The International IMPAC Dublin Award is presented annually to a novel written in English, or translated into English. Unlike many literary awards, the IMPAC Dublin accepts nominations solely from libraries around the world. In 2008, 157 libraries, representing 117 cities in 41 countries, submitted nominations. This year, the Jacksonville Public Library would like to join that group.
The objective of this award is to promote excellence in world literature. Because of this, books are nominated based on "high literary merit", and not necessarily on popularity. Although literary fiction is hard to define, a brief explanation can be found on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literary_fiction), or can be gathered from past examples of award winners (http://www.impacdublinaward.ie/awardarchive.htm).
We are looking to nominate a title for the 2010 award, and we would like your help.
From now until March 18th, I will be collecting suggestions of titles from staff. ALL staff members are eligible to suggest a title. From these titles, we will form a short list of our own. One of these titles will become our official nomination. We are also looking for staff members to be judges. For judges, a commitment to read the five shortlisted titles over the course of a month will be required. If you would like to suggest a title, or would consider being a judge, please email me directly at kema@coj.net.
Happy Reading!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Kudos from Customers
Brentwood Branch: I adore my library and the best staff on the planet--Gloria Armstrong, Maude Scott, Tasha Toliver, and Margaret Miles.
Main Library - Reference Department: Greg Royce was so helpful to me and my husband. He went out of his way for us.
South Mandarin Branch: Love Anne Robert and David Foster. They treat the kids so good! They are very helpful to the kids and parents.
Southeast Branch - Jodi Nehrt and Dee Young provide excellent service in the Teen Department.
Westbrook Branch: Wonderful employees--Eve Harm, Janene Cortez, Beatrice Kungu, and Laura Minnich.
Main Library - Reference Department: Greg Royce was so helpful to me and my husband. He went out of his way for us.
South Mandarin Branch: Love Anne Robert and David Foster. They treat the kids so good! They are very helpful to the kids and parents.
Southeast Branch - Jodi Nehrt and Dee Young provide excellent service in the Teen Department.
Westbrook Branch: Wonderful employees--Eve Harm, Janene Cortez, Beatrice Kungu, and Laura Minnich.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Notes from Collection Development
At Midwinter ALA in late January, the Caldecott and Newbery Awards were announced. Below are the winners and honor books. All of these titles are in the collection just waiting to be read and more copies are on the way!
Randolph Caldecott Medal - Honors the illustrator of the most distinguished picture book for children published in the U.S. during the preceding year.
Winner: The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson, illustrated by Beth Krommes:
Randolph Caldecott Medal - Honors the illustrator of the most distinguished picture book for children published in the U.S. during the preceding year.
Winner: The House in the Night by Susan Marie Swanson, illustrated by Beth Krommes:
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* A young girl is given a golden key to a house. “In the house / burns a light. / In that light / rests a bed. On that bed / waits a book.” And so continues this simple text, which describes sometimes fantastical pleasures as a bird from the book spirits the child through the starry sky to a wise-faced moon. The cumulative tale is a familiar picture-book conceit; the difference in success comes from the artwork. Here, the art is spectacular. Executed in scratchboard decorated in droplets of gold, Krommes’ illustrations expand on Swanson’s reassuring story (inspired by a nursery rhyme that begins, “This is the key of the kingdom”) to create a world as cozy inside the house as it is majestic outside. The two-page spread depicting rolling meadows beyond the home, dotted with trees, houses, barns, and road meeting the inky sky, is mesmerizing. The use of gold is especially effective, coloring the stars and a knowing moon, all surrounded with black-and-white halos. A beautiful piece of bookmaking that will delight both parents and children. Copyright 2008 Booklist Reviews.
Honors:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee
How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
A River of Words by Jennifer Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
John Newbery Medal - Honors the year’s most distinguished contribution by a U.S. citizen or resident to American literature for children.
Winner:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
*Starred Review* A young girl is given a golden key to a house. “In the house / burns a light. / In that light / rests a bed. On that bed / waits a book.” And so continues this simple text, which describes sometimes fantastical pleasures as a bird from the book spirits the child through the starry sky to a wise-faced moon. The cumulative tale is a familiar picture-book conceit; the difference in success comes from the artwork. Here, the art is spectacular. Executed in scratchboard decorated in droplets of gold, Krommes’ illustrations expand on Swanson’s reassuring story (inspired by a nursery rhyme that begins, “This is the key of the kingdom”) to create a world as cozy inside the house as it is majestic outside. The two-page spread depicting rolling meadows beyond the home, dotted with trees, houses, barns, and road meeting the inky sky, is mesmerizing. The use of gold is especially effective, coloring the stars and a knowing moon, all surrounded with black-and-white halos. A beautiful piece of bookmaking that will delight both parents and children. Copyright 2008 Booklist Reviews.
Honors:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee
How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz
A River of Words by Jennifer Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
John Newbery Medal - Honors the year’s most distinguished contribution by a U.S. citizen or resident to American literature for children.
Winner:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
Kirkus Reviews
Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. Gaiman's riff on Kipling's Mowgli stories never falters, from the truly spine-tingling opening, in which a toddler accidentally escapes his family's murderer, to the melancholy, life-affirming ending. Bod (short for Nobody) finds solace and safety with the inhabitants of the local graveyard, who grant him some of the privileges and powers of the dead—he can Fade and Dreamwalk, for instance, but still needs to eat and breathe. Episodic chapters tell miniature gems of stories (one has been nominated for a Locus Award) tracing Bod's growth from a spoiled boy who runs away with the ghouls to a young man for whom the metaphor of setting out into the world becomes achingly real. Childhood fears take solid shape in the nursery-rhyme–inspired villains, while heroism is its own, often bitter, reward. Closer in tone to American Gods than to Coraline, but permeated with Bod's innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child. (Illustrations not seen.) (Fantasy. 10 & up) Copyright Kirkus 2008 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved.
Honors:
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
The Surrender Tree by Margarita Engle
Savvy by Ingrid Law
After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. Gaiman's riff on Kipling's Mowgli stories never falters, from the truly spine-tingling opening, in which a toddler accidentally escapes his family's murderer, to the melancholy, life-affirming ending. Bod (short for Nobody) finds solace and safety with the inhabitants of the local graveyard, who grant him some of the privileges and powers of the dead—he can Fade and Dreamwalk, for instance, but still needs to eat and breathe. Episodic chapters tell miniature gems of stories (one has been nominated for a Locus Award) tracing Bod's growth from a spoiled boy who runs away with the ghouls to a young man for whom the metaphor of setting out into the world becomes achingly real. Childhood fears take solid shape in the nursery-rhyme–inspired villains, while heroism is its own, often bitter, reward. Closer in tone to American Gods than to Coraline, but permeated with Bod's innocence, this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child. (Illustrations not seen.) (Fantasy. 10 & up) Copyright Kirkus 2008 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved.
Honors:
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
The Surrender Tree by Margarita Engle
Savvy by Ingrid Law
After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
Thursday, February 12, 2009
"Start Here. Go Anywhere." Mural Dedication at Argyle Branch, January 31, 2009
Regions Bank and the Argyle Branch Library are community partners. Regions Bank--with its interest in public art--found a great project to sponsor when their representatives discovered Argyle Branch Library envisioned creating a mural in their children’s department. Regions Bank's Alicia Somers, Pam Hatt, and especially Sherri Johnson were instrumental in contracting a local artist, Pamela Miller, who is also a regular Argyle customer. She saw her finished mural--aptly named "Start Here. Go Anywhere."--dedicated, Saturday, January 31, when Regions Bank presented it as a gift to the Jacksonville Public Library during a Mural Dedication Party, attended by 200-300 people. Regions Bank provided refreshments and hired a talented face painter from Big Top Entertainment, who was popular with the children. Other activities included a storytime and a table where kids could get tattoos, coloring books and crayons. Library Director Barbara Gubbin made the opening remarks, complimented Ms. Miller on her mural and thanked Regions Bank and its represenatives for the mural. She presented Ms. Somers with a plaque acknowledging Regions Bank's gift to the library. The plaque will hang by the mural in the library. Everyone is invited to visit Argyle Branch and enjoy "Start Here. Go Anywhere." It is a dynamic, colorful work of art, that helps bring the community together. You can click below and see photos taken on the day the mural was dedicated:
http://picasaweb.google.com/AYLlibrary/MuralDedication
http://picasaweb.google.com/AYLlibrary/MuralDedication
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Ask a Librarian Day is February 20, 2009
You all can feel proud that Jacksonville Public Library has one of the largest live chat reference teams in Florida's Ask a Librarian network.We now have 60 chat agents, librarians and library associates who work at every branch, as well as at Main Library.
In addition, each month we place fourth or fifth for the number of public library customers who login to Ask a Librarian through our website.
Ask a Librarian chat and email services are available to anyone on the Internet who logs in through one of the 100 participating Florida K-12, public and academic library systems (more information about the service and its history here).
Local DeskBetter still, JPL is now expanding its Local Desk service.
Whenever a JPL agent is logged into Local Desk, JPL customers are connected directly to us, instead of to someone in another library system. You can imagine how much more helpful this is.
We can
- search JAXCAT
- take local customers to JPL's e-Research databases, the Programs & Events calendar, etc.
- introduce them to all the resources of My Online Library
- do the same circ transactions we would do by phone (holds, renewals, reports of account information, etc.)
- draw upon our own staff, collections and services throughout the JPL system, as well as upon our knowledge of and access to other local resources.
On Friday, February 20th, Florida celebrates Ask a Librarian Day (details on the Ask a Librarian Blog).
Here's a chance for all of us to make our local Ask a Librarian service visible to our customers.
JPL chat agents at each location will have bright Ask a Librarian tee-shirts to wear on the day, and there will be lapel stickers for the rest of you.
There will also be business cards to give customers, and we encourage branches to do displays.
Special note: You don't have to be a trained chat agent to demonstrate Ask a Librarian to your customers.
Just login, click the Chat button, and show your customer a sample chat with a Florida librarian or library associate.You can also take customers to the live chat demo to show them what to expect during a chat.
Remember that we also offer two other services through the Ask a Librarian page.
Email reference can take questions 24/7, and our goal is to reply within 24 hours (except Sundays and holidays).
Book a Librarian allows customers to schedule a session with a librarian at Main Library, in order to get a personal introduction to resources available there.Unsure what to say to customers? Here are a few key speaking points:
- If you need help when you’re not in our library, visit Ask a Librarian
- Your questions will be answered by library professionals
- The service is open until midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and 10am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday
- It's free
- If Ask a Librarian isn’t open for chat, you can always email your question to us, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Thanks, everyone.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Explore – Discover - Be inspired at Much Ado About Books 2009
Since 1990, JPL Foundation has held an annual premier book festival, Much Ado About Books (MAAB), and proceeds have supported and enhanced many library projects over these years. MAAB has hosted some of the best authors in America, and you don’t want to miss this year’s array of writers. You can meet and learn from another outstanding panel of authors, including David Baldacci, Steve Berry, Tracy Brown, Carla Neggers, Adriana Trigiani, and many more.
Much Ado About Books, February 27-28, 2009, will—for the first time—be hosted entirely at the Main Library.
Friday, February 27
Novel Discussions: Writer’s Workshop – FREE
8:30 a.m.: Registration; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Workshop
Multipurpose Rooms, Conference Level, Main Library
Best-selling author, Steve Berry, will host two morning and two afternoon sessions.
Book Brunch and Young Writers Awards with David Baldacci, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Multipurpose Room, Conference Level, Main Library
*Tickets: $50 per person (signed book included)
Best-selling novelist, David Baldacci, will host a brunch to discuss his career and current novel, "Divine Justice", and he will present The Young Writers Awards.
Ex Libris Gala: Journey to Xi’an
7 p.m. – Midnight
Betsy Lovett Courtyard, 2nd Floor, Main Library
*Reservations start at $250 per couple, or $150 per couple, under age 35. Join Bank of America and national best-selling authors.
