Kudos from Customers

Argyle Branch: “The staff…is very nice and helpful. I bring my children to the Preschool Storytime and Family Art Fun programs and my children always enjoy Ms. DeLon (Rowan) and Ms. (Chiquita) Powell’s programs.”

Highlands Branch: “Ms. (Tyhedra) Wilson was excellent. She gave superb customer service.”

Mandarin Branch: "...the Children's Department has a fantastic team of librarians. Margo Crafton leads this team extraordinarily, with Shivon (Rockwood), David (Foster), and Sarah (Miller) being simply outstanding. ..."

Regency Square Branch: “...Our granddaughter (age 2) runs to the door of the story time room and is always greeted warmly by Miss Mary (Heaney), who greets all persons…in the same way."

Willowbranch Branch: “Verbal praise and encouragement for Ms. Julie (Lipschutz) and Ms. Isabelle (Pierre) and other library staff regarding reading and the concept that we were participating in a "contest" provided an incentive to read every day and use the library more often.”

Big Move in the Main Library

Last month the Main Library accomplished something Director Barbara Gubbin has been anticipating for a long time. The AV non-fiction collection on the third floor (3West) was moved down to the ground floor and replaced the Genre fiction collection, which was then moved to the third floor where the AV collection had been.

This was a massive move involving a large number of items on two separate floors. It was slated to take three weeks to complete the job but, what do you know, incredibly it took only one week!!

Kudos—and Ava Barrett’s personal thanks—to all staff that assisted in this huge accomplishment. Staff included a mix of full-time, part-time, summer, and volunteer workers who all pitched in with all their might to make this a reality:

Part-time workers: Stephanie Brendle, Margaret Gloag, Erica Stanberry, Zoe Nissen, Cheyla Scantling, Kareen Chambers, Akeem Adell, Heather Fails, Alison Pulley, Olga Rubin, Linda Tyson;

Summer workers: Rebecca Araujo, Deavaughn Bratcher, Dianne Manning, Shiquita Prince, and Jordan Washington, as well as Teens Make a Difference worker Britany Volger.

Full-time staff: Karen Deas and Robert Moseley.

Volunteers: Brian Moses, who is no longer with us, and Trey Shelton, a librarian who still volunteers here.

Importantly, the whole project was organized and supervised by Lilia Simonton, with assistance from Scott Adams and Stacey Van Hoy, to whom we cannot say enough thanks.

New signs are now in place to help our customers find the collections easily and we are very happy that we were able to get this done so well so soon.

Great Giving at Graham

Graham Branch held its Back to School event Monday, August 9, and it was a huge success. Staff had not held it for a couple of years; however, Library Clerk Delores Walker, who had organized the previous events, went the extra mile putting this one together by soliciting for donations, putting together the gift bags, and organizing nearly every other aspect of the event.

A total of 202 children and teens received Back To School supplies, and 75 of those also received personal hygiene gift bags to start the new school year. Kids were also able to choose a complete outfit from their special "Unique Boutique". (In addition to the colorful bags pictured here, many more brown bags were also made ready for kids.)

Finally, tickets were given out to each child and drawings were made at the end of the day for special prize packs. Pictured is winner Desiree Woods and her sister, Bryanna.

Congratulations to you!

Capacity Plan - Take the Staff Survey!

Godfrey's Associates has been hired by the Library to conduct a "capacity" study to identify how the Jacksonville Public Library can offer the best possible service with the limited resources that are available. The quality and efficiency of library buildings is one of the things that will be explored. The following survey provides an opportunity for you to tell the consultants what works well about your branch and what doesn't work so well.

I encourage each of you to participate in the survey. The survey link follows:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/345708/jacksonville-staff

It was a Zoo at Graham Branch

Graham Branch Library entertained families and critters during its Summer Library Program when Karl Boecklen, Education Programs Supervisor for the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, showed kids some of the wonders of the great outdoors, July 15. Here Patricia Smith and her children pose with Mr. Owl and Mr. Boecklen during the Zoo program.


