SDPL Director's Blog

Nitty-Gritty Details

2012-01-26T14:54:00.000-08:00

I was so excited yesterday to find frontline library staff members working directly with the new Central Library consultant and library managers on some of the details for the new Central Library. This is how we will find good answers to design and its relationship to services – through the nitty-gritty details for this project which, for some, has been conceptual until very recently.

And, there’s a wealth of details to review – from the height, size and capacity of shelving to design of furniture, end panels and carpeting. All of these considerations require a balance of form, function and budget - not necessarily in that order.

Ultimately, the budget has the potential to drive many of our decisions, and we had some great news recently regarding the budget. Funding has been guaranteed to ensure that the new Central Library project continues into the 2nd phase and to completion. We are very thankful to the very generous folks who have provided the guarantee! The project is moving along very well and we still anticipate opening in Summer 2013.

Another item of good news relates to the City’s budget, as announced by Mayor Sanders at the State of the City Address. The deficit that will need to be addressed in the FY 2013 budget of just over $31 million is likely to be much less, possibly in the range of $12 million. As a General Fund department, this is great news! While the deficit clearly needs to be addressed, I am hopeful that the lower amount will result in lower impact to the Library system.

This is starting out to be a great year already!

Happy Holidays and Thank You!

2011-12-19T13:26:00.000-08:00

Thank you for reading this blog. My intention was to keep you informed about what's going on at SDPL but the pace is fast and the blogging not so fast. I am posting this last entry of the year 2011 from Uruguay on a computer that knows Spanish, so please forgive any of my errors :-)

It's been another eventful year! The City still has challenges with our budget but with considerable skill and effort, it´s improving each year. There were no cuts to the Library this fiscal year, for which we are ever thankful. Our programs have blossomed and attracted national recognition. Staff has won scholarships, fellowships and some have given presentations at national and regional conferences. Things are going well.

Please take a look at the webcam for the new Central Library. The 9 story shell is nearly completed. I am so thrilled with what this new library will do for our system and community. The year has gone quickly and much progress has been made. I am betting this next year will zoom by and we will be ready to move into the new library within months of its completion in 2013. Then we all will see how awesome it´s going to be to have a new major library in our town. The architecture, the services, the technology, the community gathering capabilities and special features are going to be great. You just wait and see :-)

Thank you for your interest and support of the San Diego Public Library system. Happy Holidays and see you next year!

Happy Holidays

2011-12-19T13:09:00.000-08:00

Busy with Programs, Costumes and Safety on the Job

2011-10-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

I dropped by some of our branch libraries yesterday and the atmosphere at each one was fun, vibrant and busy. Library staff members were dressed in their finest costumes, from Tinker Bell with oversized wings, to the Orange Lady with fancy and very large, orange and black butterfly lashes. Children and adults, as well, expressed admiration and approval.

I heard reports of record attendance at the programs yesterday. I also observed the bustling activity of people registering for library cards, getting assistance with their inquiries, frantically finishing projects using the library computers at closing time, and checking out books and DVDs for the weekend.

The programs and costumes were all in fun, the other activities all about library business – just the way we at SDPL connect to our communities. Thanks to our library staff for their on-going work, especially Youth Services for the fabulous programs yesterday!

And speaking of records, a visit to the new Central Library job site on Friday confirmed that Turner Construction and our subcontractors on site have maintained their excellent safety record. Construction began over a year ago and there has been no work stoppage due to accidents. That’s a great record to uphold. Thanks to all of the crews working on the new Central Library! Keep up the good work.

Please take a look at the webcam to see progress on the project -http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/newcentral.shtml. The sixth floor is being constructed now and walls are going up on lower floors.

This is going to be an amazing library!

The Library is the Happening Place

2011-06-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

There’s no question. It’s been a tough budget year. At this point it looks better for the library. If the final budget remains as proposed and voted on by Council, we will maintain our 36 hours at branch libraries into the next fiscal year starting on July 1, 2011; and we will not have to make staff reductions after all. If that happens, we will all breathe a sigh of relief and can move forward on addressing the evolving needs of our community with the current level of resources.

