Job Well Done: Tricia Larrabee

SE's Tricia Larrabee was presented a Job Well Done award, December 15, 2020, for the process changes she made at the Southeast Library. SE Manager Carisia Rooney said, "Tricia has created a system of book truck organization that has made ‘what is this cart?’ or 'I can’t find a cart’ issues of the past. Tricia also streamlined scheduled duties and enabled Southeast to function smoothly during staff shortages that previously crippled the schedule. By combining duties on the schedule, such as Scanning & Sorting, Phone & Holds, and Staff Screening & Delivery, she has created teamwork and enabled staff to stay productive during downtimes." (Notice of presentation of award received January 19, 2021.)

Job Well Done: Crystal Kadkhodaie

SE's Crystal Kadkhodaie was presented a Job Well Done Award, January 6, 2021.  As her nominator, Tricia Larrabee, said, "Crystal is always positive and brings a great attitude to every work day.  She is competent, always takes the initiative to help others, and her customer service is outstanding.  She is cross training several part-time staff and encouraging them to increase their skills.  Crystal gives attention to detail while processing new books, often locating minor errors that were missed and reporting them so they can be corrected system wide."

Job Well Done: Alison Halkovic

Alison Halkovic received a Job Well Done Award from SE Manager Carisia Rooney, December 4, 2020, at SE's staff meeting.  Carisia nominated Alison for the award for initiating and implementing the use of a Microsoft teams platform for creating and saving the daily schedules at the Southeast Library. Carisia said, "With three departments needing to work on creating and updating the schedules each week, we were having a number of 'I thought I saved those changes' glitches and the dreaded 'Read Only' access.  Alison created a SE scheduling team and make sure all schedulers were trained on saving, editing, and printing the Excel docs in Teams.  This new process not only removed the schedule-making problems, but also effected different departments helping one another confidently."

The World's View

Marina Fry of the Southeast Branch created a wonderful display for December to celebrate the festive holiday season. Greetings of the Season became a colorful inclusive celebration of cultures, languages, symbols and joy. Filled with smiling snowmen it shows how we are all alike but unique in celebrating and in greetings. Five snowmen carry signs with greetings of different holidays, their clothing and a symbol of their belief that differentiate them. They are surrounded by 14 other snowmen that wish you Happy Holidays in different languages. She also created handouts to help figure out the language or country flags to take home with you. The staff of the Southeast Branch hopes this wonderful wall shows the warmth and joy of the season to all as they enter the library. (Thanks to SE Region Clerical Services Supervisor Tricia Larrabee for the input and picture.)

 

 

Kids Cast Votes At SE

What you see here is not a novel way to diagram a compound sentence but an opportunity for kids to learn about voting. Alison Halkovic said, "Southeast youth staff Christina Garmon, Rochelle Golomb, Caitlin Ruvolo, and I created a youth election activity for October 19-November 3, 2020 that lines up with early voting. It operates more like March Madness, giving kids a chance to vote once each week until the general election.

"The candidates are Biscuit and Clifford (Dog Party); Mercy Watson and Babe (Pig Party); Geronimo Stilton and Despereaux (Mouse Party); and Winnie the Pooh and Paddington (Bear Party.) Stay tuned to find out which two are SE's customers' pic for Best Animals in Literature."

 

Oh, What A Pumkin Can Do

Southeast Library's painted Literacy-o-Lanterns serve as a magnetizing marketing tool. Alison Halkovic said, "Each Literacy-o-Lantern is painted  to resemble a literary character. They include Black Panther, Cat in the Hat, Dog Man, and a Wild Thing from Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. Customers have enjoyed seeing some of their favorite characters on display and have checked out accompanying books."

Above are the artful pumpkins produced by SE Youth staff Christina Garmon, Rochelle Golomb, Alison Halkovic, and Caitlin Ruvolo.  Space here does not do the delightful creations justice. Why not go by SE and enjoy?

Mia Clark: Job Well Done

Mia Clark received a Job Well Done Award, November 20, 2020, presented by South Region Manager Keli Likins, at SE's staff meeting.  Mia was nominated for the award by SE Manager Carisia Rooney for leading her team through a two month shifting project.  Carisia said, "It included creating a streamlined face-out-shelving display for the entire non-fiction collection of the Southeast Library  Not only did Mia create an organized, step-by-step plan so staff could pick up where another left off each day, she also oversaw the project in a way that helped staff feel proud of their work at its completion.  This was a very productive use of time during all the changes in hours and in how we serve the public.  This 40 aisle project surpasses our library appearance standards."  (Mia preferred no picture be taken of the award ceremony.)