Saturday, Februay 28:
Much Ado About Books Festival – FREE
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Main Library
Meet national best-selling authors. enjoy author and panel discussions, buy your favorite books and get them signed.
Children’s Chapter – FREE
9 a.m. – Noon – Children’s Library, 2nd Floor, Main Library
For children of all ages: Enjoy celebrity readings and hands-on activities. Visit the Nemours BrightStart! mobile classroom. The first 500 children to complete the journey will receive a copy of "We’re Going to the Library!" from the Mayor’s Book Club. Join Clifford, Curious George and other costumed characters on the journey through a world of books! And you can meet Diane deGroat, author and illustrator of the "Gilbert the Opossum" series.
A Very Valentine Luncheon with Adriana Trigiani
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Multipurpose Room, Conference Level, Main Library - *$50 per person (signed book included).
Best-selling novelist, award-winning playwright, TV writer and documentary film writer, Adriana Trigiani, will present a luncheon highlighting her new novel, "Very Valentine".
*Please call (904) 630-1995 for reservation information, visit muchadoaboutbooks.com, or send in your completed order form (found in all the Much Ado About Books 2009 brochures) to JPL Foundation, P. O. Box 40103, Jacksonville, FL 32203-0103.
Much Ado About Books, February 27-28, 2009, will—for the first time—be hosted entirely at the Main Library.
Friday, February 27
Novel Discussions: Writer’s Workshop – FREE
8:30 a.m.: Registration; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Workshop
Multipurpose Rooms, Conference Level, Main Library
Best-selling author, Steve Berry, will host two morning and two afternoon sessions.
Book Brunch and Young Writers Awards with David Baldacci, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Multipurpose Room, Conference Level, Main Library
*Tickets: $50 per person (signed book included)
Best-selling novelist, David Baldacci, will host a brunch to discuss his career and current novel, "Divine Justice", and he will present The Young Writers Awards.
Ex Libris Gala: Journey to Xi’an
7 p.m. – Midnight
Betsy Lovett Courtyard, 2nd Floor, Main Library
*Reservations start at $250 per couple, or $150 per couple, under age 35. Join Bank of America and national best-selling authors.
Saturday, Februay 28:
Much Ado About Books Festival – FREE
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Main Library
Meet national best-selling authors. enjoy author and panel discussions, buy your favorite books and get them signed.
Children’s Chapter – FREE
9 a.m. – Noon – Children’s Library, 2nd Floor, Main Library
For children of all ages: Enjoy celebrity readings and hands-on activities. Visit the Nemours BrightStart! mobile classroom. The first 500 children to complete the journey will receive a copy of "We’re Going to the Library!" from the Mayor’s Book Club. Join Clifford, Curious George and other costumed characters on the journey through a world of books! And you can meet Diane deGroat, author and illustrator of the "Gilbert the Opossum" series.
A Very Valentine Luncheon with Adriana Trigiani
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Multipurpose Room, Conference Level, Main Library - *$50 per person (signed book included).
Best-selling novelist, award-winning playwright, TV writer and documentary film writer, Adriana Trigiani, will present a luncheon highlighting her new novel, "Very Valentine".
*Please call (904) 630-1995 for reservation information, visit muchadoaboutbooks.com, or send in your completed order form (found in all the Much Ado About Books 2009 brochures) to JPL Foundation, P. O. Box 40103, Jacksonville, FL 32203-0103.
MUCH ADO ABOUT BOOKS, FEBRUARY 27-28, 2009
Let's see what exciting things are planned at MAAB this year...
Thursday, February 05, 2009
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 !
Your Opinion Counts!
The January Your Opinion Counts! marketing campaign was a huge success with 2327 survey responses received. Great work everybody!
The customer prize drawing was held today and here are the lucky winners:
The customer prize drawing was held today and here are the lucky winners:
- Heather Burnette, Main - gift card
- Waheeda Yakub, PCR - gift card
- Rhonda L. Price, SOM - gift card
- J.B. Roberts, Main - gift card
- M.R. Jordan, Southeast - FOL Membership
- Rosanne Virata, Beaches - Booktique Coupon
Winners will be notified in the next few days. Congratulations to all!
Staff Profile
Meet Ralph Henderson,Library Associate Senior
at the Southeast
Branch Library.
Q: Where have you worked outside the Jacksonville Public Library, and do you view the library differently now that you work here?
A: My prior employment was with Probation and Parole Services, State of Florida. I view the library differently in that I had no idea the library provided so many electronic resources through the database system. I wish I had known about them when I was working on my masters degree.
Q: Who is your favorite author and why do you think he/she is most interesting?
A: I have always enjoyed Kurt Vonnegut Jr. I believe, as one person once said, he is the Mark Twain of the 20th century.
Q: What are your hobbies or favorite pastime?
A: Reading of course. I also dabble in trail hiking, collecting autographed celebrity pictures, and trap shooting.
Q: What is something most people may not know about you?
A: I soloed in a Cessna 150 at the St. Augustine Airport when I was sixteen years old.
Q: What do you think is the library’s most valuable contribution to the community?
A: The ability to provide resources to the community on a variety of topics and needs. A good example being the economic and employment problems we are having now. Customers can get information on investing during these difficult times, as well as employment information like how to complete resumes and interview for jobs. Customers also have access to computers for obtaining employment. There are very few places in our community where so many resources are provided under one roof.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Notes from Collection Development
The 2008 Oscar nominees were recently announced so Collection Development wanted to highlight this year’s Oscar nominated films owned by the system. The Duchess is on order, but has not arrived yet. The majority of the nominees aren’t yet released but will be ordered when they become available.
It’s rare for two superb comic-book movies to arrive in the same decade, much less the same summer, but The Dark Knight followed the well-received Iron Man with even better reviews and went on to shatter box-office records. Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne, alias the Batman, still fighting crime in Gotham City but suffering from the increasing physical and emotional toll on his personal life—including the loss of his sweetheart Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) to crusading district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart)—at a time when a vicious new crime wave masterminded by the dangerously sociopathic Joker (Heath Ledger) is being unleashed. Director and co-writer Christopher Nolan fleshes out the two-dimensional characters, which are perfectly played by returning cast members Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and Michael Caine, while Ledger’s final performance is quite literally blood-chilling and may well prove to be the definitive interpretation of a comic-book villain. Exciting, suspenseful, and dramatically engaging, The Dark Knight is highly recommended. (E. Hulse) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2009.
Video Librarian Reviews
Website: http://www.videolibrarian.com/
Director Andrew Stanton’s animated Pixar entry WALL-E begins in the far distant future when robots have become responsible for most of the work once performed by human beings. After hundreds of lonely years on Earth fulfilling the mission for which he was programmed, WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter-Earth Class) finds new purpose in life when a robot from outer space named EVE (short for Extra-Terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) arrives and discovers that WALL-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to Earth’s future. EVE races back to a galaxy far, far away to report her findings to self-exiled humans eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home. When WALL-E realizes that EVE is gone, he follows her and naturally gets into more trouble than you can shake a tractor beam at. Oscar-winning sound designer Ben Burtt (who recorded many of the film’s sound effects in a junkyard) supplies the “voice” of WALL-E, with Elissa Knight as EVE. Other voice work supporting players include Sigourney Weaver, Fred Willard, Kathy Najimy, and John Ratzenberger. Boasting Pixar’s trademark excellent animation and “characters” who seem more human than some of their three-dimensional counterparts in live-action movies, WALL-E is highly recommended. (E. Hulse) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2009.
Video Librarian Reviews
Website: http://www.videolibrarian.com/ Anxiety-prone office drone Wesley Allan Gibson’s (James McAvoy) chances of dramatically changing his life are nigh on nil—until he’s recruited by a secret society of assassins headed by the sinister Sloan (Morgan Freeman) to exploit a skill Wesley doesn’t even know he has: the ability to fire a gun in such a way as to make the bullet curve. Under the tutelage of seductive, aptly named Fox (Angelina Jolie), Wesley becomes a somewhat reluctant but effective killing machine. Sound ridiculous? Well, of course it does, but just like similar modern-day movies that turn comic books into marginally plausible movies, Wanted tries to bring a patina of believability to the proceedings, with Russian director Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch) backed by an impressive array of talented craftspeople: from cinematography to set design to stunt work to special effects, the film boasts a level of fastidiousness that extends to the tiniest detail. Unfortunately, no such care has been taken to correct the plot’s silliness, flesh out the two-dimensional characters, or explain the plethora of physical feats that defy the laws of physics. Overall, however, this is still a tolerable complement to a bowl of popcorn. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2009.
Website: http://www.videolibrarian.com/
Director Andrew Stanton’s animated Pixar entry WALL-E begins in the far distant future when robots have become responsible for most of the work once performed by human beings. After hundreds of lonely years on Earth fulfilling the mission for which he was programmed, WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter-Earth Class) finds new purpose in life when a robot from outer space named EVE (short for Extra-Terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) arrives and discovers that WALL-E has inadvertently stumbled upon the key to Earth’s future. EVE races back to a galaxy far, far away to report her findings to self-exiled humans eagerly awaiting word that it is safe to return home. When WALL-E realizes that EVE is gone, he follows her and naturally gets into more trouble than you can shake a tractor beam at. Oscar-winning sound designer Ben Burtt (who recorded many of the film’s sound effects in a junkyard) supplies the “voice” of WALL-E, with Elissa Knight as EVE. Other voice work supporting players include Sigourney Weaver, Fred Willard, Kathy Najimy, and John Ratzenberger. Boasting Pixar’s trademark excellent animation and “characters” who seem more human than some of their three-dimensional counterparts in live-action movies, WALL-E is highly recommended. (E. Hulse) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2009.
Video Librarian Reviews
Website: http://www.videolibrarian.com/ Anxiety-prone office drone Wesley Allan Gibson’s (James McAvoy) chances of dramatically changing his life are nigh on nil—until he’s recruited by a secret society of assassins headed by the sinister Sloan (Morgan Freeman) to exploit a skill Wesley doesn’t even know he has: the ability to fire a gun in such a way as to make the bullet curve. Under the tutelage of seductive, aptly named Fox (Angelina Jolie), Wesley becomes a somewhat reluctant but effective killing machine. Sound ridiculous? Well, of course it does, but just like similar modern-day movies that turn comic books into marginally plausible movies, Wanted tries to bring a patina of believability to the proceedings, with Russian director Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch) backed by an impressive array of talented craftspeople: from cinematography to set design to stunt work to special effects, the film boasts a level of fastidiousness that extends to the tiniest detail. Unfortunately, no such care has been taken to correct the plot’s silliness, flesh out the two-dimensional characters, or explain the plethora of physical feats that defy the laws of physics. Overall, however, this is still a tolerable complement to a bowl of popcorn. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse) Copyright Video Librarian Reviews 2009.
Synopsis:
After PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and ATONEMENT, Keira Knightley continues her reign as the queen of the period film with this 18th-century costume drama. The corset-clad actress stars as Georgiana Spenser, the Duchess of Devonshire. With her marriage to the duke (Ralph Fiennes), Georgiana achieves an impressive level of fame as Britons follow both her clothing style and her political advice. But even celebrity and wealth can't act as a salve in her marriage to the boring, boorish duke. When he begins to flaunt his affairs, Georgiana is tempted to return to a teenage crush, Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper of THE HISTORY BOYS), to the anger of her husband and her mother (Charlotte Rampling, SWIMMING POOL). Fiennes's portrayal of the duke ranks roughly with his Lord Voldemort on a scale of beastly behavior, but the acclaimed actor manages to give him a level of humanity that far surpasses what he deserves. THE DUCHESS focuses on the lack of power possessed by Georgiana and, in fact, all women of her time, and the duke is the primary agent of her suppression. As she has done with other period films from the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN series to KING ARTHUR, Knightley brings spirit to the role, as well as a regal carriage that perfectly fits the detailed costumes by Michael O'Connor. Fans of history-based drama--Georgiana was real-life royalty who is found in the genealogy of Princess Diana--will find much to like in this film, which boasts impressive locations, lush costumes, and forbidden love.
After PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and ATONEMENT, Keira Knightley continues her reign as the queen of the period film with this 18th-century costume drama. The corset-clad actress stars as Georgiana Spenser, the Duchess of Devonshire. With her marriage to the duke (Ralph Fiennes), Georgiana achieves an impressive level of fame as Britons follow both her clothing style and her political advice. But even celebrity and wealth can't act as a salve in her marriage to the boring, boorish duke. When he begins to flaunt his affairs, Georgiana is tempted to return to a teenage crush, Charles Grey (Dominic Cooper of THE HISTORY BOYS), to the anger of her husband and her mother (Charlotte Rampling, SWIMMING POOL). Fiennes's portrayal of the duke ranks roughly with his Lord Voldemort on a scale of beastly behavior, but the acclaimed actor manages to give him a level of humanity that far surpasses what he deserves. THE DUCHESS focuses on the lack of power possessed by Georgiana and, in fact, all women of her time, and the duke is the primary agent of her suppression. As she has done with other period films from the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN series to KING ARTHUR, Knightley brings spirit to the role, as well as a regal carriage that perfectly fits the detailed costumes by Michael O'Connor. Fans of history-based drama--Georgiana was real-life royalty who is found in the genealogy of Princess Diana--will find much to like in this film, which boasts impressive locations, lush costumes, and forbidden love.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Regency Square Branch's Customer Appreciation Board Is A Big Hit With Customers
Virginia Martin, pictured at the Appreciation Board, is a librarian at the Regency Square Branch Library. She has developed a way to give customers an opportunity to express their positive thoughts about the library. This is Ms. Martin's story about how Regency Square's Appreciation Board came to be:
I got the idea for the Customer Appreciation Board after reading Dewey: The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. The book is by the director of the Spencer, Iowa library who finds a kitten in the library drop box and decides to let the cat become part of the library. The cat befriends customers and media alike and generates a renewed interest in the library.
I dreamed one night after reading this book that I went to Spencer, Iowa and visited the library. Customers were leaving notes to each other and the library staff about how much they loved the library, similar to our Staff Appreciation Board in the staff lounge. I told my supervisor, Marshelle Berry, about my dream, and she suggested that we make a board saying, "I Love My Public Library Because…” and leave sticky notes for them to fill out. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We’ve had 44 notes from customers in the past week, only two of which needed to be taken down because they weren’t sincere. Some of my favorite quotes include, “Because the books on CD make my drive to and from work more enjoyable! And I get old, old movies for free!” “I love the public library because you can learn the things you need to learn just by books” “I get free pencils…like the one I’m writing with and I can study here!” Thank you, Marshelle, for letting me carry out my idea!
Marshelle Berry added some of her favorite quotes that are also on the board:
"I love the public library because it contains a wealth of public information."
"I love the fact that it’s the only place where you can check out “rent” a movie for five days—FREE."
"I love the diversity in music CD’s it offers."
"Very educational."
"It’s always clean."
"They have good security and everyone is friendly."
"Because I can get books."
"Because the people are nice and helpful."
"It’s a nice place to go when I don’t feel like going home directly after school."
"I love to read!"
"Because the books help edamacate me."
"I like the books because I get educated and I learn how to read."
"Because it has nice people there."
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Kudos from Customers
Argyle Branch Library: I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this library. Barbara Hughes is always helpful and makes me feel so welcome.
Beaches Branch Library: I love your children’s section. I check out books weekly for my pre-k class. The librarians are helpful and knowledgeable. Nicole Saville, Children’s Dept., comes every year to read and do movement activities with our five classes of pre-k students. She does an amazing job.
Brentwood Branch Library: I would not know where else to go that supplies so much information, friendship, and satisfaction. Thank you especially for the marvelous staff: Gloria Armstrong, Margaret Miles, and Maude Scott.
Main Library – Popular Dept.: Very helpful staff! Matthew Moyer answered a music question right off the top of his head that I’d been researching for a while.
Webb Wesconnett Branch Library: My daughter and I go to the library every Saturday. My daughter adores Jackie Bartha. She knows my daughter’s name and takes time talking with her.
Beaches Branch Library: I love your children’s section. I check out books weekly for my pre-k class. The librarians are helpful and knowledgeable. Nicole Saville, Children’s Dept., comes every year to read and do movement activities with our five classes of pre-k students. She does an amazing job.
Brentwood Branch Library: I would not know where else to go that supplies so much information, friendship, and satisfaction. Thank you especially for the marvelous staff: Gloria Armstrong, Margaret Miles, and Maude Scott.
Main Library – Popular Dept.: Very helpful staff! Matthew Moyer answered a music question right off the top of his head that I’d been researching for a while.
Webb Wesconnett Branch Library: My daughter and I go to the library every Saturday. My daughter adores Jackie Bartha. She knows my daughter’s name and takes time talking with her.
Friday, January 23, 2009
for Suzanne
Best Wishes to Suzanne Theriault in her retirement.
We'll miss you!
Please join Suzanne's Retirement Party:
When : February 11, 2009
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Where: Main Library
Suzanne's Retirement Party at Northwest
We'll miss you!
Please join Suzanne's Retirement Party:
When : February 11, 2009
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Where: Main Library
Suzanne's Retirement Party at Northwest
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Youth Services Statistics for the Month of December
Upon review of the December 2008 statistics, Kathy Graw Tekin, Youth Services Coordinator, is pleased to announce the following overall picture for Youth Services:
Preschool Programming attendance is up +21.33%
Children’s Programming attendance is down -0.95%
Teen Programming attendance is up + 67.62 %*
*In December 2007, 97 programs were offered with 1013 attendees.
*In December 2008, 122 programs were offered with 1698 attendees, representing a 67.62 % increase in attendance.
Preschool Programming attendance is up +21.33%
Children’s Programming attendance is down -0.95%
Teen Programming attendance is up + 67.62 %*
*In December 2007, 97 programs were offered with 1013 attendees.
*In December 2008, 122 programs were offered with 1698 attendees, representing a 67.62 % increase in attendance.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Staff Profile
Meet DeLon Rowan, Library Assistant in the Children's Department at the Argyle Branch Library, where her children's programs and exhibits are very popular.
Q: How long and where have you worked at JPL?
A: I first worked in the Library Community Relations Department (now Public Relations) as the Graphic Artist for 10 years. Our “big” department of three people coordinated and promoted the summer library program, began the “School Stars Have Library Cards” campaign, worked with the JPL Foundation to develop Night of Literary Feasts (now Much Ado About Books), and other projects for JPL’s then 14 libraries. I was interested in Children's Services and had the opportunity to work at branch Children's Departments on Sundays and loved it! I have worked in Children's Services for the last 11years.
Q: Why do you like working in Argyle’s Children’s Department?
A: I have great managers to work for - Lynne Baldwin and Chiquita Powell. They are open to new and innovative programs and really want to meet the needs of the public. Because of them, I am able to utilize my art education and experience to provide children’s art programs. The programs help children develop cognitive and physical skills while having fun. They are extremely popular, and it’s great to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families.
Q: Tell us about your art wall and nature exhibit at Argyle Branch.
A: I started the Wall of Art to promote our children’s programs by showcasing children’s art created in my programs. The children’s families enjoy viewing the art, as well as other customers. Teachers, day care providers, Scout groups and other organizations inquire about the Wall of Art and nature table. They have photographed them so they can do similar programs. Customers are excited about these exhibits and have been donating recyclable materials for the children to use in their art. You can see some of the uses we have made of these materials in the photo above. I am standing in front of the Wall of Art with a T-shirt created by a boy in the Family Art Fun Program. Children painted the shirts with recycled foam, cut into interesting shapes.
I also created an interactive nature exhibit for Mayor Peyton's Great Outdoor Adventure campaign. It included a butterfly house that I made with Monarch butterfly chrysalises inside so children could watch them develop and hatch. Children are able to pick up and view items on the exhibit with magnifying glasses. It includes a bird nest, snake skin, plants, insects, shells, nuts, seeds, and other items, including educational information. They are able to take home many of the items. Books are included with the display to encourage reading.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I look for inspiration for my Library programs in stores, magazines and other places. I’ve also been renovating and redecorating my home, and I enjoy watching wildlife and spending time with my six cats.
Q: What is the most interesting place you have visited?
A: Scotland. The landscape is awe inspiring, and the music is WOW! The people are down to earth and friendly.
A: I first worked in the Library Community Relations Department (now Public Relations) as the Graphic Artist for 10 years. Our “big” department of three people coordinated and promoted the summer library program, began the “School Stars Have Library Cards” campaign, worked with the JPL Foundation to develop Night of Literary Feasts (now Much Ado About Books), and other projects for JPL’s then 14 libraries. I was interested in Children's Services and had the opportunity to work at branch Children's Departments on Sundays and loved it! I have worked in Children's Services for the last 11years.
Q: Why do you like working in Argyle’s Children’s Department?
A: I have great managers to work for - Lynne Baldwin and Chiquita Powell. They are open to new and innovative programs and really want to meet the needs of the public. Because of them, I am able to utilize my art education and experience to provide children’s art programs. The programs help children develop cognitive and physical skills while having fun. They are extremely popular, and it’s great to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families.
Q: Tell us about your art wall and nature exhibit at Argyle Branch.
A: I started the Wall of Art to promote our children’s programs by showcasing children’s art created in my programs. The children’s families enjoy viewing the art, as well as other customers. Teachers, day care providers, Scout groups and other organizations inquire about the Wall of Art and nature table. They have photographed them so they can do similar programs. Customers are excited about these exhibits and have been donating recyclable materials for the children to use in their art. You can see some of the uses we have made of these materials in the photo above. I am standing in front of the Wall of Art with a T-shirt created by a boy in the Family Art Fun Program. Children painted the shirts with recycled foam, cut into interesting shapes.
I also created an interactive nature exhibit for Mayor Peyton's Great Outdoor Adventure campaign. It included a butterfly house that I made with Monarch butterfly chrysalises inside so children could watch them develop and hatch. Children are able to pick up and view items on the exhibit with magnifying glasses. It includes a bird nest, snake skin, plants, insects, shells, nuts, seeds, and other items, including educational information. They are able to take home many of the items. Books are included with the display to encourage reading.
Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I look for inspiration for my Library programs in stores, magazines and other places. I’ve also been renovating and redecorating my home, and I enjoy watching wildlife and spending time with my six cats.
Q: What is the most interesting place you have visited?
A: Scotland. The landscape is awe inspiring, and the music is WOW! The people are down to earth and friendly.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
JPL Learning 2.0
JPL Learning 2.0 introduces you to or reminds you about great Web technologies that you can use every day to make your life easier, better informed and more fun. I've put links to a couple of sites that were either sent to me or posted on blogs by JPL Learning 2.0 participants.
Book Quilt
Library Tour
Katie Couric's Notebook
If you’d like to know how to be notified that there are new posts to this or any other blog you visit regularly, check out Things 8 & 9 in Week Four of the lessons. The lessons are at http://jpl2-things.blogspot.com. These two lessons explain how you can set up a newsreader and RSS so all of the websites, blogs (including this one) news and other information sources you visit regularly are delivered to a single location.
Book Quilt
Library Tour
Katie Couric's Notebook
If you’d like to know how to be notified that there are new posts to this or any other blog you visit regularly, check out Things 8 & 9 in Week Four of the lessons. The lessons are at http://jpl2-things.blogspot.com. These two lessons explain how you can set up a newsreader and RSS so all of the websites, blogs (including this one) news and other information sources you visit regularly are delivered to a single location.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Town Hall Meeting Notes, December 2008
Director Barbara Gubbin welcomed participants and announced that town hall meetings will be held quarterly this year and that she will invite senior staff to participate. Keith McLaughlin, Assistant Director for Partnerships and Communications, will make a presentation at this meeting.
