54 JPL Educator Cards Given At TEACH Conference

On Saturday, September 12, 2015, several JPL staff attended the TEACH Conference (teachers met to inspire each other and share their ideas and concerns) sponsored by WJCT at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Jacksonville. JPL staff took this opportunity to make 54 educator cards for private, public, and charter school teachers in Duval County.

Those who took their Saturday to promote this wonderful project were Amber Holley (Youth Services Manager-Main), Susan Mankowski (Early Childhood Specialist-Main), Rebekah Mitchell (Youth Services Librarian III-Main), Lynn Jacobson (Bibliographic Systems and Access Manager, SST), Charlene Ovshak (Library Circulation Supervisor-Main), Stephanie Harley (Clerical Services Supervisor-CW), Beverly Brown (Clerical Services Supervisor- PCR), Corey Z. Scott (Library Assistant, Circ, Main), Milicia Thomas (Library Assistant, Popular-Main), and Donna Crowther (Library Assistant- Main).  Thanks to Milicia for the input.

Kathy Lussier, CR&M Manager, Honored By Library Board

Erin Skinner, Chair of the Library Board, presented CR&M Manager Kathy Lussier with a Certificate of Appreciation at the Library Board meeting, August 10, 2015, for Mrs. Lussier's outstanding work accomplished during her five year tenure with JPL. Mrs. Lussier introduced branding to JPL, received an award for instructing JPL staff on LibraryAware and strongly promoting its use system wide for individual libraries' promo materials, and she and her team rolled out unbelievable numbers of programs and their own p.r. materials for JPL, including posters, pamphlets, news releases, the JPL Newsletter. etc.  

Mrs. Lussier and her husband Joe, will be moving to Austin, TX, and her last day at JPL will be September 18.

Olga Bayer, who will pinch hit for the CR&M Manager until a new one is found, said, "All of our team can honestly say there is no one like Kathy. She is a wonderful person and boss, and she and her many talents and brain will be sorely missed here in CR&M. We wish her the very best always."

All of JPL employees can ditto that statement, Kathy!

Staff Profile - September 2015

Eric Cusaac, Library Clerk at Mandarin Branch, has been with JPL 24 years.  He began as a part-time clerk at Mandarin Branch in 1991, then transferred to old Main as a driver for distribution when JPL still owned that service. Later he moved to Brentwood, then to West Regional before going back to KR in 2009.  There he serves as a supply and property clerk and is responsible for reporting building issues to JPL Facilities. 

The Library Awards Committee (formerly R and R Committee) awarded Eric a Challenge the Process Award on July 9, 2015, for his diligence in resolving the constant clutter of boxes that became a big nuisance and safety issue in the staff workroom at KR.

Q: You volunteered to reclaim KR’s work space, What relationships had you already solidified that helped you solve the problem of hundreds of boxes of books that stacked up weekly ?

A:  I used my experience as a driver to communicate with the current distribution staff.  We could understand each others' problems and work together towards a solution to KR’s clutter.  Additionally, I had a good working relationship with KR’s staff and we wanted to see the clutter diminished.  We had a common goal that would benefit everyone.

Q:  How did you get your vision across to staff?

A:  I met with staff, outlined a plan for streamlining the donation process, listened to suggestions, kept good communication going between staff and myself, my supervisor and Region Manager.  I first secured my superiors’ input, suggestions, and approval before proceeding with the plan.

Q:  What steps did you then take to set your plan in motion for diminishing the clutter and safety hazard in the staff workroom?

A:  I had worked elsewhere on Sundays and observed how those branches handled donations and adapted some effective measures for KR.  I organized carts for sorting donations and weeded materials.  I created book sale and recycling signs for carts so donations could be sorted and packed quickly, saving much time and energy for all concerned.

Q:  Life is a learning process for all of us; was there something beneficial that you learned during this process?

A:  Laundry carts are not the most efficient way to store items for recycling.  Current distribution trucks are smaller than the ones we used at old Main.  They don’t have the capacity to hold lots of  laundry baskets and they don’t have tailgates to load them on their trucks.

