It Was Red Hot At PCR's "Turn It Up Thursday"

Councilman Aaron Bowman and his wife, Debbie, were at Pablo Creek Library's March event after months of hearing about the energy and community involvement at PCR's monthly "Turn It Up Thursday."  CM Bowman asked many questions about PCR, the staff, the "Turn It Up" program, and he and Debbie happily took a picture with Ozzie the Osprey before regretfully leaving for another appointment. 

PCR Manager Jackie Spiritas said, "March 16, 2017 was PCR's history-making 'Turn it Up Thursday' – not because of the number of people (although we had 488 in three hours!) but because of the visible impact on everyone involved. Some 55 Brownie Scouts and 25+ UNF athletes came together to achieve separate goals. With the help of UNF staff, the female athletes and volunteers, a multitude of Brownie Scouts from several troops earned a 'Celebrating Community' badge. The two seemingly disparate groups worked together (with the guidance of PCR staff and Brownie Scout and UNF leaders) to satisfy a series of badge requirements, including parading around the library, chanting the Osprey Swoop, learning about local landmarks, and ceremoniously appreciating each other, as seen below: 

"Athletes from basketball, swimming, track and field, golf, volleyball and more, had a blast reading to the kids, running the Putt-Putt in the Stacks game, and leading a parade around the non-fiction area. Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop captured the parade on video and snapped pictures of the process, made possible by many weeks, if not months, of communication with UNF and Brownie Scouts to coordinate.

"The Northeast Florida Music Conservatory rounded out our pleasure and success of the day with their upbeat music.  Ozzie the Osprey joined them to express all of our appreciation for their time and talent.

"This event is bigger than the library.  It is a humanitarian project that uses local resources, staff skills, and a focused energy to bring the theme 'Libraries Transform' to life. 'Turn it Up' makes the kind of impact that explains this concept without words. Our customers are smart – they know how they feel when they are a part of something. It’s exciting and organic. 

"Who knows what will happen next at the library?"

 

                         Parade of Brownies and Athletes In PCR.