HomeMy Public PortalAboutevaluation_201409121140099962August 1, 2014
Watertown Free Public Library
Board of Trustees
Subject: Library Director Annual Review Methodology
The purpose of performing an annual review of the Library Director is to ensure that job performance is
on par with expectations of the Board of Library Trustees, and to provide a method of feedback and
measure to both the Director, and the Town Manager.
The process for achieving a successful review is an ongoing activity, in which during our monthly meetings,
the review of topics, request for information, updates and the like are used to paint the picture, if you
will, culminating in the final stage of actually signing off on the formal review document.
It could be perceived that the signed review document is the most important piece to the review process,
but in fact it is simply a document that summarizes a body of work that covers a calendar year. The ability
to meet the expectations and directives made during the evaluation period, is really when opinion and
values on performance are formed.
Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
Mike Hanlon
Chairman
WFPL Board of Trustees
Watertown Free Public Library
Performance Evaluation of Library Director, Leone Cole
June 2014
The Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library have conducted an assessment of Leone Cole'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 responsibility:
Overall Planning for Institution:
The Director's performance in this area has been outstanding.
The Director has emphasis on the Library's long range planning efforts, with the implementation of the
FY12 to FY16 Long Range Plan as a significant accomplishment. In addition, Director Cole reinforces a
planning culture within the Library, into daily operational details, and individual programs. Director Cole
has maintained that the Library keeps current with technology for the staff and patrons including
document scanners, eBook readers and other portable devices.
Fiscal Management:
The Director's performance in this area has been outstanding.
Under the Library Director's management, the Library is less than four percent of the Town's budget.
Many potential issues 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. The
Director's budget management has given the Town Manager and Town Council confidence to provide
slight budget increases during the past several years. This year the Town Manager has increased the
Library Budget by 4%. Ms. Cole was instrumental in maintaining funding from the Town Manager and
Town Council for extra hours for Friday evening hours throughout the year, which has been a very
successful service for the public as well as for website service. We support Ms. Cole's efforts that due to
successful contract negotiations, we are now open seven days a week, all year long.
Staff Management:
The Director's performance in this area has been outstanding.
The Library Director 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 and departments. Ms. Cole's selection
of Caitlin Browne, former head of the Children's Department, for Assistant Director, was an excellent
example of promoting from within the Library staff. The Watertown Library is a proven training ground
for librarians, with many staff members moving on to higher positions in other library systems. This is a
credit to the Library Director, who has served as mentor to the Library staff and nurtures staff members
to excel. While some projects in Technical Services were delayed by turnover, library services did not
suffer. Library staff turnover is beyond the Director's control, as established union salary scales,
employee's own personal or professional needs to relocate or care for family members.
Library Program Management:
The Library Director's performance in overseeing this area has been outstanding.
The Library Director and her staff maintain a posture of staying on top of evolving circumstances and
interests of the community patrons. The Trustees point to the Children's Department's thriving programs,
the upcoming summer reading list program for Watertown School students, the ongoing success of the
Project Literacy program, the "One Book One Watertown" program, the Monday night movies and the
concert series. The Ticketing System is working well for tracking IT issues. Ms. Cole has also overseen the
Library's redesigned website update, which has greatly enhanced patron resources with Facebook and
Twitter.
Collection Development:
The Library Director's work in this area has been very good.
In responses to feedback from the Long Range Planning survey on increasing classics, Ms. Cole allocated
and maintained funds to address this request. The Trustees appreciate the Library Director's management
of complex patron request, popular trends the desirability of multiple formats, a limited budget, the
accessibility of the Minuteman Network and eBooks. Technology has made the resources at libraries
change. It's more than just books. The Library Director has done an excellent job in meeting the current
resources for the Watertown Free Public Library along with demand from patrons, by keeping the books
shelves full of resources for the public's consumption.
Facilities Management:
The Library Director's work in this area have been very good.
Given the limited budget and resources available to address the heavy use of the facility, the Library
Director and staff have been diligent in addressing the maintenance and cleanliness of the Library.
Recognizing this issue the Town Manager recommended to add additional hours to the custodial service,
which the Town Council has supported. A checklist was developed by the Assistant Director which has
been helpful in both identifying and prioritizing task. Also, with the approval of the Town Manager and
support by the Town Council, Ms. Cole implemented a revolving fund to cover the ongoing cost of public
printing and computer time management system. Ms. Cole has worked with the Department of Public
Works to improve parking for handicapped and senior patrons. The Library serves thousands of patrons
each week and it's the goal of the Library Director and Trustees that the Library is a well maintained
facility.
External Communication and Public Relations:
The Library Director's work in this area has been very good.
