104 Years Of Service Honored By JPL Board

Three of JPL's employees, who, collectively, have made JPL their careers for 104 years are retiring soon!  They were honored by the Library Board of Trustees at their meeting, May 12, 2016.

Two Library Clerical Supervisors--Cynthia Simmons (SE) and Beverly Brown (PCR)--and SE's Librarian III Cheryl Callavini received a JPL gold card, floral bouquet, and a letter of appreciation from Director Barbara Gubbin.

Cheryl, pictured above with Board Chair Erin Skinner and Director Barbara Gubbin,, celebrates 37 years with JPL this year.  Read more about her in the May 2016 Staff Profile.

Cynthia has spent 32 years at JPL. She began with the Summer Youth Program in 1984 and was hired as a part time page in the Children's Department. She went on to work full time for the Florida and Genealogy departments,  AR, KR, DU, and as Clerical Supervisor at the new Main Library and then transferred to SE. (Cynthia could not be present; Main/Urban Region Manager Michael Sullivan accepted for her.)

Beverly (middle lady below) began with JPL in 1981 and she has been with JPL 35 years, first serving as a clerk at WBK, then Main. Later she worked as an assistant at AR and Tech Services, then became a supervisor for Collection Development. More recently, she worked at JB and PCR.

Cynthia and Beverly were also subjects of the JPL Staff News Staff Profile--Cynthia in November 2013 and Beverly in August 2014. 

ALL OF US AT JPL WISH YOU, CHERYL, CYNTHIA, AND BEVERLY THE VERY BEST IN YOUR RETIREMENT.  WE APPRECIATE YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE.  

WB Spreads The Fun W/Comic Con

Over 350 people of all ages turned out for WB’s first Comic Con, modeled after JB’s popular annual event.  WB offered customers the opportunity to interact with local artists and authors, play board games with a local game store, participate in a judged costume contest, meet local superhero *Moxie McGriff (pic to left) , take pictures at a greenscreen photobooth (manned by Margaret Fishback from CR&M), make superhero masks and wristcuffs, explore the library in a trivia scavenger hunt, and take photos with Jacksonville’s own Ghostbusters (below).  Thanks to Best, Alison McCarty at WB for the news & pic.)
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*Moxie Mcgriff won a One Spark contest last year with her first book, The Adventures of Moxie McGriff, and read her second book, Moxie McGriff Saves the Library, for kids at this event.

SST's Beverly Brown Plans To Retire

Beverly Brown is a calm, cool, and collected lady with a stately charm--the kind who can hold things steady when the "winds are blowing"; she will be sorely missed after 35 years at JPL.

  

Beverly said about her tenure with JPL, "I started May 19, 1981, at the Westbtbrook Library as a Clerk I.  I was promoted and worked at Main circulation as a Clerk II  and later transferred to AR, then promoted to Library Assistant and later transferred to Technical services which is now SST. Later, I promoted to a Clerical Service Supervisor over Acquisitions. After many years in SST, I was transferred to JB.  In October 2012, JPL libraries were divided into regions and I was transferred to the PCR Region as Clerical Supervisor and was the liaison to the managers and clerical staff at AR, JB & UPK in the region.  I will officially celebrate 35 years of service on Thursday, May 19, 2016.  As I retire, I certainly will not miss working nights or weekends J, but will certainly miss all the staff I have had the privilege of working with through the years. 

"My last day is May 27, but I will be back after vacationing in Maryland for the summer to help train staff on our new POS system."

Teens & Cherry Blossoms Bloom To Celebrate A Special Month

Even though Teen Library Associate Anjelica Bencomo recently transferred to Teen Main, she is still working (temporarily) with the SE Teen Advisory Board. Anjelica said, "This month SE changed out the lobby display to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a beautiful cherry blossom tree."

Here's to Moms!

Mandarin Branch finished a busy week by honoring mothers.  Over 40 children and parents were treated to “Muffins with Mom” and juice in mini champagne flutes, and created Mother’s Day cards at the craft table.  One little boy, with flute in hand, turned to his mother and said, “Cheers!”  Frances Wickes said, "Priceless."

MAX Bridge Building Challenge.

Tweens and teens recently spent three weeks constructing bridges of popsicle sticks and glue at Maxville Branch. Then the completed bridges were put to the test: holding multiple water bottles.

Nine boys and girls participated, constructing two bridges. Both bridges successfully passed the test, as their smiles and the bridges attest!

They  thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and look forward to Bill's future adventures during SLP. (Thanks to William Figlietti, WST Library Associate, for the blurb and pics.)

