Palm Beach County Library System
LocationPalm Beach County, Florida, United States
TypePublic Library
Reference to legal mandate1967
Branches17
Collection
Size1.7 million
Access and use
Circulation9 million (2012)
Other information
DirectorDoug Crane [1]
Websitewww.pbclibrary.org

The Palm Beach County Library System is the public library system of Palm Beach County, Florida. Its headquarters, the Main Library, is located in an unincorporated area near West Palm Beach, the county seat.[2][3] The system was established in 1967 and serves Palm Beach County through the Main Library and 17 branch libraries.[4] Its first library branch opened in Tequesta on September 25, 1969, and its first bookmobile five days later.[5] Unlike neighboring Broward and Miami-Dade counties, where most municipalities have joined their county's library system, most municipalities in Palm Beach County continue to operate their own city libraries, leading the county system to focus on the more suburban communities. Instead, a cooperative system model is in place to allow interoperation between county and municipal libraries.[6]

History

Prior to 1965, there were two attempts to establish a library system in Palm Beach County. One early effort was in 1943, when the Palm Beach County Library Association, a group of local librarians, tried to "align community library services and promote resource sharing." However, this attempt failed within a few years. [7] [8] Following this, unincorporated Palm Beach County residents made a request to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners to "undertake an improvement of library service in the county." This was not successful either. [9] [10] However in the spring of 1965, the League of Women Voters attended a public hearing, where with approximately 200 people in attendance, they gave a presentation. This presentation was successful in getting the Board of County Commissioners to appoint a fifteen member committee to study the feasibility of a county library system. [11] [12] The committee's report found that "there were fourteen municipal libraries serving about 217,000 people, leaving about 107,000 individuals without easy access to library services." [13] [14] Subsequently, the committee recommended a library system be formed and overseen by Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach County Library System was formally established in 1967. In 1968, Florence Biller of the State Library in Tallahassee was appointed as the library director of the fledgling Palm Beach County Library System and first female Palm Beach County department director. [15] [16] On 1969, the Palm Beach County Library System opened its first branch in Tequesta, Florida. Its first bookmobile was opened five days later. In 1979, the Palm Beach County Library System began looking into acquiring a "computerized circulation system." ALIS, or "Automated Library Information System" was the first computerized circulation system used by the Palm Beach County Library System and it was launched in February 1983. [17]

In April of 1979, following the insightful recommendations of the Waters' report, the quest to appoint a permanent library director was initiated. This pivotal search was guided by a set of stringent qualifications established the previous year. The ideal candidate was required to hold a Master's Degree in Library Science from an institution accredited by the American Library Association, possess at least five years of progressively responsible experience in public library administration, and demonstrate extensive knowledge in various facets of library service. These facets included experience in planning, budgeting, purchasing, personnel management, automation, and the application of modern managerial practices. Additionally, the candidate needed the capability to effectively represent the library in interactions with government officials and community groups.

To cast a wide net, advertisements were placed in several national library journals, setting a deadline of June 15, 1979, for applications. By this date, an impressive pool of fifty-two applications had been received from librarians across seventeen states. This diverse group of candidates underwent a meticulous screening process by a committee from the Library Advisory Board. Their efforts were complemented by the expertise of Mr. Cecil Beach, the esteemed Broward County Library Director and former Florida State Librarian, who played a crucial role in evaluating the applicants after initial eliminations.

The County Administrator and his assistant, who also served as the liaison to the library, reviewed the remaining eighteen applications. They concurred on further narrowing the field by eliminating seven more candidates. From the remaining eleven, three were selected for personal interviews conducted on August 18, 1979. These interviews were attended by the county personnel director and the Assistant County Administrator, offering their expertise in relevant areas. Mr. Beach continued to provide invaluable consultation to the Library Advisory Board throughout this process.

