Come On In; The LIVING HISTORY Exhibit IS ON!

The Jax Makerspace gallery in the Main Library is proud to be showing Living History: A Cultural Mosaic from November 1, 2017 – January 28, 2018. This newly curated exhibit features a selection of mixed media works from eight talented local artists with diverse backgrounds. Each artist and art piece was specifically chosen to express stories of migration, finding refuge, and making a home in Jacksonville through varying cultural traditions and perspectives.  

Some of what you will see:   3,360 photos

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zSZhaKGFAMpKMdO03

Video

https://youtu.be/0b8q3F8q6EE

 Programs such as expert talks, book discussions, artist demonstrations and more will be held in the Jax Makerspace to complement the exhibit. For example, native chefs will share how their cultural backgrounds influence their food.  Sohrab Fracis will read from his novel, Go Home, and in January, we will have an Alexander Hamilton Day with a Hamilton karaoke and trivia. Search the calendar of events using “Living History” to find programs and see the JPL Marketing Information Sheet for more information.

For newcomers, The Jax Makerspace gallery is a part of the 25,000 square feet on the first floor of the Main Library that has been transformed into a collaborative space for artists, musicians, hobbyists, techies, writers and more. Explore and create, meet new people and access the library’s many resources for more information about creative pursuits.

Up Next:  The Jax Makerspace gallery will feature the Picture This: A Showcase of Local Illustrated Pages exhibit from February 7, 2018 – April 24, 2018. This exhibit has been planned to coordinate with the second Jax Book Fest in March 2018. It will feature original illustration works and related programs that can range from graphic novels to maps. This will be that first show to receive submissions via a “Call to Artists”. The Jax Makerspace will also feature a second exhibit titled Collective Lands from 5 UNF Department of Art & Design students.

JPL exhibit guidelines and policy can be found on our website at https://www.jaxpubliclibrary.org/services/exhibit-policy. You can also email miaclark@coj.net for more information. 

Thanks to Mia Clark for the article and to Justin Keiser for the photos and video.

Waiting & Waiting, & Waiting On Y O U!

Sara Roberts was over at City Hall, November 2, 2017, on the mezzanine floor where COJ/JPL enrollment for health benefits is taking place. She sent this pic & good news, "Be sure to check out the offerings at City Hall. You could be the lucky winner of a huge TV provided by UF Health."

Looks like they could use your visit. 

Sharing SE's Limelight

We wanted to share an extraordinary compliment for the Southeast Branch Library with you:

Hi, Keli, I took today off work to...begin work on a report for work. I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am of both your library facility and your very kind and helpful staff. I have just spent over 5 hours in your place and loved every second of it. Hopefully I’ll meet you sometime at a NEFLIN meeting or whenever I come back to do more work! What a great library you have — you should be very proud of it and your team. Thanks again. — Brian (director of the Proctor Library at Flagler College) 

A Wonderful Day For Kids & Dogs At SS

These delightful 7 year old twins, Gigi and Ryan Giles, authored the book they are holding entitled Too Licky* that recounts their adventures with their dog Sugar. They attended San Marco Branch's book signing and pet adoption event October 28, 2017. SS partnered with the Department of Animal Care and Protective Services and their reps brought a few dogs for adoption. The girls signed their book for customers and everyone enjoyed the canine presence.  
_________________
*Here's a Website:  http://toolicky.com/ 

Tell Your Customers About This New Service At Main!

Main's Special Collections Librarian III Laura Minor is proud to announce, "At November 1, 2017, Special Collections has completed all the necessary steps to participate in the LDS Family History Center’s new digital image service. As an affiliate library, our genealogy customers can now access the millions of digital records that were previously only available to customers using a computer inside a LDS Family History Center. This service can only be accessed via computers at the Main Library. It replaces the microfilm rental service that was discontinued by the Family History Center in September. As the Main Library is open to the public for many more hours each week than the local family history centers, we expect to see an increase in service as a result of this new offering."

