Art Form Classes at Main's Children Department

Marcie O'Dell reports, "A total of 30 students comprised The Art Creations class at Main Children’s department, February 22^nd and 23^rd.  They bought ingredients for bean & rice mosaics and learned about the origins of the mosaic art form before creating their own piece. This school-age class rotates different art mediums each week, allowing for a unique experience each time. Classes are held on Wednesdays at 11:15 and on Thursdays at 4:00."

WST Hosts SLP Training Day

Summer Learning Program Training Day was held at West Branch, February 16, 2017. With all JPL Children’s staff in attendance, the day was filled with much needed information about our SLP planned events, and it was presented with zeal and creativity!  Pictured here is the staff from Children’s West, Northwest and Main holding their aluminum sculptures, which were put together as part of the Collaborative Art Program, the Summer Learning Program chosen by these three branches. Great minds think alike, yet a diverse array of artistic vision keeps us all in balance. Great job everyone!  (Thanks to Marcie O'Dell for the blurb and pic.)

Job Well Done: Raelyn Wiire

Raelyn Wiire received a Job Well Done Award, February 6, 2017, from Main Manager Lynne Baldwin.  Lynne said, Raelyn coordinated the Deck the Chair project at the Main Library and demonstrated leadership, creativity and team building. She formed a committee with volunteers from the Main Library and Urban Core branches to create a library themed holiday display using a large orange Life Guard Chair as part of the Deck the Chairs event which focused on creating a strong community in Jacksonville.  Raelyn and the committee created a design plan for the chair and used a small budget for the decorations.  She also worked with Jackie Spiritas from PCR on the design contest for customers, which included a design idea for the chair featured in the Deck the Chair event at Jax Beach in December.  Raelyn also coordinated the installation of the chair, signage promoting the chair and did a great job with the placement of it. The sparkling white lights could be seen throughout the first floor in the Maker Space area and could be seen from the Conference Center level. It was an interesting way to promote library services to the community." 

Congratulations, Shukti!

Shukti Banerjee officially became a United States citizen, February 17, 2017, during a special ceremony.  Mark Hohnadel said, "Today the staff at Mandarin celebrated Shukti's special accomplishment with cheers and a congratulatory cake." 

Job Well Done: Alison Pulley

Pictured is Alison Pulley being presented with a Job Well Done Award, February 21, 2017, by KR Manager Mark Hohnadel for having her summer program Go Native. The program, which she designed, was  chosen by multiple library locations for the Summer Reading Program.

Kudos From Customers

SST & Beaches Branch:  Just finished up Adobe Photoshop with Randy Mapanoo. Good job working with a group of participants with widely varying skills. We are eager to apply what he taught us today. Thank you

PCR: Amanda Gore - Great Help, Kind, Sweet, Just Perfect.

SS:  I want to commend Amber Pierce …for going above and beyond her work duties.  I was worried about having a lost DVD and she spent most of her afternoon searching the shelves and database to see if it had been checked in. Luckily I found it and was grateful for her dedication and knowledge of the library system to assure me that all would be done to locate the DVD. She is extremely knowledgeable of her job and beyond and makes useful suggestions of reading material and websites to explore. She is my favorite library clerk and I am always cheered up when she's at the desk. I hope she stays with the library for a long time!

SE:  Anna (Brown)…helped me by phone and was wonderful and upbeat. I love all the librarians that have helped me by phone in the past. Though I do not take full advantage of the library offerings, I truly appreciate the library and consider it invaluable to the community, just like music and the arts. The library can help be an equalizer of opportunity for citizens.

West:  I would like to express my appreciation for the personnel at the West Regional Branch, Bill (Figlietti), William (Gilliam), Shannon (Buchanan) and others for the personal services they help me with each and every time I visit the library, which is at least two to three times a week. They are awesome.

A Note From Jane Harris

Jane Harris, Webb Region Manager, is retiring February 24, 2017 and wanted to leave this note as a fond farewell:

Dear Library Staff,

Thank you so much for the flowers, cards and calls I received these past months.  I really appreciate your concern.  I’m really sorry to have to take early retirement.  It has been a joy and pleasure working with all of you.  I will miss seeing all of you but hope we can keep in touch.

Thank you,

Jane

Jax Black History By Lori Boyer, President of City Council

President of the City Council and representing District 5, Lori Boyer (standing, center) tells children about Jacksonville’s place in Black History, February 8, 2017, during her visit at the San Marco Branch.  (Thanks to Kevin Douglas for the pic and heads up.)

WB Receives Award

On hand (L/R) for the award were Friends of WB: Hella Shull, Cristina Maduro, and  Roxanne Henkle, President.  Holding the award is WB Manager Scott Adams, Region Manager Marshelle Berry and CM Jim Love.

