Beautiful Morning; Beautiful Day

Friends of the Beaches Branch Library celebrated their 40th anniversary, November 16, 2019, at JB in a special way.  They gave the community a literary day and 683 fans reaped the benefits over a four hour period.

Starting at 10:30 am, 100 fans enjoyed coffee with Cassandra Conroy, the keynote speaker.  They gave their rapt attention as Ms. Conroy, shared some of her special memories of her and her late famous author/husband's relationship--more detailed in her newest book, Tell Me a Story.  She told how Pat Conroy never actually proposed.  He took her shopping for wedding bands and when they got back in the car Cassandra asked him if there was something he wanted to ask her.   

Later a panel of authors gave readings from their books and shared experiences with their devotees. Below Shannon Greenland said the inspiration for her book, The Scouts, was the 1980's movie, The Goonies. Katie Devanny (left) joined other customers for Ms. Greenlands recounts. 

Below President of the Beaches Friends Marianna Kane greets Ms. Conroy upon her arrival at the library Saturday morning.  Terry Welch was impressed with Ms. Conroy's social graces.  Ms. Conroy asked Jo Ann Mattingly, one of the committee members for the FOJB anniversary event, if she had read Susan Cushman's book about the Friends of the Library. 

Another memorable takeaway for Terry, "One of our local authors, David Weiskircher, gave Cassandra a copy of his book, A Thin Place.  She graciously accepted it and asked him to sign it.  As others agreed, It was a wonderful day capped by several outstanding moments."

THANK YOU, FOJPL, FOR ALL THE COOKIES!

JPL employees had a smile on their faces this week, thanks  to the appreciation the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library.  Mrs. Margaret Smith personally brought boxes of cookies in honor of National Library Workers Day--and each one of us--which has been an annual  event for FOJPL now for several years. We can't thank you enough--each and every one of Y - O - U!

Friends Of JB Book Sale

You are invited to help promote the Friends of the Beaches Branch Library Book Sale, April 19 (members only but you can join at the door), 20, 21, 22, 2017.  It will be held in the Community Room at JB:

Wednesday, April 19, 4 pm - 7 pm - 
           Members only - can join at the door

Thursday, April 20, and
Friday, April 21, 10 am - 5 pm 

Saturday, April 22, 10 am - 5 pm - Bag Day

                             YA'LL COME!

Dr. Seuss Time At JB - Thanks to Friends of JB

The Friends of the Beaches Branch Library held their annual Seuss-tastic, March 25^th.  The Cat in the Hat was on hand to welcome over 90 Seuss fans of all ages. Children enjoyed activities that included stories, crafts, games, a costume parade, trivia contest, face painting, snacks and prizes. Teen librarian and Seuss fan, Julie Rekow, made time to read to the children from one of her favorite Dr. Seuss books, The Foot Book (And all feet get raised below.) 

The girls pictured above were volunteers who helped out at the event and came dressed as Dr. Seuss characters, Things 1, 2 and 3--all sisters.

Nicole Saville spoke for all JB staff, "Many heartfelt thanks to the Friends of the Beaches Library for another wonderful event."  (Thanks to Nicole for the blurb and pics.)

JB Has Exciting Jax Reads Event

It was a big night at JB when the Flamingo Book Club discussed the Jax Reads book, The Namesake, with 35 attendees. They were treated to Indian food, entertained by dancers, enthralled by speaker Prema Kumar and decorated with Mehndi tattoos. Terry Welch said, "This fabulous evening was created with help  from staff member Padma Subramanian, who is going to retire on March 10, 2017.  Additional photos can be found on the Friends Of The Beaches Branch Library Facebook Page."

Beaches Branch Celebrates 30 Years of Service

Beaches Branch Library celebrated its 30^th Anniversary on Saturday, May 21, 2016, with a Community Open House. Library customers visited with the many elected officials and representatives from local community organizations.  Kathleen Krizek from Special Collections did genealogy database demonstrations and also showed off the newly digitized portions of The Florida Times-Union indexes. CAL Manager Katie Devanny and JB staff also manned tables. E-Specialist Randy Manapoo did 3D Printer and tablet demonstrations.

JB Manager Theresa Rooney said, "We were amazed at the support for the Beaches Branch by elected officials. Library Director Barbara Gubbin provided opening remarks for the noon program. Katie Ross, Regional Director, Senator Bill Nelson’s Office, read a letter from the Senator. Jackie Smith, District Director, U.S. Representative Ander Crenshaw’s Office, also spoke enthusiastically about the many things the library offers. 

Brian Sexton, former Voice of the Jaguars, was the keynote speaker; however, the hit of the program was 94 year old Scotty Thornton, who shared some of her experiences, beginning in 1979, in mobilizing support from elected officials and community organizations to replace the 3,000 sq. ft. library in the old Jax Beach City Hall with a new branch. These experiences were documented in a timeline lovingly prepared by  FOBBL members Pam and Steve Ubl, based on primary sources contained with several early Friends scrapbooks, and installed on the Community Room wall to celebrate the anniversary. In addition to Ms. Thornton, Special guests included: Sallie Pickard and Ann Winfree, the librarians who opened the Beaches Branch in 1986, and the family of Eloise Claiborne, a Beaches resident appointed to the Board of Library Trustees in 1979, who served as President from 1983-84.

 

Mayor Harriet Pruette declared Saturday, May 21st as “Beaches Branch Library Day” by Mayoral Proclamation. Other elected officials who spoke during the program were Councilmember Bill Gulliford and State Representative Aaron Bean. Bryan Sexton was the Keynote Speaker and Tim Anderson, Secretary, Board of Library Trustees, gave closing remarks. Also attending were: State Representative Lake Ray, Kara Tucker and Scott Wiley from the Neptune Beach City Council, and Phil Vogelsang and Bruce Thomason from the City of Jacksonville Beach City Council, as well as  Mitch Reeves, Mayor of Atlantic Beach.  

The event was also well attended by JPL Administration, including Deputy Directors Jennifer Giltrop (Public Services), Mark Merritt (Administration), Assistant Director of Public Services Julie McNeil, Assistant Director of Support Services Gretchen Mitchel, Regional Supervisors Sara Roberts (PCR), and Keli Likins (SE), and Karen Walker, Manager of E-Services & Digital Access, as well as others.

Beaches Watch, Jacksonville Beach Life Guards, Sea Turtle Patrol, BEAM, Beaches Museum & History Park, Bennie Furlong Senior Center, Beaches Photography Club, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Jacksonville and  the “Seams Beachy”chapter of the American Sewing Guild were some of the local organizations represented.  

 

FOBBL raffled 18 book-themed gift baskets and the Children’s Department offered face-painting, balloon sculptures, and two “beachy” crafts. The event wrapped up around 2 p.m. and staff estimated that 500+ patrons had walked through the gate and most had participated. Everyone enjoyed Italian Ice from Rita’s, which donated 25% of their profits to the Friends of the Beaches Branch Library, and special beach-themed cookies provided by Cinnoti’s Bakery and Publix.  

                                     Barbara Sperbeck, FOBBL                    

Tripping The Light Fantastic At JB

Terry Welch (front in pic at left) said, "The January read for the Flamingo Book Club at JB was Carrying Albert Home, by Homer Hickam. Members were treated to a Skype visit with the author, who explained his inspiration and answered questions.  One of our members (and a member of the Friends of the Beaches Public Library), Virginia Maxted, pictured below, dressed as Elsie Hickam a main character.  We had a delightful time." (Great pics, Terry.)