Item E2 �s E.2
r`,
County of Monroe
�y,4 ' �, "tr, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
County �a� Mayor Heather Carruthers,District 3
�1 `ll Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Coldiron,District 2
The Florida.Keys` )-.���` Craig Cates,District 1
David Rice,District 4
w � Sylvia J.Murphy,District 5
County Commission Meeting
November 17, 2020
Agenda Item Number: E.2
Agenda Item Summary #7545
BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: Public Libraries
TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Kimberly Matthews (305) 292-4540
N/A
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Presentation of Employee of the 3rd Quarter award to Teresa
Valdez, Assistant Branch Manager, Big Pine Branch, Monroe County Public Library.
ITEM BACKGROUND: Teresa Valdez has been reading stories to toddlers at the Big Pine Key
Library for more than 20 years. In that time, she has affected the lives of countless Big Pine children
in so many ways while instilling a love of reading and literature in their lives.
When the COVID19 pandemic hit, the Monroe County Public Library team was challenged with the
task of continuing the positive influence of stories in children's lives during a time when everyone's
lives were turned upside down. Without missing a beat, Teresa continued reading to Big Pine
children virtually. She, with the support and assistance of her colleagues, began filming "Toddler
Story Time" and making them available on the Big Pine Branch Facebook page. As weeks turned
into months, Teresa's story time videos continued to increase in popularity, sometimes receiving
over 500 views! Now, they are shared beyond the borders of Big Pine and the branch team are
receiving thank you messages from Miami, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, and even as far as New
Jersey!
Recently, Teresa added "Simple Spanish for Kids" to her programming lineup. Recognizing the
growing Spanish-speaking community, Teresa uses her bilingual skills to teach Spanish to English-
speaking children thus bridging communication gaps between local children. Finding such success
with her programs for younger children, Teresa has now created a story hour series for school-aged
children called "Let's Hear a Story". During the story hour, she shares her love of storytelling with
children who are ready for chapter books. As with all her programming during this difficult time, the
popularity and audience far exceeds the possibilities of traditional in-branch events.
Teresa Valdez is a model for the educational and enriching the role that libraries play in their
communities. She is a credit to her profession, her community, the Library, and Monroe County.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
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E.2
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approval
DOCUMENTATION:
Teresa Valdez - July Nomination
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Effective Date: NA
Expiration Date: NA
Total Dollar Value of Contract: NA
Total Cost to County: NA
Current Year Portion: NA
Budgeted: NA
Source of Funds: NA
CPI: NA
Indirect Costs: NA
Estimated Ongoing Costs Not Included in above dollar amounts: NA
Revenue Producing: NA If yes, amount:
Grant: NA
County Match: NA
Insurance Required: NA
Additional Details:
REVIEWED BY:
Norma Kula Skipped 11/02/2020 10:04 AM
Kevin Wilson Skipped 11/02/2020 10:04 AM
Pedro Mercado Completed 11/02/2020 10:30 AM
Kimberly Matthews Completed 11/02/2020 4:05 PM
Purchasing Completed 11/02/2020 4:08 PM
Budget and Finance Completed 11/02/2020 4:13 PM
Maria Slavik Completed 11/02/2020 6:02 PM
Liz Yongue Completed 11/03/2020 10:48 AM
Board of County Commissioners Pending 11/17/2020 9:00 AM
Packet,Pg. 32
E.2.a
MCAA Instruction 4000.12
Enclosure(l)
The mission of Monroe County is to provide outstanding public service responsive to the needs
of our citizens,our unique community,and our environment
WONROE-COUNTY EMPLOYEE SERVICE NOMINATION FORM I
NAME OF NOMINEE:Teresa Valdez
M
POSITION:Assistant Branch Manager DEPARTMENT:Sla Pine Library
SUBMITTED BY:Julie Cuneo TITLE: Managitment and Business o
Services Administrator, Budgl and Finance
Dew
JUSTIFICATION:(use additional sheets, if necessary.)
During these changing times due to COVID 19,all of us have had to think outside of the box to ensure we
can serve the County's constituents. For many it is providing the same services, but remotely so that we
can keep everyone safe. Who would have thought we would be doing BOCC and other meetings that
needed to be In the"sunshine"over Zoom?
For others, it is trying to find a way to replace the in-person services with something new and different. At
0.
the Big Pine Library,Teresa Valdez has been doing that for her favorite constituents the children of our
oommunity—and BEYONDII!! First it was story time for the kids,now it is Simple Spanish for Kids. But
guess what--some of the County's adults are fans,too! I was getting my hair cut and my hairdresser
said he loves listening to her stories and plans to listen to Spanish for Kids so he can learn,tool
One last comment. Full disclosure. Teresa is my sister, but even if she weren't, I would have nominated
herl I try to like all the Monroe County departmental pages that I can find. Without a doubt,her posts are
the most charming, likeable,engaging ones I see and share] She is one of the faces of Monroe County
and I am proud of what she has been able to accomplish during these challenging times. More
importantly, I am proud to have a sister that is a true public servant!
0
Thank you for your consideration.
Julie Cuneo E
Management and Business Services Administrator
Budget and Finance Department.
N
Nomination criteria include:
0 Noteworthy performance above and beyond job expectations
0 Positive impact on organization and/or community
0 Positive impact on co-workers or customers
0 Continual demonstration of positive attitude,cooperation,and/or flexibility
0 Exemplary service recognized by Co-workers or customer's E
0 Suggestions or improvements resulting in Improved customer service, reduced costs,or
improved efficiency
0 Demonstration of a positive impact on the safety and health of fellow employees and/or the
public
0 Continual demonstration of the Values of Monroe County
Please illustrate with specific examples fitting at least one of the above, or comparable,criteria
(Use additional sheets If necessary)
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E.2.a
MCAA Instruction 4000.12
Enclosure(1)
P sitive impact on organization and/or community, Teresa has made a very positive impact on our
community. She has been tilling some of the gaps of virtual school for the younger students. Schools
have volunteers come into the classroom to read to the children. Since we had to take our kids out of the
classroom,they have missed out on this wonderful opportunity to be read to.
Continual demonstration of positive attitude. coopgration,,and/or flexibility: I have been sharing her posts o
on my Facebook page since she started this new normal for her job. For someone who Is not used to
being in front of the camera,when I saw her first post I thought,WVOW! Talk about turning her job into
something different that will help our community!" That is a great example of being flexible! y
I have so many friends on Facebook with children and grandchildren—and my own granddaughters,too--
thought many would enjoy. I have been learning over the months that many of my adult friends, even
those who are childless or grandchild-less,enjoy her story time and now her Spanish lessons. They love
how engaged she is with her viewers. I get in-person comments on how animated she is when she tells a
story and how well she engages the children listening. Here is a snapshot of some of the comments I
have received on Facebook:
1 share �
Cortney Qulckstad Menendez
She's so cute! What a
blessing for those kiddos!
4d Like Reply .
0
Sheri Beth Wimberly-Scovil
Love this! y
Like e l W
!Vote she is a Librarian in another State
bO Frances Arroyo and 9 others o
1 share
e Cynthia Pinder de Leon
MR
g 4
f
L.
CD
These are just a few of the results from my"shares". How many"shares"and`likes"do you think the Big
Pine Library has because of her awesome`kids time"posts?
Department Head/Assistant County Administrator Comments:
Department Head/Assistant County Administrator Signature:
-we, , ms ra or
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