Shades Of Purposeful Pink

Mayor Curry asked COJ staff to wear pink on October 27, 2020, to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month . Indeed many did and Bill Brinton Murray Hill staff were no exception.  Above L/R: Erin Seaman, Mary Fletcher, China Vaughn, & Portia Price prove ladies in pink are pretty wonderful. (Thanks, Mia Brack, for sending this input and helping spread awareness.)

Shawn Norton: Job Well Done

MH Branch Manager was presented a Job Well Done Award at Library Leadership Roundtable, September 12, 2019.  Shawn was gratefully acknowledged for his support of the 4DX Lag/Lead Measures for the West Region.  Region Manager Lynne Baldwin, who nominated him, said, "Besides making sure Murray Hill met their weekly targets for promoting new library cards, educational site visits, shelf reading and working on the missing list, he went over and above by coordinating the weekly 4DX online meetings with the managers in the region and creating and updating the 4DX slides to be presented each week at the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meeting.  Shawn’s enthusiastic support has enabled the West Region to meet its annual goal for new library cards."

We all cheer your extraordinary efforts, Shawn!

Doug Fair: Job Well Done

MH Manager Shawn Norton presented Doug Fair with a Job Well Done Award, September 17, 2019, and said, "Doug has been coordinating and assisting with a regular Tai Chi program at MH for some time now.  In his role as Library Associate he is also responsible for collection development at the branch and has curated our non-fiction to tie into regular program offerings and customer requests.  These things combined on August 7^th when a new participant in the program was taken with the book display Doug created.  Doug assisted the customer in getting their first library card to check out these materials and looks forward to seeing this new library cardholder in the program next week.  This meets both aspects of our big goal, new customers and customer retention."

HOORAY FOR YOU, DOUG!

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.)   

Appreciation Lunch For MH Staff

Above, MH staff (L/R), Akeem Adell, Doug Fair, Margaret Esposito, Mary Fletcher, and Shawn Norton joined Friends member Nancy Beecher for a special lunch. The Friends of Murray Hill Library and Harp's Restaurant provided lunch for Bill Brinton Murray Hill staff because, as Manager Shawn Norton said, "We nearly doubled our goal for days customers read over the summer.  Our goal was1288 and customers read 2438 days.  The hard work and dedication of our staff during the Summer Learning Program is much appreciated by the Friends and me."

Job Well Done: Margaret Esposito

"I presented Margaret Esposito with a Job Well Done Award at our Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library staff meeting, May 30, 2019" said Shawn Norton, Branch Manager.

 

"Margaret created reusable bookmark style signs to place in staff picks throughout the branch.  These selections have generated more customer interest than our usual endcap displays.  In fact, Margaret picked enough favorites to have an entire list to herself, 'Margaret's Favorite Non-Fiction' (click here:  https://jpl.overdrive.com/collection/1006927.)"

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!

Kim Kirkland: Job Well Done

                                     The next Picassos or Dalis?


YS Librarian II Kim Kirkland received a Job Well Done Award from MH Branch Manager Shawn Norton, March 26, 2019.  Shawn is proud of Kim's ongoing accomplishments.  The art work shown here is a result of Kim's having worked with a local school teacher, Beverly Castro of Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center, to have her students’ art work displayed in the Children’s area of Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library. Shawn said, "The art makes a positive difference in the children’s lives by offering a gallery space of their own, and it expands on the type of work we already do with DCPS art shows. A BIG plus is it makes the Children’s department look great!”

 

Murray Hill Branch Celebrates Its 50th & A NEW NAME

Legislation was introduced October 9, 2018, by Council Members John Crescimbeni and Jim Love (both pictured below with CM Crescimbeni speaking), and it was co-sponsored by CMs Tommy Hazouri and Joyce Morgan, to change the name of the Murrary Hill Branch Library to honor the late library activist and local attorney Bill Brinton (photos of Mr. Brinton are at left.)

Subsequently Murray Hill Library not only celebrated its 50^th anniversary, Saturday, December 15, 2018; it also celebrated a new name: the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Branch Library.

Over 300 people attended the event, some dressed in their favorite 1960's outfits. Guest speakers for the event included JPL Director Tim Rogers, COJ Director of Community Affairs Dr. Charles Moreland, Friends of the Murray Hill Library President Jay Stuckey, Library Board Chair Ronnie King, and Council Members John Crescimbeni, Jim Love, and Tommy Hazouri. Following the morning dedication ceremony that included a video tribute to the library compiled by FML member and former Branch Manager Daniel Kibler, guests were ushered outside for the unveiling of the new sign dedicating the branch as the Bill Brinton Murray Hill Branch. All in attendance were then welcomed back inside for a celebratory feast donated by Maple Street Biscuit Company, Moon River Pizza, Publix and Walmart.

Other events that day consisted of a car show sponsored by Pugh’s Auto Sales and Service, games and other activities for children and teens, including a balloon maker and 3D printing pens. The Friends of the Murray Hill Library also hosted several raffle drawings for an assortment of prizes donated by local businesses.

