Marsha Brinson and her staff are really moving and shaking things up at the Lady Lake Public Library. When Brinson became director of the library about a year and a half ago, she moved into this beautiful new building that was way too quiet. She “unleashed her staff” to use their creativity and implement good ideas.
As a result they increased programming in 2015 by 390 percent. Programming runs the gamut from pre-school story time, to Thrive Thursdays (a program for homeschoolers) to adult programing such as computer classes, history lectures and book discussion groups.
Brinson sees libraries as an important part of the community. She sees the Lady Lake Library becoming “a true destination and heart of the community.”
Attendance is up 108 percent. In addition to the local library patrons of which about 30 percent are Villagers, people are coming from Bushnell, Mount Dora and Clermont to attend the programs. This leads to an indirect impact on the local economy said Brinson.
“They come for a program and then stay for lunch or to check out the new Stein Mart,” she said.
Library visits are up as well.
With a commitment to customer service and developing personal relationships with patrons, the library has seen an increase of 51 percent in library visits. Regular patrons are noticing the changes. The library’s collection has been refreshed and eye-catching displays abound.
All of this hard work and tangible results did not go unnoticed. The staff of the library received one of the town’s Bright Ideas Awards for 2015. The Bright Idea Awards is an employee incentive program started by the Town of Lady Lake in 2011.
Brinson is “so proud of what her team has accomplished.”
There will be no resting on their laurels however, for Brinson and her staff. Big plans are in place for 2016. Maker Space, a new trend in libraries, will open next year. The concept idea for Maker Space is a place in the library where people can come to use items such as a 3D printer, a vinyl cutter and scrapbooking machines.
Also, new next year is a Genealogy Club which will begin meeting in January.
Adult lectures on the docket include an historical interpreter as Abe Lincoln in January and an African story teller in February.
If you would like more information on upcoming program you can go to mylakelibrary.org. The library is located at 225 W. Guava St.
