NW Honors Volunteer John McNeil

"Bradham and Brooks Northwest staff held a get together, June 6, 2019, to honor our longest running volunteer, John McNeil," reports Manager Donna Carroll.

"Last week John graduated high school with a full ride to EWC. While John has volunteered since he turned 16, most staff have known him much longer. We presented him with a gift and we all enjoyed sharing memories, a cake, and giving John good natured, honest advice on how to take the next steps into adulthood. We hope that as John goes off to college and eventually makes his way in the world that he remembers, if nothing else, that he is a member of our NW family."

All of us appreciate the volunteers who are critical to the efficiency with which we serve our JPL customers.

JPL's Annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony

JPL volunteers pictured--Fran Sweeney, 2nd from left; Douglas Tanner, Roberta "Bobbi" Mercier, and Margaret Smith--were honored for their outstanding work and dedication to the Jacksonville Public Library at the annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony held at Southeast Library, April 19, 2018.  The four pictured were given a plaque and certificate of appreciation.  Library Director Tim Rogers flanks the outstanding volunteers on the left and Library Board Chair Ronnie King stands to their right.  

The other nine nominees were each awarded a certificate of appreciation.

Briera Crocket – Argyle

Stacey Capps – West

Susanne Wiseman – Main CAL/UPK

Linda Steele – Pablo Creek

Larry Singer – West

Kazi Sabrin – Argyle

Tammy Cao – Argyle

Patricia “Kay” Fiorenzi – Argyle

Ciani Dacres – University Park.

View more pics on the photo album, including a pic of all of the volunteers:  

https://www.flickr.com/photos/yourticket/albums/72157694086311551

DU Shows Appreciation For Wonderful Volunteers

DU's Beverly Mason brags on their volunteers, "Highlands staff showed our appreciation with a party for our five teen volunteers, April 18, 2018.  Two of them were available to attend.  All of the volunteers are receiving a certificate of appreciation.  Three of the five volunteers have completed over 100 hours!  Two of those three are pictured, L/R: Naarah Black-Smith and Nico Delgado; Joshua Long is the third.  For those three we also put together a goody bag of chips, a cup of candy, cookies, pens, flash drives, and, of course, books.  After discussing the accomplishments of our volunteers, we enjoyed chicken, nachos, pepperoni, crackers, fruit, and donuts.

"Kennedi Ray and Taina Garcia are the other volunteers and we are grateful for all of their efforts to help us make Highlands Branch Library the best it can be."

DU Clerk Cassy Volunteers At School Open House

Highlands Branch clerk Cassy Manning (L) accompanied DU Branch Manager Pat Morrison to an Open House at Pickett Elementary school Thursday evening, August 31, 2017.  Pat said, "Cassy volunteered to shadow staff to experience programs and outreach events such as an open house so that she will be prepared to assist when needed. She greeted students and parents with a welcoming smile and invited them to the library table with the offer of a library sticker.  Once there, she shared information and promoted student cards, free computer classes and other library services.  Kudos to Cassy for volunteering to engage in a new activity and for doing it so well."

Three cheers to you, Cassy and Pat, for making JPL look good!

Job Well Done: Nicolle Burton

Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop nominated Nicolle Burton for a Job Well Done Award and the award was presented, May 4, 2017.  Ms. Giltrop said, "For the second year in a row, Nicolle coordinated the Volunteer Recognition Program during National Library Week. She contacted all the volunteer coordinators about nominations and the final selection of the volunteers receiving recognition at the event, as well as sending out invitations to over 200 volunteers working at JPL. She worked with CR&M on the invitations, the slide show, poster and marketing the event.  She worked with Andrew Herron on scheduling the event during the April Library Board meeting.  Nicolle worked with Keli Likins and Erica Brown on reserving the meeting space for the event, secured gifts for each volunteer at the event and worked with me on the refreshments, balloons, table setting, gift bags and trophies.  She also reported to me on the status of the event. The program was a big success with 40 volunteers in attendance and everyone had a great time." 

Nicolle is holding her take of the JPL owl she created for 2017 SDD's version of Imagination Squared.  Deputy Director Giltrop thought JPL's art work was worth displaying again, so all branches and support departments squares will be exhibited at the May 11, 2017 JPL Board meeting.

