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."

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."  

WST Closes SLP Far Out In Space

"Old Luke", Melodie Brunson, Amy Davis, and Storm Trouper

 

"For West, the closing SLP theme, 'A Universe of Stories,'  led to a galaxy far, far, away, July 29, 2019.  Eighty-five Jedis and a Storm Trooper enjoyed a bevy of activities such as competing in carnival style games, crafts, and making ice cream sundaes. 

Unique way to bowl:

"They also found out what out-of-the world hair color had been voted on for Ms. Eve--and the winner by a landslide was Rainbow Rocket!  The evening of fun ended with a chance to meet and get a photo with the members of the 501st Squad 7 Storm Troopers and participate in a raffle.  We made sure everyone was a winner with a swag bag courtesy of Daily's," reports WST YS Librarian I Eve Harm (pictured below.)









 

WHAT'S IN A THANK YOU...

Zoe Carr asked Main Children’s to create a thank you card for Community First Credit Union in appreciation for their support of Summer Learning and the Hi-5 program.  Main Children's LAS Marcie O’Dell came up with the idea of making an art piece using hands that the kids could write their names on and decorate.  Joanna Nigrelli said, "The card was one of our activity stations at our Summer Learning Closing party, July 25, 2019."
(The picture didn't capture all of the logo at the bottom: JPL's "Start Here. Go Anywhere.")

Main Gives Kids Great Ideas For SLP

"The Children’s Department at Main had a hit with its 2019 six week Summer Library Program, which was dubbed, “My Space Art Adventure.”  It consisted of art projects focusing on an ever-widening view of space.

Pictured left is a sample from Week 5, featuring Slime Aliens.  Students made their own space slime in cups, then watched it ooze over their individual cups. They had fun adding googley eyes, stir sticks, hats and tails, etc. to make the slime into an extraordinary alien.

"Week Six included the making of astronaut photo props as you see the girls above wearing.  The kids were treated to an astro lunch of dehydrated foods and bagged drinks with straws. We had a very fun six weeks!" said Main Children’s Associate Marcie O’Dell and we thank her for the photos and writeup.

Main Children's SLP Closing Party

The Main Library Children’s Department hosted a Luau to celebrate SLP's last day, July 25, 2019. "FUN" was the key word: the kids made their own leis, played musical chairs, were given balloon creatures, colored their favorite Moana characters, played with Sphero bots and Rigamajigs, ate Hawaiian snacks and proudly wore their 2019 Exhibiting Artist lanyards as they pointed to their displayed artwork. The happy spirit of the day is displayed above by Main Children’s Associate Hannah Genslinger and Main Children’s L2, Joanna Nigrelli. (Photos and writeup by Main Children’s Associate, Marcie O’Dell.)

CM Michael Boylan Speaks At SLP Closing Party

Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel (standing far right) welcomed the newly elected District 6 Council Member Michael Boylan (center standing) to Mandarin Branch for its summer closing party, "Take Me to Your Reader," July 26, 2019.  Mr. Boylan spoke to a crowd of 100+ and congratulated the children for meeting their reading goals over the summer.  

Participants pinned the eye on the alien and they went home with lightsabers (skillfully made from an overstock of re-purposed cardboard.)  YS Librarian Katie Kienitz and summer volunteers helped families with photo ops, including Frances Wickes' walk-in rocket and a Star Wars droid and spaceship. Face paining was also popular. 

CW's SLP Closing Party: UMMM Good!

                          Sponsoring businesses' goodies load table. 

 

              Businesses' names on wall above party table.

Webb Wesconnett Library staff enjoyed seeing 150 customers (old and new) celebrate the July 24, 2019, Summer Learning Program closing party.  Staff were ready for the crowd, providing:  a photo booth, giant Jenga, a coloring station, toddler corner, parachute games, and bowling.
                                          UMMM!
 
          Peterbrooke's chocolate popcorn and other treats.

