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. 

 

JPL Starts Reopening

The Main Library resumed customer service inside the building, June 3, 2020. Nine other branch libraries began curbside service only the same day--Beaches, Graham, Highlands, Mandarin, Pablo Creek, Regency Square, Southeast, Webb Wesconnett, and West.

 

Deputy Director Julie McNeil said, "Presently, the Main Library is open to the public to come in, Monday-Saturday, 10 am-6 pm.  Curbside service at the above branches is Monday-Thursday, 10 am - 7 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm.  No Jacksonville Public Library Sunday service is available right now.

 

"Argyle, South Mandarin, Willowbranch, and University Park branches will add curbside service later this week, although the date has not yet been determined. Brentwood Branch Library will begin curbside service, June 15, 2020."
 

Terry Welch, a library clerk at Beaches Branch, coined a new word when she reported Theresa Rooney Nicole Saville, Dylan Franke, Robbie Crabtree, Amber Pierce, and she are the original JB "curbies." Terry said, "At first, service was slow but has picked up steam. Customers are happy to see us and we are happy to be back and serving them again." 

Santa Stop & Photo Op At Argyle Branch

Council Member Randy DeFoor (District 14) and Library Board Trustee Jill Dame came to Argyle Library to spread cheer at the Santa Stop and Photo Op, December 13, 2019.  CM DeFoor (L center) read T’was the Night Before Christmas by Daniel Kirk. Afterwards, Janelle Pornovetz read 10 Trim-the-Tree’ers by Janet Schulman while Branch Manager Carol Bunker decorated a tree to match the book.  CM DeFoor also helped the children count each thing put on the tree all the way up to 10. Carol said, "We sang 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' and then CM DeFoor read Who Will Guide My Sleigh Tonight? by Jerry Pallotta, followed by our singing 'Jingle Bells'. Justina Lockley then escorted in Santa and 90 little and big children came to visit and some took part in the photo op, as you see in the pictures.  CM Defoor and Trustee Dame were treated to a tour of our library"  (Pictured top right are L/R Trustee Jill Dame, CM DeFoor, Carol Bunker, and Brooks Dame, Mrs. Dame's daughter and CM DeFoor's assistant.)

AYL Teens Make A Difference Mentoring

Library Associate and Teen Coordinator for Argyle Branch Library shares, “Argyle Reading Buddies is a recurring reading/mentoring program for school aged children and teens (12-18). Though not a tutoring program, it has helped many children gain reasoning skills, confidence, and motivation by giving them 1:1 reading practice with a teen or tween. Teens volunteer their time to be mentors, coaches, and friends to younger children. A main goal is to develop a love of reading by building children's reading skills. Many children have been coming to Argyle's Reading Buddies since its inception three years ago. Parents have given positive feedback regarding Reading Buddies, emphasizing improvement in their children’s grades and abilities.

 
"Reading Buddies is also a fun event.  Here you see breakfasts our neighborhood Wawa, a wonderful community partner, brought for the children, adding fuel and inspiration to get up early on Saturday mornings.”

An additional result of this program: teens can see the value of sharing their skills and know they make a difference, and kids can see the importance of the teens reaching out to them and, hopefully, this inspires children to do the same as they grow.

AYL Appreciates Community Workers

Argyle Branch hosted 42 youth and caretakers for a fun-filled Community Helper Storytime, October 11, 2019. It included stories, songs, and fingerplays about different community workers in our area which included firefighters. After storytime, customers walked outside to greet local firemen.

The children were able to sit in the firetruck, explore the vehicle, and some helped spray the water hose while the firefighters talked about how they keep us safe. Some enjoyed taking photos, too. Little Ms. Arya, who was very happy to hold the steering wheel, posed for this photo. (Thanks to Carol Bunker for the pics and article.)

AYL Mini Series Is Max W/Teens

Percy Jackson Week (July 1-6, 2019) was celebrated by Argyle Branch Teens' “Written In The Stars” Summer Mini Series. Tonja Ferrell said, "We had 14 participants and the feedback was great. One teen was quoted as saying the week was 'Epic!' when asked if he would return next week for the series and another replied, ' Most Def Ms. Tonja!' We are glad teens continue to enjoy the activities--even more than having their pictures taken.

The Teens were asked to divide into teams by choosing a constellation rock upon entering the room, then participated in a mini scavenger hunt where they solved clues derived from constellation/ mythological information which can be found in the Percy Jackson novels. The grand prize was a treasure which made them rich--and who could pass up a chest filled with 100 grand! (Bars that is.) Next, the teens  created their own battle shields, just like Percy’s!

