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." 

North Region Staff At Farmers' Market

North Region Manager Marshelle Berry shared this photo of (L/R) GB Manager Sharon Kirkes, Vanessa Garnica, Marshelle, and Tyhedra Wilson, who visited the Farmers' Market here in Jacksonville, June 22, 2019, to do a JPL Outreach.  Great choice of venues--plenty of cover from the sun AND a popular site on Saturdays for those who work M-F and like fresh food.  They coupled their terrific smiles with plenty of library experience to do their usual bang-up job promoting JPL's many services.

Ozobots For Outreach

Using Ozobots--small robots programmed to follow lines and dots on a page--proves to be a great draw whether they are used for Teen Tech Week or a Coding Unplugged activity because participants can design an environment for the robot to interact with by simply drawing on a page.

Here GB's Jonathan Sandbach (GB) gives a demo of Ozobots at the John E. Ford Pre-K - 8^th School during their Family Literacy and Makerspace event, January 25, 2018. Main's Joanna Nigrelli provided a table of library information and earlier in the day, Elizabeth McConney from Youth Services presented a more detailed Ozobot program for several classes. (Visit this Ozobots web site for more information:  https://ozobot.com/; thanks to Joanna and Alex Bishop for input.)

Don't Let The Death Cockroaches Loose!

GB Manager Susan Arthur, said, "Animal ambassadors from the Jacksonville Zoo visited Dallas Graham Branch, June 28, 2017, fascinating the children with critters they could learn about and touch. Young 'scientists' had close-up views of an alligator, a turtle and other animals, as well as artifacts from the Zoo. One Iimportant lesson learned:  don’t let the Death Cockroaches loose!

GB Celebrates National Poetry Month

In honor of National Poetry Month, Graham Branch's Open Mic Night was presented, April 12, 2017, and hosted by Library Associate Tia Samuels.  Branch Manager Susan Arthur said, "It was a success with participants ranging in age from16 to 40 years old.  There were writers, poets, rappers and comedians showing off their talents with original material, as well as readings of poems written by greats Maya Angelou and Charles Bukowski.  Participants and listeners enjoyed refreshments and shared a lot of laughs.

One of our teen volunteers, Raymond Johnson, was in attendance helping the participants present their talents.

GB Displays Student Art

The DCPS Spring Student Art Reception was held March 23, 2017 at the Dallas Graham Branch Library. Children and their families were invited to a celebration of the art and artists of Duval County Public Schools. They explored art on display throughout the library and enjoyed light refreshments.
 
Normally the DCPS Spring Student Art Reception is held at the Brentwood Branch Library.  This year due to renovation plans it was temporally moved to GB. Even with the location change,16 adults/parents and 45 children attended with a  total  of 61.

If you have not experienced the joy of seeing some really good art (Van Gogh would agree), some of these children's art work is amazing.

Two JPL Advocates Receive Awards

JPL's new Library Board Chair Ronnie King received WJCT's First Coast 2016 American Graduate Champion award, September 15, 2016 at a reception and dinner honoring the winners.  

Friends of the Dallas Graham Branch Library Board Vice Chair Lynn Sherman also was honored with the award. 

The two were recognized for committing their time, skills, and resources to make sure that young people succeed, and for playing an active role in improving educational outcomes for all students.

Ms. Sherman

Urban Core Staff Meets

Urban Librarian IV Stephanie Miller reports, "On August 9, all of the Urban Core staff came together at GB for a combined staff meeting. We celebrated this year’s changes (added hours and new staff) and successes, especially Project LEAP outreaches and DCPS student computer usage in the UC libraries. We also talked about new opportunities coming to us this year with the added grade levels for the DCPS student cards and Kindergarten and 4^th grade class visits to GB. We discussed the Search Institutes 40 developmental assets, coming up with places where the library and library staff can stand in the gap for the kids we see each day by providing safe spaces and positive adult interactions.  

"A special thanks to Jonathan Sandbach, Donna Crowther, Sharon Whitt, Charlene Ovshak, Sara Radovic, Stephanie Harley, Beth Friedrich, and Diane Alexander for covering the UC library desks so that staff could leave their locations and the Main staff who covered extra desk shifts that day to make this possible!"

The Python Is Epic At GB's SLP

Graham Branch kids 5-12 years old had the opportunity to hold a python during Wild Wonders: Animal Adventures program offered on July 6^th.  As part of our EPIC! Summer Presenter Program, aside from the python, kids were taught about small mammals and (large and small) reptiles and how to handle them. (Thanks to YS Librarian Alexis Carter for the pic and blurb.)

STEAM At Graham Branch

Graham Branch had a fun school age program, May 18, where kids focused on making buildings using marshmallows and spaghetti.  As you see, the kids were creative--and afterward enjoyed eating the marshmallows.

GB's Youth Services Librarian, Alexis Carter, said, "These STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programs engage children in specific projects that can explore concepts such as cause/effect, creative interpretation and expression, and involve experimenting with different art mediums and tools to achieve a desired effect.”

