Florida’s First Public Library

• Debra Rhodes Gibson, Library System Director

• Linda Y Murray, Buyer II

Our Library Advisory Board

The Library Advisory Board is a seven member board appointed by the County Commission. The Board meets the second Wednesday of each month at 9:30am in the various library branches. The public is invited to attend. 

Location

6670 US 1 South
St. Augustine, Florida 32086

Contact

Telephone: (904) 827-6925
Fax: (904 )827-6930
Email: dgibson@sjcfl.us

A message From Carolee Bertisch, Library Advisory Board Chair:

On behalf of the St. Johns Count Library Advisory Board and Library Director Debra Gibson, I wish to express gratitude to the Board of County Commissioners and the County Administrator in the aftermath of the County budget crisis. We represent the citizens of St. Johns County who care about libraries.

When County Administrator Michael Wanchick presented a tentative budget that threatened to reduce library hours and close two branches on additional days, residents made calls and sent hundreds of letters explaining their strong desire to maintain current library hours. Hours and days had already been affected by the County freeze on jobs.

The facts are, due to the economic downturn, libraries are more essential and efficient than ever, as proven by our yearly statistics. Circulation during the past year rose to 1,561,301; program attendance reached 146,233; volunteer hours soared to 30,780.66; and computer usage to 219,819. All have risen dramatically from past years.

Unemployed people turn first to library staffs for assistance to write resumes and job applications, since most are required online. We received letters of thanks from men and women who were helped to find jobs by staff members, who taught them how to navigate the application
process.

As a result of resident requests, the BOCC and County Administrator responded to the community’s desire to maintain current library hours by reallocation of up to $225,000 in the final budget, to keep all libraries operating on their current schedules.

“The community should feel proud of the impact they made in
the late stages of the budget process,” wrote Michael Wanchick.

We are extremely proud of our citizens who wrote, called and
appeared at budget meetings. Many thanks to our devoted and dedicated staff
members, who continued to work at maximum efficiency throughout this time.

Thank You,
Carolee Bertisch
Library Advisory Board Chair