Transition Plan @SW

 Dear Southwest Neighborhood Library Staff,

Last night, the Library Board approved expenditures that at long last allow us to put our space plan for the Southwest Neighborhood Library in motion. 

The space plan provided by our consultant David Vinjamuri is meant to optimize the space we have for post-pandemic library uses like working and studying remotely, telehealth appointments, and socially distanced workspaces. It calls for creation of a dedicated computer area, several reading “rooms”, shared work space, and lots and lots of displays that promise to increase the visibility and use of all those wonderful books and AV materials we own. One big piece of this plan is the blending of the circulation desk with the reference desk the way we have done at all our other branches and the positioning of smaller “perches” where our patrons can find tech help and general directions. 

Blending two large service desks into one point of service is essential to free up space to allow for creating the new spaces proposed. We’ve also found blended desks to be really well received by patrons who expect to be able to fill all their requests at one desk. So this is a piece of the plan that we are definitely implementing.

David has applied all his knowledge of what works in the marketing world to the proposed design. But David does not know Kenosha as well as you do, and he doesn’t understand our patrons as well as you do.  So, we’re going to ask you for your feedback on the plan. You will soon see large diagrams of the space plan as proposed by David in the SW staff break room. Alongside the diagram will be a blank diagram of the current floor space available with moveable components for you to tinker with. You are invited to interact with the “blank slate” and provide your own concept of where things go in the space remodel.

So what about staffing?

With Martha leaving us, two public service staff members transferring to public programs work, the flooring on “main street” scheduled for replacement in just a few months,  and the expenditures for new displays and furniture approved, this branch is entering a general period of both physical and leadership transition, and we want to take each step one by one, be creative, have fun, and craft the best possible outcomes for our visitors. We also want to provide you with as much stability as we can. So during this transition time, I’m asking Shannon to step into a temporary role where both circulation staff and ADS staff at SW report to her. Shannon did a terrific job managing the transition to a blended desk at Northside while also providing leadership to the ICS staff there, and I have full confidence that she will be a steady, confident leader for you during this transition, as well. Martha and Shannon have a solid week to work together before Martha leaves us to pursue her dreams, so a good chunk of Martha’s knowledge can be shared.

To get the ball rolling, beginning Monday, May 30th, we’ll create the first iteration of the blended desk model by combining  ADS service with Circulation service at the current circulation desk. This will allow our maintenance staff to remove the current ADS desk in preparation for the flooring replacement on “main street” and shift other shelving like the holds pickup shelves further back from the central corridor.  Shannon will begin to work with all CSS, RTG, and Librarian staff at SW to identify cross-training needs and you’ll have lots of opportunity to learn from each other, as well.  ADS staff will need to walk a little further to help people at the back computers, but this is just temporary. The new blended desk will be positioned closer to the location of the current ADS desk once the flooring project is complete.

We’ll keep a close eye on how the plan goes to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible and if we see staffing gaps, we’ll fill them. Please be sure to provide Shannon as much feedback as possible so she’s aware of what we need and can bring those needs to my attention.

Bottom line, we value every one of you both personally and as a vital member of our team. Each of you is an important part of our collective success and I know you will support Shannon in her expanded role as she navigates the unfamiliar. And even though Linda is very, very busy, she’s here for you, too, as am I. So don’t worry about anything. We’ll navigate these changes together and hopefully come up with an end result that not only works well, but makes us all proud.

Thanks to all of you for your teamwork and can-do attitudes!

Barb