E-Services Presents At FLA

E-Services Librarian III Eric Soriano (L) gives us this blurb re his and SST's E-Library Specialists' experience at the Orlando FLA Annual Conference, May 23-25, 2018, where they presented on behalf of JPL. "The E-services team made a successful presentation, May 23rd, to an FLA class of about 50 people.

"Some of the feedback and interaction with participants focused on creative strategies and reaching out to the diverse communities we serve. There were some good questions on how we reach out to the Hispanic community as well as older adults (50+). We emphasized how these are two important factors across all Florida libraries given the unique demographic shifts in our state. We also shared how there is no one-size-fits-all approach in technology outreach; flexibility and genuinely connecting to the learners’ technology needs are critical in achieving success.

"More details here: http://www.flalib.org/unleashing-the-power-of-digital-literacy-through-innovative-community-outreach (minus Tara Connolly.)

"This is the 2nd FLA presentation proposal from our department accepted within that last three FLA Conferences."

Above, to the right of Eric, is Luis Terron, Donna Peretzman, and Yuri Jewitt.

What A Can-Do Attitude Can Do

CW Branch Manager Kathy Tekin has good reason to brag on her staff.  She said, "Webb Wesconnett Branch reached our goal plus, May 26, 2018:  $840.  What a fantastic team to work with."   Pictured L/R are employees who make up CW's circulation team: Helena Davenport, Eric Cusaac, Ramona Jay, Sandra Fahy, Robin Cumby and Brenda Johnson.

As you see on the right ("gadget") side of the blog, on May 19 CW was $135 short of goal and in one week the branch exceeded it.  CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!

Kate Holmes Is Retiring

Librarian II Kate Holmes began working for JPL, September 2, 2002, and she will be retiring, June 1, 2018--almost 18 years!  Kate currently divides her time between Main Library's Grand Reading Room and Talking Books.

Tables were laden with Mmmmm-good Southern cookin' and a variety of other goodies staff brought for her retiree luncheon, May 24, 2018.  Many employees joined Kate as she cut her retirement cake in Main's employee lounge, and as they did:  WE ALL WISH YOU THE BEST IN YOUR RETIREMENT, KATE.

Job Well Done: Jim Olczak

SOM Part-time Associate Jim Olczak received a Job Well Done Award, May 22, 2018, for his hard work and dedication in putting together the Health Fair at South Mandarin Library. When problems arose, James approached them with a positive attitude and worked with both his co-workers and the program’s community partners to help resolve them. He not only made a good impression on customers, he also was praised for his commitment and planning ability by the other groups involved, such as Publix and Walgreens. James has been a positive influence on co-workers and customers, and he has exhibited behavior and initiative that supports JPL and its values.  He sets a strong example of what is expected from library employees. 

Job Well Done: Danny Menendez

Danny Menendez, Main Children’s Library Associate, was presented with a Job Well Done Award from Children’s and Teen Manager Chiquita Powell, May 10, 2018.  Danny is recognized for building a successful partnership with MOSH (Museum of Science and History). Danny presents a monthly storytime for over 80 attendees at MOSH’s Little Learners early childhood program. In turn, he has set up several monthly programs  where MOSH will be presenting programming at Main. In May,  MOSH scientists presented a Star Wars science program in the Children’s Department and MOSH is also participating in Main Children’s Summer Learning Kick-Off Party. Additional programs will be held in Special Collections, Teen, and Makerspace over the next few months.  (Thanks to Joanna Nigrelli for the input and pic.)

Jessica Bayne's Readers’ Advisory Story:

This story was shared by Library Clerk Jessica Bayne at Mandarin Branch:  

While shelving in the Teen Library, I saw an older woman wandering around the shelves. I asked if she needed help, she said she was trying to find more books for her grandson, but having trouble due to his list of requirements:

• No graphic novels
• Nothing “spooky or scary”
• Nothing too “girly,” i. e. no female protagonist

I suggested the Ranger’s Apprentice series, due to its male main characters and focus on action, but she said her grandson wouldn’t be able to get past the cover (a man in a hooded cloak with only his lower face showing). She told me her grandson enjoyed the entire Rush Revere series. Then, in a low voice, she said that while her grandson was turning 12 and reading at his age level, socially his level of maturity was more like “six or seven.”