Q:  What is something we may not know about you that you would share?

A:  I like to stay in touch with my family and I travel to Atlanta, Orlando, and Florence, SC as often as I can to see them.  I like sports, particularly bowling and fishing, and my favorite football team is the New York Giants.

GB Gets Into "Brown Girl Dreaming"

Marie Myers at Graham Branch reports, "We had our first Art Club/Brown Girl Dreaming (Jax Reads! featured book for 2015) poetry project at Graham Branch, September 3rd.

"Twelve teens used the image on the first page of the book as a background for our poem. I chose two poems from the book, which I photocopied and cut out the words. Teens then used the words on the table to create their own "found poem".  I thought it was a great twist to the classic found poetry technique. As they were finishing, they had a choice to either glue their poems on the paper, write it, and/or draw on it, too. We read the actual poems at the end."

Beautiful West Regional Library Celebrates 10th Anniversary

WST's Manager Kathy Tekin recounts their big day, "A fun time was had by all who attended the West Regional Library’s 10^th anniversary party, August 29, 2015.  Despite a bad rainstorm, we were honored with 200+ guests and we commenced with the reading of an official proclamation by the Jacksonville City Council recognizing West Regional’s 10th anniversary. Library Director Barbara Gubbin welcomed everyone and recognized Melodie Bishop, architect for West Regional, and her husband, former Council member Bill Bishop. Representatives of the Maxville Friends of the Library and Friends of JPL were also there.

"Festivities included storytelling by Northside Storytellers, music with Al Poindexter and adult crafts by Elise Fare.  The children were encouraged to participate in craft activities relating to the St. Johns River and pretend fishing in the river to win prizes.  Refreshments of cake, chocolate dipped strawberries, popcorn, and punch were served by our local Girl Scout Troop 607. 

"Party attendees were afforded the opportunity to meet City Councilman Doyle Carter and Board of Library Trustees Vice Chair Guy Anderson (pic at top), who addressed the gathering.  Guests also had an opportunity to ask questions and learn from our community partners, Duval County Cooperative Extension Office, AquaJax, and our own Talking Books and Special Needs Librarian II, Chris Easton (pic below)."

Jax Reads! Ready At WBK

WBK's Library Associate Kimberly Cherry said, "The Westbrook Branch staff had their display ready for the Jax Reads! community promotion of  Brown Girl Dreaming. I designed this large poster and colored it to resemble the book cover. The display includes other books by Jacqueline Woodson so that we would have a variety of books for children to adults.".

LET'S HEAR ABOUT YOUR JAX READS! PREPARATIONS! 

Jax Reads! Kickoff Big Draw For VIP's

Library support was vibrant at the Jax Reads! kickoff at the Main Library, September 1, 2015, attended mostly by VIP's.  

CR and M's Manager Kathy Lussier welcomed everyone and introduced Director Barbara Gubbin, who acknowledged many VIP's individually. Attending were State Senator Audrey Gibson's Aide, CM and Chairman of the Finance Committee Bill Gulliford, CM's Aaron Bowman. Katrina Brown, Doyle Carter, Al Ferraro, Jim Love, Joyce Morgan, Sam Newby and Scott Wilson; Margaret Smith with the Friends of JPL; some Library Board members; Leslie Kirkwood, Chairwoman of Banned; Michael Boylan, WJCT's President and CEO and other media reps, and some of the Mayor's and JPL's staff. 

She thanked the city for not reducing the JPL budget FY2016 and recognizing the importance of libraries.  Director Gubbin also thanked the CR and M staff and JPL employees as a whole. She gave a brief background of the author and said the book, written in poems, won the National Book Award and other awards. The Mayor and CM's will receive copies of Brown Girl Dreaming. She then introduced Mayor Lenny Curry.  

Mayor Curry acknowledged that reading precedes any success in life and the importance of libraries. He said sports as priority one in his life was overturned by reading in his youth and reading was a major contributor to his success as it can be for anyone. His family uses the San Marco Branch. 

