How About That!

Nicole Gaudier Alemañy, YS Librarian I at UPK, shares an admirable accomplishment with us:

"My book review, 'Irish Reading Societies and Circulating Libraries Founded before 1825: Useful Knowledge and Agreeable Entertainment by Keith A. Manley,' was published in the Libraries: Culture, History, and Society Journal. It is the Library History Round Table's journal. The citation is: Gaudier, N. (2020). Review. Libraries: Culture, History, and Society, 4(2), 225-227. doi: 10.5325/libraries.4.2.0225.

"Before getting my MS in information, I studied History (BA) and Art History (MA, BA) with a special focus on early modern Europe. I chose to review that book as it is a great combinatin of my academic and professional interests in librarianship and early modern history."

Congratulations from all of us to you, Nicole. 

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." 

UPK CELEBRATES 3 MILLION CUSTOMERS!

UPK Library Clerk Illesha Massaline has the honor and joy of shouting some great news, "On November 23, 2019, University Park celebrated its THREE MILLIONTH CUSTOMER VISIT since it opened in October 2004!  (The number is based on the gate count being returned to 0.)  Staff celebrated the occasion that day with a public  announcement and some library bling for honored customer, Andrew Pelkey (above.)    

"Mr. Pelkey popped into UPK to return items while running errands and received the items shown below for raising UPK's gate count to three million.  He was happy to show off his 'I love my library' sticker and, of  course, we thanked Mr. Pelkey profusely."

CONGRATULATIONS TO UPK FROM ALL OF US!

What A Way To Start Your 1st Day!

This is how Kristen Knelle P/T Library Associate, started her first day at UPK, September 11, 2019.  (Thanks to Illesha Massaline for sharing this good news and we all say 'WELCOME, KRISTEN."

Subway, UNF & UPK Partner For Healthy Eating Habits

University Park Branch  hosted a Subway Share the Color Workshop, July 9, 2019. Twenty-two people enjoyed this fun and educational program presented by Subway restaurants of Jacksonville!

Janine Dray, UNF nutrition professor and ISPP Program Coordinator, taught children & teens about nutrition and how to make a healthy plate. Then we got to make our own colorful, healthy, subway sandwiches.

Emma Phelps, Public Relations Manager at Subway, came from Salt Lake City, Utah to help with the event as did local Subway colleagues.

The children enjoyed having chef hats, coloring books, and  taking photos with the #SharetheColor frames.”

UPK Hosts Subway Share Color Workshop

University Park Library hosted a Subway Share the Color Workshop, July 9, 2019, for children and teens, and 22 enjoyed a fun and educational program sponsored by Subway restaurants of Jacksonville.  Janine Dray, a UNF nutrition professor and Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) Program Coordinator, taught them about the food groups, gave examples of each one, and explained how to make a balanced meal based on the "my plate" method.

UPK customers, a summer intern, and staff were invited to make their own colorful, healthy, sandwiches provided by Subway. 

YS Librarian I Nicole Gaudier-Alamay said, "Emma Phelps, Subway Public Relations Manager came from Salt Lake City, Utah, introduced Professor Dray, provided materials such as coloring books and chef's hats, and worked with her local Subway colleagues to help children make their sandwiches. The kids also enjoyed taking photos with the #SharetheColor frames.  We are very appreciative of Prof. Dray's time with us and especially Ms. Phelps, who coordinated the event, asked Prof. Dray to present the program, and pitched right in to make everything go smoothly."  

Team Work Puts UPK WAY Over The Top!

Illesha Massaline brags on UPK's new total in JPL's Hi$5 branch donations received, "Another $10 donation from one of our regular UPK customers put us over $700 received at June 27, 2019; our goal was $400--Woo Hoo! 

"It was really a collaborative effort.  Everyone pitched in and worked hard collecting donations and getting the word out."

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.

 

 

 

HI$5 Doing Well At UPK

UPK's YS Library Assistant, Kimberly Hamilton, daily reminds customers about Summer Learning and the special programs JPL offers during the summer.  Kim received a $50 donation, June 7, 2019, for UPK's Hi$5 drive. Illesha Massaline, who sent in this article, said, "This is the largest single donation we have received at UPK thus far.  Great job, Mrs. Kim!

"Our goal was $400 and UPK is currently at $550."

York Sees Need & Fills It

University Park Library offered a Work Readiness Workshop presented by CareerSource Northeast Florida, May 22,2019. Library Associate Lisa York said, "I organized the event after recognizing that some adults visiting our branch were working to complete resumes and job applications. After creating a resource display to assist with their job searches, I arranged for CareerSource NEFL to conduct a complimentary workshop--the first one held at UPK since 2016.  One of the subjects broached was the importance of being a good self manager, that is: control feelings at work, refrain from angry outbursts, exhibit a good attitude, don't give up, have a workplace mentor, continue to learn and improve, and show initiative and motivation. 

