HomeMy Public PortalAboutmarch director eval_201405091548406058 Watertown Free Public Library
Performance Evaluation of Library Director,Leone Cole
June 2013
The Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library have conducted an assessment of
Leone CoIe's performance as Library Director. We include the following as integral parts
of this evaluation:
• Library Director's Self-Assessment
• Director's future goals and objectives
The Trustees reviewed the Director's performance in the following broad areas of
resnonsibility:
Overall Planninu for Institution: The Director's performance in this area has been
outstanding.Ms. Cole has stressed the Library's long range planning efforts, with the
implementation of the FY12-FY16 Long Range Plan as a significant accomplishment. In
addition,Ms.Cole reinforces a planning culture within the Library,into daily operational
details,and individual programs.Ms. Cole has maintained that the Library keeps pace
with technology for the staff and patrons including document scanners,eBook readers,
and other portable devices, etc.
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Fiscal Management: The Director's performance in this area has been outstanding.Under
Ms. Cole's management,the Library lives within its limited budget.Many potential
problems are addressed in the capital budget improvement process. Ms. Cole has made
responsible decisions especially in the personnel area,to keep the Library on an even
fiscal keel.Her budget management has given the Town Manager and Town Council
confidence to provide slight budget increases during the past several years.Ms.Cole was
instrumental in maintaining funding from the Town Manager and Town Council for extra
hours on Friday evenings throughout the year-a very successful service for the public.
We support Ms. Cole's efforts to procure additional funding for expanded hours on
Saturdays and Sundays,especially during the summer. A special note:public printing is
a self-sustaining system through the revolving fund_
Staff Management: The Director's performance in this area has been very good. She has
shown sound judgment in hiring and developing a strong performing team. She has
worked successfully toward clarifying and opening lines of communication with Project
Literacy staff and volunteers.Ms_Cole has also enabled staff members to pursue their
personal and professional goals within the Library through promotions and shifts to other
positions.Ms. Cole's selection of Caitlin Browne, former head of the Children's Dept_,
for Assistant Director, is an excellent example of promoting within the Library.
Although funds are limited,Ms Cole has stressed professional development for staff.The
Watertown Library is a proven training ground for librarians;many staff move on to
higher positions in other library systems. Long term employees especially reed
encouragement to grow their skills and to attend professional meetings and take courses.
Library Protrram Management: The Director's performance in overseeing this area has
been very good. She and her staff stay on top of the evolving circumstances and interests
of the.community patrons.The Trustees note in particular the Children's Department's
thriving programs,the anticipated summer reading program for Watertown School
students,the ongoing strength of Project Literacy,the"One Book One Watertown"
program, the Monday night movies, and the concert series.Ms. Cole oversaw the
completion of the Library's redesigned website.
Collection Develonment: The Director's work in this area has been very good.In
response to feedback from the Long Range Planning survey on increasing classics,Ms.
Cole allocated and maintained funds to address this request. The Trustees appreciate Ms.
Cole's management of a complex equation of patron demand,popular trends,the
desirability of multiple formats, a limited budget,the accessibility of the Minuteman
Network and eBooks,with the goal of being"just in time,"not"just in case,"in
developing the Library's diverse collection.
Facilities Manaaement:The Director's work in this area has been very good,given the
limited budget and resources available to address a heavily used building. She and her
staff have been diligent in addressing the maintenance and cleanliness of the facility. The
Town Council voted upon recommendation of the Town Manager to add an additional 15
hours of custodial service,which made it possible to increase one of the part time
custodian's hours to full time.The maintenance training checklist and custodial manual
developed by the Assistant Director have been helpful in both identifying and prioritizing
tasks.Also,with approval from the Town Manager and Town Council,Ms. Cole
implemented a revolving fund to cover the,ongoing cost of a public printing and
computer time management system.Ms.Cole worked with the Dept.of Public Works to
improve parking for handicapped and senior patrons. The Watertown Free Public Library
welcomes many thousands of patrons who expect a well maintained facility. That is the
common goal of the Director and the Trustees.
External Communication and Public Relations: The Director's work in this area has been
good,although hampered by a lack of staff and funding.Nevertheless,statistics prove
that the Watertown Library is the busiest library in Metro West. The Trustees applaud the
Director's efforts to build and maintain relationships with other town departments and her
service as one of the town's senionstaff members.The Trustees also appreciate the
development of the Arsenal Mall programs,the Senior Center activities,the collaboration
with the schools,and the Library columns in the Watertown Tab. Ms. Cole continues
efforts to engage Watertown Community Access Television to record Library programs.
