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Julie Klauber Award Finalists |
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Written by Andrea Callicutt
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Tuesday, 03 February 2009 20:47 |
Keystone Systems and the 2009 Julie Klauber Award Committee are pleased to announce the three finalists for this year's Julie Klauber Award.
Teresa Kalber, Colorado Talking Book Library
Reason for NominationTeresa has been with CTBL for just about two years. When she started she knew nothing about KLAS and has learned it from the ground up. She is now training staff on the most effective ways to use KLAS and most recently has trained new Reader Advisors. Teresa has learned the system well enough to propose new processes that are more efficient and use many of the reports available in the system. She got the Braille label printer operating within one week and since no one else had ever been able to get the thing to work in over 5 years, I view this as quite an accomplishment. Now we can actually print Braille labels for our cassettes. For our random shelving project, she has been the point person to interact with Keystone to make sure we understand how KLAS will work and what the processes will be in the interim while we have two different methods. She has also worked with our mailroom supervisor to figure out what the new processes will be when we are completely converted to random shelving. Effect on LibraryWe are much more efficient in our daily work which is important with the very small staff we have to support 13,000 patrons. We are making a smooth transition to random shelving. We can now protect the privacy of our patrons by using authorizations to keep volunteers out of this module. We have clean patron records having deleted all old patron records for the first time ever. She also provides any support to the KLAS community via the talk list, when we have something to add to the talk list.
Job ResponsibilitiesTeresa is our network systems administrator and is responsible for all our computers, servers, printers, the phone system, the website and the assistive technology. She has set up barcode printers, card printers and made sure they work on the network. She kept the server up and running while the equipment was intermittently failing. She provides technical support for patrons on computer issues, the web OPAC, Unabridged and BARD. She gathers all statistics from KLAS for our NLS requirements and interacts with NLS on all computer matters. For the assistive technology, Teresa has learned what the capabilities of available hardware and software; is a resource to both patrons and staff; has learned how to use JAWS to evaluate our website; and keeps our assistive technology workstation up to date for patron and volunteer use.
Additional CommentsEarly on, Teresa was asked to be a back up for the Braille embosser. Since she could not proof read what she printed she decided to learn Braille. She has passed Hadley's first Braille class and can now sight read Braille. She is working on the second class and is learning to read Braille via her fingers. This exemplifies how she will tackle any issue when asked by me and do it well. If she cannot do a certain task, she will always have a suggestion as to how to get the issue taken care of. The other great thing is that Teresa has a great sense of humor. She does so many things for CTBL, I may very well have forgotten some but in general our understanding and thus efficient use of KLAS has increased dramatically since she came to work for us.
Debra Martin, Brevard County Talking Book LibraryReason for NominationIn 2008, the Brevard County Library Talking Books and Homebound Services Library (BCLTB) underwent dramatic changes as a result of severe budget cuts and library reorganization. After the sudden departure of the director and elimination of three-fourths of the staff, Debra Martin volunteered to take on the additional duties and responsibilities of acting as head of the Brevard County Library Talking Books and Homebound Services Division, as well as the juggling the duties of other vacant positions. Under her management, BCLTB has managed to offer patrons quality library service, avert multiple threats of closure and reduce financial expenditures. Thanks to Debra's hard work, creativity and initiative, the library has thrived under her leadership, despite these serious challenges. She has taken strategic measures to ensure that the library continues to provide vital services and resources beyond NLS materials, including assistive technology, large print materials, and disability referral sources. Debra recruited and trained three volunteers to help fill staff shortages. She has developed and instituted new BCLTB programming and services. Debra created a quarterly newsletter, named by a patron contest, Tips for VIP's for the patrons of the talking books program, as well as, members of the BCL Homebound Services Debra has been in charge of the division for less than a year, however, in that short time she as instituted the following: BCTB Title Persuers Book Discussion Group BCTB Monthly Film and Fun Day BCTB Adult Summer Reading Program
Effect on LibraryUnder the leadership of Debra, the library has experienced an increase in circulation and readership, thanks in part to reorganization, new programming and outreach efforts. The new newsletter she created has sparked renewed interest in services provide by the library beyond the NLS collection. BCLTB patrons have responded enthusiastically to the new programming. Approximately 750 books were requested by participants of the first BCLTB Summer Reading Program. Many patrons have expressed their approved of the new direction the library has taken and some have even become members of the Friends Group which also benefits the general library. In addition, Debra has saved the library a significant amount of funds by purchasing nylon mailing bags for BCL Homebound Services program for shipping purposes, saving the library the cost of envelopes and shipping. Debra has facilitated service to branch libraries, which includes new deposit collections of talking books maintained in branch libraries which are updated on a consistent basis; and maintenance of assistive technology equipment.
