from the commissioner >
From the Commissioner
Even the most casual reader of this report will discover that KDLA serves many other agencies who serve many Kentuckians. While the agency does provide certain specific direct services – talking books, reference and research, “Ask a Librarian,” and various genealogical services – many of its services are intended to improve the abilities of libraries, as well as state and local public agencies, to better serve their patrons. This multiplier impact is critical to the overall public service mosaic in our state: to assure that our people can better live, learn and work in Kentucky.
Commissioner/State Librarian
James A. Nelson
We do provide grants and technical assistance to many agencies serving Kentuckians, but the most important services we provide are the many educational and informational opportunities to help our librarians and public servants stay abreast of the multiple changes facing them, as they offer critical services to their own customers. Much of this relates to new and existing technologies as well as best practices in a variety of service professions, but we also provide for training in quality board and agency management.
Leadership, direction and support are key responsibilities of any state agency and this report demonstrates several ways in which we are trying to do that. Whether it is the first installation of Voice over IP technology to help us integrate voice communications with data applications; the celebration of 50 years of bookmobile services, or thirty-five years of talking book services; or, 100 years of Dr. Thomas D. Clark -- KLDA made many contributions to the public service fabric in Kentucky.
Working under the constraint of severe staff shortages, our statewide consultants and administrative staff in Frankfort, in concert with our regional consultants in the field, have had a very busy and productive year. I think when you look through this report, you will see that KDLA, by the very nature of its services, has epitomized the concept of partnership and collaboration in better serving many diverse needs of our people.
The bottom line is that we have excellent staff who are committed to helping each other, and our many partners, provide quality customer service.
James A. Nelson
State Librarian and Commissioner
This 2003-2004 Annual Report is published by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. KDLA is part of the Education Cabinet, Virginia G. Fox, Secretary.
Print copies and alternate formats are available by calling (502) 564-8300, ext. 316.
The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.