Friends Of WB Light Up The Night

The Friends of Willowbranch Library arranged this luminaria for the holiday enjoyment of all who passed by.

The Garden Was Cooking!

    Director Tim Rogers reads Go, Go Grapes!  by April Pulley Sayre to "all ears" kids.

Willowbranch Library collaborated with WB Friends President Joanne Henkle and hosted a morning Garden Storytime at Willowbranch Rose Garden Park, March 27, 2018.  Library Director Tim Rogers, Councilman Jim Love and YS Library Associate Joe Gaskin delighted the children and caregivers with book readings, songs and audience participation activities.

During March, WB Storytime has seen families exploring themes such as seeds, flowers, and gardening.  The children sprouted seeds to be planted in the WB Friends plot after this storytime. Region Manager Marshelle Berry said, "Joe looked the part in his overalls as he shared stories, songs, and activities about food from the garden.  Mr. Rogers and CM Love gave spirited readings and met with the many families before and after the program while others explored the garden.   

L/R Director Tim Rogers, CM Jim Love, Friends of WB President Roxanne Henkle, JPL retiree Isabelle Pierre with flowers from the WB Friends; and Library Associate Joe Gaskin.  

"Recent library retiree Isabelle “Miss Belle” Pierre had a big smile and thank-you for the gorgeous bouquet of flowers presented to her by Ms. Henkle on behalf of the WB Friends honoring her 11 years of service and dedication to WB families.  The first storytime was followed by another facilitated by Joe and both were well received.  ('Mr. Joe' will continue the WB storytime legacy.) There were 67 participants and with WB Manager Margaret Morford and all her staff working to make this event a big success, it certainly was just that."

Willowbranch's 2nd Comic Con Smashing Success

WB's Librarian II Alison McCarty reports, "Willowbranch Library held its second Comic Con event, May 6, 2017.  As you see, Director Barbara Gubbin joined the costumed participants and others for an exciting day. With local comic artists, tap dancers, cosplayers, and Ghostbusters in attendance, the event was a HULK SMASH!  WB also SMASHED its attendance from last year with over 700 customers attending this year's event. Library staff

offered storytimes, crafts, bingo and other games for children, as well as board and video games and a scavenger hunt for all ages." 

Friends of WB sponsored this year's theme buttons which were given to visitors. WB Friends President Roxanne Henkle was on hand with her steampunk bicycle, Barrymore. She said, "We are happy to have been a part of such an exciting event."

WB Receives Award

On hand (L/R) for the award were Friends of WB: Hella Shull, Cristina Maduro, and  Roxanne Henkle, President.  Holding the award is WB Manager Scott Adams, Region Manager Marshelle Berry and CM Jim Love.

Willowbranch Library received the Riverside Avondale Annual Preservation Award at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepard, Jacksonville, Florida, February 16, 2017.  The award was for exterior/interior improvements made and 5,000+ new materials added for customers to check out.  The improvements occurred while WB was closed due to water intrusion.

The WB site improvement project was successfully completed due to the dedication and hard work of a team comprised of representatives from the city, library  administrators and staff, Friends of WB, community businesses and neighborhood residents. 

WB opened November 17, 1930 an is the oldest running public library in Jacksonville and is one of Riverside-Avondale's most recognizable landmarks and very popular with members of the community.  

Willowbranch Reopens For A Happy Crowd, 11/14/15

After being closed for over a year for much needed, many faceted renovation, Willowbranch Library reopened Saturday, November 14, 2015, to exuberant customers waiting to revisit a favorite hub. Boys and girls quickly found their points of interest, whether it was a book, face painting, or hobnobbing with  Board Trustee Sybil Ansbacher (first pic below).   

Region Manager Marshelle Berry welcomed everyone and introduced local author and historian, Wayne Wood. He told how the land where WB is was formerly a plantation and City Council overruled a mayor to purchase the property.  Much later, the oldest still-open branch in the system, the Mediterranean Revival-style library, opened November 17, 1930.

Council Member Jim Love read a Resolution from City Council; Director Barbara Gubbin spoke and told the crowd of about 300 that the father of a former Library Board member, Meridith Tousey, had done the building's stonework.  Board Trustee Sybil Ansbacher and Freinds of WB President Roxanne Henkle also welcomed everyone.

To view the opening ceremony, you can view three separate videos of the event on JPL's You Tube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYlvFMy-PMs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqLhjKmJ83A&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bECWmxPt70s&feature=youtu.be

Thanks to the senior administrative team and other employees who helped make this a memorable time for all the customers.

JPL appreciates Roxanne Henkle and the Friends of Willowbranch for planning this very successful event.