While much of our time was focused on the budget, Library staff continued to provide outstanding service and high quality programs. Recent awards they received reflect this dedication. READ/San Diego – Families for Literacy Program won $10,000 in the annual Better World Books/NCFL Libraries and Families Award. READ/San Diego was recognized for helping adult participants achieve their literacy goals, including sharing books with their children and helping them with homework.

Our History Librarian, Rick Crawford, received the History Award of Excellence from the Historical Resources Board for his Union-Tribune “The Way We Were” weekly column detailing the history of the San Diego region. Although writing the column is not directly associated with his position in the Library, it is representative of the special historical expertise that Rick brings to his work with the Library’s Special Collections, including genealogy, the California Room local treasures, and the Wangenheim Rare Book Collection.

The Logan Heights Branch Library Teens “Project Unknown,” which I referenced in a past blog, won 2nd runner up (third place) and $1,000.00 in the highly competitive American Library Association Teen Video Contest, “Why I Need My Library.” The six teens who submitted the video are 13 years old and members of the Logan Heights Branch Library Teen Council. They filmed and edited the video and also wrote and performed their original song about why their library is a special place. We’re so proud of their accomplishment and how actively they advocate for their library!

And there’s more…The San Diego Family Magazine just awarded Mission Valley Branch Library and Scripps Miramar Ranch Branch Library the Best Children’s Libraries. Hundreds of readers voted for their favorite things to do, places to go and local hotspots in San Diego. The magazine’s voters recognized what community members have known for years about the amazing resources that the San Diego Public Library provides to people of all ages.

In addition to these awards, we have so much happening at all of our libraries. In May the Valencia Park/Malcolm X Branch Library hosted a successful job fair that allowed job seekers to meet with top employers, acquire job leads, connect with key job resources, attend seminars, get referrals, and network. Linda Vista Branch Library hosted a Technology Fair for Older Adults to learn more about using various technology devices. University Community Branch Library hosted a College Application Essay Writing Workshop to provide tips to teens for how to write college application essays that stand out.

The summer is going to be just as busy with Summer Reading Program beginning June 15. This year in addition to children and teens, we are offering adults a chance to participate and win fabulous prizes. Black Storytellers of San Diego will present captivating stories at Valencia Park/Malcolm X Branch Library in honor of Juneteeth, the oldest nationally-celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S. And construction on the new Central Library is progressing on schedule. The "gravity arch," designed to carry the load of upper floors, is now being erected and is quite impressive to see on the skyline. Check out the new detailed webcam that allows you to zoom in on construction in real time.

It’s going to be an exciting summer and I’m looking forward to planning for the year ahead. We are eager to examine how we can evolve our services to meet the changing needs of our community.

A Source of Inspiration - LAPL and Others

2011-03-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

“Paying my dues” to the profession recently, I spoke at an event for library trustees and commissioners in the Los Angeles area. In return, I received so much inspiration! The participants were genuinely interested in the San Diego Public Library story and they expressed their appreciation for our community’s perseverance in moving forward with the new library construction project. Others who spoke reminded me of how dedicated supporters and volunteers are making a difference in keeping library services available throughout California for all to enjoy.

And speaking of inspiration, on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 voters in the City of Los Angeles approved a ballot measure dedicated to funding their library system! Since I was in the area, I decided to go visit the Los Angeles Central Library. Was I ever impressed?!? The place was abuzz with activity. There were groups of people rushing around trying to identify locations as part of a scavenger hunt. The participants seemed to be having so much fun, I wanted to join them. People were everywhere in that vast library, studying, borrowing books, using computers. It was such a validation of our own plan in San Diego seeing this large municipal library that was built many years ago offering so much benefit to the community.

I visited the teen area to get ideas for that section of our new Central Library. I had two teen relatives with me and they were excited. They reminded me that months ago they had offered a suggestion that a true teen area would have large bean bags for students. So they took me to see exactly what they meant - in LAPL’s teen room there, indeed, were the giant bean bags! And, intriguingly, each was occupied by a male student engrossed in reading. It was such a site to behold!

