Jax Book Fest Lines Them Up Around The Block

More than 4500 people attended Jax Book Fest featuring more than 90 local authors and R. L. Stine, author of the best-selling Fear and Goosebumps books, at the Main Library, February 22-23, 2019.  One or two pictures could not tell a portion of all the activities, interest, and fun so enjoy the collage of customers and staff Justin Keiser shares with us:  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fs6YDKgC1VBjAYYHA

The day before people lined up around the block to attend either or both the dinner and later the story time hosted by the JPL Foundation.  Zoe Carr, Development Associate, said, "The dinner, An Evening with R.L. Stine, entertained 150 guests.  Mr. Stine spoke and read funny letters from his fans. There was a meet and greet and later 250 more fans joined the dinner guests in the auditorium for a story time. Mr. Stine read A Ghostly Stare, a short story from The Haunting Hour Series. The children were ecstatic to meet their favorite author and the adults were thrilled to meet the author of their childhood. We had families that traveled from Saint Augustine and Gainesville. One family was from Canada, vacationing in Florida, and made it to the event. The family of five said it was a dream come true to meet Mr. Stine, their favorite author. Overall the event went really well.”

Lisa Buggs, Coordinator of Lifelong Learning and Community Outreach, added, "Making Strides for Autism was on site to make the event autism-friendly and the ASL interpreter made the presentations by Stine and children's author Mike Thaler accessible to more customers.  The entire JPL staff made the event a success."

One example of the effort staff members gave to this project is shared by Main’s Librarian II Stacey Van Hoy, "Marsha Collins went above and beyond to advertise the Book Fest. She single-handedly went in and chatted with people at 30+ businesses. Our goal was to have each staff member distribute flyers to a few locations; she was unstoppable and relentlessly cheerful." 

"Yelpers" Party At Main

Monday night from 7 p.m.-10 p.m., October 8, 2018, the JPL Foundation and JPL volunteer staff welcomed about 500 “Yelpers” to the Main Library.  Zoe Carr, Development Associate with the Foundation, said, "Yelpers were able to explore the library and had fun refreshing themselves at 30+ food, drink, and entertainment stations!  The Foundation raised $6,872 in donations. On behalf of the Foundation Board and myself, I would like to thank all of the library staff who volunteered their time and efforts to make this night so successful. I would not have been able to do it without them! 

"The Banquet band played during the evening and band members said they would 'like to come again and play in the beautiful courtyard'. (Rain prevented their playing there for this event.)  All said, Yelpers enjoyed themselves and liked the Main Library." 

Take in more scenes from the Yelp Storybook Soiree:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/yourticket/albums/72157702500437855

JPL Foundation & Ansbacher Family Partner For Great JPL Events

 Director Tim Rogers greets crowd, introduces himself, then Mr. Lane at the concluding presentation on Saturday.

JPL Foundation's Executive Director, Dr. Jamie Self, hosted Dinner in the Maps, Friday evening, January 26, 2018, where 48 people dined at a $125/plate dinner to hear PBS’s Antiques Roadshow map and print expert Christopher Lane.  And they had the pleasure of meeting our new Library Director Tim Rogers.

Dinner was served at the reading tables in Main's Ansbacher Map collection on the 4th floor of the Main Library. The paper sculpture artists for Dinner in the Maps centerpieces (and seen here) are JPL staff Shirdellah Groulx and Emma Pancho.  (If interested, please contact the Foundation Office for purchase: info@jplfoundation.org.)
                                              i
The next day, about 150 lovers of maps and history attended the Mapping Our Past event at the Main Library. The day began with appraisals of antiques by B. Langston. One of the appraisals made was a first edition of Gone with the Wind  by Margaret Mitchell, appraised at $5,000.  Another appraisal was of a Norman Rockwell painting signed by him, valued at $7500 - $10,000.

Collector and friend of the late Lewis Ansbacher, Michael Fisher, provided a tour of the Ansbacher Map Room. Map activities took place in the Children’s and Teen areas as well as the Jax Makerspace. City Planner Autumn Martinage and planner, developer, and author Ennis Davis provided insight on how maps are used for zoning and transportation in Jacksonville and the state. 

Director Tim Rogers greeted the crowd, introduced himself, then Christopher Lane at the concluding Saturday event. Mr. Lane made a presentation on the myths of the American Southeast in the earliest days of exploration through the 18^th Century. (Did you know many maps include mountain ranges going through Florida?) 

The Saturday event was sponsored by the Ansbacher Family. 

                            Michael Fisher, standing, during the Ansbacher Map tour.

THANK YOU, JAMIE, AND THE ANSBACHER FAMILY, FOR ALL YOU DO AND HAVE DONE FOR THE JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY.   AND WE OWE THANKS TO LISA BUGGS AND LAURA MINOR FOR MUCH OF THE INPUT AND TO JENNA HASSELL WHO SUPPLIED THE PICS.

