Busy, Busy At Southeast

Just how busy is SE when UNF tutors are there helping customers? Senior Librarian Anita Haller took pictures every 3 feet in one session recently for us to get an idea of the popularity of these tutoring sessions.  Anita  said, "It is really crazy. We have approximately 118 people here in this session: 27 student teachers, 55 children being tutored, and their parents. There are small groups tucked away down every aisle, nook and cranny."  Fantastic, Anita!

In Memory of Jean Brinkman

Our sympathy goes out to the family of Jean Ulmer Brinkman, who  passed away July 21, 2013.  Our appreciation goes to Sharon Jaskula, Program Manager, Center for Adult Learning, for the memorial to Jean that she contributes here.  Sharon knew Jean well and we asked her if she would write about Jean and her exceptional contributions to this community.

"For long-time members of the library family, those few words of Jean's passing evoked great sadness and stirred memories of a special woman whose legacy continues to impact the quality of life for many in our community.

"Jean Brinkman worked for JPL from 1984 – 2002. Prior to coming to the library, Jean obtained her Masters of Education from UNF and taught learning disabled/special needs students for Duval County Public Schools. In 1984, Jean was hired to coordinate adult literacy services for JPL; her college thesis on computer-assisted learning led to the library’s creation of 'Computers and Literacy', the first program of its kind in Florida to use technology with adult new readers. Computers and Literacy (CAL) was later renamed the Center for Adult Learning, a program that still carries out the mission Jean began nearly 30 years ago.

"As a Jacksonville transplant and a new teacher fresh out of college, I could not have predicted the lessons I would learn from Jean when I began working at CAL in 1987. She was the first real Southern Lady I’d ever met - a woman who still referred to her parents as 'Momma and Daddy' and believed carrying a white handbag after Labor Day was a major faux pas. But it was the way Jean epitomized southern hospitality that forever influenced my view of public service. Jean had a gentle graciousness that was conveyed to every student and visitor who came through our doors. I watched how she approached the unkempt homeless or mentally ill men and women who wandered into our department, how she greeted and attended to them as if they were respected guests in her home. Jean felt a personal responsibility to serve and restore the dignity of those who needed help. Her kindness was humbling.

"Later in her career, Jean took another position with the library, but not after sharing her exceptional teaching and grant writing strategies to ensure the quality and longevity of CAL. In 2002 she retired from the library to spend time with her best friend - her husband, Walt - as they traveled across the country to spend time with their many friends, their two sons, and their grandchildren. Her Facebook page began to fill with pictures of weddings, graduations, reunions, and road trips. A picture of a smiling Jean standing with her family was posted last week, taken just two days before she passed away of Lou Gehrig's Disease.

"A few paragraphs can’t begin to capture what Jean’s work has meant to the thousands of adults who learned to read because of a program she created. When a CAL participant reads to his child for the first time, or passes that supervisors’ exam, or can order from a menu without pictures, he will never know that Jean Brinkman’s life has touched his own. But some of us will never forget.

“ 'Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.' - Martin Luther King Jr."

As you see, Jean Brinkman did not just retire; she was careful to plan for it and made sure she chose a well-deserving, capable person to carry on the kind of work you cannot put a price on and now Sharon Jaskula is doing just that--a proper legacy to Jean Brinkman.

After Jean's work in CAL, she served as an Administrative Assistant focusing on recruitment and training as the library prepared for the system’s expansion as part of The Better Jacksonville Plan (BJP).

Above is a picture of Jean while she was employed with JPL and below you see Jean and her husband, Walt, happy as they can be.  Thank you, Jean, for all you did for so many and especially for mentoring Sharon Jaskula so well.

 
Services are scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, July 26th, at Riverside Presbyterian Church.  Expressions of sympathy can be mailed to the family:  78 Blackwood Court, Unit A, St. Johns, FL 32259. 

What A Plus For PCR's SRP

Kathy Lussier, Ron Block, and Laura Minnich are to be congratulated on developing a partnership with Alhambra Dinner Theatre to present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat on July 20 at Pablo Creek Branch Library. The cast also entertained the audience with a song and raffled off a four-pack of tickets.  Children's Senior Librarian Cheryl Callavini reported the audience was thrilled with the performance that was one of their Summer Library Programs.

