Media contact:
Beth Dempsey, 248.349.7810 or beth@bethdempsey.com
June 24, 2007 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- Los Angeles City Librarian Fontayne Holmes was awarded the 2007 Urban Libraries Council (ULC)/SirsiDynix Urban Player Award for her 17-year project that restored and renovated Los Angeles Public Library’s (LAPL) expansive network of branch buildings. The Urban Player Award is presented each June at ULC’s Annual Conference to the individual who most profoundly demonstrates library and community leadership. Ms. Holmes collected a cash prize of $1,000.
Twenty years ago the LAPL had 63 branches, many of which were antiquated – though historic – suffering from earthquake damage and others were simply out of space and suffering from deferred maintenance. Ms. Holmes developed a two-phase branch plan that would modernize the Library, first tackling expansion of the historic buildings and then enlivening and expanding the number of nondescript 60s buildings. Her leadership in the project included countless meetings that engaged elected officials, residents, community groups, businesses and others. She attended Chamber of Commerce meetings, media interviews, community events, consistently delivering her message of community renewal through libraries. As a result, more than 70% of voters approved the two ballot measures—totalling $232 million--that would fund the library renovation, a dramatic endorsement for her plan. Further, she worked with community and government partners, leveraging the bonds into $317 million, providing funds to build additional libraries.
Ms. Holmes continued community involvement during implementation, gathering input from residents. Ultimately, neighborhood personalities were translated into unique branch library architecture and art. Each new or renovated branch has become a community landmark that reflects the residents’ ownership of this public building.
In 2006, Ms. Holmes’ original plan was completed on time and under budget. Today, in addition to its Central Library, LAPL is a 71-branch system, with 1.5 million square feet of the latest technology, extensive collections, community meeting rooms and special areas for children, teens and adults. Reflecting LA’s diverse neighborhoods, no two branches are alike.
“As a result of Fontayne’s success in community involvement, the library is more popular than ever,” said LAPL’s Marketing Director Peter Persic. “A record 15 million people visited the 72 libraries last year and circulation at the new facilities is significantly higher than it was at the older facilities. At one branch, for instance, the number of visitors nearly doubled from 13,000 people each month to more than 22,000 when the new branch opened.”
“The ULC/SirsiDynix Urban Player Award aims to identify the leaders in our industry who not only understand the pivotal community role libraries play, but model it for others,” said Martín Gómez, ULC president. “Fontayne takes it a step further – she’s an inspiration to our industry… a living reminder that libraries belong to their communities and that the job of the library leaders is to be guardian and steward of that ownership.”
Learn more about the Urban Player and other ULC awards at www.urbanlibraries.org.
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