JPL Staff News: Meet Brent, NS' Library Bear

Thursday, April 02, 2015

Meet Brent, NS' Library Bear

A Story for the Young at Heart: Lead worker Betty Williams was cleaning the workroom on the second floor of the Brentwood library when she thought she heard a wee voice say, “Help me, help me!” Betty looked around the room; seeing nothing, she continued to clean. Eventually Betty worked her way to the top of a large storage cabinet. There she discovered a large object all red, brown and furry – too large and too furry to move by herself. Betty called for back-up, and thus began the charmed life of Brent the library bear.

Brent was dressed in a Santa suit and was covered in so much dust the white fur on his Santa suit was limp and grey. The staff thought Brent was a delightful find, but only one person, Aquilla Stewart, saw his true potential. Aquilla dusted Brent off, cleaned his fur, and gave him a new wardrobe. Soon Brent began participating in activities at the branch and would show up in the most surprising places. Below are a few shots of Brent in action.

Brent loves to read and can be found enjoying a good book most anytime. Here he is enjoying a little Curious George on his first Christmas after the adoption. He attends story time with Ms. Crawford every Friday morning and sets the perfect example of how to behave in story time.

Brent chose to be a rooting-tooting cowboy for Halloween. No guns allowed; just a good book about the holiday.

Brent is supportive of all library initiatives. Here he is jumping for joy over hoopla.

This is how Brent claims to spend his time after hours when staff goes home; he and the other library toys gather on the staircase for a read-off. Yeah, right! His outfit looks a little too ___ for such a sedate activity.

In addition to good grooming habits and good manners, Brent’s adoptive mom (right) also takes time to teach him a good work ethic and how to “Get to Yes.”

Whether decorating the branch for Black History Month while wearing his kofia, dashiki and scarf (above), or playing his favorite game of hide and seek (right), Brent loves his library and he loves all of the attention.

There is only one thing Brent loves more than his new life. He loves when he can just be himself -- Brent the Santa-bear.

Aquilla Stewart is responsible for Brent’s care and grooming. It is always a delightful surprise for the staff and the young customers to see what Brent will be wearing or what Brent will be doing next. Now if she could just get him to change his expression sometimes…

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Please Note: Space at top--for some reason--will not remove. ......THANKS TO PAT MORRISON FOR THE ARTICLE AND PICS

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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.

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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

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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."

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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

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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.