 

Enjoy the plethora of pictures of the 50th celebration/dedication here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dFvrgKmwbSruiHiG6

Thanks to MH Library Associate Douglas Fair for the article.

 

45 At Murray Hill SLP Party

Murray Hill had a fantastic kick-off party with 45 customers of all ages in attendance, June 5, 2018.  They danced to Just Dance, made their own musical instruments, signed up for SLP, and had cupcakes and cookies with iced tea. YS Librarian II Camara Bragdon said, "A huge thanks go to our volunteers and the Friends of the Murray Hill Library for their help!"

Martial Arts At Murray Hill

Murray Hill Library hosted a demonstra-tion of the Filipino martial art, Arnis, May 19, 2018. Yesha Tae Kwon Do instructors James Benford and Kyle Scott gave a presentation of the history of the Filipino martial arts prior to demonstrating defensive techniques used in the art. The 90 minute program featured stick fighting drills, joint locks, empty hand techniques and knife fighting. Over 50 people attended the demonstration and several stayed afterward to ask questions.

To Murray Hill With Love

The Murray Hill staff had a surprise Valentine’s gift for its customers, February 14, 2018. Dr. Timothy Groulx serenaded everyone playing his trumpet rendition of the Everly Brothers’ Let It Be Me.  (To borrow a phrase, it was the pause that refreshed.)

Dr. Groulx is Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of North Florida School of Music. He earned his Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Florida in 2010 where he was a recipient of the Presidential Fellowship, and earned his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and Master of Music in Teaching from Oberlin Conservatory in 1999.

This was Dr. Groulx’s Valentine’s Day gift to MH and most of all to his wife, Shirdellah.

MH Replays Nazi U-boat Attack Off Jax Beach & St. Augustine

Council Member Jim Love (left below) knows the value of a good program and attended Murray Hill Library's history presentation, July 19, 2017, about the 1942 Nazi U-boat attack off Jacksonville Beach and St. Augustine.

Local historian Scott Grant (blue suit) addressed the 22 people there and showed a film strip that included footage of the actual submarine and it’s commander.

L/R: Presenter Scott Grant, Margaret Esposito, Camara Bragdon, Doug Fair, Cheyla Scantling, CM Jim Love & MH Manager Janet Ducat.

Both Scott Grant and CM Jim Love found a warm welcome from the audience and MH staff. 

60 Attend Tae Kwon Do At MH

Murray Hill Library hosted a Tae Kwon Do demonstration, July 29, 2017, as part of the Sister Cities programming. (The sister city is Changwon City, South Korea.) Douglas Fair reports, "A total of 60 people attended the event presented by the Murray Hill chapter of Yesha Ministries Tae Kwon Do School. Participants demonstrated forms, breaking, self-defense, sparring, and various martial arts weapons."

 

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!

Great P.R. Work At MH

Murray Hill Library's Cheyla Scantling reports on her recent outreach, "Vagabond Flea is affiliated with Vagabond Coffee, a coffee shop located less than a block away from MH. They are a community organizing group and market place, open to artists, buyers, and sellers in the area. (They also set up at Art Walk.) The event was located in the large parking lot between the Murray Hill Theater and the library. I used the outreach to further open the doors of MH to our immediate community, especially since we rarely have access to that many people at a close location. We had 85 attendees and about 10 vendors. One mother with two children signed up for JPL cards. I informed them of upcoming MH events, including SLP, adult programing, how to get a library card, Hi-5 and more." 

Cheyla Scantling Hits Her Own Hi-5

April 29^th, Library Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop awarded a five year recognition letter from Library Director Barbara Gubbin and a commemorative pin to Clerk Cheyla Scantling.  Cheyla works at the Murray Hill Branch. Pictured above (L/R) are MH Manager Guy Adkins, Cheyla, Ms. Giltrop, Regional Manager Marshelle Berry and Assistant Director for Public Services Julie McNeil.  Congratulations, Cheyla!

Book Club Good Business For MH

Guy Adkins, MH Manager, forwarded this pic and blurb, "We wanted to share this picture of a meeting of the book club at Murray Hill Library, April 23^rd. The book club is led by Margaret Esposito, MH Library Assistant. The book they discussed was Incognito: The Secret Lives of Brains, by David M. Eagleman.  Margaret is seated on the right with the book (yellow dust jacket) in front of her.  The book club meets monthly at MH."  (Click on the pic to enlarge it.)

 

Two Street Pipe Mobile Mosaics

Guy Adkins, MH Manager, said "This is to announce the temporary placement (between six months and one year) in front of the Murray Hill branch library of two street pipe mobile mosaics: “Children” (foreground) and “Sailboats of the St. Johns River”. The artwork was installed by Kenny Rouh and his wife, the artists of the pieces, on March 26^th."

This little redhead could not wait to relate to "Children".

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.