San Marco Branch Hosts CM Lori Boyer

The San Marco Branch Library was pleased to welcome Council Member Lori Boyer (standing in picture below) and Library Board Trustee Marc Hardesty to the Stories for Young Children program, May 28. Council Member Boyer read The Birthday Box to the children.  On the right, is pictured (L/R) Library Associate Sigrid Wellhausen, Council Member Boyer and Trustee Hardesty after the program.  Thanks to Librarian Kristi Dorney, who sent in the pictures and blurb.

KR Thanks Diane Lewis With Innovator Award

Diane Lewis, Library Clerk at Mandarin Branch, received an Innovator Award from Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin, May 22. Alison Pulley, Frances Wickes and David Foster nominated Diane for the award because she volunteered to manage both adult and children's damaged items.  Her efforts are effecting much more efficient service at KR.   

A JPL Hero Could Use Your Help!

Please take time to read this memo from Michael Soto regarding the needs of one of our fellow employees: 

Team,

As you may or may not know, last week Anthony Christian (ISS Custodial Supervisor @ JPL Main) was hospitalized for several days for ongoing health issues.  Upon his discharge and return to his home, within hours; tragedy struck his apartment complex in the form of a fire which started in an adjacent apartment.  Anthony and his wife quickly acted to spread the word to their neighbors, and assisted in physically evacuating at least one woman from her apartment.  Luckily, Anthony and his wife were unharmed.  However; they have lost over 95% of their possessions.  You can see the footage from the incident at the link below:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/man-rescues-woman-from-fire/26044360

Currently, the red cross is assisting them (extended to Friday AM) by placing them in a hotel, and have provided a $75.00 food card.  On Friday, they will talk with case manager again.  Based on the outcome of that meeting; they will either by referred to the city for subsidized housing, will be allowed to return to their apartment (not possible due to the extent of damages), or be provided a list of participating apartments that offer reduced move in costs.  Per the red cross, they cannot guarantee that any donations will be forwarded on to his family.   

What they need:

-Clothing
-Footwear
-Any other monetary assistance possible
If you have any clothing/footwear that can be provided to assist them; please assist as illustrated below:

Anthony	Wife
Shirt 3XL	Shirt Large
Pants 40 W x 30 L	Pants Size 15
Shoes 10 ½ or 11	Shoes 7 1/2

 Diane Alexander (904-630-7588) is the centralized point of contact for all monetary donations.  All checks offered should be written to Anthony Christian.   

Thank you for any assistance you can provide. 
 Sincerely,

Michael Soto, Coordinator

Emergency Preparedness, Contract Administration

Kudos From Customers

Highlands Branch:  I've just begun to learn more...and gain hand/knowledge of the computer. Ms. Yuri Jewitt, is a jewel; she is patient, great at explaining...in terms that become clearly understandable and easy for this great granny to comprehend...

Conference Center, Main Library: ...my new bride and I are so very pleased with the services of Mr. Will Daniels, Conference and Events Specialist! He made it the best night…We are still told how elegant, modern and unique our ceremony and reception were! I know he does this year round for many weddings but Mr. Daniels made us feel like we were the only wedding that you've ever had there! We would like to thank Mr. Daniels for treating all of our endless questions and concerns with care and priority! He was so professional to work with and my parents thought he was a joy!...

Main – Reference:  I am located in Seattle....and was hoping to locate online information about a deceased Jacksonville resident. The information I was looking for (obituary) was not online but Guy Adkins was able to locate and provide me with an obituary. This was in spite of the fact that I was off by a couple of weeks on the date of death so it required more searching than anticipated. I am so impressed by these actions and very grateful. What a superior asset he is to the library. Thank you!

Mandarin Branch and ILL/TB: I want to compliment the following employees at Mandarin for their excellent, professional, and courteous help at all times, in person and on the phone: Lynne Baldwin, Supervisor; Stacey van Hoy, Don Carpenter, Allison Pulley, David Foster, Frances Wickes, Robert Moseley, Eric Cusaac, Diane Lewis, Sara Peretzman, Shukti Banerjee, Jessica Jones, Tammy Hilbert, Lisa Veal, Eric Mikols, Patricia Henderson, and Patricia Klingler. I also want to commend Carolyn Hampton at Interlibrary Loan.  Her help is very professional, courteous, and helpful. 

