Staff Profile

Farryn James is a Non-Civil Service Clerk in the Main Library's Special Collections Department.  Pat Morrison, who supervises that department, thought Farryn's experiences would be of interest to JPL staff.  Farryn exemplifies what one can do early in life to overcome obstacles, set goals high, and work hard to attain them. 

Q: What were your aspirations when you were a young girl?

A: As a little girl, I always knew I could do everything and be anything. I wanted to be a “quadruple threat”—singer, dancer, actress and an author.  As I matured, however, I found my real passion in life was writing. I knew I was destined to become an author when I was writing on my bedroom walls as a kid. In my free time, I would take the school planners and compose songs and poems in them. I wrote my first play in elementary school and in high school I received an “A” on my first short story.

Q: How do you deal with adversity?

A: As a teenager, I remember asking God, “Why me?” when it seemed that my luck could not get any worse.  I was 15 when I was diagnosed with two chronic and sometimes debilitating diseases. Although I would be forced to live with these ailments for the rest of my life, I decided they would not cripple me. While most 16 year olds were enjoying their summer vacation, I was beating the pavement looking for a summer job. I didn’t have any luck until the following summer.

Q: How did you hear about the Seeds of Change Program?

A: A friend told me about this program that offers young adults job opportunities over a 16 week span during the summer, and after joining it, I was assigned to Brentwood Branch Library. Once there, I gained experience and bonded with the four women I worked with. That bond will never be broken.

Q: How has your experience in the Seeds of Change Program and JPL impacted your life?

A: The following year, I graduated from William M. Raines High School with a 3.0 GPA and began my first year at Florida State College at Jacksonville. I began working two jobs as well because I wanted to prove to my family that I could do anything I put my mind to. The Seeds of Change Program and my experiences at Brentwood Branch became building blocks for me on my bridge to success--the same bridge that brought me to my current job at the Main Library.  Ms. Gloria Armstrong (Brentwood Branch) sent excellent recommendations to my current supervisor.  I received a phone call, interviewed with Mrs. Margaret Morford, and the rest is history.

Now it seems as though my life has come full circle.  Instead of asking God “why me”; I thank Him every day for all the blessings in my personal and professional life. This year, I graduated from FSCJ with a cumulative GPA of 3.08 and an Associate of Arts Degree. I recently received a letter stating that I made the President’s List during my final semester at FSCJ.  I have been accepted at the University of North Florida and plan to receive my bachelor’s degree in Journalism. I never imagined that I would be where I am today, and I am so thankful for the good and the bad because everything is a lesson learned for me.

Q:  To a large degree, past and present determine the future.  What do you see for your future?

A:  While I feel I have accomplished so much, this is only the beginning. Look for me on the New York Times bestsellers list one day.  Toward that end, I continue to work on my craft -- writing, learning, and growing. I always thought, but now I know, any and everything is possible.