PLEASE HELP US GET THE WORD OUT TO OUR JPL CUSTOMERS!

Grand Reopening For NS, October 30, 2017

Cutting the ribbon, L/R: Jennifer Giltrop, Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, Kathleen Krizek, Mrs. Sharon Coon, CM Sam Newby, Mr. Philip Mobley and CM Jim Love. 

NS Branch Manager Kathleen Krizek and her staff had some special guests and customers, October 30, 2017.  She said, "The Brentwood Library’s Grand Reopening had activities for adults and children throughout the day, with remarks from Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop, Mrs. Sharon Coon, Founder of the Friends of the Brentwood Library, Councilman Sam Newby, Mr. Philip Mobley, former Chair of the Jacksonville Housing and Community Development Commission, Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, former Chair of the Board of Library Trustees and me. "

The Friends of the Brentwood Library 's fall festival followed the ceremony and they provided hot dogs, a costume contest and trunk or treat for the children, while library staff offered a photo booth, crafts and activities.

NS reorganized its collection during the renovation; the second floor now houses materials and adult services and the first floor serves children and teens.

               Children's area on first floor at Brentwood Branch Library after renovation.

                            Upstairs at Brentwood Branch after renovation dedicated to adult services.

DU Kids Spin A Web For Their Spiders

Highlands Branch has an Arts and Crafts for Young Children every Friday.  Library Associate Beverly Mason said, "Our theme, October 27, 2017, was Spiders and Spider Webs and we read The Very Busy Spider.  Then the children rotated through four stations: Coloring Table, Playdoh, Paper Spider Craft and Spider Web Art where a piece of yarn was attached to a plastic spider and the children dipped spiders and yarn into paint and pulled their spiders around a piece of construction paper to create a web.

SE Brings Stories, Crafts & Candy To Kids At Keiser U.

Carol Bunker reports, "Southeast Branch was asked to go to Keiser University for an Open House/Scare Fair the evening of October 25, 2017, and bring scary stories (but not too scary) to their event and read to the children as they came through the library. We also brought a haunted house craft children could make along with listening to scary stories and songs. And so as not to be 'tricked', we treated the kids with candy. It was a fun night!"

It's Pumpkin Time At UPK

For early release Wednesday, October 25, 2017, UPK hosted an after school Art Club "Halloween edition" for kids ages 5-12 years old. Twenty kids and their parents played Halloween themed Memory, learned about the origins of Halloween, and then painted their mini pumpkins. 

SE Celebrates 20 Years Of Service

                Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop reviews SE's successes over 20 years.

The Southeast Library celebrated its 20^th Anniversary, October 21, 2017.  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. customers were entertained with robots, dancing, painting, activities for the children, and plenty of refreshments. Thirty community partners presented at tables promoting their contributions to our city. Interim Library Director Jennifer Giltrop (L) gave a brief history of happenings over the past 20 years and Councilman Danny Becton spoke about his tremendous support for the library. Both special guests spent a couple hours listening to the many attendees that day. 

   Carisia Rooney, SE Manager, addresses the crowd. (She also contributed this article.).

Deborah Wainwright displayed a collection of awards and events that have spanned over all 20 years that Southeast Library has been opened including:

• Recognition of most Much Ado About Books ticket sales: 2000-2001
• Recognition for significant increase in services to customers: 2001-2002
• Southeast Library valued partner for 2010 US Census 
• Grand Opening Appreciation to FJPL and Southside Women’s Club: 1997.

Last year alone, almost 306,000 people visited SE and nearly 15,000 people attended various programs!

Kudos From Customers

There were only three branches from all of JPL that had compliments for individual staff.

Pablo Creek Branch:  I want to thank Mandy Elliott for help on Ancestry.com. She was able to find the customer's father and knew what she was doing.  Thanks also to Jason Enoex who watched so he could learn...

Southeast Branch: I want to…give a librarian a comment. Her name is Kimberly Smith. She was such a great help and she had so much patience with us. I really enjoy her. If everyone was kind hearted and caring like her this world would be a better place.