Mayor Curry encouraged everyone to read Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson, during this city wide effort, September 1-October 4.  

Director Gubbin and Board Chair Erin Skinner unveiled the READ poster designed especially for Mayor Curry and the Jax Reads! kickoff. He was obviously delighted with the poster and thanked everyone.

Ms. Lussier also thanked all JPL staff without whom there would be no Jax Reads!--and particularly graphic artist Denise Turner for the Jax Reads! logo and color combination used in all of the attractive promotional materials.

Author Jacqueline Woodson will be at the Main Library Hick's Auditorium, October 4, to culminate the Jax Reads! program. 

To view more of these really good pics (thanks to Olga Bayer), you can link here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cityofjax/albums/72157655721146634

Back To School Is A TD @ KR

KR's Frances Wickes was so pleased with this outstanding bulletin board and her coworkers.  She wanted to share this photo with you and said, "Carisia Rooney and Alison Pulley 'cheer' as the Mandarin Branch kicks off the school year with a brightly decorated bulletin board.  The children have been adding their favorite book titles to the board all week!  GOOD P.R. FOR KR!

Mark Merrit - A Walking, Talking Ad For JPL

Mark Merrit, Deputy Director of Administrative Services, is not one to capture the spotlight; however, Jennifer Giltrop, Deputy Director for Public Services, got him to show off his tie that his wife, Rachel, had made especially for his "29th" birthday, August 26th.  The tie has row upon row of the JPL logo and Mark is proud of his wife's ingenuity and thoughtfulness--and his tie.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARK!

Mrs. Carolyn Votaw Passes Away

Carolyn Votaw served as Executive Secretary for two Deputy Directors, Sylvia Cornell and then Carolyn Williams when Mrs. Cornell retired.  Mrs. Votaw retired when we moved to the new Main Library but her husband, Paul, continued on as a librarian until shortly before his death.

Mrs. Votaw passed away August 19, 2015, and her funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., August 26, 2015, at Eternity Funeral Home, 4856 Oakdale Avenue, Jacksonville, FL. 

We extend our sincere sympathy to her family.

Where There's A Will, There's A Way

Patricia Morrison, ULC's Librarian IV, is proud to report, "Young people attending the Friday morning story time at Brentwood library had to be redirected  away from the stairs and the elevator as they arrived.  Story time was relocated to the colorful children’s section on the ground floor because the programming area on the second floor received a much needed coat of paint.  Peggy Crawford aptly held the attention of the little minds despite all of the regular library activities going on in the background.  How’s that for transporting children to new worlds and taking them on an adventure.  Last Friday they all went to veggie land  where they discovered the letter “V” and lots of vegetables." 

A "Tree" grows in Brentwood

Betty Williams, NS Library Associate Sr., said, "During spring break 2015 programming, Brentwood Branch hosted Mary Puckett of the county extension office on the first day of spring (see staff news dated 3/24/15).  After a discussion on plants, she showed the

children how to transplant a tomato plant and plant sunflower seeds.  I have tended our branch plant, program attendees have watched it grow during the summer and we now have a harvest. The tomatoes are pretty tasty too!"

It Pays To Follow The Manual

AR Manager Donna Carroll said, "Teamwork was in full display at Regency Branch, August 21. A snake made its way into the workroom and after hissing at staff decided to hide under the shelves.  Through the great teamwork of Anna Gonzalez, Bernice Newsom and Hamid Hassan (everyone else watched in terror), they managed to capture the snake.  After consulting the Get To Yes Difficult Customer Manual, the snake was given a warning for harassing staff and then trespassed."

  

Legos Win Kid Appeal

 "The Lego Club at the South Mandarin Library is our most attended and asked about program. The program, August 19, had 48 in attendance. We put Legos on a quilt and let the children be creative and build whatever came to mind," said Library Associate Christie Rogers.

Talk About Customer Appreciation!

