Teens & Children Hold Luau To Close SLP

YS Librarian III Chiquita Powell gave a wrap up of the last SLP activities at the Main Library, July 26, 2018, "Sixty one teens attended the luau in the Teen Department presented by Stefa Witt, Meon Graham, Kathy Frazier, Devan Shepard, Alex Bishop, teen volunteers, and me.  Alex gave away 73 books to teens playing the Book Walk game and Stephanie Bollard (Jax Makerspace) taught 15 teens how to play the ukulele. 

"In our Children’s Department we had 70 people celebrate the end of Summer Learning at our luau. Children made leis, played coconut bowling, hula danced to musical chairs, and received a balloon twist from balloon artist Linda Brunson. Marcie O’Dell held an art show exhibition displaying art children made during her six week summer program 'Music, Movies, and Art.'

                                                                                                               

"Thank you to our wonderful interns Erionnia and Joy, teen volunteer Deyjah, and Diane Alexander for helping the Children’s Department celebrate the end of Summer Learning."

Main Library Thanks Summer Interns

The Main Library employees' appreciation of Mayor Curry's summer interns was expressed in two teen favorites:  pizza and ice cream (with an array of toppings), provided in a luncheon, July 26, 2018.  Staff hosted them in the staff lounge for lunch and individually thanked them--again--for their many contributions that made lighter workloads for employees.  All enjoyed the camaraderie and many staff agreed that this was the best group ever assigned to Main. Staff are sad to see the students' time come to a close but wish them much success in the ensuing school year.

Cow Oinks & Bubbles Fly At SOM

South Mandarin Branch Library held its 2^nd Annual Puppet Show, July 24, 2018, presented by the South Mandarin Teen Volunteers. Christie Rogers said, "The show featured the books, The Cow that Went Oink by Bernard Most, and Bark George by Jules Feiffer. The children and parents loved how the characters were making sounds differently, such as when the cow oinked like a pig. Along with the puppet show we sang Old MacDonald Had a Farm and BINGO. After the show, the 68 attendees made a paper bag dog puppet craft so they could perform their own puppet show later at home. The program wrapped up with blowing bubbles, and as you see,  the children were wide eyed."  

Extreme Weather Gets Customer Attention At KR

Isabel Moreno-Santiago, KR YS Librarian I, reports, “Action News Jax Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh presented a fascinating program on extreme weather and its potential danger to 56 children and their parents at Mandarin Branch, July 21, 2018.  It was a great success and afterwards the children made "tornadoes" in a bottle.  (Thanks to all those branches who responded to our SOS for bottles!)

AYL Wraps Up Teen SLP

Argyle's Library Associate and Teen Coordinator, Tonja Ferrell, said, "Pictured are some of the 28 teens who came to the last session of our six week SLP for teens, 'Musical Escape Rooms', July 20, 2018. The theme was 'Disco Fever'. The kids were diagnosed with this terminal illness and in order to get immunized and/or cured, teens had to work through clues utilizing library resources. They wore colored disco balls, designating the team they were on and showed designated staff that they were Escape Room players. (Staff wore Star name tags.) Teens were then given Q's and correct answers were rewarded with dance step clues resulting in their ability to perform the 'Hustle' deeming them cured and free to go. They performed the dance as a group and several spectator parents got 'jiggy' as well.  Some of the teens told me how much they enjoyed the sessions and several parents also relayed their kids' kudos for the series and were sorry to hear it was the last one. Throughout the programs, we have had new teen and tween participants, who had not been to AYL before, which was fantastic! We had two teen visitors yesterday from Chicago, who were visiting family in Jax. Their father told staff they had so much fun they intended to come next week. I regretted having to say this was the last one; however, I invited everyone to our closing party. We are pleased to say that all of these sessions were well received.

  

"Unfortunately the video files are too large to attach. They are both in our G-Shared folder, under Argyle group, Teens at Argyle. 

"Another great thing that occurred at yesterday’s Escape Room was that several staff participated as 'Library Resources.'  They not only gave out dance clues; each demonstrated the step or clue they had--a great example of everyone serving youth at Argyle." 

Kuodos From Customers

Argyle Branch: Tracy (Mills) was patient and very helpful. She answered all my questions and it was a pleasure to be assisted by her. I just wanted you to be aware of such a great employee you have (but I'm sure you already know).

Highlands Branch:  Oh I wish I remembered the lady that helped me. She was so friendly and helpful.  She made it easy to sign up for a card!

Main Library – Special Collections:  Today I requested a copy of a page in The Florida Times-Union from 1896. Librarian John Wilson was very helpful and fulfilled my request with great speed and quality. Great customer service!

