SparkWalk, April 6, 2016 At Main

Above, Kathleen Brunner, Librarian III in Reference and Nonfiction at Main, gave tours of the library during JPL's SparkWalk; here she is(far right) with the first group. Below are pictured Matthew Taylor (NF),Kathleen, Katie Devanny (CAL)   and Judy Bradshaw (Learn to Read) who manned the p.r. table outside of Main for a while. The JPL SparkWalk table was also manned earlier by Kate Holmes and Matthew.

Kathleen said, "I hosted two tour groups from FSCJ’s Teaching and Learning conference, which was being held at the Hyatt Regency this week. They were a wonderful audience, and they especially appreciated the various artworks in the building. Some were from out of town, while other locals mentioned that they had been here before but were unaware of the myriad of joys and services offered, especially on the 4^th floor and Conference Level.

"It was the REF/PER/NF department’s turn to man the JPL table for the 1^st Wednesday ArtWalk, which happened to coincide with the SparkWalk. We had a celebration of Poetry Month on our table, plus information on upcoming JPL programs/events.  Next to us, CAL and Learn to Read were manning a table with information on their special services."  

Thanks to Cranston Burney for the pictures.

Beautiful Listeners To A Fish Story

Margaret (Peggy) Crawford, Brentwood Branch's YS Librarian III, tells us,  "Eighteen children, some of NS’s favorite patrons, participated in our Read for the Record program recently.  They listened to Not Norman, A Goldfish Story, by Kelly Bennet. The youth from the All About Kids preschool are regular attendees at our Stories for Young Children programs."

Jaguar Reads To First Graders At Main

Here are some photos from a school visit, October 13, 2015, from first grade Biscayne Elementary students. As you see, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Jared Odrick held them all spellbound as he read three books.  Everyone agreed: He was fantastic!  Director Barbara Gubbin was happy to have her picture made with Mr. Odrick, too.  (Thanks to Cindy Johnson, Community Relations Specialist, for the input and pics.)

JAX READS! Closes On Successful Note

Jacqueline Woodson (above) signs another copy of her book, Brown Girl Dreaming, at the JAX READS! closing event in the Main Library's Hicks Auditorium, October 4, 2015, when she spoke about her experiences that promulgated the book.  The appearance was courtesy of BANNED.  Ms. Woodson's fans at this event numbered 207, including 10 participating staffs. JAX READS! promo enticed customers to make 200 check outs of hardcover, CD, and downloadable print and audio versions per Lisa Buggs, Coordinator of Lifelong Learning and Communication.

 

54 JPL Educator Cards Given At TEACH Conference

On Saturday, September 12, 2015, several JPL staff attended the TEACH Conference (teachers met to inspire each other and share their ideas and concerns) sponsored by WJCT at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Jacksonville. JPL staff took this opportunity to make 54 educator cards for private, public, and charter school teachers in Duval County.

Those who took their Saturday to promote this wonderful project were Amber Holley (Youth Services Manager-Main), Susan Mankowski (Early Childhood Specialist-Main), Rebekah Mitchell (Youth Services Librarian III-Main), Lynn Jacobson (Bibliographic Systems and Access Manager, SST), Charlene Ovshak (Library Circulation Supervisor-Main), Stephanie Harley (Clerical Services Supervisor-CW), Beverly Brown (Clerical Services Supervisor- PCR), Corey Z. Scott (Library Assistant, Circ, Main), Milicia Thomas (Library Assistant, Popular-Main), and Donna Crowther (Library Assistant- Main).  Thanks to Milicia for the input.

State Rep. McBurney & Director Gubbin Join Fun At KR Storytime

State Representative Charles McBurney and his staff visited the 10:15  am Stories for Young Children program on Thursday, September 25, at the Mandarin Branch Library.  Representative McBurney is a big supporter of the library and he was absolutely terrific interacting with the families and the staff.  He and Library Associate Alison Pulley make a great story time team.   Administrative Assistant Adam Miller shared his memories of coming to Mandarin as a child and was particularly pleased that  the Mandarin Dragon was still here.  On hand to show their support and join in the story time fun were Library Director Barbara Gubbin, SE Region Manager Michael Sullivan, and SE Region Youth Services Manager Anita Haller. 

Promoting JPL At Mandarin Arts Festival

 
Lynne Baldwin, KR Branch Manager, said, "Inclement weather did not keep library staff from participating in the Mandarin Arts Festival the weekend of April 19-20.  SOM's Margo Crafton and I manned the library table at the Festival all day Sunday which was our day off.  Library staff promoted upcoming library programming, the JPL Newsletter, and sold JPL bags. Quite a few people mentioned the Naturalization Ceremony at Mandarin Branch and the media coverage of the ceremony." 

Pictured are (L/R) KR employees Sara Peretzman, Stacey Van Hoy, and Jessica Jones, who manned the library table at the Festival last Saturday.  Thanks to Olga Bayer, Community Relations and Marketing, for sending in the photo.

Art Club + DCPS = Fun For Kids At KR

 April is Celebrate Art Month at Mandarin Branch.  On April 1, Library Associate Alison Pulley and her Art Club created jester masks as a part of the SE Region’s Humor Festival.  Alison will be hosting two more Art Clubs on  April 15 and 29.   

