New Face For Main Teen Department

After renovation, the Main Library Teen Department reopened, October 24, 2020, in its usual place on the north end of the first floor. Youth Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli said, “The department closed for three weeks in October for new carpet installation, painting, small repairs, and furniture moving. The Teen Department had been temporarily housed at the south end of Makerspace, adjacent to the e-classroom, so teens could still access books, computers, and our helpful Teen staff.

"Main Teen is grateful to JPL’s Facilities crew, JPL Technology staff, and various employees from all over Main who helped move books and get this project finished ONE DAY EARLY! The teens and staff are enjoying the new and improved space."

Spooky House Contest

 

"Main's Kate Zakharov and Allison Mason devised a Creepy Creations Haunted House Contest for Main Children’s and Teen departments' staff. They were given a picture of a haunted house to use as a starting point. Entries were submitted, October 27, 2020, and were judged by Coordinator of Lifelong Learning & Community Engagement Lisa Buggs and Librarian II's Stacy Van Hoy and Greg Royce. Thanks to Kate and Allison for putting together such a fun staff event! Stop by the Teen Department to see the Creepy Creations," said Joanna Nigrelli. 

The pictures above are in order of employees' entries listed below--with the exception of Aaron Neff's, which, thanks to Google's stubbornness would only place the pic below. 

YS Librarian I Aaron Neff – Haunted Gingerbread House

LAS Allison Mason – Haunted House Picture

LAS Hannah Genslinger – Purple Haunted House

YS Librarian I Kate Zakharov – Haunted House Collage

LAS Marcie O’Dell – Halloween/Not Halloween (two pictures submitted; one shown here)

Youth Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli (two entries submitted; winning shadowbox shown above)

 

Monster Mash Bash

"Our annual Halloween lunch at Regency Square, October 29, 2020, put staffs' culinary talents to the test," said Cindy Mathieson with a smile.

"With Mummy Poppers (shown above) taking a stroll by Graveyard Dip, then on to Monster Mash Eggs and Skull Pizzas, we filled our plates. (Everyone had mixed, wrapped and baked to create the scariest lunch possible.) Our breakroom was full of food, so we dined at our desks to stay socially distant and AR staff were 'stuffed' better than a scarecrow!

"Sandra Lockley and Dawn Brock came dressed as identical witches, causing us to cackle our way through the day."

Adult "Take & Make" Craft: Pumpkins Of Cork

JPL offers “take and make” art kits for children and AR's Cindy Mathieson had a light bulb moment and created adult "take and make" craft kits, October 29, 2020.  Cindy said, "The idea was in the works for a year. (Previously, I offered one craft per quarter, usually in sync with a holiday or a systemwide theme.) Gathering the corks was key and a basket full of wine corks came to me via a virtual yard sale ad. Then the project was a 'go.'  Kits are now ready for any Regency Square customer who asks for one. We advertised in-house with quarter sheet fliers placed at our circ desk. (Two customers have already reserved a kit.) The only real cost was a tube of E6000 adhesive. The corks were free and the silk leaves were left from last year’s fall craft (and there are leftovers for next year.)

" I would never have managed to paint 450+ corks yesterday without the help from our Shelver, Ann Ludke, pictured here on the left."

Wanna be a creative copy cat?  Here's Cindy's recipe:

"The plastic bag craft kit contains 26 painted corks, 3 silk leaves, one tube of E6000 adhesive and the directions. It takes 26 wine corks to make a large pumpkin, 20 for a medium, and 15 for a small. Since we had plenty of corks, I packed 26 corks in each pumpkin kit. We pre-painted the corks for customers; however, you could leave them natural."

Shown at the top of the article are two wine cork pumpkins Cindy made--one natural; one pained orange.  The two sided directions (included in each kit) can be requested from Cindy, if you like her idea. (Directions would have been posted here but print would appear too small to read.)

Shades Of Purposeful Pink

Mayor Curry asked COJ staff to wear pink on October 27, 2020, to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month . Indeed many did and Bill Brinton Murray Hill staff were no exception.  Above L/R: Erin Seaman, Mary Fletcher, China Vaughn, & Portia Price prove ladies in pink are pretty wonderful. (Thanks, Mia Brack, for sending this input and helping spread awareness.)

Head (Inez) To Toe (Aimee) And ALL In PINK

West Branch staff, including visiting staffers from Webb, Maxville, and Argyle branches and one of our ISS contractors, all wore pink to honor those who have suffered from breast cancer. Back row, L/ R: Kim Williams-Odom (CW), Janice Adams, Elise Fare (MAX), Inez (ISS contractor), Aimee Cedres (AYL) Front row, L/R:  WST Manager Kathleen Brunner, Amy Davis, and Tamera Pritchett (MAX). Thanks to Kathleen for the input and pic---and most of all for promoting awareness not only for breast cancer but any other dreaded Big C.