Following the interviews, a special meeting of the Library Advisory Board was convened. The outcome was a unanimous decision to recommend Jerry W. Brownlee for the position of library director. This recommendation was subsequently accepted by the Board of County Commissioners. Marking the culmination of a thorough and rigorous selection process, Mr. Brownlee officially assumed his role as library director on October 15, 1979, poised to embark on a new chapter in the library's history.[18]

Services

The Palm Beach County Library System provides services to area patrons. The Adult Literacy Project provides those learning English as a second language with informal conversation sessions. Project members encourage community participation in the program, including educational materials, sponsors, tutors, student workshops and cultural events.[19]

The Palm Beach County Library System provides on- and off-site story time service to local child centers, as well as workshops to assist teachers in storytelling techniques.[20] The libraries within the Palm Beach County Library System also offer a social gathering venue and educational and craft programs for children and teens of various ages. These activities cover a large array of subjects such as Dungeons and Dragons, Teen Trivia, Anime classes and discussion groups, Teen Gaming, Poetry, and Harry Potter classes. The education-based programs are also meant to offer new skills, tutoring opportunities and teach safety skills. They also offer many online and technology-related classes for all ages. All the classes are focused on specific age groups.[21] Adults are also offered an array of programs for socializing, education, and entertaining. These classes focus on subjects such as practice of the English language, stress, Meditation, Yoga, crocheting, poetry, music and movie viewing. Some of these classes are focused on professional tasks such as taxes, résumé updates, new computer skills, online learning, and Medicare.[22] The Palm Beach County Library System offers an Ask-a-Librarian service, where individuals are able to receive live reference service without entering a library building.[23]

Each class is designed to meet the needs of local citizens within their area. Palm Beach County is large, and there are many libraries with different local demographics, so each one chooses the necessary programs to meet their patrons' needs. The library also offers Books-By-Mail, a Deaf Resource Center, and Talking Books services to those in special populations.[24] Book Club in a Bag is another service offered which facilitates the selection of titles (English and Spanish) for local book club meetings.[25] Multiple copies of the title and discussion notes are included.[25] The library system also offers a Speakers Bureau, where library staff will visit civic organizations, homeowners associations and volunteer groups to give presentations on the services and opportunities available at the library.

Each library offers many different forms of media such as books, comics, DVDs, CDs, magazines, newspapers, digital eBooks, audiobooks and many other options. Electronic and digital items can be located and downloaded from associated programs such as CloudLibrary and hoopla.

The Palm Beach County Library System provides a number of special services, of which include: Government Research Service,[26] Genealogy Research Service,[27] Consumer Health Information Service[28] and CreationStations.[29] Government Research Services entails research, information, and document delivery services to government clients, staff, and elected officials in Palm Beach County. The GRS Collection includes legal documents, government serials, professional journals, and local and state collections. The Genealogy Research Service provides access to family history sources including biographical books, genealogy Internet links, genealogy programs, how-to book listings, local city directories, local historical sites, newspapers, and journals. The Consumer Health Information Service offers health and medical information to residents of Palm Beach County.

No More Late Fees

On October 1, 2019, the Palm Beach County Library System stopped charging late fees.[30] The Palm Beach County Library System is one of many library systems in the United States to remove fines[31] after several studies[32] showed that fines have actually discouraged people to return to the library which often disproportionally affects low-income families.

New Website

The Palm Beach County Library System has recently undergone a significant digital transformation by transitioning to BiblioCommons for their online platform. This innovative move not only modernizes the library's web presence but also enriches the user experience in multiple ways. Now, members can actively participate in the literary community by leaving book reviews, offering valuable insights and recommendations for fellow readers. Additionally, the platform allows users to curate personalized book lists, making it easier to track reading goals and discover new titles. But the enhancements don't stop there; the website also streamlines the process of signing up for various library activities, from workshops to classes, all at the click of a button. This shift to BiblioCommons signifies the library's commitment to leveraging technology to foster a more interactive and engaging environment for its members.[33]

Branches

The library system has seventeen branches located throughout Palm Beach County:[34]

The Palm Beach County Bookmobile offers a selection of books. Including fiction and nonfiction in regular and large-print. Bookmobile staff help patrons with finding books and research questions. The Bookmobile stops at various Palm Beach County locations each week.[37]

Funding

The Palm Beach County Library System takes a large percentage of its funding, roughly 85.2% as of 2016, from ad valorem property taxes collected by the county. This renders it less dependent upon outside grants (2.3% of funding as of 2016).[38] It also receives support from a Friends of the Library organization,[39] founded by Ingrid A. Eckler. An annual scholarship named after Eckler assists county library staff pursuing education in Library and Information Science.[40]

The Palm Beach County Library Association is a professional organization that advocates for and supports libraries, librarians, and their advancement.[41] It hosts a variety of events and fundraisers and supports the professional development of librarians and library science students with Professional Development Awards. Membership is not exclusive; it is open to students, librarians at all levels and areas, and supporters of libraries.

