By LJ Staff

Jacksonville Public Library (JPL), FL, opened a new 300,000 square foot main library November 12, the centerpiece of the voter-approved $2.25 billion Better Jacksonville Plan (BJP). The half-cent sales tax also funds six new libraries and renovations of 12 existing branches. More than 37,000 visitors attended the week-long grand opening. Programming ranging from genealogy workshops and art lectures to storytellers attracted over 10,000 participants. The five-story building is the largest public library in Florida, designed by noted architect Robert A.M. Stern and funded with $95 million from the BJP plus $3 million raised by the JPL Foundation. The library showcases specially commissioned artwork, a 400-seat auditorium and conference center, a children's theater, a map room, and a 40-foot high grand reading room. JPL also has two-self-check machines, wireless connectivity, and satellite and video conferencing.

With 'Start Here & Go Anywhere' as the library's new slogan, JPL's main focus is to better serve and inform patrons. "We went from five service desks to 13," noted JPL spokesperson Stacie Bucher. The BJP prompted the hiring of many new librarian and support-staff positions, although the city temporarily froze hiring and materials expenditures early in 2004. Then- JPL Director Ken Sivulich disagreed with that decision and was asked to retire in February 2004. The library board ultimately agreed to 98 new staffers for the new main library and 250 for the branch libraries, less than the original for 127 and 266 requested, respectively. Barbara Gubbin, who formerly headed Houston Public Library, has been JPL director since December 2004.