South Mandarin Branch:  Going to the library is always a pleasure. But yesterday I had an especially delightful experience because I asked a question of Angela Richman. Not only did she answer the question, but she went on to introduce me to so many library functions about which I was clueless, e.g., holds, borrowing from other libraries, using the bar codes. Ms. Richman is a wonderful teacher. Now this 83-year-old can stop complaining about the technology in today's libraries and appreciate and use all the functions of the computer age. Please extend my thanks to Angela Richman.

NS Goes 3-D

Students enjoyed a lesson using 3-D pens with E-Specialist Luis Terron after school, October 20,  2017, at the Brentwood Branch Library. They made ghosts, spiders, and a few made original designs. (NS had a "soft" re-opening, October 14, with the grand re-opening planned for October 30.) Thanks to Joanna Nigrelli for input.)

CW CIRC TEAM HONORS BOSSES

The Circulation Team at the Webb Wesconnett Regional Library celebrated National Bosses Day on October 16 by awarding certificates to their bosses – Kathy Tekin, Marilyn Jordan and Lynne Baldwin. Pictured are Ramona Jay, Sandra Fahy, Lynne Baldwin, Helena Davenport, Eric Cusaac, Ayesha Turner and Brenda Johnson.  

Bosses Are Special

Alex Bishop was proud to report what some employees at Main did to celebrate Bosses Day, October 16, 2017, which became Bosses Week for them, "Kelli Heath (PT LAS) organized a Bosses Week celebration and we showered Raelyn Wiirre (Librarian II), Joanna Nigrelli (Librarian II) and Chiquita Powell (Librarian III) with cards, roses, candy, s’mores, and a pasta potluck all week long. We appreciate all their hard work and dedication to JPL!

"Pictured left are Joanna and Chiquita. Raelyn had the day off because she ran MakerCon on her regularly scheduled day off. (Photo courtesy of Anjelica Bencomo (LAS)."

Inaugural Maker Con At Main

Several hundred customers enjoyed the events at the Main Library's first Maker Con, Saturday, October 14, 2017. Attendees learned about 3-D printing, robotics, zine-making, and cosplay. A group of Jedis read to the younger crowd, while a team of Ghostbusters entertained people of all ages. The most popular events were the Cosplay Contest, a presentation called “The Art of the Animatronic” by Sally Corporation, and the Lego Robotics workshop by Renaissance Jax Lego Robotics League.  (Thanks to Raelyn Wirre for her input.)

Treat yourself to the link and see the fun everyone had:   https://flic.kr/s/aHsm5R1T3r

Pirate Fun & Community Partnerships at Highlands

Pictured left are New Berlin Elementary Principal Crystal Lewis and New Berlin teacher, Cynthia Sanders-Smith, and one of several teachers who attended, posing with two children wearing book character costumes in preparation for the school's Storybook Character Parade later this month. DU staff dressed as pirates for the event, which was open to all families, and 72 attended. 

They were there for DU's second annual Family Night with New Berlin Elementary on the evening of October 9, 2017. After visiting with their teachers, children and their families were treated to fun activities supporting New Berlin’s theme of “Learning Is A Treasure”. Activities included a  themed scavenger hunt, two pirate story times, a pirate treasure craft and an E-Resources Petting Zoo. (Pictured right is Lorna Reid, DU’s new YS Librarian, who introduced families to E-resources, with her parrot and two happy kids.)  Later, DU received a letter from one of the teachers:

L

"I wanted to once again give Highlands Branch a huge THANK YOU for a fabulous New Berlin Family Night. We are thankful to join forces with one of the most important partners of literacy! Our students had a blast and the parents were extremely complimentary. We appreciate your support and ...the opportunity for our school. Please continue to communicate...future endeavors that will strengthen us with our surrounding communities. You and your wonderful staff are to be commended for a Great Job. New Berlin always has a 'BEAR HUG' for you.!"

What’s next?  Highlands staff is currently planning a Family Night with Highlands Elementary School and other area schools and organizations.

