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.) 

Big Bash At Brentwood

           Guests picked up their backpacks and checked out materials at NS.

 

 Three hundred backpacks filled with school supplies, courtesy of The Friends of Brentwood Library, were passed out, Saturday, August 10, 2019. This was FOBL's 6^th annual Back to School Bash at Brentwood Branch and kids and parents were treated to pizza and popcorn.  A local story teller entertained the children and staff provided other activities.

The event began with speeches from four Council Members:(above L/R ): Terrance Freeman, (Director Tim Rogers), Reggie Gaffney, (FOBL founder Sharon Coon), Sam Newby and Ju'Coby Pittman. 

The CM's all focused on the importance of education and staying in school.  They encouraged parents to be engaged with their kids and to keep a positive attitude.

It was a double header day--backpacks for kids and Mrs. Coon's birthday, so CM Pittman sang Happy Birthday to her and everyone joined in.

Director Rogers thanked Mrs. Coon and FOBL for demonstrating their interest in children's education and keeping branches open.  When Mrs. Coon (below) spoke, she recognized and thanked Director Rogers for his excellent work for JPL

 
 Above, Director Rogers obviously enjoyed communicating with one year old Joshua while his four year old sister, Destiny, tunes in.  (Joshua and Destiny are Region Manager Marshelle Berry's grandchildren.)   

Friends of Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library Win Award

Above left is pictured long time advocate of the recently renamed Bill Brinton Murray Hill Branch Library and Secretary of this Friends group, Judy Klein.  She sent this picture of the “Outstanding Program” award given to President of the BBMH Friends Jay Stuckey (above) and her at FLA. Mrs. Klein said, "It was presented, May 15, 2019, at the opening program of the annual Florida Library Association conference in Orlando."

As CRM Manager Chris Boivin aptly put it in his nomination to FLA for the award, "The Friends, comprised of six board and more than 50 regular members, takes great pride in their small neighborhood library and works diligently to support programming, enhance the campus and landscaping, create awareness, and hold various fundraisers throughout the year. I have never seen a more dedicated team effort than what the Friends put forth for the 50th Anniversary Celebration." 

The blog article covering the 50th Anniversary Celebration, December 15, 2018, can be viewed by clicking on the MH Friends "label" below this article.

JPL staff appreciate Mrs. Klein and Mr. Stuckey for sharing their achievement with us.  It is an award well deserved and we congratulate you!

Interim Director Giltrop Praised By Friends Of MH

Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop is flanked by Friends of Murray HIll: (L) Florence Rando and (R), Judy Klein; both are strong advocates for JPL.  

Everyone appreciates a kudo for a a job well done and JPL Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop shares this note of appreciation from a VIP for her presentation, August 11, 2017, to the City Finance Committee at City Hall.

Hi Jennifer,

Just wanted to let you know again what a great job you did advocating for our Jacksonville Library System at the Finance Committee meeting on library funding! The Friends of the Murray Hill Library are happy to stand with you along with all of the Friends groups in Jacksonville and push for increased funding for materials and hours.

Thanks,

Judy Klein 

Library In Middle Of 100th Celebration Of MH Community

The Murray Hill Preservation Association sponsored a block party, Saturday, September 17, 2016, to celebrate the community's 100th year anniversary, and they exceeded the estimated attendance of a thousand.  MH Branch stayed open until 9 pm for the occasion.

Murray Hill was incorporated as a city on July 5, 1916 and then on June 8, 1925, citizens voted 96 to 9 for annexation to the City of Jacksonville.

Region Manager Marshelle Berry, MH Branch Manager Guy Adkins, and several employees enjoyed joining in the community centennial celebration.  At left, you see the results of E-Specialist Donna Peretzman helping kids with 3-D printing Pen Art they created--stars, caterpillars, and feathers, etc.

CR&M's Part-time Graphics Artist Margaret Fishback ran a green screen just outside the library, and inside YS Librarian II Camara Bragdon helped youth make Pokemon Balls.

The Friends of the Murray Hill Library had a booth in front of the library and Judy Klein (center below), past president and board member, helped man their booth.

A unique touch to the block party was a portable (trailer) climbing tree right in the midst--no climbers were seen; still it was a great conversation piece. (No, the tree is not connected to the live wires even though it appears to be.)

                      AND A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

VIP's Hear Murray Hill Friends' Big Plans

The Friends of the Murray Hill Library had some big plans for their annual meeting, February 16, 2016, and not a few VIP's attended the event at Maple Street Biscuit Company. Beside announcing new MHF board members and their main goal to see Murray Hill Branch open seven days a week, President of MHF Bill Brinton addressed an audience of forty-five about the founding of the Murray Hill municipality in 1916.  He noted some businesses that subsequently opened and that the Murray Hill Library was dedicated in 1968.

      Mr. Brinton, Director Barbara Gubbin, and Judy Kline, outgoing President of MHF. 

City Council President Greg Anderson attended and other CM's included Jim Love, John Crescimbeni, and Samuel Newby. CM Love made a few remarks praising the many opportunities found at the Jacksonville Public Library.  He added a brief description of how an extension of the period that the City of Jacksonville collects a ½ cent sales tax could be dedicated to the resolution of funding issues with the City pension.

The Friends group awarded Library Hero Awards to CM's Love and Crescimbeni.

Beside Director Gubbin, other JPL VIP's who attended were Deputy Director for Public Services Jennifer Giltrop, Manager of Strategic Initiatives Richard Mott,  CR&M Manager Christian Boivin, Manager of YS & CO Amber Holley and Highlands Region Manager Marshelle Berry.

Some Can Wear It; Some Could Not

Director Barbara Gubbin (center) is pictured with two other ladies (identities unknown) at the Friends of the Murray Hill Branch "Dinner with the Dead", Saturday evening, October 24, 2015. Ms. Gubbin dressed as Isadora Duncan, including a long, flowing scarf, which Isadora was famous for wearing. Director Gubbin, however, did not ride home in an open roadster.