KR's Once Upon A Time Party

It was party time at KR, May 4. Kate Zakharov, KR's YS Library Associate said, "We offered storybook-inspired food and decorations for the 58 students and parents from Beauclerc Elementary who attended. Students were treated to mini cupcakes adorned with fairy tale book covers, Little Red Riding Hood's basket of bite-sized white cakes, and Rice Krispies bars adopted from Alice in Wonderland. Organized by the Mandarin Youth Services Team, the children created origami crowns and dressed in costume to have their pictures taken at the Once Upon a Time photo booth.

Staff Profile - May 2016

Cheryl Callavini, Southeast Branch's YS Librarian III, has served in several positions and locations with JPL.  

Where best to share your love of reading, story telling, and a desire to enrich people's lives than as a librarian. Cheryl has served her family, JPL, and its customers for almost three decades and is now ready to expand her life in new ways when she retires soon.  We will miss her and hope she checks in with us occasionally after she checks out of JPL. 

Q: You have 37 years with JPL. What motivated you for so long?

A:  Every day I learn something new, whether researching a question for a customer, or in training to keep up with all the libraries' great new services.  

Q:  What professional attributes helped you the most along your career path?

A:  My Love of reading and literature and wanting to impart that passion to our customers, through storytimes and finding just the right book for the avid reader as well as the reluctant reader.

I also love the detective work in finding the answer to a customer’s question through the reference interview process and the research using our databases and other multiple sources.

I once helped a customer who was adopted find her birth parents in Germany.  She visited them in Germany and returned to show me the write up in a German magazine giving the library credit in the help of her search. I felt a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of rightness about the profession I had chosen.

Q: In what capacities have you served JPL and what have you learned from your experience?

A:  I have worked as a reference librarian, branch manager, children’s librarian, branch manager again and finally as a Youth Services Librarian III.  

I enjoy that moment when the light bulb goes on and you know the child gets the answer he has asked you to help him find. I have learned how rewarding it is to reassure a parent who is looking for help with a problem their child has, when you can share information to guide them through this stage of development.

Q:  Do you have some suggestions for new librarians?

A:  Each day you arrive at work is a fresh new start. Mistakes made previously can be looked at as stepping stones to your learning experience. Find the joy in each day. I try and live by Mother Theresa’s quote, “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop”.

Q:  What are some future plans you would share with us?  

A:  Travel, Travel, Travel.  Working and raising a family has kept me grounded; now I am ready to fly.  I have a list of places to visit this year, including a Mediterranean cruise (a graduation gift for my niece), Hawaii, and enjoying a New England fall. Next year, I am open to suggestions.

Chess - A Game of Strategy & Critical Thinking

NS & EB Branch Manager Phenessa Gray said, "Brentwood started its first chess club, Brentwood Youth Chess Club, April 23, with 14 in attendance. David Stevenson, PT Library Clerk, pictured above left, thought it was a great idea to teach our students critical thinking and strategy skills. David started several chess clubs in New York before moving to Jacksonville and I said he should start one here. We will be starting an adult chess club in the near future."

Blue Hair and Green Eggs and Ham at SS

SS's Emily Gideon reports, "We hosted the Spring Park Elementary School Celebration Night on the evening of April 28. The school advertised the event on a sign by the road and they handed out flyers and made announcements that students who attended would receive a homework pass. The principal, Mr. McWilliams, and media specialist Mrs. Picray read Green Eggs and Ham together while Mrs. Jesperson, the SAC chair, held up the book and turned the pages.  We had 12 children and their parents enjoying the book, crafts, scavenger hunt  and snack."

Cheyla Scantling Hits Her Own Hi-5

April 29^th, Library Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop awarded a five year recognition letter from Library Director Barbara Gubbin and a commemorative pin to Clerk Cheyla Scantling.  Cheyla works at the Murray Hill Branch. Pictured above (L/R) are MH Manager Guy Adkins, Cheyla, Ms. Giltrop, Regional Manager Marshelle Berry and Assistant Director for Public Services Julie McNeil.  Congratulations, Cheyla!

Here Comes Comic Con

Terry Welch and Julie Rekow from JB once again participated in the Opening of the Beaches Parade, Sunday April 23. They were accompanied by a host of Superheroes courtesy of friends from Superhero Beach Comic Book store. The parade helped advertise JB’s 4^th and WB’s 1^st Comic Con to be held on Saturday, May 7. Advertising never had it so good.