Ms. Gubbin reviewed FY08 successes:
Annual Statistical Report
Circulation 8.8M (+3%)
Gate 4.9M (+6%)
Web Site Use 4.6M (+16%)
Reference 1.3M (+15%)
Meeting room use: 21,991 ((+30%)
Volunteers Hours: 39,000 hours (+6%)
DESTINATION:leadership
Number of staff who attended by 9/30/08 – 245
On track to complete training of all full-time staff by February 2009
Average increase in confidence level on 23 leadership measures -18.3%
Over-all percentage of students who Agreed or Strongly Agreed that the content of the class would be helpful to them in their jobs – 92%
Some highlights from the comments:
· “The class helped me see how we can all be leaders because of our different strengths in different areas.”
· “I liked the fact that everyone from the Director to clerks will be required to attend - If we are using this content to change our culture, we all must be involved and we all must be held accountable to adopt these principles to the best of our ability.”
· “I enjoyed the challenge to become a better person.”
Service Area Profiles - Congratulations to Main, Westbrook, Northwest, Maxville, Regency, and Pablo Creek for completing their service area profiles. Mapping the service area and learning more about the people and organizations that we serve is an essential step in collection management and in becoming actively engaged with the community. The profiles themselves are located on the Portal and are very much “living documents” which will be updated and changed. Seven additional branches will complete the service area profile process this fiscal year.
Youth Services Retreat – The retreat was actually held in November, but has been in the works for some time and so I will count it as a success for FY08. Kudos to Kathy Graw and her team for a great day of team building and learning focused on “tweens” (10-14 years), and ways to keep them engaged in age and developmentally appropriate activities in the community. This was the second annual youth services retreat and I have asked my staff to consider retreats for other groups too.
The Board of Library Trustees held a planning retreat in November to evaluate strategic direction for the library. Board members, senior staff and representatives from the FOL and JPLF attended. The participants engaged in a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, challenges, opportunities and threats to the Library. While a great deal was accomplished, the Board did not complete the process and will meet with the retreat facilitator again this month.
Ms. Gubbin complimented staff for the focus on positive customer service outcomes this year as part of the performance measure process. She also complimented staff on the decision to develop:
a. Individual action plans to improve upon leadership practices
b. Select branch specific Customer Satisfaction survey results to meet over the year
Ms. Gubbin recognized staff achievements:
a. Theresa Barmer, Robin Cumby and the Webb staff are routinely doing 80% of their circulation on the self-check machines!
b. Lynn Jacobson and Karen Walker led the charge to teach staff about Web 2.0 technologies for communications with JPL Learning 2.0 classes. 47 people graduated from the first class and another class has begun.
c. Daniel Kibler and staff at Maxville, and Laura Minor and staff in Special Collections/Genealogy have customer blogs; the Main Teen Department has a MySpace page; and Mathew Moyer writes a music blog for Library Journal.
d. Mark Hohnadel has been selected to participate in the Sunshine State Leadership Institute. Laura Minor is a recent graduate of the SSLI.
e. Sharon Hastings, Karen Wishart and the CAL staff had been featured in the FTU and on TV for a new adult literacy program being held at the jail.
f. Richard Mott, Kate Holmes and each of you helped JPL win NEFLIN’s coveted “Golden Apple” award for the largest number of participants in NEFLIN training.
g. The Main Library received two awards from 904 magazine for “Favorite Public Space” and “Best Off-Site Meeting Location”.
h. Conference Center Manager Mitesh Sangani and his staff exceeded their revenue goal this past year. Our Conference Center is one of the most popular places to meet in Jacksonville, especially in May and June.
Dr. Keith McLaughlin, Assistant Director of Partnerships and Communication, discussed the structure of his department. Jenny Mooney became the Community Education and Enrichment Program Supervisor in September. She will coordinate, develop and structure JPL’s adult programming, which can be defined as programming for age 18 years and over. Ms. Mooney and Kathy Graw, Youth Services Coordinator, work together to coordinate and develop programs that are family oriented or are theme-based for all ages, such as JaxReads and poetry. Ms. Mooney has been putting more structure in the program planning process and will include a program proposal for adult programming. This spring we will focus programming efforts on JaxReads, Investor Education, the Library Awareness Campaign and an adult component to summer reading. Ms. Mooney is developing a timeline and structure for annual program themes with input from public service staff. We plan to include a few key outside experts yet to be identified in a program advisory capacity.
Margaret Smith, who recently retired from JPL, was hired through a Big Read grant from NEA to the JPL Foundation. She will help us coordinate, plan and oversee JaxReads the Big Read in the spring. This will help supplement our limited resources in the programming office. Ms. Smith and Ms. Mooney will work together on this project.
The second major area in P&C is marketing and media relations, which Stacie Bucher coordinates, assisted by Wally Bowden, Graphic Artist. Ali Johnson also assists her part-time on writing projects, such as JPL’s annual report, a fact sheet designed for local and state officials, various flyers and brochures, new programming guide, pitches to the media and Next Reads. Pam Beaton supports both the marketing and programming areas.
The third major area of P&C is resource development and grant writing, which Pam McClellan coordinates. She pursues grants and helps write grants and proposals, such as Big Read, our grants through Investor Protection Trust for Investor Education programs, poetry programs, bookshelf grants, exhibit grants and programs such as the recent Benjamin Franklin presentation and exhibit. She also handles applications for various awards that are available through the Florida Library Association, American Library Association, and others.
The fourth major area is the Conference Center, under the leadership of Mitesh Sangani, assisted by Will Daniels, Chris James, Calvin Webster and Bernard Smith. We operate as both a revenue generating business and as a service to library programs and events. We have done well during the first two years of operation and funds raised help cover staff and other operating expenses, but the majority of our business in the Conference Center is still non-revenue generating, including library programs.
Frank Smith works part-time in P&C and is our “air traffic controller”. He is taking on additional responsibilities beyond the Conference Center and is helping us manage the work flow in and out of the department. We set up a new centralized email address, primarily to be used by staff, and all requests and questions for P&C will flow through him and help us better manage projects and better serve all of you. This will be sent out in writing with additional information; the email address is pc@coj.net .
Dr. McLaughlin discussed partnerships as both a concept and as a strategic issue. A partnership may be defined as a relationship that is formed with one or more organizations to engage in a mutually beneficial project, program or service. It enhances and complements what each organization does, or creates something completely new for the customers or stakeholders of the partnering organizations.
Partnership development within the library system is not intended to be totally centralized or the sole responsibility of Partnerships and Communication. Branch staff has been very successful in developing strong, beneficial partnerships with organizations in the communities they serve and we encourage this to continue. There are also some deliberate, focused partnerships we are engaged in from a centralized point of view that will benefit the entire system.
Melonee Slocum suggested having workshops or conversations with staff about developing partnerships and we will do that in coming months.
There are basic principals and best practices to follow, particularly when entering into a formal arrangement, as we do with partnerships developed around grant funded projects, but most successful partnerships are based on the same foundation of mutual benefit, communication and cultivation over time. Dr. McLaughlin encouraged staff to think about how partnerships can be formed that will enhance, improve or enable branches to do something totally different that will delight and enrich customers. Potential partners may not always be obvious to us and we need to think “outside the box”.
The upcoming Library Awareness Campaign, or what has been previously referred to as the Library Card Campaign, was discussed. We need to be more proactive and reach more people about our wonderful services. In the spring, we will begin the new Library Awareness Campaign. The committee for planning this campaign consisting of Laura Minnich, Ron Block, Stacie Bucher, Wally Bowden, Jenny Mooney, Don Carpenter, and Keith McLaughlin, along with Brunet Garcia and a representative from American Institute of Graphics Artists (AIGA).
For the first six months we will have an advertising campaign on radio, TV and billboards, as well as outreach by branches. The next 12 months we will look to the branches to continue with outreach efforts. This is about us all being actively engaged in what JPL does. We will be sharing with the community what they can do with a library card—using our website, our resources, a PIN, etc. The library card is tangible and helps us have a convenient way to promote the Library Awareness Campaign. We plan to use the slogan “Your ticket to ________” or “My ticket to ________” and let customers fill in the blank.
American Institute of Graphic Artists is making this a major project and they are putting a survey together to be used prior to the campaign and one for a post campaign survey so we can judge the success of the campaign. High school students will compete in a library card design contest.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
When are we expected to be able to hire pages again?
Alan Mosley, the Mayor’s Chief Administrative Officer, has not indicated that the City’s hiring freeze can be lifted considering the present economy. Director Gubbin will apprise everyone when a decision is made; a change is not expected soon. There is some flexibility – if you have a PT staff member working less than 24 hours and another PT staff member quits, you may add hours up to the 24 hour cap with the approval of your Administrative Supervisor.
What changes/enhancements are incorporated into the new Workflows system?
We are upgrading our SIRSI Dynix system to a new release on Staff Development Day, March 18, 2009. We will have lots of training before that.
Key Enhancements for Workflows Upgrade:
· New staff client with updated “look and feel” and enhanced Windows functionality
· Better matching for duplicate user records
· User alerts now pop up on screen without having to click on “alerts”
· New holdings displays
· Browse searching is no longer in uppercase
· Several key enhancements for technical services in Cataloging, Acquisitions and ILS.
Our projected go live date for the new Workflows Client is Monday, March 23rd. Training will be scheduled in the two weeks prior to the go live date and will be a combination of classroom training and online, self-paced modules.
Why are you closing the Conference Center two days a week? Is that cost effective?
We close on Sunday, except for space needed for library programs and for a few customers who rent space the whole weekend. Monday we are closed both to outside customers and to the library because we do not have resources to open seven days a week. We need Monday to catch up on cleaning, etc. Yes, it is cost effective.
How can we increase circulation (performance) and decrease staff (hiring freeze)? Is this contradictory? We want to increase circulation of reading materials by 2%. What we are talking about here is marketing—encouraging people to read through reader advisories, story hour and displays. For example, Kema DeSagrada is putting stickers on books with notes such as “You might want to read” and “Book of the Week”. Displays can be used to promote reading materials. It is a challenge, but we have to set numerical goals in advance of the budget being set by City Council.
When can we go out and buy books from vendors? It took a while to get bids approved, but the paperwork is signed and we can now proceed with our orders. We have a multi-year contract so this time next year; we will not have to go through this process and will be able to order materials a lot earlier.
Is there any word about library operating hours? We had proposed making some changes at Bradham Brooks Northwest and at University Park. UPK’s usage is almost up to regional branch levels and we need to change their hours. I am holding off doing anything right now because we may need to make more global changes. We do not want to change some hours now and have to make more shortly thereafter. We are looking at business levels on an hour-by-hour basis at every library.
Graham Branch is closing at 8 pm now. Will that be the case for other libraries such as Murray Hill and Maxville? From 7 pm – 9 pm there is very little business, especially the last hour.
Security and safety were the issues at GB and closing at 8 pm is good for that branch. I am not planning to make other changes in hours right now.
What type of staff feedback are you looking for on the Library Awareness Campaign and when are you asking for it? Staff at branches will be asked to start participating in mid to late February. We will need to know how we can utilize our plans in your areas and how branches individually fit in the overall campaign, and then we will launch the campaign. Our committee has one more meeting next week to streamline our plans.
Will you be developing partnerships with the branches? The community profiles that branches construct will help staff recognize what partnerships can be developed. I will be working with Melonee Slocum to present a workshop on partnerships to the community profile team.
Ms. Gubbin reviewed FY08 successes:
Annual Statistical Report
Circulation 8.8M (+3%)
Gate 4.9M (+6%)
Web Site Use 4.6M (+16%)
Reference 1.3M (+15%)
Meeting room use: 21,991 ((+30%)
Volunteers Hours: 39,000 hours (+6%)
DESTINATION:leadership
Number of staff who attended by 9/30/08 – 245
On track to complete training of all full-time staff by February 2009
Average increase in confidence level on 23 leadership measures -18.3%
Over-all percentage of students who Agreed or Strongly Agreed that the content of the class would be helpful to them in their jobs – 92%
Some highlights from the comments:
· “The class helped me see how we can all be leaders because of our different strengths in different areas.”
