Big Win For CR&M/JPL

Jenna Hassell, Coordinator for Community Relations and Marketing, reports, "Rave reviews for the library’s new podcast, Completely Booked! The podcast currently has 19, 5-star ratings on iTunes and these three blush-worthy reviews:

"'These women are breathing fresh life into fundamental community building with this podcast. Their guests are interesting and doing positive things in the Jacksonville area. Hurley and Jenna ask great questions and provide some much needed levity to my podcast selections. Also it’s a warm invitation to reconnect with one of Jacksonville’s great institutions: the public library! – Daughter_of_the_King

“'Great weekly podcast put on by the Jacksonville Public Library system. The hosts are charismatic and genuine. I love the format. Every week they have someone interesting in Jacksonville in the show. They talk about all kinds of topics, but I like how it always relates back to some crazy (awesome) service or feature of the library. I had no idea the library offered some of the services it does. Podcast is definitely worth a listen if you live in or love Jacksonville…Or if you just love great podcasts! – ClaudiaLynnKishi

“'It’s cool that the library is doing a podcast like this. I enjoy listening every week. Lots of different, interesting local entrepreneurs and such on it. Very interesting. –Allen Doyle'"

THANKS, CR&M, FOR MAKING ANOTHER GREAT BECKONING CALL TO JPL!

WWII Navy Vet Couple Embrace Love, Literature & Living Life to the Fullest

CR&M's Sheenah Thrasher-Zamora had an interesting interview with two avid Regency Square Branch customers, May 25, 2017:

"As many of us gathered with friends and family to celebrate Memorial Day in remembrance of the fallen men and women of the armed forces who fought for this country, let us not forget to give thanks and appreciation to those who are still with us.  WWII Navy Veteran Couple, Raymond, 95 and Dorothy McDuff, 94 sat down with me to share their life experiences serving in the military, their love for the Jacksonville Public Library (JPL), and what keeps their relationship so strong after all these years. 

"Raymond enlisted in the Navy at the age of 16, graduated from boot camp in Farragut, Idaho. He then chose the job of Fire Controlman  but later changed career paths to become an instructor. Mr. McDuff served from sea to shore at various duty stations throughout the world, including Australia, San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, and Pearl Harbor, Hi in support of WWII operations. A Macon, GA native, Dorothy joined the Navy at 17 years old, and trained in boot camp out of New York as Yeoman (Executive Administrative Assistant), and continued to serve in Oklahoma, completing her enlistment at a Naval hospital in Bethesda, MD.  

"This active couple has been frequent customers of the Regency Square Branch Library for many years, where they regularly take advantage of the resources available to continue their never-ending journey of learning. Mr. McDuff joyfully responds to my question regarding his favorite thing about JPL, 'They have first class service and they all do great job, and so do you ma’am…every time I go to look for an author, I get help right up front…I got no complaints,' Raymond also tells me of memories of simpler times, as a teenager  back in Iowa, where he’s originally from, of walking 1½  miles, each way, going to the library.  'You could get books on Monday, Wednesday and Friday…3 books is all you could get', noted Raymond.  When asked what their favorite book was, without hesitation, Dorothy replied, 'The Bible'...'Oh yes!”' echos Raymond. They both agree that it is the teachings found in this book and love that keeps them connected with one another. 'Love covers all. How can I ask God to forgive me of something, if I haven’t forgiven my fellow man? And all this black/white [referring to racial issues in society] stuff; let me tell you something, there wouldn’t be all these problems if we all just talk it out. You got to talk it out.”  Mr. McDuff adds this Rx pertaining to their secret to living a great life, 'We don’t drink, smoke, complain or argue… I love that woman…it’s a privilege to have this lady and I enjoy taking care of her. She’s very intelligent and has a lot of common sense…. We have a really first class relationship.'  Dorothy concludes, 'There was something about him that drew me to him.' 

"The McDuffs take pleasure in travel, having visited Europe and Canada on multiple trips, living as young and free as their hearts desire.  Their passion for enjoying every day and each other is inspiring to all ages." 