 

The picture below shows (L/R) JB 's Suzanne Neikirk, Julie Rekow, Darlene Boda and Terry Welch advertising their upcoming Comic Con. Terry said, "Since we are multi-taskers, we are also promoting the Hi-5 campaign for JPL’s Summer Reading Program. The Superhero on our shirts was designed  by Tony Miller of SST and JB is holding a 'Name the Superhero' contest."

Who's The Cutest? Now You Know:

YS Librarian II Margo Crafton sent this photo of a child who came with her parents to the reception at South Mandarin on Thursday evening, April 14^th. She said, "We had cookies and lemonade and had 19 customers stop by to admire the works. I do not know how many of these customers were from our four local schools (Loretto, Bartram Springs, Greenland Pines, and Mandarin Oaks) that exhibited a variety of art works, but an invitation was sent to each school advertising the event. 

The child’s name is Mehreesh Shubreen and she is a Kindergartner at Mandarin Oaks Elementary." 

Author Skyped Into JB's Book Club

On April 26^th, the Flamingo Book Club at JB discussed The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway, and The Paris Wife, a fictionalized account of Ernest Hemingway's marriage to  Hadley Richardson. The author, Paula McLain, visited via SKYPE and answered questions and discussed her writing process. She was a delightful person who signed off by saying, “I love book clubs”. Julie Rekow, who leads the book club, prepared the snack table, calling it A Moveable Feast.  (Thanks to Terry Welch for the blurb and very good pics.)

Book Club Good Business For MH

Guy Adkins, MH Manager, forwarded this pic and blurb, "We wanted to share this picture of a meeting of the book club at Murray Hill Library, April 23^rd. The book club is led by Margaret Esposito, MH Library Assistant. The book they discussed was Incognito: The Secret Lives of Brains, by David M. Eagleman.  Margaret is seated on the right with the book (yellow dust jacket) in front of her.  The book club meets monthly at MH."  (Click on the pic to enlarge it.)

 

West Entertains Artists, Teachers, Family, & Friends

Melodie Brunson,P/T YS Associate at WST, said, "Our second annual Sip and See Art Gallery Opening celebrating artwork from DCPS elementary students at West Library, April 20, was a resounding success with about 85 present! Parents, grandparents, friends and art teachers from Crystal

Springs, Chaffee Trails, Mamie Agnes Jones, Whitehouse and Thomas Jefferson elementary schools came to celebrate their artists and their work. We sipped sparkling grape juice and nibbled on cookies, apples, and cheese and crackers. A fine time was had by all."

A Very Special Birthday for Eleanor Baldwin: 100 Years

Happy Birthday to Eleanor Baldwin (mother of Librarian IV Lynne Baldwin).  Mrs. Baldwin (who is a retired librarian) celebrated her 100^th birthday on April 24, 2016.  Her best gift came from the staff at the Mandarin Branch Library who surprised Mrs. Baldwin with a beautiful flowering plant arrangement.

In honor of her birthday and to support JPL, Mrs. Baldwin donated $36.00 for 12 JPL Bags to give as gifts to relatives visiting Jacksonville for her birthday. 

What a nice thing to do, Mrs. Baldwin, and thank you. 

So, You Think You're Busy?

Lisa Peterson, SST's Technology Services Administrator, is a bit more busy than the average working mother lately. Lisa said, "My son Cameron (left photo with mom and her husband, Les) graduated from Marine boot camp, April 8, 2016, at Parris Island, SC.

"Cameron married Miss Blake Leggett (middle photo) on April 13, 2016, at Hidden Hills Country Club in Jacksonville. 

"My son, Seth (last photo with two of Lisa's younger children, son Levi, and daughter Ella) graduated from Army boot camp, April 14, at Ft. Benning, GA.  He, too, is still in training.

"Saturday, April 16, Tessa attended her high school prom with her boyfriend."  And you don't EVEN want to know the rest of this working Mom's schedule.


Lisa has seven children in a blended family: one step-son, Justin (age 29), who is also in the Marines and stationed in California. Lisa's children are Cameron (21), Seth (19), Tessa (16), Tad (13), Levi (10) and Ella (6).

Feast Your Eyes

More Student Art At Main (Thanks to Cranston Burney for taking pics of these and enticing us to see more examples of student art exhibited on the 2nd floor at Main):

Kudos From Customers - April 2016

Beaches Branch & Main - POP: …Theresa Rooney assisted a customer on the computer who was trying to print a copy of a song but did not want to pay for it. Theresa suggested a catalog search and found a copy of the music score located in the Main Reference Collection. She asked Gail Blumberg to call the Main Library to see if they could copy and fax it to us for the customer. Although the material needed had been removed from Reference Department shelves, Library Associate Kimberly Smith in Main POP searched diligently, located the music score on a cart, and faxed a copy to JB. This made us all look good and the customer was elated. ...