· “I liked the fact that everyone from the Director to clerks will be required to attend - If we are using this content to change our culture, we all must be involved and we all must be held accountable to adopt these principles to the best of our ability.”
· “I enjoyed the challenge to become a better person.”
Service Area Profiles - Congratulations to Main, Westbrook, Northwest, Maxville, Regency, and Pablo Creek for completing their service area profiles. Mapping the service area and learning more about the people and organizations that we serve is an essential step in collection management and in becoming actively engaged with the community. The profiles themselves are located on the Portal and are very much “living documents” which will be updated and changed. Seven additional branches will complete the service area profile process this fiscal year.
Youth Services Retreat – The retreat was actually held in November, but has been in the works for some time and so I will count it as a success for FY08. Kudos to Kathy Graw and her team for a great day of team building and learning focused on “tweens” (10-14 years), and ways to keep them engaged in age and developmentally appropriate activities in the community. This was the second annual youth services retreat and I have asked my staff to consider retreats for other groups too.
The Board of Library Trustees held a planning retreat in November to evaluate strategic direction for the library. Board members, senior staff and representatives from the FOL and JPLF attended. The participants engaged in a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, challenges, opportunities and threats to the Library. While a great deal was accomplished, the Board did not complete the process and will meet with the retreat facilitator again this month.
Ms. Gubbin complimented staff for the focus on positive customer service outcomes this year as part of the performance measure process. She also complimented staff on the decision to develop:
a. Individual action plans to improve upon leadership practices
b. Select branch specific Customer Satisfaction survey results to meet over the year
Ms. Gubbin recognized staff achievements:
a. Theresa Barmer, Robin Cumby and the Webb staff are routinely doing 80% of their circulation on the self-check machines!
b. Lynn Jacobson and Karen Walker led the charge to teach staff about Web 2.0 technologies for communications with JPL Learning 2.0 classes. 47 people graduated from the first class and another class has begun.
c. Daniel Kibler and staff at Maxville, and Laura Minor and staff in Special Collections/Genealogy have customer blogs; the Main Teen Department has a MySpace page; and Mathew Moyer writes a music blog for Library Journal.
d. Mark Hohnadel has been selected to participate in the Sunshine State Leadership Institute. Laura Minor is a recent graduate of the SSLI.
e. Sharon Hastings, Karen Wishart and the CAL staff had been featured in the FTU and on TV for a new adult literacy program being held at the jail.
f. Richard Mott, Kate Holmes and each of you helped JPL win NEFLIN’s coveted “Golden Apple” award for the largest number of participants in NEFLIN training.
g. The Main Library received two awards from 904 magazine for “Favorite Public Space” and “Best Off-Site Meeting Location”.
h. Conference Center Manager Mitesh Sangani and his staff exceeded their revenue goal this past year. Our Conference Center is one of the most popular places to meet in Jacksonville, especially in May and June.
Dr. Keith McLaughlin, Assistant Director of Partnerships and Communication, discussed the structure of his department. Jenny Mooney became the Community Education and Enrichment Program Supervisor in September. She will coordinate, develop and structure JPL’s adult programming, which can be defined as programming for age 18 years and over. Ms. Mooney and Kathy Graw, Youth Services Coordinator, work together to coordinate and develop programs that are family oriented or are theme-based for all ages, such as JaxReads and poetry. Ms. Mooney has been putting more structure in the program planning process and will include a program proposal for adult programming. This spring we will focus programming efforts on JaxReads, Investor Education, the Library Awareness Campaign and an adult component to summer reading. Ms. Mooney is developing a timeline and structure for annual program themes with input from public service staff. We plan to include a few key outside experts yet to be identified in a program advisory capacity.
Margaret Smith, who recently retired from JPL, was hired through a Big Read grant from NEA to the JPL Foundation. She will help us coordinate, plan and oversee JaxReads the Big Read in the spring. This will help supplement our limited resources in the programming office. Ms. Smith and Ms. Mooney will work together on this project.
The second major area in P&C is marketing and media relations, which Stacie Bucher coordinates, assisted by Wally Bowden, Graphic Artist. Ali Johnson also assists her part-time on writing projects, such as JPL’s annual report, a fact sheet designed for local and state officials, various flyers and brochures, new programming guide, pitches to the media and Next Reads. Pam Beaton supports both the marketing and programming areas.
The third major area of P&C is resource development and grant writing, which Pam McClellan coordinates. She pursues grants and helps write grants and proposals, such as Big Read, our grants through Investor Protection Trust for Investor Education programs, poetry programs, bookshelf grants, exhibit grants and programs such as the recent Benjamin Franklin presentation and exhibit. She also handles applications for various awards that are available through the Florida Library Association, American Library Association, and others.
The fourth major area is the Conference Center, under the leadership of Mitesh Sangani, assisted by Will Daniels, Chris James, Calvin Webster and Bernard Smith. We operate as both a revenue generating business and as a service to library programs and events. We have done well during the first two years of operation and funds raised help cover staff and other operating expenses, but the majority of our business in the Conference Center is still non-revenue generating, including library programs.
Frank Smith works part-time in P&C and is our “air traffic controller”. He is taking on additional responsibilities beyond the Conference Center and is helping us manage the work flow in and out of the department. We set up a new centralized email address, primarily to be used by staff, and all requests and questions for P&C will flow through him and help us better manage projects and better serve all of you. This will be sent out in writing with additional information; the email address is pc@coj.net .
Dr. McLaughlin discussed partnerships as both a concept and as a strategic issue. A partnership may be defined as a relationship that is formed with one or more organizations to engage in a mutually beneficial project, program or service. It enhances and complements what each organization does, or creates something completely new for the customers or stakeholders of the partnering organizations.
Partnership development within the library system is not intended to be totally centralized or the sole responsibility of Partnerships and Communication. Branch staff has been very successful in developing strong, beneficial partnerships with organizations in the communities they serve and we encourage this to continue. There are also some deliberate, focused partnerships we are engaged in from a centralized point of view that will benefit the entire system.
Melonee Slocum suggested having workshops or conversations with staff about developing partnerships and we will do that in coming months.
There are basic principals and best practices to follow, particularly when entering into a formal arrangement, as we do with partnerships developed around grant funded projects, but most successful partnerships are based on the same foundation of mutual benefit, communication and cultivation over time. Dr. McLaughlin encouraged staff to think about how partnerships can be formed that will enhance, improve or enable branches to do something totally different that will delight and enrich customers. Potential partners may not always be obvious to us and we need to think “outside the box”.
The upcoming Library Awareness Campaign, or what has been previously referred to as the Library Card Campaign, was discussed. We need to be more proactive and reach more people about our wonderful services. In the spring, we will begin the new Library Awareness Campaign. The committee for planning this campaign consisting of Laura Minnich, Ron Block, Stacie Bucher, Wally Bowden, Jenny Mooney, Don Carpenter, and Keith McLaughlin, along with Brunet Garcia and a representative from American Institute of Graphics Artists (AIGA).
For the first six months we will have an advertising campaign on radio, TV and billboards, as well as outreach by branches. The next 12 months we will look to the branches to continue with outreach efforts. This is about us all being actively engaged in what JPL does. We will be sharing with the community what they can do with a library card—using our website, our resources, a PIN, etc. The library card is tangible and helps us have a convenient way to promote the Library Awareness Campaign. We plan to use the slogan “Your ticket to ________” or “My ticket to ________” and let customers fill in the blank.
American Institute of Graphic Artists is making this a major project and they are putting a survey together to be used prior to the campaign and one for a post campaign survey so we can judge the success of the campaign. High school students will compete in a library card design contest.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
When are we expected to be able to hire pages again?
Alan Mosley, the Mayor’s Chief Administrative Officer, has not indicated that the City’s hiring freeze can be lifted considering the present economy. Director Gubbin will apprise everyone when a decision is made; a change is not expected soon. There is some flexibility – if you have a PT staff member working less than 24 hours and another PT staff member quits, you may add hours up to the 24 hour cap with the approval of your Administrative Supervisor.
What changes/enhancements are incorporated into the new Workflows system?
We are upgrading our SIRSI Dynix system to a new release on Staff Development Day, March 18, 2009. We will have lots of training before that.
Key Enhancements for Workflows Upgrade:
· New staff client with updated “look and feel” and enhanced Windows functionality
· Better matching for duplicate user records
· User alerts now pop up on screen without having to click on “alerts”
· New holdings displays
· Browse searching is no longer in uppercase
· Several key enhancements for technical services in Cataloging, Acquisitions and ILS.
Our projected go live date for the new Workflows Client is Monday, March 23rd. Training will be scheduled in the two weeks prior to the go live date and will be a combination of classroom training and online, self-paced modules.
Why are you closing the Conference Center two days a week? Is that cost effective?
We close on Sunday, except for space needed for library programs and for a few customers who rent space the whole weekend. Monday we are closed both to outside customers and to the library because we do not have resources to open seven days a week. We need Monday to catch up on cleaning, etc. Yes, it is cost effective.
How can we increase circulation (performance) and decrease staff (hiring freeze)? Is this contradictory? We want to increase circulation of reading materials by 2%. What we are talking about here is marketing—encouraging people to read through reader advisories, story hour and displays. For example, Kema DeSagrada is putting stickers on books with notes such as “You might want to read” and “Book of the Week”. Displays can be used to promote reading materials. It is a challenge, but we have to set numerical goals in advance of the budget being set by City Council.
When can we go out and buy books from vendors? It took a while to get bids approved, but the paperwork is signed and we can now proceed with our orders. We have a multi-year contract so this time next year; we will not have to go through this process and will be able to order materials a lot earlier.
Is there any word about library operating hours? We had proposed making some changes at Bradham Brooks Northwest and at University Park. UPK’s usage is almost up to regional branch levels and we need to change their hours. I am holding off doing anything right now because we may need to make more global changes. We do not want to change some hours now and have to make more shortly thereafter. We are looking at business levels on an hour-by-hour basis at every library.
Graham Branch is closing at 8 pm now. Will that be the case for other libraries such as Murray Hill and Maxville? From 7 pm – 9 pm there is very little business, especially the last hour.
Security and safety were the issues at GB and closing at 8 pm is good for that branch. I am not planning to make other changes in hours right now.
What type of staff feedback are you looking for on the Library Awareness Campaign and when are you asking for it? Staff at branches will be asked to start participating in mid to late February. We will need to know how we can utilize our plans in your areas and how branches individually fit in the overall campaign, and then we will launch the campaign. Our committee has one more meeting next week to streamline our plans.
Will you be developing partnerships with the branches? The community profiles that branches construct will help staff recognize what partnerships can be developed. I will be working with Melonee Slocum to present a workshop on partnerships to the community profile team.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Kudos from Customers
Main: Children's and Special Collections: Two employees were more helpful and courteous than ever: Keith Hayes (Children's) and Catherine Currier (Special Collections) at the help desk.
Main: Third Floor Reference: Janine Stanley is a thorough librarian and goes the extra mile. She didn't have to help but she did.
Pablo Creek Branch Library: Jackie Spiritas found my watch and returned it when I came by to see if I had lost it there. She refused a reward and this watch was worth $2000. I am fortunate that Ms. Spiritas is so honest. She has restored my faith in mankind.
Southeast Branch Library: I love this branch. I drive past two other locations in order to come to this location. I really like the service people like Dorthenia Young and Pertoria Kennedy.
Westbrook Branch Library: Mrs. Janene Cortez is the most helpful staff member as well as the others. The security officer is very nice.
Main: Third Floor Reference: Janine Stanley is a thorough librarian and goes the extra mile. She didn't have to help but she did.
Pablo Creek Branch Library: Jackie Spiritas found my watch and returned it when I came by to see if I had lost it there. She refused a reward and this watch was worth $2000. I am fortunate that Ms. Spiritas is so honest. She has restored my faith in mankind.
