So. Hospitality Greets Korean Librarians At Main

Fifteen Korean librarians and their interpreter were hosted in the Main Library Board Room (photo above), June 22, by Director Barbara Gubbin and Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop. Several department heads spoke on the functions of their departments, followed by a Q&A. One example, Talking Books Librarian II Chris Eaton gave a presentation describing the Sorenson video phone; there is at least one ADA p.c. at each JPL location with appropriate accessible programs, and the 3-D restroom models at the men's and women's restrooms on Main's conference level, which they saw on their tour of Main with Ms. Giltrop and Kathleen Brunner. Lynne Baldwin kept the group together and coordinated transportation for them. Before the tour, each guest was given a beautiful JPL book bag and everyone was treated to pastries and fruit (provided by Lynne) and coffee. 

                                                            In the 4th floor Map Room

In addition to Main's avant-garde Children's department, of particular interest were the 910 Imagination Squared! 5" wood squares on the conference level, painted and/or decorated by individuals. (The collection was donated to Main by Dolf James and Christina Foard in 2011, after they were exhibited September 1-November 14, 2010, at MOCA--at which time MOCA had a record attendance).

On the ground floor, the Korean librarians saw the 39 paintings (below) of young lives lost to violence in Jacksonville.

All of the visitors were intrigued with the Main Library, which Ms. Gubbin had noted earlier is the largest public library in Florida and that Jacksonville is the largest city in the contiguous U.S.  They were busy snapping pictures all along the tour.

As you can see, hosts, hostesses, and visitors had a wonderful time getting to know each other and our guests learned a lot about how Jacksonville and the Main Library lives. The librarians were sponsored by the National Library of Korea in Korea’s Global Leadership Program to Jacksonville and they were on their way to the American Library Association Conference in Orlando.

                   Ms. Giltrop presented each guest with a beautiful JPL book bag.

(Please note how good pics turn out when they are taken in a well lighted venue. A big thank you to Cranston Burney for these great pictures.)