Job Well Done: Shukti Banerjee

Mandarin Manager Mark Hohnadel proudly presented a Job Well Done Award, May 17, 2018, to P/T Library Clerk Shukti Banerjee for the hard work she has done to get money raised for the JPL Foundation's High Five campaign.  Shukti has been the branch leader having raised hundreds of dollars thus far for High Five, which will benefit JPL's 2018 Summer Learning Program (SLP).

THANK YOU, SHUKTI, FOR HELPING A LOT OF KIDS HAVE A PRODUCTIVE SUMMER!

San Marco Branch Closes SLP

SS Branch Manager Lilia Simonton and her hard working staff wanted us to know their closing celebration of the 2017 Summer Learning Program, July 25, saw 55 happy faces reflecting the fun SLP has been all summer--and State Senator Audrey Gibson (back left) and Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop mirrored everyone's delight. Southeast Region Manager Keli Likins is not pictured but was present.)

Senator Gibson explained to the children what a senator does and how it impacts Jacksonville.  She handed out books and congratulated two of the children who read the most books over the summer. (Sen. Gibson is a native of Jacksonville, FL and graduated from Florida State University.)

It Went Swimmingly Well

P/T Associate Melodie Brunson has something to brag about, "We’ve been having a lot of fun with our Collaborative Art 6-week series as part of our Build a Better World Summer Learning Program at West Branch and we have seen some really good art produced by our young customers. As part of the series, one of our art projects was making a large mobile. With all of the water around Jacksonville, we decided to make an aquatic mobile. 

"Here are the proud artists with their finished work. Library Associate Bill Figletti helped hang the mobile in the Children’s area. And we had enough water creatures to make some small mobiles to hang under our 'porch' in Children’s.  It really WAS a collaborative effort!

"Three cheers to Bill and the young artists for the dee-lightful results!" 

  

SLP Ends At UPK As A Super Success

UPK Manager Theresa Rooney is proud of her staffs' accomplishments, "Summer Learning may have ended, but it’s been a busy August so far at the University Park Branch. The Superheroes Cityscape backdrop on the wall was created by my daughter, Emily Matchett, and the Superhero capes were handmade by Library Clerk and master seamstress Rosalin Smalls.

SE: New CM Becton Visits & SLP Wraps Up

Councilman Danny Becton's August 5 visit to Southeast Branch was much appreciated.  He introduced two of their Superhero Stories for Young Children and Preschool Art and addressed a total of 102 people.about libraries and the importance of reading.  

Also,, SE's End of Summer Party on August 4 featured Minions. In addition to taking pictures with their life sized minion, patrons made their own minion goggles, ate banana pudding, searched for bananas in a scavenger hunt, and played Pin the Goggle on the Minion.

EB Has 400+ Readers For SLP

EB used an eyecatching poster for their SLP to entice kids to read.  The poster was titled "Read all summer to help complete Hero O'Malley's Puzzle" with the invitation, "Get a piece of the puzzle to fill in for each book you read."  The *puzzle had every piece completed and Sharon Whitt has reason to brag on EB's SLP readers. "Brown Eastside Library is proud to announce that Eastside kids read very well this summer. They read over 400 books to complete the *puzzle. Way to go Eastside Kids!"

Who's the strange character on the puzzle poster? Sharon says, "It’s  the *Platypus figure of the Summer Learning characters.  His name is O’Malley, so I just called him Hero O’Malley to add character to the character." GREAT IDEA, SHARON.  

At NS “Dreams Begin with Dreamers”

The youth of Brentwood Branch Library showcased what they learned during an intense four week camp in their production of “Dreams Begin with Dreamers”, July 31. The students were offered lessons in reading, math, science, interpersonal skills, drama, dance and self-esteem.

  

The Friends of Brentwood Library, along with funding from a grant from Navy Federal Credit Union,, sponsored the FOBL Theater Camp and Playhouse.  The children, ages 4 to 13, also had a muti-cultural field day. First they visited the courtroom of Judge Pauline Drake where she acknowledged and encouraged them in open court.  They also visited the Jacksonville Centre of the Arts, Old Stanton High School, the Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Historic Park and finished the day with lunch at CiCi’s Pizza.  They were featured in the Jacksonville Free Press and a front page picture and blurb in The Florida Times Union’s Metro section.  The youth were also encouraged because they were able to earn points during the camp and were surprised at the end of the production when those points were turned into a monetary award.

Artistic Director and FOBL founder, Sharon Coon, developed the curriculum.  With the help of student stage manager Camille Boyd, student production manager Charlai Cooper (also the Mayor’s Summer Student employee who volunteered to stay an extra week), library liaison Betty Williams and the Brentwood staff that took on extra desk shifts, shelving and popped popcorn etc., the “dream” of having a summer playhouse for the young people of Brentwood became a reality.

Many Super Hero Shirts On 1 David Foster = 1 Super Strategy

KR's super P.R. strategist, David Foster, quickly won customer support when he wore a different super hero T-shirt each day for SLP. Customers began donating hero T-shirts for David to wear. He said, "I’m wearing Spider-Man today, but tomorrow I can wear one of the Captain America shirts; plus I can hold his shield, which was a hit at the kick-off celebration.

"At our summer kick-off, Sara Peretzman and Jessica Jones were both Batgirl; Carisia Rooney was SuperC, and Debra Wainwright helped kids create their own Captain America shields.

"Throughout the summer, so many families chose photo-ops with cardboard superheroes that Ms. Baldwin provided – Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Batman, Iron Man, Vision, Thor, and Captain America!

"Our super summer is a team effort involving everyone at KR.  'Avengers, Assemble!'"

