JPL Staff News: Ron Block Is Runner-Up as Library Journal’s Paraprofessional of 2009

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Ron Block Is Runner-Up as Library Journal’s Paraprofessional of 2009

Ron Block was nominated by Gretchen Mitchell, Main Library Administrative Supervisor, for the Library Journal’s award for Paraprofessional of the Year, and he is the runner-up. You can read the article in the April 2009 Library Journal by clicking here.

Among his notable accomplishments, Ron sequestered Adriana Trigiani and had his picture made with her. (Ms. Trigiani entertained a crowd with her hilarious presentation at Much Ado About Books' luncheon, Saturday, February 28.)

Ron Block has been JPL’s Circulation Services Coordinator since October 2007. Among his varied challenges, he chairs Jacksonville Public Library’s Circulation Review Unit, comprised of librarians and support staff, and CRU reviews and recommends changes to policy and procedures that have supported the Library Board of Trustees' development of JPL’s user-friendly policy. Their work has resulted in improvements in our holds, library card registration, and renewals procedures. Through this team, Ron led the cause to make it easier for homeless living in shelters to obtain library cards. In addition to this team, he chairs the Circulation Roundtable, a group of paraprofessionals from each branch. Ron is also one of 16 trainers who teaches in the JPL’s Destination Leadership program. Prior to his current position, Ron worked as Clerical Services Supervisor at Regency Square, University Park and Southeast branches.

4 comments:

Keli said...: RON BLOCK IS THE BOMB!!!!!; 4:41 PM
Anonymous said...: Congratulations, Ron!

BTW, benchmarking results show that customer satisfaction with policy enforcement is up 0.28 points over last year(significant increase). A big part of the increased satisfaction is due to Ron's leadership!

Way to go,

Melonee; 4:54 PM
M.Berry said...: Way to MTW!!!; 8:50 PM
CBailey said...: Awesome, Ron! You should have WON! :); 3:10 PM

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YS Asociate Decker Cavosie hosted EB’s first “Minute to Win It,” April 9, 2019, where 15 teens competed in various challenges under a 60 second time limit. Participants discussed strategies and difficulties throughout the program and exhibited creative problem-solving to gain advantages. Each month at the end of the program, the teen with the most points writes their name on the “Minute to Win It Undisputed Championship” belt Decker made. The belt will be displayed until the following month when the reigning champion will defend their title.

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January 17, 2019, Deputy Director Julie McNeil presented Melodie Brunson with Director Tim Rogers' congratulatory letter for her five years of service and her service pin. Melodie also enjoyed a big cheer from West Branch's staff pictured here. Back row: Jessica Carpenter (clerk), Eve Harm (YS Librarian 1), Shannon Buchanan (clerk), Larry Singer (volunteer), John Jessee (Assistant Branch Manager), & Manager Kathleen Brunner. Front row: Latisha Woolbright (clerk), Julie Horton (YS Library Assistant), & Melodie Brunson (YS PT Associate.)

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To the JPL Family: I wish to thank each and every one of you for your caring responses during my time of need. For those who were not aware, time was needed for surgery and recovery from breast cancer. I want you to know that all donated leave, words of encouragement, random acts of kindness and those beautiful smiles are appreciated.

I am a breast cancer survivor as a result of God’s Grace and an early detection of the cancer. May I suggest that each of you, if you have not already done so, take time to schedule health screenings of any kind knowing that these can be lifesaving methods for you.

To God be the glory for the things he has done. I am now free of cancer and want to say again that I appreciate what you did for me. Not knowing who my time donors were, I am not able to give individual hugs; collectively to the JPL Family I say THANK YOU a million times over.

Denise Thomas, JPL’s Center for Adult Learning at Main.

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SANTA AND KIDS AT MAIN

Main's Children’s departmemt had a jolly great time with Old Saint Nick this year. We handed out jingle bells, read a sleigh ride picture book and, of course, sang the Jingle Bells song. Next, resident elf, Carisia Rooney, took over and kept the line smiling as they waited to verify that indeed, Santa’s whiskers were real and so was his tummy! Afterward, Jonathan Sandbach held a bell-decorating class (complete with glitter) so the kids could take some of the holiday fun home with them.

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