Tammy Crotts Retires After 24 Years At JPL

Many of us know Tammy Crotts, P/T Library Clerk at Main, whose last day, unfortunately for us, will be August 30, 2017. We express our appreciation for her many ways of helping us through the years and pray for happiness and the very best success for her in the future. 

  

                Tammy, above left, received a Job Well Done Award in November 2016. 

Tammy wanted to leave you a note:

Hi, Everyone,                                                                                                                                                             

I appreciate and have enjoyed working for the Jacksonville Public Library.  I am sad to let you know it’s time for me to go after 24 years. I first worked at Highlands Branch, then Tech Services, ILL and now at Main's Circulation/Dock. I hope I have touched everyone’s lives and made a difference. My 24 years have been fulfilling, fun, frustrating and hard work.

Now it’s time to leave; it’s time for a new adventure Tammy’s way because every day is a new adventure. I have good memories of my years with my friends at JPL and I’ll miss you all. 

With love, kindness and God’s Blessing,

Tamara (Tammy) Crotts

JPL Supporter and Friend

JPL: Tied For Gold & Platinum In Go365 Race

Some things bear repeating and if you missed Richard Mott's latest e-mail updates on Go365, you can get essentials here:

Richard created a new Go365 step challenge for JPL staff called I Survived Summer Learning; it started August 10, 2017, and lasts for a month.  Richard wants you to join him for some healthy competition. As he says, "Earn some Bucks. What’s not to like?

"You must be a Go365 member to participate. This challenge only works on a mobile device. If you haven’t already, download and install the Go365 App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Using the App, join the Survived Summer Learning Challenge. If tapping the link on the Challenge name doesn't work, copy and paste the following link into your smartphone's web browser. Note: this link will not work from a desktop computer: Survived Summer Learning

   

"JPL Rules Go365 Gold and Platinum! JPL is tied for the most employees in the top two Go365 levels, Gold and Platinum, of any department in the city. With 13 at GOLD and 7 at PLATINUM level, only the Sheriff’s Department (3,000 employees) matches JPL. 

"Congratulations to Jessica Serrano, Library Associate at CW, who crushed the competition in the Go365 city-wide “Summer Step Challenge. With 732,000 steps in one month (around 350 miles, I think), she had almost 100,000 steps more than her nearest competitor. 

"And congratulations to everyone else from JPL who participated. 

"Here’s the thing about reaching higher levels – you get these large Bucks bonuses – 1,500 for GOLD and 5,000 for PLATINUM -- PLUS, you know those random prize drawings they do for everyone who is in Go365? The higher the level you are the better the prize.

NW Eclipses Boredom

Andy Gallegos, YS Librarian. reports, "NW's Solar Eclipse program, August 11, 2017, attracted 40 school kids--all excited to.learn about the upcoming solar eclipse and how it happens. They watched

two short videos on the impact of a solar eclipse on Earth. We then did an art activity where we divided a piece of paper into fourths and painted and pasted the various phases of a solar eclipse and all were happy to receive solar glasses at the conclusion of the program." 

JPL Leadership Awards At Board Meeting, 8/10/17

The quarterly JPL Leadership Awards were presented at the JPL Board of Directors meeting at the Main Library, August 10, 2017.  Congratulations to all of our winners:

Shown above, flanked by Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop and Library Board Chair Ronnie King, JB Library Clerk Terry Welch receives two awards.

Winner of both the Challenge the Process and Employee of the Quarter Awards, JB's Terry Welch (above) regularly finds creative ways to engage customers in conversation about what they are reading and watching. The most notable example occurred when Dave Barry was Skyped at JB for 91 book lovers as he reviewed his latest book, Best.State.Ever.  

Above L/R former JPL Deputy Director Carolyn Williams, for whom the team award is named; Interim Library Director Jennifer Giltrop, Foundation Development Director Dr. Jamie Self; YS Librarian III Rebekah Mitchell, behind her: Coordinator of Lifelong Learning & Community Engagement Lisa Buggs, Library Clerk Terry Welch, Manager of YS&CO Amber Holley, SE Region Manager Keli Likins, Interim Assistant Director, Facilities Michael Sullivan, and CR&M Manager Chris Boivin.