Seven job seekers (of whom six are shown here) considered the workshop to be invaluable.  We appreciate the excellent presentation by Shelly Ray and Dwaye Sweet of CareerSourceNEFL."



 

Ripe Time For A Library Card

JPL fans of DJ Easy E (of "Duuuval Chant" local fame) can cheer Mackenzie Freeman and Illesha Massaline, two astute library clerks at University Park Branch Library.  They were surprised to find during DJ Easy E's recent visit that he did not have a JPL card.  Mackenzie and Illesha convinced him he could have many new adventures with a JPL card and DJ Easy E signed up for his first library card.  (Illesha shared a little background on DJ Easy E: he created the "Duuuval Chant" 25+ years ago and it has rung out nightly on local radio.  He recently released a song, "My City Is Duval", featuring local Jacksonville Jaguars footfall players and a well known local rap group, Quad City DJ's.)

WAY TO GO, MACKENZIE and ILLESHA!

Student Veggie Market At UPK

Berry Good Farms Mobile Market at University Park Library racked up 23 transactions, September 27, 2018 and many more visitors perused the tables filled with student grown organic herbs, vegetables, greens, sugar cane, herb mixtures, teas, dog treats and more.  One customer said it was her first time at UPK and she was excited to visit both the market and discover this library.  

Branch Manager Tamera Branam said,  "I am very excited about partnering with North Florida School of Special Education for this regular market every 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of the month (barring holidays), 10:30 am – 1 pm.  Ya'll come!

Five Years Celebrated By Sandy Smith

UPK's Sandy Smith received a congratulatory letter from Director Tim Rogers for her five years of service to JPL, along with a five year service pin from Deputy Director Julie McNeil, September 26, 2018.  Region Manager Michael Sullivan, UPK Manager Tamera Branam, and all of us add our cheers, Sandy.

Clowns Get Kids Into SLP At UPK

Musical Magic School Age Presenter Program, June 21, 2018, entertained kids ages 5-12 years old at the University Park Branch. Alexis Carter, YS Librarian II, said, "They were enraptured by the clowns as they did skits, sang songs, and even created their own music video. After this silly pic was made, 21 participants and their parents posed for a Libraries Rock! picture."

Teens Rock & Roll With CM Joyce Morgan

                        Teens were pleased to be photographed with CM Morgan.

Council Member Joyce Morgan enthusiastically joined UPK's Rock of the Ages-The 1960's event, June 19, 2018, and Branch Manager Tamera Branam wrote a prompt thank-you to her for her participation.  CM Morgan talked about what she does on the Council and asked if any of the teens would be interested in politics. She invited them to attend City Council meetings and to volunteer to be a page at City Council meetings and/or Town Hall meetings. Several signed up.                   

 Above right are (L/R) Tamera, CM Morgan, and Teen Library Associate Mina Figuerrez, who conducted the porgram.  In the pic centered above you can see the teens really enjoyed the program.  (Thanks to Tamera for the article and pics.)

100 Attend UPK's SLP Kick-Off

"University Park Library had an early start on the 2018 Summer Library Program, beginning Saturday, June 2, with our Kickoff Party. Celebrated by 100 kids and their families, everyone learned about the SLP theme, how to register, and then they played games such as Musical Mats, Cornhole, Hula Hoops, and Sac Races. Later, we had an ice cream social to close out the day,” said YS Librarian II Alexis Carter.  Thanks to Michael Sullivan for the photo.

They Come; We Build It

UPK offered a Building with Bricks program to spring breakers, March 19, 2018, and 22 kids and their families learned about skyscrapers.  Alexis Carter said, "Among the things we discussed were the two tallest buildings in Jacksonville: the Bank of America tower at 617 feet, and the Wells Fargo Center, the second tallest at 535 feet.  We also explored multiple other infrastructures built throughout history, starting with the early Pyramids, such as Giza, up to the tallest tower in the world today, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.  Later, the kids constructed their own miniature buildings using Legos--anything from 'tall towers' to ancient pyramids." 

YEA!

Erin Tuzuner at UPK wanted to share this pic of two cute, excited  children--Olivia and David--who, thanks to their mother bringing them to the library, received their 1^st library card, March 21, 2018 (that's a day to remember!)   

Erin Tuzuner: Job Well Done!

UPK Branch Manager Tamera Branam (L) presented a Job Well Done Award, February 27, 2018, to Erin Tuzuner, Library Clerk at UPK.  Erin was recognized for her contributions to the new  Readers’ Advisory training.  

It Took A Board To Make A Tree?

UPK's Alexis Carter, YS Librarian II, said, "Our Teen Advisory Board created a book tree, December 2, 2017, topped with a  poinsettia. Then ornaments with the teens' names were added to the tree as well as gifts around it to complete the beautiful display. They did a wonderful job."  

UPK's Manager Tamera Branam added, "Many customers and visiting staff are taking pictures of our gorgeous tree."