JPL Staff News: Library Board Presents JPL Leadership Awards, February 8, 2018

Friday, February 09, 2018

Library Board Presents JPL Leadership Awards, February 8, 2018

Obviously, JPL's new Library Director, Tim Rogers, (pictured left below next to Alison McCarty) and and Library Board Chair Ronnie King thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the 4th quarter Library Leadership Award winners and presenting their certificates at the Library Board meeting, February 8, 2018.

Tasked to create training for JPL staff, Alison McCarty (pictured above), Chair of the Readers' Advisory Subcommittee, did just that--ahead of deadline (November 30, 2017.) Alison teamed with RA Committee members to develop and test training for staff. Then Alison created a facilitator's guide for training and a list of activities to be used with the training. She reviewed training options with her team and they presented the training as a webinar, making it easy for managers to present the training. Simultaneously, she also 1) created the monthly RA newsletter 2) worked with CR&M and RA Committee to compile a list of Best of 2017 staff pics which are posted on JPL's Overdrive homepage; and passed the Librarian II promotional exam while 4) fulfilling her job responsibilities in the Collection Development department! (Maybe that deserves two exclamation points, Alison.)

No surprise Alison McCarty received the Enable Others to Act and, subsequently, the Employee of the 4th Quarter Award (October - December 2017).

Margo Crafton and KR Manager Mark Hohnadel organized and inspired the Mandarin staff to assist with Prime Time Family Reading, a program which fosters a family habit of reading and discussing books together. The successful six-week series benefited greatly from staff buy-in, drawing users and non-users to JPL. For this, they received the Inspire a Shared Vision Carolyn Williams Team Award.

Robin West Rogers (mid-right above), Crystal Kadkhodaie (mid-left above), and Alison Pulley (not there) took on an extra responsibility--a monthly art program for a large group of home schoolers. Alison created and loaned a full series of art history programs for school age children to other branches. As a result, the library’s profile has been raised with parents and community organizations alike. For this, Robin, Crystal, and Alison received a Model the Way Carolyn Williams Team Award.

Angelica Bencomo, Library Associate at the Main Library, eagerly serves on multiple committees, including Summer Planning, Youth Services Readers Advisory, and the Maker Con Committee, advocating to all for the library. For this, Angelica received the Inspire a Shared Vision Award.

Melodie Brunson, Library Associate at the West Library, showed her heart with the Jane Harris project, curating photos and creating a display to honor Jane Harris, who passed away last year shortly after retiring from JPL as West Region Manager. For this, Melodie received the Encourage the Heart Award.

Justin Keiser, Support Services Librarian for SST, did three days of investigation to solve a major bug that was bedeviling the library’s linked data project when embedded book carousels wouldn’t work in iOS systems. The vendor was so impressed with Justin’s fix that they wrote him a note thanking him for his accomplishment and will include it in future releases. For this, Justin received the Challenge the Process Award.

Cindy Mathieson, Library Associate at the Regency Library, worked within a Califa PLACE grant - PLACE meaning “Public Libraries Advancing Community Engagement" - to program events around the topic of global warming. For this, Cindy received the Model the Way Award.

Brentley Stead, who could not attend, is a Specialist in Community Relations and Marketing. Brentley discovered hundreds of reviews on our libraries on Google and Yelp that had gone unanswered and developed procedures for reporting and responding to them. For this, Brentley received the Challenge the Process Award and CR&M's Jenna Hassell received the award for Brentley.

Ru’Punzel Wooden, Library Associate at the Bradham Brooks Library, created one of the most well-attended events at the branch – Couponing. The attendance is so large that Ru’Punzel began a monthly coupon club. For this, she received the Inspire a Shared Vision award.

Siu Yam (not pictured but present), is a Library Assistant at the Pablo Creek Library. She encountered a rather difficult customer who returned several magazines with covers ripped off and pages falling out. Siu assessed the damage and told the customer he would be charged. The customer balked and walked off with the magazines, then tried to turn them in at the automatic book return, got caught, and argued with staff for 15 minutes while Siu calmly softened him up. By the end of it, the customer paid the fine and was seen laughing with Siu on his way out. For this, Siu received the Get to Yes Award.

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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.