March 3rd, 2017
The Avon Public Library is part of the Eagle Valley Library District, located in the central mountains of Colorado. Our branch library wished to pursue purchasing new shelving for our DVD and Audiobook collections, and met Jim Malise at the Colorado Library Association annual meeting a couple of years ago. Jim was very attentive to our issues, came and visited our 3 branches, and we began the process in earnest to find the right shelving to meet the ergonomic needs of our patrons, and to meet merchandising needs and goals for our collections.
Our library is located in a remote and secluded mountain area, so Jim invited our team to the Front Range (Denver) area where we were able to meet with librarians and to see different shelving units, and to ask library staff about the pro’s and con’s of the units. This was so great to be able to meet librarians, and it helped us to narrow our shelving selections based upon the conversations with those library staff. Rather than “sell” the shelving units, Jim let the library staff sell the shelving units for him. Plus, we met some really nice people and have been able to maintain those new relationships.
Once we were able to narrow our product search, we worked with Jim and his staff, especially Chris Erdossy, to fine-tune our options and pricing. Chris was incredibly patient with us as we reviewed and revised out orders to fit our budget needs. No question or need or wish of ours seemed too small, and we really appreciated the guidance and warm reception we received.
Our new shelving units were installed in November of 2016, and the process was very smooth, with good communications about delivery dates and times, and the install crew was incredibly professional and capable. It was quite a process to watch the shelves come together (literally) and roll out into our spaces, because we bought units with castors. Our patrons enjoyed watching the process as well, an opportunity to see how their tax dollars are being used.
Now that we have had the shelves in place for over three months, we are finalizing and fine-tuning our signage and product placement to best fit patron needs. We have had many compliments on the new shelves, from liking the lighter color, to the zig zag shelves showing more covers and spine labels, to the ease of the pull-out drawers. I am happy to report that we have had an increase in the circulation of the collections as well!
Jim has tried to come up to visit us this winter, to check on the products and see how they fit our space, but the Colorado winter has prohibited this so far, but we know he will be able to come see us once the snow starts to melt, and we appreciate that he wants to follow up and finalize the process, which is very professional and very friendly.
I think any type of library would be pleased with JP Jay & Associates’ work, from those libraries looking to furnish a large or small scale renovation or simply for helping select additional pieces to add to existing decor. I would definitely use their services again in the future.
Sincerely,
Kim Saalfeld
Branch Manager
Avon Public Library