The Watertown Library ranks at the top as the busiest in providing service to patrons in the Metro West
area. The Trustees applaud the Director's efforts to build and maintain relationships with other town
departments and service as one of the town's senior department heads. The same recognition applies to
the Director's relationships to the librarians of the Minuteman Network, and engage with Watertown
Schools, Watertown Cable Access Channel, the Watertown TAB, the Senior Center, the Historical Society
and other local organizations in Watertown on behalf of the Library and programs. The Library Director
has worked with Watertown Cable Access to broadcast the Trustees monthly meeting for public viewing.
The Library Director is also working with Watertown Cable Access to film various programs at the Library.
While the Library welcomes outside organizations and is open to their suggestions, the Library Director is
solely responsible for the Library collections.
Leadership:
The Library Director has been a strong leader at the helm of a complex organization and her performance
has been outstanding. .
The Town Manager, the Town Council, the Library Trustees as well as other Town Departments and Library
staff rely on the professionalism, thoughtfulness, keen decision making and awareness of Ms. Cole to
serve the patrons and citizens of Watertown. Throughout Ms. Cole's tenure, she has exhibited a strong
passion of serving the Town of Watertown and its citizens and providing this best services in developing
a respectful reputation in making the Watertown Free Public Library so successful. The Library Director
has made excellent decision on staff choices. Ms. Cole served as Chair of the Network Consolidation Study
Committee.
Community Development:
The Library Director's work in this area has been very good.
The Library Director and her staff have been engaged in the Watertown community in a variety of ways.
Ms. Cole structured the Long Range Planning process so there was significant input and involvement from
the community. The community activities range from projects with the Historical Society, working with
the schools on their summer reading list for students, Project Literacy program, working with over fifty
local community organizations to host their activities at the Library Watertown Savings Bank Room and
other meeting room at the Library plus the One Book Watertown program. Ms. Cole has overseen the
digitization efforts of Watertown History. The Library Director has worked to help the Library to be
responsive to the needs of a very diverse population. Ms. Cole has worked with Watertown Cable Access
to have the Trustee's monthly meeting broadcasted for the public consumption. Ms. Cole has made a
point to the Library 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 on March of 2013, exemplify her commitment
to the public and the Watertown community.
Fundraising/Friend raising:
The Library Director's work in the area has been very good.
The Library Director has worked closely with, and encourages the Building Committee's efforts regarding
donations for technology, programs and furniture. The Trustees are well aware of the fundraising
challenge. The Library Director has worked very well with the book sales in the Library's Cafe, and has
done a great job in preparing and submitting grants to public and private organizations. The Trustees
applaud the Director and the staff for organizing the previous Mini Golf fundraising events at the Library,
both of which attracted many community members and families, which raised awareness for the Library,
fundraising and friend raising. The Trustees also are pleased that the Director and staff are planning a
community road race fundraising effort for June of 2014.
Working with the Trustees:
The Library Director's work in this area has been outstanding.
The Library Director does an excellent job in following up on Trustee's issues and questions. Ms. Cole
enforces the policies set by the Trustees, often under trying circumstances. Ms. Cole makes a strong effort
to assure that the Trustees are well informed, particularly through the monthly meeting agendas. The
Trustees value the in-depth discussion with the Library Director, which lead to developing the best
solutions for difficult situations. The Library Director's candor, cooperation and honest engagement with
the Trustees are instrumental to our efforts to best serve the citizens of Watertown and to fulfill our civic
responsibility.
Professional Awareness:
The Library Director's work in this area has been outstanding.
The Library Director has done 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. Ms. Cole has also done an excellent job in making sure the Library staff develops their own
professional awareness. Ms. Cole has added new technology for patron use to the Library including a
Digital Media Lab for the Teen Department, Circulating !pads in each department, the launch of Hoopla
to provide loans of downloadable music, videos and audiobooks and a ticketing system was put in place
to better track IT issues as well as Facebook and Twitter.
Activity in Professional Organizations:
The Trustees commend the Library Director for her outstanding, ongoing and active involvement with the
Minuteman Library Network.
We applaud Ms. Cole for serving as President of the Minuteman Library Network, and has served as a
member of the Finance Committee. Ms. Cole's continued involvement has ensured the Watertown
community has an active voice in decisions affecting our community, and keeps us up to date on statewide
library issues. The Trustees also appreciate the fact that the Library Director encourages the Assistant
Director and other staff to be involved with Minuteman Committees.
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
operates efficiently, but continues to develop to meet the changing and growing request of the
Watertown community. Ms. Cole's 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 outstanding service as
Library Director and the Watertown community.
Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library
Michael J. Hanlon, Jr., Chair Raya Stern, Treasurer
Gracemarie LeBlanc, Vice Chair Katherine Buttton, Secretary
Timothy Tracy Carol Tierney
I have reviewed this Evaluation
Leone E. Cole, Library Director Date