Jax Book Fest Lines Them Up Around The Block

More than 4500 people attended Jax Book Fest featuring more than 90 local authors and R. L. Stine, author of the best-selling Fear and Goosebumps books, at the Main Library, February 22-23, 2019.  One or two pictures could not tell a portion of all the activities, interest, and fun so enjoy the collage of customers and staff Justin Keiser shares with us:  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fs6YDKgC1VBjAYYHA

The day before people lined up around the block to attend either or both the dinner and later the story time hosted by the JPL Foundation.  Zoe Carr, Development Associate, said, "The dinner, An Evening with R.L. Stine, entertained 150 guests.  Mr. Stine spoke and read funny letters from his fans. There was a meet and greet and later 250 more fans joined the dinner guests in the auditorium for a story time. Mr. Stine read A Ghostly Stare, a short story from The Haunting Hour Series. The children were ecstatic to meet their favorite author and the adults were thrilled to meet the author of their childhood. We had families that traveled from Saint Augustine and Gainesville. One family was from Canada, vacationing in Florida, and made it to the event. The family of five said it was a dream come true to meet Mr. Stine, their favorite author. Overall the event went really well.”

Lisa Buggs, Coordinator of Lifelong Learning and Community Outreach, added, "Making Strides for Autism was on site to make the event autism-friendly and the ASL interpreter made the presentations by Stine and children's author Mike Thaler accessible to more customers.  The entire JPL staff made the event a success."

One example of the effort staff members gave to this project is shared by Main’s Librarian II Stacey Van Hoy, "Marsha Collins went above and beyond to advertise the Book Fest. She single-handedly went in and chatted with people at 30+ businesses. Our goal was to have each staff member distribute flyers to a few locations; she was unstoppable and relentlessly cheerful." 

Sally Doherty & Deborah Wainwright Celebrate 30 Years Of Service

Library Clerical Services Supervisor Deborah Wainwright and Librarian I Sally Doherty--both from Southeast Branch Library--celebrated 30 years of service to JPL, February 26, 2019.  They were joined by family and staff who came to see Deborah and Sally honored by Mayor Lenny Curry and Library Director Tim Rogers.  Mayor Curry presented them both with a 30 year gold pin and a letter of congratulations.

All of us cheer your combined 60 years of service and add our gratitude for all you have done to make JPL a top leader in libraries.  

JPL Staff Give 91 Towels For Needy

Nicolle Burton, vice chair of the JaxCares committee, said (with a huge smile on her face, "I want to thank JPL staff for their generous donation of 91 white bath towels during the JaxCares White Bath Towel Drive.  Towels are collected annually and given to the City Rescue Mission for the homeless and needy population in northeast Florida.  This year's prolific donations were collected from SST, Mandarin, Regency, Webb, Conference Center, Main Children’s Department and the Library’s Administrative Office."


Mary Johnson took this pic of the 38 towels (included in the 91 total) contributed by SST.

It makes one proud to be a JPL employee.

Color Them Neon For DU's Rock the Ages: 80's Edition

DU staff from left to right: Cassy Manning, Michelle Petrin, Tyhedra Wilson, Moriah Rose, Lisa Parisi, Maria Bridges, and Cheri Long

"Highlands staff broke out their neon clothes and Madonna accessories for Teen Associate Beverly Mason’s 'Rock the Ages: 80’s' edition, February 7, 2019.  Six teens joined in to practice dances like the Robot, Moonwalk, and Cabbage Patch and used their moves to dance off in a version of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors.' They also discussed historical events and culture with the teens who made their own 'Ghostbusters' slime and edible marshmallow 'Stay-Puff' men," reports Maria Bridges.

Job Well Done, Special Collections Staff

Six dedicated stars in Special Collection's crown received accolades from guest authors and the public alike at the Main Library program, Mapping Our Past, January 26, 2019.

(L/R above) Hannah Bedenbaugh, Catherine Currier, John Wilson, Laura Minor, and (front) Christa Snow defined the term "excellent library experience" according to attendees. (An article published in this blog, February 7, 2019, gives more details.)  Coupled with their Southern hospitality, the all day seminar was not only an eye opener for many about real Florida history, it went by smoothly--well planned, well executed.

For this, these library employees received Job Well Done awards at Special Collections' staff meeting, February 21, 2019.

Love: A Creative Work On Valentine's Day

Westbrook Branch Library supplied art materials for kids and teens, February 14, 2019, for a do- it-yourself Valentine card making event.   Westbrook's Kate Zakharov shares the joy these young people had interacting with one another, creating their Valentine’s Day cards with obvious zeal.  Kate said, "We had over 20 kids and teens making cards for someone special!"

One card (in forefront below) expresses our impression of these kids' sharing and caring, "You are my sunshine."

