JPL Staff News: Staff Profile

Friday, October 05, 2012

Staff Profile

Jane Harris was asked to contribute to this article when she was still West Regional/Maxville Branch Manager. She was recently named JPL's West Region Manager and will be supervising Argyle, Highlands, Maxville and West Regional branches. For now, Jane says she will keep her office at WST. Smart, kind, relatively quiet, dilligent, intuitive--one could think of many positive adjectives to describe this lady. It is really easy to like Jane Harris, and once you read her history of 27 years at JPL, you'll agree: JPL has come a long way!

Q: How long have you been with JPL and what experience did you bring with you that best served you here at JPL?

A: I have been with JPL for 27 years. Before coming to JPL, I worked for the Palm Beach County Library System. When I started with Palm Beach County I had no experience working in a public library. It was an eye opening experience. During my time there, I think I called every emergency number in existence, went through a hurricane, a parking lot brawl, and a number of building emergencies. By the time I started at JPL, I was a lot calmer when dealing with emergency situations.

Q: You have managed several of our libraries. Please share your experiences and how branches differ (or don't) in service to meet the needs of their geographical areas.

A: I have managed five libraries for JPL. In many ways they have been very similar. The customers come in with a need that they expect us to fill. The vast majority of the customers are appreciative and friendly. In all the branches, children’s services were in high demand. Parents want to bring their children to the library for a fun and educational experience. The differences were mostly in the demand for materials. In my current location, Inspirational books and nonfiction “how to” books are very popular. When I was at Regency, Romance and Manga were popular. At Webb, African-American fiction and books to help with school were in demand. Of course, there are the universal favorites like DVD’s and practice test books.

Q: What are a few of the important things you have learned as a manager that could benefit all of us?

A: The main things I have found helpful are to be flexible and to listen to my employees. It is amazing what ideas they can come up with when you are receptive.

Q: What are some of the outstanding changes you have seen in libraries since you have been with JPL?

A: I am really dating myself with this one, but computers have been the most outstanding change. When I first started with JPL, the computer circulation system was in the works, but had not been implemented. This felt like a return to the dark ages for me because Palm Beach County was already using a computer circulation system. I could not check and see if another branch had a title. I no longer could easily reserve materials. The reserve system at Regency was a marker board with needed titles written on it. When items were checked in, the clerk had to check the board to see if the book was needed for a reserve. We used to make monthly trips down to Main and search the shelves to fill reserve requests. Also, for the first time, I had to file catalog cards. I hated it. I could not wait for the day Jacksonville started using computers. We have come a long way since those days. Record keeping and inventory control are so much more efficient since the advent of computers. The dissemination of information has totally changed. We take for granted so much that was not even possible such a short time ago. I love knowing where an item is and being able to locate it for a customer. It is so much easier to search a database and come up with an answer in a few minutes than searching indexes of multiple texts trying to locate an obscure fact. (Although I do miss some of the bar bet questions that apparently customers are now answering themselves.) As technology continues to develop and evolve, I know there will be other changes. I am struggling to keep up with this, but I believe that libraries will continue in some form. After all, we provide free access and assistance to information.

Q: Who is your favorite author and why?

A: I do not really have one favorite. I like authors that develop their characters. I have to be able to see and visualize the character. One author I like is Anne McCaffrey. I like her Pern series because she has developed a whole world and society with great characters. I also like Irving Stone, Leon Uris, Jane Austen, and Janet Evanovich along with many others. I mostly read fiction although I also like biographies. Robert Massie and John Toland are two biographical writers I enjoy.

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THREE STAFF HONORED AT CW

In December, Deputy Director Julie McNeil presented service pins to Kristi Dorney (middle in pic) for 20 years at JPL; Cassy Manning (left) for five service years; and Helena Davenport for five years serving JPL. Kristi received a congratulatory letter from Mayor Curry, and Cassy and Helena each received a letter of appreciation from Director Tim Rogers. Cassy, Kristi, and Helena also enjoyed a socially-distanced party given in their honor. All of us send our thanks, too, for your years with the library.

MR. MOSELEY: CONGRATS ON 20 YEARS & A JOB WELL DONE!

DON'T NEED TO BE A DUMMY; JUST READ BOOKS FOR DUMMIES

PT shelver with help from Teen Associate Beverly Mason created a “I thought you said Mummy…No I said Book for Dummies” display to transition to fall/Halloween and highlight DU’s For Dummies series of books on a variety of topics. DU Manager Eric Soriano added, “There’s also a new ‘Interactive chess display’ by Librarian Benjamin Smith. Books and DVDs are available for checkout while customers enjoy actually playing the game. Ben is also planning to offer possible chess classes.”

LIGHT BULB GOES OFF IN CREATIVE DECKER'S HEAD

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.

HAIL, HAIL THE GANG'S ALL HERE FOR MELODIE BRUNSON'S 5 YEAR CELEBRATION!

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.)

THANKS, MANDY ELLIOTT, FOR 5 GOOD YEARS OF SERVICE

JANICE ADAMS CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS W/JPL

Library Associate Janice Adams received her 5 year service pin from Webb Region Manager Lynne Baldwin, January 31, 2018, along with a letter from Library Director Tim Rogers thanking and commending Janice for her service to JPL, the City and the community. Staff at Webb surprised Janice with not one but two cakes, a card, a bouquet of flowers and a gift card. Branch Manager Kathy Tekin joined Lynne to say, "Congratulations to you, Janice, for 5+ years of outstanding service to the Jacksonville community."

STUDY BUDDY SHARED BY 3 IN MAIN TEEN DEPT.

A Thank You From Denise Thomas

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.

MARILYN JORDAN SENDS THANKS TO STAFF WHO DONATED TIME FOR HER RECENTLY

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.

MATTHEW TAYLOR, LIBRARIAN I, WITH MAIN LIBRARY 15 YEARS

DENISE THOMAS CELEBRATES 15 YEARS WITH JPL

Denise is a Literacy Program Specialist in the Center for Adult Learning, located on the Conference level of the Main Library. She has done so much good for the community beside all the wonderful things she does for children in her position with JPL. Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop (far left) gave Denise a congratulatory letter from Mayor Curry and her 15 year service pin. Denise is 2nd from left, then CAL Manager Katie Devanny, & Tammy Owens. We join with them in congratulating you, Denise.