Friends Of JPL - Winding Up May Book Sale

Get in on some very good buys! Go by the Friends Book Sale (located at UPK's far right side of building, 3435 University Blvd.)  You, your customers, and friends still have time to pick up a bag of books for $10:

     $10 for a bag of books - sale days:
                         Tuesday May 20: 4:00 - 7:00 pm
                          Thursday May 22: 4:00 - 7:00 pm
                          Saturday May 24: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Our best form of advertising is Y O U! So, please,  talk it up!

Happy Birthday, Stacey!

 

On Saturday, May 17, the staff at Mandarin threw a surprise birthday party for our very own Queen of Weeding – Stacey Van Hoy.  Frances designed the cake (with the help of Publix) and Sara and Jessica decorated the table with balloons and glitter.  Happy Birthday, Stacey!

A bouquet of yellow roses, presents, good food, and most of all, employees who appreciate you--what a great celebration.

"Lemons To Lemonade"

Lynne Baldwin, KR's Branch Manager said, "A couple of months ago, Facilities shifted our periodical collection to make the shelving ADA compliant.  We could not use the entire top row of shelving.  After much discussion, Stacey Van Hoy decided to use the empty shelving  to display posters highlighting Gale data bases.  The drab, empty shelving is now a colorful and attractive way to promote library resources to staff and customers."

How To Promote JPL's Summer Reading Program

On May 15, 2014, David Foster distributed summer programming guides and  answered questions about the 2014 summer reading program while attending the Mandarin Oaks Elementary STEAM Night.  The turnout was great and the number of attendees was over 180.

 
David had access to three computers to demonstrate library databases. The  location of the library was ideal for high-volume traffic, from which David was able to speak with families as they moved between the event proper and the book fair.  He  handed out JPL stickers, summer programming guides, half-page summer guides, and then shared details and answered questions when he ran out of summer-specific materials.  (Thanks to KR Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin for the article.)

KR Hosts Author T. L. Randall

KR Manager Lynne Baldwin said, "At Stories for Young Children, May 15, one of our favorite local authors,  T. L. Randall read from her book I Wish I Were an Emu.   Thirty kids enjoyed the story time with songs, crafts, and a story about an Emu.  Library Associate Alison Pulley (right)  is pictured with the author."

Jeopardy!

Dayita Banerjee, the 11 year old daughter of Mandarin Library Clerk Shukti Banerjee was one of 30 contestants chosen to take part in the second round of the Jeopardy! audition for kids.  The test/audition was held on the 14^th  floor of the Westin Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Dayita scored high enough to be included in the next contestant pool, from which 15 contestants will be chosen to appear on Jeopardy!, filmed at their studios near Los Angeles. Congratulations to Dayita and we anticipate further good news about her adventure.

Latest On JB's Comic Con

Terry Welch puts the period at the end of the sentence on JB's 2014 Comic Con, "No rainstorm could dampen the good time at the Beaches Library on Saturday May 3rd! From 11-4, over 1700 superheroes of all ages came in to visit the 11 illustrators, play Team Trivia, participate in a scavenger hunt, get up close and personal with the Batmobile, and watch 'The Amazing Spiderman' in 3D (glasses provided by Regal Cinema). There was a shuttle between the library and SuperHero Beach Comic Book Store for folks to pick up a free comic book. Above you see JB staff before opening; L/R: Michelle Petrin, Abigail Santos, Tamera Branam, Gail Blumberg, Theresa Weatherford, Samantha Simon, Julie Rekow and Terry Welch.  You can view additional photos at The Friends Of The Beaches Library Facebook page and Kathy Lussier recently emailed an array of pics.  Enjoy!

What About Bow Ties?