Southeast Branch Library: I love this branch. I drive past two other locations in order to come to this location. I really like the service people like Dorthenia Young and Pertoria Kennedy.
Westbrook Branch Library: Mrs. Janene Cortez is the most helpful staff member as well as the others. The security officer is very nice.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Your Opinion Counts!
As announced at LLM, January will be the month to market the Your Opinions Counts! Customer Satisfaction surveys to customers.
You can expect to receive flyers, counter signs and, at some of the branches, posters to promote the survey by January 1st. Signage should be prominently displayed and flyers should be handed out to all customers at circulation during the month. In addition, please verbally encourage customers to take the survey and tell them about the incentive prizes -- four $25.00 gift cards, a one year membership in the Friends of the Library, and a Booktique 10% off coupon.
To enter the drawing for the prizes, customers who take the survey will have to enter their contact information in (any of) the customer comment boxes on the survey. The marketing materials will detail this, but please remind and help customers do this.
We are establishing “pop ups” and the message on check out receipts. We have also requested that ITD to re-establish the survey icon on the catalog-only computers. Finally, Public Information will place a blurb about the customer survey in the next two city e-news editions. They also plan to place a link on the coj.net homepage, in addition to the portal.
Customer satisfaction data is important! Please continue to encourage creative in-house promotions during the month. Don’t hesitate to use the counting opinions bookmarks that you already have on hand, and let Stacie Bucher now if you need additional materials.
Please make sure that you are familiar with the survey so you can help customers, http://www.countingopinions.com/jpl/
Let’s make January a benchmark month for the number of surveys completed!
Best wishes for happy holidays,
Melonee Slocum
You can expect to receive flyers, counter signs and, at some of the branches, posters to promote the survey by January 1st. Signage should be prominently displayed and flyers should be handed out to all customers at circulation during the month. In addition, please verbally encourage customers to take the survey and tell them about the incentive prizes -- four $25.00 gift cards, a one year membership in the Friends of the Library, and a Booktique 10% off coupon.
To enter the drawing for the prizes, customers who take the survey will have to enter their contact information in (any of) the customer comment boxes on the survey. The marketing materials will detail this, but please remind and help customers do this.
We are establishing “pop ups” and the message on check out receipts. We have also requested that ITD to re-establish the survey icon on the catalog-only computers. Finally, Public Information will place a blurb about the customer survey in the next two city e-news editions. They also plan to place a link on the coj.net homepage, in addition to the portal.
Customer satisfaction data is important! Please continue to encourage creative in-house promotions during the month. Don’t hesitate to use the counting opinions bookmarks that you already have on hand, and let Stacie Bucher now if you need additional materials.
Please make sure that you are familiar with the survey so you can help customers, http://www.countingopinions.com/jpl/
Let’s make January a benchmark month for the number of surveys completed!
Best wishes for happy holidays,
Melonee Slocum
Argyle Branch Library Is Adding A Mural
The theme of this beautiful mural is 'Start Here. Go Anywhere!' It is a public art piece commissioned by Regions Bank. The bank has donated the mural to the library and the City. The artist, Pamela Miller, has extensive experience as a muralist and is a regular customer at Argyle. The mural is located on the rounded wall above the picture books in the children’s department. In preparation, she primed the wall and chose latex wall paint, which can easily be washed. Ms Miller began work on the project on December 8 and the expected date of completion is January 9. You are invited to come and enjoy this delightful new addition of art at the Argyle Branch Library.
The Books are Coming! The Books are Coming!
You may have seen an e mail from me recently with the same title as above. Hopefully, you have even received some new materials at your branch already. If you haven’t you will be getting shiny new things any day now. Since we are ordering again, it seems like a good time to begin making contributions to the JPL Blog. We will try to keep it light and interesting—we save the heavy, uninteresting stuff for e mail! For this first entry I wanted to highlight a few new titles that we have sent off as orders. You may have heard about them and will want to keep an eye out for them when they show up at your branch.
The latest from Patricia Cornwell in the Kay Scarpetta series is easy enough to remember, it’s called Scarpetta.
Booklist Review:
Twenty years after launching the Kay Scarpetta series, Cornwell returns to form (the last few entries have been disappointing) in this thoroughly contemporary, high-impact outing. Though she lives and works in South Carolina, medical examiner Scarpetta is asked for by name by a man being accused of murder in Manhattan. He says he won t let anyone else examine him for DNA evidence except Dr. Scarpetta, who is nationally known after making numerous appearances on CNN. Normally Scarpetta wouldn’t abide such an odd request, but her forensic psychologist husband, Benton Wesley, convinces her after evaluating the accused himself. Despite having the victim’s DNA all over him, Oscar Bane insists he did not commit the murder and insists to Scarpetta and to anyone else who will listen that he is being electronically monitored by someone or something and implores them to watch their backs. Initially, Bane seems to be just another paranoid criminal, but evidence emerges to show he just might be on to something. All the while, Scarpetta herself deals with electronic scrutiny of a sort when an anonymous online gossip columnist reveals horrible secrets from her past. Can she convince her colleagues to listen to Bane’s warnings before it’s too late? The blend of forensic investigation and high-tech intrigue will please Scarpetta’s legions of fans. Copyright 2008 Booklist Reviews.
There are also a number of new titles, both serious and definitely not serious, on order on the topic of women in the political spotlight. Look for two on Sarah Palin: Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader and Terminatrix: The Sarah Palin Chronicles (the not so serious), a biography of Michelle Obama titled Michelle, and Speaking for Myself: My Life from Liverpool to Downing Street by Cherie Blair, the wife of former UK prime minister Tony Blair.
Be on the lookout for these new titles and a lot more—coming to a branch near you. Also stay tuned for further Collection Development contributions to the JPL Blog.
The latest from Patricia Cornwell in the Kay Scarpetta series is easy enough to remember, it’s called Scarpetta.
Booklist Review:
Twenty years after launching the Kay Scarpetta series, Cornwell returns to form (the last few entries have been disappointing) in this thoroughly contemporary, high-impact outing. Though she lives and works in South Carolina, medical examiner Scarpetta is asked for by name by a man being accused of murder in Manhattan. He says he won t let anyone else examine him for DNA evidence except Dr. Scarpetta, who is nationally known after making numerous appearances on CNN. Normally Scarpetta wouldn’t abide such an odd request, but her forensic psychologist husband, Benton Wesley, convinces her after evaluating the accused himself. Despite having the victim’s DNA all over him, Oscar Bane insists he did not commit the murder and insists to Scarpetta and to anyone else who will listen that he is being electronically monitored by someone or something and implores them to watch their backs. Initially, Bane seems to be just another paranoid criminal, but evidence emerges to show he just might be on to something. All the while, Scarpetta herself deals with electronic scrutiny of a sort when an anonymous online gossip columnist reveals horrible secrets from her past. Can she convince her colleagues to listen to Bane’s warnings before it’s too late? The blend of forensic investigation and high-tech intrigue will please Scarpetta’s legions of fans. Copyright 2008 Booklist Reviews.
There are also a number of new titles, both serious and definitely not serious, on order on the topic of women in the political spotlight. Look for two on Sarah Palin: Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader and Terminatrix: The Sarah Palin Chronicles (the not so serious), a biography of Michelle Obama titled Michelle, and Speaking for Myself: My Life from Liverpool to Downing Street by Cherie Blair, the wife of former UK prime minister Tony Blair.
Be on the lookout for these new titles and a lot more—coming to a branch near you. Also stay tuned for further Collection Development contributions to the JPL Blog.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Elves at University Park Branch Dance for You!
University Park staff put together a little Christmas display they would like to share. It takes a bit of time for it to load, but be patient because it's worth the wait. The elves, left to right, are: Marlin Day, Senior Librarian; Michael Rouse, Branch Manager; Cindy Chism, Library Clerical Services Supervisor; Leona Cain, CSAII; and Gail Midon, Librarian. Encore!
The link is: http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/8O919X9fmKRyuceO0XvW
The link is: http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/8O919X9fmKRyuceO0XvW
Beaches Branch Now Has A Blog
Sandra Ostroski, Librarian Senior, has created a blog to keep staff and customers informed about all the great events going on at the Beaches Branch Library. You are invited to visit their site often and comments will be welcome. The blog address is: http://pghsandy.blogspot.com/.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Volunteers (L to R) Bill Gawler, John Macrae and Robert Schnitzer Keep Pablo Creek’s Computer Classes Going Strong
Pablo Creek Regional Library offers free computer classes every month ranging from basic mouse skills to PowerPoint. During FY 2007/2008 130 classes were presented to almost 1,200 students, and class evaluations have been overwhelmingly positive.
These popular classes are presented by Pablo Creek staff members as well as three dedicated volunteers who not only teach but sometimes even create handouts, PowerPoint presentations, and interactive online tutorials. Pablo Creek is truly blessed to have volunteers John Macrae, Robert Schnitzer and Bill Gawler, whose generous gift of time and expertise help make our computer classes some of the best around.
John Macrae has been volunteering at the Southeast Branch since November 2005, and in January 2007 also started helping with Pablo Creek’s computer classes. John is a retired computer consultant who grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and lived in North Carolina, Arizona, Kansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio before he and his wife moved to Jacksonville in 2005. He first became interested in computers in college and has enjoyed using computers and writing programs ever since. He holds degrees in math and psychology and says, “If people were surprised at that pairing I used to tell them that in my work I find the psychology much more useful than the math. That remains true in teaching the classes at PCR.” Currently John teaches several classes, including an introduction to the Internet, Web searching skills, and an email class, and he also assists with several others.
Robert Schnitzer hails from Houston, Texas and worked in Los Angeles for 35 years as a retirement plan actuary and consultant before moving to Jacksonville 6½ years ago. Robert stays busy with lots of volunteer activities, including system design and computer training for Dress For Success and Women’s Center of Jacksonville, web page design and maintenance for Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre (ABET) and Singers by the Sea, and singing in not one but two choral groups. He also first encountered computers in college and has had computers in his home since 1980. He is married with two grown sons and four grandchildren. Of his experience in teaching the always well-received Excel spreadsheets class at Pablo Creek, Robert says this: “Nothing is more gratifying than sharing one's knowledge and skills. I live for the "ah-hah" moments, when a student recognizes that she or he has learned something wonderful and amazing.”
Bill Gawler is the most recent addition to Pablo Creek’s computer volunteers. A retired Air Force fighter pilot, Bill has also worked as a corporate pilot and in real estate. He and his wife have been in Jacksonville for 10 years. He started helping with the computer classes at Pablo Creek last spring and also enjoys volunteering at Mayo Clinic and tutoring high school students. As to his background in computers, he says, “Have only used computer in retirement for basic essentials, thus not too competent!” He reports that his daughter, an Elementary School Computer Specialist, takes great delight in his new volunteer effort at the library ("Dad, you are kidding, aren’t you?"), but Bill’s willingness to assist with the word processing, Internet and Excel classes shows he’s ready to jump in with both feet!
It’s been a great year for Pablo Creek’s computer instruction program and with the help of our wonderful volunteers we look forward to the best year ever in 2009.
These popular classes are presented by Pablo Creek staff members as well as three dedicated volunteers who not only teach but sometimes even create handouts, PowerPoint presentations, and interactive online tutorials. Pablo Creek is truly blessed to have volunteers John Macrae, Robert Schnitzer and Bill Gawler, whose generous gift of time and expertise help make our computer classes some of the best around.
John Macrae has been volunteering at the Southeast Branch since November 2005, and in January 2007 also started helping with Pablo Creek’s computer classes. John is a retired computer consultant who grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and lived in North Carolina, Arizona, Kansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio before he and his wife moved to Jacksonville in 2005. He first became interested in computers in college and has enjoyed using computers and writing programs ever since. He holds degrees in math and psychology and says, “If people were surprised at that pairing I used to tell them that in my work I find the psychology much more useful than the math. That remains true in teaching the classes at PCR.” Currently John teaches several classes, including an introduction to the Internet, Web searching skills, and an email class, and he also assists with several others.
