JPL Staff News: Library Board Honors Leadership Award Wonners

Friday, August 23, 2019

Library Board Honors Leadership Award Wonners

Library Board Chair Ronnie King (R) proudly reviewed the accomplishments of staff who won Library Leadership Awards to Library Board Trustees at their meeting, August 22, 2019. Meanwhile, Director Tim Rogers (L) gave the employees their awards and both personally congratulated the winners of the third quarter.

Employee of the Quarter, Marcie O'Dell, above, has been the creative mastermind behind kids' games and scavenger hunts at the Pablo Creek Regional Library. On average, about 150 kids each month enjoy the program, "Eye Spy with My Little Eye". For this and much more, Marcie also received the Inspiring a Shared Vision Award.

L/R above, Kim Bennett, Passhunate Payams, Nerresa Posey, and Noah Thomas (not pictured) combined their talents to make Firefighter Storytime at the Webb Wesconnett Regional Library a success. Kim created flyers, Noah planned an edition of Young Children Read, Play and Learn to Match the Theme, and Passhunate got parents to sign the photo waiver. Nerresa prepped goodies to thank the firefighters. For this, they received the Carolyn Williams Modeling the Way Team Award.

L/R above, Greg Pierce, Lauren Lazar, Alison Pulley, and Carolyn Redmond (not pictured) pulled out the stops for Duval County Schools in April when they created a red carpet award ceremony for student art. Alison crafted certificates, Lauren designed hand-delivered invitations to the schools, and Carolyn offered logistical support. Greg served as the driving force. For this, they received the Carolyn Williams Modeling the Way Team Award.

L/R above, Kat Simi, Margaret Morford, Joe Gaskin, Troy Eittreim, Jason Brown, Ryan Reid (not pictured), and Christina Pope (not pictured) displayed great professionalism when they fielded a high volume of phone calls and in-person inquiries after a negative Facebook post followed the cancelled Pride Prom. They delivered excellent customer service in the midst of protesters. For this, they received the Carolyn Williams Modeling the Way Team Award.

Joel Thorbs could not attend; however, Joel has been a valuable source of support for his fellow employees at the Highlands Regional Library, offering everything from back-up with disruptive patrons to help in making sure everyone gets out on time. He even changed a colleague's flat tire one day after his shift. For this, Joel received the Encourage the Heart 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.