I decided that the Teen Library was probably not suited to him, and suggested we use one of the card catalog computers to find books he might like. She fetched her grandson from the children’s library, and I showed them how to use the Novelist function to find books similar to the Rush Revere series: light-hearted, involving time-travel, and with a male main character.

Her grandson immediately lit up on reading the title for The Left Behinds: The iPhone That Saved George Washington. In the Children’s Library.  We found both IPhone and its sequel, Abe Lincoln and the Selfie that Saved the Union. Both grandma and grandson were pleased by the historical aspects and the humorous covers. Before I returned to shelving, I pointed out Mr. Foster and told them he would be more than able to help them find more books. Grandma and grandson were both reading the books when I left.

Two Celebrate 30 Years of Service With Mayor Curry & Library Director

Erica Brown (above), Manager of the Main Library, and Stephanie Harley, Pablo Creek Region Library Clerical Supervisor, had the honor recently of receiving recognition and congratulations from Library Director Tim Rogers and Mayor Lenny Curry in the Mayor's office.  Erica and Stephanie received their 30 year gold pins and a letter of congratulations from the Mayor. 

Erica said, "I came to JPL in March 1988 as a Librarian in Periodicals at the old Main Library.  Prior to that, I worked in various academic and public libraries since 1978.

"I promoted to what was then called a Senior Librarian while I was in Periodicals and transferred to Mandarin.  Around 2001 while at Southeast, I was promoted again and sent back to old Main's Fine Arts and Recreation Department.  From Main, I went to San Marco, then Webb Wesconnett, back to Main and again to Southeast Branch  Now I am again at the Main Library for the fourth time."

Stephanie (above) reports, "JPL was my first job and I worked as a Library Page/Clerk (part-time).  Later, I was promoted to full-time Clerk I, then Clerk II, then Library Assistant and now my position is Library Clerical Supervisor.  The journey throughout these 30 years of my career has been GREAT!

"I’m married to a wonderful  man, Greston Padmore, and we have five children and four grand kids.  My favorite thing to do is cook and make sure everyone is all right and having a great time. I love and care about everyone."

CONGRATULATIONS, STEPHANIE AND ERICA, FROM ALL OF US and THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE!

Look Out! Here They Come!

CR&M Graphic Designer Bryan Thomas has been busy mounting a mountain (total of 60) of Summer Learning Program posters for our 21 libraries (and he can still smile!)

 

Jenna Hassell, CR&M Coordinator, said, "Reading trackers and staff sign-up posters will be on the way to your locations soon, so get ready to rock this summer!"  (Thanks to Jenna, Bryan and all the CR&M team for their indispensable contributions to make every SRP program a success.) 

Kudos From Customers

Argyle Branch:  Our experience at the Argyle Branch was fabulous.  The clerk was very kind and answered all our questions and was very knowledgeable.

Brentwood Branch:  The ladies who helped me were very friendly and the guy who showed me how to use the computer and printer was great.

Main - YS & Community Outreach:  Sherri Lepi was very nice with helping my daughter get her first library card.

San Marco Branch:  Monte Latham always goes above and beyond with every customer and he is focused on their needs.  He is pleasant and respectful and all the customers love him.

University Park Branch:  The woman who assisted me with getting my library card was so pleasant and helpful.  I can't wait to put my card to use with all of the services that JPL has to offer.

(Please Note:  If customers name a particular employee we will use that; if not, compliments without specific names will be used.)

Martial Arts At Murray Hill

Murray Hill Library hosted a demonstra-tion of the Filipino martial art, Arnis, May 19, 2018. Yesha Tae Kwon Do instructors James Benford and Kyle Scott gave a presentation of the history of the Filipino martial arts prior to demonstrating defensive techniques used in the art. The 90 minute program featured stick fighting drills, joint locks, empty hand techniques and knife fighting. Over 50 people attended the demonstration and several stayed afterward to ask questions.

SOM Does STEM Outreach

South Mandarin Library represented JPL at Mandarin Oaks Elementary School at its Annual STEM Family Night, 6-8 p.m., May 17, 2018.  This event attracted school students and parents from the surrounding areas. Attendees were treated to a variety of STEM-related hands-on activities in an effort to bolster excitement about a future in science, technology, engineering and math.

Angela Richman said, "We brought several books, HI $5 bookmarks, science and homework database flyers, library stickers, library card applications and our calendar of activities.  We promoted Libraries Rock! Summer Learning Program 2018 and had 85 people visiting our JPL table.

"We brought our Makey Makey kit and some bananas. Yes. bananas.  The kit included wires with alligator clips to connect Makey Makey to objects, and 85 people had the opportunity to observe/participate in this project. We asked questions, such as:  

·        What did you learn from this activity?

·        What else do you think would work to play the banana piano?

·        Can you pass energy to another person to play the banana piano?

"We explained what a Makey Makey is. It is a computer circuit board that helps 

transfer energy from an object that is conductive to a computer to tell it to do 

a task, such as in this program, to play a piano.

"We explained what conductivity is, energy in an object.

How we set up the piano:

§  We Laid six bananas  out in a row, spacing them out enough so they didn’t touch.

§  We connected the wire leads to the fruit by gripping the tops of the alligator clips on the wires.

§  We connected the wire leads to the Makey Makey, starting on the left and hooked them up in the order of left arrow, up arrow, right arrow, down arrow, space/left button.

§  We added the ground lead to the bottom of the Makey Makey. Next we plugged the USB cable to the board, then to a computer.

§  We went to http://makeymakey.com/piano/ to access the piano that works with the Makey Makey kit.

§  Participants were holding the wire connected to the ground section of the Makey Makey with one hand and tap the fruit to play the piano."

Job Well Done: Shukti Banerjee

Mandarin Manager Mark Hohnadel proudly presented a Job Well Done Award, May 17, 2018, to P/T Library Clerk Shukti Banerjee for the hard work she has done to get money raised for the JPL Foundation's High Five campaign.  Shukti has been the branch leader having raised hundreds of dollars thus far for High Five, which will benefit JPL's 2018 Summer Learning Program (SLP).

THANK YOU, SHUKTI, FOR HELPING A LOT OF KIDS HAVE A PRODUCTIVE SUMMER!

DU's First Comic Con Draws 700+

       State Representative Tracy Davis found DU a fun place to be.  

“Saturday, May 5, 2018,  Highlands Library hosted its very first Comic Con with a Free Comic Book Day giveaway sponsored by Coliseum of Comics. Highlands offered a costume contest, face-painting, a superhero scavenger hunt, mask making, refreshments and more. Local attorney Obi Umunna, partnered with DU to create our first Comic Con event on the Northside of Jacksonville.  The refreshments were generously provided by Councilman Reggie Gaffney.  Library staff received many inquiries about library card sign-up and library resources.  Attendance exceeded expectations with over 700 people enjoying the festivities,” reports Michelle Petrin.

Attorney 

Umunna, CM Gaffney, Region Manager Marshelle Berry and community leader Darryl Willie  high five Comic Con.

                                       Felicia Battle (R above) intrigues the children.

       All ages found more than one thing to enjoy at Highland's first Comic Con.

Job Well Done: Jessica Bayne

You never know what a word fitly spoken will effect.  KR Manager Mark Hohnadel said, "Mandarin Library Clerk Jessica Bayne received her Job Well Done Award, May 17, 2018, for mentioning the High Five campaign to one of her Uber drivers and later he came in and donated $100.00."

