Supporting No Domestic Violence

Mayor Curry's recent COJ Proclamation declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Subsequently, Mayor Curry requested COJ staff wear purple, October 24, 2019, in support of no domestic violence and to recognize Hubbard House's efforts to help families of domestic violence. Director Rogers added his support and many library employees wore purple on October 24, including these three region supervisors--Kelli Likins, Lynne Baldwin & Marshelle Berry--wearing various shades of purple. (They are pictured at the Library Board of Trustees meeting, which happened to occur on October 24.) 

Main Library Thanks Summer Interns

The Main Library employees' appreciation of Mayor Curry's summer interns was expressed in two teen favorites:  pizza and ice cream (with an array of toppings), provided in a luncheon, July 26, 2018.  Staff hosted them in the staff lounge for lunch and individually thanked them--again--for their many contributions that made lighter workloads for employees.  All enjoyed the camaraderie and many staff agreed that this was the best group ever assigned to Main. Staff are sad to see the students' time come to a close but wish them much success in the ensuing school year.

3 Big Celebrations At Main Library

Three important events were celebrated in the Main Library Children's Department, July 19, 2018. 

Mayor Lenny Curry wanted to celebrate his birthday reading to children for a very good reason.  One year ago he met with area hospital executives to announce a COJ learning initiative: What I Can Be from A to Z, a book that has since been provided to every baby born in our area hospitals. This past year, about 13,000 of these books and related literacy materials have been distributed to parents of infants born at UF Health, Baptist, Memorial, and St. Vincent’s hospitals. 

Mayor Curry read the book to participants in Main's Stories for Toddlers program and each child received a copy later. Prior to the Mayor's reading, Library Associate Keira Maschan (left of Mayor) began the program with songs and finger plays.  At the close, Mayor Curry received a birthday card "signed" by the toddlers--and one from Main Library staff.  Then everyone sang Happy Birthday and thanked him for sharing his birthday with them.  

Happy Birthday to Mayor Lenny Curry and Main Children's Librarian III Chiquita Powell.  (Chiquita received her Happy Birthday song from staff in a meeting shortly before the children's program.)

Mrs. Molly Curry Reads At San Marco Branch

Region Manager Keli Likins reports, "We were pleased to have Mrs. Molly Curry, the Mayor’s wife, as guest reader at a special story time at San Marco Branch, May 10, 2017, in honor of Mother’s Day.  Seventy six attendees, including 35 mothers, came to hear Mrs. Curry read Mama's Day with Little Grey. Later, everyone received a treat compliments of Peterbrooke Chocolatier, and Mrs. Curry was presented a wrist corsage.

Mayor & Mrs. Curry Read At Main

Special surprise guests, Mayor Lenny Curry and his wife, Molly, came to Main's Children department, February 3, 2017, for story time.  They had a fun, interactive reading session with the children and stayed for photos after for Read 66 and to help promote JPL's upcoming Jax Book Fest.

Do you have any dignitaries, legislators, or special guests appearing at your branch?

PCR Has Local Dignitaries Visit

Jackie Spiritas, Pablo Creek Branch Manager proudly reports, "District 3 Councilman Aaron L. Bowman hosted an informative Town Hall Meeting at Pablo Creek Regional Library, August 8. Mayor Lenny Curry spoke about the upcoming Pension vote on August 30 and took 

questions from the community. Following Mayor Curry, Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop reported on the recent events and accomplishments of the Jacksonville Public Library, including the launch of the new JPL website, Makerspace at the Main Library, and the upcoming DCPS partnership press conference to be held at the Brentwood Library. Other city departments reporting included JSO Zone 3 Assistant Chief Mitchell, JFRD Director Kurt Wilson, and Bryan Mosier with Code Enforcement. Dr. Charles Moreland, Director of Community Affairs, and some other departments were represented. 

"I said that Town Hall meetings are a perfect way to introduce the community to their local library branch and promote upcoming activities. It was quite an honor to host one that Mayor Curry was able to attend. The branch was looking good and staff really pulled out all the stops to stock fliers, fill and create new displays so that we were ready for our special guests.”

Guess Who Uses The Library

Molly Curry, the Mayor’s wife, and their daughter, Brooke, using the self-check machine at San Marco Branch. Thanks to Region Manager Keli Likins for the pic.

SS Program Includes Mayor's Wife As Reader

Keli Likins, Southeast Region Manager, reports, "The Holiday Pajama Story Time was a success at the San Marco Library, December 3. SS partnered with Spring Park Elementary School to produce the program and the Principal attended with his family. Ms. Picray, their Media Specialist, was a guest reader, as was Mrs. Curry, the Mayor’s wife. Guy Anderson,one of our Library Board members, also attended. 

After the stories and crafts,cookies and games, I spoke with Mrs. Curry about how we work closely with our local schools and that attending SAC and PTSA meetings have helped us create a relationship with Spring Park Elementary.

"Thanks to all the work of the San Marco staff, especially Emily, for making this event possible."

30 x 3 = 90 Years Of Service Recognized By Mayor Lenny Curry

Look who just celebrated 30 years of service, October 30, 2015, when they were recognized by Mayor Lenny Curry and Mark Merritt, JPL's Deputy Director/Administrative Services. Each JPL employee pictured here received her 30 year service pin and  a letter of appreciation signed by the mayor:

           Kathy Lynch is a Library Assistant in Support Services.

      Karen Lewis is a Library Assistant at Brown Eastside Branch.

Linda Smith is a Library Associate in Collection Development and Acquisitions.

If you see these ladies, please add your appreciation for their collective 90 years of service. 

Jax Reads! Kickoff Big Draw For VIP's

Library support was vibrant at the Jax Reads! kickoff at the Main Library, September 1, 2015, attended mostly by VIP's.  

CR and M's Manager Kathy Lussier welcomed everyone and introduced Director Barbara Gubbin, who acknowledged many VIP's individually. Attending were State Senator Audrey Gibson's Aide, CM and Chairman of the Finance Committee Bill Gulliford, CM's Aaron Bowman. Katrina Brown, Doyle Carter, Al Ferraro, Jim Love, Joyce Morgan, Sam Newby and Scott Wilson; Margaret Smith with the Friends of JPL; some Library Board members; Leslie Kirkwood, Chairwoman of Banned; Michael Boylan, WJCT's President and CEO and other media reps, and some of the Mayor's and JPL's staff. 

She thanked the city for not reducing the JPL budget FY2016 and recognizing the importance of libraries.  Director Gubbin also thanked the CR and M staff and JPL employees as a whole. She gave a brief background of the author and said the book, written in poems, won the National Book Award and other awards. The Mayor and CM's will receive copies of Brown Girl Dreaming. She then introduced Mayor Lenny Curry.  

Mayor Curry acknowledged that reading precedes any success in life and the importance of libraries. He said sports as priority one in his life was overturned by reading in his youth and reading was a major contributor to his success as it can be for anyone. His family uses the San Marco Branch. 

Mayor Curry encouraged everyone to read Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson, during this city wide effort, September 1-October 4.  

Director Gubbin and Board Chair Erin Skinner unveiled the READ poster designed especially for Mayor Curry and the Jax Reads! kickoff. He was obviously delighted with the poster and thanked everyone.

Ms. Lussier also thanked all JPL staff without whom there would be no Jax Reads!--and particularly graphic artist Denise Turner for the Jax Reads! logo and color combination used in all of the attractive promotional materials.

Author Jacqueline Woodson will be at the Main Library Hick's Auditorium, October 4, to culminate the Jax Reads! program. 

To view more of these really good pics (thanks to Olga Bayer), you can link here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cityofjax/albums/72157655721146634