The Trustees would like the Director and her staff to be mindful of the public relations
impact and managing perception in difficult situations. Implementation of the new
collection development policy for die Local History Room calls for diplomacy with
certain sectors of the community.
Leadership: The Director has been a strong leader at the helm of a complex organization,
made even more so by the extended Library hours. The Town Manager,the Town
Council,the School Committee and School Department as well as the Library staff,the
Library Trustees and the Watertown community rely on Ms. Cole to provide her positive,
reliable,realistic, and principled perspectives to keep the Library on track and moving
forward.
Communitv Development: The Director's work in this area has been very good.Ms.
Cole and her staff collaborate with the Town in a variety of ways,ranging from assisting
with the Town's financial presentation at budget hearings,projects with the Historical
Society,to working with schools on their summer reading lists for students. The"One
Book One Watertown"program,now in its sixth year,has been well received. There are
over 50 different community associations that use the Library for meetings and
gatherings.Ms. Cole also structured the Long Range Planning process so there was
significant input and involvement from the community. Her work has helped the Library
to be responsive to the needs of a very diverse population. She stresses to the staff that
the mission of the Library is to provide the best service to all patrons.The new Customer
Service Standards, approved by the Trustees,March 5, 2013, exemplify her commitment
to the public.
Fundraisine/Friendraisine: The Director's work in this area has been good. She works
closely with,and encourages the Building Committee's efforts. The Trustees
acknowledge the challenge in garnering community enthusiasm for contributing to
"maintenance"versus"new projects,"especially in our difficult economy.The Library
continues to attract volunteers of all ages to contribute many hours of work for the
community. The Trustees applaud the Director,the Children's Department, and the
Building Committee for organizing two Mini Golf fundraising events at the Library,both
of which attracted many community members and children, and raised awareness for the
need of funding technology,programs and furniture.
Workine with the Trustees:The Director's work-in this area has been outstanding. She
does an excellent job in following up on Trustees' issues and questions. She consistently
enforces the policies set by the Trustees,often under trying circumstances.Ms. Cole
makes sure the Trustees are well-informed,particularly through the monthly meeting
agendas. The Trustees value the in-depth discussions with the Director, which lead to
developing the best solutions for difficult situations.Ms. Cole's candor, cooperation and
honest engagement with the Trustees are key to our efforts to best serve the citizens of
Watertown and to fulfill our civic responsibilities.
Professional Awareness: Ms. Cole does an outstanding job in keeping the Library up to
speed on best practices and innovation. The increasing availability of eBooks,and the
trend toward self-publishing are notable examples. She has also done an excellent job in
making sure the Library staff develops their own professional awareness.
Activity in Professional Organizations: The Trustees commend the Director for her
outstanding,ongoing and active involvement with the Minuteman Library Network.In
FY12,Ms. Cole was elected President of the Minuteman Library Network(MLN); she
now serves as Past President and a member of the Finance Committee. Her continuing
involvement in the governance of the MLN illustrates the regard in which she held by her
peers across the state. In addition to serving the wider Commonwealth Ms. Cole's
involvement has ensured Watertown has an active voice in decisions affecting our
community,and keeps us up to speed on statewide library issues.The Trustees and
Library professionals]cam a great deal from Ms.Cole's experience.The Trustees also
appreciate the fact that the Director encourages the Assistant Director and other staff to
be involved with Minuteman Committees.
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In Summary
The Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library continue to be very satisfied with
Leone Cole's performance as Library Director. Under her skilled leadership,the
Watertown Free Public Library not only runs smoothly, but to continues to develop to
meet the changing and growing needs of the Watertown community.Her strong fiscal
management skills and creative solutions have allowed the Library to thrive within
limited resources.
The Trustees extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to Leone Cole for her service
as Library Director and to the Watertown community.
Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library
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Michael Hanlon,Chair Raya Stem Treasurer
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Gracemarie LeBlanc,Vice Chair Katherine Button, Secretary
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Timothy Tracy Christopher Beach
I have reviewed this evaluation
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Leone E. Cole,Library Director Date
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