textbook: A Practical Guide for Real-World Challenges, available for purchase through Bloomsbury Publishing. The book blurb describes it as follows:

Library and Information Undergraduate and Graduate Programs do an incredible job examining important methodology of librarianship today. However, any library school graduate will at multiple points in their career declare, “Well they didn’t teach me this in library school!” Whether it was taught or not, libraries are a multifaceted, constantly changing landscape. Public, academic, school, and special libraries of all sizes each have their own unique needs, but there are certain skills, techniques, and mindsets that benefit all library staff.

Librarianship Beyond the Textbook is different from others on the market in that it addresses topics that aren’t automatically or often associated with librarianship – topics that are otherwise overlooked, but are nonetheless inevitable, capturing those “Finally, some help with this!” moments – moments of both recognition and assistance. The goal of the book is to not only allow the reader to feel heard, but to address evergreen and overlooked topics.

Edited by Nay Keppler from Baltimore County Library, I am one of fifteen contributors. The topics are broad and applicable to any level of library worker. My chapter is called, Running Effective Meetings, where I provide best practices to ensure meetings are run smoothly and efficiently. Below is the full table of contents.

Introduction
Chapter 1: Historical Context and Legacy of Libraries and Racial Equity Shauntee Burns-Simpson and Nichelle M. Hayes
Chapter 2: The Simple and Courageous Pursuit of Growth Brianna Campbell
Chapter 3: Library Safety and Security Melissa Munn
Chapter 4: Beyond the Bookshelves: The Facilities Management Impact Kim Fuller
Chapter 5: Project Management Basics Wendy Tressler
Chapter 6: Running Effective Meetings Douglas Crane
Chapter 7: Burnout and Psychological Safety: Intertwined Challenges in Library Management Bobbi Newman
Chapter 8: Advocacy Skills to Enhance Library Support Tif Sutherland
Chapter 9: Interpersonal Skills and Office Politics: Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships with Colleagues Loida Garcia-Febo
Chapter 10: Beyond the Balance Sheet: Budgeting and Development Insights for Emerging Library Leaders Lauren Sands and Derek Lloyd
Chapter 11: From Navigators to Futurists: Librarians as Technology Leaders Angela Kent
Chapter 12: Managing Community Partnerships Audrey Barbakoff
Chapter 13: Supporting Marginalized Groups in Libraries: Questions, Reflections, and Future Directions Micaela Deogracias

If you are intrigued, purchase a copy today at the Bloomsbury website. You can also find it at your favorite online bookstore.

Why Young Professionals Say “No” to Leadership Roles

June 21, 2026Leave a comment

We have all heard the standard career advice: start at the bottom, work hard, and get promoted into leadership. Becoming a supervisor or manager has often been seen as an important step on the career path. However, what happens if a person decides that traveling the leadership route is not worth the stress and workload? Is there a way to make these positions more appealing?

In an online post titled, Why Library Workers Are Saying “No” to Leadership Roles, Choice360 contributor Alejandro Marquez shares reasons why some young library professionals choose to stay away from leadership roles. While his focus is on the library profession, many of the factors apply to other professional careers. Among the several workplace issues Marquez cites, one is the arrival fallacy.

The arrival fallacy is the mistaken assumption that a goal or outcome will allow an individual to achieve happiness. In an organization, bosses often promise their workers a reduction in workload or stress simply by hiring new people. Often, there is no reduction as other people leave, positions are frozen, or institutional priorities shift. Instead of a reduced workload, leaders often inherit a backlog of issues, and the initial optimism can quickly fade as they grapple with the same systemic challenges. The cycle of hiring new leaders with the expectation of change, only to see the same problems persist, creates a sense of disillusionment and fuels discontent.

Does this mean that critical leadership roles will go unfulfilled in the years to come? That does not have to be the future. Marquez suggests several ways that young professionals can be encouraged to view leadership roles in a positive light. A starting point is by ensuring that organizations have carefully considered the concepts of compensation and workload equity.