 

SE Encourages Wearing Masks

 

SE's Alison Halkovic, YS Librarian II, said, "Our staff added paper face masks to the characters in the children's department mural, following the example of the New York Public Library and their iconic lion sculptures. We hope the addition will help show our littlest customers that kids just like them are wearing masks all over the world to help keep their communities healthy and safe." 

JPL Starts Reopening

The Main Library resumed customer service inside the building, June 3, 2020. Nine other branch libraries began curbside service only the same day--Beaches, Graham, Highlands, Mandarin, Pablo Creek, Regency Square, Southeast, Webb Wesconnett, and West.

 

Deputy Director Julie McNeil said, "Presently, the Main Library is open to the public to come in, Monday-Saturday, 10 am-6 pm.  Curbside service at the above branches is Monday-Thursday, 10 am - 7 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm.  No Jacksonville Public Library Sunday service is available right now.

 

"Argyle, South Mandarin, Willowbranch, and University Park branches will add curbside service later this week, although the date has not yet been determined. Brentwood Branch Library will begin curbside service, June 15, 2020."
 

Terry Welch, a library clerk at Beaches Branch, coined a new word when she reported Theresa Rooney Nicole Saville, Dylan Franke, Robbie Crabtree, Amber Pierce, and she are the original JB "curbies." Terry said, "At first, service was slow but has picked up steam. Customers are happy to see us and we are happy to be back and serving them again." 

Job Well Done: Carisia Rooney

Region Manager Keli Likins, said, "Carisia Rooney, SE Regional Library Manager, received a Job Well Done Award, February 21, 2020.  She was called to speak at the Library Board Governance meeting about an issue with Southeast’s parking lot where a developer wants to buy some of our parking spaces.  Carisia and her staff first conducted a study on parking space use.  Director Tim Rogers told me she did a great job speaking to the Board and gave honest, thoughtful, and useful feedback which could greatly affect customers who use the Southeast Library.  It was a job well done."

Quilts & Art At SE

SE Associate Rochelle Golomb, presented a program for school age children, February 27, 2020, entitled  ARTrageous: Creating Stories in Art! in celebration of African American History Month. Participants learned about the author and artist, Faith Ringgold’s talents and contributions, and explored self-expression, creativity, and innovation by making a story quilt in Ringgold’s style. Faith used the tradition of quilt making to tell stories of her life and those in her community. Children delighted in hearing about Tar Beach, Faith’s first book based on her quilt with that title. This beautiful and award winning picture book about the power of imagination won the Caldecott Honor Book and was a winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. Rochelle said, "Come visit SE and see the children’s art on display."

 

Kids At SE Learn About Mt. Rushmore

SE LAS Caitlin Ruvolo shares, “Southeast held a school-age program 'Make Your Own Mount Rushmore', February 19, 2020, to honor Presidents' Day. We talked about whose faces are on the monument, what they did for our country as President, and where Mount Rushmore is located. We also played Presidential Bingo before participants made their own sculptures depicting important people in their own lives. Here is an example of the monuments the children made.”

Historian Doane Robinson conceived the idea for Mount Rushmore in 1923 to promote tourism in South Dakota.  In 1924 Robinson persuaded sculptor/painter Gutzon Borglum to travel to the Black Hills (nearest city is Keystone, SD.) The momument was completed in 1941 at a cost of $989,992.32.  Mount Rusmore was chosen because it faces southeast and enjoys maximum exposure to the sun. The Presidents sculpted there are (L/R) George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Linconln.  About 3 million people visit annually.

Emery Gomez, Born January 4, 2020

Mr. and Mrs. Byron Gomez proudly announce the birth of their son, Emery Gomez, who arrived January 4, 2020, weighing 7 lbs., 11 oz.  Nicole Gomez is a Library Clerk at Southeast Library, and all of us at JPL send our congratulations to you, Byron and Nicole! 
  

Wedding Bells For Alison & Jake

Southeast YS Librarian II Alison Halkovic (née Pulley) married Jake Halkovic, December 21, 2019.  Alison said, "We had such a fun time celebrating our union during this festive time of year! (DIY projects included cinnamon ornaments and Christmas crackers.)"