Highlands' Hongying Song shares this picture of  amazing young customer appreciation. Library Assistant Felecia Battle received a BIG surprise on August 13 when a group of students from Wright Way to Higher Learning School and their teacher, Sylvia Hagans, paid Felecia a visit. They brought Felecia balloons and cards to celebrate her birthday. The children have attended DU's school age programs regularly. They put the HAPPY in Felecia's birthday.  And all of us wish you a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Felecia!

140 Kids Get Backpacks At NS

Betty Williams is proud of NS' latest successful project, "On August 14, 2015, the Friends of Brentwood Library sponsored our Back to School Bash and Back Pack Giveaway at NS and 140 children received backpacks stuffed with school supplies.  This is the second year of the Back to School Bash and we were able to give out even more backpacks than last year. The families were then able to go across the street and enjoy hot dogs and other refreshments.

Again this year the church across the street allowed us to use their parking lot and JSO blocked off the street.  Children climbed on the big red truck from JFRD and the biggest hit was sounding the siren in a police cruiser. This is always a wonderful community event.  The parents were very appreciative and everyone had a good time.

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch: Gail (Blumberg) is very helpful and goes beyond the call of duty. She always has been.

Main – Circulation: Thank you for having such a great staff: Willysa Jones, Arnesha Walton, LaTanza Sutton, Corey Scott, Theresa Bascom, and Katherine Golden. I have visited the Main Library for the past two weeks and everyone that has been named was very helpful, pleasant, and friendly, and I would like to thank Cynthia Simmons for having such a great staff. Please keep up the good work.

Main – Reference:  Kathleen Brunner was very helpful.

San Marco Branch: I compliment…Curt Beadell because…Curt helped me today…by finding the citation information for Eickhoff's translation of Homer's Odyssey. The book was no longer in the library system, but I had borrowed it previously and needed the citation info to finish a long term essay project.

Webb Wesconnett Branch: I went into your library for a one on one class with John Carter. This young man is awesome. I was treated with respect and patience. I'm sixty seven years old, yet he treated me like a good professor would a student in need of a little more help, and not like an elderly person with only half of their brain left. Thank you for having this young man there to help me. A grateful and satisfied customer.

David Foster Receives Innovator Award

Mandarin staff not only cheered their success with SLP, they hoorahed David Foster for getting an Innovator Award, which was presented to him August 19 for his creative marketing. He wore a Super Hero T-shirt every day during the summer learning program. Customers liked his idea and started donating a variety of Super Hero T-shirts for him to wear. KR Manager Mark Hohnadel presented the award; Lynne Baldwin, who formerly managed KR, nominated David.

Never one to capture the spotlight, David is pictured here with the whole KR gang that made KR's SLP a great success. L/R are Sara Peretzman, Stacey Van Hoy, David Foster, Eric Cusaac, Don Carpenter, Shukti Benerjee, Robert Moseley, Lisa Veal, Diane Lewis and Mark stands in the back. Allison Pulley took the picture.

Making Memories

Southeast's Alfreda Whitfield has a new addition to brag about and shares this picture of her granddaughter, Eden Renae, born June 6, 2015.  Eden is pictured here this month with her big brother, Jaiden, 5 years old, who just started kindergarten.  The pic with Alfreda cooing at the baby was made when Eden was about 1 1/2 hours old.  Thanks for sharing, Alfreda, and Congratulations from all of us.

 

Chris Eaton & Scott Adams Acknowleged at 8/13/15 BOLT Meeting

Library Board Chair Erin Skinner (2nd from right) announced that Talking Books Librarian II Chris Eaton (2nd from left) and Librarian III and manager of TB, Scott Adams (far left) had  the distinction of winning a "Certificate of Braille Magic" from "The Wizarding World of Braille", printed both in Braille and in text, addressed to JPL "for helping defeat Lord Printemort and the medium that shall not be named." This defeat occurred at the 2015 North Florida Regional Braille Challenge, hosted at the Main Library earlier this year.  You can read all about the notable event and Christ Eaton in the May 5, 2015 JPL Staff News blog's Staff Profile featuring Chris.The award was granted by the State Coordinator for the Braille Challenge, Sue Glaser, who represents the Florida Instructional Materials Center for the Visually Impaired. Director Gubbin stands far right.