This was the first presentation of the Carolyn Williams Team Award: Challenge the Process. The award winning team is pictured above (not pictured are Urban Librarian IV Stephanie Miller and CR&M Coordinator Olga Bayer and Graphics Artist Bryan Thomas.) These employees worked tirelessly to make this year's Jax Book Fest a success. Amber focused on recruiting youth authors, working with Stephanie and Rebekah; Lisa focused on recruiting adult authors. Keli was project manager, coordinating the event and she worked with Chris, Bryan and Olga.  Michael worked with Keli coordinating zine programming in Makerspace and with Terry, who pulled together gift items and baskets. On the Foundation's end, Dr. Self did the honors.   

Below are pictured recipients of the Carolyn Williams Team Award: Model the Way.  (Not pictured are PCR's Library Assistant Siu Yam, P/T Clerks Illesa Massline, Arlin Estes and Kristina Mikhedok, P/T Associate Shirley Holcomb.  Stephanie Harley received their awards for them.)                        

 L/R above: Carolyn Williams, P/T Associate Nicole Denton, receiving for absent winners: Library Clerical Supervisor Stephanie Harley, P/T Clerk Alicia Dottery, and Library Clerks Danielle Linnen and Kimberly Washington, then Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop.
At Pablo Creek’s June Turn it Up Thursday event, this "human jukebox" group chose four songs, created props, and set up a table in the lobby. If a customer agreed to make a donation to the High Five for Reading program, the group sang whichever song the customer chose.  

Nicolle Burton, Assistant to the Deputy Director, coordinated the Volunteer Recognition Program held at the Board Meeting during National Library Week, liaising with a wide range of parties. In her absence, Nicolle's Encourage the Heart Award was received by Andrew Herron. 

CW's Library Assistant Dana Curry (not pictured) created posters, characters and displays for the library’s Comic Con, going the tenth mile to ensure the project looked its best.  For this Dana received the Model the Way Award.

King & Giltrop Make JPL's Case Before City Finance Committee

Library Board Chair Ronnie King and Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop were early to rise to the occasion of the August 11, 2017, City Finance Committee meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall to plead the case for JPL's no nonsense budget for FY2018 (October 1, 2017-October 30, 2018). THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

The Finance Committee members are Chair CM Garrett Dennis, Vice Chair CM Danny Becton, and Council Members:   Katrina Brown, Reggie Brown, Reggie Gaffney and Lori Boyer, who is also President of the City Council.) 

IT'S NEVER TOO SOON TO DO GOOD WORK

At the last New Employees Orientation, Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop asked if any new staff had a good customer service encounter to relate and two new staff members had some input.  One was CW P/T Library Associate Jan Fernandez, "I had worked at Webb Library

for only three days when an elderly gentleman from SC came in with his daughter. He was upset and needed to access his G-mail account. He was sailing his boat up to Charleston from the Keys--with his daughter as crew--when his boat broke down near Jacksonville. Since he is retired Navy, they managed to make it into the Jax Navy marina and he began making arrangements for the boat to be repaired. He then got a call that his wife had been hospitalized and became even more anxious to leave the boat for repair and get home. However, he didn’t have his boat’s registration with him and no one would start to work on the boat without proof that it was his! He called the SC DMV and they would not fax his registration, but they would email it to him.

"I helped him get to his account, and then to the site to retrieve his copy of the registration forms. Imagine my surprise when we turned out to be from the same small town in SC! At any rate, we printed the forms he needed and he hugged me on his way out. I believe the Library truly made a difference for him and his family that day!"

A REALLY INTERESTING STORY AND ON A SCALE OF 1-10, A 10 FOR GET TO YES CUSTOMER SERVICE, JAN FERNANDEZ!

Teens On Tour!