Each of us can mention the High Five campaign or any of our library services to others we meet throughout the day.  I have found most people don't have a clue about our many services beside checking out books.  It's hard to beat a well spoken word for JPL.  It is a service to our community and brings customers in--and that keeps us with our important jobs.

Job Well Done: Autumn Thomas-Austin

Library Clerk Autumn Thomas-Austin received a Job Well Done award, May 15, 2018, from Main's Clerical Supervisor Tricia Larrabee for her great customer service while working and greeting people in Circulation. Tricia said, "While on a visit to the Main Library a teacher and two of her students from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind commended Autumn. The teacher said she was polite and patient while giving them a tour and answered all of their questions."

Danielle Gets 'Em Going In The Right Direction

DU Manager Pat Morrison reports, "Part-time Library Associate Danielle Christensen shows off an appearance and accessibility project she recently completed.  In the wake of Collection HQ, the collection at Highlands has undergone lots of thinning and shifting so existing directional signs were no longer accurate.  When asked to assist in updating the signs, this graphic design student at Florida State College at Jacksonville grabbed the reins and didn’t halt until she had a product to be approved.  We now have larger and bolder font that can be read from a greater distance and the addition of directional arrows.

"Danielle is a champion of strategy 1.1 and helps promote reading and marketing some of our shelf-sitters by creating appealing shelf-ender displays, complete with bookmarks and posters she produces using Library Aware.  Great job Danielle!"

Leadership Awards Given At May Board Meeting

Library Director Tim Rogers and Library Board Chair Ronnie King were delighted to pose with all the JPL Leadership Award winners at the Board of Trustees meeting at the Main Library, May 10, 2018 -- and here are our honored winners:

Below, Tonja Baker-Ferrell of the Argyle Library has reinvigorated the Teen Advisory Board.  She put teen volunteers to work in the reading buddies program on Saturday mornings.   Most importantly, she invites the teens’ ideas and creativity.  The result has been programs for Halloweeen, winter holidays, a Harry Potter Valentine’s Ball, and for Easter, an Egg-stravaganza.  For this, Tonja received a Model the Way Award and was named Employee of the Quarter. 

Below, L/R in back are Erica Brown. who received for Laura Minor and Jay Brasfield; Bryan Thomas, and John Wilson; in front L/R are Christa Snow, Emma Pancho, Jessica Morio, Shirdellah Grouix, Catherine Currier and Olga Bayer.  They constitute the force that made a big success of this January’s Mapping our Past event in the Hicks Auditorium and the Ansbacher Map Room.  Featuring Christopher Lane of the Antiques Roadshow, this event drew attendees from far and wide.  For this major accomplishment,  the team received the Carolyn Williams Team Award for Inspiring a Shared Vision.  

The JPL Foundation's Zoe Carr--wearing her usual beautiful smile below--took on the challenge of redesigning the Friends website.  Thanks to her efforts, the website launched, March 22, 2018, and Zoe certainly deserves the Encourage Others to Act Award.

Kathy Tekin, Jessica Serrano, John Jessee, Kristi Dorney, and Curt Beadell lined up for this great pic and received the Carolyn Williams Team Ward for Modeling the Way.  They were behind the Arbor Terrace Reading Group for patients of the Arbor Terrace Dementia Care Center in Ortega where library staff visit patients for bi-weekly Friday reading sessions.  

Joanna Nigrelli, pictured below, is credited with essentially filling the role of three people when Main's Children's and Teen departments were short staffed. She kept a positive attitude that continues to be well noticed by customers and coworkers.  For this, Joanna received the Model the Way Award.

All of us cheer all of you on and look forward to seeing your next big accomplishments.

Mother's Day At CW Is Special

Argyle has a touch of the poet in Library Clerk Terri Basemore, who is a proud member of their team and a proud mother of two beautiful daughters.  