DU's Cook-A-Book Program

Library Associate Beverly Mason, Highlands Branch, shares pictures of DU's first SLP program, Cook-A-Book, June 17; they had 30 attendees and discussed Japan, Sumo wrestlers, and made candy sushi.

A Few Critters, 1 Senator & Lots of Enthusiasm

Mandarin Branch Library was excited to host Florida State Senator Aaron Bean who visited during the children’s Jacksonville Zoo program, July 15, 2015.   Senator Bean was exuberant to be a part of the event and obviously enjoyed playing a game with the children prior to the zoo program. All participants received Twinkies from the senator.  

Senator Bean appeared at the Main Library's Zoo program prior to his appearance at Mandarin and his enthusiasm permeated kids and caregivers alike as the photos in these links to social media indicate:

FLICKR: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yourticket/sets/72157655967282515

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jaxpubliclibrary/posts/10152935715416366

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jaxlibrary/status/621716478446956544

Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/5NHYzUrzjL/?taken-by=jaxlibrary

NW Finished Teen Hero Academy

NW's Library Associate Gloria Buenavista reports, "These pictures were taken the last day of our Teen Hero Academy series, July 23; The program began June 18 and ran six weeks. We discussed one superhero quality each time: Courage, Creativity, Strength, Intelligence, Generosity and Self-confidence.

"The teens painted shirts and, as you see, modeled them, too.  They had fun taking pictures using the masks and skyline during the program and while modeling their shirts."

 

Sit! Stand! Heel!

KR's Children's Library Associate Alison Pulley said, "Seventeen kids attended the Summer Learning Mini Series program, July 24^th, “How to Train Your Dog to be a Hero”, at the Mandarin Branch Library. Paul Schaffner of Southeast Library organized the program and found a local dog trainer, Karen Soukiasian, who participated in the regional series. Karen brought a four-legged friend named Molly to help demonstrate basic commands. Kids and parents alike enjoyed the program, and Molly made many friends during her visit. All attendees are now prepared to be good pack leaders!"

DU Teens Love Their Art

Highlands teen program, July 21, 2015 was a blatantly colorful and fun event.

DU's Hongying Song, YS Librarian II, said, "There were about 15 participants in the hour long art program.  Felecia and Chanika judged the creations when the artists finished and first prize went to the work of the Superman theme (lower right).  The teens and tweens were creative and produced their own original designs. No one used the templates I had printed out online.  We were intrigued by the teens' creativity and delighted that they had big smiles of satisfaction with their works."

San Marco Branch Programs

San Marco Branch Manager Ann Fridl said, "July 25^th was a busy day at SS.  Landon Middle School teacher,  Monica Knighton (photo below) gave tips to parents on how to read to their children and then read her book, Next Time I Will Obey.  Saturday was also the last day for the Cook a Book program.  The theme was the hero in you and children made their own hero using Rice Krispies for a head and fruit roll ups for a cape."  

Big Hits Come In Small Packages

SOM's Library Associate Christie Rogers says, "Our Safari Soundlab program at the South Mandarin Library, July 23, was a big hit although we entertained a small group of ten.  Parents said that he played well to the children and he knew his audience." (Pictures did not turn out well.)

I Knew I Could Do It!

Jackie Spiritas, GB Manager, brags on two young SLP fans' accomplishment, "A young 'architect' and her 'engineer' friend posed for a picture by their creation in the Children’s Department at the Dallas Graham Branch Library."

Cows ARE Appreciated At DU & Staff Are Heros

DU's YS Library Assistant Felecia Battle held Stories for Young Children’s program, July 15 , for a crowd of 45 children and caregivers. Kids enjoyed stories, songs, and a flannel board activity for Cow Appreciation Day, and each child received a cow mask.

Thanks to Captain Felecia Battle, DU's All-Star Squadron (Kristi Dorney, Felecia Battle, Chanika Kimbrough, Farryn James, Tyneshia Matthews, Beverly Mason and Victoria Galman) has been in training during the Summer Learning Program. Felecia says, "We have completed our training mission and now we are all Heroes with a story to tell."

Science And The Art Of Blowing Bubbles

Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas reports, "Science Superheroes at GB, July 8, had fun learning what happens when you mix different types of soap and water and air together – Bubbles! 

Children learned they can make bubbles of different “strengths”  - some you can even hold in your hand! The chemistry behind the process was so fascinating that some of the kids even figured out how to use their fingers to blow bubbles. Surface tension is exciting and messy stuff!

EB Beats Boredom W/Variety For SLP

      Sharon Whitt, Library Associate Lead at Brown Eastside Branch, reports SLP is a hit with the kids. Spider Man spins webs throughout the library so children can get their "spider sense" by being an Eastside Reader.  

The kids asked Sefari Soundlab (1st left) to do the Ne Ne dance after the program, so he did and all the kids joined him in the dance after his last reggae song. 

Mrs. Kate (2nd left) brought her stories to life through songs and puppets, as the children watched and played along in amazement.  

Huggable Melodies (3rd left) encouraged kids to be a Hero when faced with bullying, using stories and music sing-a-longs, and a coloring activity followed the program.

Kate Zakharov from Main Children's fascinated the children with her Cook-A-Book program. Their favorite part of the program?  Interacting with food as it relates to the stories; who wouldda thought!

Now You See It; Now You Don't

The Barry Hinnant Magic Program at the South Mandarin Library, June 25, had 85 spellbound customers waiting to see "what's next". Library Associate Christie Rogers said, "The large crowd had a great time and after the program, kids and adults were asking to check out books about magic."