"Thank you to our JPL family for all of the warm well-wishes."

 

May all your days together be as beautiful as you were on your wedding day, Alison.

 

Dreamcatching At SE

SE children’s department celebrated Native American Heritage Month, November 6, 2019, when 19 school age participants attended their ARTrageous: Dreamcatchers program. YS Library Associate Rochelle Golomb showed participants how to use recycled CDs, pipe cleaners, feathers, and beads to create unique dreamcatchers by weaving, stringing and twisting assorted materials.

They learned about the Native American custom and symbolism of placing colorful dreamcatchers over their beds to protect them from bad dreams.  Rochelle said, "One quote from the participant pictured here delighted us, ' I loved being able to make my dreamcatcher any way I wanted.'”

STEAM Program Builds Bridges & Team Work

Southeast's school-age program, “Full STEAM Ahead: Bridge Building”, was a success, October 2, 2019, as children and parents (34 total) learned how bridges are built.  Plastic cups and tongue depressors substituted for steel and concrete as the class became "structural engineers" and worked together in a bridge building competition.  Gummy bears were awarded for longest bridge, most aesthetic bridge, and the bridge that could hold the most weight. Everyone wore construction hats (safety first!) and had a great time.  (Thanks to Caitlin Ruvolo for input and pics.) 

Brown Is For Football, Etc.

The SE branch started a new permanent “I SPY’ display in the Children’s Department, August 31. 2019.  A different color will be highlighted each month. The current color is brown and with the help of staff who loaned brown items, such as a football, an owl, a monkey, etc., we are garnering the attention of younger and older children.  

 

Here five regulars are checking things off their lists.  "Can you help us find the hieroglyphics?" one child asked.  (Thanks to Caitlin Ruvolo for input and pics.)

 

SE Takes On Michelangelo

August 28, 2019, Southeast Library's young customers learned how the frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was marvelously painted by the great Michelangelo. His task took four years (1508-1512) as he hung on his back high above the chapel floor, painting with arms extended for hours on end.

Then the 24 youngsters were challenged to paint as Michelangelo did--for a brief time--and they enthusiastically went to work:

 
                  The Sistine Chapel:
 
 
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, known simply as Michelangelo, was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet.  Born in Florence, he died in Rome at age 88.

Hooray For Honeybees

Librarian III Carol Bunker is also a beekeeper.  To celebrate      National Honey Bee Day (August 17), she brought in a bee hive to Southeast, August 22, 2019, and 42 participants learned about honeybees.  Additionally, Carol brought the tools needed to go into a hive, an empty hive so children could see what it looks like inside a hive, extra veils and gloves for them to try on and take photos, and an observation hive for children to see bees up close in the library. With parents' permission, they were allowed to sample some of the bees' honey they made back in June. Home Depot on Lane Avenue donated 45 terra cotta saucers and the kids decorated them with marbles to make bee baths for wild bees at their homes. Bees need water for themselves and to feed their babies, and for honey production.  Bees cannot swim so marbles in the bottom of the saucer gives bees places to perch while they drink water. Carol was assisted by Caitlin Ruvolo.

 

Jobs Well Done: Caitlin, Rochelle & Christina

     SE's YS Libraraian II Carol Bunker and Library Associates Golomb, Garmon,and Ruvolo

On August 5, 2019, three new comers to SLP received awards for their diligent contributions to the success of the program at Southeast Branch.  YS Librarian II Carol Bunker said, "Christina Garmon, Rochelle Golomb, and Caitlin Ruvolo deserve a Job Well Done Award for demonstrating excellent service, teamwork and innovation. In their first involvement in SLP, each had a positive impact on our customers and co-workers.  All three worked double desk shifts throughout SLP.  Christina handled all things teen related; she created the teen volunteer summer calendar and did all teen programming.  She created our branch calendar and weeded the entire teen fiction and non-fiction sections.  Rochelle took on SE's school age miniseries by herself, helped weed the entire children’s fiction and picture book area and helped create our concept section and a check and balance system for entering stats into Communico.  Her accomplishments made it easier for EOM stats to be completed.  Caitlin took on our school age summer camp series.  She received excellent feedback from the camp organizer and altered her schedule all summer to attend their summer camp. She also helped weed the entire children’s fiction and picture book area to create the concept section for customers."