Terry Welch said, "City Council President Bill Gulliford couldn't make it to Comic Con, but we caught up with him at the latest meeting of Beaches Watch, which is held at the Beaches Branch Library. Here he is posing with a Doctor Who inspired sign created by talented part-time Library Associate Julie Rekow.  Mr. Gulliford is a big supporter of the library and bow ties." 

The Winners Are:

Second quarter JPL Destination Leadership Awards were presented at the Library Board meeting, May 8, 2014.  Above are (center L) Nathan "Nate" Fuller, Conference Center Specialist, and Ed Lein, Librarian at the Main Library, who share the Employee of the Quarter Award.  Deputy Director Carolyn Williams (L) assisted Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmon-Hutchins as she noted each award winner's accomplishments as they received their awards. 

 

Ed Lein's 28 years of reeling in musical artists (and maintaining a rapport with them so many came again and again) to perform free concerts at the Main Library was gratefully acknowledged. Ed also won the Model the Way Award.  (More on his career can be seen in this month's Staff Profile.) 

 

Nathan Fuller was instrumental in booking the World Arts Film Festival, which will be held this month. Almost a year's collaborating with JPL department heads and the film festival's Karen Sadler, the event was booked for the Conference Center--and things look good for booking the event for the next three years.  Nate also won the Challenge the Process award.  (More on Nate in the June Staff Profile.)

 

Pictured below (L) is Luis Terron, who received the Inspire A Shared Vision award because he constantly looks for ways to make e-services relevant to English and Spanish speaking customers.  He keeps abreast of latest trends in computer technology.  Luis is helping integrate Windows 8 to our classes and is vigilant about Internet security.

 

KR Library Clerk Sara Peretzman won the Model the Way award for organizing and being responsible for Snapshot Day 2014.  She gave JPL bags to customers who had their photos taken with their favorite book.  Sara also worked with the children's department on programs that followed the event.

E-Specialist Greg Royce (L, below) and Part-time Clerk Robert "Mark" McMillan may have helped save WB's children's collection when a torrent of dirty water flooded Willowbranch recently. Mark quickly got a wet/dry vac and Mr. Royce mopped the tiled area, keeping water out of the computer closet.    

South Mandarin Branch Manger Keli Likins (R, last pic below) has developed cooperative relationships by organizing SAT/FCAT and other teen related training for customers throughout the Southeast Region.  Each quarter she coordinates schedules, promotional materials, and staffing of training classes.  So far, the SE Region has presented preparation classes on science fair, history fair, SAT and FCAT.  Keli's efforts to foster JPL's educational training is an important contribution to her community and she won the Enable Others to Act award.
Not pictured is Challenge the Process award winner Michael Shell. As Training Coordinator, Mike met with all Regional Managers and developed a pilot "Staff Action Plan" for employees and supervisors to list the goals of training that staff wanted to accomplish this fiscal year.  Mike has given step by step illustrations for staff to complete their  action plans about specific duties. 

Congratulations to all of JPL's 2nd Quarter Destination Leadership winners! We are very proud of you.

Special Award For Special Programs

In addition to SOM's usual storytelling and craft times, Leslie Patterson, Library Clerk at South Mandarin Branch, found another way to attract customers.  At left, Leslie is pictured receiving her Innovator Award button and certificate from Branch Manager Keli Likins for creating a series of cultural programs.  The first was an Irish Celebration and on May 3, SOM hosted a Mexican Fiesta with 40 people in attendance.  Dips and chips were donated by Los Loros Mexican Restaurant.

May Is "Get Caught Reading" Month

Stephanie Smith, CAL's Literacy Program Specialist is on top of things, "You may already know that May is “Get Caught Reading” month.  I work at PCR a couple days a week and Linda Smith, a Library Associate at PCR, approached me with some posters for the occasion from the Association of American Publishers.  The posters show some Spanish-speaking celebrities, so she thought I might like to give them to some of my ESL students.  However, in return, I had to get some photos of students with the posters to send to the A. A. P.  One of my ESL volunteers, Elena Wigelsworth, recruited her Level 3/4 evening class to participate.  I’ve attached one of them.  There are more if you need them.  Linda said the people at the Association LOVE the pictures!  They might include us in their newsletter."  Guess who got caught reading (above).