Thanks to Michelle Petrin for the input and pics and CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STAFF AT DU FOR A TERRIFIC PROGRAM!

Brentwood Gets Fabulous Facelift

NS/EB Manager Kathleen Krizek boasts, "Brentwood Branch Library had a 'soft' reopening, October 14, 2017, with a few regular customers--and staff--admiring the changes. We’re still shaking out the kinks in preparation for the October 30^th Grand Reopening and annual Fall Festival."

STEM At Its Best

Children and teens at Highlands Library joined E-Specialist Luis Terron and YS Librarian Lorna Reed, September 11, 2017, for a fun hands on experience with Sphero robots. They were challenged to make it through a robot obstacle course. In addition to the exposure to 

technology, engineering, math, and science, these curious kids gained a better view of their capabilities and had an opportunity to see themselves as programmers, problem-solvers, leaders, and potentially part of a future STEM work force. Everyone is looking forward to the next robot derby! (Thanks to Michelle Petrin for the input.)

NW Presents 100% Of Teachers At Henry F. Kite With JPL Educator Cards

NW Librarian Andy Gallegos reports, "Henry F. Kite Elementary teachers--100% of them--received a JPL educator card, September 11, 2017! Regional Manager Marshelle Berry told me that, to her knowledge, up to this point there had not been a DCPS school that had achieved 100% of teachers with educator cards. I brought the idea to Principal Hill of Henry F. Kite and she thought it was fantastic to have all of her teachers with an educator card."

                            SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT:

Andy Gallegos (front, center) with 100% of the Henry F. Kite Elementary teachers holding their shiny, new JPL Educator cards.

Library Board Supports Friends of Libraries Week, October 15-21

There are many efforts made every year by all of JPL's Friends of  the Library groups.  The Resolution below lists some of their outstanding achievements recently made to benefit JPL.  If you would, please familiarize yourself with these accomplishments--or you may remember something done by your Friends at your library that is not included here--and thank the Friends personally when you see them.  Additionally, you could jot a note of appreciation during Friends of Libraries Week, October 15-21, 2017--or anytime is a good time to say thank you.  

Resolution in Support of

Friends of Libraries Week

WHEREAS, local Friends of the Library groups in Jacksonville have connected our libraries with our community, holding popular events, encouraging others to join, and promoting the library as an essential component of literacy and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, local Friends of the Library groups in Jacksonville have devoted countless hours to raising funds that finance programming, events, learning materials, computer technology, e-classrooms, software, staff training, digital access, leadership awards, and the preservation of historic collections; and

WHEREAS, local Friends of the Library groups in Jacksonville have enlightened citizens, community leaders, and state officials to the importance of the library, its potential, and its future; and

WHEREAS, local Friends of the Library groups in Jacksonville joined a successful 2017 advocacy campaign that culminated in the City Council’s approval of $850,000 toward rebuilding library collections and $250,000 toward conceptual design and development of an Oceanway Library,

The Jacksonville Public Library Board of Library Trustees, on this, the tenth day of October, 2017, does hereby declare its support of

 Friends of Libraries Week, to be held October 15^th-21^st, 2017.

________________________________________

Ronnie King, II,

Chair

The Board of Library Trustees

SOM Shares Their Makerspace & Monster Masks

South Mandarin's Makerspace activity for October is *calming jars and it is already a hit! Teens take a mason jar, glitter glue, and water to make their creations. Pictured are two of the teens' projects.  

(*Calming jars are made of water and glitter glue and the colors and pattern are supposed to be relaxing when looked at because of the pattern the glitter makes when shaken, it is like a sensory calming tool.)

SOM is also a monster friendly zone for October. Librarian II Stefa Witt read monster stories and talked about monsters, pumpkins, and Halloween, October 6, 2017. After storytime, 58 participants made monster masks.  (Thanks to SOM's Christie Rogers for blurbs and pics.)