References

  1. ↑ "About Palm Beach County Library System". Palm Beach County Library System.
  2. ↑ "Palm Beach County Library System". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
  3. ↑ "Main Library". Palm Beach County Library System. Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "Locations". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  5. ↑ "History on a Shelf County Library System Celebrates 20 Years of Growth, Service in Expanding Market". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
  6. ↑ "Library Card". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  7. ↑ DeVries, Janet (2017). Overdue in Paradise. p. 19. ISBN 1548627518.
  8. ↑ "Palm Beach County Library System - Part 1 (1986)". Florida Library History Project. 69.
  9. ↑ DeVries, Janet (2017). Overdue in Paradise. p. 19. ISBN 1548627518.
  10. ↑ "Palm Beach County Library System - Part 1 (1986)". Florida Library History Project. 69.
  11. ↑ DeVries, Janet (2017). Overdue in Paradise. p. 19. ISBN 1548627518.
  12. ↑ "Palm Beach County Library System - Part 1 (1986)". Florida Library History Project. 69.
  13. ↑ DeVries, Janet (2017). Overdue in Paradise. p. 20. ISBN 1548627518.
  14. ↑ "Palm Beach County Library System - Part 1 (1986)". Florida Library History Project. 69.
  15. ↑ DeVries, Janet (2017). Overdue in Paradise. p. 20. ISBN 1548627518.
  16. ↑ "Palm Beach County Library System - Part 1 (1986)". Florida Library History Project. 69.
  17. ↑ "Palm Beach County Library System - Part 1 (1986)". Florida Library History Project. 69.
  18. ↑ "Palm Beach County Library System - Part 1". Florida Library History Project. 1986-01-01.
  19. ↑ "Adult Literacy | Frequently Asked Questions". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  20. ↑ "ABC Kits". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  21. ↑ "Teen Activities | PBCLS Events". events.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  22. ↑ "Adult Activities | PBCLS Events". events.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  23. ↑ "Ask-a-Librarian". Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  24. ↑ "Disability & Neurodiversity". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  25. 1 2 "Book Club in a Bag | Frequently Asked Questions". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  26. ↑ "Government & Legal". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  27. ↑ "Genealogy". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  28. ↑ "CHIS". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  29. ↑ "CreationStation". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  30. ↑ "Read To Your Heart's Content: Palm Beach County Libraries End Overdue Fines Oct. 1". WLRN. 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  31. ↑ Scottie Andrew. "Libraries are getting rid of late fees. Here's why that's a good thing". CNN. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  32. ↑ Colorado State Library. "Removing Barriers to Access: Eliminating Library Fines and Fees on Children's Materials". Institute of Museum and Library Services.
  33. ↑ "Palm Beach County Library System Officially Launches Its Brand-New Website". www.pbclibrary.org. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  34. ↑ "Our Branches". Palm Beach County Library System. Palm Beach County, FL. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  35. ↑ Aponte, Luis (2021). "Meet Mrs. Bettie Harris, Belle Glade Librarian (1946-1966)." Florida Libraries 64 (Fall): 21-22.
  36. ↑ "Canyon Branch | Palm Beach County Library System". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
  37. ↑ "Bookmobile". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  38. ↑ "2017 Budget Book" (PDF). Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners. Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  39. ↑ "Friends". www.pbclibrary.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  40. ↑ "About Us". friendsofthepalmbeachcountylibrary.wildapricot.org. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  41. ↑ "About: Palm Beach County Library Association". Palm Beach County Library Association. Palm Beach County Library Association. Retrieved 22 November 2016.

26°39′46″N 80°05′55″W / 26.6627131°N 80.0986233°W / 26.6627131; -80.0986233

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