JPL Staff News: Graham Branch's Big Day For 3 Icons

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Graham Branch's Big Day For 3 Icons

Pictured above (L/R) are GB Manager Jackie Spiritas watching the unveilings of newly framed pictures of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune by CM E. Denise Lee; Rev. Dallas James Graham by Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins; and Mrs. Mary White Blocker by Director Barbara Gubbin at GB's special program this past Monday.

GB Manager Jackie Spiritas shares this recap of the event: "Dallas Graham Branch Library customers, staff, and honored guests enjoyed an inspiring afternoon at the 'Three Local Icons You Should Know' Portrait Unveiling Ceremony, February 24. Three past community leaders, Dr. Mary Bethune, Rev. Dallas James Graham, and Mrs. Mary White Blocker were honored when their newly reframed portraits, first displayed under black cloths, were revealed at the end of the program. Two library young adults gave opening remarks about the reason for the presentation and highlighted some of the individual contributions made by the icons.

"A crowd of 50+ attendees enjoyed the Honorable E. Denise Lee, Councilwoman for District 8, share her memories of the library and what it means to the community. Library Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins added her memories of visits to Dallas Graham Library as a youth and her remembrances of the three icons.

"Director Gubbin gave a brief history of Dallas Graham Library and noted the library opened as the Myrtle Avenue Branch Library in 1965, replacing the Wilder Park Branch on Lee Street. It was renamed Dallas James Graham Branch Library in 1977 in honor of Rev. Graham. She described the three icons' contributions to education and civil and human rights. Closing the program, Councilwoman Lee, Dr. Simmons-Hutchins, and Director Gubbin each stood behind one of the easels and unveiled the portraits.

"Among the special guests, were Mrs. Blocker’s grandson, Andrew Daigeau, members of the Alpha Gamma chapter of Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Mr. Lloyd Washington with the Durkeeville Historical Society, and Mrs. Camilla Thompson, a local historian, and Board Trustee Ronnie King. Photographers snapped pictures and newspaper journalists scribbled notes for their columns (hopefully!)

"It was thrilling to see the excitement build while Ms. Lee and Dr. Simmons-Hutchins set the mood and recalled their personal memories of the three icons and what this library means to the community.

"The three portraits had been mounted on the library wall for years with no name plates or bio provided so few people knew of their contributions to the community. With the help of Pat Morrison, Urban Library Supervisor, and CRM’s Kathy Lussier, the project took wings.

"Attendees enjoyed delicious refreshments provided by the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library. The afternoon was perfect and went off without a hitch!"

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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.