Passhunate Payams said, "We appreciate our go-getter, Nerresa Posey, who contacted numerous local businesses and they responded with an abundance of food:  WAWA, Peterbrooke, Great American Cookies, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Papa Johns, Firehouse Subs, Domino’s Pizza, Sweets by Holly, Subway, and Target.  Many thanks to our sponsors and the great team at Webb, and two teen volunteers.  Because of this team effort, we saw this huge crowd well entertained and fed.  The event could not have been more of a success." 

Moon Bunny Steals The Show

Maxville Library entertained kids with magician James Songster's Magic and Mayhem program, June 19, 2019.  Mr. Songster used several books of different cultures that spoke of a moon bunny and how people sought it.  He used a balloon as a dragon and slayed the dragon to bring the Moon Bunny to earth. The kids were exuberant to see Moon Bunny's "arrival" and the bunny seemed a bit surprised at the warm welcome.  (Thanks to Elise Fare, Library Associate Sr., for input.)

WHO Is The Guy In Green?

YS Librarian II Carol Bunker reports, "Southeast Branch held its Summer Learning opening party, June 4, 2019, hosting 145 people, babes to adults-- to 'space aliens' (L). We had a star sorter (R), a space balance walk, cosmic bowling, a scavenger hunt, a rocket and robot craft, constellations and moon snacks for everyone who attended; they had a whole lot of fun!"

 

 

 

 

Way To Go, Layda!

Illesha Massaline shares, "Here is a photo of Layda, our 'First Summer Reading Challenge Book Prize Winner' at University Park Library, June 7, 2019.  Layda brought in her bookmark and redeemed her tickets for 5 days of reading 15 minutes each day.  She selected the book, It's My Year Passbook, as her prize.

 

 

 

AR Is Hot On Hi $5 For Reading - Where Does Your Library Stand?

Guy Adkins has a well earned brag for AR staff, "At May 29, 2019, Regency Square Library has passed our $600 goal for 'Give a Hi $5 for Reading' with $624 and counting.  Individual donors' names are posted on the front of the counter adjacent to the 'thermometer ' branch goal sign."

Let us hear from you about contributions at your library for
                        Hi $5 for Reading!

SLP Superstars Receive Awards

For their supercharged performance during the 2018 Summer Learning Program (SLP) these employees (double click on pic for larger view) were presented with Summer Superstar Awards, which read, "In recognition of your creativity, commitment, and enthusiasm.  Libraries rock because YOU rock."  (They also received a Starbucks gift card.) The awards were made October 28, 2018, by the  Board of Library Trustees Chair Ronnie King (far right) and Director Tim Rogers.  Amber Holley, Assistant Director for Learning Services, was on hand to to affirm her appreciation of their contributions towards this SLP being the biggest and best. Awards were presented to:

Susan Mankowski
Rebekah Mitchell
Kimberly Bennett
Mia Brack
Kevin Douglas
Tonja Ferrell
Eve Harm
Beverly Mason
Allison Mason
Elizabeth McConney
Joanna Nigrelli
Shawn Norton
Marcie O'Dell
Alison Pulley
Lorna Reid
Julie Rekow
Christie Rogers
Luis Terron
Christina Wyatt
Kate Zakharov

There were 14,620 SLP registrations this summer, a 46% increase over 2017 with 53,763+ hours of reading logged at 21 library locations.  WOW!

Main Tracked SLP Musically

"Main Children’s 2018 SLP Tracking display consisted of six giant guitars with a new one displayed each week. The kids signed guitar picks and added them to the guitars to depict their success logging their reading minutes each week. Each guitar had a theme and the kids voted on which colored guitar would be displayed the following week. Above is a close up of the bat guitar (see the shiny silver bat on the head stock at the top of the neck). The first pic below shows all six guitars around the department.  Some added decorations allowed for the Libraries Rock program to “play” all around the department.  (Guitars were made through the creative efforts of Hannah Genslinger, Kitty Maschan, and Marcie O’Dell.)

"The last pic is a close up of signage at the children's reference desk--and WE DID ROCK!" said Marcie O'Dell.