Murray Hill Branch:  We have been to the library twice now since we received my son's card a week ago. He is six years old. The staff is amazing and beyond helpful. They have fun conversations with my son and make the experience very personable. We look forward to going. (I have not been in close to 20 years.)  My son and I have "date days"... they now include lunch and the library. Thank you to the staff…for helping me make these fun memories with my son! (Shirdellah Grouix, Margaret Esposito, Douglas Fair, Akeem Adell, Mary Fletcher, Camera Bragdon, and Albina Akramova.)

South Mandarin Branch:  My 7 y/o triplets and I participated at the Books to Bricks summer program and Mrs. Angela Richman was wonderful. She was well prepared and kept the audience engaged all the time. The room was full of children with their parents. At the end of the presentation she made a game for the children and they loved it. I also liked the way she structured her presentation to leave time for the children to build with Legos and express what they learned with their creativity... She emphasized it was a group activity and all children built together. The theme was opera, they built a theater with different stages. Now my girl, Sofia, is asking me to learn how to sing and take some classes. I think it is because Mrs. Angela made a positive impact and interest on my girl’s heart. Thank you for the program and thank you, Mrs. Angela, for your Awesome presentation!

3 Big Celebrations At Main Library

Three important events were celebrated in the Main Library Children's Department, July 19, 2018. 

Mayor Lenny Curry wanted to celebrate his birthday reading to children for a very good reason.  One year ago he met with area hospital executives to announce a COJ learning initiative: What I Can Be from A to Z, a book that has since been provided to every baby born in our area hospitals. This past year, about 13,000 of these books and related literacy materials have been distributed to parents of infants born at UF Health, Baptist, Memorial, and St. Vincent’s hospitals. 

Mayor Curry read the book to participants in Main's Stories for Toddlers program and each child received a copy later. Prior to the Mayor's reading, Library Associate Keira Maschan (left of Mayor) began the program with songs and finger plays.  At the close, Mayor Curry received a birthday card "signed" by the toddlers--and one from Main Library staff.  Then everyone sang Happy Birthday and thanked him for sharing his birthday with them.  

Happy Birthday to Mayor Lenny Curry and Main Children's Librarian III Chiquita Powell.  (Chiquita received her Happy Birthday song from staff in a meeting shortly before the children's program.)

KR Says Thanks To Summer Worker

KR Manager Mark Hohnadel and his staff took time to thank Colleen Macklin, one of the Mayor's summer workers, and present her with a bouquet of flowers, July 18, 2018.  Mark said, "We were privileged to have Colleen at Mandarin.  She helped us a lot with shifting and rearranging the adult collection this summer.  We are grateful for her assistance."  Pictured are (L/R) Librarian II Margo Crafton, Colleen, and Mark.

Ready, Aim, Read

AR's Cindy Mathieson proudly announces, "Regency Square Branch is supporting PBS’s Great American Read.  Lisa Buggs worked hard to get a grant to fund books and speakers for programs to be held at MAIN.  Dawn Brock and I have gathered 99 of the 100 titles that PBS listed.  Unfortunately,#100 is out of print."   

Alfreda Whitfield Thanks Staff Who Gave Leave Time

Hello JPL  family, I would like to give a great big Thank You to all of you who donated leave hours to me while I was out on sick leave. I really and truly appreciate it.  I am also so grateful for the cards, calls, texts, flowers and prayers you all showered me with. I am back to work, and I am doing so much better. Your thoughtfulness  during my time in need will never be forgotten. 

Much love, and many blessings to all of you,

Alfreda S Whitfield

Library Assistant

Southeast Regional Library

Renaming of Kings Road USPO

The USPO building on Kings Road, which has been the "main" post office in Jacksonville, for many years will be dedicated to Mr. Rutledge Pearson and renamed the  Rutledge Pearson U. S. Postal building, 10 am, July 20, 2018. The ceremony will be at the U.S. Postal Service building, 1100 Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL.  Mr. Pearson was an activist in the NAACP and the civil rights movement--even after the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964--until he passed away in an auto accident, May 1, 1967. 

Mr. Pearson’s wife, Mary Ann, was also active in these endeavors.  Mary Ann retired as the Senior Librarian in Business, Science, and Documents (BSD) at the old Main Library after 35 years with JPL.  She began with the library, October 3, 1961, and retired, July 13, 1996.  She first worked as a Library Clerk at Brown Eastside Branch and later Mary Ann was promoted to Children’s Librarian at Graham Branch, then she transferred to BSD.  Mrs. Mary Ann Pearson passed away February 21, 2017, at 85 years of age.