There were other fun features at LAPL too - the round booths for shared computer study, and the relaxed seating where snacks were allowed (occupied by the girls). The Library Foundation's bookstore was pure fun shopping. The restaurant area is called the "Book Ends Cafe." We had a lovely lunch there. Others were there enjoying a meal and conversation, too. I was thrilled to see a family come in to set up a birthday party in a reserved room in the cafe.

There were so many things that we are planning to include in our new library that are happening now at LAPL’s Central Library. While it will be different for us, no doubt, it is so much fun to see a real life example of many of the features and services that will be ours at the new Central Library for the City of San Diego, very soon...

Meeting Interesting People at the Library

2011-02-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

You can meet interesting people at the library. I am not only talking about the type of “meeting” that teens are said to do here, although what better place to meet another smart, forward-thinking teen than at the library?

These past few weeks I have had the pleasure and honor of meeting some amazing writers, volunteers and community members. Over 300 local writers and guests were at the Central Library for the 45th Annual Local Authors Exhibit and reception to celebrate their collective accomplishments in writing and presenting over 320 books published in 2010. The writers ranged from age 7 to 90 and included a former Prisoner of War, a local rock star, a 16 year-old writing prodigy, and representatives from local institutions such as UCSD, a comic book publishing company, Balboa Park museums and historical societies. Hal and Althea Altenbern are partners in writing, in love and life. They joined us at the reception to celebrate their latest book and their 61st wedding anniversary! Another highlight of the evening was the ceremony honoring UCSD Professor and Pulitzer Prize winner Rae Armantrout, who was bestowed with the San Diego Public Library’s Local Author Literary Achievement Award. We were in stellar company indeed! The Local Authors Exhibit at Central Library, the Online Author Exhibit and Photo Gallery will be on display through February.

The library family had another big event, hosted in partnership with KPBS at the La Jolla Country Day School to a crowd of over 400 celebrating the 2011 One Book, One San Diego season. The book we are reading as a community this year is the Gangster We Are All Looking For by lê thi diem thúy. Thúy is a young Vietnamese-American woman who grew up in the Linda Vista area. She is an eloquent, lyrical writer and speaker. It was interesting listening to her talk about the book, her life and her inspiration. The following evening thúy did an author talk at the Central Library, held us spellbound as she read from the book and intrigued us with the list of people she would love to have at the dinner table for conversation, among whom was the prize-winning horse, Secretariat! Thúy theorized that she could learn something from Secretariat and I believe we could likewise learn from thúy! (You also might be interested to see a video of thúy that describes why the Linda Vista Branch Library is her “favorite library in the whole wide world.”)

Rounding out the beginning of the year celebrations was the 23rd annual Evening with the Stars; the Stars being the wonderful tutors and learners of the READ/San Diego literacy program. The dinner was lovely with over 300 participants who were witness to the recounting of just a few of the accomplishments achieved by tutors and learners in the program. These are people who so recognize the value of education and life-long learning, that they commit to a partnership to learn/tutor to read despite the various other challenges in day to day life. In my book, these are all heroic people and I was so pleased to meet them, thanks to the library.

The Rain, Our Future and Our Past

2010-12-23T10:35:00.000-08:00

The rain has stopped for now, and not a moment too soon for the sake of our library buildings! Yes, I realize that we need the rain but maybe not so much at one time? Our branch libraries have certainly felt the brunt of the on-coming winter this year. Some of the older facilities have had roof leaks and water intrusion from various sources. Work at the new Central Library has to be on hold for awhile, too.

The San Diego 21st Century Library Plan to renovate or rebuild our libraries is a visionary plan that seeks to address aging facilities and carry on the work of library services in the future. We are so fortunate to have built/rebuilt 7 of our community libraries and to have the new Central Library construction under way. There are still several more projects waiting for funding.

I believe better times are ahead. Instead of patching here and there, we hope to have other new and renovated facilities constructed to support our community needs. In the meantime, please bear with us if you frequent any of our libraries affected by the recent rains. We will do all that we can to address the damaged areas.

Happy Holidays, and here's wishing for a Prosperous New Year for all!