Robert Schnitzer hails from Houston, Texas and worked in Los Angeles for 35 years as a retirement plan actuary and consultant before moving to Jacksonville 6½ years ago. Robert stays busy with lots of volunteer activities, including system design and computer training for Dress For Success and Women’s Center of Jacksonville, web page design and maintenance for Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre (ABET) and Singers by the Sea, and singing in not one but two choral groups. He also first encountered computers in college and has had computers in his home since 1980. He is married with two grown sons and four grandchildren. Of his experience in teaching the always well-received Excel spreadsheets class at Pablo Creek, Robert says this: “Nothing is more gratifying than sharing one's knowledge and skills. I live for the "ah-hah" moments, when a student recognizes that she or he has learned something wonderful and amazing.”
Bill Gawler is the most recent addition to Pablo Creek’s computer volunteers. A retired Air Force fighter pilot, Bill has also worked as a corporate pilot and in real estate. He and his wife have been in Jacksonville for 10 years. He started helping with the computer classes at Pablo Creek last spring and also enjoys volunteering at Mayo Clinic and tutoring high school students. As to his background in computers, he says, “Have only used computer in retirement for basic essentials, thus not too competent!” He reports that his daughter, an Elementary School Computer Specialist, takes great delight in his new volunteer effort at the library ("Dad, you are kidding, aren’t you?"), but Bill’s willingness to assist with the word processing, Internet and Excel classes shows he’s ready to jump in with both feet!
It’s been a great year for Pablo Creek’s computer instruction program and with the help of our wonderful volunteers we look forward to the best year ever in 2009.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Common LDA Question
Several people have been concerned about being unable to register for LDA classes in the TMS because they appear to be full.
These classes will always show as full on the Training Management System (TMS). It’s to keep people from signing up on their own. They want you to request each class using the application form. They will add you to the TMS when you are approved.
Please pass this on to anyone you know who is participating in the LDA. Thanks.
These classes will always show as full on the Training Management System (TMS). It’s to keep people from signing up on their own. They want you to request each class using the application form. They will add you to the TMS when you are approved.
Please pass this on to anyone you know who is participating in the LDA. Thanks.
JPL Employee of the Quarter
For the fourth quarter of the year we are pleased to extend congratulations to Karen Wishart, our employee of the quarter and Carolyn Woods, who received recognition as honorable mention.
As a Literacy Program Specialist with CAL Karen was nominated for her dedication to the program and students and for her willingness to assist in any capacity. Her work is an outstanding example of the leadership skill - 'model the way'.
Carolyn was nominated for her commitment to her position as Clerical Services Supervisor at the Main Library. She is seen as a model leader who "asks nothing of her staff that she would not do herself'".
We are proud of Karen and Carolyn and heartily support them in the important work they do for the library and the city.
Remember, it is easy to recognize a colleague or co-worker. Take the time to nominate someone for a job well done.
As a Literacy Program Specialist with CAL Karen was nominated for her dedication to the program and students and for her willingness to assist in any capacity. Her work is an outstanding example of the leadership skill - 'model the way'.
Carolyn was nominated for her commitment to her position as Clerical Services Supervisor at the Main Library. She is seen as a model leader who "asks nothing of her staff that she would not do herself'".
We are proud of Karen and Carolyn and heartily support them in the important work they do for the library and the city.
Remember, it is easy to recognize a colleague or co-worker. Take the time to nominate someone for a job well done.
Leadership Development Academy (LDA) Information
You can always find a link to the most up-to-date LDA information and forms by following this path:
JPL Neighborhood > Training Resources > City Training Resources (http://jplstaff.coj.net/training/city/index.htm ).
Please pass this on to anyone you know who is participating in LDA.
Let me know if you have any difficulty finding what you need.
Richard
JPL Neighborhood > Training Resources > City Training Resources (http://jplstaff.coj.net/training/city/index.htm ).
Please pass this on to anyone you know who is participating in LDA.
Let me know if you have any difficulty finding what you need.
Richard
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Staff Profille
Meet Josh Jubinsky, Library Associate in the Main Library Children’s Department, who was recently featured in a Florida Times-Union article about his music programming (http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/111508/ner_355725118.shtml). Josh provides free guitar lessons to children and incorporates music in his storytime programs. Josh shares programming ideas on his blog, Library Storytime, A Resource for Youth Service Librarians, http://librarystorytime.wordpress.com/.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: Ormond Beach, Florida.
Q: What is your educational background?
A: I was in the International Baccalaureate program in high school; my special topic was music. I earned a BA in English, with a Film Studies minor at UNF.
Q: How did you get interested in children’s work?
A: When I first got a job at the library. I started at Willowbranch, and after being there five or six months, the new Library Associate position was opening up for the first time. I took that position and have been in the Main Library Children’s Department ever since.
Q: What is your philosophy of children’s programming?
A: If your programs are interesting to the kids, that’s great. If they are interesting to you and the kids, that is better. The kids can tell if you’re interested or if you don’t really care. And you can tell – if it is not interesting, you’ll get bored and frustrated very quickly.
Programs that are interesting to the kids, yourself, and the parents are the best. The parents need to understand the value of what you are doing. Explaining the ‘what we do; why we do’ should be incorporated into things like story times. Parents also need to enjoy the programs. The value is apparent in continuous programs like guitar lessons.
Programming is a very important part of library service. Of all the great things we offer, programming is the first thing to become stagnant. We’ve all been at a place where we’ve done the same program over and over because it’s easy and worked well enough. And it gets us by in our jobs so boringly. Programming should be the most exciting part of your job. It’s certainly the easiest part to invigorate. Find something you love or interests you and find a community need. Share what you know and fill that community need. Libraries can be so much more in this way.
Q: What gave you the idea for offering guitar lessons?
A: The guitar lesson programs are my answer to the continuing budget cuts in our local schools. It was also something I could teach and something empowering the kids can do. It’s not just a matter of schools having fewer or no music programs – it’s a matter of creativity and expression, a matter of fighting apathy.
It’s also a financial solution that these times need to see more of. Guitar lessons for children can be an expensive undertaking. A library’s role, as I’ve always seen it, is as a place that levels the playing field and gives everyone a fair chance. With few music education programs in elementary schools and fewer parents able to afford music lessons, something as simple as guitar lessons at your local library is a reasonable and important alternative.
Q: What do you see as the purpose of your blog?
A: The purpose of the blog is the same as a large purpose of my job, to help create innovative, educational, useful and fun programs at the library. Its function is to do this not only within my branch or the JPL system, but to at least share this information with anyone doing children’s programming at any library. System-wide changes to make programming more interesting and fun for everyone is my number one priority.
On that note, I recently started a series of guitar lessons for Children’s staff that usually facilitate children’s programming. The class trains people on how to play the guitar and use it in a story time setting. Hopefully, with this class, some of the programming ideas and techniques I’ve been successfully using can start being implemented at other JPL branches.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of doing children’s work at JPL?
A. The fun atmosphere, coupled with knowing you are making a difference in the community.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: Ormond Beach, Florida.
Q: What is your educational background?
A: I was in the International Baccalaureate program in high school; my special topic was music. I earned a BA in English, with a Film Studies minor at UNF.
Q: How did you get interested in children’s work?
A: When I first got a job at the library. I started at Willowbranch, and after being there five or six months, the new Library Associate position was opening up for the first time. I took that position and have been in the Main Library Children’s Department ever since.
Q: What is your philosophy of children’s programming?
A: If your programs are interesting to the kids, that’s great. If they are interesting to you and the kids, that is better. The kids can tell if you’re interested or if you don’t really care. And you can tell – if it is not interesting, you’ll get bored and frustrated very quickly.
Programs that are interesting to the kids, yourself, and the parents are the best. The parents need to understand the value of what you are doing. Explaining the ‘what we do; why we do’ should be incorporated into things like story times. Parents also need to enjoy the programs. The value is apparent in continuous programs like guitar lessons.
Programming is a very important part of library service. Of all the great things we offer, programming is the first thing to become stagnant. We’ve all been at a place where we’ve done the same program over and over because it’s easy and worked well enough. And it gets us by in our jobs so boringly. Programming should be the most exciting part of your job. It’s certainly the easiest part to invigorate. Find something you love or interests you and find a community need. Share what you know and fill that community need. Libraries can be so much more in this way.
Q: What gave you the idea for offering guitar lessons?
A: The guitar lesson programs are my answer to the continuing budget cuts in our local schools. It was also something I could teach and something empowering the kids can do. It’s not just a matter of schools having fewer or no music programs – it’s a matter of creativity and expression, a matter of fighting apathy.
It’s also a financial solution that these times need to see more of. Guitar lessons for children can be an expensive undertaking. A library’s role, as I’ve always seen it, is as a place that levels the playing field and gives everyone a fair chance. With few music education programs in elementary schools and fewer parents able to afford music lessons, something as simple as guitar lessons at your local library is a reasonable and important alternative.
Q: What do you see as the purpose of your blog?
A: The purpose of the blog is the same as a large purpose of my job, to help create innovative, educational, useful and fun programs at the library. Its function is to do this not only within my branch or the JPL system, but to at least share this information with anyone doing children’s programming at any library. System-wide changes to make programming more interesting and fun for everyone is my number one priority.
On that note, I recently started a series of guitar lessons for Children’s staff that usually facilitate children’s programming. The class trains people on how to play the guitar and use it in a story time setting. Hopefully, with this class, some of the programming ideas and techniques I’ve been successfully using can start being implemented at other JPL branches.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of doing children’s work at JPL?
A. The fun atmosphere, coupled with knowing you are making a difference in the community.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Festival of Trees
Jacksonville Public Library is pleased to host the annual Festival of Trees event in partnership with the Junior League for the third consecutive year at the Main Library.
Check out the link to Jacksonville.com and the video interview with the President of the Junior League talking about this unique partnership to promote reading.
Keith McLaughlin
Partnerships and Communication
INTERLIBRARY LOAN IN DECEMBER AND EARLY JANUARY
Our in-state Interlibrary Loan delivery service has informed us that it will not be in operation from December 22 through January 5. We have received notices from many university libraries that they will be shutting down their operations as early as December 15. If you or your customers request any Interlibrary Loan books after December 15th, please be aware that your requests may not be delivered until mid January at the earliest.
The JPL ILL Policy (http://jaxpubliclibrary.org/ill/ill-policy.html) states that items that are less than a year old (that is, books copyrighted this year) cannot be requested. We get an unusually high number of requests for new books in December. We usually cancel these requests citing the policy. As a service to our customers --starting December 15--we will be saving these requests but still won’t be requesting them until after the start of the new year.
The ILL staff thanks you all for your help this year. Happy Holidays, everyone!
Heather Campbell
Manager- Special Services (Interlibrary Loan and Books by Mail)
The JPL ILL Policy (http://jaxpubliclibrary.org/ill/ill-policy.html) states that items that are less than a year old (that is, books copyrighted this year) cannot be requested. We get an unusually high number of requests for new books in December. We usually cancel these requests citing the policy. As a service to our customers --starting December 15--we will be saving these requests but still won’t be requesting them until after the start of the new year.
The ILL staff thanks you all for your help this year. Happy Holidays, everyone!
Heather Campbell
Manager- Special Services (Interlibrary Loan and Books by Mail)
Thursday, December 04, 2008
With blogs, wikis, MySpace pages, and so many other Web 2.0 technologies being used by us all, we've made Guidelines so that we can maintain consistency when representing JPL on the Internet. These guidelines will be posted to the Neighborhood and I'll send an announcement as soon as they are with their location. Meanwhile, I thought I'd share them on the blog. It seems like the appropriate location! Karen (if you have comments, go ahead and email me kwalker@coj.net)
Jacksonville Public Library
Web 2.0 Guidelines
The purpose of a blog affiliated with the Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) is to share library or community information with staff and/or customers. Branches, departments, and committees are encouraged to use Web 2.0 technologies to create a more collaborative environment. Staff is invited to share branch information, branch staff announcements, programming information, etc. by blogging to the JPL Staff News blog. The link is http://jaxplstaffnews.blogspot.com/.
