WHAT IS TBLC?
The Tampa Bay Library Consortium, Inc. (TBLC) is a nonprofit Multitype Library Cooperative that assists and empowers over 120 libraries. All types of libraries – public, academic, school and specialized – are members. Since 1979, TBLC has worked with member libraries to provide better, faster service to the residents of central Florida.
TBLC members include state colleges, state university system libraries, private academic schools, colleges and universities, public school systems, and public and special libraries. Together these libraries serve over 6.3 million Floridians in central Florida, or over a third of Florida’s population, in 19 of Florida’s 67 counties; Citrus, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Sumter, and Saint Lucie.
TBLC headquarters, located in Tampa, is the heart of the consortium with 7 staff members. The organization is administered by an executive director and is governed by the 13-member TBLC Board of Directors. The board of directors is composed of elected representatives from member libraries.
Our Mission
TBLC is a community of libraries and the people who work in them committed to collaboration and bettering Floridians’ lives through continuously improving library services. TBLC supports this community’s success by providing essential services, connecting staff through active engagement, and creating an environment of continuous learning and innovation.
Provide services that push the edge of innovation, help libraries and library staff provide services that transform Floridian’s lives and build up the library brand.
Our Staff
Jim Walther
Executive Director
Jim is TBLC’s 5th Executive Director as we celebrate our 40th year. He brings to the position decades of strategic leadership and management in libraries, teaching, and publishing.
813-622-8252 x102 jim@tblc.org
Victoria Mclean
Continuing Education Assistant
Vikki assists with the TBLC Continuing Education program and Florida Library Webinars.
813-622-8252 x105 McleanV@tblc.org
Kelly McDonald
Manager of Programs and Services
Kelly manages Ask a Librarian and the TBLC continuing education workshops and conferences.
813-622-8252 x108 kelly@tblc.org
Elise Aiello
Manager of Member Engagement
Elise manages our member outreach, communications and video programs.
813-622-8252 x107 elise@tblc.org
Mike Thompson
Web Programmer
Mike handles the web programming for Ask a Librarian and Delivery.
mike@tblc.org
Tobias “Toby” Riesterer
Manager of Video Production Services
Toby is TBLC’s videographer. He produces video content for TBLC and for libraries in our service region.
813-622-8252 x106 tobias@tblc.org
Matthew Smith
Systems Administrator
Matt manages technology, technical support, troubleshooting and web services for all of our programs and services.
813-622-8252 x101 smithmm@tblc.org
GOVERNANCE
The Tampa Bay Library Consortium is administered by an executive director and is governed by the 13-member TBLC Board of Directors. The board is composed of representatives from the TBLC membership as follows: two representing academic libraries, two representing public libraries, two representing special/school libraries and three at-large. An executive board, made up of president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and past-president, oversees the activities of the board.
The entire membership of the consortium participates in governance and elects the Board and Officers at the annual TBLC Membership Meeting. Directors serve on the board for a term of three years and terms begin in October. TBLC’s Bylaws were revised in 2019 and guide the organization.
Members are invited to attend Board of Directors Meetings!
2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
Sean McGarvey | Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
VICE PRESIDENT
Cheryl Morales | Pinellas Public Library Cooperative
TREASURER
Matthew Bodie | St. Petersburg College Libraries
SECRETARY
Lisa Lilyquist | Lakeland Public Library
PAST PRESIDENT
Eric Head | Citrus County Public Library System
ACADEMIC
Todd Chavez | University of South Florida Libraries
Lena Phelps | South Florida State College
PUBLIC
Susan Jacob | St. Lucie County Public Library
George Taylor | Lake County Library System
SPECIAL
Elisa Hansen | John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art
AT-LARGE
Kresta King | Okeechobee County Public Library
Susan Sharpe | Moffitt Cancer Center Library
Andrew Beman-Cavallaro | Pasco-Hernando State College
Monica Drake | Heritage Village Archives and Library