Community Relations and Marketing does SO MANY things for all of us.  One "grain of sand" in the ocean of those was July 27, 2017. Main's Teen Department  wanted to do something different, educational and fun with teens to fulfill the SLP video challenge. So CR&M organized a trip to WJXT and 17 teens attended a tour of Channel 4's studio on Adams Street. They learned about the control room, how the meteorologist uses the green screen and met one of the anchors. 

Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop, who is ever advocating for youth education, did not miss out on this occasion--she is pictured fourth from left in the back.

Jenna Hassell, CR&M's Coordinator said, "Who knows -- we might have inspired some of these young people to have a bright future in journalism and broadcast!"

Laundry Day at DU? No!

Highlands Branch Manager Pat Morrison reports, "Staffers got in a little cardio while helping the children’s staff prepare the Parachute Game for story time recently.  The ladies raised and lowered the parachute and circled and swayed left then right to the Jamaican rhythms of Harry Belafonte’s Banana Boat Song.  I think the smiles tell the whole story."  Pictured L to R:  Felecia Battle, Chanika Kimbrough, Beverly Mason, Ruth Guyton, Eve Harm, Michelle Petrin and Barbara Fritz.

Improv At DU

A four day project/challenge was enthusiastically participated in by teens at DU's Mad Cowford Presents: Intro to Improv Mini-Camp recently. Presented by Amy Angelilli from the Adventure Project, each day began with activities that taught essential skills for improv.

Superhero Circle, the first activity of each day, involved teens creating a superhero name for themselves which included their first name and an adjective that described them.  They would take turns going around the circle introducing themselves.

Yes Circle required each teen to walk up to another teen making eye contact.  The teen he/she looked at would say yes and walk towards someone else while the first teen took their place in the circle.

Teens learned the two magic words of improve are “yes and”. There were other various games that encouraged improve skills.

Each day ended with a Paper Clip which required the teens to form a “Tableau” as they chose to become an object in a scene.  The scene was not planned.  One teen named their object and took their place.  The next teen had to decide how to add to the scene by becoming an object.  (Thanks to Beverly Mason for the article and pics.)

Healthy Is Delicious At NW

Bradham Brooks Northwest Library hosted a nutrition and health program, Publix Aprons Cooking School, August 5, 2017. It was presented by Chef James Carlin, who gave a one hour demonstration on how to select and cook healthy foods. There were two sessions during the day and attendees received good tips on the benefits of cooking the right foods--and NW customers received a few free samples. (Thanks to Andy Gallegos, YS Librarian for the pic and news.)

Space, Stars & Solar Eclipse At WST

Melodie Brunson, WST's P/T YS Associate announced, "We kicked off the month of August on the 5th at West Branch with the subject of space, stars and solar eclipse as a big hit with the children at our Stories for Young Children and Art. We read stories, sang songs and created the Big Bang theory with inflatable balls representing planets on our parachute--what a hoot! In Art, we painted suns and stars with toothbrushes as part of an interactive art of a solar eclipse and participants thought we rocked our eclipse

sun glasses!"

KR Telling Shoppers About JPL's Services

Above are Mandarin Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel and KR's Children's Library Assistant David Foster, who manned a table at the Avenues Mall, Saturday, August 5, 2017, as part of the Sheriff's Watch Safety Fair. Mark said, "During this event we talked to many people about the library and the varied services JPL's 21 locations offer."  THANK YOU for being good advertisers for all of us.

Special Exhibit Celebrates 75 Years Of Service To Mankind

Pictured are Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop and Library Board Trustee Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins at an exhibit, "75 Years of Service - The Gamma Rho Omega Story" on the 4th floor of the Main Library, August 5, 2017. The exhibit provides an overview of significant events in the existence of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated from its founding in 1908 by coeds at Howard University. Mrs. Simmons-Hutchins was President of AKA Sorority, 1996-1999. It was a special event for her to celebrate 75 years of service of the sorority. The exhibit, which will be up until September 1, shares the history of Gamma Rho Omega Chapter's commitment to the sorority's creed, "to be of service to all mankind." 