Highlands Branch:  I would like this to be considered a formal commendation for Chanika Kimbrough. She is very knowledgeable, courteous and goes the extra mile to be of service. Excellent!

Main – Non-Fiction:  Matthew Taylor was very helpful and very quick to respond to something I had been looking for for years. I appreciate so much what he did for me.

Westbrook Branch: Site manager, Shawn Norton, made himself available for needed help (computer). In direct relation to his selfless help, I was able to secure employment.  Thank you so much.

SST @ Willowbranch:  I spent an hour with "tech supporter" GAMBLE (Nicholas Beardsley) this morning and learned more from him in one hour than I had in dozens of other sessions with my new iPhone "consultants". Gamble is WONDERFUL!! Thank you so much for this marvelous service!! This is what we all need to keep up to date!

Main Children's Dept. In On National Library Week

Main Children's Marie Myers reports, "For library week, I made a memory game/matching game of children’s book characters. The object is for the children to find which book characters go together. I used old book pockets to hold the cards. I thought it would be fun for parents to see book pockets and reminds them of their childhood. Here are pictures.

https://www.facebook.com/JPLmainkids/photos/pcb.10153572327678017/10153572327643017/?type=3&theater

JPL Volunteers Honored By Library Board of Trustees

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

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

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

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

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

Are We Proud Or What!

SST's Supervisor of Collection Development and Acquisitions, Charlene Adkins, and her husband and Murray Hill Branch Manager, Guy, have big news to share. Charlene said, "We wanted to brag about our youngest son, Spencer (left), who was inducted into Mandarin High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society, April 14, 2016.  Students in Mandarin’s chapter are required to have at least a 3.5 weighted GPA, leadership in school and community activities, service in school and community activities and good character." 

Congratulations to Mom and Dad--and especially to Spencer. 

Student Art Stars At UPK

New art hangs over the readers’ section of the University Park Library.  Children’s Librarian Eve Harm said, "We created the pieces with help from DCPS students who attended our Gallery opening, April 14^th.  We had 24 in attendance that night from Lake Lucina, GRASP Academy, and Fort Caroline.  Since the students shared their art with us, we shared our art of story time with them. Afterwards, they helped us create some new stars for our department. They also enjoyed a snack and apple juice out of champagne glasses to celebrate this wonderful Gallery opening." 

Student Art At NS

NS & EB Manager Phenessa Gray shares photos from Brentwood Branch's art reception for elementary school students who attend  Andrew Robinson, Brentwood, John E. Ford, John Love, Long Branch, and R.L. Brown schools.  Phenessa said, "Forty three attended the event where art teachers presented certificates of recognition created by Robin West-Rogers for the students' artistic talent. Parents were very proud of their students and the artwork is simply amazing." 

Teens Learn How To Manage Money

JPL partnered with the League of Southeastern Credit Union on April 2nd to sponsor Mad City Money, a finance workshop designed to teach teens how to manage money. One hundred teens were given a virtual salary and asked to work out a budget and then offered different ways they could spend their money at different tables set up for the event and Channel 4 covered it. 

JPL's table was represented by Conference Center Manager Mitesh Sangani and Main Teen Library Associate Katie Guarino, who offered the library as a free entertainment and educational source.  Katie and Mitesh had plenty of p.r. materials to back them up.

The 30 volunteers pictured below helped make the event a great success for the teens and about 50 parents stayed to observe the workshop.

                                                             

The New Impressionists, Pointillists, Modernists, Etc.

Every spring the Main Library has the pleasure of exhibiting very popular student art from across the DCPS system. Beth Friederich, Main children's department, reports, "We had 117 visitors stop in to admire the student artwork on April 16--just from 3-4pm."  The exhibit can be viewed on the 2nd floor until April 27, 2016.

THANKS TO FRIENDS OF JPL FOR COOKIES GALORE

The Main Library celebrated National Library Week with cookies from the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library.  Jay Brasfield from Special Collections really liked the chocolate chip cookies.  Big thanks to the Friends of JPL for the show of appreciation and for their support.  (Thanks to Lynne Baldwin, Main Library Manager, for the blurb and picture.)