Something From Little

Argyle Branch Library's Teen Coordinator/Library Associate Tonja Ferrell said, "Shanna Carter, the teen presenter for our program, June 27, 2019, challenged the 12 teens who attended to stretch their creative skills and see what they could invent.  The real test was they could only make things using odds and ends she gave them, such as, a pool noodle, chop sticks, electrical tape, cotton balls, bolts, and plastic lotion bottles!  They accepted the challenge and even made up slogans and jingles to market their inventions to each other at the close of the program.  Shanna proved to be an excellent presenter, providing encouragement and ideas for places the inventions could be of use.

"Some of the items created were a Super Shield (phone protector), Sun Panel (energy saving device), and a water carrier/washing machine (for third world countries): The Washeroo!  The plastic lotion bottles became an organizer.  The imaginations displayed were impressive."

Giving Is Living Big At Argyle

"Argyle Branch’s Teen Advisory Board Thanksgiving Food Drive during November brought in so many non-perishable food items that we had to ask for assistance from the area church in picking up the food.  The TAB has been committed to doing community 'Acts Of Kindness.' Donations were received from Argyle's staff, customers, and even from the Spanish class one of our TAB members attends. (I need to shout out to this member, Lorrainne R., who took our TAB food drive flyer to school, resulting in enthusiastic support by her Spanish class.)  

"All donated food was given to a local church for their food pantry and Thanksgiving baskets which they provided to families in need this Thanksgiving! I thank the TAB and everyone who gave this Thanksgiving.  I know the people who were helped will be eternally thankful for the generosity," reports Tonja Ferrell, AYL Library Associate/Teen Coordinator.

AYL Staff Goal: Positive Comments About Each Other

"Deidra Townsend encouraged staff to post 100 positive comments about each other by the end of July.  We had one staff 'huddle' where we played 'hot potato' with a treat. We passed the treat from one employee to the next who made a positive comment. Whoever had the treat at the end of 30 seconds won the treat. Staff enjoyed reading the positive comments as the month passed. Deidra has gathered all the comments and will disperse them to the staff in August. We are looking forward to seeing what she has in store for August," reports Argyle Branch Manager Kristi Dorney.

WHAT A WONDERFUL IDEA!

Leadership Awards Given At May Board Meeting

Library Director Tim Rogers and Library Board Chair Ronnie King were delighted to pose with all the JPL Leadership Award winners at the Board of Trustees meeting at the Main Library, May 10, 2018 -- and here are our honored winners:

Below, Tonja Baker-Ferrell of the Argyle Library has reinvigorated the Teen Advisory Board.  She put teen volunteers to work in the reading buddies program on Saturday mornings.   Most importantly, she invites the teens’ ideas and creativity.  The result has been programs for Halloweeen, winter holidays, a Harry Potter Valentine’s Ball, and for Easter, an Egg-stravaganza.  For this, Tonja received a Model the Way Award and was named Employee of the Quarter. 

Below, L/R in back are Erica Brown. who received for Laura Minor and Jay Brasfield; Bryan Thomas, and John Wilson; in front L/R are Christa Snow, Emma Pancho, Jessica Morio, Shirdellah Grouix, Catherine Currier and Olga Bayer.  They constitute the force that made a big success of this January’s Mapping our Past event in the Hicks Auditorium and the Ansbacher Map Room.  Featuring Christopher Lane of the Antiques Roadshow, this event drew attendees from far and wide.  For this major accomplishment,  the team received the Carolyn Williams Team Award for Inspiring a Shared Vision.  

The JPL Foundation's Zoe Carr--wearing her usual beautiful smile below--took on the challenge of redesigning the Friends website.  Thanks to her efforts, the website launched, March 22, 2018, and Zoe certainly deserves the Encourage Others to Act Award.

Kathy Tekin, Jessica Serrano, John Jessee, Kristi Dorney, and Curt Beadell lined up for this great pic and received the Carolyn Williams Team Ward for Modeling the Way.  They were behind the Arbor Terrace Reading Group for patients of the Arbor Terrace Dementia Care Center in Ortega where library staff visit patients for bi-weekly Friday reading sessions.  

Joanna Nigrelli, pictured below, is credited with essentially filling the role of three people when Main's Children's and Teen departments were short staffed. She kept a positive attitude that continues to be well noticed by customers and coworkers.  For this, Joanna received the Model the Way Award.

All of us cheer all of you on and look forward to seeing your next big accomplishments.

Job Well Done: Abby Pabustan

                    Kristi Dorney (L) presents Job Well Done Award to Abby Pabustan.

"Abby Pabustan, Library Clerk at Argyle Library, received a Job Well Done Award, April 12, 2018, for assuming responsibility for processing new adult books since August 2017. Abby was chosen for this task for her attention to detail which is essential for processing new materials. She found a couple of mistakes on spine labels before they could be shelved incorrectly. Abby maintains the browsing section by shelving new materials, as well as removing older items from the regular shelves. Argyle has not had any new materials for adults on the in-process list since Abby took over the task.  She is also a friendly face to customers and coworkers alike," said Kristi Dorney, Argyle Branch Manager.