Leadership roles demand significant time, energy, and expertise. Compensation needs to reflect a workload that accurately represents increased responsibilities. Workload differentials—recognizing that leadership roles often extend beyond a role’s core duties—are essential and must be accounted for. Transparent workload assessments and the equitable distribution of responsibilities are tools that can help this process.

To learn more about the reasons why young library professionals are avoiding leadership roles along with ways to address their concerns, please read the rest of the article.

Have You Rediscovered Reading?

June 14, 2026Leave a comment

Summertime is the best time to return to the simple joy of reading.

This year the Palm Beach County Library System has launched the Rediscover Reading campaign. No matter where you live, we are encouraging everyone to pick up a book and tap into the many benefits of reading for pleasure. If you have never stopped reading, we invite you to expand your horizons and tap into new authors and genres. With so many choices, there is definitely a novel novel awaiting you!

It might seem counter-intuitive, but sitting in your quiet reading chair actually benefits your neighbors and friends. As our society wrestles with loneliness and separation, pleasure reading offers an affordable, evidence-based path for a better life. In fact, a growing body of research finds that reading leads to reduced stress, better sleep, enhanced empathy and improved well-being. Simultaneously, shared reading like book clubs and read-aloud sessions activate brain regions tied to social cognition and emotional connection. This counters feelings of isolation and distrust.

It’s simple. Reading for pleasure combines the private delight of enjoying a novel with the social lift from shared reflection.

Therefore, I challenge you to spend 15 minutes a day reading for pleasure. Then, once a week share your reading suggestions with others, whether a work, around the dinner table, or in your favorite online space. The more we talk and think about the books, the more engaged our minds become with the material and with others.

If you are not sure where to get your next book, remember that public libraries are ready and waiting to serve you. Not only do we offer traditional print books, but most libraries have a growing collection of eBooks. All of them are available through your library card. Don’t have one? No worries. Plan a trip to your local branch this week to get a card!

Finally, I must put a debate to rest. Yes! Audiobooks count as reading. The act of listening to a book forces our minds to imagine scenes and view the world through the eyes of the characters. This is different from watching a movie or TV show where actors and camera angles guide your interpretation. Any type of read-aloud allows the listener to create the scenes in their mind, deepening the connection to the story.

The challenge is issued. This summer, put down your smartphone, turn off the TV, and step away from your computer. Instead dive into a good book. The benefits are worth it!

On the Town in the Palm Beaches

May 3, 2026Leave a comment

Media Alert!

In the most recent episode of On the Town in the Palm Beaches with Frank Licari, I was interviewed while showing off the new Canyon Branch library. In case you are not familiar with the series, On the Town takes viewers through a series of unique local points of interest in Palm Beach County. The host, Frank Licari, is a pleasant and engaging guide who takes the viewer on a whirlwind tour of fascinating places, events, and people in the Palm Beaches.

The library hosted Frank and the South Florida PBS team at Canyon Branch earlier this year. During the visit, I highlighted how libraries have become important community hubs and undergo constant change to match the needs of our residents. We toured the new library branch, with stops in our Children’s area, front reading room, and creation/maker spaces. A highlight for Frank was using our sorting machines for library item returns.

The segment is second on the episode after a tour of the new Canyon District Park. If you live in Palm Beach County or close by, I invite you to visit the Canyon Town Center to experience both the library and the park. It is well worth the visit.

Thank you to our friends at South Florida PBS and Frank Licari for being wonderful community partners by highlighting the library in their latest episode.

How Libraries Make Life More Affordable and Why It Matters More Than Ever

April 12, 2026Leave a comment

Are you worried about affordability? Nowadays many people are concerned about inflated costs for life’s necessities as pay checks fail to grow. What can be done to help those caught in this financial crunch?

I recently posted a new article to highlight the important role that libraries have in the affordability crisis. Based on a Medium post authored by a group called Reimagining the Civic Commons, I highlight five distinct ways that libraries help make life more affordable for communities. Here’s the opening of the article.

With gas, housing, and food costs rising, affordability is on everyone’s mind. Yet, in the quest to save money, is the solution to invest in our social infrastructure? In the April 2026 article 5 Ways Public Spaces Make Everyday Life More Affordable, the writers at Reimagining the Civic Commons reframe that conversation by highlighting how shared spaces like parks, community centers, and libraries reduce household costs in meaningful and often overlooked ways.

