Director's Cut

The Jefferson County Library Board of Trustees recently named Deputy County Librarian Marcellus Turner as acting county librarian. Marcellus has been in the job for several weeks, taking over operations on May 1, 2008, one day after longtime County Librarian Bill Knott retired.

Bill Knott, who led Jefferson County Public Library since 1971, retired on April 30, 2008.

Marcellus will lead the Library during the next several months while the Library Board of Trustees conducts a national search for a new permanent county librarian. Although, this is a very busy time for JCPL, with a decision about the formation of a library district expected early this summer, according to Library Board Chair Keith Grebe, the Library is in good hands. As deputy county librarian, Marcellus has been in charge of the 10 libraries, the Bookmobile, and the cataloging, acquisitions and collection development departments since joining the organization in 2002.

Before joining JCPL, Marcellus served as assistant executive director of the Rockford Public Library in Rockford, Ill. He also worked as a departmental supervisor at both Tacoma Public Library in Tacoma, Wash., and Atlantic City Free Public Library in Atlantic City, N.J., and has held several positions with academic libraries in Tennessee and Louisiana. Turner has been active in the American Library Association, the Library Administration and Management Association, and the Public Library Association. He holds a Master of Library Science from the University of Tennessee.

Having served as county librarian for nearly 37 years, I recently announced to the Library Board of Trustees and staff my plans to retire in early April 2008.

After nearly four decades, I have a rather well-developed sense of the Library’s best interests and believe that now is the right time to initiate new leadership. I will leave knowing that JCPL will continue to be a successful and effective organization. As the schedule now stands, one of my last efforts will be to assist the Library Board of Trustees with formation of the new library district -- now planned to occur on April 1, 2008.

The Library is fortunate to have the strong support of Jefferson County residents. I'm personally grateful to live and work in a community that understands the benefits of maintaining a strong and vibrant library.

Jefferson County Public Library will be in good hands. In January, a library recruiting firm will assist the Trustees with a national search for my successor. Beginning in April, the Library will be managed by an interim county librarian until my replacement is onboard.

I plan to ease gracefully into retirement, most likely knee-deep in a mountain stream.

Happy holidays!

Bill

Several weeks ago, Library Board Chair Keith Grebe and I met with representatives from Jefferson County to continue discussions about forming a library district. Based on this meeting, the new target date for district formation is April 1, 2008.

In Colorado, 49 of 114 public libraries operate under this effective organizational model. You may recall from reading my previous postings that taxes will not increase as a result of forming the new library district. Based on Colorado State Statute, because Jefferson County Public Library has its own dedicated property tax levy, 3.5 mills approved by voters in 1986, a library district can be formed with the adoption of a resolution by the Board of County Commissions.

A public meeting will be held in late February or early March so residents can learn more about the library district. In the meantime, if you have questions about what this means for your Jefferson County Public Library, please feel free to contact me at 303-275-2200.

Bill

The work of the Library District Steering Committee -- appointed by the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners last December -- is in its final phases. While the original schedule called for formation of the new district on Jan. 1, 2008, it now looks like the process may take a few more months to finalize all the details.

Members of the Library Board of Trustees are fully committed to moving the process forward with the knowledge that becoming a district is in the best interest of Jefferson County residents.

When Library and Jefferson County staff began this process 10 months ago, we knew that the timetable was tight; however, we were not in uncharted waters. We relied on a proven and clearly defined process used by 49 other public libraries in Colorado that have formed districts over the years.

So what does this likely delay mean for library patrons? Nothing. Library district formation has not and will not affect Library service. The same helpful staff and high-quality services you’ve become accustomed to will not be affected during the review process or once we become a district. And as I’ve shared earlier, forming the new Jefferson County Library District will not increase taxes.

As you may remember from my previous blog postings, a public hearing must be held before the Commissioners can authorize formation of a library district. As soon as we know the date and time of the public hearing, we will let you know.

Thank you for your continued support of Jefferson County Public Library. Please feel free to contact me with questions or comments.

Bill

 

The Library continues to explore the possibility of forming a library district. In November 2006, the Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ask the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners for approval to further research the advantages and any potential disadvantages of becoming a library district. This decision was made after more than a year of thorough deliberation and research. Their thoughtful approach led to the strong belief that the best way to continue to meet the growing needs for library service in Jefferson County is through a library district.

The next step was to bring the issue to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners. After learning that forming a library district may be the most effective and efficient way to serve the needs of the residents, the Board of Commissioners approved the Library Board’s request on Dec. 19, 2006 and authorized the formation of a steering committee, comprised of key staff from the Library and other county departments to research district formation.

Why should we consider becoming a library district? In my experience, libraries best serve their communities by focusing on their mission--delivering quality library services. Since library districts operate independently, they are not bound by unnecessary organizational requirements that sometimes compete with that mission. Library districts also have more control and flexibility over operating decisions and greater taxpayer accountability.

Nearly half of the 114 public libraries in Colorado are districts and the number continues to increase. Most large counties provide library service through this proven organization model, including Arapahoe Library District, Douglas County Libraries, Fort Collins Regional Library District, Rangeview Library District, Pikes Peak Library District, Pueblo City-County Library District and Weld Library District to name just those along the Front Range.

While researching other organizational models, the Jefferson County Library Board of Trustees learned that library districts continue to maintain high levels of service while, in many cases, dealing with significant growth by finding savings through economies of scale in operations.

If the Library Board of Trustees and the Board of Commissioners proceed with formation of a district, I want to ensure you that JCPL will always belong to the residents of Jefferson County. Our services and the quality of our collections will not change. In short, you will see no significant difference in the day-to-day operations of the Library. Taxes will not increase as a result of forming a district, and your Library Board of Trustees will still be appointed by your Board of County Commissioners.

There are a number of ways to get more information about the status of district formation. A public hearing will be held in late summer or early fall. Details about this hearing will be heavily published in our monthly newsletter, at each of our libraries and on our web site. In the meantime, you can contact me, or you can attend one of the monthly Library Board Meetings. The meeting schedule is listed at the following link: http://jefferson.lib.co.us/board/minutes.html.