Library recognizes staff for exemplary community investment

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GAINESVILLE, FL- The Alachua County Library District recognized five staff members with nominations for the Carol Combs  Hole Award. Each year, the Alachua County Library District honors the memory of Carol Combs Hole by recognizing an employee or group for an outstanding project that exemplifies “thinking outside the book” to broaden, enhance, improve or promote library services and community outreach. This year five nominees were selected by their peers to receive recognition for their outstanding service to the community. Of the five nominees selected and recognized, Adult Services Library Specialist Nathaniel Courtney was selected as the 2010 Carol Combs Hole award winner.  

Nathaniel "Nate" Courtney was selected by a panel of 5 judges for his “unparalleled excellence in adult programming”.  Through his efforts Nate creates relevant, community-enriching events with rave reviews from the public. Most notably Nate's development of the annual Black History outside the Book and Juneteenth Celebrations draw record crowds and actively engage those in attendance.  

Black History Outside the Book is an entertaining program highlighting significant events in black history through music, dance, and theatrical performances and readings.  Attendees often gaze with amazement and the crowd is encouraged to clap, sing, and engage.  

This year the Juneteenth Celebration featured music and performances from a variety of local performers including Africa 2000, Birth of a Nation, David Richardson and Company, the Lavern Porter Dancers, Revelation Band, Soldiers of the Cross, and featured the three final contestants in the "Library Partnership Idol" contest modeled after TV's "American Idol. Nate makes the coordination of multiple community entertainers, performers and speakers appear effortless. (see more about the Juneteenth Celebration) 

These performances are widely talked about in the community and receive continued support from the local media, thereby drawing in community members and groups who otherwise might not utilize library services. Nate's exciting and community driven cultural programs create a creeping effect, people who a

ttend the events will sign up for library cards the day of the event, checkout books on the recommended readings lists that accompany the events, and some inquire about how they can perform in the festivities the following year.  

The other library staff recognized through nominations for the Carol Combs Hole award include: 

• Anita Jenkins, Branch Manager -  The Library Partnership, for her dedication and passion for serving persons who could not come to the library, promoting literacy, and instilling in children a love for reading.  This has been evidenced through her work at the Jail Branch, as Outreach Manager, and most recently as the Library Partnership Branch Manager wherein she took the concept of a unified one-stop community center that combines social services and library services and created a model environment of collaboration that has won national attention as well as benefiting the immediate community.  Her work of successfully implementing this project has been the catalyst for establishing a similar community center in the Tower Road area.   

• Ann LeZotte, Library Specialist - Alachua Branch, for her tireless efforts in serving and meeting the needs of the underserved in our community.  Ann teaches American Sign Language (ASL), hosts a support group for the deaf, publishes books highlighting special needs, helps write the EEO Newsletter, and serves on the EEO committee.  She has assisted the Library District in its efforts to serve a segment of our community that had not been adequately served before.  She has also assisted staff in a better understanding of the deaf community and meeting the needs of persons with disabilities. 

• Guy Hudspeth, Branch Manager - Archer Branch,  for the integral part that he plays in the Archer Community wherein he works tirelessly ensuring that the needs of the community are met in whatever way that he or the library can address those needs.  This can vary from serving as the center for the youth of the community (40 to 50 at a time) as there is no other place to go, to turning the meeting room into a computer lab as most persons in the area either don’t have computers at home or don’t have internet service.  “The young and old, black and white; the articulate and the illiterate- all bask equally under the spirit and concern and service that shines from Guy and his staff.” Two hours in the morning to help a lady who can’t read fill out her online application for food stamps or for Medicaid, ten minutes here to help Tommy with his homework, five minutes there to talk an overly active middle-schooler into something less than a state of hyperactivity; Mr. Guy serves all equally and attentively.  He takes an active interest in the young people of the community by counseling and encouraging them in a positive manner both in attitude, job skills, and in manners.  Over the years staff has watched some of “their kids” get into college or dual enrollment-kids who in earlier years were headed down the wrong street, until Mr. Guy gave them an alternative route to follow.  He works very hard to ensure that everyone realizes that they have a place at the library and that they are welcome there. For many of them he serves as a father figure.  When asked to give a quote in describing Guy it was stated, “You got the man who is not only the father figure of the kids, old and young here at Archer, but also their mentor, teacher, and buddy.” He may not reach them all.  But he IS making a difference. 

• Linda Cue, Librarian - Jail Library, for her work at the Jail Library wherein she has sought to improve the quality of patron service offered.  She expanded and restocked the collection offered at the Branch by use of regular and supplemental budget funds, donations from private citizens, acquiring materials from Melrose Public Library, and through book drives with service organizations such as Eastside High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  She increased the number, variety, and popularity of programs offered such as book talks and book discussions, popular movies, vocational training, legal information, and information on health and government services.  Tripled the number of patron computers available from two to six which has allowed patrons to participate in the oral transcription program, improve their typing skills with a self-paced software program, and be able to write legal correspondence.  In addition to everything she has boosted morale, improved the flow of information between Jail branch staff and Sheriff Office personnel, and has worked diligently to uphold safety standards. 

About Carol Comb Hole 

Alachua County Library District Community Services Coordinator Carol Combs Hole provided exemplary leadership on behalf of libraries throughout her 32 year career; specifically her commitment to community outreach services.  Carol received 5 national and state awards for her outstanding work, knowledge and experience in the development of innovative bookmobile services.  She retired on March 1, 2006 and died on October 1, 2007.