Mandarin Promotes Mushy & Spooky

Mandarin Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel sent these pictures of KR's latest displays proving their staff does a good p.r. job promoting--through the hotline of Valentine's Day--not only KR but also programs that are proven good customer draws, such as the display below highlighting the February 23, 2019, Jax Book Fest (10 am-3 pm) at the Main Library. The event will feature R. L. Stine and Mike Thaler, who will give presentations and book signings--and attendees can mingle with some 100 local authors.  There will be sessions for kids, book lovers, and of course, writers.  The first 60 people in line outside the Hicks Auditorium at 10 am will receive a wristband to have their books signed first.

JB's Nicole Saville Goes Several Extra Miles

At Beaches Branch, Nicole Saville enlisted her family to help decorate the children's department.  (No wonder she can create all those wonderful displays.) Nicole, her sister and her mom decorated the wall seen here with the words and images created by Nicole's sister, who used  a silhouette machine at home.  The handsome job was finished February 6, 2019.  Below is the double paneled "I Spy" display/ collage created by Nichole.  Customers get an invite with her "Can you spy?" placard next to the panels.

Thanks to Hongying Song, PCR YS Librarian III, for the input and pictures, who commented, "I am deeply moved by Nicole's dedication and her family's support of the library." 

Pirate & Parrot At PCR

"Pablo Creek Branch’s YS Associate David Humphries was dressed as a pirate and used a hand puppet parrot to get kids engaged during his Young Children Read/Play and Learn program, February 8, 2019--and the kids had lots of fun treasure hunting with him later," said Hongying Song, PCR's YS Librarian III. 

 

 

Mapping Our Past - 2019

JPL's annual Mapping Our Past program at the Main Library satisfied a sweet tooth for some 130 Florida and French history buffs, January 26, 2019.  During this all day event, two speakers saturated the audience with information about this convoluted period in time.  Keynote speaker, journalist/author Miles Harvey told how French artist, mapmaker and explorer Jacques Le Moyne is credited with giving us the first European look at Native Americans who lived in what is now northeast Florida.  Lemoyne's engraved drawings, housed in Main's 4th floor gallery, were recently re-framed for the LeMoyne/De Bry Collection of engravings. 

Sheila Kloc is the wife of the honorary counsel general of France. She is immediate past president of Alliance France in Jacksonville and now represents Jacksonville's Sister Cities Program as representative to our sister city, Nantes, France. She spoke at the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated gallery on the 4th floor.  If you would like a succinct tour through this crucial period, click here to read her speech.  You will find it surprising -- for instance, did you know the real first Thanksgiving was right here in our area?  Also, Mrs. Kloc gives credit where credit is due.

Mrs. Lyn Corley, who worked for years to get Lee Adams' Ribault Landing painting hung on the 4th floor (and an expert herself on this history) said she was very pleased with both Miles Harvey and Sheila Kloc's input at the event and would not have missed it.  She enjoyed talking to Mr. Harvey and asked Mrs. Kloc for permission--at Sara Gunter's request--to use her speech in this article.  Mrs. Corley highly complimented staffs' expertise throughout the event, namely those in Special Collections   Laura Minor, John Wilson, Catherine Currier, Christa Snow, Jay Brasfield, and Hannah Bedenbaugh.  

Pictures of the event can be seen here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JZnsQanDZ5jzzUmt6

2 Staff, 2 Cards, 1 STEM, 1 Book, One Fun Time

YS Part time Associate Rhanda Hardee at the Regency Square Library reports The Wild Robot by Peter Brown was the featured title at Regency's monthly book club, February 1, 2019.  These kids were "all in" with the subject matter and the results of making their individual robots--out of two index cards yet!  Rhanda and E-Specialist Luis Terron each held a session.  She helped them construct their robots and had a Q:&A with pieces of candy for right answers. For a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) encounter, Luis demonstrated two Spiero robots and held their undivided attention.

30th Black History Calendar Unveiling

Library Director Tim Rogers opened the unveiling of the pearl edition of the 2019 Jacksonville Black History calendar, January 17, 2019.  He spoke to an enthusiastic

audience of about 460 in the Main Library Hicks Auditorium.
 
 Mayor Lenny Curry honored the event, recognizing the progress of African Americans, the importance of the calendar, and the necessary resources that libraries contribute to the success of the community. 
 
 Above, Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, co-creator of the Jacksonville Black History Calendar, stands with an enlarged picture of the cover of this year's calendar. 

Joy Purdy from WJXT-TV 4 served as Mistress of Ceremonies and introduced 2019 Black History Calendar adult and student honorees (pictured below.)

  Everyone received a copy of the calendar and a commemorative tote with "2019 Jacksonville Black History Calendar - 30th Anniversary Pearl Edition" with a large pearl stamped on the black and silver bag.

A special thank you goes to these staff members for making thie 30TH Anniversary of the Black History calendar a great success (L/R):  Mrs. Denise Thomas, Tamethia Billings, Corey Scott, Milicia Thomas, and Chanika Kimbrough.  Not pictured is Graham Branch's Cranston Burney who gave some input and sent the pictures above.