Wanna Make Kids & Dogs Happy?

This Labrador retriever named Jasper is one happy dog.  One reason is he enjoys his monthly visits with his owner, Miss Linda (both pictured above) to Pablo Creek Branch Library.  This is where Jasper has the pleasure of hearing  kids read to him. Children choose a picture book and take turns reading to Jasper for about an hour. Youth Services Librarian II Jonathan Sandbach says, "We essentially provide space for him to visit with kids and call it 'Come Read with Jasper'. The picture here is one used on flyers advertising his popular visits.
 
"All children ages 5-12 are welcome to join the fun; the next date with Jasper is February 16, 2019."

Still Pursuing Life, Liberty & Happiness

Above Duval County students hold some famous words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among which are the preservation of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

The Main Library hosted its annual Colonial Dames Historic Actor program, January 22 and 23, 2019, in the Hicks Auditorium. Thomas Jefferson (played by American Historical Theater actor Steve Edenbo) shared with students the circumstances promulgating the writing of the Declaration of Independence.  Mr. Edenbo (standing in aisle) told of the unfinished work that our nation’s forefathers began and charged this generation to continue the work and leave the world a little better for generations to come. Librarian IV Stephanie Miller said, "Between the two programs in the Makerspace, January 22, and the programs in the Hicks Auditorium the next day, we hosted 1,148 students + teachers + chaperones. A special thanks to the Conference Center, Jax Makerspace, and Main’s Youth Services staff for making this event wildly successful!"

Job Well Done: Jason Enoex

Erik Larsen nominated Jason Enoex, who works at the Pablo Creek Library, for a Job Well Done Award, which was presented to him, January 16, 2019.  Erik said, "Jason is very proactive and conscientious in disseminating information he receives from the regional Adult Programming Committee. He conducts a monthly programming meeting at the branch to insure that we’re all well informed and that each program has a staff presenter assigned. He takes initiative in locating presenters and making all necessary arrangements.  He insures that we often have new and unique programs available. Should any problems arise, he solves them quickly and efficiently, making sure to update Evanced (the library's online public meeting room schedule) so the most current information is available to the public.

"Adult programming is Jason’s largest single assigned duty. He takes this role very seriously.  He keeps this large responsibility running very smoothly with minimal supervision.  He richly deserves this award."

 

Win Win For Ms. Wyatt

Traveling Tales Curator Christina Wyatt has a lot to celebrate lately!  She graduated with her Master of Science in Information degree from FSU in December AND Deputy Director Julie McNeil (R) presented Christina with her 5 year service pin and a congratulatory letter from Library Director Tim Rogers, January 14, 2019.  (Thanks to Susan Mankowski for input and pic.)  

Three cheers to Christina! 

Appreciation Goes A Long Way

This letter was received by Main's  Mandie McKenzie, Conference Center Manager, and we all add our dittos to these kudos for Mandie, Rebecca, and Ashley:

December 6, 2018

 Good afternoon, Mandie,

 I have wanted to send this letter for quite some time now, but have been extremely busy. Since my first bride that I catered for is celebrating her 50^th anniversary on April 19^th 2019, you can imagine how many venues and coordinators I have worked with throughout the years. Of course I knew what to expect from you, having had the pleasure of working with you at Friday Musicale, but we didn’t know what to expect with other new people at the library. What a pleasant surprise and refreshing change! Like you, Ashley and Rebecca are extremely professional, easily accessible, and focused on our clients. Moreover, they both are very easy to work with, showing their willingness to make our clients happy, and always having such positive and cheerful attitudes. I have had many compliments from my brides and their parents about Ashley (Boyd) and Rebecca (Cooper).  Even my staff and my bar service company have complimented their efforts.

I personally, am a bit of a neurotic when it comes to my clients, especially my brides, as you know, so their attitudes and work ethic are extremely important to me. I hope that you will share this letter with anyone in the city, so they know that they have some great talent at their beautiful library downtown.

 Sincerely,

Fred D Davoli

President/Owner
Davoli's Catering, Inc.

3,203 Go365 Points For Matthew Taylor

Matthew Taylor is a Librarian I who works in Main's Adult Fiction/Popular Library. Here is his Go365 update, "As of January 7, 2019, I have logged 3,203 points, a little under 1800 points to silver status.  This is a shot of my niece and I after we got our numbers as part of the group doing the health walk she and her school were doing this past  weekend in Clay County.

 

"I walk a lot since my epilepsy keeps me from driving, thus my high score, although I did walk 26 miles in one day to see if I could do it.  When I trade my points in for Amazon gift cards, I spend a large portion of that to get things for my displays here at Main.  The amount of walking I do is out of necessity as much as for my health."