Trustee Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins has served previously as Chair of the Library Board of Trustees and participated in other community services and has certainly fulfilled her sorority's creed.

SLP Winners Come And Get It At SOM

SOM's Christie Rogers--so far--is the only one to report on SLP winners picking up their grand prizes. 

Christie brags, "The first picture is of Nehal with his Outdoor Fun pack and his brother Gauvonv shows off his Superhero Pack, they are giving their best superhero look! 

"The second picture is of Teen winner Julia who was excited about her VR Glasses prize."

Main Wraps Up SLP

Main Children’s department held its SLP closing party and art exhibit, July 26, 2017. Marcie O'Dell shares, "Guests enjoyed Hop Scotch, puppets, magnetic building blocks, texture tables and refreshments while viewing some awesome art created during the Collaborative Art Six-Week SLP.  Pictured are aluminum foil sculptures and sibling artists at the One World Wall Art Collage.  There was also a texture table with star-shaped crayons where kids could spell their names. It was a terrific end to a great summer at Main."

Carisia Rooney Gets Good Sendoff From Main

Carisia Rooney’s promotion to SE Branch Manager fostered a farewell BLT and Cookie Dough Cake feast at Main Children’s department, August 1, 2017. Marci O'Dell said, "Now, we'll need to walk more or take the stairs. We all wish Carisia the best in her new role!" (Seated clockwise starting at bottom left are: Anna Covart, Denikka Wright, Raymond Johnson, Melloney Shepherd, Raelyn Wiirre, Alexandra Bishop, Hannah Genslinger and Carisia Rooney.)

MH Replays Nazi U-boat Attack Off Jax Beach & St. Augustine

Council Member Jim Love (left below) knows the value of a good program and attended Murray Hill Library's history presentation, July 19, 2017, about the 1942 Nazi U-boat attack off Jacksonville Beach and St. Augustine.

Local historian Scott Grant (blue suit) addressed the 22 people there and showed a film strip that included footage of the actual submarine and it’s commander.

L/R: Presenter Scott Grant, Margaret Esposito, Camara Bragdon, Doug Fair, Cheyla Scantling, CM Jim Love & MH Manager Janet Ducat.

Both Scott Grant and CM Jim Love found a warm welcome from the audience and MH staff. 

60 Attend Tae Kwon Do At MH

Murray Hill Library hosted a Tae Kwon Do demonstration, July 29, 2017, as part of the Sister Cities programming. (The sister city is Changwon City, South Korea.) Douglas Fair reports, "A total of 60 people attended the event presented by the Murray Hill chapter of Yesha Ministries Tae Kwon Do School. Participants demonstrated forms, breaking, self-defense, sparring, and various martial arts weapons."

 

SOM Teen Volunteers & Staff Do Puppet Show

                        Anne McMullen as Elephant and Maya Nafea as Piggie.

SOM Teen Volunteers Colleen Mackin,  Anne McMullen, and Maya Nafea along with Library Associate Christie Rogers performed an Elephant and Piggie puppet show for children, August 1, 2017. Elephant and Piggie is a book series by Mo Willems. Christie said, "This was the teens' first time organizing and performing a puppet show and it was a success with 29 attendees enjoying four stories. Their favorites: There is a Bird on Your Head! and doing the Hokey Pokey with the characters."

Anne McMullen as Elephant, Colleen Mackin as Piggie, and Christie Rogers/Maya Nafea dancing the Hokey Pokey.

Buffalo Soldiers Historical Society At SOM

South Mandarin Branch Library hosted the President of the Buffalo Soldier Historical Society, Mr. Joe Tillmon, July 26, 2017, regaled visitors with information and stories regarding the history of the United States Buffalo Soldiers.  African Americans have served faithfully and honorably in every conflict America has entered into.  Much of the historical information provided by the presentation is not known by the general public and was well received by the 13 attendees.  Library Associate Senior Ralph Henderson said, "If you ever have an opportunity to hear Mr. Tillmon, or any other of the members of Buffalo Soldier Historical Society, you will certainly be enriched by the experience. 