Amanda Gore: Job Well Done

P/T Shelver Amanda Gore received a Job Well Done Award from PCR Region Clerical Supervisor Stephanie Harley, July 10, 2018, for her great eye for detail.  Stephanie said, "Amanda exhibits great ownership of Objective: Goal #4 Providing Outstanding Experience -- when seeing misshelved books reshelve them in the right place for customers to find when they come in."  Amanda spent a week putting misshelved sections back in order after teen volunteers had misshelved items."

Gifts Of Kindness From KR

KR 's Isabel Moreno-Santiago, YS Librarian I, reports, “Mandarin Library is giving back to the community through the SLP mini-series 'Kindness Rocks.' July 11, 2018, I delivered projects made by the children to two organizations. Our donations included greetings cards to the Taylor Residence Care Center and  'No sew fleece baby blankets' to the Wolfson Children Hospital.

 "Above, Betty Pender, Activities Director for Taylor Residences, receives the greeting cards and below Wolfson Children's Hospital Care Patient representative, Dana Severidt, receives the baby blankets.  Both representatives expressed their gratitude for the donations."

Way to go, Isabel!

Kids, Caregivers & Kitty Hit It Off

Main Library Children’s Associate, Kitty Maschan, rocked the new Stories for Toddlers class that began just last month here at Main. Here is a picture from the July 12, 2018 class, which took place in The Hightower Family room. Marcie O'Dell said "Kitty is a natural and caring presenter that parents enjoy and depend on.  Great job Kitty!"

Willowbranch Goes To The Beach

WB P/T Clerk Susan Koedel (pictured) and WB Manager Margaret Morford had fun designing a July “Beach Reads for Your Summer Getaway” display for the Willowbranch Library.  Local history beach books, fiction books with a beach theme, recipe books for beach cooking, and beach themed movies were selected.  The table is accented with a beach bag and towel, sunglasses, flip-flops, water bottle, sand bucket and shovel.  Margaret said, "Now we are contemplating a captivating display for August."

My Dinosaur Tail; Cute, Huh?

June 23, 2018, Main’s Stories for Young Children presented DINOSAURS ROCK! Children enjoyed a dinosaur storytime with YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli and then made their own wearable dinosaur tails in Art for Young Children with LAS Hannah Genslinger.

Clowns Get Kids Into SLP At UPK

Musical Magic School Age Presenter Program, June 21, 2018, entertained kids ages 5-12 years old at the University Park Branch. Alexis Carter, YS Librarian II, said, "They were enraptured by the clowns as they did skits, sang songs, and even created their own music video. After this silly pic was made, 21 participants and their parents posed for a Libraries Rock! picture."

Friends of NW Agree: Libraries Rock!

Friends of the Bradham Brooks Northwest Library joined in the summer fun when they took this picture, June 8, 2018.  Pictured  from bottom L/R are Alma Smith, Mary Webster, Alisa Harrell; and top L/R are: Evelyn Eaves, James Cotton, and Antonia Bryant.  (Thanks to NW Branch Manager Donna Carroll for input.)

ROARING At Main

Main Children’s Art Room ROARED, June 20, 2018, as staff presented The Lion King Silhouette Mixed Media Art. This was the week 2 activity for Music, Movies & Art SLP where award-winning kids movies are expressed through creative art. "The music certainly motivates the outcome," said Main Children’s Associate, Marcie O’Dell, who is pictured along with three sisters, all taking the class together. Marcie added, "Grandma and a brother are at the table behind. This really was an all-in-the-family, fun art project!"

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch:  Librarian Mary Wilson was most courteous and helpful during my visit on June 13 and gave me a tour of the library collections, placed a book on hold for me, refreshed my understanding of the online capabilities to which I have access, and made me thankful that we have such good people and facilities at the Beaches Branch Library.

Main Library – Circulation:  I would like to commend Mr. (Corey) Scott, the…gentleman at the front desk, who assisted me getting a library card. I recently relocated to Jacksonville and he showed exemplary customer service skills by explaining the requirements for obtaining a card and providing me with a temporary use card. I have been to several branches and he is the first person to educate me on the options. Congratulations to Jacksonville Public Library for having an experienced and knowledgeable employee.

Pablo Creek Branch:  Jonathan (Sandbach):  Thank you from Angie and Alex! Jonathan, the youth librarian, was amazing and patient making slime with the kids at the PCR Kickoff party.