Pablo Creek Branch's DeLon Rowan Really Digs It

Youth Services Specialist Julie Pactor forwarded the ever-talented, DeLon Rowan's description of her art work for the Summer Reading Program theme, “Dig Into Reading”.  DeLon created a Book Mine to promote SRP, and Children's Librarian Senior Cheryl Callavini asked her to create a mine tunnel for kids to crawl through as part of her Stories for Young Children Program. Children have the opportunity to crawl through the mine at the end of the program. The front of the mine pictured is attached to a long box that creates a tunnel for the kids to crawl through.

Delon created the Book Mine with cardboard for tools, mine roof, and the mine cart, plastic caps for wheels.  She used foam board for books and the front of the mine and styrofoam for coal in the coal car. It was completely comprised of recycled materials--costing the city nothing. DeLon's coal is so real looking, Cheryl said people actually have to touch it to realize it isn't.  DeLon's characters included characters from the “Dig Into Reading” theme.

Pablo Creek's Flower Grows TALL

Julie Pactor forwarded PCR's Library Assistant DeLon Rowan's photos of the Summer Reading Program “visual”. DeLon created a flower with a segmented stem. Each segment of the stem represents 100 books read. The flower had to "grow" from the time that DeLon took the photos to accommodate the number of books read. Two more stems branch off to the other side of the wall with smaller flowers.  

Friends of JPL Announce August Book Sale

The Great Jacksonville Book Warehouse Sale is coming up and it's another opportunity to help raise funds for JPL and give library customers and you a chance to get some books you've always wanted at 50 cents - $2 for most. All sales will be held at The Friends of the JPL, 3435 University Boulevard North (south end of University Park Branch Library.)

August 22 (Thursday): 4 pm -8 pm - Members Night (you can join there) - Buy One, Get  One Free
August 23 (Friday):  4 pm - 8 pm
August 24 (Saturday): 9 am-5 pm

All Sales Listed Below are $10/per bag of books:
August 25 (Sunday): Noon - 5 pm
August 27 (Tuesday): 4 - 7 pm
August 29, (Thursday): 4 pm - 7 pm
August 31 (Saturday): 9 am - 1 pm

Twist and Squeak

Brentwood Branch Library entertained 24 children, July 15, with balloons galore and a chance to see what they could do with them and lo! hats, swords, and something akin to modern art appeared in colorful plenty. 

Thanks to NS' Betty Williams, Library Associate Sr., for this picture. 

Kudos From Customers

Argyle Branch: The staffs of the Argyle Branch (Janet Ducat, Kimberly Kirkland, Angela Gaines, Robin Cumby, Sandra Lockley, and Annie Norris) of the Jacksonville library are very friendly and helpful if and when I need assistance. It's a nice feeling when you enter the library and are addressed by your name when they say good morning.

Beaches Branch: Your reference person, Eva Newton, was delightfully helpful. She walked me through the ILL procedure and when the book was unavailable, she showed me how to suggest a purchase. ...

Highlands Branch: Mrs. Felecia Battle...is an excellent worker and gives great customer service. I come to Storytime every week and I am very pleased with the way she works with the children and makes them feel welcome. She provides the children with educational songs as well as creative crafts my kids love. When she is not in Storytime, she assists me with finding books for my children and helps my kids on the Internet or on the Kidsmart computers. She makes the children's department very colorful and friendly with her amazing displays. ... My kids and I look forward to seeing her when we visit…

Regency Square Branch: Mia Brack in the Children's Library at Regency did a fantastic Friday morning Storytime! Both my daughters (2 1/2 & 1) really enjoyed it. The craft project she put together was also wonderful. Mia was able to hold the attention of a room full of children 4 years old and younger.

Willowbranch: I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the hard work, patience, and customer courtesy of Kathleen Brunner and Janice Adams at the Willowbranch Library in helping resolve some fines and checking in books.

