20 In O'Dell's Perspectives Class

Main's LAS Marcie O’Dell presented the virtual youth program for Junior Artists, ages 5-9 years old, January 27, 2021. This week’s class was about perspectives and 20 kids participated! Marcie used the Teen Department study room to present her class, thus a bit of reflection from the glass wall in the pic.  (Thanks to YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli for the article and pic.)

Main Celebrates Black History Month

Marcie O'Dell shares, "As we close out January, we're looking forward to celebrating Black History Month in February. This display, created by LAS LaParis Goodman, helps Main Children's honor this special month. February was chosen to coincide with the birthday of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, a prominent abolitionist movement activist. Black History Month gives all people the opportunity to share, celebrate, and understand the contributions and impact of black heritage upon our lives. Please stop by and choose a book from our display and read a few info cards (along left edge of display) about some prominent historical figures."

Are U Smarter Than A 5th Grader?

LAS Marcie O’Dell created this pulchritudious display and offers a challenge: "Are you smarter than a 5^th grader? If so, you should be able to locate at least 10 differences in these pictures, which comprise our January 2021 interactive bulletin board display at Main Children’s. Give it a whirl! 😊"

And Baby Makes Three

Zoe Carr, JPL's Community Resource Manager, expects a baby boy, Micah, Jr., in February. She and Micah, Sr. are excited and Admin staff are happy for them.

Nicolle Burton and Donna Crowther hosted a baby shower for Zoe, January 8, 2021. Everyone enjoyed an array of goodies spread on a table with a layered "cake" centerpiece, which consisted of tightly rolled-up diapers bordered with ribbon and bedecked with small toys. Zoe was amazed at Nicolle's creation, delighted in opening each gift, and could not thank everyone enough for their thoughtfulness.

A Welcome Kudo

Joanna Nigrelli, shares this child's note and said, "Savannah read several books with her mom while she was in the Children's department, checked out several books, and also wrote a story for our story wall.  She handed me this note before she left."

Thank Y O U, JPL Staff

                     Click once on pic for a better view.

Administrative Assistant Nicolle Burton has again collected, stuffed many Christmas stockings, donated, and packed up for delivery to COJ the many gifts JPL employees gave in response to JaxCares Adopt an Angel program. Above are Abel Flores and Jessica Glenn waiting for Mandie McKenzie to get this wonderful shot of all your gifts before taking them over to the Ed Ball building, December 7, 2020.  There your gifts will join other COJ departments' gifts and soon many children will be much happier this Christmas because of your big hearts.

Nicolle said, “Due to the generosity of JPL staff, eighteen Salvation Army angels were adopted and over 30 stockings were filled. The JaxCares representative and I sincerely thank each of you who participated in this worthy cause to brighten the season for needy children in the community. Have a happy, healthy holiday season.”

Adios, Aaron

"A sincere thank-you to LIB I Aaron Neff, who was a HUGE help to the Main Library Children’s Department during his displacement from Westbrook Branch over the last many months. This photo features LAS Kitty Maschan, LIB I Aaron Neff, and LIB 2 Joanna Nigrelli at Main Children’s this past week as we all shared some laughs, which we all did many times while Aaron was here. We’re missing you, Aaron, and hope you’re enjoying your new temporary home at Highlands Regional Branch," said Marcie O'Dell.

Promoting Giving & Sharing

Main Library’s LAS Kate Martin once again used her talents to repurpose a piece of Styrofoam board into this adorable snowman. Giving and sharing are the themes for this winter display--and all  for the kids and your--viewing pleasure through December at Main Children’s. Marcie says, "Kate always has such great ideas!"

A Tree Full Of Reading Fun

Tis the season for holiday fun! Pictured here is LIB I Kate Zakharov’s display featuring YA green book covers creating the tree with a gold choice for the star on top. "For your enjoyment, this will be available through the end of the year, so come on by and boost your holiday enjoyment," invites Marcie O'Dell.

What's A Rainbow Forest?

Marcie O'Dell says, "Rainbow Forests are cool! Featured here is the newest interactive Mad Lib display at Main Children’s. The kiddos can choose to fill in the blanks to tell a story, or go rogue on a completely original creation. If they share it with staff, they earn a prize! What’s not to like about that? This display will be up through the end of this year." (Display created by Main Children’s staff Shelver Shawndrika Trottman and LAS Marcie O’Dell.)

JWD Team Gets It Done

YS Librarian I Kate Zakharov presented Job Well Done Awards to 13 Main Library employees, November 19, 2020, in appreciation for their help with the October Teen Department remodeling project. In the top pic is LAS Paris Goodman and next are LA Kate Martin and Shelver Katrina Mann. In the group pic, L/R, are LAS Allison Mason, LAS Marcie O’Dell, LAS Kitty Maschan, LAS Sheenae Nelson, YS Librarian I Aaron Neff, LAS Lisa York, LAS Hannah Genslinger, LA Kenya Coleman, and Shelver Shawndrika Trottman.  (YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli, not pictured, also received a Job Well Done Award, and we thank her for contributing the blurb and pictures.) 