Eggs-travaganza At Argyle

Argyle Branch’s Easter Egg Hunt, March 31, 2018, welcomed 99 kids, tweens, teens, and caregivers.  Tonja Ferrell reports, "Initiated and hosted by AYL's Teen Advisory Board, the event supported the City's goals and JPL’s Goal #2 of its Strategic Plan: Youth Educational Success.  It provided an opportunity for AYL teens to develop leadership and life skills in that they planned the craft, hid the eggs, then oversaw the egg hunt for school aged children.  The activity also supported JPL's Goal #3 of the Strategic Plan by creating more opportunities for people to gather by maximizing functional library spaces. The basket making craft was completed in the children’s area. The egg hunt was managed by dividing

children 5 and below and  children 6 and up into two groups that searched for eggs in either the teen area or in the adult stacks. We found that many participants had not attended any of our previous programs and all gave positive feedback as they left. 

"The egg hunt was supported and implemented with donations and assistance from our branch employees and our Regional Manager Lynne Baldwin. We emphasized a team spirit, which contributed to a successful event that everyone enjoyed."

AYL's Outstanding Black History Month Display

Library Associate Tracey Mills (above) is a champion of reading.  Tracey is helping to promote reading at the Argyle Branch Library with a display celebrating Black History Month.  You can’t miss the display  - it takes up almost an entire wall.   From books to biographical posters of notable African Americans, this display has something for everyone.  Region Manager Lynne Baldwin says, "Kudos to Tracey.  This is another example of creative marketing geared to increase circulation of reading materials as part of Strategic Plan Objective 1.1.1B  (tracking the circulation of reading materials). Let’s work together and help JPL build a community of readers.  Start Here. Read Anywhere." 

Harry Potter Hogwarts Valentine Ball 2018

Tonja Ferrell sent this pic of AYL's Valentine’s Day activity named (as you see in the title of this blurb), developed and hosted by their Teen Advisory Board, February 10, 2018.  Tonja says, "It was well received by the teens and children. One youth even came dressed in her Harry Potter finest. They enjoyed making love potions, Butter Beer, Wands, and assorted Valentine crafts." 

Red Any Good Books Lately?

Region Manager Lynne Baldwin says, “AYL Library Clerk Christina Pope created a display to promote reading by highlighting a different color each month along with a catchy slogan.  The color for January is red and the slogan is 'Red Any Good Books Lately?'  Orange is on tap for February. This is exemplary of creative marketing for increasing circulation of reading materials as part of the Strategic Plan Objective 1.1.1B  (tracking circulation of reading materials). Let’s work together and help JPL build a community of readers.  Start Here. Read Anywhere.”

How Snow White Lives In Florida

Argyle Branch's Tonja Ferrell said, "Several weeks prior to our Teen/Tween Snow White sculpture event, I tickled the kids' imagination by asking them to guess the medium we would use to make their Snow White sculptures.  Prior to the event, December 23, 2017, no one had come up with the right answer.  To the teens' surprise, it was Styrofoam packing peanuts.  One of the boys thought it was a perfect choice since we live in Florida and SNOW White would melt, so the packing peanuts.  I told him he had nailed it.

"The teens had fun; one young lady came for the first time, specifically for this program.  She has since requested an app to join the TAB and Reading Buddies.  I thought this was  a great example of how Argyle is working on the Strategic Plan by supporting Citywide and departmental efforts to improve services to youth with partnerships and programs that promote education and enrichment."

Alex Shares His Toys With Others

"Last week, Alex Hood (pictured here) and his mom kindly donated his train table and some toys to the Argyle Library Children’s Department. The children have been excited to have a table to play at and use in the Play and Learn Center," reports YS Library Associate Kimberly Bennett.

AYL's "Shelf Talkers"

You’ve heard about horse whisperers, well, Argyle has its very own shelf talkers. Terri Basemore and Shanay Johnson are highlighting each genre in the collection with unique shelf talkers.   Webb Region Manager Lynne Baldwin commented, "My favorite is Take Me to Your Reader shelf talker for Sci-Fi.  What a creative way to market the great collection at Argyle.  I'm looking forward to seeing what Terri and Shanay will do next."

Powerful Words For Powerful Display

AYL Library Clerk Terri Basemore created  this display to make it easier for customers to find the graphic novels in the Children’s department.  She also created a display for the Teen graphic novels.  Webb Region Manager Lynne Baldwin said, "Argyle is very fortunate to have someone as creative as Terri on their team." 

Job Well Done: Kim Bennett

Argyle Branch Manager Kristi Dorney nominated Kim Bennett for a Job Well Done Award because Kim created a 3-D undersea scene for the door window to the Children’s workroom. Kim also designed a woodland theme for the door window to the adult workroom. She has also decorated the Children’s area to be more welcoming.