If you’re a lifelong library lover, this won’t come as a surprise. The article explicitly positions public spaces as shared infrastructure that helps families navigate financial pressure and improve quality of life at limited expense. Let’s break down what that really means.

1) Libraries Are Cost-Avoidance Engines

When Reimagining the Civic Commons notes that public spaces can “meaningfully lower the cost of living,” it’s recognizing how much households save when they don’t have to buy what can instead be borrowed. Think about the resources available with a library card: books, movies, digital subscriptions, databases, and even streaming. These are items most families would otherwise purchase, subscribe, or have to go without if libraries did not exist. This is affordability in action by avoiding expenses before they ever occur.

2) Libraries Expand the Idea of “Access”

One of the article’s strongest insights is around shared assets. These are things households don’t need to own because they’re available in the public realm. Many libraries operate a “libraries of things” where residents can check out tools, equipment, and technology. This saves a household from buying and storing items used only occasionally. Another example are the Birding Backpacks at the Palm Beach County Library System. Accessibility is an essential element of affordability.

Discover the other three ways that libraries help with affordability, along with the name of a great book that explains the concept in further detail, by reading the rest of the article.

Support Florida Libraries! Support the Florida Library Association!

February 22, 2026Leave a comment

In 2026, Florida’s libraries are facing new challenges and unprecedented opportunities. From protecting intellectual freedom to expanding digital access and workforce development, library professionals across the state are stepping up in powerful ways.

Now is the time to stand together and tell your story about why libraries matter.

The Florida Library Association (FLA) has a bold goal: building a stronger, more connected community of library workers and advocates. As a Past President of FLA, I personally invite you to join Florida’s premier professional association for library employees, supporters, and champions. This year, FLA President Allision Grubbs is inspiring us to tell our story about how libraries change lives. The best way to share your story is to join with colleagues across the state to build a better future.

Why Join FLA in 2026?

FLA has made membership more accessible with reduced and flexible membership rates, ensuring that every library worker at every stage of their career can participate. Don’t work in a library? Membership is also open to library supports and retirees. In short, anyone who loves libraries is invited to share their story and join the association.

I’ve been a proud FLA member for over twelve years. Through the Association, I’ve grown as a leader and built lifelong professional relationships with amazing people from across the state. As well, I’ve strengthened my advocacy for the essential work libraries do every day to connect communities, inspire learning, and protect access to information.

When you become an Individual Member, you gain:

Leadership Opportunities – Serve on committees or the Executive Board and develop valuable leadership skills
Timely Advocacy Updates – Stay informed on fast-moving legislative and policy issues impacting Florida libraries
Continuing Education – Access webinars, trainings, and professional development opportunities
Statewide Networking – Connect with colleagues from public, academic, school, and special libraries
Recognition & Awards – Celebrate excellence at the FLA Annual Conference
Voting Rights – Help shape the future direction of the association
Conference Discounts – Save on registration for our Annual Conference
Member Groups – Join or form communities centered on your professional interests
Member Communications – Stay informed through exclusive mailing lists and updates
Publication Opportunities – Access Florida Libraries journal and opportunities to be featured
Exclusive Online Resources – Including the member directory and professional tools

Whether you’ve never joined, or are considering returning, or are ready to renew, 2026 is the year to take that step.

Your Membership Matters More Than Ever

Libraries are essential infrastructure for democracy, education, and community resilience. Your membership strengthens FLA’s ability to advocate effectively, provide professional support, and ensure that all types of libraries across Florida can thrive. For more than 100 years, the Florida Library Association has championed our state’s libraries. Now we’re building the next century of access and empowerment, and we need you with us.

Don’t Wait. Join Today!

Commit to your profession. Invest in your growth. Stand up for Florida’s libraries.

Visit the FLA membership website and become a member today. Together, we are stronger. Together we will shape the future of libraries in Florida by telling our story. In 2026, I look forward to welcoming you as an FLA Member.

Efficient Librarian

Exploring the Intersection of Efficiency and Librarianship

Category: Libraries