Willowbranch Library received the Riverside Avondale Annual Preservation Award at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepard, Jacksonville, Florida, February 16, 2017.  The award was for exterior/interior improvements made and 5,000+ new materials added for customers to check out.  The improvements occurred while WB was closed due to water intrusion.

The WB site improvement project was successfully completed due to the dedication and hard work of a team comprised of representatives from the city, library  administrators and staff, Friends of WB, community businesses and neighborhood residents. 

WB opened November 17, 1930 an is the oldest running public library in Jacksonville and is one of Riverside-Avondale's most recognizable landmarks and very popular with members of the community.  

JB's Black History Program

JB's Gail Blumberg coordinated a two hour Beaches Branch Library Black History Program, February 11, 2017.  It was designed to educate, inspire and entertain customers using African-American history, poetry and music.  The Fletcher High School Step Dance Team, "Ladies of Pink Ice", led by coach Wanda Ware, performed. Courtney Amaro served as poet and Tony Harmon was the vocalist.  Pictured are mistresses of ceremony, Gloria Gipson and Almeritta Wilcox, who are friends of JB staff.  Almeritta is also a former JPL employee. 

Job Well Done: Marcie O'Dell & Kelli Heath

Marcie O’ Dell and Kelli Heath received their Job Well Done Awards, February 14, 2017.  Beth Friederich credits the two with having revitalized the display cases outside the children’s theatre at Main to be fun for all ages. Beth says, "Kelli’s author birthday matching game over the past year has attracted many customers. To expand its popularity, Marcie and Kelli created two more games for customers to enjoy. The One Minute Story display asks families to create a story using some or all of the items in the case. The Color Game display features a different color each month and asks families to find a specific item(s) hidden among the others. These displays feature suggestions on how to play the game from toddler to adult and is family friendly and promotes the library as a place to play and learn."
(To see a pic of the display cases, see the 6th article below.)

NS Honors Chess Club Participants

The Brentwood Branch Library and the Friends of Brentwood Library hosted the Brentwood Bishop Honors, February 11, 2017,   This was an awards ceremony to recognize all active participants of the Chess Club.  Billy Allen reports, "The event was a huge success and we hosted over 50 people including chess club members and families."

Pictured (L/R) are David Stevenson, Part-time Library Clerk, Jeanette Ali, who is on the board of FOBL and assisted with the awards, and Billy Allen, YS Librarian I.  Ms. Ali holds a beautiful plant NS staff gave her in appreciation of her assistance with the awards. 

JPL Leadership Awards Made At BOLT Meeting

Sara Radovic (center above with Library Board Chair Ronnie King at left and Director Barbara Gubbon at right), Librarian II/Makerspace Coordinator, first won a Challenge the Process Award and then was selected as the Employee of the 1st Quarter (October-December 2016). She and other award winners were honored and presented with their awards at the Library Board Meeting, February 9, 2017.  

Using a grant from NEFLIN,Sara and her committee made survey safaris to develop a successful project plan. Sara then created a PowerPoint presentation for admin and local groups, as well as a proposal form and made sure plans and goals were met. Consequently, the goal of 20 programs was exceeded with over 60 programs in December. In addition to this and her regular library duties, Sara presented a report on the project grant to NEFLIN.  She is responsible for Makerspace daily operations and recruited BOLT Chair Ronnie King to facilitate coding classes. Nominated by Main Manager Lynne Baldwin, Sara is also credited with giving our community an excellent place to explore, collaborate and create.    

Bryan Thomas (center, above), Graphic Designer for the CR and M team, has created a series of branch postcards to further JPL's brand, created CD of signs from the Teen Battle of the Bands, brought different color treatments into promotional materials, and served as a source of positive productivity for CR and M in general.  For this, Bryan received the Inspire a Shared Vision Award.

Sheenah Thrasher-Zamora (center, above), Assistant in CR and M, is always eager to provide praise and motivation for staff. "The Encourager", Sheenah also created internal awards for CR and M.  Her positive results won her the Encourage the Heart Award.

John Wilson (center, above), Library Assistant  at Main, stage managed this year's Teen Battle of the Bands, helping to corral young, ambitious musicians. Quick to lift the spirits of his co-workers, John received the Enable Others to Act Award.

Kate Zakharov (center, above), SE Library Associate, developed the Budding Scientist program. Teens from Atlantic Coast High School's National Honor Society not only attend library programs but  they also create them from scratch and facilitate them for younger children.  For this much admired program, Kate received the Challenge the Process Award.

JB's Team Work Is A Work Of Art

JB's Terry Welch shares, "On February 4, 2017, Laure Norton from Beaches Life Mosaics taught a group of women how to make a beautiful mosaic sea turtle at the Beaches Library. Few of us had any experience in doing mosaics, but the team work resulted in this beautiful work of art.