By the way, if you are interested in the accomplishments and challenges of our recent past. The annual report covering FY 2009 and FY 2010 is online at: https://www.supportmylibrary.org/annualreport/

A Lot to Celebrate

2010-12-11T23:56:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

My day started out great today. I called my son and told him that pancakes were “biting” me, which was my way of jokingly saying that I would love to take a bite out of a pancake. After a lovely breakfast at a local San Diego favorite with Fiel and his girlfriend, “T,” I attended the first anniversary event for our Logan Heights Branch Library.

Our library system has had many such events in the past. Along with our Friends’ groups, we do a fabulous party. There were great speeches today - Friends’ President Pedro was as eloquent as ever; and membership chair, Dr. Baza, made an impassioned plea for help to keep up the great work started by the Logan Heights Friends in partnership with the Point Loma Friends.

Here’s a picture. I was really impressed by the dancing while the band played some of my old time favorites.

Now, that’s a fun, new twist on our library anniversary events!

The People Behind the New Central Construction Project

2010-11-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

On day 101 of the construction project for the new Central Library, I had the pleasure of being among the very first to tour the construction site. The people behind the project at Turner Construction Company, along with city engineering and project management staff, led the tour and told us all about the processes that were occurring. In the photo below are team members shaping the new Central Library construction project, although conspicuously missing from the photo is Tony Perez, the City’s Resident Engineer for this project. He decided to be our photographer and he did a great job!

From left to right, are: Cynthia Meinhardt, City of San Diego Project Officer II
with the Engineering and Capital Projects Dept. (E&CP); Afshin Oskoui, City Engineer
and Assistant Director of E&CP; Dave Jarrell, Deputy Chief Operating Officer for
Public Works; and Kristine Wunder-Myers, Safety Manager for Turner Construction Co.
Continuing along the back, left to right, are: Tony Heinrichs, Acting Director of E&CP;
John Scheuer, General Superintendent, Turner Construction Co.; Ron Rudolph,
Vice President, Turner Construction Co.; Darren Greenhalgh, Deputy Director of E&CP;
and Nikki Lewis, Associate Engineer with E&CP. In front, left to right,
standing next to me is Carmen Vann, Senior Project Manager, Turner Construction Co.;
and to the far right is Amy Benjamin, Policy Advisor in the Office of Mayor Jerry Sanders.

We were on site with hard hats, safety vests and sturdy shoes. It was fascinating to hear about the process of constructing such a building and seeing firsthand the workflow among the various trades on site. It was impressive how well they worked together. We saw carpenters, steelworkers, and concrete workers, just to name a few, actively working step by step to complete their part and pass the work on to the next stage to keep the job going. The safety record on the job site is impressive, too. As of day 101 there were no safety incidents resulting in lost time.

From left to right, next to me are: Turner Construction Safety Manager
Kristine Wunder-Myers, City of San Diego Project Officer with the
Engineering and Capital Projects Cynthia Meinhardt, and
Senior Project Manager with Turner Construction Carmen Vann.

And, speaking of working well together, take a look at the photo above. Shown with me are the women leaders of this amazing construction project. I think that Kristine, Cynthia and Carmen are exceptional women who chose to take what has been considered (perhaps in the past) as an unconventional path to their careers. These are people with major skills and smarts who have reached high levels. I believe that these three women will serve as role models for many of us for years to come. I am so thankful to them and the many expert, dedicated, people involved in this project. I am thankful as well for the many people who support our library system in various ways.

Teen Music Group Serves the Community and Their Future!

2010-10-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

Over the last two weeks, along with the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Parks and Recreation Director, Public Works, and other City of San Diego departments, I have participated in the Mayor’s Town Hall Meetings held throughout the city. It is obvious from the attendance that people care deeply about the services the City provides and they are concerned about what the future holds. While none of us know for certain about the financial outcome and the potential cuts we may experience, the Library will do everything we can to offer quality services to the best of our ability given the level of financial resources available.

It is at times like these that I especially take heart in remembering all of the creative and positive things that are taking place in our libraries and the communities we serve. One of the best examples is happening in our newest branch library, Logan Heights, which opened just under a year ago.

Under the skillful guidance of the Youth Services Librarian, Adriana (Ady) Huertas, the Logan Heights Teen Council, composed of several youth who volunteer at the library, voted to start a music program to teach teens how to sing and play a variety of musical instruments. Friends of the Logan Heights Library member Judy Eby, who had already donated a grand piano to the new library, was so inspired by the teen’s enthusiasm that she donated musical instruments and obtained approval from the Friends Group to pay for a music instructor for three months.