Regency Square Branch:  …on June 8^th…a staff member named Cindy (Mathieson) provided me with much needed assistance at the copier machine. I was impressed with her attitude of not giving up.

South Mandarin Branch:  We love coming to story hour when Christie (Rogers) does it.

Dinosaurs Rock and Rock Again

Joanna Nigrelli shares an interesting memory, "Here is a picture of my son James from my Facebook timeline five years ago. The picture was taken, June 21, 2013, when I was a storytime parent.  I would bring my son to JPL storytimes at San Marco, Willowbranch, and Main. Here James (now 9 years old) was  eating lunch in the Main Courtyard after a storytime. What is fun about this picture is that the label states we had a dinosaur storytime. Now, as the YS Librarian at Main, I present storytimes and, believe it or not, this week I’m presenting Dinosaurs Rock!"

KR Honors Dads

"Just in time for Father's Day, the Children's Department at Mandarin Branch, hosted 27 fathers and youngsters and treated them to donuts and orange juice, Saturday, June 16, 2018. They read books, enjoyed a craft, and the kids conducted dad interviews with interesting results!  The interviews with their dads included several questions, such as, what is your favorite food, sport, TV show, hobby etc." reports YS Librarian I Isabel Moreno-Santiago.

What a wonderful way for children to get to know their parents better, Isabel.

Teens Rock & Roll With CM Joyce Morgan

                        Teens were pleased to be photographed with CM Morgan.

Council Member Joyce Morgan enthusiastically joined UPK's Rock of the Ages-The 1960's event, June 19, 2018, and Branch Manager Tamera Branam wrote a prompt thank-you to her for her participation.  CM Morgan talked about what she does on the Council and asked if any of the teens would be interested in politics. She invited them to attend City Council meetings and to volunteer to be a page at City Council meetings and/or Town Hall meetings. Several signed up.                   

 Above right are (L/R) Tamera, CM Morgan, and Teen Library Associate Mina Figuerrez, who conducted the porgram.  In the pic centered above you can see the teens really enjoyed the program.  (Thanks to Tamera for the article and pics.)

Fancy Nancy At Main

Main Children’s Department part-time LAS Kelli Heath created a *three week summer program for children ages 5-12 called Fancy Nancy Days. The program is based on the popular book series by Barbara O’Connor. Each week the children listen to a Fancy Nancy book, make a craft, play a game, and enjoy a snack based on the book. In the picture above, children listened to Fancy Nancy: Explorer Extraordinaire and are posing with binoculars to play a scavenger hunt game.  

_________________________

*This picture is from the second week, June 18, 2018.  The first

 week was Monday, June 11, and the third and final week is Monday, June 25.  (Thanks to Main's YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli, for input.)

Illustrator Visits KR

Isabel Santiago, KR YS Librarian 1 had a surprise visit, June 16, 2018.  She said, "During our 'Donuts for Dad' activity, we received an unexpected visit from Chris Hsu. He is the illustrator of the book “The Boo-Boos That Changed the World"--a true story about an accidental invention.  Chris Hsu was born in Taiwan and grew up in Northeast Florida. His work is heavily influenced by art, history, and classical music.  He has worked professionally in several fields of animation and illustration. Pictured are Mr. Hsu with his daughter, Artemis, and me." 

SE Puts Kindness Into Action

"Southeast Branch had week two of Kindness Rocks for our school aged children and 23 people attended, June 15, 2018.  Kate Zakharov read a book about a service dog and how loved he is and then explained some dogs do not have homes and do not get a lot of love. Then we made dog toys for the Humane Society. Parents and children loved working together to create some awesome toys," reports Carol Bunker, YS Librarian II.

You Gotta See It To "Get It"

"Southeast Library unveiled our last and semi-permanent observation station featuring animals, June 8, 2018, displaying a saltwater aquarium!" said YS Librarian II Carol Bunker.

"The more the tank matures, the more new corals and a couple more fish will be added to the tank.  Over time, we will have our own miniature coral reef.  Currently we have eight different animals living in our aquarium and the children will get to watch them all grow. 

 

"All eight animals are displayed on our 'lift the flap" chart. If a child or parent wants to know what a particular animal is, they can open a door and find the answer. Our current aquarium guests are: two clown fish (seen below), blue leg hermit crabs, a skunk shrimp (aka cleaner shrimp), sexy shrimp (we call them dancing shrimp in the library), cowrie snails, bumblebee snails, a conch, and our first coral is a beginner coral called Green Star Polyp coral (aka GSP). So far the children and parents are loving it!  At one point, we had at least 15 people crowded around the table to get a look at our newest additions," brags Carol.