Library Of The Year Celebration

                    Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop adderess attendees at LOTY.

Dr. Jamie Self, Development Director of the JPL Foundation, gives us coverage of the event that honored JPL recently, "The JPL Foundation hosted a Library of the Year (LOTY) celebration the evening of November 9, 2017, in the Main Library’s Jax Makerspace.  It was an opportunity for the City to recognize and celebrate the 2017 Library of the Year Award made to JPL by the Florida Library Association.  JPL won the award out of 800+ libraries that were considered.

"JPL Foundation Chairman Emeritus Betsy Lovett (left) kicked off the program with a toast to the LOTY award. In perfect form, Mrs. Lovett raised a two-foot tall champagne flute as a symbolic gesture of 'Cheers!' – a signature greeting she loves to utter. (Mrs. Lovett may be better known for her donation to install the Betsy Lovett Courtyard in the heart of the Main Library.)

"Following Mrs. Lovett was Kevin Hyde, Chairman of the JPL Foundation, Dr. Charles Moreland, representing the Mayor’s Office, and Jennifer Giltrop, Interim Library Director, all explaining a piece of what the LOTY award means for Jacksonville and the library.

"The event was well attended – donors, friends, board members, staff and library lovers came together to share in the recognition. The library staff hosted several program stations to explain many of the less well known program opportunities for education and technology success. The Center for Adult Learning showcased Career Online High School (COHS), and even had the latest COHS valedictorian, Dawt Si, to share her personal success with the audience. Library Enhanced Access Program (LEAP), Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM) programs, and several Makerspace opportunities were also showcased.

"The event was a fundraiser for the JPL Foundation. Over $30,000 was raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, naming opportunities and an auction during the celebration. Auctioneer Bradley Bean sold a variety of packages, COHS scholarships, and art work to the attendees.

“On behalf of the JPL Foundation Board of Directors and Foundation staff, thank you to all who attended, helped or participated in the Library of the Year Celebration!”

THANKS TO YOU, JAMIE, AND TO THE JPL FOUNDATION FOR ALL YOU DO FOR US!  THIS WAS A BEAUTIFUL EVENT FROM START TO FINISH.AND WE KNOW YOU AND ZOE WORKED HARD TO MAKE IT SUPERB.

Foundation's Great Gatsby Party: Great Success

Did you attend the 2016 Gatsby Soiree fundraiser the JPL Foundation hosted Saturday evening, August 27, 2016, at Suite's in the Town Center?  If you did, you know what a fun time it was for the hundreds who showed up in their roaring 20's best.  Above are pictured (L/R) Dr. Michael (Jamie) Self, the Foundation's Development Director, his wife, Angel Self, Conference Center Specialist, Julie Graham and Maureen McGinnes.

At left is Nikki Kimbleton pictured with Angel. Nikki is a morning anchor of News4Jax and she and co-anchor, Vic Micolucci, were celebrity auctioneers for the event.

Jamie said, "The event raised about $4,000. There was a live auction of donations, a 50/50 raffle, VIP sales, and a portion of the night's proceeds that raised money for the event.

"I want to thank Suite, their staff--especially Shahn Sarwary and Maureen McGuinnes--and volunteer coordinator Julie Graham for their hard work to put the Gatsby event together!

"The Chris Thomas Band provided live music from 8 to 10:30 and they were fantastic! Hundreds of people attended, danced, donated to the library, and enjoyed the party." 

GO & SUPPORT JPL FOUNDATION: 8/27/16

HAVE FUN AND go and support the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation this Saturday evening, August 27, 2016.  All you need to know (ticket price, when, where, date and time are on this link:
     http://bit.ly/gatsbysuite)

First 5k Run To Benefit JPL Is A Winner

   Jamie, far right, with eight of JPL's staff. Deputy Director Giltrop & other staff also ran.  

JPL Foundation Development Director Dr. M. Jamie Self, reports, "The event was the first effort at a community 5k fundraiser sponsored by Fun 4 First Coast Kids to benefit the Library. Specifically, the monies raised were designated to enhance the Summer Learning program this year whose theme is Ready! Set! Read!

"The community responded well -- especially for a first time event. There were two dozen vendors and half as many paid sponsors. Additionally, the Avenues Mall provided the 5k winners with personal gift certificates.

"The weather cooperated and the venue was excellent. The 200 registered runners made two laps around the mall, which equalled about 3 miles. The runners were a good mix of ages and included pros to novices. The organizers recognized several categories for winners and even had a separate children's Fun Run following the main event. 