Rep. Jason Fischer Addresses KR's Last SLP

L/R KR Manager Mark Hohnadel, a dad with child, THE cow, Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop, Rep. Jason Fischer and  Library Assistant David Foster with a group of kids and parents.

For Mandarin Branch's closing celebration of SLP, July 29, 2017, Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop welcomed an audience of 88 and introduced State Representative Jason Fischer, who spoke about the importance of reading. 

Later the children and caregivers enjoyed games, story time by David Foster and ice cream. Librarian I Isabel Santiago said, "Approximately 5,253 books were read during the summer program so we had good reason to celebrate."  (Thanks to Isabel for the photo above.)

NW Says Aloha To SLP

NW held its SLP closing party and art gala, July 24, 2017, where staff had various booths displaying the school age mini-series, Collaborative Art, and teen mini-series, Go Native, for the 45 attendees who enjoyed seeing the kids accomplishments over the summer. 

YS Librarian Andy Gallegos reports, "We celebrated our progress during SLP, had a short Storytime for the young ones and let them choose a simple craft to do as we waited for ice cream to arrive. The kids enjoyed interacting with their friends, making their own masterpieces and taking a photo at one of our summer visuals, such as Maui seen here."

KR Wins High Five Contest

Employees at Mandarin enjoyed a pizza party for winning the High Five Contest, July 28, 2016. CONGRATS TO (L/R): 

Margo Crafton

Jessica Bayne

Standing: Deborah Wainwright

Isabel Moreno

Standing: Keli Likins

Robert Moseley

Diane Lewis

Alison Pulley

David Foster

Patty Henderson

Caitlin Ruvolo

Shukti Banerjee and 

Mark Hohnadel

KR Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel said, "Thanks to Sara Roberts, Chris Boivin, Amber Holley, Karen Walker, Diane Alexander and Donna Crowther, who came out to cover the desk so all the staff could enjoy the party. "

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED THIS PROJECT!

Sen. Aaron Bean Helps Close SLP At SOM

The Harry Potter themed End of Summer Learning Party at South Mandarin Branch was an opportune time to invite State Senator Aaron Bean to kick off the event and that he did, July 27, 2017. Sen. Bean enjoyed the event and hob knobbed with some VIP's--our customers. 

SE Region Manager Keli Likins said, "Senator Bean congratulated the crowd on their reading over the summer and spun the prize wheel as Mia Brack looked on."  (L/R: Keli Likins, Senator Bean, Stefa Witt and two children having fun.)

Jobs Well Done At West

Lynne Baldwin, Webb Region Manager, nominated Library Associate Bill Figlietti, Librarian I Carolyn Koehler, Training's Library Assistant Dinane Alexander and Library Clerk Latisha Willbright for a Job Well Done, and all were presented the award, July 20, 2017. Lynne said, “West Branch Library hosted a summer camp field trip, June 14, for 68 kids and five teachers from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Summer Camp. Expected at 10:30 am, they arrived at 9:20 and YS staff was not scheduled to arrive until 10:00. Latisha Woolbright and Diane Alexander arrived early at 9:00, along with me. I spoke with the teacher in charge and she realized she had made a mistake. We let the kids into the Children’s department and these JPL employees were amazing. Diane and Latisha quickly distributed coloring sheets and board games and assisted with finding books for the kids and teachers. They took turns covering the reference desk in children’s and managing crowd control. When Carolyn and Bill arrived, they were surprised to find 68 kids enjoying resources in children’s. Carolyn and Bill immediately came up with a plan and divided the kids into two groups – one for story time with Carolyn and the other group for a tour of the children’s department with Bill and then the groups switched off. Bill did a short presentation on library data bases and resources for the whole group before they were divided into two small groups. End result:  everyone had a great time. Carolyn and Bill interacted really well with the kids and the teachers. Latisha helped Carolyn in the meeting room with story time and Diane helped Bill with the tours.  The kids were out of the building and on the bus by 11:20 am.”  

