PCR Basks In Customer Admiration

During the month of February, Pablo Creek children’s department asked their customers, “What do you love about your library?” Each customer was given a cardstock heart to write a personal message about PCR, resulting in 71 responses. Many of the hearts spoke about the variety of books in PCR's collection, the monthly children's scavenger hunt, and the play and learn area. Below are a few of the messages left on the “love wall”:
·         I love this library because it’s close to my home and it’s small and clean. It’s quiet and has activities for kids. It also has nice staff members. (Anonymous)
·         I love the library because of the nonfiction section. I have always wanted to learn about the world. (Sofia)
·         The library is a good place to spend family time and read. (Anonymous)
·         I love Storytime! (Anonymous)
·         I like this library because of the play area. (Daniel)

Pictured are David Humphries and Bridgette King at PCR's "love wall." 

 

Thanks to Jonathan Sandbach for the picture and article.

Great idea, PCR!

Lucinda Santino: Job Well Done

KR Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel presented Library Clerk Lucinda Santino with a Job Well Done Award, February 26, 2020, for her initiative to "go the extra mile." Mark awarded Lucinda because--in addition to her usual duties--she greets and talks with customers about library cards and services while they wait to have their taxes done. 

And who could resist such an inviting smile?

JPL Leadership Awards Made At Board Meeting

Director Tim Rogers and Library Board Chair Carlo Fassi had the pleasure of awarding JB's Terry Welch (in absentia) with an Inspiring A Shared Vision Leadership Award and Employee of the Quarter Award at the Board meeting, February 20, 2020.

Library Clerk Terry is often heard saying, "Fifteen years later and this is still my dream job!"  What promulgates that remark? She is an author aficionado who LOVES connecting authors with readers. Terry has coordinated author visits in person and via SKYPE at JB's monthly Flamingo Book Club for years and has set up programs with publishers such as Random House. 

Last November Terry coordinated the first "Beaches Reader Fest" with the help of the branch manager, Friends of JB, volunteers, and JPL staff.  Sixteen local authors set up tables in JB and gave readings from their books.  Cassandra King-Conroy (with whom Terry is pictured above), widow of author Pat Conroy, was the keynote speaker to an audience of 145 avid readers. Terry gave out "Reads Well with Others" totes, which included new books she received as donations. 

WHEW! And all of this Terry Welch accomplished in addition to her regular duties. 




Director Tim Rogers and BOLT Chair Carlo Fassi flank Main Library Assistant Paul Schaffner, who won the Modeling the Way Leadership Award.

Paul goes beyond what is expected in achieving goals set for the team in Main's Grand Reading Room. One specific goal is for the five members of the GRR staff to achieve 15 check-outs a week. Every week, Paul doubles, triples, or even quadruples that goal. In October, he finished with an astonishing 209 confirmed check-outs! In one week alone, he had an incredible 63 confirmed check-outs. Paul is not interested in just achieving high numbers; he masterfully promotes materials to customers while he gets all those check-outs. He truly makes a difference in people's lives. Customers even come in and ask for him by name. They appreciate the fact that Paul goes all over the building to grab books for them. His above-and-beyond performance has not gone unnoticed by anyone working at the Main Library. For this, he received the Modeling the Way Award. 

CONGRATULATIONS AND THREE CHEERS TO BOTH OF YOU.  We are proud to serve with you.

Lunar New Year At CW

"CW celebrated the Lunar New Year this February by 'touring' three Asian cultures: India, Japan, and China.  For each culture, participants engaged in themed adult art and craft activities, culminating with Chinese inspired painting. 

"Eight customers participated in the final program, February 24, 2020, and three regulars--Barbara, Richard, and Denise--are pictured above holding their artwork, reports William Figlietti.

 

Mitchell Makes DU Book Club Happen

Sharon Mitchell facilitates DU's New Leaf Book Club. Sharon says, "The club meets monthly and we read books related to the theme for the month.  At our meeting, February 22, 2020, we highlighted David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell for Black History Month.  For March, the book club will be reading the novel, The Woman Who Would Be King, in honor of Women's History Month. Immediately following this meeting, Karin Lemor, a local author, will present her own workshop.

"Based upon comments shared at each meeting, members have expressed their appreciation to have conversations about what they have read. Members love to read, but most importantly, they want to share their thoughts about what they have gleaned from the readings. They find comfort and solace in reading and sharing."

 

MANY THANKS To JPL White Towel Donors

COJ's JaxCares sponsors the white towel drive for the City Rescue Mission each year and JPL employees always donate a lot of towels.  Nicolle Burton, Julie McNeil's Administrative Assistant, has coordinated this drive for years and is amazed at the generosity staff show not only for this particular drive but for any other worthwhile project JPL is asked to support. 