JPL Award Winners Honored at BOLT Meeting, 8/13/15

At the August 13, 2015 Library Board meeting, Board Chair Erin Skinner and Director Barbara Gubbin proudly presented awards to the winners of the 3rd Quarter of FY14/15 (April-June):

Julie Rekow, Library Associate at Beaches Branch won the Inspired a Shared Vision as well as the Employee of the Quarter awards. Julie is well known for using Markerspace technology and her knowledge on how to use and troubleshoot JB's new Markerbot Replicator 3-D printer. She has researched how other libraries use this technology and read articles so she could show customers a glimpse of future technology.  Julie is also a walking, talking PR person for the Beaches Branch and much more can be learned about Julie in the August 5, 2015 JPL Staff News Staff Profile.

Eric Cusaac, Library Clerk at Mandarin Branch, won the Challenge the Process award for volunteering to take over the multitude of materials continually donated for the Friends book sales.  He planned, organized, and made KR's workroom safe by eliminating clutter and freeing up space because KR no longer has 200+ boxes of book sale items waiting for pickup all the time.

John Carter, E-Library Specialist, SST, proposed, designed, and carried out the solicitation of staff stories for publication for JPL's 2015 SDD -- and won the Model the Way award.
 

Denise Thomas, Literacy Program Specialist at Main's Center for Adult Learning, took on the role of volunteer coordinator for CAL, tracking and compiling monthly volunteer reports for the center and she received the Enable Others to Act award.

Tyhedra Wilson, Library Assistant at Graham Branch, won a Model the Way award for the time and effort she spent creating a bulletin board display for GB's 50th Anniversary. GB does not own a die cutter for lettering, so Tyhedra enlisted staff from other branches to help cut out letters for a professional looking bulletin board, and she improvised using others' supplies and staff to get everything completed in time for GB's celebration.

Theresa Rooney, Manager of the University Park Branch Library, offered her support months prior to GB's 50th Anniversary and provided raffle tickets and came to GB to lend support the day of the event. Assistant Director for Public Services Julie McNeil received the Encourage the Heart award in Ms. Rooney's absence.   

Thanks to Kathy Lussier for all the pictures.

Food For Needy Reigned In The Rain

UPK Manager Theresa Rooney reports, "The University Park Branch Library hosted a Feeding Northeast Florida mobile food pantry distribution event on August 12 from 4:30-6:30. This event was staffed entirely by volunteers, including ten teens from the branch and a pastor with twenty members of the Living Waters Christian Church, who use our community meeting room. Director Barbara Gubbin, Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop, and Darren Mason, Council Aide for District 1, Councilmember Joyce Morgan, also volunteered. Council Aides Chiquita Moore and Jeneen Sanders dropped by to show support.  Despite the rain, the event was successful, with 12,844 pounds of fresh, nutritious food distributed to over 300 people, many of whom waited in line for hours." 

Ms. Giltrop commented, "Despite the heavy rain and when people had to come inside when lightening began, every person was patient, expressed their gratitude, and were obviously delighted to receive much needed groceries. It was a good community outreach and rewarding for all concerned."

A library card sign-up table and craft activities to entertain the children were also provided.

SLP Ends At UPK As A Super Success

UPK Manager Theresa Rooney is proud of her staffs' accomplishments, "Summer Learning may have ended, but it’s been a busy August so far at the University Park Branch. The Superheroes Cityscape backdrop on the wall was created by my daughter, Emily Matchett, and the Superhero capes were handmade by Library Clerk and master seamstress Rosalin Smalls.

SE: New CM Becton Visits & SLP Wraps Up

Councilman Danny Becton's August 5 visit to Southeast Branch was much appreciated.  He introduced two of their Superhero Stories for Young Children and Preschool Art and addressed a total of 102 people.about libraries and the importance of reading.  