SMOOTH TEAM WORK!

San Marco Branch Closes SLP

SS Branch Manager Lilia Simonton and her hard working staff wanted us to know their closing celebration of the 2017 Summer Learning Program, July 25, saw 55 happy faces reflecting the fun SLP has been all summer--and State Senator Audrey Gibson (back left) and Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop mirrored everyone's delight. Southeast Region Manager Keli Likins is not pictured but was present.)

Senator Gibson explained to the children what a senator does and how it impacts Jacksonville.  She handed out books and congratulated two of the children who read the most books over the summer. (Sen. Gibson is a native of Jacksonville, FL and graduated from Florida State University.)

Six Weeks Of Harry Potter At DU

 June 15, 2017 began a six week series of Harry Potter activities called Dumbledore’s Army for Highlands Branch teens. Beverly Mason said, "Each week concluded with participants completing their OWLs trivia. Week 1 activities included sorting the teens into the four Houses (Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw), making their own wands and discussing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stones. During Week 1, we split the teens into Houses. Each week they earned points for their House by playing games and answering trivia questions. We tallied the points at the end and gave prizes to each teen in the winning House.  Slytherin was our winner.  Each teen from Slytherin won a Harry Potter pencil and a Harry Potter book. Week 2 we included discussing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and creating a Dobby sock holder.

                              Week 2 - Two of the participants.

 Week 3 activities included discussing H.P. and the Prisoner of Azkaban, answering riddles, practicing spells with Confundo, Petrificus Totalus, Expecto Patronum (H.P. style of Rock Paper Scissors) and creating flying keys.  Week 4 Teens discussed H.P. and The Goblet of Fire, Quidditch Practice and they created Golden Snitches. 

                      Week 4 - Three of the teen attendees.

"Week 5  - We discussed Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, played H.P. style Would You Rather and created Cat Plates. 

                                                            Week 5 - Teen participants

"Week 6 - Teens discussed H.P. and the Half-Blood Prince and H.P. and the Deathly Hallows and created Deathly Hallows pendants. We also had a House Awards Ceremony. After the award ceremony, we all enjoyed a Harry Potter feast including Butterbeer Floats, licorice wands, pretzel broomsticks, cauldron cakes, lemon drops, and golden snitches." 

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch:  I have enjoyed this library from the time I moved back to Jax Beach as an adult in '89 (born here). I raised two children with this library’s help and resources.  I was a single parent for most of it and couldn’t afford Internet at home, which schools were asking for.  I now have my grandsons for most of the summer and throughout the year as well.  Having longer hours and more days would benefit them and me immensely.  I appreciate and respect the library and its role in the community.  Thank you for all these educational and fun filled years!  Staff:  Theresa Rooney, Andre Smith, Robbie Crabtree, Julie Rekow, Gail Blumberg, Mary Hatfield, Amer Pierce, Theresa Welch, Nicole Saville, Mary Wilson, Darlene Boda, Rachel Jones, Margaret Terrell, Cheryl Weatherford, and  August Ford.

Brentwood Branch: I enjoy this site and staff very much. I visit quite often and my experiences are delightful. Staff:  Kathleen Krizek, LaKendra Hicks, Milicia Thomas Aquilla Stewart, David Stevenson, & Okey Emejuru.

Highlands Branch:  Cassy (Manning) was wonderful! Many thanks.

Main Library – Grand Reading Room: Just moved back from Tennessee. Not very computer knowledgeable. Adrian (Johnson) helped me, made me feel comfortable and at ease. Two days ago I was here for the first time. A beautiful, slender black lady helped me. She also was very nice. And she stayed till I was comfortable and taught me a few new things about computers.

Pablo Creek Branch:  Chris (Tabur) in the children's section is very calm and helpful. He goes the extra mile to help out!