Special Recognition For JPL Volunteers

April 13, 2017 was one of the most important celebrations JPL has each year: the day we honor our volunteers. This year, after the Board meeting at SE Library, Board Chair Ronnie King and other board members, Director Barbara Gubbin, and Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop recognized our 238 volunteers and their varied and valuable talents. See some of the memorable moments in the link below where CR&M shares the album, JPL Volunteer Recognition 2017, with you (taken from the Flickr app). 

https://flickr.com/photos/37876374@N04/sets/72157682742835905 

Special honorees included "Outstanding Teen Volunteer" Bre' Aisha Stallworth, who completed 88.5 volunteer hours last year, fulfilling her requirements for graduation and for the Florida Bright Futures program.  She volunteers in Main's Teen area and sorts, shelves, shifts and weeds collections. 

"Outstanding Computer Instruction Volunteer" Gary Tomeny offers high quality computer classes and is in his third year of teaching high quality classes in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Windows 10, File Management, etc. Mr. Tomeny is a member of the Friends of SOM.

"Outstanding ESOL Volunteer" Instructor Noreen Stephenson has taught Level 4 ESOL students for a year and a half in Main's CAL department. Ms. Stephenson follows CAL's guidelines and prepares well planned presentations to ensure student advancement.

"Outstanding Friends of the Library Volunteer" Wendy Warner is Secretary of the Friends of JB and has logged some of the highest number of volunteer hours. She is always helping with library events, such as the Flamingo Book Club, sees that craft supplies are ready for JB activities and has donated many props to JB's Comic Con.

Of course, special recognition and many thanks were given and continually go to: 

      Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library
      Friends of the Beaches Branch Library
      Friends of the Olga L. Bradham and Etta L. Brooks 
             Branch Library
      Friends of the Murray Hill Library
      Friends of the Willowbranch Library
      Friends of the Dallas Graham Branch Library
      Friends of the South Mandarin Library
      Friends of the Maxville Library

Biggest Pizzas For Biggest Help From SE Teen Volunteers

Lisa Taylor, Librarian II at Southeast Branch, sent us this pic of their summer teen volunteers ready to chow down at an appreciation party, July 29. (Check out the size of those pizzas!)  They were made for Southeast's summer teen volunteers, and as you can see, there wasn't a frown in the crowd at the unveiling of those pizzas. (Teen Library Associate Kate Zakharov, 6th from left, joined the teens for this photo.)

Lisa said, "We purchased the pizzas from a small local business, Renna’s Pizza, and they gave us a 10% discount."

SOM Thanks Teen Summer Volunteers

 SOM's Christie Rogers reports, "We threw a thank you party, August 5, for the 34 summer teen volunteers at South Mandarin Branch Library. They
worked hard and we wanted to thank them with pizza, soda, and cupcakes. Not all of our teens could attend but those who did enjoyed the food and camaraderie." 

Pictured is just one of several tables and Ralph Henderson (far left) chatted with three of the teens at his table.  

Mandarin Branch Honors Summer Teen Volunteers

KR hosted a summer teen volunteer appreciation party, August 8, 2016.  Three volunteers were able to attend: L/R: Danny Kim, Rafel Sebaih, and Nick Christus.

Alison Pulley said, "All eight of our summer volunteers were a pleasure to work with. They helped to make my first summer in Teen a breeze!"

JPL Volunteers Honored By Library Board of Trustees

Above is the cover of the Volunteer Recognition Program distributed at the Library Board of Trustees meeting, April 14, 2016. Everyone was delighted to visit with these honorees when a special cake was shared by all after the meeting.  Below is a picture of the volunteers honored by the Library Board. WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT OUR SUPERB VOLUNTEERS?

Some of the volunteers I know:  SE Librarian I Sally Doherty, far left, back row. Front, far left: Margaret Smith (green outfit w/ yellow shirt). Mrs. Smith is Treasurer of the FOJPL and a retired exec with JPL. Mrs. Joyce Charron (fourth from left in front) and her husband, Ed Charron, standing behind President of the Friends of JPL, Sylvia Wren, standing (red suit) next to Joyce; and on the far right, first row is AYL Library Associate Tracy O'Sullivan.  