Also,, SE's End of Summer Party on August 4 featured Minions. In addition to taking pictures with their life sized minion, patrons made their own minion goggles, ate banana pudding, searched for bananas in a scavenger hunt, and played Pin the Goggle on the Minion.

EB Has 400+ Readers For SLP

EB used an eyecatching poster for their SLP to entice kids to read.  The poster was titled "Read all summer to help complete Hero O'Malley's Puzzle" with the invitation, "Get a piece of the puzzle to fill in for each book you read."  The *puzzle had every piece completed and Sharon Whitt has reason to brag on EB's SLP readers. "Brown Eastside Library is proud to announce that Eastside kids read very well this summer. They read over 400 books to complete the *puzzle. Way to go Eastside Kids!"

Who's the strange character on the puzzle poster? Sharon says, "It’s  the *Platypus figure of the Summer Learning characters.  His name is O’Malley, so I just called him Hero O’Malley to add character to the character." GREAT IDEA, SHARON.  

At NS “Dreams Begin with Dreamers”

The youth of Brentwood Branch Library showcased what they learned during an intense four week camp in their production of “Dreams Begin with Dreamers”, July 31. The students were offered lessons in reading, math, science, interpersonal skills, drama, dance and self-esteem.

  

The Friends of Brentwood Library, along with funding from a grant from Navy Federal Credit Union,, sponsored the FOBL Theater Camp and Playhouse.  The children, ages 4 to 13, also had a muti-cultural field day. First they visited the courtroom of Judge Pauline Drake where she acknowledged and encouraged them in open court.  They also visited the Jacksonville Centre of the Arts, Old Stanton High School, the Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Historic Park and finished the day with lunch at CiCi’s Pizza.  They were featured in the Jacksonville Free Press and a front page picture and blurb in The Florida Times Union’s Metro section.  The youth were also encouraged because they were able to earn points during the camp and were surprised at the end of the production when those points were turned into a monetary award.

Artistic Director and FOBL founder, Sharon Coon, developed the curriculum.  With the help of student stage manager Camille Boyd, student production manager Charlai Cooper (also the Mayor’s Summer Student employee who volunteered to stay an extra week), library liaison Betty Williams and the Brentwood staff that took on extra desk shifts, shelving and popped popcorn etc., the “dream” of having a summer playhouse for the young people of Brentwood became a reality.

Milestones At The Main Library

Will Daniels, Main's Conference Center Specialist, has celebrated many milestones with library customers and friends over his ten year tenure at the Main Library--and some of his own most memorable moments have also been experienced here at Main. Until July 5, 2014, Will was a single Dad, who can be especially proud of his son's accomplishments and shares some milestones here in photos of his son, Omari's growth from a boy to manhood.

Omari with Dad when he graduated as president of his elementary school class.

Omari, age 10, working at the Friends BOOKtique at Main. .

Omari with his date at the Main Library before their Senior Prom.

And above, Omar shares a very happy day, his Father's wedding day, July 5, 2014, at the Main Library. Will married a lovely physician named Terry.  

Many Super Hero Shirts On 1 David Foster = 1 Super Strategy

KR's super P.R. strategist, David Foster, quickly won customer support when he wore a different super hero T-shirt each day for SLP. Customers began donating hero T-shirts for David to wear. He said, "I’m wearing Spider-Man today, but tomorrow I can wear one of the Captain America shirts; plus I can hold his shield, which was a hit at the kick-off celebration.

"At our summer kick-off, Sara Peretzman and Jessica Jones were both Batgirl; Carisia Rooney was SuperC, and Debra Wainwright helped kids create their own Captain America shields.

"Throughout the summer, so many families chose photo-ops with cardboard superheroes that Ms. Baldwin provided – Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Batman, Iron Man, Vision, Thor, and Captain America!

"Our super summer is a team effort involving everyone at KR.  'Avengers, Assemble!'"

