Mia Clark: Job Well Done

Mia Clark received a Job Well Done Award, November 20, 2020, presented by South Region Manager Keli Likins, at SE's staff meeting.  Mia was nominated for the award by SE Manager Carisia Rooney for leading her team through a two month shifting project.  Carisia said, "It included creating a streamlined face-out-shelving display for the entire non-fiction collection of the Southeast Library  Not only did Mia create an organized, step-by-step plan so staff could pick up where another left off each day, she also oversaw the project in a way that helped staff feel proud of their work at its completion.  This was a very productive use of time during all the changes in hours and in how we serve the public.  This 40 aisle project surpasses our library appearance standards."  (Mia preferred no picture be taken of the award ceremony.)

 

Kapow!

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month and we here at Main Children's have it under good authority that all true Superheroes refuse to leave their homes (or caves) without their JPL cards. While we can't guarantee that your superpower will grow, your chances of it happening are much improved with getting a library card and the constant use of it. If you know someone who doesn't have a card yet, bring them in. (Display and article by Marcie O'Dell.)

More Space Is Great!

Main Children’s Librarian II, Joanna Nigrelli, was recently in charge of a huge project--shifting Non-Fiction book and Biography areas. She had a team helping accomplish the tasks, including removal of damaged items. This allowed for the replacement of outdated items, created more display space (shown in the pictures above), and refreshed the overall look of the area, among other benefits.  Marcie O’Dell says, “Great job, Joanna and team!”

 

Go Fish!

"These are part of a Main Children’s department display created by Library Associate Sheenae Nelson.  Whatever the display subject is, like this week’s fish topic, each child receives a free 'Make-Your-Own-Bookmark ' kit to take home for added fun. Check out the display near the alligator couch in the Children’s area," says Marcie O'Dell.

 

Joe Gaskin, Library Associate Extraordinaire

Director Rogers told you about Joe Gaskin receiving an ALA Spectrum Scholarship recently.  Now Mr. Gaskin gives us insight into the person/attitude that is well able to receive such an award:

 

"The library is a sanctuary; at least it always has been to me. It was the place where a young boy could go to explore options that might never have been revealed just running around the neighborhood. It was a job where I earned my first paycheck as a shelver at the Murray Hill branch. I have spent a majority of my adult life working in the library. Other jobs came and went but I was repeatedly drawn back to the library system. Each return enabled me to excel and develop a greater connection to library services, so much so, that I found myself working on my master’s degree in Information Science. Since I was fortunate enough to receive the ALA Spectrum Scholarship, it has removed the financial barrier that could significantly slow my progress.  I plan to use this opportunity to improve myself and the service I provide to the public library system and the people it serves. Now, working as a Youth Services Associate at Willowbranch library (where I visited as a child), I strive to play the role in my community that so greatly influenced me.

"Libraries are one of the last true public spaces in our society that offers openly accessible information or just a place of respite for all. As a Library Associate, I spend a majority of my time creating programming for youth, a task that I have found truly fulfilling, especially reading stories, singing songs to toddlers or teaching high-school students how to fix their bicycles. I never thought that I would find myself playing a guitalele in front of a hundred singing and dancing toddlers each week, but I discovered the importance of providing an outlet for kids to learn to act silly. I believe it is crucial that our society provide youth with a safe space to explore, debate and challenge their interests outside of school. My motivation to receive a Master of Library and Information Science degree is based on my desire to expand my knowledge to help others expand theirs.

 

"I am so grateful for the egalitarian services that libraries provide to our society. As the division of wealth expands in our country, it is reassuring to know that libraries are maintained as free and open to all. I also believe that the library can offer a cross section of services such as housing assistance, mental health resources, alternative educational paths and small business assistance. I believe in the potential of a library to exist as more than just a repository for books. I see it as a space in which we can apply the knowledge acquired within—libraries with a car shop, open kitchen, gardens and so much more. I believe libraries should be more than a place where people can just read; libraries need to be spaces where knowledge can be put into practice.