If you can identify others, their names will be posted here.

Main Library Manager Lynne Baldwin ordered this beautiful cake for the volunteers and all at the meeting enjoyed it and getting to know one another better.

Lynne Baldwin said, "Nicolle Burton was responsible for coordinating the Volunteer Recognition Celebration on April 14. She did a fantastic job." 

Volunteers Honored At KR

In honor of National Volunteer Month, Mandarin Volunteer Coordinator Stacey Van Hoy surprised her volunteer staff with colorful gift bags filled with special treats.  Each volunteer also received a large plastic drink bottle made especially for volunteers.  Volunteer Holly Cleveland is shown with her gift bag.  Holly volunteers each Tuesday afternoon in the children’s department. 

Thanks to KR Manager Lynne Baldwin for the article and picture.

Volunteer Briana Moore Honored At Mandarin Branch

The Mandarin Branch Library honored Volunteer Briana Moore for her service and commitment to the Jacksonville Public Library on Thursday, August 21.   Briana is a big supporter of both of the Mandarin Libraries, working on Wednesday at South Mandarin and Thursday and Friday at Mandarin. Briana received an Innovator Award for helping the children’s staff at Mandarin reach its annual goals in collection management, programming and promoting educational resources. Briana received a gift card from Target and a Star Wars gift from the children’s staff.  SE Region Manager Michael Sullivan was on hand to show his support and the staff welcomed Briana’s parents (flanking Briana in picture) to the festivities.  Everyone enjoyed cake, donuts and fresh strawberries.  Big thanks to Alison, David , Frances, Diane and Sara for organizing the party. (Thanks to KR Manager Lynne Baldwin for the idea to honor Brianna and for the article.)

Exceptional Volunteer: Elaine Ginn

Thanks to CAL Manager Sharon Jaskula for forwarding this report, written by CAL Literacy Program Specialist, Kathy Zaccardi:  

 "JPL is fortunate to have a number of talented, dedicated volunteers supporting library staff and serving customers throughout the system.  One such volunteer, Elaine Ginn (pictured above), has been strengthening our community by serving as a volunteer English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor with the library’s Center for Adult Learning for a little over a year.  Elaine shows an exceptional understanding of the needs of adult English language learners as evidenced by the progress her students have made at the Southeast Branch Library.  To ensure instruction is relevant to her students, Elaine brings in objects from everyday life to use as teaching aids and incorporates current events to engage students in discussion.  When Elaine is not teaching, she is busy publishing; she recently co-authored Mission Unstoppable:  Extraordinary Stories from Failure’s Blessings .  She is also the sole author of second book entitled Patchwork.  Elaine has an MS in Nursing Education and has been a professor of Health Education at Western Illinois University. 

 

"JPL is very grateful for Elaine’s contributions and those of dedicated volunteers like her who do so much to enhance library services and programs."

KR Volunteer Dipayan Banerjee Honored

KR Manager Lynn Baldwin is proud to congratulate Mandarin Library Volunteer Dipayan Banerjee who was selected by the Duval County Public Schools to attend the National Youth Leadership 

Forum (NYLF) on Business and Innovation to be held at Stanford University, California, July 16-23, 2014.  Dipayan is a senior at Stanton College Preparatory School and has been a volunteer at the Mandarin Branch Library since he was 12.  The all-expense paid trip was sponsored by the Duval County Public Schools.  Dipayan is the son of Mandarin PT Library Clerk Shukti Banerjee.

 

All of us throuhout the library system want to congratulate you, Dipayan, and thank you for your service to Mandarant Branch for so many years!

Presidential Award Made To JPL Volunteer

Pablo Creek Library Associate Janice Adams announced some good news about one of JPL's volunteers, "In April 2014, Forrest “Frosty” Schuneman received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award that includes a certificate, lapel pin, and a letter from President Barak Obama thanking Mr.Schuneman for his service to the community. He began volunteering at the Beaches Branch in 2012 and now spends time helping at both the Beaches and Pablo Creek Branches. Frosty is a dedicated volunteer and is much appreciated by JPL employees."