Hispanic Heritage Month Never Looked So Good

 
SOM's Christie Rogers said, "We entertained 38 people, September 30, 2017, when Dancers from Danzas PeruJax performed Peruvian folklore dances in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Everyone enjoyed the colorful dances set to lively music, a Colombian Folk Art exhibition and South American stories. Children and adults played rana (a Colombian game) and the drum with a trompo toy.

GET THE WORD OUT FOR OUR FOJPL

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library are always friends to us and we can help them help us by promoting their sales and there are some good deals this month:

October 2017 

ALL Christmas books and Arts & Crafts books are Buy One; Get Two Free!

If all books are not the same price, the highest priced one(s) will be the price that will be charged - the lowest priced books will be the free ones.

FEEL FREE TO MIX  AND  MATCH -The sale runs October 3  thru October 31.

Job Well Done: Stacey MacPherson

PCR Library Clerk Stacey MacPherson was nominated for a for a Job Well Done Award by Clerical Supervisor Stephanie Harley for being a  highly reliable, motivated employee.  Stacey received the award September 20, 2017.  Stephanie said, "She exhibits great ownership and collaboration here at Pablo Creek.  Stacy has gone above and beyond to increase circulation stats. She has created 6 displays and keeps stats on items checked-out from each display; for example: a CD & Music Books display was set-up on June 23 and within 5 days 30 CDs and 8 books were checked-out.  Stacey has set a great example on how to increase circulation stats."

Job Well Done: Sheenah Zamora-Thrasher

Sheenah Zamora-Thrasher, P/T Administrative Assistant in CR&M,  was nominated  for a Job Well Done Award by Sabrina Whitfield, who said, "Sheenah is just a ray of sunshine. She gets so many demands daily working in CR&M and she seems to do it all with a willing attitude and a smiling face. Each month I have to request supplies and she never forgets me or puts me on the back burner. She always tends to my requests in a quick and efficient manner so much so that she personally delivered supplies to me at Regency Branch on her way home from work. I didn't nor do I expect that type of customer service. I just thought that went above and beyond what is expected of her and would like to acknowledge her for the hard work she does every day."

I think we could all ditto that praise, Sabrina, maybe not for delivering orders but certainly for a top-notch positive attitude and a pleasant personality with whomever she sees.

UPK Teens Mark Hispanic Heritage Month

UPK's teens, ages 12-18, celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, September 23, 2017, and learned about folk art inspired by the cultures of Spain and Mexico. They also learned about intriguing folk artists and made their own Hojalata (tin art). Ten teens participated in the art club and shared their art for the camera.  (Thanks to Alexis Carter, UPK YS Librarian II, for the input.)

WHAT'S IN A DOT?

September has a National Dot Day which celebrates The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. CW decided to celebrate “Dot Month,” and this interactive dot display created by Bobbie Knight was a success. Almost the entire board was filled with dots decorated by CW's young customers and many could be seen looking at the board to find the one they made. Noah Thomas also set up a book display featuring books about dots. The display was so popular, it was a challenge to keep it
filled.

Makerspace Marks Milestone One

Sara Radovic, Jax Makerspace Coordinator and her team have seen a lot of action during their first year.  Here Sara recalls the successes of the first year of this new adventure and gives us an update of what is to come.

"The Jax Makerspace marked its one-year anniversary in August.  The inaugural Makerspace program celebrated National Coloring Book Day, August 2, 2016, when 67 people attended our debut.  Flash forward a year and the Makerspace has had 408 programs attended by 7,202 people!

"Our vision is to be a place for making things, so the Jax Makerspace offers hands-on opportunities to explore, collaborate and create.  Makerspace programs respond to the stated interests of our customers in one of these five areas (or “tracks”):  Arts & Crafts, Do-It-Yourself (DIY), Music, Tech, and Writing.  Some of the most popular examples include: Intro to sewing machines (Arts & Crafts); Bicycle maintenance 101 (DIY); Guitar lessons (Music); 3D printing basics (Tech); and Writing circles.

