There’s almost always a loophole to get to something you need, right? It may not be the most obvious way, but most times it’s there hiding beneath the surface.
Heather Campbell, senior librarian at the Jacksonville Public Library, is one of those loopholes. Having trouble finding a magazine article or a book out of print that you desperately want? In most of these cases Campbell, and the rest of the library’s interlibrary loan department, can get what you need.
The department borrows and loans books, articles and other copy to cardholders of the library who can’t find what they’re looking for. The borrowing starts out close to home though and for good reasons.
“We generally borrow from other libraries within the state of Florida first before gradually reaching out to others because the Florida libraries lend for free,” Campbell says.
The only types of books they don’t lend out are reference books or special collections.
Campbell says the department stays busiest during the school year, when they receive approximately 250 requests a day. The requests are made from not only people in Florida, but all over the U.S.
“People want what they can’t have,” she says.
Because of that, when Campbell and the rest of the department’s staff do succeed in making it happen, there’s a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
“We get really good feedback from our customers,” Campbell says.
This is most apparent in their office. The department’s office reeks of appreciation and satisfaction, with thank you notes covering bulletin board after bulletin board.
This is just one reason why Campbell enjoys her job and has stayed for as long as she has. May 1 marked 30 years that Campbell’s been working for the Jacksonville Public Library.
Congratulations to someone who’s dedicated to her job and dedicated to helping others find their loopholes to get what they need.