Hamid Gets A Double Dip Of Celebration

AR Branch Manger Donna Carroll said, "On May 1^st, Regency celebrated Hamid Hassan’s 25^th year with JPL.  We had a big party with current and former co-workers and friends.  Along with the surprise party, Hamid was also presented with the  Study Buddy because he goes above and beyond helping customers find their holds.  Hamid was very surprised and momentarily speechless."  All of us add our congrats and belated Happy Birthday, Hamid.

Teen Poetry Slam Success At WB

WB  Manager Kathleen Brunner reported a successful Teen Poetry Slam at their branch, April 30, "Thanks to the hard work of Isabelle Pierre and the Friends of the Willowbranch Library.  With 17 participants, as well as four judges and staff members, this was one of the best-attended teen programs Willowbranch has ever seen!  We even had a special performer: Kamalladeen! There were two gift cards for 1^st and 2^nd place, pizza, chips, and soda for everyone.  The performers and the audience members thoroughly enjoyed themselves."

Staff Profile - May 2014

Ed Lein, a multi-talented librarian, walks us through some interesting library history in this month's staff profile. If JPL has a figurative crown, Ed would be one of its brightest jewels. His efforts have maintained good relationships with musical artists, which have equated to repeat performances by up and coming artists to seasoned professionals for 28 years at the Main Library (old and new.)  Ed Lein is a whiz at keeping culture alive in northeast Florida. THANK YOU, ED! 

All these FREE concerts have racked up a lot of FREE advertising for JPL, and what's not to like about that?

Q: How long have you been a librarian for JPL and what do you see as your greatest accomplishments?

A: I joined the JPL family in June 1986, so 28 years come June.  Here are three things that arose from being in the right place at the right time: 

 

One was working with Mr. Driggers to develop the finest public library collection of classic music CDs in the Southeast. The advent of downloadable MP3s is rapidly making the collection obsolete, but when I started here the compact disc was a format that the Library had not yet begun to collect. I came to JPL from FSU where I was music cataloger and worked in acquisitions ordering music scores, LPs (ask your grandparents, kids) and CDs from both American and European suppliers. That experience made it easy for me to establish relationships with reliable music vendors and to initiate the cataloging and processing of the "new" format here.

Two... This no doubt will shock the children, but through my first decade here there was no such thing as the Internet.  "Online" only became worldwide about halfway through my second decade.  I think JPL was one of the first public libraries to offer an e-mail reference service, and I was directly involved in developing the initial service procedures and preparing the first "contact us" web form for it.  I also developed the Ready Reference web page still used by Main Library Reference staff.

Last (but not least) are the Music @ Main concerts through which the Library brings free classical music performances to the community.  The  first few Library-sponsored concerts were presented on the mezzanine of “old Main,” beginning in December 1986 (if memory serves). When we first began offering Sunday hours I thought hosting concerts might be a good way to convince folks to come Downtown on Sundays. 

Q: How did you get involved with Music at Main and how has that evolved over the years?

A: Those first concerts were popular, so then-director Judy Williams approached the Friends about buying a piano to support a regular concert series in the Library auditorium. They went for it, and the baby grand they donated still serves us well. The original series, called “Ex Libris,”  lasted a few years before I went off to be a branch manager.  After my sojourn in the wilderness I made it back to old Main, and we moved into the new Main Library in the fall of 2005.  I’ve hosted concerts in the Hicks Auditorium since February 2006, at first mostly on Sundays, but later on various weeknights too; currently we have concerts on Sundays and Tuesday evenings. The performers aren't paid, and the concerts initially provided a showcase just for local musicians. But by January 2009 I was surprised with requests for concert dates from out-of-town performers, mostly faculty and doctoral students from various universities in Florida and Georgia, but also from California. We've hosted musicians from Italy, Norway and South Korea, too.  We still get more requests from musicians wanting to perform than we have available dates.