Staff Profile - August 2015

JB’s Library Associate Julie Rekow is a collage of talent and expertise. She brings the community to JB by partnering with businesses and organizations for different programs, such as ComicCon, the Flamingo Book Club or the Doctor Who party.  Whether Julie is demonstrating JB’s new *Makerbot Replicator 3-D printer, helping a customer with an I-Pad, or sharing a synopsis of a classic novel with a teen, she is always promoting and personifying the value of a library visit. 

Julie graduated with an MLS degree from Dominican University and then worked as a youth services librarian in Minnesota.  She began as a part-time Library Associate at JB in January 2011 and promoted to full-time in August 2014.  JB Manager Tamera Branam and fellow staff value her contributions to JB and the beaches area.  When JB’s Gail Blumberg nominated Julie for a “Challenge the Process Award”, which ultimately won her the Employee of the Quarter Award, Gail commented, “Julie creates an environment that invites the community to utilize the library for programs, displays, and reading enjoyment…” 

Q: You use Makerspace technology and samples you have displayed, and you demonstrate the *Makerbot Replicator 3-D printer to JB’s customers.   How and why did you prepare for this?

A: Our Friends of the Beaches Branch Library made a very generous donation of a *Makerbot Replicator 3D printer last summer. It has been an amazing (and sometimes challenging) experience to learn how to use this emerging technology. The idea behind the donation was to give our customers an opportunity to see how a 3D printer works and share small 3D prints with them. JPL E-Specialist Randy Mapanoo and I have presented three workshops at JB. The 3D printer has been a hands on learning experience and I have been very lucky to have Randy to consult with. The 3D printer is one of the ways that JB has responded to patrons’ evolving needs and interests.

Q: You inspire staff and customers to share your vision of the future of the Beaches Branch; how do you accomplish that?

      A: When I arrived in Jacksonville for the first time in 2010 after living in landlocked Minnesota all of my life, I got off the plane with my daughter and we drove straight to the beach. The Beaches Library was my first stop and I knew it was where I belonged.

     For the public library to continue into the future, we need to work together to make our libraries thriving community centers that are responsive to the changing needs of our patrons and be a place that they care about. I make that happen by offering programs that reflect our patrons’ interests, collaborating with community partners, and creating eye-catching displays that demonstrate the depth and breadth of our fantastic collection.

      Q: What are some of the activities and partnerships with businesses and organizations you have participated in and how have those partnerships benefited JB?

A: Our partnership with the Superhero Beach Comic Book Store has resulted in three super fun comic cons. Local restaurants and Rona’s Bookmark have been extremely generous in donating prizes to the comic cons. Participation in SAC meetings at Fletcher Middle and High Schools brought the Fletcher HS band to play in our parking lot twice and Fletcher Middle art students painted jellyfish murals on our boarded windows. Circulation Assistant Terry Welch entered a group of us in the Beaches Sandcastle contest and we have participated twice in the Opening of the Beaches parade. Our biggest asset is the Friends of the Beaches Branch Library. They are the best. Our Friends group, our exceptional children’s department, led by Nicole Saville, and wonderful ref and circ staffs have helped raise awareness about the library.  They have all shown that we are a vital part of the community.

Q:  Tell us about some of the fun programs at JB that you are involved in and how you promote them successfully.

A: Before I became a librarian I was a decorative artist specializing in hand painted crafts, furniture, and murals. Combining these skills with library programming has been a dream come true. With Pinterest as my guide, I have made lots of props for Diary of a Wimpy Kid releases in November, a Harry Potter Yule Ball over Christmas break (each staff member wore Harry Potter glasses), superhero everything for comic con, and quirky fun stuff for Doctor Who in late summer. The challenge is to create things that are inexpensive, eye catching, and create buzz.

Signing up teens for SLP is my favorite activity. The average teen is notoriously elusive and difficult to engage. With clipboard in hand, I have made it my mission to speak to everyone I see. They are not always receptive but, once the dialogue is established and I explain that they can participate at the level they are comfortable, I make a connection and get to hear what they like to read and what they are into. I wish I could sign them up all year long.