WB Team Takes On Halloween

WB Manager Michelle Petrin is proud of Willowbranch’s "pumpkin patch" and says, “Staff created themes such as Star Wars (The Death Star), Pokémon, and other Halloween creatures and classic characters, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a delicious looking "donut" and more.  The painted pumpkins reflect the diverse interests and personalities at WB.  Thanks to everyone on staff for participating: Ryan Reid, Joe Gaskin, Kari Wright, Jason Brown, Christina Pope, Akeem Adell and our special guest, AYL Manager Carol Bunker." 

 

Halloween Fun

 

 Above are some displays created by Library Assistant Kate Martin and Library Associate Marcie O’Dell. Marcie says, "Here at Main Children’s department we like to have fun and what better time than on our kids' favorite holiday, Halloween. You may remember reading about Kate in a previous blog as she enjoys reviving discarded Styrofoam and making it into something worthwhile. Some of her monsters seen here and her Day of the Dead display are made from this material.  These displays will be up in the Children’s department through Halloween weekend. Hope you can stop by and enjoy the fun with us."

4 SST Staff Recognized For Years Of Service

Gretchen Mitchell, Deputy Director, Support Services, had the pleasure of presenting Director Tim Rogers’ letters of appreciation to four SST employees, October 27, 2020.  These staff also received their respective service pins: L/R Chris Tabur and Shawn Norton; each have served five years.   Next to Shawn are Linda Smith and Kathy Lynch and each of these ladies received their 35 year service pins!  Gretchen added, “With a quick together moment for a photo, everyone enjoyed donuts at their desks.”

Life's Cherry & Whip Cream: Arts & Humanities

Pablo Creek Library’s October display promotes National Arts & Humanities Month. JohnWillard Utuk assembled it and construes, “As a musician myself, I wanted the display to elevate customer awareness of the Humanities and local organizations that support Jacksonville culture, such as the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville (sponsored in part by COJ.) The display underscores the importance of the arts and humanities—and the fact that JPL provides a plethora of resources to explore on the subjects. Some favorite books included are Poe's The Raven and Other Writings, Conversations with RGB (a biography,) and Mama Mable's All-Gal Big Band Jazz Extravaganza! picture book. I also included the Americans for the Arts’ hashtag, #showyourart2020, where patrons are encouraged to post art themes on Instagram for each day in October. I shared the display on Instagram and the Americans for the Arts liked it, too.”

 

Kids Cast Votes At SE

What you see here is not a novel way to diagram a compound sentence but an opportunity for kids to learn about voting. Alison Halkovic said, "Southeast youth staff Christina Garmon, Rochelle Golomb, Caitlin Ruvolo, and I created a youth election activity for October 19-November 3, 2020 that lines up with early voting. It operates more like March Madness, giving kids a chance to vote once each week until the general election.

"The candidates are Biscuit and Clifford (Dog Party); Mercy Watson and Babe (Pig Party); Geronimo Stilton and Despereaux (Mouse Party); and Winnie the Pooh and Paddington (Bear Party.) Stay tuned to find out which two are SE's customers' pic for Best Animals in Literature."

 

Oh, What A Pumkin Can Do

Southeast Library's painted Literacy-o-Lanterns serve as a magnetizing marketing tool. Alison Halkovic said, "Each Literacy-o-Lantern is painted  to resemble a literary character. They include Black Panther, Cat in the Hat, Dog Man, and a Wild Thing from Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. Customers have enjoyed seeing some of their favorite characters on display and have checked out accompanying books."

Above are the artful pumpkins produced by SE Youth staff Christina Garmon, Rochelle Golomb, Alison Halkovic, and Caitlin Ruvolo.  Space here does not do the delightful creations justice. Why not go by SE and enjoy?

How About That!

Nicole Gaudier Alemañy, YS Librarian I at UPK, shares an admirable accomplishment with us:

"My book review, 'Irish Reading Societies and Circulating Libraries Founded before 1825: Useful Knowledge and Agreeable Entertainment by Keith A. Manley,' was published in the Libraries: Culture, History, and Society Journal. It is the Library History Round Table's journal. The citation is: Gaudier, N. (2020). Review. Libraries: Culture, History, and Society, 4(2), 225-227. doi: 10.5325/libraries.4.2.0225.