The logo design that the Teen Music Group created.

A group of 22 dedicated teens met weekly beginning in June to practice. They named their group, “Project Unknown” and designed their own logo and T-shirts. Their first goal was to perform at the Summer Reading Program Grand Finale event on August 14. Their second performance was the next day at an annual community event, Fiesta Del Sol, and they also performed this week at the library’s Halloween Celebration. All events were a big hit!

" Project Unknown" performing at the Summer Reading Program
Grand Finale event on August 14.

With the success of “Project Unknown,” The Logan Heights Friends Group has agreed to pay for an additional singing instructor this Fall. A partnership has been formed with a non-profit organization in Point Loma called A.R.T.S (aka A Reason To Survive – web site: http://www.artsurvive.org/) to provide the Teen Music Program with transportation and access to other musicians, artists, and singing instructors to help improve their performance skills. This partnership also offers art lessons for the group and other teens of the Logan Heights community at the library every Saturday.

Through the expert mentoring of Ady Huertas, Judy Eby, and the Friends of the Logan Heights Library, the teens have been encouraged to take ownership and responsibility by raising funds through book sales, bake sales, and rummage sales to help pay for their group’s T-Shirts and other important materials. They also participated in a letter writing campaign to the Friends of the Library and raised $3,000 so that the music program can continue.

From left to right Daniel Gomez, Juanita Arratia, Yadira Arratia,
Jeanette Arratia, Jeovanna, Eunice Rabadan, David Gomez (can't see his face),
Ruben Ochoa, Armando Herrera, Standing in back:
Adriana (Ady) Huertas (Librarian), Jocelyn Torres and Ashley Ayala.

This has been such a successful program for our teens that I asked them to speak about their music program at last month’s Library Commission meeting and the Branch Managers meeting. It is a great model for other libraries. We’ve already had a call from a librarian on the east coast who said she had never heard of this type of library program anywhere else in the U.S.

I’m so proud of our Logan Heights Librarian Ady Huertas for spearheading this group and thankful to our volunteer and donor extraordinaire, Judy Eby, and to our Friends of the Library Group for supporting it. Clearly, this is an extraordinary effort in every way. I am so impressed with the teens for their commitment to serving the community and their futures. It is so gratifying to know that the library continues to play such an important role in changing people’s lives!

Work Is Fun, Too

2010-09-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

Working with a world class team is awesome! I am so grateful to be a part of the new Central Library's world class team - engineering and capital projects staff, the architects, construction professionals, library design professionals, contracts staff, Library Foundation and Library Commission representatives, library staff, and many others. These are the people that keep the project moving; and they keep the feeling of excitement about our work foremost despite the challenges. When one of us gets tired or discouraged, the others turn on the turbo boosters!

It's Saturday morning and my homework this weekend is to review the library building program for discussion with staff next week. We will review the interior features of the building and discuss how library use and the work of staff will flow. I would like to play tennis today (I'm a total novice at it and I love it) but the building program and floor plans are calling me!

I just talked with one of my project colleagues about the problem that has been plaguing us all week - no harsh words for calling on a Saturday morning :-) Talking with other colleagues this week, as we worked on the problem together, has also been uplifting and encouraging. These folks have helped keep me moving forward in my tasks. THANKS, everybody!

I have to get this work done and I am excited to do this work! Maybe I'll play tennis tomorrow...

Steel is in the Ground!

2010-09-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

Just days after the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Central Library, Turner Construction started the project. We are talking tractors and other earthmoving equipment everywhere, a new trailer on site, and now there’s steel in the ground! Way to go, Turner Construction!

Excuse my enthusiasm but I can’t imagine a faster response to getting a project moving forward. For library users, staff and Turner Construction, the architects and engineers, opening day in August 2013 cannot arrive fast enough. So, when people ask, ”When will the construction project begin?” We just smile and say, “Please, go look at the site. You will be amazed, the project has begun!”

The groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 28, 2010, and it was fabulous. The Mayor’s Office, the Library Foundation and library staff pulled together an awesome ceremony, which was enjoyed by donors, library supporters and community members. There were approximately 800 in attendance, standing room only.

Mayor Sanders opened the ceremony with eloquent and heartfelt congratulations and offered thanks to the many people who worked tirelessly to see that this major asset for the City of San Diego would move forward. Among those mentioned were major donors, Joan and Dr. Irwin Jacobs; Judith C. Harris and Mel Katz, immediate past Chair and current Chair, respectively, of the San Diego Public Library Foundation; Jim Dawe, Founding Chair; San Diego Unified School District; the Friends of the San Diego Public Library; and Chair of the Library Commission, Katie Sullivan, along with her husband Dan Sullivan of Qualcomm. To see a list of donors and donation opportunities, as well as to see other information about the project please go to the San Diego Public Library Foundation’s website at: http://www.supportmylibrary.org/.

There were so many poignant moments at the ceremony, too numerous for me to describe here. I was especially moved by the participation of our future leaders. Girl Scout Troop # 5912, which was responsible for the presentation of the Colors, and the San Diego Children’s Choir sang. No doubt these young people will always remember their role in the beginnings of the new Central Library.

Another personal favorite for me was a celebratory moment at the groundbreaking with two people whom I admire and respect and who were very important to successfully moving the new Central Library project forward: former library director Anna Tatár, and California State Librarian Stacey Aldrich. I was planning to title our photo, the “Vamping Librarians” because of our poses, but thought better of it. :) It was a special time for us. We felt wonderful and had a lot of fun that day.

Can't Wait?!?

2010-07-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day, the true start of a new era for the San Diego Public Library and for our current and future library users! With the lift and fall of their golden shovels, City dignitaries and civic leaders will mark our claim on the future of San Diego’s library services. The new library will provide better access to the many opportunities for civic engagement, educational enhancement and cultural exchange for all.

I can’t wait! The excitement is palpable! Community members are excited and they are making calls. People are talking about the groundbreaking of the new Central Library to be held tomorrow, July 28, 2010 at 10:00 at the new library site on Park Blvd. and 11th. They want to be there. They want to make sure that others who have helped make the day possible are there, too. They want to share in the start of something new and big and forward-thinking for our city.

Here’s an example, if you can’t quite believe me about the excitement this new library is generating. The San Diego Public Library Foundation, our major fundraising arm for the new Central Library and Branch Libraries, received a communication from the La Jolla Music Society within days of the City Council’s approval to move forward on the new library project.

The request – how does one reserve space in the new Central Library for August 2013 for their annual SummerFest Gala? Now mind you, the dates provided in August 2013 would be within weeks, if not days of the anticipated opening of the new Central Library, just 3 years away! The La Jolla Music Society would be among the first, if not the very first to hold an event there. You can bet we will be working on a reservation for them in earnest.

Now, tell me that’s not excitement befitting a new Central Library for San Diego!

See you at the groundbreaking ceremony! :-)

People Get Ready for a New Central Library!

2010-06-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

Wow! The City Council/Redevelopment Agency for the City of San Diego approved the construction of the new Central Library project on June 28, 2010! The new library will be an incredible educational, civic and cultural resource for the City of San Diego and its community members. With support from Mayor Jerry Sanders, influential community members such as Joan and Irwin Jacobs, former NBA star Bill Walton, and Library Foundation fundraisers Judith Harris and Mel Katz, among other Library Friends, volunteers, and staff, this long-awaited project has finally been set on sure footing.

In this new blog, I hope to share with you the behind the scenes efforts that bring such a project to reality and other exciting Library news. Some colleagues have jokingly and lovingly compared building a new library to having a baby. A library building project lacks the true miracle of bringing forward a new life, but good luck telling that to us! The building grows over a period of time as a result of “love” and commitment, it drastically changes the lives of those intimately involved, and when it’s completed, we are so, so very proud and want to show it off! Following this blog, we hope that you will have a richer experience preparing for your new library and that you too will be proud of it.

To see more about this exciting new project visit the San Diego Public Library website New Central Library page. To support this project visit the San Diego Public Library Foundation website.