GB Has 50+ For Coauthor Event

More than 50 people came to Graham March 5^th to see Natalie McGriff, the coauthor of The Adventures of Moxie McGriff. She read from her newly released book and signed copies for fans.

At the end of the program, all of the children were invited to create their own graphic novels. Templates and colored pencils were provided so they could get to work right away. (Thanks to GB's Raelyn Wiirre, Youth Services Librarian, for the input.)

LOVE Those Prizes

Dallas Graham Branch's Tyhedra Wilson boasts their success story, "We held a weekly Christmas raffle for children and teens, which I hosted during December. The last gift of the week was considered as a Big Gift. To enter children had to check out books either from the self check machine or use their K-5 student ID number. Prizes ranged from books to toys.  Here we have four of the six winners. Elijah Lattimore (last down on right) was our Big Gift winner.  The children were eager to enter the raffle and now the enthusiasm has spread and children from K-5 want to check out more materials.  The motto for the month was READING + WINNING = SUCCESS.

Great success story, Tyhedra!

GB's YS Librarians Inspire & Entertain Kids

Audie Gibson was the absolute epitome of Santa as he held a little Christmas package (including white bow) during a morning stop at GB, December 2, 2015. (Rebekah Mitchell said Mr. Gibson was recommended by a Clay County librarian. What a perfect Santa! We hope Mr. Gibson continues to play Santa for a long time to come. What rosy cheeks! 

In the afternoon, Raelyn Wiirre, GB's YS Librarian, said they instructed youngsters in creating marbled paper during Art Club. Here is a more than satisfied customer with her finished art.  (Don't miss that motto on her shirt: "always be awesome".)   

Some of the awesome results of these children's art are shown below:

NBA Legend, Artis Gilmore, At GB

November 19, 2015 was a memorable day for the 33 (mostly children) who attended Dallas Graham Branch's program featuring the great NBA star, Artis Gilmore.  It was hard to tell who enjoyed who more--Artis or his fans.  
Mr. Gilmore spoke about his life and the similarities between a team sport and life. He allowed Q&A's and later autographed pictures, and was patient to take many photos with fans and staff. Annie Norris donated a basketball that was raffled off. Mr. Gilmore's fans were happy to see his two NBA championship rings that he proudly wears while everyone enjoyed enjoyed conversation and refreshments. (Thanks to  Linda A. Griffin-Foresto,  GB Library Associate, for the news and photos.) 

                               The long and the short of it.

Delores Walker Receives 15 Year Service Pin

GB's Manager Jackie Spiritas reports, "Delores Walker, Library Clerk at the Graham Branch Library, was presented with  her 15 year pin on October 2 by  Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop. Delores was given a letter of recognition signed by Mayor Curry congratulating her for 15 years of service to the library. Delores said she has actually worked for the library for 25 years, having spent the first 10 as a part-time clerk. She recalls working under the former Deputy Director Carolyn Williams at the Bradham Brooks Northwest Library when it first opened. Delores said that she has enjoyed many aspects about the job and watching her son grow up in the library. The Graham Branch staff congratulates Delores Walker on her milestone achievement."

GB Gets Into "Brown Girl Dreaming"

Marie Myers at Graham Branch reports, "We had our first Art Club/Brown Girl Dreaming (Jax Reads! featured book for 2015) poetry project at Graham Branch, September 3rd.

"Twelve teens used the image on the first page of the book as a background for our poem. I chose two poems from the book, which I photocopied and cut out the words. Teens then used the words on the table to create their own "found poem".  I thought it was a great twist to the classic found poetry technique. As they were finishing, they had a choice to either glue their poems on the paper, write it, and/or draw on it, too. We read the actual poems at the end."

I Knew I Could Do It!

Jackie Spiritas, GB Manager, brags on two young SLP fans' accomplishment, "A young 'architect' and her 'engineer' friend posed for a picture by their creation in the Children’s Department at the Dallas Graham Branch Library."

Science And The Art Of Blowing Bubbles

Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas reports, "Science Superheroes at GB, July 8, had fun learning what happens when you mix different types of soap and water and air together – Bubbles! 

Children learned they can make bubbles of different “strengths”  - some you can even hold in your hand! The chemistry behind the process was so fascinating that some of the kids even figured out how to use their fingers to blow bubbles. Surface tension is exciting and messy stuff!

Dallas Graham Branch Celebrates 50 Years

The Dallas Graham Branch Library celebrated a 50^th Anniversary milestone on Monday, June 22 with a nostalgic and educational program honoring the history of the branch.  GB hosted an open house with a social hour followed by a program culminating with a videodocumentary and refreshments. 

The courtyard blossomed with newly planted flowers donated and planted by The College Park Garden Circle.

Lots of details helped make the event a historical walk down memory lane. On display were books published in 1965 (50 years ago!), and Youth Services Librarian Peggy Crawford and Library Assistant Tyhedra Wilson used some children’s books published in 1965 to entertain the children. Some titles are still enjoyed today: “Mr. Pine’s Purple House” by Leonard Kessler and “I Wish that I had Duck Feet” by Dr. Seuss kept the children mesmerized while waiting for the main event to begin. 