"Most of the Makerspace programs are taught by JPL staff, both from Main and other branches. There are so many staffers that have been a part of the launching team that we can’t name them all here, but you (and your supervisors!) know who you are, and we heartily thank you!  We’ve also partnered with many other organizations to offer programs, including Zen Cog, Women Writing for (a) Change, and World Affairs Council Jacksonville, just to name a few. 

 "Since October 2016, art exhibits featuring many talented local artists have been held in the Jax Makerspace Gallery.  With a focus on contemporary art and expressed in a variety of mediums such as painting, screen printing, textiles, and videography, the exhibits explore a unifying theme.  The artists pitch in with programs, too, such as giving talks and hands-on demonstrations in the Jax Makerspace, which provide insight into their process and craft.  Past exhibits included Kesha: A Black Female Experience of Identity and Race, Jovian Treasures, and Altered Objects.

"We also offer a variety of DIY craft kits, with themes such as loom knitting, origami, and

duct tape crafts.  These include all necessary supplies and instructions to make your own take-home creation!  We have STEAM building kits like LEGOs and Tinker Toys.  Who doesn’t like to build stuff with these? 

"Our newest addition is the equipment that we have made available for self-directed use.  You can now reserve guitars, ukuleles, a green screen, and sewing machines in the Makerspace!  Recording equipment will soon be available, followed shortly by photography and video equipment!" 

"We continue to test programs and equipment to understand customer interests while assessing our ability to meet those needs within the logistical considerations of the space.  We are using this input to design and construct a better Makerspace, designing activities that are responsive to our community’s needs in a space that people want to come back to, time and time again!  Come join us to explore, collaborate and create!"

Kudos From Customers

Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch:  I visited… Bradham & Brooks Branch on Edgewood. Thank you for hearing me Mrs. Sheila Brooks.

Mandarin Branch: I wish to praise Frances (Wickes) at the library on Kori Road for her tremendous assistance with finding a DVD on the Way of St. James. She was quite diligent and persevered for a long time to find it for me. It was a difficult search! She found "Discoveries Spain Pilgrimage Route" (914.6 Disc) which is very much appreciated. She also helped me find several other materials and explained the classes the library offers.

(Sorry, all Kudos where customers named individual employees have been used June-September 27, 2017.)

P.R. For Banned Books Week

 Keli Likins, SE Region Manager, is pictured with Stacey Goldring of the WJCT Book Club, September 26, 2017, after going on the First Coast Connect radio show to talk about Banned Books Week, September 24-30.

Main YS Hosts KIPP Voice Elementary for Tour & Storytime

On Monday, September 18, over 40 first graders from KIPP Voice Elementary came to Main Children’s for a tour.  Main YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli, said, "This was their first day back to school and the Children's department's first day back to work after Hurricane Irma.  Danny Menendez and Kelli Heath (above) led the tour and a story time.  The teacher, Shavonne Mostella, sent a nice email and on September 25, 2017, we received a huge envelope full of hand written thank you notes from the kids!" 

E-mail from Teacher:  

"I just wanted to say Thank You to your staff for providing such an awesome experience for our scholars yesterday.  Our scholars had so much fun and were really engaged in learning.  It was great to see their smiles on what could have been a tough transition back from all of our days off from school. Thank you for incorporating our unit of study, as well.   This made it even more meaningful for them.  

"Again, thank you so much. 

"Best, 

"Shavonne Mostella, Lead Teacher, 1st Grade | KIPP VOICE Elementary"

Help From FEMA After Irma

Anthony Baltiero, Main Children's Library Associate, wrote a note to Region Manager Sara Roberts, September 21, 2017, after he and his wife suffered loss from Hurricane Irma earlier in the month.   Sara and Anthony thought his input might be helpful to some of you, "I wanted to give you a quick update on our situation following Hurricane Irma since the last time that we spoke. First, I want to thank you for your offers of support and understanding following the storm. We got our power back Sunday, a full week after losing it. We are beginning to get things back in order and are preparing for our move next week. Second, I want to thank you and Jennifer for suggesting that we seek assistance through FEMA. I am so happy and relieved to let you know that we were deemed eligible to receive financial assistance to cover the funds that we lost from my wife, Tiffany, being out of work for over a week, and funds to help replace the food and perishable items that we lost! I truly didn’t know where we were going to be without this help. As such, I am encouraging everyone that needs assistance to at least apply with FEMA and see if they are eligible for anything. The help is there, but people need to know about it and know how to apply for it! Thank you, so much!"