On The Way To No. 1

CR&;M's Sheenah Thrasher-Zamora (far right) plays a variety of sports during the 2017 YMCA First Coast Games representing the City of Jacksonville team. Sheenah said, "It's  not  the championship title yet, but I am proud to announce that we won our first volleyball game with  Chase Bank,

May 2, 2017, and will continue throughout the week in a friendly battle to 1^st place." For more info about upcoming matches and more visit http://firstcoastymca.org/programs/first-coast-games/

Success Story: Sheenah Thrasher-Zamora

Chris Boivin, CR&M Manager, shares this wonderful story about the success CRM’s Administrataive Assistant, Sheenah, enjoyed on her path that took her through graduating Virginia College and to the library. Enjoy:   https://www.vc.edu/vc-news/2016-08/virginia-college-success-story-sheenah/

Kathy Lussier, CR&M Manager, Honored By Library Board

Erin Skinner, Chair of the Library Board, presented CR&M Manager Kathy Lussier with a Certificate of Appreciation at the Library Board meeting, August 10, 2015, for Mrs. Lussier's outstanding work accomplished during her five year tenure with JPL. Mrs. Lussier introduced branding to JPL, received an award for instructing JPL staff on LibraryAware and strongly promoting its use system wide for individual libraries' promo materials, and she and her team rolled out unbelievable numbers of programs and their own p.r. materials for JPL, including posters, pamphlets, news releases, the JPL Newsletter. etc.  

Mrs. Lussier and her husband Joe, will be moving to Austin, TX, and her last day at JPL will be September 18.

Olga Bayer, who will pinch hit for the CR&M Manager until a new one is found, said, "All of our team can honestly say there is no one like Kathy. She is a wonderful person and boss, and she and her many talents and brain will be sorely missed here in CR&M. We wish her the very best always."

All of JPL employees can ditto that statement, Kathy!

Jax Reads! Kickoff Big Draw For VIP's

Library support was vibrant at the Jax Reads! kickoff at the Main Library, September 1, 2015, attended mostly by VIP's.  

CR and M's Manager Kathy Lussier welcomed everyone and introduced Director Barbara Gubbin, who acknowledged many VIP's individually. Attending were State Senator Audrey Gibson's Aide, CM and Chairman of the Finance Committee Bill Gulliford, CM's Aaron Bowman. Katrina Brown, Doyle Carter, Al Ferraro, Jim Love, Joyce Morgan, Sam Newby and Scott Wilson; Margaret Smith with the Friends of JPL; some Library Board members; Leslie Kirkwood, Chairwoman of Banned; Michael Boylan, WJCT's President and CEO and other media reps, and some of the Mayor's and JPL's staff. 

She thanked the city for not reducing the JPL budget FY2016 and recognizing the importance of libraries.  Director Gubbin also thanked the CR and M staff and JPL employees as a whole. She gave a brief background of the author and said the book, written in poems, won the National Book Award and other awards. The Mayor and CM's will receive copies of Brown Girl Dreaming. She then introduced Mayor Lenny Curry.  

Mayor Curry acknowledged that reading precedes any success in life and the importance of libraries. He said sports as priority one in his life was overturned by reading in his youth and reading was a major contributor to his success as it can be for anyone. His family uses the San Marco Branch. 

Mayor Curry encouraged everyone to read Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson, during this city wide effort, September 1-October 4.  

Director Gubbin and Board Chair Erin Skinner unveiled the READ poster designed especially for Mayor Curry and the Jax Reads! kickoff. He was obviously delighted with the poster and thanked everyone.

Ms. Lussier also thanked all JPL staff without whom there would be no Jax Reads!--and particularly graphic artist Denise Turner for the Jax Reads! logo and color combination used in all of the attractive promotional materials.

Author Jacqueline Woodson will be at the Main Library Hick's Auditorium, October 4, to culminate the Jax Reads! program. 

To view more of these really good pics (thanks to Olga Bayer), you can link here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cityofjax/albums/72157655721146634

Shared News

Kathy Lussier wanted to share the following news with you and note in the last news feed that Eric Soriano won a travel award from PLA :

Jacksonville Pension Reform

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Florida Legislators Weighing Significant Changes to the Pension System TALLAHASSEE State lawmakers, Cabinet members, judges, school board members ,

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Risking more opposition from the city, Police and Fire Pension Fund considers filling No. 2 job

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Risking more opposition from the city, Police and Fire Pension Fund considers filling No. 2 job Board members are paving the way to fill the ...

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Firefighters' union board chooses Brown over Curry; mayor fails to get enough votes for endorsement

The Daily Record | 02/20/15 12:03

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Readers seek solutions for $10 million in capital funds

Jacksonville.com | 02/20/15 11:31

...about $10 million that could be used for capital improvements in Jacksonville . City officials have found about $10 million that could be used...

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Out of office, Weatherford lingers near the public stage

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...thought leader on other pro-growth solutions including lower taxes, pension reform, and free market health care solutions. Will is the Managing...

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Weatherford polishes up his resume

Miami Herald Blog | 02/20/15 09:55

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Cheers: George Gabel has been a tireless champion for transparency

Jacksonville.com | 02/20/15 09:00

...the groundbreaking case Brown vs. Denton forced the city of Jacksonville to abandon a proposed pension plan agreement that had been reached under...

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