Caring For Creatures

     Kema Roseberry, Librarian/Reader's Advisor in the Main Library's Popular & Fiction department contributed this photo and input, "This was a project Main's Popular department and Amber Holley worked on together. We folded origami boxes during our lunch breaks, as enrichment items for the residences of the Myakka River Lemur Reserve near Tampa, FL. On a couple of Saturdays in June, we asked customers in the Fiction area to give us a hand. We had several people participate. We did this to bring our department together and help others.

"I hand dyed the paper and then taught everyone (except Amber who is an origami master) what to do. Enjoyable, relaxing, stress relieving, and we helped the world in the process." 

I think the lemur is saying, "Thank you."

Meet JPL's 2012 Volunteer Of The Year: Joan Mattmuller

Pictured above, L/R, are Library Director Barbara Gubbin, JPL's 2012 Volunteer of the Year, Joan Mattmuller, Part-time/Volunteer Coordinator, Karen Dwyer, and South Mandarin Branch Manager, Keli Likins.  Ms. Gubbin spoke about Mrs. Mattmuller's exemplary volunteer work and presented her with the award at an event to honor her on March 5th at South Mandarin Branch Library.  Ms. Dwyer contributed these "golden" bullets about Mrs. Mattmuller's many attributes:

• Mrs. Mattmuller was the first volunteer at SOM, beginning in 2005.
• She has contributed 839 hours since SOM opened.
•  Mrs. Mattmuller has processed thousands of holds since SOM opened and enjoys shelving in any area.
• She is a former school librarian. 
• Mrs. Mattmuller was involved in the first initial Homework Hotline in Florida.
• Her other volunteer activities include: Service Chairman for the Friendship Quilters Guild.  She is involved in the Linus project; makes handmade quilts and delivers them to Florida military veterans and nursing homes.
• Mrs. Mattmuller loves to travel with her husband and has visited the highest library in the world, which is located in China.

All of us at the Jacksonville Public Library salute you, Joan Mattmuller, not only for being the 2012 JPL Volunteer of the Year but also for all of your other accomplishments that enhance the lives of many people.  THANK YOU!

UPK Honors Kiwanis Members For Volunteering

Ann Fridl, UPK's Branch Manager, said their branch held a volunteer appreciation lunch, February 20,  and one year pins were presented to Kiwanis members who come every Saturday to do a story hour for children.

Other volunteers were also in attendance, including JPL's 2011 Volunteer of the Year, Lorraine Wilson.   Ms. Wilson had logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours in less than two years at that time.  Ann Fridl added that Ms. Wilson has completed 41 volunteer hours thus far this fiscal year.   (Scroll back to January 2012 to see the article acknowledging her volunteer contributions.)

UPK Honors Summer Teen Volunteers

University Park Branch Manager Marlin Day emailed this picture of volunteers who were honored and received treats at UPK, August 15, for all their much appreciated assistance over the summer.

Pictured left to right: Laura Sainvil, Gabriel Kwaji, Esther Iya, Adrienne Floyd, in blue in front is Lauren Adams next to sister Emily Adams.  Behind Emily is Laurie and Robin Shorem, Library Clerk Cheyla Scantling, who helped with the volunteer celebration, Harsh Patel and Marlin Day. 

Appreciation certificates and thank you notes were given to 16 teen summer volunteers. UPK also had a short story contest and the winner received an MP-3 player.  Way to go UPK volunteers!

500 Hours of Volunteer Work in Less Than Two Years!

Lorraine Wilson began volunteering at University Park Branch Library in June 2009. She works 10-15 hours a week Monday-Friday and assists with shelving, pulling the holds pickup list, helping with the reserves and also with weeding material. In addition to her assistance at UPK, she volunteers at the Arlington Community Services Food Bank and other places in the neighborhood.

Ms. Wilson received her 500 hour pin recently, and, of course, a celebration was held to honor her accomplishment. She is the first volunteer at University Park Branch to hit the 500 hour mark. Branch staff report that she is an incredible asset to UPK and to JPL. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Ms. Wilson, and we hope you keep voluntering.