Teens & Children Hold Luau To Close SLP

YS Librarian III Chiquita Powell gave a wrap up of the last SLP activities at the Main Library, July 26, 2018, "Sixty one teens attended the luau in the Teen Department presented by Stefa Witt, Meon Graham, Kathy Frazier, Devan Shepard, Alex Bishop, teen volunteers, and me.  Alex gave away 73 books to teens playing the Book Walk game and Stephanie Bollard (Jax Makerspace) taught 15 teens how to play the ukulele. 

"In our Children’s Department we had 70 people celebrate the end of Summer Learning at our luau. Children made leis, played coconut bowling, hula danced to musical chairs, and received a balloon twist from balloon artist Linda Brunson. Marcie O’Dell held an art show exhibition displaying art children made during her six week summer program 'Music, Movies, and Art.'

                                                                                                               

"Thank you to our wonderful interns Erionnia and Joy, teen volunteer Deyjah, and Diane Alexander for helping the Children’s Department celebrate the end of Summer Learning."

AYL Wraps Up Teen SLP

Argyle's Library Associate and Teen Coordinator, Tonja Ferrell, said, "Pictured are some of the 28 teens who came to the last session of our six week SLP for teens, 'Musical Escape Rooms', July 20, 2018. The theme was 'Disco Fever'. The kids were diagnosed with this terminal illness and in order to get immunized and/or cured, teens had to work through clues utilizing library resources. They wore colored disco balls, designating the team they were on and showed designated staff that they were Escape Room players. (Staff wore Star name tags.) Teens were then given Q's and correct answers were rewarded with dance step clues resulting in their ability to perform the 'Hustle' deeming them cured and free to go. They performed the dance as a group and several spectator parents got 'jiggy' as well.  Some of the teens told me how much they enjoyed the sessions and several parents also relayed their kids' kudos for the series and were sorry to hear it was the last one. Throughout the programs, we have had new teen and tween participants, who had not been to AYL before, which was fantastic! We had two teen visitors yesterday from Chicago, who were visiting family in Jax. Their father told staff they had so much fun they intended to come next week. I regretted having to say this was the last one; however, I invited everyone to our closing party. We are pleased to say that all of these sessions were well received.

  

"Unfortunately the video files are too large to attach. They are both in our G-Shared folder, under Argyle group, Teens at Argyle. 

"Another great thing that occurred at yesterday’s Escape Room was that several staff participated as 'Library Resources.'  They not only gave out dance clues; each demonstrated the step or clue they had--a great example of everyone serving youth at Argyle." 

Gifts Of Kindness From KR

KR 's Isabel Moreno-Santiago, YS Librarian I, reports, “Mandarin Library is giving back to the community through the SLP mini-series 'Kindness Rocks.' July 11, 2018, I delivered projects made by the children to two organizations. Our donations included greetings cards to the Taylor Residence Care Center and  'No sew fleece baby blankets' to the Wolfson Children Hospital.

 "Above, Betty Pender, Activities Director for Taylor Residences, receives the greeting cards and below Wolfson Children's Hospital Care Patient representative, Dana Severidt, receives the baby blankets.  Both representatives expressed their gratitude for the donations."

Way to go, Isabel!

Kids, Caregivers & Kitty Hit It Off

Main Library Children’s Associate, Kitty Maschan, rocked the new Stories for Toddlers class that began just last month here at Main. Here is a picture from the July 12, 2018 class, which took place in The Hightower Family room. Marcie O'Dell said "Kitty is a natural and caring presenter that parents enjoy and depend on.  Great job Kitty!"

Willowbranch Goes To The Beach

WB P/T Clerk Susan Koedel (pictured) and WB Manager Margaret Morford had fun designing a July “Beach Reads for Your Summer Getaway” display for the Willowbranch Library.  Local history beach books, fiction books with a beach theme, recipe books for beach cooking, and beach themed movies were selected.  The table is accented with a beach bag and towel, sunglasses, flip-flops, water bottle, sand bucket and shovel.  Margaret said, "Now we are contemplating a captivating display for August."

My Dinosaur Tail; Cute, Huh?

June 23, 2018, Main’s Stories for Young Children presented DINOSAURS ROCK! Children enjoyed a dinosaur storytime with YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli and then made their own wearable dinosaur tails in Art for Young Children with LAS Hannah Genslinger.