2011 Employee Survey Results

Here is the PowerPoint presentation made by Deputy Director Carolyn Williams today at the Library Leadership meeting at West Regional Library.  Library Director and Mrs. Williams encourage you to read the results of the Employee Survey (please click on link in blue) made this year, and if you have questions, please email Mrs. Williams.

JPL + Partnerships = Win Win

August 6 was a Night to Remember dance for fathers, volunteer “dads”, and daughters ages 4-16. Denise Kirkland, JPL’s Literacy Specialist, chaired a committee made up of many local partnering organizations and businesses, which sponsored several events culminating in a dance in the Brentwood Lake Community Center. (Brentwood Branch Library hosted the first event, Saturday Explosion, May 21, which advertised the upcoming events and dance; click on the “NS” label to the right for the June 8 JPL Staff News article.)

Prior to the father/daughter dance, a slumber party was held for the girls, June 23; then a dance dress fitting, July 16, followed by a character building program for dads and daughters, July 23, and an etiquette and ball room dancing rehearsal, July 30.

For the dance, each dad received a tuxedo, shoes, tie and vest for $40 (based on financial need) from Men’s Wearhouse. The girls were fitted by a local gown shop owner who donated brand new gowns, valued from $60 - $300. Sweet Tomatoes donated salads for the etiquette class and each girl could, as instructed, arrange a proper place setting for a formal dinner. The tables were set with white linen, a lovely dinner and desert were served, and the room was tastefully decorated.

Donated door prizes for the dance included a weekend stay for four at the Comfort End Suites & Hotels, Disney Park passes for four, and a $50 K-Mart gift card. Sally Industries provided an enchanted mural. Each girl received a bag of goodies, including a necklace and earring set from Dignity You Wear.

Beside the Jacksonville Public Library, A Night to Remember father/daughter dance was also made possible by the special efforts of: JHA, Lea’s Place, Magnolia Project, Department of Children and Families, NFL Yet Center/Boys and Girls Club, Greggs AME Temple Church, War on Poverty, Moncrief Road CDC and partial funding by the U.S. Department of HUD Community Development Block Grant Program.

This dance was covered in the Sunday Metro section of The Florida Times-Union, August 7, 2011, describing how many hands made memorable moments for 24 misses—and their dads.

JPL Is Noticed By Avant-Garde

Mark Hohnadel, Librarian Senior in Reference at the Main Library, contributed input for an interesting article written by Casey Ayers entitled "How Jacksonville's Libraries Help Entrepreneurs Succeed", posted in One Spark, a website/blog, August 2. Thanks to Richard Mott, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, for forwarding this information and URL to us:

http://bit.ly/nkuqdU

An Emergency Check List

Have you looked at the POD list Robbie Tiedeman, Facilities Manager, emailed to staff in his "JPL Main" memo & attachment, June 3, 2011, and know where your POD location is so you can report to duty in an emergency, if required? Do you have that address memorized or written down so you know exactly how to get there using the shortest route?

Do you know if you are in a flood zone? Try this site: http://maps.coj.net/jaxgis/

Do you know where to find storm weather information quickly? Scroll down your JPL Staff News blog and on the right side, under the "Jacksonville Links" gadget, click on sun/cloud icon, then click on "Severe Weather". To find out about Tropical Storm Emily, for instance, click on "Tropical & Hurricane"; then scroll down & select how you want to look at Tropical Storm Emily--tracking map, public advisory, etc.

Helpful planning information can be found in the "Hurricane Planning Guide", published by the City's Emergency Preparedness Division, and review The Florida Times-Union's "Storm Watch" for suggestions on supply kit checklists, protecting your home, shelter information and evacuation routes.

JPL's Donations to Gift for Health

Library employees donated a total of $2,054.00 in pledges and cash/check donations toward's the City's 2010 Gift for Health campaign that closed last week. We appreciate the thoughtfulness and gifts made by those who could support this worthwhile effort.

Mayor Peyton Honors Employees for Years of Service

Below is the link to the photos taken at the Mayor’s Service Pin Ceremony,Tuesday, November 3, when he recognized and thanked City and JPL employees for their years of service. JPL employees are honored each month on the right of this blog in a gadget entitled "Years of Service with City/JPL". There's a long list of staff celebrating their years of service this November and we appreciate every one of you!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206377@N08/sets/72157622601404871/

West Regional Branch Highlights

Our programs have really taken off out here on the fringe of civilization. Although with all the growth and road widening going on it's easy to see where this side of Duval County is the next great development area and we're gearing up to serve this side of the city with a wide variety of programs and events! We had a solid turnout for the African American Authors Book Club last night that Yuri Jewitt hosts on the first Wednesday evening of every month. This weekend our Children's Librarian has prepared a "Tree-mendous Trees" finger painting story time adventure to compliment Mayor Peyton's Outdoor Adventures tree planting ceremony at the Arboretum on Saturday.
Several weeks ago now we hosted a fishing seminar conducted by local charterboat captains. They demonstrated fishing techniques, showed video of their fishing adventures, and gave away a number of great doorprizes. Look for them again at West on March 14th and soon at a JPL branch near you.
Computer classes have also receive a great deal of attention and were featured on the TU's Jacksonville.com. We're looking forward to the "Call of the Wild" events in March & April and hope everyone is staying warm until then !