Theodore Johns Library System Case Study

The Theodore Johns Library is a more recent addition to the Beaumont Public Library System. It was founded in 2002 and named after Judge Theodore R. Johns Sr. (Theodore Johns Library). The library serves a predominantly African American population ranging in ages from young children to senior citizens. The library’s mission, as well as the Beaumont Public Library System as a whole, is to “link resources to the citizens of Beaumont to enrich their lives” (About Us). A main goal is to give access of information to the whole community by providing books, audiobooks, magazines, DVDs, and computer access to patrons of all ages. Theodore Johns Library is located on the outskirts of Beaumont, Texas, farther compared to other library branches in the
Besides story time and movie screenings, the library hosts book signings by local or independent authors, seminars, and lectures. This month the library is focusing on Black History Month holding an event later this month called “Crisis in Black Education: Learning through Spirituals” (Mojica). Recently, a partnership with Lamar University’s Speech and Hearing Clinic initiated a new program called the Family Place library. Graduate students of the Speech and Hearing Sciences Department volunteers with the library to provide workshops and play base activities for parents of babies and toddlers. The workshops provide an opportunity for families to spend time together, make friends and talk one-on-one with specialists on various aspects of child development and early literacy (Mojica Family Place Workshops). The addition of the Family Place initiative is to increase the library’s role as a community center in the aspects of child development and learning (Mojica Family Place
The library website is part of the city website and informs users of library news, services, and library hours. Theodore Johns also has its own Facebook page, posting pictures of events held at the library. The noteworthy improvement is in the Library’s online card catalog. The online card catalog is easier to use, having a search bar and drop down menu to narrow results by fields and location in the library (Beaumont Public Library Catalog). Patrons can also sign into their library account, by logging in with their library card number; to see how many books they checked out, if they have any fines, and can renew and request books (Beaumont Public Library