Job ResponsibilitiesDebra Martin is currently responsible for coordinating the library's programs and services, managing the collection, providing reference and reader's advisory service, program development, working cooperatively with the National Library Service and the state library, collection development, supervising staff and volunteers, coordinating shipping and machine services, creating bibliographies, library outreach/promotion and referral services. She is responsible for attending state library network meetings and reporting on the status of the library program and services. Specific duties accomplished utilizing KLAS: -Processing patron requests -Maintaining patron records -Run reports (statistics, inventory, inactivity, new patrons, etc) -Selecting titles for reading programs, and video club -Organized and maintaining TBC library materials, library collection and shipping department -Processing and monitoring daily circulation and troubleshoot any errors that occur with automation system -Facilitated the acquisition of NLS materials for the TBC collection and processed resulting additions -Completing NLS XESS collection weeding project -Conducting amnesty
Additional CommentsDebra Martin truly believes in the mission of library services for the disabled and she is dedicated to ensuring that the qualifying residents of Brevard County, FL continue to have the opportunity to access library service. She has remains faithful to the program, even when it demands performing the jobs of several people. No duty is below or above her completing, whether the task is condition checking and processing returned books or writing library reports, she strives to do all in excellence.
Nancy Reese, Idaho Commission for LibrariesReason for NominationNancy has used KLAS in a variety of ways. She began in the mail room as the person who did the daily pull, shelving, and supervised book inspection. When the Idaho Talking Book Service switched to KLAS, Nancy became familiar with it and helped in the transition. As a support staff member Nancy takes incoming calls from users. She remains familiar with the software and its functions in order to give users the best possible customer service. For several years Nancy has been the back-up KLAS administrator. In this capacity she works with Laurel Day to troubleshoot, train staff, and print requested reports. Most recently she worked with KLAS to develop an overdue form that better meets our needs. Nancy successfully communicated our needs and followed up until the process was complete. Since I do not attend KLAS conferences, it's very important to me that the system administrators remain current with KLAS and share both the changes and possible impact on workload with me. I also appreciate input on how to make KLAS better work for us to complete projects and address issues of concern. Nancy consistently does this.
Effect on LibraryI think the Idaho Talking Book Service is a "robust" user of KLAS. By that I mean we actively experiment with its functionality to determine how it can best meet our needs and identify aspects that don't work as expected. Nancy's work in this area is useful for both Idaho and other KLAS users. Tailoring the system's functionality to best meet our needs improves both our efficiency and customer service. Identifying areas that don't work as expected allows us to better understand the system and improve training. If the glitch is systemwide, it allows Keystone to address the issue and improve the system's functionality for all its users.
Job ResponsibilitiesNancy Reese is a support staff member responsible for a variety of projects at the Idaho Commission for Libraries. Two of those projects are to act as the KLAS administrator and to provide telephone support to Talking Book Service users.
Additional CommentsI anticipate Nancy will become the KLAS system administrator when Laurel retires in 2 years. I know she will remain actively involved in KLAS activities and will share her knowledge as needed.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 February 2009 21:55 )
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