Kudos from Customers

JPL, Conference Center, & CR & Marketing: “Thank you for again hosting AARP Tax-Aide sites at 9 library locations. JPL joins Tax-Aide as a partner in the United Way led Real$ense Prosperity Campaign of Northeast Florida, and each year you and I join forces to help moderate and lower income Jacksonville citizens with their federal tax returns. We're a great team. …I can’t say enough good things about the support received from Mitesh Sangani and Lisa Buggs. Each of them was extremely supportive, and I could not do my job without them. Thank you for allowing me to work with Mitesh and Lisa. Each year brings new challenges, and with your support, we'll work through whatever operating issues that come about for 2012. I really do value your support and friendship.”

JPL: “I am writing to commend a member of your staff, Denise Kirkland-Thomas, on her wonderful presentation to our Family Learning Circle parents. Family Learning Circle is a partnership between the United Way of Northeast Florida and the Early Learning Coalition of Duval County. The program is in six child care centers on the Westside of Jacksonville. This program is a one year pilot; the goal is to improve and increase school readiness for the children whose parents are in the program. … Many of them for the first time heard that books should be kept where children can reach and explore them. Many of these parents expressed they did not allow their children to handle the few books they had for fear the books would be torn. Ms. Kirkland-Thomas quickly resolved that fear by providing practical solutions to obtaining affordable books and teaching children how to care for them. … Her presentation, demeanor, sense of humor and real understanding of some of the financial issues won over these parents and every single one applied for a library card. In closing, I would like to thank you for having such a well prepared, knowledgeable professional on your staff and for providing such a vital service to our most vulnerable population. This presentation was very well received by parents; they ranked Ms. Denise at the very top of all presenters. I am happy to know that our city provides such a service and wish many more parents could receive this vital information to help prepare our children for school and for life. My very special thanks, sincere appreciation and commendation for a job well done!”

Main – Children’s: “(in reference to Preschool at the Library) Great Program! Wonderful resource for our children! Ms. Jaime (Sanborn) was great with the children and has a wonderful voice. “

Mandarin Branch: “…I searched your database for a child's DVD and saw … it might be at the Mandarin branch. As it is over a 30 minute drive for me, I called to confirm that the DVD actually was there. I talked with the library assistant David Foster. What a delight! He was so cordial and helpful on the phone. When we arrived, he greeted us warmly and assisted us in locating some more materials. I remembered him from a musical teaching group for preschoolers that were held at the same branch a couple of summers ago. … He is genuine and really cares about people, especially children.”

San Marco Branch: “This is a comment in praise of one of your employees. Michelle (Petrin) at the San Marco Branch heads up the children’s department and is the lead of story time on Wednesday mornings. Since she has been the lead, the San Marco branch has come alive with children. My daughter is there every Wednesday with her grandmother. Michelle exhibits such a caring and upbeat attitude. She is a natural at getting the kids involved. She introduces new things to the kids every week and always has some sort of an art project to go along with her daily theme. She even knows all the children's names! She is such an engaging lead in the children's department of San Marco - and we, along with the many others that are there every week, love attending her story hour as she engages all the children getting them excited about participating. You have a great employee that is really adding a rich experience for kids. I hope she is always part of the San Marco branch - everyone looks forward to library time every week!”