A commemorative keepsake Children’s Activity book was created for the event which included puzzles, a word scramble, and “find a word” using clues about the Graham Branch Library and the surrounding community. The program, emceed by Library Board of Trustees member Jackie Perry, began with remarks by Barbara Gubbin followed by Councilwoman E. Denise Lee presenting the branch with a City Council Resolution. The program continued with musical entertainment provided

by an accomplished violinist Korah Leandra Cuff, the teenage daughter of Richard Cuff, owner of All About Kids Music Academy.  After the performance, two students read their winning Youth Writing Contest essays on the prompt “Why the Dallas Graham Branch is Important to Me”. The contest was sponsored by The Friends of the Dallas Graham Branch Library and the Good Neighbor M.A.N.I.A., Inc., under the leadership of Ms. Celia Miller with the Dallas Graham Branch Friends. Ms. Miller presented each student with a $50 check as their prize for the winning essays.

The event culminated with the viewing of a videodocumentary produced by Lisa Buggs and Justin Keiser which retold the history of the Dallas Graham Branch Library in pictures and interviews. The interviews were recorded with the help of many community members, local historians, educators, board members, and Friends of the Graham Branch Library. The video was enhanced with pictures provided by Special Collections, personal photos provided by customers, and photos gleaned from articles and other library events dating back to 1965. 

The refreshments were a sight to behold with a gold and cream “mountain” of cupcakes, sandwiches, cookies and lemonade. Countless people, both customers and staff, worked tirelessly to accomplish the event. Among those staff instrumental in decorating and refreshments were Library Supervisor Pat Morrison, Library Clerk Delores Walker and part-time library clerk Carolyn Armstrong. Library Associate Linda Griffin Foresto and part-time library clerk (and Videodocumentary star Leroy Harrison IV) handled the raffle and door prizes. Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas said, "Everyone was eager to help. Without the big hearts and busy hands of the 50^th Anniversary Committee, loyal customers, and the library staff, the event would not have been as meaningful or successful. It was a very interactive event for all and that’s what made it great!” 

Florida State Senator Audrey Gibson and a representative from Marco Rubio’s office, Angela Swift, were in attendance as well as Library Board of Trustees Chair Erin Vance Skinner and many other respected members of the community and retired staff. Among those retired staff in attendance were former Deputy Director Carolyn Williams, and former Library Administrator Margaret Smith and Daniel Kibler, who was a previous manager of the Graham Branch Library. Thank you to staff that helped work the Customer Service desk: Annie Norris from Graham and Kathleen Brunner and Donna Crowther from Main). 

The day marked an occasion to momentarily look back and a golden opportunity to talk about the importance of the library going forward. The Florida Times Union, sensing greatness, took the story and ran with it on the front page of their Tuesday paper. The videodocumentary is now posted on YouTube for all to enjoy.

GB's YA Job Fair Signs Up 295! YEA!

Dallas Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas said, "The Urban Core held a Young Adult Job Fair, June 12,  at GB that rocked the house from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Thanks to the efforts of JPL’s Community Relations and Marketing department, social media, radio, television, and word-of-mouth, it was obvious that news of the event hit a grateful nerve in the community. 

For hours before the event began, Graham’s telephones rang almost nonstop with calls from people confirming the time, location, asking what to bring, etc. When the community doors opened, 10 businesses and career agencies were set up and ready to receive questions and dole out literature, freebies (logo pencils, candy, tote bags etc) to many eager young adults who were ready to go to work. A total of 295 young adults signed in for the Job Fair after patiently waiting in a line that wrapped around the inside of the library and outside down the sidewalk. 

The event would not have been possible without the commitment and energy of the Graham Branch Staff and the Young Adult Job Fair Committee which included staff from each of the Urban libraries. For the last several months the committee contacted businesses, created table-top signs for each business, customized raffle tickets, prepared treat bags, and stuffed pocket folders with job-related literature. In the month prior to the Fair, The Jacksonville Urban League and library staff conducted career workshops around the Urban Core on interviewing skills, how to dress and prepare resumes so the attendees could be ready for this event. For example, for each Career Workshop, Graham Branch Library Assistant

Tyhedra Wilson went on location with a handful of neckties and taught the attendees how to tie a necktie. The workshops were hands-on and contained value added perks provided by library staff. 

 "What can only be described as an overwhelming response, the Job Fair brought out many young adults to the event in the hopes of acquiring a summer job or work experience to kick start their careers.

"We appreciate everyone who participated in this very successful event:

"Young Adult Job Fair Committee Members: Gloria Armstrong, Michelle Dubois, Linda Griffin Foresto, Jackie Spiritas, Antoinette Walker, Susan Williamson. Supportive Roles:  Leroy Harrison IV, Amber Holley, Pat Morrison, Luis Terron, Tyhedra Wilson, and Eva Newton.

"These Businesses/Career Resources were represented: Advance Auto Parts, The Armed Forces, CareerSource Florida, Checkers, Fresh Ministries, Habijax, Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA), Nemours Children's Services, Publix, and Randstad Staffing.

"Door prizes were donated by: Nemours Children’s Services, Checkers, Gale Databases, and Shear Finesse Beauty Academy."