This year, in addition to the manifold thanks Nicolle and JaxCares want to convey to JPL employees, they would like to also acknowledge and thank Highlands PT Clerk, Kennedi Ray (pictured right) and her National Honor Society group at Sandalwood High School for their very generous donation of over 90 towels during the City's white towel drive for the City Rescue Mission.  This extraordinary donation, along with all the others from JPL staff, helped exceed the 150 towel goal for this year.

2020 Retiree Confab At SE

Elsie Oishi schedules get-togethers for JPL retirees and February 21, 2020, those who could come gathered from 2-4 pm at SE. Elsie wrote, "Thanks to all who attended and a special thanks to those who voluntarily brought refreshments. So glad it didn't rain on top of the weather turning cold and breezy!
 

"There were 39 retirees who came and enjoyed seeing old colleagues and catching up on old times. To those who didn't come, we are sorry to have missed you! There are 38 pictured L/R below, bottom row to top; one person (Mark Ely) is not pictured.

"Row 1--Glenda (Atkinson) Lewis, Elaine Randolph, Elaine Kitchings, Elsie Oishi, Flo (Cate) Clark, Jerry Brantley, Margaret Smith, Gloria Zittrauer, Nantana Simpson, Revondolyn DuBois, and Theresa Barmer

"Row 2--Vivian Porter, Barbara Gubbin, Arden Brugger, Katherine Daye, Carol (Brown) Tipton, Laurie Ludwig, Marie-Therese Boyer, Carole (Schwartz) Moore, Lilia Simonton, Sharon Shannon, Nancy Devereux, Donna Long, Mary Zeigler Gibbons, and Margaret Morford.

"Row 3--Mabel Carnahan, Jean (Stewart) Madray, Sally Litton, Padma Subramanian, Carla Leach, Carol Smith, Heather Campbell, Belinda Campbell, Laura Kline, Ila Fann, Stephen Ludwig, Patricia Morrison, and Valerie Evans." 

THANK YOU, ELSIE, FOR ALL YOU DO FOR JPL RETIREES!

(Double click on the picture and you can see a little larger pic than this blog allows.)

 

4 DX Training Gets In Gear

Sixty-one JPL leaders attended training on the 4 Disciplines of Execution, February 18-19, 2020, at the Main Library. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of each of the disciplines and tools to create and evaluate team WIGs (wildly important goals), lead measures and weekly commitments.  (Thanks to Tracy Pigott, Training and Development Manager, for the news and pic.) 

In the foreground of the picture below is Rich Litt, the trainer from Franklin Covey, with the JPL leaders.

Kids At SE Learn About Mt. Rushmore

SE LAS Caitlin Ruvolo shares, “Southeast held a school-age program 'Make Your Own Mount Rushmore', February 19, 2020, to honor Presidents' Day. We talked about whose faces are on the monument, what they did for our country as President, and where Mount Rushmore is located. We also played Presidential Bingo before participants made their own sculptures depicting important people in their own lives. Here is an example of the monuments the children made.”

Historian Doane Robinson conceived the idea for Mount Rushmore in 1923 to promote tourism in South Dakota.  In 1924 Robinson persuaded sculptor/painter Gutzon Borglum to travel to the Black Hills (nearest city is Keystone, SD.) The momument was completed in 1941 at a cost of $989,992.32.  Mount Rusmore was chosen because it faces southeast and enjoys maximum exposure to the sun. The Presidents sculpted there are (L/R) George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Linconln.  About 3 million people visit annually.

Remembering Mayor Jake Godbold

A memorial program celebrating former Mayor Jake Godbold was held at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, February 20, 2020, and Webb Wesconnett Library honored this gentleman who dedicated much of his adult life--as Mayor and before and after that--to seeing how much good he could do for Jacksonville.  CW's Brenda Johnson, pictured R below, created a montage of pictures in honor of Jake Godbold. CW displays this memorial at the front of the library so customers can reflect on the many things Mayor Godbold was instrumental in bringing to Jacksonville.  (Thanks to Marilyn Jordan for sending this news for all of us to also pause and honor a great man.)

Alden James Born January 30, 2020

Mr. and Mrs. James Ringstaff are obviously delighted to give us a peek at their first child, Aiden James, who was born January 30, 2020.  He weighed 7 lbs., 11 oz., and measured 20 inches long. Proud mama Hannah Ringstaff is an SST Librarian II.  She added in her news, "He is the sweetest baby!"  (Your son looks like he thinks you two are pretty neat, too.)