 

Q: Name some of the best performances at Music at Main and why they stood out to you.

A: We have had many, many outstanding performances, so these are just highlights of the highlights:

--In terms of exceptional musicality three stand out as really special:  (1) Alexei Romanenko, Jacksonville Symphony’s principal cellist, joined UNF faculty artists Simon Shiao and Gary Smart performing Ravel’s Piano Trio;  (2) violinist Max Huls and pianist Christine Clark performing Franck’s Violin Sonata; and (3) a quartet from FSU called enhakē  (the Seminole word for “sound”) performing movements from Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time.  One movement has everybody in unison and octaves, flying through incredibly complex, constantly shifting rhythms. They were so flawless it was spooky--and they’ve won some international chamber music awards to prove it.

--In 2007 the UNF Opera Department was just forming and they gave their first public performance at the Library, namely a concert version of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, complete with chorus and a small orchestra.

--We’ve hosted world premieres of at least a dozen works in a variety of vocal, choral and instrumental styles.  Three of the concerts featuring new compositions stand out, at least to me, because the various musicians asked me to write them pieces they then performed.

--We hosted the American debut recital of Abbas Abboud, an Iraqi pianist who performed regularly on Iraqi TV before immigrating to America.  He’s a very fine musician, but what really made his recital stand out was the huge crowd that showed up for it. Out of the nearly 400 seats in Hicks there were maybe only a half dozen empty ones.

Q:  Why is Music at Main important to the community and to JPL?

A: Besides the obvious entertainment and educational aspects, you can never have too much culture. 

The concerts are free, we're centrally located, and the acoustics in the Hicks Auditorium are exceptional.  So it’s win-win-win for folks who love live classical music, as well as for those who maybe aren’t so sure about it and want a risk-free test drive. It gives professional musicians a place to showcase their talents (and polish performances for paying gigs), and student musicians an opportunity to perform in a “real-life” setting. The concerts provide a reason for folks to come to the Main Library who otherwise might never come Downtown because of our many wonderful branch locations, and they promote the Library collection by way of the “Selected Related Library Resources” bibliographies that are included in all the program guides.  The concerts also expose folks to our Conference Center who otherwise might not know the facilities even exist. 

 Q: What would you like to share with us about the interests you plan to pursue after retiring in June 2014?

A: The plan is to switch from full-time Reference to part-time Adult Programming, specifically to keep the concerts going, so I’ll still be around. We’re planning two concerts a month, October through June. Otherwise, no big plans for me. I hope to finish several music composition projects and maybe start some new ones, and I’d like to get back to painting and drawing. Then there are always the obligatory house and garden projects. I’ve never been bitten by the travel bug, but I expect I’ll spend more time visiting friends and family, or getting them to visit me. And even if they maybe don’t want to visit with me, everybody loves my dog, Conrad—he’s a real party animal.

Talk Up the Friends Book Sale, 5/15-24/14!

President of the Friends of JPL Harry Reagan, has asked JPL employees to help the Friends get more customers, so please "talk up" the Friends upcomig book sale:

Here’s the complete schedule for the sale:
Thursday May 15:  4:00 to 7:00
(open to members only – become a member at the door)
Member night includes a special offer – Buy-one/Get-one-free
(applies to everything in the Warehouse).
Friday May 16:  10:00 to 7:00
Saturday May 17:  10:00 to 4:00

$10 for a bag of books sales days:
Sunday May 18:  12:00 to 5:00
Tuesday May 20:  4:00 to 7:00
Thursday May 22:  4:00 to 7:00
Saturday May 24:  10:00 to 4:00

As always, our best form of advertising is word of mouth –
you telling folks about the sale.

Exceptional Student Art Display At KR

KR Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin reports, "At left are pictured some of the creative works by students at the Alden Road Exceptional Student Center.  Sara Peretzman and Jessica Jones worked on the display and with Eric Cusaac, they helped assemble and install the display panels.  Stacey Van Hoy and I provided artistic guidance."