April-June 2013 Innovator Award Winners

Our third quarter Innovator Award Winners not only "Dig Into Reading", they are making a big difference in the efficiency of JPL service and adding to the quality of life for many customers.  They think and act "outside the box". Above is one of the IA winners, Gloria Armstrong.  Don't miss all of these employees' accomplishments; you might find an idea or two for your library, too, by visiting Innovator Awards on JPL Neighborhood.

THE WINNERS ARE:

GLORIA ARMSTRONG, Library Assistant, Brentwood Branch

KRISTI DORNEY, Librarian, San March Branch

LUIS FLORES, Assistant Director for Facilities Management

ANITA HALLER, Librarian Senior, Children's Dept., Southeast Regional

GAVIN LAMBERT, former Sr. Library Associate, Beaches Branch 

ELLIS LEWIS, Processor, Collection Mangement, SST

JULIE REKOW, Part-Time Library Associate, Beaches Branch

TERRY WELCH, Library Clerk, Beaches Branch

Below are some of the staff that garnered a crowd of 1180 for Beaches Branch ComicCon, May 4, and preempted that with unique advertising, including a sandcastle on the beach at the Jacksonville Beaches annual opening--and 3 staff members won an Innovator Award for their outstanding contributions to this huge "first" for JB.

Congratulations, encore, whistles--and we can't wait to see what you do next!

Thought You'd Heard It All?

WST's Aracelis Diaz reports on their June 14 SRP Kick Off, "It was a great afternoon at West Regional. Mr. Al (Hampstead) delighted the crowd with his musical instruments and folk songs.  Hampstead Stage Company presented a play, "Secret Garden", and Ron Anglin juggled. Adding to the special entertainment that 140 attendees enjoyed, customers of all ages could indulge themselves in other crafts, light refreshments, and Worm Races; yes, you got it right:  WORM RACES! It Was A Great Afternoon at the West Regional Library indeed."

State Rep. McBurney Visits SOM's SRP

South Mandarin Branch Manager Keli Likins sent in two pictures of State Representative Charles McBurney’s visit to their lirary for the Summer Reading Program hosted by the Jax Zoo. Keli said, "It was a successful program with 108 kids and parents in attendance. Special thanks go out to Anita, Michelle and Lily for making this and many other fun events at the library possible this summer.
 

Pretty Lady; Proud Day

 

Marshelle J. Berry, CW Region Manager, proudly shares her Mother's recent accomplishment.  Mrs. Alma Smith was 2nd Runner-up in the Ms. Senior Jacksonville Pageant held on June 29th. She also enjyed a surprise visit by Jacksonville Jaguar Justin Blackmon.

JB Reminder: You Really Can Start Here - Go Anywhere

This delightful sign was created by Julie Rekow and patron Ed Fenton for the Beaches Branch Library! Start here – go anywhere!

Thanks to Theresa Welch for sending the picture for the blog.

Staff Profile

Andi Hammond is Director Gubbin's Executive Assistant.  Andi absorbs information lightening speed and is no slouch in getting things done and done well.  Andi laces her work with grace and a sense of humor and she's an anchor in a crunch.  Here she is pictured with her long-time boyfriend, Chris.

Tell us about your varied work experience and how that has been a rich resource to you as Director Gubbin’s Executive Assistant.

Throughout undergrad and graduate school I worked part time at a wine store and wine bar. There I learned that I love event planning and was able to develop several programs (classes, parties, tastings, etc.) which taught me the importance of planning and having contingency plans. I started working at an upscale hotel right after I graduated from college. That experience taught me the importance of customer service, never saying “no” to a customer but rather finding them an alternative when needed, and how to work with difficult customers. I returned to school to get my M.S. in recreation therapy, after which I worked with veterans with traumatic brain injuries, post traumatic stress disorder, and addictions. When I moved to Jacksonville I continued my work in drug and alcohol treatment and mental health in general. The biggest take-away from that that I can use in my current position is the importance of stress and time management. Being able to take care of yourself means that you are more able to help others when they need it. I focused a lot on stress management, relaxation, and mindfulness with my patients—that has helped me personally to stay in the moment and not sweat the small stuff.

