Carson City Library Director Sara Jones Named Nevada Librarian of the Year

Carson City Library Director Sara Jones was named the 2012 Nevada Library Association’s (NLA) Librarian of the Year at its 67th annual conference, held Oct. 4 & 5 at the Sahara West Library in Las Vegas. Jones joins the ranks of an elite group of librarians recognized for effective advancement and extension of library services; exemplary library management; notable activity in recruitment to the profession; statewide planning and for broadening the scope of library and information service to the community.

With full support of the Carson City Library staff, the Carson City Library Board of Trustees, the Carson City Friends of the Library, the Carson City Library Foundation, the Carson City Manager and Carson City’s Mayor, Jones’ nomination focused on the last six years of her Carson City service, although her career spans over twenty-five years. Prior to the Carson City director position, Jones was the Nevada State Librarian under the Guinn administration.

For Carson City service, Jones was cited with noteworthy fiscally restrained management and transformative leadership which have resulted in additional hours open to the public, increased and improved technology, added services and more space, within two new branches.

“She has been able to organize staff in a manner that creates greater community access to the library, while at the same time reduces expenses to help meet community budget goals. The vision of Mrs. Jones to see the role of the library in the digital world has been successful in increasing the number of patrons across all age groups. Also, she has been instrumental in bringing brand new technology to the library in forms such as radio frequency identification for check in and out of materials that resulted in extending library service hours, by installing a robotic branch library at the local Boys and Girls Club and by creating a computer learning center available to all,” said Carson City Manager Larry Werner in a letter of support for Jones nomination.

A nearly six year Carson City chronology of Jones’ leadership shows increased connection with youth, adults, business and the elderly with focused library services and programming related to pressing civic and economic community issues.

“Sara has developed the social and economic fibers that, at a pivotal time in Carson City’s history, have
essentially woven together the community itself and then effectively hailed the public library as a place for everyone. One only needs to review 2011 the Carson City Library’s circulation, use and programming records to see the way more than 1,000 patrons each day interact with the Carson City Library (see sidebar 2011 R.O.I.), which reflects tremendous gains from the previous decade at the Carson City Library,” said Carson City Library Trustee Chairwoman Sandy Foley.

Today the Carson City Library operates two new branches and its main location offers expanded access to technology and librarian-led technology education. Founded in 1969, and since 1971, the Carson City Library is located at 900 Roop Street. The two specialized branches are the Business Resource Innovation Center, known as “the BRIC,” located at 108 E. Proctor Street and the Carson City Library Branch Anywhere @ the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, located at 1870 Russell Way.

As a business branch of the Carson City Library, the BRIC is focused on support of existing and new business as well as regional economic development through collections, programming, technology, meeting spaces, business counseling and strategic partnerships. As a special library focused on local business support and regional economic development, the BRIC is in line with the strategic plan of the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development to help spur economic growth throughout the State. Please visit www.nevadasworkingcapital.com to learn more about specific economic development goals. The alliance between municipal business regulators, municipal library services and statewide economic development is the first of its kind for the State of Nevada.

The BranchAnywhere is a secure automated library machine that circulates a 525 item collection and stores 240 items, handles loans, accepts returns, performs basic administration, and connects to the library’s automated library system. The purpose of the BranchAnywhere is to provide currently under served patrons at the Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada with access to popular books, audiovisual materials, digital tools and special programs.

“Sara’s practical expectation of integrating technology in typical environments embodies an embedded library
approach that supports education and business. This brings technology leadership into the entire community,” said Library Trustee Robin Williamson, “that’s what public libraries are all about.”

Jones received her M.L.S from Syracuse University, Graduate Magna Cum Laude. She has a Secondary Reading and English 5th year Education Credential from Boise State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communication, earned in 1984, also from Boise State. She has over 25 years experience in libraries, 15 of those in the management of public libraries. She was the Nevada State Library and Archives Administrator. She has been the project director of two IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Projects, with funding over $1,000,000.

“Sara has been instrumental in providing a vehicle for learning outside of the classroom. Her efforts are a key component of my personal desire to create a community where education is deemed a paramount value,” said Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell.