Jefferson County Public Library’s (JCPL) Cecilia LaFrance has been recognized as a national Mover and Shaker by Library Journal. Former public teacher and teacher librarian, LaFrance joined JCPL in 2014 and has been shaking things up ever since by being a voice for people who cannot get to their local library.
As a public services coordinator for JCPL’s Library 2 You program, she leads a team that includes bookmobile and home delivery services to 38 senior facilities, three correctional institutions and about 150 homebound individuals, empowering seniors and incarcerated citizens by bringing library services to them.
Her efforts include turning the traditional bookmobile into a 21st century service that now provides tablets and training for seniors, in addition to traditional books and resources. Library 2 You’s mission is to bring equal access to materials to all community members.
Further example of LaFrance’s influence was seen last summer when the program expanded the summer reading program to boost senior and incarcerated participation. Those customers logged 1.5 million reading minutes between June and August, ten percent of the total reading minutes for Jefferson County.
To further counter isolationism among homebound patrons, LaFrance supported her teammate’s initiative to launch the dial-a-book club and dial-in programs. Homebound patrons now have the opportunity to participate in book groups and library programs that were difficult to attend before.
Under LaFrance’s leadership, JCPL’s Library 2 You circulation increased 40 percent in 2015.
For over 15 years, Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers (M&S) has recognized people shaping the future of libraries. LaFrance joins an elite group of 750 nationwide leaders who are transforming public, school, academic, and special libraries across the United States and around the world.