We hold an adult Flamingo Book club the last Tuesday of every month, reading books that are by Florida authors or that are set in Florida, and we serve food that reflects the read. For the teen anime club, I have been using the kids’ art to make the club flyers. The Friends post our library events on their Facebook page. Kathleen Bailey, editor of the Beaches Leader, has been a strong ally. JB staff are a great group of people and help me promote ideas. All of the various initiatives at the Beaches would not have been possible without my Branch Manager Tamera Branam, giving me the green light; FOBBL President Richard Crook keeps up with me and makes all of the events better. Circulation Assistant Terry Welch has fabulous ideas and gives her support, and Library Associate Gail Blumberg has been behind me every step of the way making sure I don’t forget anything.

Q: What is the greatest thing that has ever happened to you?

A: Last summer I realized two dreams in less than a month. I finally made a trip to England, which has been a lifelong dream, and traveled with my daughter and her husband. When I got home, Rhonda Sarli called and offered me a full time job as JB's Teen Library Associate. Anyone who has ever worked with me will appreciate how big this was to me. Thank you, JPL!

Julie Rekow is flanked by her daughter Catie, who is an art teacher at the American School of Doha, and her son-in-law, Ben, is a geophysicist for Fugro. Catie and Ben live in Qatar in the Middle East. They visited Julie this July when this pic was taken.
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Julie's Note: The 3D printer is connected to a computer and we send jobs to it from thingiverse.com. Thingiverse is a website where people upload 3D print designs they have designed with a CAD program and they are free to share. Or we can also print designs that our patrons have created. The 3D printer uses PLA filament that comes on a spool like thick colored plastic thread. Like putting a bobbin on a sewing machine, the filament is mounted on the printer and then threads through a tube and is passed through an extruder nozzle that heats up to 215 degrees to melt the plastic. When it passes through the nozzle it follows the outline of the programmed design in thin layers of plastic that harden on contact with the air. This process takes a long time. Printing time can range anywhere from 20 minutes to 20 hours depending on the complexity and size of the design.

Maxville Branch Celebrates Ten Years

Director Barbara Gubbin welcomed 125 guests to Maxville Branch Library’s 10^th Anniversary celebration, July 18, 2015.  An official proclamation by the Jacksonville City Council was read recognizing Maxville’s anniversary. 

Festivities included face painting by Elizabeth McConney, a puppet show by Eve Harm, adult crafts by Elise Fare, a visit from the Jacksonville Fire Department, and balloon animals from Balloons R 4 Twisting.  All children in attendance received a new book, and refreshments were served.

Guests had the opportunity to meet City Councilman Doyle Carter, Friends of the Maxville Branch Library President Kim North, and Board of Library Trustees Vice Chair, Guy Anderson.  (Thanks to Mia Brack, West Region Youth Services Librarian III, for the blurb and pictures.)

DU's Cook-A-Book Program

Library Associate Beverly Mason, Highlands Branch, shares pictures of DU's first SLP program, Cook-A-Book, June 17; they had 30 attendees and discussed Japan, Sumo wrestlers, and made candy sushi.

A Few Critters, 1 Senator & Lots of Enthusiasm

Mandarin Branch Library was excited to host Florida State Senator Aaron Bean who visited during the children’s Jacksonville Zoo program, July 15, 2015.   Senator Bean was exuberant to be a part of the event and obviously enjoyed playing a game with the children prior to the zoo program. All participants received Twinkies from the senator.  

Senator Bean appeared at the Main Library's Zoo program prior to his appearance at Mandarin and his enthusiasm permeated kids and caregivers alike as the photos in these links to social media indicate:

FLICKR: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yourticket/sets/72157655967282515

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jaxpubliclibrary/posts/10152935715416366

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jaxlibrary/status/621716478446956544

Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/5NHYzUrzjL/?taken-by=jaxlibrary