 

April 4-16, the Duval County Schools are displaying the works of their students from elementary schools in the Mandarin area.  The drawing genius of Charles Schulz, creator of  the classic Peanuts comic strip, is being celebrated with displays and posters throughout the branch.

Thanks for the input from KR Branch Manager, Lynne Baldwin.  Thanks to the kids for the creative masks and brightening our day, and most of all to Charlie Brown and friends for all the years of pure delight!

Snapshot Day at Mandarin Branch

KR Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin fills us in on their successful Snapshot Day, "The Mandarin Branch Library celebrated Florida Libraries Snapshot Day, January 22, with a huge Snapshot Day cake, JPL bags, and favorite books.  From 3:00-4:00, we gave a free JPL tote bag to each customer who had their picture taken with their favorite books and we got a lot of pictures!  A big thank you to Jessica Jones (left below) and Sara Peretzman for organizing this event.  Sara and Jessica are perfect examples of JPL creativity and innovation at its best.  Jessica and Sara are pictured holding their favorite books.

Mandarin had a special visitor on Snapshot Day.  Suzanne Hudson-Smith (center below) toured the library with Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin, SE Region Manager Michael Sullivan and Reference Librarian Extraordinaire Stacey Van Hoy.  Pictured are Stacey Van Hoy, Suzanne Hudson-Smith, and Michael Sullivan.

Promoting Jobs In Jax

SE Region Manager, Michael Sullivan, welcomes noted author and motivational speaker Artie Lynnworth (right) to the Mandarin Branch Library on November 2 for a 90 minute workshop on How to Prepare for a Job Interview and Improve Your Resume.   (Thanks to KR Manager, Lynne Baldwin, for the input and photo.)

KR Hosts Lawyers In Libraries

Reference Librarian Stacey van Hoy (right) and Library Associate Frances Wickes attended the Lawyers in Libraries Staff Workshop on Tuesday, October 22, at Mandarin Branch Library.  The workshop was part of the Lawyers in Libraries Pro Bono Week celebration at JPL.  

Local African American History Recounted By Author Mary F. M. Jameson

Thanks to NW Branch Manager Elaine Randolph (pictured below with Author Jameson) for this article:

"On September 18, a  Bradham-Brooks Branch audience was awed with the presentation Author Mary F. Mungen Jameson gave on her book Remembering Neighborhoods of Jacksonville, Florida: Oakland, Campbell’s Addition, East Jacksonville and Fairfield, the African-American Influence.  

"Graduate students from the University of North Florida, their instructor, Dr. Chris Jansen, and Assistant Professor Dr. Sophie Maxis, as well as other members of the audience asked many questions about the book, including how Ms. Jameson got started in collecting her information, and why it is important to record history. The presentation was interesting, informative, and a good recount of local African-American history during the 1900’s." 

A Shout Out For I Love My Library

Shelby Boyter recently showed off her I Love My Library sticker with a stuffed friend at the Mandarin Branch Library. Jacqueline Boyter shared this photo of her daughter while attending the Stories for Young Children Program, August 15^th.

Mandarin Branch Does It Up Big

KR Manager Lynne Baldwin has a go-get-em crew and wanted you to see their recent accomplishments:

"Congratulations to Mandarin Shelver Brittany Gonzales (center front above), who graduated from UNF with a BA in English and a minor in Creative Writing with a focus in poetry. Brittany has been working at Mandarin since 2007. The staff celebrated with a graduation party on April 19.

"KR hosted Crown Point Elementary School Library Night on Tuesday, April 30, with 75 guests in attendance. The event featured stories, games, music, dancing, data bases and library resources, refreshments and a tech petting zoo with our very own E-Specialist Donna Peretzman. Kudos to Hongying Song, David Foster (in front in pic above), Frances Wickes, Anita Haller and Brittany Gonzales for organizing a great community program.

"KR was community partner at the 45th  Annual Mandarin Art Festival, March 30-31. Library staff manned a library booth giving out information on youth services and technology services.

 Pictured are David Foster, Laura Minnich, and Sara Peretzman."

Southeast Says, "Viva El Clube Do Livro!"

Souheast Children's Librarian Senior Anita Haller reported on their March 1 special event.  "The Clube Do Livro presented the Southeast Branch with 150 new children’s books in Portuguese. To mark the event, they had a special reading of the new material for Portuguese and English speaking children on a Friday, 4-6 pm. This is the second year a special reading program has been held to present a new collection of Portuguese children’s books.

"The Clube Do Livro was created by Danielle Williams, Susan Lowell, and other Portuguese speaking parents who were concerned about supporting and expanding their children’s bilingual skills. They have been working with JPL for several years to develop our Portuguese children’s collection and to create special opportunities for presenting the language in story.  In previous years, the Clube Do Livro held monthly Portuguese-English story times at SE and Main Libraries, dramatizing Brazilian folktales into small playlets. Their lively interpretation was a big hit with all of the children.

"Last year, the group held a special fund raiser 'Feijojax 2012' to raise money and allow families to sponsor the purchase of their favorite children’s book for the library.  This group is an excellent example of how interested parents can work with the library to improve bilingual education." 

Big Read Lookin' Good At Mandarin

Mandarin Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin sent in this photo of Library Assistant Midge Roton, who helped KR celebrate Big Read activities by creating a large display and organizing, as well as facilitating, the book club discussion of A Lesson Before Dying.