Not having a library background, what has been most helpful to you in acclimating to the world of libraries?

I know most people dread meetings. But, when I first came to the library, I asked to be allowed to go to as many meetings as I could. It is important that I have a big picture view of the library as well as understand the day-to-day activities that go on so that I am better able to anticipate what the director needs and the needs of the administrative team and the Board. Talking to people and listening to everything that was going on really helped me to figure out my way around library language—although there are still times I find myself jumping on Google to figure out just WHAT people are talking about!

You have been in JPL during the most traumatic budget conditions. What aspect(s) stand out to you as being critical in getting through these times?

The resiliency of the staff has really been what has gotten the library through the last few years. It’s incredibly difficult to do your job well when there is so much uncertainty hanging in the air. The fact that staff are able to continue to do what they do—and do it so well—is a huge testament to what this library is about. I think that support from each other is going to be critical in continuing to deliver the high level of service staff do.

What is your key to success?

Organization. Hands down organization has been the biggest factor in being successful in any job that I have ever worked. Being organized means I can work more efficiently and effectively. Luckily for me I’m naturally organized (and actually enjoy doing it.) Working on the SDD committee this year was a lot of fun for me because I got to organize an entire event! To me, having a well thought-out plan helps deal with any changes or wrinkles that may happen. If you have a solid base, it’s much easier to make adjustments than if you are making decisions at the last minute. And, as we are all aware, changes happen constantly and on the drop of a dime.

Tell us something about yourself that most of us would not know.

I am a singer. Not a great one, but I do love to sing and perform. I began singing when I was in elementary school with my church choir and continued on to now singing with the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. I’ve had several very cool opportunities thanks to my involvement in different choirs. The two coolest that I can think of are very different from each other. The first was in high school when I got to sing as part of the back-up choir for Shania Twain when she performed in my hometown. The other was getting to tour through Germany for 20 days with my choir in college. We got to perform in some of the most beautiful, historic churches—I even cried in the middle of one performance because it was so amazing. Just don’t ever ask me to sing karaoke—I won’t do it!

JPL Staffs' Contributions to Community Health Charities - 2013

Caring JPL staff donors to Community Health Charities for 2013 gave a total of $2,327.  You took the opportunity to benefit research and many people suffering from a wide range of diseases. 

THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO GAVE!

Main Library Staff & Family Art Show Is Up At Main

Main Library's Marie Myers apprises us that the JPL Staff Art show is up at the Main Library and opening night is tonight, Wednesday, July 3, 20l13, for Art Walk.

Photography will be exhibited on the 2nd floor of the Main Library and all other art, such as paintings, drawings, and watercolors can be seen on the 3rd floor.  This exhibit includes art done by employees and  family members named below:

Cranston Burney (Main)
      Mia E. Clark (Main)
Ryan Fix (Main)
      Josh Jubinsky (Main)
Ed Koehler (family)
      Ed Lein (Main)
Marie Andrée (Main)
      Tony Miller (Main)
Rick Minor (family)
      Heather Perry (Main)
Allison Pulley (Main)
      Julie Rekow (Beaches branch)
Mike Shell (Main)

The art show will be up until the end of July so you have plenty of time to enjoy it and bring your family for a special treat.

Friends of SOM Hold Two-Day Book Sale

Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29, the Friends of South Mandarin Branch Library conducted a very successful Book Sale, popular with both adults and children, as you see.  Thanks to Branch Manager Keli Likins for the photo and heads up.

Bugs Invade NW

NW Library Associate Senior, Gloria Buenavista, reports that 29 kids participated in the “Bugs Story Time" presented by Stephanie Miller, Children's Librarian Senior, July 2, 2013 as part of NW's Summer Reading Program activities.  Mrs. Buenavista said, "What was planned as an hour long event had to be extended another 20 minutes because the kids were really into their bug making and did not want to quit."

The kids also enjoyed songs, finger plays and stories about bugs. As you see, the children did a wonderful job making their own personal bugs that were constructed out of colored egg cartons, pipe cleaners, etc.