Congratulations from all of us at JPL, James and Hannah!

Emery Gomez, Born January 4, 2020

Mr. and Mrs. Byron Gomez proudly announce the birth of their son, Emery Gomez, who arrived January 4, 2020, weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz.  Nicole Gomez is a Library Clerk at Southeast Library, and all of us at JPL send our congratulations to you, Byron and Nicole! 
  

Jacxson de Ville Plays Cupid

Jaxson de Ville played Cupid at a special early morning Valentine’s Day appearance at the Westbrook Branch Library, February 14. 2020.  On hand to give him a special welcome were L to R: , Tori Quante-Dulaney, Scott Adams, Susan Williamson, and Shaunda Jenkins.

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE.

CW Partners W/DCPS' Literacy Week

 
In support of DCPS' Literacy Week, CW hosted Literacy Night, January 29, 2020, as 258 customers celebrated with staff.  Several literacy-based stations were located throughout the library.  In the teen and adult sections, there were various literacy games and activities.  Two reading therapy dogs, Jule and Zoe, came by and enjoyed customers reading to them. 

In the children's department there were puppet shows, story times, and book related crafts.  After they participated at the various stations and acquired the required stamps,  customers' scavenger hunt tickets were stamped and prizes and treats were given out.

A fab event for customers and staff alike and staff enjoyed connecting with customers while promoting JPL's programs and resources.

(Thanks to CW Youth Associate Passhunate Payams for the blurb and pictures.)

 

Margaret Morford Retires W/Crowd Of Well Wishers

 Below is a link with some delightful photos of Margaret Morford's retirement party, January 30, 2020, at Willowbranch Library.  Margaret retired from JPL after 15 years of service to the community on February 1 and City Councilwoman Randy DeFoor presented Margaret with a certificate of service and appreciation.   

Pictured left are Margaret and her husband, Dr. Don Morford (R), as CW Manager Kathy Tekin (L) cuts the cake and Main retiree/now volunteer Theresa Barmer (center) waits for a slice. Main Library retiree, Main Manager Erica Brown and Christa Snow (most recently) along with other retirees, Executive team, colleagues, and friends wanted to honor Margaret and wish her well.  Prior to WB, Margaret worked at Main for several years. 

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/H83q6LVCFgCj66oU9

 

(L/R) South Region Manager Keli Likins, Director Tim Rogers, and long-time Main Library Assistant Arthur Finley join Margaret in all the fun.

West Region Manager Lynne Baldwin contributed the blurb, link with pics, and snapped this shot of the four who did an excellent set-up for Margaret's retirement party, L/R: Marilyn Jordan, Beth Friederich, Christina Pope, and Kathleen Brunner. (What she doesn't say is Lynne donates retirement, anniversary, and birthday cakes for her area's celebrations.) 

We're never met a nicer lady, Margaret, and we will certainly miss you at JPL. 

Friends In-Store Sales For February

FEBRUARY 2020 - FRIENDS OF JPL IN-STORE SALES

 

All African American materials are BOGO! 

All DVDs are buy one get two free.

CHILDREN'S SECTION BOGO DEALS:

Picture books

Books about animals 

Books about crafts

Books about cooking

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FJPL store hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from
9:00 A.M to 12:00 PM and
Saturdays from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M

Jenkins Presents Black History Month Fabulously

Westbrook Branch’s P/T Library Clerk, Shaunda Jenkins, was assigned the task of creating a book display and bulletin board for Black History Month. What evolved from her vision was a full-fledged celebration of Jacksonville’s rich African American history. She created an interactive bulletin board with a historical map of the City of Jacksonville as the background and pop-out information cards on sites of historical significance for African Americans. She spent hours researching local historical sites, including the Kingsley Plantation, The Ritz Theatre and Museum, the Norman Film Studio, and the Clara White Mission and Museum. Shaunda worked closely with Main Special Collections, identifying, digitizing, and obtaining the rights to reprint a historical map depicting Jacksonville in 1921. She requested that CRM print the map once the rights were secured.

 

Shaunda converted her display into a power point presentation, which turned into a local African-American history program for neighborhood children on January 29th. Shaunda delivered her presentation to an enraptured audience of 40 children as they enjoyed locally donated refreshments. During the presentation, she included an excerpt of Rodney L. Hurst’s interview on Completely Booked, JPL’s podcast. Several individuals requested her power point be sent to them after the presentation. Other activities included a raffle, coloring inspirational quotes by black historical figures, and reading works of literature by black authors and illustrators.