Access information (usernames and passwords) to all user generated web hosted content will be supplied to ILS personnel.
All Web 2.0 sites affiliated with JPL and available to the public will have an assigned administrator who will review postings and comments for content
All Web 2.0 sites affiliated with JPL will contain identifiable features (JPL logo, Ask a Librarian logo and link, Counting Opinions link) when the format allows. HTML and assistance can be requested from ILS (kwalker@coj.net).
All web-based and hosted technologies including, but not limited to:
• Social Community: Facebook and MySpace
• Email, Communication and Social Messaging: Meebo, Gmail, Twitter
• Image Storing and Sharing: Flickr, Photobucket, Snapfish
• Wiki: pbwiki, wikispaces
• Video/Audio Storage: YouTube, Podcastalley, ODEO
• Blog Filters: Technorati, Bloglines
• Blogs: Blogger, Blogstream
will adhere to this standard.
You may include artwork, photographs or quotations, but, you must conform to copyright laws.
You must obtain written permission of both customers and staff before posting their photographs online. The release form is located at http://jplstaff.coj.net/Forms/release_voiceimage.pdf.
Web 2.0 Guidelines
The purpose of a blog affiliated with the Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) is to share library or community information with staff and/or customers. Branches, departments, and committees are encouraged to use Web 2.0 technologies to create a more collaborative environment. Staff is invited to share branch information, branch staff announcements, programming information, etc. by blogging to the JPL Staff News blog. The link is http://jaxplstaffnews.blogspot.com/.
Access information (usernames and passwords) to all user generated web hosted content will be supplied to ILS personnel.
All Web 2.0 sites affiliated with JPL and available to the public will have an assigned administrator who will review postings and comments for content
All Web 2.0 sites affiliated with JPL will contain identifiable features (JPL logo, Ask a Librarian logo and link, Counting Opinions link) when the format allows. HTML and assistance can be requested from ILS (kwalker@coj.net).
All web-based and hosted technologies including, but not limited to:
• Social Community: Facebook and MySpace
• Email, Communication and Social Messaging: Meebo, Gmail, Twitter
• Image Storing and Sharing: Flickr, Photobucket, Snapfish
• Wiki: pbwiki, wikispaces
• Video/Audio Storage: YouTube, Podcastalley, ODEO
• Blog Filters: Technorati, Bloglines
• Blogs: Blogger, Blogstream
will adhere to this standard.
You may include artwork, photographs or quotations, but, you must conform to copyright laws.
You must obtain written permission of both customers and staff before posting their photographs online. The release form is located at http://jplstaff.coj.net/Forms/release_voiceimage.pdf.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Congratulations to South Mandarin Staff!
South Mandarin staff exceeded their local Customer Satisfaction performance objective to increase "Did Library staff meet and greet you?", by attaining a 100% satisfaction score in October! Great customer service start to the new fiscal year!
Additions to Training Resources Web Pages
I wanted to alert you to a couple of additions to the Training Resources section of JPL Neighborhood:
- Link to Leadership Development Academy (LDA) information. You'll find a prominent link on the "City Training Resources" page, and it's also in the Site Index under "L". This link will take you to the City's LDA page where all the latest forms and information are stored.
- Training Calendars. At the top of the "Class Schedules" page, you'll see links to several training calendars, including JPL's new calendar for internal and online classes, the City calendar and NEFLIN's.
Hope these new links are helpful. Whenever you have suggestions, or trouble finding anything related to training, please notify us at jpltraining@coj.net. Thanks!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
News from the Director's Desk
It’s hard to believe that we have already begun a new fiscal year and are about to close out another calendar year!
The Board of Library Trustees held a planning retreat with senior staff and representatives of the Friends and the Foundation. Much was accomplished, but additional work has yet to be done as we evaluate strategic direction and plan ahead for the 2010 budget.
Performance measures are in place for FY2009 and I am looking forward to seeing the October reports. I congratulate each of you who have participated in destination:LEADERSHIP by developing your own action plan to integrate leadership practices into your day to day activities. I am also pleased that branch and department teams have identified and adopted local customer satisfaction measures this year. Thanks to all the staff members who participated in developing these and other performance measures with an eye toward insuring good customer service outcomes.
I will look forward to discussing these and other issues with you at the first Town Hall meetings this year.
I have directed my staff to schedule town hall meetings each quarter this year. A senior staff member will join me at each meeting to discuss his or her area of operation and answer questions. Keith McLaughlin will join me at the first round of meetings to be held Monday and Tuesday, December 1 and 2nd at the Main Library Conference Center, Room MP1. Town Hall meetings will be from 2:30-4:00. For the convenience of staff attendance, the meetings will also be broadcast to two other libraries, details forthcoming.
In addition to taking questions at the meetings, I will be happy to answer other questions submitted via this blog (yes, your questions can be anonymous). To submit questions via the blog, just click on the word “comment” below and follow the directions. All questions and answers will be posted after the town hall meetings.
Very best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving holiday,
Barbara Gubbin
The Board of Library Trustees held a planning retreat with senior staff and representatives of the Friends and the Foundation. Much was accomplished, but additional work has yet to be done as we evaluate strategic direction and plan ahead for the 2010 budget.
Performance measures are in place for FY2009 and I am looking forward to seeing the October reports. I congratulate each of you who have participated in destination:LEADERSHIP by developing your own action plan to integrate leadership practices into your day to day activities. I am also pleased that branch and department teams have identified and adopted local customer satisfaction measures this year. Thanks to all the staff members who participated in developing these and other performance measures with an eye toward insuring good customer service outcomes.
I will look forward to discussing these and other issues with you at the first Town Hall meetings this year.
I have directed my staff to schedule town hall meetings each quarter this year. A senior staff member will join me at each meeting to discuss his or her area of operation and answer questions. Keith McLaughlin will join me at the first round of meetings to be held Monday and Tuesday, December 1 and 2nd at the Main Library Conference Center, Room MP1. Town Hall meetings will be from 2:30-4:00. For the convenience of staff attendance, the meetings will also be broadcast to two other libraries, details forthcoming.
In addition to taking questions at the meetings, I will be happy to answer other questions submitted via this blog (yes, your questions can be anonymous). To submit questions via the blog, just click on the word “comment” below and follow the directions. All questions and answers will be posted after the town hall meetings.
Very best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving holiday,
Barbara Gubbin
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Living Library Books
Did you see the article in the October 18 Times-Union about the "living library books"? Customers in Santa Monica, California, can "check out" a human for 30 minutes and use them as a reference resource. They can check out a Buddhist, a vegan, a nudist, a homeless person, 14 in all. I'm jealous. When are we going to start?
Learn more at http://www.living-library.org/.
(Forgive me if the word's already been spread on this month-old article.)
Learn more at http://www.living-library.org/.
(Forgive me if the word's already been spread on this month-old article.)
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Advice for Dealing With New Technologies
On Friday, Stephen Bell discussed the topic "Reversing the Ratchet: Basic Technology Adoption Strategies for Library Workers" in a College of Dupage webinar sponsored by NEFLIN.
If you missed it, but want to hear what it was about, check out NEFLIN's blog entry: http://neflin.blogspot.com/2008/11/reverse-ratchet.html . This provides a good summary, as well as information on viewing a recording of the presentation.
p.s. If you do view this, you are eligible for training credit, so please notify jpltraining@coj.net .
If you missed it, but want to hear what it was about, check out NEFLIN's blog entry: http://neflin.blogspot.com/2008/11/reverse-ratchet.html . This provides a good summary, as well as information on viewing a recording of the presentation.
p.s. If you do view this, you are eligible for training credit, so please notify jpltraining@coj.net .
Friday, November 07, 2008
Staff Profile
Anthony Williams is a Library Associate at the Beaches Branch Library.
Q: How long and where all have you worked at JPL?
A: I started working at the library in 2004 at the Beaches Regional Library. I was then transferred to the Main Library in the African-American Collection, where I stayed for 6 months. I later transferred back to the Beaches Library.
A: I started working at the library in 2004 at the Beaches Regional Library. I was then transferred to the Main Library in the African-American Collection, where I stayed for 6 months. I later transferred back to the Beaches Library.
Q: What do you look forward to most on the weekends?
A: Weekends are far and few. When I'm not working at the library, I have my military commitment to the Navy so that leaves me only one weekend out of the month.
A: Weekends are far and few. When I'm not working at the library, I have my military commitment to the Navy so that leaves me only one weekend out of the month.
Q: Tell us a little bit about your family.
A: I have a wife, Deborah, who just finished completing her Masters Degree in Librarianship at University of South Florida and my daughter, Alia, who attends La Villa School of the Arts where she plays the euphonium. My wife and I are from Philadelphia, Pa., and my daughter was born here in Jacksonville.
A: I have a wife, Deborah, who just finished completing her Masters Degree in Librarianship at University of South Florida and my daughter, Alia, who attends La Villa School of the Arts where she plays the euphonium. My wife and I are from Philadelphia, Pa., and my daughter was born here in Jacksonville.
Q: What's one thing that people probably don't know about you?
A: I own my own part-time business that involves event planning and cruise destination travel.
Q: What books are you reading?
A: Robert Ludlum and Vince Flynn’s cloak and dagger type novels.
Q: What's the best part about working at JPL?
A: I enjoy helping our customers with their questions and seeing them leave knowing the fact that I made their day a little easier.
JPL/United Way Campaign 2008 - LIVE UNITED!
The City/Library United Way Campaign is in full swing, and your branch or department United Way representative will be encouraging you to donate this year. There are many worthy organizations United Way supports, and they help people from babies to seniors. Your UW rep can give you financial information about distribution of funds to these agencies.
One of these agencies is The Bridge, which helps troubled teens learn how to live productive lives and experience the satisfaction of becoming successful.
Even if you can’t give a lot, together all of our giving makes a big difference in our community. United Way headquarters reported that calls for help are up 20%. If you already donate, please consider increasing your gift. Payroll deductions do not begin until January 2009, or you can make a one-time donation, if preferred. Please give your completed United Way donation form, signed and dated, to your United Way/JPL representative by December 1.
One of these agencies is The Bridge, which helps troubled teens learn how to live productive lives and experience the satisfaction of becoming successful.
Even if you can’t give a lot, together all of our giving makes a big difference in our community. United Way headquarters reported that calls for help are up 20%. If you already donate, please consider increasing your gift. Payroll deductions do not begin until January 2009, or you can make a one-time donation, if preferred. Please give your completed United Way donation form, signed and dated, to your United Way/JPL representative by December 1.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Kudos from Customers
Interlibrary Loan (Main Library): I want to commend you on the excellent work that Carolyn Hampton in ILL provides. She is so competent, helpful and friendly.
Murray Hill Branch Library: Revondolyn Dubois is awesome.
Children’s Department (Main Library): Thank you so much, Marie Myers, for all that you do to stimulate our children's development. The French Storytime is really wonderful as it teaches children something they can’t get anywhere else!
Pablo Creek: My children and I visit this branch about three times a week and Christie Rogers is always ready to lend a much needed helping hand.
Teen Department (Main Library): On a scale of 1 - 5, Keli Likins is a 1,000,000,000.
San Marco Branch Library: I needed assistance locating my sons' textbooks. Mia Brack has been very kind and helpful every time my sons and I need help.
Murray Hill Branch Library: Revondolyn Dubois is awesome.
Children’s Department (Main Library): Thank you so much, Marie Myers, for all that you do to stimulate our children's development. The French Storytime is really wonderful as it teaches children something they can’t get anywhere else!
Pablo Creek: My children and I visit this branch about three times a week and Christie Rogers is always ready to lend a much needed helping hand.
Teen Department (Main Library): On a scale of 1 - 5, Keli Likins is a 1,000,000,000.
San Marco Branch Library: I needed assistance locating my sons' textbooks. Mia Brack has been very kind and helpful every time my sons and I need help.
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