Kids Ace Typing 101

UPK hosted 15 school aged kids and their parents for a Typing 101 class, September 20, 2017.  YS Librarian II Alexis Carter reports, "We utilized a computer typing game to learn about home keys and how to increase their touch typing literacy. Towards the end of the program, children were excited about how fast they could type compared to the beginning of the program! They were all too cute and asked me to take a picture."

Irma No Match For Everyday Heroes

Region Manager Marshelle Berry sent these pictures of some of our heroes assisting after Hurricane Irma, September 12, 2017.  Above are Library workers and several JSO recruits. In the two pictures below Tricia Larrabee and Tony Miller help keep the line moving for people picking up water and Richard Mott keeps things moving as he asks the driver to move forward for get a much needed case of water.

Super Readers/Super Heroes

The Maxville Bulletin Board--'Super Heroes Love Super Readers”--is the chosen theme of Super Heroes for September/ October. Libra-ry Associate Sr. Elise Fare says, "Our scavenger hunt is also a hunt for super heroes and the children’s department as well as the adult display 'Who is your Super Hero?' all feature the theme. Library Clerk Jimmy Morgan has also created 3-D super hero figurines in all of the graphic novel areas for display.

Raves For JPL

Direct quotes from customers, September 13 &14, 2017:

 1) Thank you so much for your clear communication throughout the storm. This last email made me smile because it offered the library as a resource to people affected by Irma. Thank you for taking care of our people.

2)  Thank you for keeping us informed about library hours and helpful information. ...

3)  You have done a wonderful job keeping us informed of your closing and openings. Thanks.

4)   Thank you to all of your staff for offering the library to the public for Air, Internet, DVD's and our kids' activities. So happy for a little more normalcy in my life. Appreciate all of you! 

5)  It's important that i take this opportunity to let all of the libraries and their staff how wonderful the library system is! And, the fact that you are welcoming people with hurricane outages to the library is so generous! You are truly and important part of the fabric of our community . Thank you all, all branches, for your service(s) on all of our behalf!

Two Big Hearts From CR&M Give Blood

The Big Red Bus welcomed CR&M Manager Chris Boivin and Coordinator 
Jenna Hassell  who donated blood, September 14, 2017, at the mobile in Hemming Park. Jenna said, "BloodOne had to suspend service during the hurricane which put them in major need to replenish the area’s blood supply.We were happy to help out."

NEXT?

FL State Librarian Amy Johnson Visits Main

Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop hosted a special visitor to the Main Library, September 6, 2017: State Librarian Amy Johnson. Ms. Giltrop and the Admin team first met with Ms. Johnson and afterwards Ms. Giltrop gave Ms. Johnson a tour of the largest public library in Florida. Here you see YS Librarian III Chiquita Powell (L) as she presented Ms. Johnson with a beautiful piece of art made by art class kids.

DU Clerk Cassy Volunteers At School Open House

Highlands Branch clerk Cassy Manning (L) accompanied DU Branch Manager Pat Morrison to an Open House at Pickett Elementary school Thursday evening, August 31, 2017.  Pat said, "Cassy volunteered to shadow staff to experience programs and outreach events such as an open house so that she will be prepared to assist when needed. She greeted students and parents with a welcoming smile and invited them to the library table with the offer of a library sticker.  Once there, she shared information and promoted student cards, free computer classes and other library services.  Kudos to Cassy for volunteering to engage in a new activity and for doing it so well."

Three cheers to you, Cassy and Pat, for making JPL look good!