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Drum Beats At SOM

In tune with JPL's Libraries Rock! Jazz It Up! theme, South Mandarin Library and 17 youngsters welcomed Mr. Cameron Moten--from a band called Noteworthy--and his drums, June 14, 2018.  They followed his lead in the jam session to learn basic drumming and  rhythm.  Then each child had an opportunity to conduct the group and decide how fast the drum beats would be and when to conclude in unison. What a fun way to learn to work together in harmony and experiment with leading while enjoying something new.  (Thanks to Library Associate Christie Rogers for the input and pic.) 

100+ Glow At JB's SLP Kick Off

"Beaches Branch kicked off the summer with an awesome SLP glow in the dark party, June 5, 2018. Summer learners enjoyed several activities such as glow in the dark mini golf, bowling, hopscotch, tic tac toe, a graffiti wall and more.  Sidewalk chalk coloring and refreshments were also available outside for our younger customers.  Over a 100 people joined us and many signed up for SLP.  Summer at the Beaches is off to a great start," reports Nicole Saville, YSLibrarian II.

French Delegates Visit Main

Thanks to Grand Reading Room Library Assistant Pam Beaton for reporting on an important visit to the Main Library, June 5, 2018.  

Consul General of France Clément Leclerc (L) and  Consul Honoraire de France Francois Kloc (L below) were welcomed by Mayor Lenny Curry earlier in the day.  The gentlemen paid homage to U.S. soldiers who helped free Europe and particularly France in WWII.  After a ceremony at City Hall, they visited the Grand Reading Room and the Consul General added the painting of the Jean Ribault mural of the French landing at Ft. Caroline, to his twitter page.

Above you see Messieurs Leclerc and Kloc flanking Mr. Joe Tillmon, U. S. Army (Ret.) and president/founder of Buffalo Soldiers Historical Society, standing at the 4^th floor railing. Here are a couple of sites you may visit and see the important role these gentlemen recently played locally and play internationally.
https://miami.consulfrance.org/spip.php?article4133

https://miami.consulfrance.org/  

Main Managers Help 200 As Main Opens SLP

Main Children’s celebrated with 200 customers--more than doubled from last year--for our Summer Learning Kick Off Party, June 7, 2018. Families enjoyed an Ozobot demonstration from our neighborhood partner, MOSH (Museum of Science and History), a Sphero robotics demonstration by Sara Radovic (Jax Makerspace Coordinator pictured above with kids), 
build-your-own harmonica craft, a photo booth, tattoos, and refreshments.

The Children’s staff had expert help from our Main Library team:  Susan Mankowski (Youth Services), Sara Roberts (Main Region Manager), and Tracy Pigott (Training and Development Manager) registered families for Summer Learning. Charlene Ovshak (Library Circulation Supervisor) served cake and Stephanie Miller (Main Library Youth Services Manager & Jax Makerspace) worked the reference desk.  (Thanks to Joanna Nigrelli, Youth Librarian II, for pics and blurb.)

                 Tracy Pigott getting children signed up for SLP.

82 Go For CW's SLP Kick Off

Bobbie Knight reports, "CW had 82 people attend our Rockabilly themed Summer Kick-off Party, June 6, 2018. Participants enjoyed a serving of root beer or cola floats and 1950’s themed games like bowling, record toss, and a muscle car relay race while listening to classic Elvis songs. Several kids said they had never had a root beer float before and loved the new dessert. CW’s staff was pleased to host a full house on a day when library attendance was low due to computer issues."

186 Pack PCR To Catapult SLP

It was the most anticipated party of the year! Readers of all ages came together to celebrate the beginning of summer and JPL's SLP: Libraries Rock! The children had a thrilling time rock painting, slime making by the bucketful, doing putt-putt golf, playing a life-sized 

Knowledge Challenge game board, and visiting with the Chick-Fil-A Cow--a valued Pablo Creek Regional Library community partner and benefactor. Not to be left out, older

                  PCR Region Manager rocks thanks to Chick- Fil-A providing a party hat.

participants got to make a unique bookmark celebrating this year’s summer learning theme. In all, approximately 185 kids and their families indulged in snacks and refreshments, mingled with staff and our fantastic volunteers, and took a moment to enroll in SLP, helping to ensure everyone wins while reading during the summer. Happy faces all around were on display as old friends and new came together to share in the excitement of summer at the library!  (Thanks to Jonathan M. Sandbach, PCR Youth Librarian for pics and a wonderful article.)

"Erick Larsen (below) was a big hit at Drop Everything and Read," said Michael Sullivan.