Mothers deserve to be celebrated the entire month of May, not just on May 13.  So in honor of Mother’s Day (and month), Terri created a display to help promote reading to customers. For a personal touch, Terri asked her colleagues to share photos of themselves as mothers or with their mothers to be used as part of the Mother’s Day display.  Then she highlighted the collection with a variety of print and media items.  Terri topped off the display with a bouquet of roses and an original poem she wrote called Mothers.  This is a great example of creative marketing to increase circulation of reading materials as part of the Strategic Plan Objective 1.1.1B  (tracking the circulation of reading materials).  Thank you, Terri, for helping JPL build a community of readers.  Start Here. Read Anywhere.  Happy Mother’s Day!

(Thanks to Lynne Baldwin, Webb Region Manager for the input and pic.)

 Mothers

by Terri Basemore

Mothers celebrate this month.

Because you’re worth more than a day!

Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.

You go above and beyond; you do more than you think.

No matter what your baby does you will never let them sink.

Let it be known that you’re doing an amazing job.

Know it never ends!

So with that said

Happy Mothers Day

From your Argyle Friends!

Great Day For Comic Con At SOM

CM Tommy Hazouri (3rd from right, back row) and happy winners of the costume contest.

Director Tim Rogers  and Council Member Tommy Hazouri attended South Mandarin's first Comic Con, May 5, 2018, where 356 people enjoyed crafts, storytime, food trucks, Cosplay, sword fighting, and a costume contest--or just enjoyed watching everyone else. 

Youngsters were busy with crafts in the Children’s department and SOM shared a mighty duel between a young swordsman in training taking on a Stormtrooper!  WOW!

                                     Who would you vote for ?

Job Well Done: Brad Schwarzbaur

Everyone at the Main Library (and many others) have been the recipient of Brad Schwarzbaur's expertise at one time or another.  However, it took Stacey Van Hoy to properly recognize Brad's many talents in Main's maintenance department and  nominate him for a Job Well Done award, which he received May 8, 2018.  

Stacey said, "Brad has become our quiet superhero. He, with a positive attitude, fixed our workroom door so it is not continuously clanking.  I believe we were up to five people who have tried to fix it without success, one even saying 'it can’t be fixed.'  I’m so glad he is still at Main, even part-time.  With his calm manner, he gets things done using innovative approaches to problems.  He is a huge asset to JPL and an excellent team member. His can-do attitude and perseverance sets the bar high for all of us."

Sara Gunter added, "His constant, quiet, help through the years--particularly his ability to think outside the box--has helped all of us sooner or later.  For example, the whiteboard in the Board Room collapsed and Brad noted that it was not constructed properly to support the triangular shape and told us what to look for when we ordered a new whiteboard. Par excellence describes him best."

Friends of JPL May 10-12, 2018 Book Sale

                                 BIG BAG SALE AT FRIENDS OF JPL
Located at South end of UPK, 3435 University Blvd., North (about 12 blocks North of JU)

Customers & Staff can stock up for Mother's Day gifts, and gifts for all who love to read!

Thursday, May 10: 4 - 8
  FJPL Members Only - Can Join at the door for $10 after member discount:  
          *$11.25 per bag -- Buy 1 bag - Get a 2nd one FREE

Friday, May 11: 4 - 8
          *$15 PER BAG  -- Buy 1 bag  -  Get a 2nd one FREE
COME EARLY FOR THE BEST SELECTION

Saturday, May 12: 9 - 4
          *$15 per bag  --  Buy 1 bag  --  Get a 2nd one FREE
              CLEARANCE SALE

                                                 *Add 7% sales tax

2018 High School Graduation of CAL's GED Students

Library Director Tim Rogers welcomed graduates, families, friends and special guests to the 2018 GED high school graduation in the Main Library auditorium, Tuesday evening, May 1.  The event was hosted by the Center for Adult Learning, headed by CAL Literacy Program Manager Katie Devanny.