Mr. Baltiero Chairs Important PLA Committee

Main's YS Library Associate Anthony Baltiero was asked to Chair the PLA Continuing Education Advisory Group recently. Anthony said, "This is a one year appointment officially beginning July 1, 2017. Then I will serve the following year as a member of the committee. The purpose of this group is to advise PLA on the identification, development and evaluation of relevant, cost-effective, emerging face-to-face and online continuing education products and services. "

We all congratulate you, Anthony.

Upbeat!

Drumming for Everyone at SOM's SLP program, July 20, 2017, proved to be a good outlet for 35 energetic youngsters. Christie Rogers said, "SOM's performer, Alisha Ross, from Just Add Rhyth, did an amazing job! Attendees took the opportunity to experience a drum circle and really enjoyed it! Thanks to Angela Richman for the photos."

AYL's "Shelf Talkers"

You’ve heard about horse whisperers, well, Argyle has its very own shelf talkers. Terri Basemore and Shanay Johnson are highlighting each genre in the collection with unique shelf talkers.   Webb Region Manager Lynne Baldwin commented, "My favorite is Take Me to Your Reader shelf talker for Sci-Fi.  What a creative way to market the great collection at Argyle.  I'm looking forward to seeing what Terri and Shanay will do next."

It Went Swimmingly Well

P/T Associate Melodie Brunson has something to brag about, "We’ve been having a lot of fun with our Collaborative Art 6-week series as part of our Build a Better World Summer Learning Program at West Branch and we have seen some really good art produced by our young customers. As part of the series, one of our art projects was making a large mobile. With all of the water around Jacksonville, we decided to make an aquatic mobile. 

"Here are the proud artists with their finished work. Library Associate Bill Figletti helped hang the mobile in the Children’s area. And we had enough water creatures to make some small mobiles to hang under our 'porch' in Children’s.  It really WAS a collaborative effort!

"Three cheers to Bill and the young artists for the dee-lightful results!" 

  

Don’t Talk With Your Mouth Full!

Marcie O’Dell in Main's Children's department informs us, "Beside chewing of food, much 'chewing the fat' was included, July 11, 2017 at Main Children’s Welcome & Farewell Luncheon. Staff's time together proved once again that there are two things that make transitions easier and that’s loads of food and goodies!  

"Pictured from top right and clockwise around the table are: Raymond Johnson, Noah McGahagin, Anna Covart, Angelica Bencomo, Danny Menendez, Joanna Nigrelli, Anthony Beltiero and Melloney Shepherd. (Image by Hannah Genslinger.)  Best wishes to all concerned!"

What's SSLLI To Me?

Regency Square Branch Manager Greg Pierce wants to encourage JPL staff to attain a goal he reached recently.  Greg said, "I graduated, July 14, 2017, from the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute.  It is a life changing experience. Mixing with library staff from various types of libraries throughout Florida, you are exposed to a much larger library community.  The instructors lead you through an inspirational journey; you gain insight into yourself and others all along the way coaching and challenging your internal leader.  'The project' is a part of the experience--a way to put your knowledge to practical use. Learning the processes of project management, encouraged thinking 'out of the box', exposure to a much larger sense of community, networking and mentoring; all of these are true rewards." 

MAX Hosts Zoo For SLP

Summer Learning with the Zoo at Maxville Branch Library, July 17, 2017, afforded 60 kids and parents the opportunity to meet and greet zoo animals, including an armadillo and baby alligator. The program finished with a scavenger hunt throughout the branch. Big thanks to MAX's Jessica Serrano and Jimmy Morgan for facilitating the program.

Kids At KR Like Magic

Isabel Moreno-Santiago reports:  The “Funtastic Magic with Barry Hinnant” performance at Mandarin Library, July 12, 2017, drew the rapt attention of 109 customers as Mr. Hinnant demonstrated how to have fun with magic.
 

Thank You For All Your Help!

As they met with their supervisor, Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop added one more very important meeting to her full schedule, June 13, 2017. She stopped by to say hello and give a big thank-you for all the important support these Mayor's Summer Interns are giving to staff at the Main Library.