P. S. All of us enjoyed the cookies--sugar, peanut butter, and chocolate chip to boot!  More than that, we all have a better library system because of the Friends and thank you for all the things you do for JPL.  

Something To Shout About

Meet the Super Stars, who put a big smile on their mothers ' faces, April 13. Kayla Thomas (left), CW's Noah Thomas' daughter, and NW's Gloria Buenavista's son, Jay-Jay were inducted into the National Honor Society at Darnell Cookman High School.

Being in the Honor Society means these high achievers have a 3.0 or above GPA average, have demonstrated leadership abilities, have good character and have performed service to their school and community.

CONGRATULATIONS TO KAYLA THOMAS AND JAY-JAY BUENAVISTA!

SOM Honors Volunteers

South Mandarin Library hosted their Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, April 12, where volunteers were thanked for their service during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.

P. S. All of us at JPL appreciate all of our volunteers.

National Library Week Celebrated by VIPs, JPL Retirees, & Customers

Pablo Creek Manager Jackie Spiritas said, "The National Library Week kickoff event at PCR began with a fascinating discussion about JPL's past, present and future. In a living room style interview – Jennifer Giltrop and Friends of JPL Treasurer Margaret Smith (JPL retiree, volunteer, and library historian) explored the history of the library system in Jacksonville from the Great Fire in 1901, to the expansion of library services under The Better Jacksonville Plan, to the current technology with 3D Printing innovation. E-Specialist Luis Terrone was on hand to discuss the latest in 3D Printing and perform a demonstration to the fascination of the attendees. A slideshow took the audience through retrospective highlights from JPL's past and present. Among the attendees were Dr. Charles Moreland, Director of Community Affairs; Councilman Aaron Bowman (District 3) and Councilwoman Joyce Morgan (District 1), and Mary Catherine Gilligan, Special Assistant to U. S. Senator Marco Rubio. Other special guests include longtime JPL employees, now retired – Gloria Tusing and Elsie Oishi. Many thanks to the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library for the delicious refreshments with JPL logo shortbread cookies and lemonade. A photo booth and several unique opportunities for participation are on display at the library so customers can express how they feel about the library throughout National Library week."

Thanks, Cranston!

When the fire alarm went off at Main, April 11, Cranston Burney was prepared as always.  Since he was manning the 3W desk, he came out fully prepared with the Floor Warden yellow hat, the vest, and the day’s schedule.  He also remembered the walkie talkies, although they proved not to work properly.  (Well, that's what it's all about--finding what works and what doesn't and staying prepared for the next time.  Yay to Cranston for really being ready!  Thanks to Kathleen Brunner for the blurb and pic. 

Music At Main From Across The Pond

The Adderbury Ensemble visited from Great Britain and gave a free performance in the 303 Lounge at Main yesterday.  They were visiting North Florida with funding from the Delius Trust.  They performed music by Frederick Delius and others. (Special Collections also houses his music collection on the 4^th floor.) The ensemble played beautifully for the appreciative 75 people who attended. However, there was a surprise ending:  The last movement of the last piece was interrupted by a fire alarm emergency and everyone had to clear the building!  

Thanks to Main's Kathleen Brunner, Librarian III for the report and to Cranston Burney for the pics.,

Main SparkWalk Awards Teen Art Contest Winners

Stephanie Miller, Urban Libraries Manager, proudly announced, "These are the winners of the Teen Art Contest. Their art is currently on display in the Teen Room. In May, the 1^st place winner, Juliette Harmon, will have a solo show in the Teen gallery space. In June, the 2^nd place winner, Ellery Susa, and 3rd place winner, Jordan Warner will share an exhibit in the Teen gallery space. They were honored at the Teen Art Contest reception on April 6 as part of the SparkWalk events at Main." Pictured below are Stephanie Juliette, Jordan, Ellery, and Mia Brack.

SE Hosts 6th Great Decisions Program W/Topic On U.N.

The United Nations post-2015 was discussed at the sixth Great Decisions program at Southeast Regional Library on the evening of April . Joy Bagwell, former president of the UN Model team at UNF, led the discussion of 20 attendees. Bureaucracy, the role of the secretary-general, makeup of the security council and peacekeeping were addressed. Joy is the youngest facilitator of the program at the library and participants were vocal about their satisfaction with her perspective and ability to share insight on the only organization made up of all 193 recognized countries in the world. Joy will study international and comparative law at George Washington University in the fall. The final two programs cover climate geopolitics on April 21 and Cuba and the U.S. on April 28, 2016.