Twelve graduates crossed the stage to start a new chapter in their lives. The students' ages ranged from 19 - 61, proving you are never too old or young to achieve your goal.

                           2018 GED grad Maria Threat addresses audience.

Maria Threat and the keynote speaker, Greg Gaines, were on the same page, talking to the graduates about overcoming their fears. Ms. Devanny said, "CAL’s staff, especially the GED instructors, are extremely proud of the students and their accomplishments."  

Board Chair Ronnie King and Director Tim Rogers shook each graduate's hand after Katie Devanny presented a high school diploma to each graduate.  Then Mr. King congratulated the graduates and invited everyone to stay for refreshments.  

According to the Florida Department of Education, Florida's high school graduation rates have risen steadily over the past few years and is now at 82.3%.  The not-so-good news, as reported by U. S. News & World Report Best States is that Florida ranks 40th in high school graduation rates.

(Thanks to Katie Devanny for the input and pictures.)

St. Mark's Episcopal School Gives Main Children's An A & A WOW!

St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School brought 40 first graders to the Main Library, May 1, 2018. LAS Danny Menendez presented a sea creatures storytime for the students. They posted the visit to their Facebook page [https://www.facebook.com/StMarksEpiscopalDaySchool] and also sent the following message:  "Thank you, Joanna for helping us arrange such a fantastic trip! Please tell Danny we really enjoyed our theater visit with him. The sea stories he shared with us were perfect! We also really appreciate meeting Mrs. Owl.  
Sincerely, Christine Burkett, St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School."  

Mrs. Owl is an animatronic created by Jacksonville’s own Sally Industries. She resides on a tree in the Children’s Theater. Mrs. Owl tells a story and sings a song at the close of storytime. She has four different programs she can do. The kids heard the story Who Hoots? and sang along to “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

Thanks to Joanna Nigrelli, Main's YS Librarian II, for the blurb and great pic.

College and Career Fair At Main

Stephanie Miller reports on the tremendous success of this event; don't miss the photos:

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmb3ZBGW There are more photos in G:Shared/Main/Job Fair 2018 Photos/Job Fair

Staff used SST’s iPads to take photos throughout the day--we don’t have these yet…more to come. 

Find Your Future: College and Career Fair was held, Saturday, April 28, at the Main Library.  We hosted 15 college/trade schools/resources for youth and 27 businesses on the Ground, 2^nd, and 3rd floors of the library and 279 youths registered for the event. They were able to speak with local schools and businesses, representatives from several military branches, and resources to help them figure out next steps and possibly find summer employment. They also had the opportunity to participate in several workshop presentations by library staff, reps from Junior Achievement, and reps from the Microsoft store. Staff from the Main Library’s Conference Center and across the JPL system made the day amazing! These staff were:

o   JPL vendor table—Lynne Baldwin and Michael Sullivan

o   Center for Adult Learning vendor table—Katie Devanny

o   Branch staff: Jessica Bayne (KR), Kim Bennet (AYL), Justin Broadfoot (AR), Amy Davis (WST), Mina Figuerrez (UPK), Leslie Patterson (SOM), and Tyhedra Wilson (DU)

o   Main staff: Tiffini Anderson, Anjelica Bencomo, Alex Bishop,  Keira Maschan, Danny Menendez, Stephanie Miller, Joanna Nigrelli, Marcie O’Dell, Chiquita Powell 

o   E-services: John Carter and Nicole Rivera

o   Admin: Diane Alexander, Donna Crowther, and Sara Roberts,

o   Youth Services, Programming, and Outreach: Lisa Buggs, Kenya Coleman, Rebekah Mitchell

·        JPL Conference Center staff:

o   Table set up/removal: Michael Aguilar, Melvin Jones, and Sylvester Reese

o   Room set up and AV help: Ashley Boyd, Rebecca Cooper, and Mandie McKenzie

The rest of the Main Library staff kept the remainder of the building running, answered questions from participants, and sent staff to assist with set up and take down.