Staff Profile

Harriet Siegel was—and still is—an officer of the Beaches Friends of the Library, established in 1979. Before the current Beaches Branch was built, a beaches library (not then part of JPL) was housed in one room of the old Beaches City Hall. And before the Beaches Friends was organized, Harriet volunteered there. Seeing the need for a larger library, she helped raise public support that resulted in the current Beaches Branch Library being built. It opened in 1986 and became part of the Jacksonville Public Library.

Harriet, as she likes to be called, was selected as JPL’s first “Volunteer of the Year” FY 1992-93. A plaque commemorating her work through the Beaches Friends hangs in the Beaches Branch Children’s Department.

Always a proponent of the Beaches Branch and its Friends group, Harriet represented the Friends of the Beaches Library at JPL board meetings for several years.

Harriet initiated “Noon Break” programs at JB about 17 years ago and has lined up all of its programs, which take a hiatus during the holiday season and voting times. “Noon Break” has featured the Navy Band and other musicians, representatives of beaches organizations and surrounding communities, City Council members, history buffs, doctors, a D-Day participant, fishing, fashion, coin collecting, local personalities and students. Due to the wide range of interest these programs cover, they have drawn many people to the library, who might not have been there before and who subsequently joined the Beaches Friends and/or have become JPL customers. Harriet attributes the programs’ success in part to the support of the Beaches Friends members and Beaches Branch staff. The programs also promote public awareness for the annual Friends Book Sales.

In addition to her volunteer work for the Beaches Friends, Harriet volunteers for Beth El, her local Temple in Ponte Vedra, which is supported by the Beaches area.

Harriet currently volunteers at the Beaches Branch Children’s desk and is considered a vital part of the Beaches Branch Library’s success. She defines the term “positive mental attitude” and her perky personality is underlined with a sharp mind. Harriet Siegel plans to keep volunteering and we look forward to her continuing friendship at the Beaches Branch.

Thank you so much for all you have done and continue to do, Harriet.