"Medals were awarded to each participant crossing the finish line and certificates were awarded to the winners. The Foundation accepted a check for a 'gazillion' dollars for the fundraiser (as the total had not yet been calculated), which was more than enough motivation to get a slow walker like me to do a couple of easy laps on a cool January Sunday. 

"Many thanks to all who participated in one way or another!"

Get Involved: BOOK IT JAX 5K

Our new JPL Foundation Development Director, Jamie Self, has a heads-up for JPL staff, "Hello, everyone! The Book It Jax 5K is the next fundraising event for the Summer Learning program. We would love to have a crowd of employees at the event representing the Library in style.

"Several JPL employees are already registered, so don’t hesitate! Click here (or type https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-it-jax-5k-registration-18180625741 in your internet browser) to register.

"The Book It Jax 5K will be held on Sunday, January 31, 8:30 AM at the Avenues Mall. You may run or walk the course (it’s 2 laps around the Avenues Mall parking lot). There is also a fun run for children. All participants of either the 5K or the Fun Run get a t-shirt from the event organizers. For complete details on the event, go to http://fun4firstcoastkids.com/Blog/book-it-jax-5k-and-family-fun-run.

"Fun 4 First Coast Kids and the JPL Foundation are partnering with the JPL for this event. Thank you so much for your support and participation! Look forward to seeing you all at the 5K!"

JPL Foundation Celebrates Main's 10 Years

The JPL Foundation will host a celebratory event, Friday, November 6, 2015 for the Main Library's 10th Anniversary.  Tickets are $75 each and will benefit the Jacksonville Public Library.  The celebration and reception will be held 6:30 - 8:30 pm in the Betsy Lovett Courtyard at the Main Library.  

We want to thank the Foundation, the event chair Robin Albaneze, honorary chairs Betsy Lovett and Michael Hightower, Director Janet Wesley, and Office Manager Trish Palmer for all their efforts on JPL's behalf.

You are invited to participate by calling Mrs. Palmer in advance, 630-1995,to purchase your tickets. 

Meet The JPL Foundation's "Trish" Palmer

Patricia Palmer is affable and smart.  She recently became the full-time JPL Foundation Office Manager.  She has been here for a while and we asked Trish, as we call her, to share some news about herself:

“I’ve been with the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation now for three years.  I was blown away by the massiveness of the Main Library when I arrived here to help out on a temporary basis.  I have had the great privilege of meeting so many wonderful people here at the Main Library and through the Foundation. 

“My husband and I came here from the Chicago area in 2004 to begin our search for property and finally decided on a place to build our new home.  We have one son, who decided to stay in the Midwest, but within two years he and his family moved down to Florida, also; they now reside in Orlando.

“I like Jacksonville weather most of the time.  It is a far cry from the experience of the Windy City, which we visited often to ride our tandem bike along the lake front and Navy pier.  I don’t ride much here because most of the time it is just too hot.

“I have a background in meeting/event planning, executive administration and office management/bookkeeping, along with many other attributes acquired in my many years in the workforce.  I enjoy golf, racket ball, long walks on the beach and I do play basketball with our two grandsons—ages 10 and 4—on occasion.

“I’m looking forward to a new dimension in how our JPL Foundation will move forward in its fundraising efforts now that we have a fully staffed JPL Foundation Board of Directors and Suzanne Hudson-Smith on board as our new Executive Director.” 

Meet The New Executive Director Of The JPL Foundation

Suzanne Hudson-Smith, as you know from a recent News from the Director's Desk email from Director Gubbin, is the JPL Foundation's new Executive Director.  She has been more than busy but took a few minutes to send us a blurb about herself and the experience she brings to her new position, and yes, she's as nice as she looks.

"First order of business:  GET MY LIBRARY CARD!  I have it and I’m ready to use it.  As the new Executive Director of the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation, the card will be my passport to finding out more about this area, have some adventures through reading (fiction is a favorite) and when the guests start arriving I might need some recipe ideas!  It was my goal to return to Florida – previously I lived in Sarasota working in non-profit management for theatres, county fairs and senior care.  My fundraising in the Midwest took me to St. Louis, Missouri then Evansville, Indiana as part of the PBS development system.  I worked nationally with both PBS and NPR to create initiatives that would engage communities. I moved into downtown Jacksonville from Indianapolis (and some cold winters) where I worked with the Symphony Orchestra and Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana.  I’ve raised funds for arts, education, and social services. Working with a Library, whose mission is to serve the community with information and resources that will enrich each patron’s life, aligns with my own passion to connect people with those services through private support.  I love what the Library offers the Jacksonville community!  And I love what the community has offered me: a chance to do great work for the Library through the Foundation … beaches, kayaking, warmth and water everywhere I look.  I look forward to working with the Library staff and the community."

We look forward to working with Suzanne, too, and seeing what new adventures the Foundation will create, raising funds for JPL in a great way.