JPL Staff News: Outstanding Employees Receive JPL Leadership Awards

Friday, March 11, 2016

Outstanding Employees Receive JPL Leadership Awards

The JPL Board of Library Trustees was introduced to seven JPL Leadership award winners for the first quarter FY 15/16 at the Board's March 20, 2016 meeting. Director Barbara Gubbin (R in first pic below) and Chair of the Library Board Erin Skinner (L in first pic) were on hand to congratulate the winners.

Two Main Librarian III's were winners of the "Encourage the Heart" award: Tamera Branam (2nd from L above), Main/Pop, and Kathleen Krizek, Special Collections (2nd from R). Both teamed up to have "5 Days of Sweet and Savory Delights" for Main staff during the holidays. Five departments hosted and decorated their workrooms and organized the food. Whoever could get by enjoyed seeing different locations in the Main Library, meeting other staff, and all enjoyed some great holiday food.

Laura Minor, YS Librarian III at Main, won a "Model the Way" award AND the "Employee of the Quarter" award for the effective, rewarding work she did for the Main Library's 10th Anniversary Teen Battle of the Bands program, November 7, 2015. After six months of advanced planning that included a host of people 's efforts, the event saw over 500 customers attend to hear ten bands (some had to be turned away for lack of time.) Laura did not have her picture made.

Support Services staff racked up three "Model the Way" awards. Jill Haile (middle, pic below) is a Librarian III in Collection Development. Jill worked many extra hours to clean, weed, organize and shift WB's collection prior to its reopening.

Librarian I Diane Pless (2nd from R above) and Library Associate Linda Smith (2nd from L above), also in Collection Development, assisted Jill Haile in the huge job of weeding at WB.

Two Main Library Associates, Marsha Collins
(Children's) and Marie Myers (Main/POP) suggested a photo contest for Main's 10th anniversary and teamed up to create guidelines for the contest. Their adroit planning won Admin's approval and after working with other Main departments and the Art Walk Committee, they bragged 47 entries and 50 people attended the reception.

San Marco's Library Associate Emily Gideon (below, middle) won a "Model the Way" award for increasing circulation of children's materials. Emily has been aggressively promoting books and reading through programming, outreach and other activities. She developed partnerships with some school principals and teachers. Emily added a "Holiday Storytime Pajama Party where Mayor Curry's wife read and their three children attended, along with 50+ others. She also added two other weekly storytimes at SS.

CR&M's Coordinator Olga Bayer could not attend the Board meeting but most know of her dedication to JPL, its staff, and CR&M. Olga managed staff in CR&M when Ms. Lussier left and took on much responsibility before Chris Boivin became the department manager in mid-December.

We owe all of you a debt of gratitude for your unusual abilities, creativity, dedication and hard work.

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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.