"Before getting my MS in information, I studied History (BA) and Art History (MA, BA) with a special focus on early modern Europe. I chose to review that book as it is a great combinatin of my academic and professional interests in librarianship and early modern history."

Congratulations from all of us to you, Nicole. 

BBMH Friends Give Goodies

Friends of the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library always come through to enhance the branch's good customer service. The Friends group gave library customers a tray of breakfast goodies to enjoy shortly after the branch re-opened, September 29, 2020.  Mia Brack said, "The employees truly appreciate this gift from the Friends and are grateful for all they do for us."  (Above, Mary Fletcher and Doug Fair flank the goodie tray.) 

Main Children's Super Hero

SS Library Associate Robin West Rogers did some Super Hero helping in Main Children’s department. Marcie O'Dell said, "Like many other JPL employees who were temporarily relocated, Robin became someone we depended on and we are so happy to have had the opportunity to work with her. She’ll be dearly missed. Robin went back home for San Marco's reopening, October 5, 2020.  All the best to you, Wonder Woman!" 

 

John Jessee Retires After 17 Years

Argyle Librarian II John Jessee was honored with an in-person and a virtual party, October 2, 2020, the day of his  retirement. AYL's employees--L/R above: Janelle Pornovetz and Tonja Baker-Ferrell (2nd row); in front, Terri Basemore, Carol Bunker, Mike Cooper (next to John) and Anita Boston--enjoyed refreshments with John and personally bade him a reluctant adieu.  (Except for the pic, all observed social distancing and all wore masks throughout the day.) 

A few weeks before the party, Branch Manager Carol had emailed JPL staff inviting those who knew John and would to send a card and include their remembrances of him over the last 17 years. Staff were to send cards to Carol so they would be a surprise for him at the party.  Carol's plan worked well.  John's face glowed with a big smile when the many cards and notes were showered on him.

At the virtual party (via Zoom) many of John's colleagues popped in and out sharing fond memories and wishing the best for John in his new chapter of life.

John wants everyone to know he has read the many cards and appreciates each one.  He said, "The time people spent sharing their remembrances of me over the years made me happy." 

John plans to travel and visit family--and a bit of what every retiree looks forward to: relaxing. 

 

DU Does Displays W/Deliberation

Displays pictured here are typical of Highland’s monthly creations that reflect their collection and focus on timely subjects.  DU also highlights JPL’s databases.  Marla Roberson says, “We hope the displays inspire you to create displays that engage your customers.” 

 “A number of DU’s October displays speaks to voting and U. S. Presidents.  Our children’s area created ‘How Important Is One Vote’ with a variety of quotes such as ‘Someone struggled for your right to vote.  Use it.’ (Susan B. Anthony); ‘A man without a vote is a man without protection.’ (Lyndon B. Johnson); and ‘Vote the change you want to see in the world.’  The children’s collection has age appropriate books such as I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference by Mark Shulman and Serge Bloch and V is for Voting by Kate Farrell.

“One adult area display is ‘Presidential Crisis and Words of Inspiration’.  This display reminds us of a few of the crises some Presidents faced and how they led during difficult times  We also included Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin; Words from the White House by Paul Dickson and The New Big Book of U.S. Presidents by Marc Frey and Todd Davis.  The display includes a timeline of 13 Presidents and various speeches they made.  Books include not only the Presidents but events such as 9-11.

"October is Computer Learning Month so we constructed the AXIS 360 database display.  We notice our customers like having a list of apps they can use and download them away from the library.  The display handout includes instructions on how to log into Axis 360 and actually check out a book."

In Memorian & A Great Idea

JB's Terry Welch, The Author Fan, said, "In March 2020, the Beaches Branch celebrated Women's History Month and I created a collage of women instrumental in the passage of the 19th Amendment (picture of the silhouette).  Then, not halfway through March, we closed for six months.  Recently, to honor Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Julie Rekow helped update the collage and accessorized it with Justice Ginsburg's famous white collar.  The silhouette is now on display next to our 'In Memoriam' book display honoring Justice Ginsburg and other authors who have passed away.

 

"Bookmarks are inserted in each item displayed.  When I create a memorial bookmark, I always include a picture of the author and either a bio or a quote.  Sometimes I include the names of their books on the back of the bookmark or read-alikes (in true Reader's Advisory fashion).

 

"As an aside, I posted the RBG collage on the ALA Think Tank Facebook page and it has been 'liked' over 135 times.  It was also shared to the Public Library Diplay Facebook page.  (Maybe using our creative talents is a sign that things ARE getting back to normal.)