 

November 11- Veterans Day

33,586 U.S. military are reported as having died in the Korean War.

56,220 U. S. military died in the Vietnam War. Many more have died since the war because of resulting illnesses due to Agent Orange used in Vietnam.

World War I counts 116,516 U.S. military deaths and approximately 320,000 sick and wounded. More died from disease than combat due to the influenza epidemic of 1918.

World War II totals 407, 316 U.S. soldiers killed and 671,278 wounded.

Veterans who have survived these horrific wars deserve our respect and give us pause to think about the many sacfrices by so many for our freedom and the responsibilities we have to preserve our freedom.

New Main Library's 15 Years Celebrated

"Main Children's is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Main Library through the month of November. We like to consider November 12 to be Mrs. Owl's birthday. Our celebration includes a take home craft and we have an owl book display created by LAS Marcie O'Dell. Mrs. Owl is not open to visitors at this time, but we can still wish her a Happy Birthday," said Joanna Nigrelli, Youth Librarian II

 

 

New Face For Main Teen Department

After renovation, the Main Library Teen Department reopened, October 24, 2020, in its usual place on the north end of the first floor. Youth Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli said, “The department closed for three weeks in October for new carpet installation, painting, small repairs, and furniture moving. The Teen Department had been temporarily housed at the south end of Makerspace, adjacent to the e-classroom, so teens could still access books, computers, and our helpful Teen staff.

"Main Teen is grateful to JPL’s Facilities crew, JPL Technology staff, and various employees from all over Main who helped move books and get this project finished ONE DAY EARLY! The teens and staff are enjoying the new and improved space."

Spooky House Contest

 

"Main's Kate Zakharov and Allison Mason devised a Creepy Creations Haunted House Contest for Main Children’s and Teen departments' staff. They were given a picture of a haunted house to use as a starting point. Entries were submitted, October 27, 2020, and were judged by Coordinator of Lifelong Learning & Community Engagement Lisa Buggs and Librarian II's Stacy Van Hoy and Greg Royce. Thanks to Kate and Allison for putting together such a fun staff event! Stop by the Teen Department to see the Creepy Creations," said Joanna Nigrelli. 

The pictures above are in order of employees' entries listed below--with the exception of Aaron Neff's, which, thanks to Google's stubbornness would only place the pic below. 

YS Librarian I Aaron Neff – Haunted Gingerbread House

LAS Allison Mason – Haunted House Picture

LAS Hannah Genslinger – Purple Haunted House

YS Librarian I Kate Zakharov – Haunted House Collage

LAS Marcie O’Dell – Halloween/Not Halloween (two pictures submitted; one shown here)

Youth Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli (two entries submitted; winning shadowbox shown above)

 

Halloween Fun

 

 Above are some displays created by Library Assistant Kate Martin and Library Associate Marcie O’Dell. Marcie says, "Here at Main Children’s department we like to have fun and what better time than on our kids' favorite holiday, Halloween. You may remember reading about Kate in a previous blog as she enjoys reviving discarded Styrofoam and making it into something worthwhile. Some of her monsters seen here and her Day of the Dead display are made from this material.  These displays will be up in the Children’s department through Halloween weekend. Hope you can stop by and enjoy the fun with us."

Main Children's Super Hero

SS Library Associate Robin West Rogers did some Super Hero helping in Main Children’s department. Marcie O'Dell said, "Like many other JPL employees who were temporarily relocated, Robin became someone we depended on and we are so happy to have had the opportunity to work with her. She’ll be dearly missed. Robin went back home for San Marco's reopening, October 5, 2020.  All the best to you, Wonder Woman!" 

 

Kapow!

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month and we here at Main Children's have it under good authority that all true Superheroes refuse to leave their homes (or caves) without their JPL cards. While we can't guarantee that your superpower will grow, your chances of it happening are much improved with getting a library card and the constant use of it. If you know someone who doesn't have a card yet, bring them in. (Display and article by Marcie O'Dell.)

More Space Is Great!

Main Children’s Librarian II, Joanna Nigrelli, was recently in charge of a huge project--shifting Non-Fiction book and Biography areas. She had a team helping accomplish the tasks, including removal of damaged items. This allowed for the replacement of outdated items, created more display space (shown in the pictures above), and refreshed the overall look of the area, among other benefits.  Marcie O’Dell says, “Great job, Joanna and team!”

 

Go Fish!

"These are part of a Main Children’s department display created by Library Associate Sheenae Nelson.  Whatever the display subject is, like this week’s fish topic, each child receives a free 'Make-Your-Own-Bookmark ' kit to take home for added fun. Check out the display near the alligator couch in the Children’s area," says Marcie O'Dell.