"Upon completion of my degree, I plan to become a Librarian for JPL. I hope to add to the diversity and growth that the library and the City of Jacksonville needs, as it is rare to come across a black male librarian in the U.S., let alone in JPL. Libraries act as a safe space for many children of color, and I believe the faces of those working in safe spaces should reflect the population that inhabits them. I am excited to soon join the ranks of the less than 1,000 male African-American librarians in the United States, so that I can hopefully inspire more young black men to follow suit. We are at a moment in time where the purpose of a library is changing. I hope to be part of that change because a library is a sanctuary and so much more.

"I would also like to add that anyone considering taking the leap into an Information Science Master’s program, now is a great time to consider applying, as FSU has a 100% online program and they have waived their GRE requirement to apply for the program.  Additionally, the city has a great tuition reimbursement program and there are a lot of great scholarships out there!"

38 Good Years

Karen Lewis retires today, September 11, 2020, and leaves us with a capsule of her 38 years with us, "My journey with JPL began at the Haydon Burns Main Library in 1982 and I remained at Main through the move to the new Main Library in late 2005. 

"Hired as a page through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Jobs Program, I first worked part time in what was known as the Catalog/Technical Service/SST departments.  I was offered an opportunity to stay full time at the end of the summer and continued working for about two years, then quit.  After a couple of months, the Library let me know about an upcoming test for a Clerk 1 position; I decided to take it and passed.  I was assigned to Highlands Branch when it opened in 1985.  To my delight, however, a Clerk 1 position opened in my previous work area--old Main’s Catalog department.

"Later, I passed the Clerk 2 test and went to the Circulation department, then transferred to Interlibrary Loan on the 3rd floor.  While there I took the test for Library Assistant, passed it and moved to the newly created Digital Library.  When the new Main Library opened, I continued in digitization and worked in the Grand Reading Room, which is also located on the 4th floor, and from there I transferred to Non-Fiction.

 "In January 2015, I transferred to Brown Eastside Library where my 38 year journey was to end but the pandemic changed that. EB was closed for a season and I was assigned to DU.  Now I will end my career where I once was supposed to start it—at the Highlands Branch on September 11, 2020. 

 

"Looking back, I did not think I would be suited to the children’s department when I transferred to EB, but surprisingly, I really liked working with children; their effervescence is contagious!

 

"Working in different departments and libraries helped me understand the importance of all of our contributions and when every area works well together it makes for a successful library system."

 

THANK YOU, KAREN, FOR 38 YEARS OF SERVICE TO JPL!  OUR VERY BEST TO YOU.  WE'LL MISS YOU.

Good Reflections

Two employees celebrate 35 years each with COJ/JPL in September 2020:  Library Assistant Kathy Lynch and Library Associate Linda Smith.  Both work in SST.  Linda politely shied away from elaborating on her years with JPL. Kathy summed up her 35 years briefly, “I have worked in several departments, both in technical services and with the public.” Then she added some persiflage for old-timers and closed with some reasons JPL staff have persevered and why all of us can be proud of our library system.

“Remember when

you helped someone look up something in the card catalog?

you told customers JPL couldn’t take credit cards for fines?

you told customers, ‘Sorry, you can’t check your personal e-mail at the library’?

you first left a voice message on someone’s phone?

you didn’t know what ‘bundle your TV and Internet’ meant?

a keyboard was associated only with a musical instrument?

you used the *'fugitive fact file' for quick reference?

“So many changes and JPL still stands! JPL has survived budget cuts, hiring freezes, staff shortages, hurricanes, floods, droughts, and COVID-19. We survived and thrived and were named 2017's Florida Library of the Year!  I think it is because at its heart and soul are so many good people doing their jobs every day, no matter what. I have been blessed to work with many of them!”

__________________________________________

*A file of 3x5 cards each library reference desk maintained in the pre-computer era.  It held documented information and suggested resources for difficult and FAQ’s that the library received from customers. This was a means to save staff time and resources.