"It was named 'Mosaic 3' after it was grouted and ready for hanging. Isn’t it gorgeous?" 

IT MOST CERTAINLY IS, TERRY!

2017 Braille Challenge Success

Talking Books/Special Needs Manager Chris Eaton reports, "The 2017 North Florida Regional Braille Challenge, February 2, 2017, held in Main's Conference Center, drew more than 40 competitors in the elementary-high school grades to test their proficiency with the Braille writing system and win prizes and possible advancement to the national competition at the Braille Institute in Los Angeles, June 16-17. 

"Also on hand were roughly 200 family members and friends of the competitors, teachers of the visually impaired, vendors and volunteers. 

"Ms. Lori Hershey, Duval County School Board District 7, joined us to speak about the importance of literacy for everyone. Library Director Barbara Gubbin congratulated the competitors for their efforts and encouraged them to keep improving their Braille skills. 

"The event celebrated 10 years of the Braille Challenge in Florida and featured decorations and activities related to the different themes of all the previous competitions."

The Games Are On!

Main's Children’s Department always has great games for kids (and kids-at-heart) to play while they browse the stacks.This month, Children's celebrates the color pink with a display of items that hide five very small, pink erasers. Once the viewer has done this, he/she takes one step to the right to play “The One-Minute Story Challenge,” where five random items are showcased. Marcie said, "Depending on one's age, the player uses the suggested number of items in a short story and tells it to our reference desk staff to win a prize. If the players are still game for more fun, they can take another step to the right and play our monthly Author’s Birthday Matching Game! (Games are created by Kelli Heath and Marci O’Dell .)

Friends of JPL Book Sale, 2/10-12/17

The Friends of JPL Book Sale, Friday, February 10 - February 12, 2017, is a huge opportunity for all of Jacksonville, so mention it to customers and won't you visit and buy, too?

Friday, February 10, 2017, 4 - 8 pm (members' night; you can join for $10 before you shop).  Buy one book/DVD/book on CD/music CD at regular price and get a second item of the same price FREE!  ADDITIONALLY, YOU WILL GET THE MEMBER'S 25% DISCOUNT.

Saturday, February 11, 2017, 9 am - 4 pm: Buy one book/DVD/book on CD/music CD at regular price and get a second item of the same price FREE!

Sunday, February 12, 2017, Noon - 5 pm:  Bag Sale - Bags are just $15 AND if you buy two bags, you get a third bag FREE.

All three days they have special books for 50% off the listed price.

A 7% SALES TAX WILL BE ADDED ON ALL PURCHASES. 

Mayor & Mrs. Curry Read At Main

Special surprise guests, Mayor Lenny Curry and his wife, Molly, came to Main's Children department, February 3, 2017, for story time.  They had a fun, interactive reading session with the children and stayed for photos after for Read 66 and to help promote JPL's upcoming Jax Book Fest.

Do you have any dignitaries, legislators, or special guests appearing at your branch?

Eve Harm Judges At Science Fair

DU's YS Librarian II Eve Harm had the honor of judging at the Science Fair, January 31-February 2, 2017, in the Prime Osborne Center.  Eve went back,February 2, to interview the elementary school scientist.  Eve said, "The winners will be announced at an award ceremony at 6 pm, February 2. There were so many interesting projects to see, but my favorites were whether font type use impacts memory; how skateboard design has changed over the years and whether new school skateboards outperformed old school skateboards.

"There were a number of familiar faces judging and we enjoyed the amazing array of projects. I also had a pick of the thank you gifts from DCPS." 

Job Well Done: Mandy Elliott

Teen Library Associate Mandy Elliott received a Job Well Done Award, February 1, 2017. PCR Branch Manager said, "She created an innovative Graphic Novel and Manga aisle that is more attractive to customers than the usual shelving arrangement. Mandy's idea to use a combination of magazine shelving and traditional shelving to create an orderly mash-up of material appeals to teens' sense of dis(order) and acts as a divider between Teen Fiction and Adult Fiction. After approval, she shifted and rearranged the whole aisle in a matter of hours. Mandy is ordering new material to keep the collection fresh and can be counted on to give expert Reader’s Advisory service to teens on the genre. The Aisle 5 project was reviewed and approved by Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop who visited the branch and was pleased with the effort. The staff is proud of Mandy and is inspired that she has vision and is so enthusiastic about her work."

West Branch's Read 66

West Branch has a fun bulletin board with classic Corvettes, including photos of staff (with the cat, Chocolat, and gerbils, Michaelangelo and Donatello). Staff is giving out trackers, promoting Read 66 like crazy, and reading aloud to customers.

Customers are driving down Read 66 Highway on West's vintage map of the USA and staff is having a fun time promoting and encouraging everyone to read.