Kids and grownups either like or hate hairy creatures but they are fascinating all the same, and this little buddy made an awesome appearance along with other creatures. As you see, some chose to keep a little distance.

Floating Collection - Update Re Prize Drawing

The drawing for the two prizes for answering any of the Floating Collection questions posted here on the blog is now postponed until later in August. The new drawing date will be posted on this blog as soon as possible.

Staff Profile

Carolyn Ranney, Part-time Clerical Support Specialist, won the Goal Star award for the first quarter FY2010 for consistently adding value and offering more than is requested when providing the statistical data and analysis reports used to evaluate and measure library services. She is also credited for writing and developing programs that provide the statistical data the library needs. She uses these programs and a database which she created to provide data results from various points of view. Ms. Ranney reports to Melonee Slocum, Executive Assistant to the Director.

Q: How do you see your work at JPL helping reach Destination: next goals?

A: I help reach goals by assisting with data analysis and automated reporting processes through programming to expedite administrative duties. I have also assisted with monthly reports to the Library Board and Administration and have prepared yearly analyses.

Q: What keeps you interested in working at JPL, especially since your daughter was born during your first two years here?

A: It’s my one break from motherhood. I really enjoy working for Melonee Slocum. Numbers, statistical analysis, Excel and coding are interests of mine.

Q: What experience do you have that prepared you for your current position?

A: I have degrees in math and computers. I was in the golf business for 12 years working as a merchandiser for Arnold Palmer, PGA Tour, and Disney. After that, I worked in education for seven years at a local technical college as an instructor and program chair. All my jobs involved math and budgeting.

Q: What other interests do you have?

A: I play the piano and clarinet and I’m learning the guitar. I compose music and have done background vocals in recording studios. I like golf but don’t get to do much of that these days. My husband’s and my greatest passion is tending to our two-year old daughter, Brianna. That is my spare time activity right now.

8/10 Deadline to Answer Floating Q's to Win Prizes

If you email your answers to any of the Floatnig questions to Mark Hohnadel or Cheryl Callavini by COB August 10, 2010, your name will be included in the drawing on August 16. Two names will be drawn and one employee will receive a $25 Simon gift card (good at either Towne Center or Avenues Mall) and the other will receive a flash drive.

How the West Was Won - Or How West Regional Branch Increases Efficiency

West Regional employees are constantly looking for ways to increase the efficiency of the branch. Everyone is encouraged to suggest improvements and unless there is a good reason not to try an idea, we tend to jump right in and see what happens.

This philosophy has led to a number of changes in procedures over the last few years. An example of this is the double discharge of materials. It was a surprise to some that it did not slow down the work flow and it has become a routine function of the branch. Double discharge has resulted in a decrease in customer problems allowing staff time to focus on other issues. It has reduced the number of “claims returns” and it has also greatly improved customer relations.

In addition, delivery bins for every branch were set up on tables in the delivery area. Materials going to other branches are placed in the bins immediately by the person who discharged the item. Staff working on send item lists trap and pack materials immediately. They also label and shelve holds for West customers as they work on the send list. This has reduced the number of times items are handled and sorted.

The pre-shelving area has been moved from the staff workroom into the public area. This allows customers the opportunity to browse the shelves and take materials they wish to check out, reducing the number of items to be shelved. It also makes it easier for the reference staff as customers looking for newly returned materials are escorted over to these shelves. Another advantage has been an increased staff presence in the A-V area because the pre-shelve area was set up beside “Sights and Sounds”.

Improving communication has become a major goal for branch staff especially since staff is now working in two different locations. Moreover, an internal blog has been set up so everyone can post information on procedural changes, displays, programs, safety or interesting information to other staff.

These are just a few of the changes West employees have implemented. New ideas are being tossed out for discussion all the time so there is no telling what the next innovation might be.