JPL Staff News: Director Gubbin Honored At Retirement Party

Monday, June 19, 2017

Director Gubbin Honored At Retirement Party

Library Director Barbara Gubbin was honored with a retirement party at the Main Library, June 15, 2017. Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop, who MC'd the event, and other JPL executives made sure it was a memorable occasion. A video was played of Mayor Lenny Curry and ALA President Julie Todaro enumerating Director Gubbin's many outstanding accomplishments. Library Board Chair Ronnie King, Chair Emeritus of the JPL Foundation Betsy Lovett, President and CEO of WJCT Michael Boylan and Dr. Jamie Self, Development Director of the JPL Foundation, followed suit.

For an array of pictures of this event, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskXjrBEW

The Resolution passed by City Council, copied below, covers Director Gubbin's many accomplishments not only with JPL but serves as a bio of her profession as a librarian and a Library Director, and includes what the speakers honored her for at the event. One star in her crown, which should be listed is FLA named JPL as 2017 Library of the Year.

Introduced by Council Members Hazouri and Crescimbeni and Co-Sponsored by Council Members Brosche, Newby, Love, Bowman, Wilson, Anderson, Becton, Dennis, R. Gaffney, Morgan, Carter and Gulliford:

RESOLUTION 2017-330

A RESOLUTION HONORING AND COMMENDING BARBARA A.B. GUBBIN FOR HER EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP AS DIRECTOR OF THE JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM 2005 TO THE PRESENT ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, as repositories of literature, history, the arts and many other facets of our culture and heritage, libraries are the intellectual and cultural anchors of great cities; and

WHEREAS, for the past twelve years, Barbara A. B. Gubbin has been the Director of the Jacksonville Public Library, providing widely recognized leadership that has made Jacksonville’s library system an invaluable resource that provides City residents access to a great collection of books, art, film, children’s projects, the information superhighway, various educational courses and more; the Jacksonville Public Library has 21 branches, employs about 400 employees, had 3.4 million customers in 2016, and has a $33 million budget; and

WHEREAS, born and raised in India, Barbara Gubbin has lived in England and West Africa; she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors at the University of Birmingham in England; a Master’s degree in Library and Information from the University of London followed; while teaching for a short period of time in West Africa, she worked in the school library where her interest in library work was piqued; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Gubbin’s first job in the United States was as “teen services” librarian at the San Antonio Public Library in Texas, 1977-1979; she subsequently served as Assistant Director and Director of the Houston Public Library from 1989 to 1995; and

WHEREAS, innovation has been the hallmark of Barbara Gubbin’s tenure at the Jacksonville Public Library since her arrival in 2005; she is credited with leading the library into the technology age; under her watch, digital materials are now as much at the core of the library’s resources as traditional books; self-service checkout has replaced long lines; in 2015, the library partnered with the Duval Public Schools to introduce “virtual library cards,” a program that provides over 130,000 students with access to the Jacksonville Public Libraries; with its G.E.D. program, the library has become a center for adult learning, community interaction and work force development; in 2015, Project LEAP – the Library Enhanced Access Program – was created to send librarians, armed with computers and other materials, to community centers in underserved neighborhoods to promote literacy for all age groups; in 2016 the library won acclaim for its Careers On Line program that enables high school students to earn their high school diploma; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, in recognition of Barbara Gubbin’s outstanding leadership and accomplishments, she was awarded the 2017 Earnest A. DiMattia Jr. Award for Innovation and Service to Community and the Profession by the American Library Association, an award that recognizes a public librarian from among the more than 9,000 systems in the country who demonstrates leadership in anticipating emerging trends, services and technologies that enhance the library’s position in the community; and

WHEREAS, Jacksonville has been truly fortunate in having an individual of Barbara Gubbin’s caliber and commitment to lead our library system and enhance the library’s image and use in every neighborhood and community of our City, and it is our honor to recognize, commend and honor her for her exemplary achievements; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Jacksonville:

Section 1. The City Council does hereby honor and commend Barbara A. B. Gubbin for her exemplary leadership as Director of the Jacksonville Public Library from 2005 to the present and extends its best wishes on the occasion of her retirement.

Section 2. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon signature by the Mayor or upon becoming effective without the Mayor's signature.

Form Approved:

__/s/ Paige Hobbs Johnston

Office of General Counsel

Legislation Prepared By: John J. Jackson, Council Research Division

Several gifts were presented to Director Gubbin, including a bouquet of flowers from Mrs. Lovett; a lifetime membership in ALA from many well wishers; a wonderful caricature of Director Gubbin drawn by Roosevelt Watson, III; a handcrafted bowl from the Friends of the Beaches Branch, which was made by Mark Wood; and the staff at the Highlands Branch made her an Honorary Zookeeper at the Zoo and named a gorilla for her. Other gifts were also left by some well wishers for her to open later.

Attendees enjoyed the event, shared good memories over hors d'oeuvres and cake, and everyone lifted their glasses in a toast made to Director Gubbin led by Deputy Director Mark Merritt.

Director Gubbin thanked everyone heartily for coming, the many gifts and acknowledgements, and for an evening she enjoyed immensely and will not forget.

Deputy Director Giltrop expressed her and JPL's appreciation to the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library, Inc. and the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation for sponsoring the event.

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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.