Library Board Honors Leadership Award Wonners

Library Board Chair Ronnie King (R) proudly reviewed the accomplishments of staff who won Library Leadership Awards to Library Board Trustees at their meeting, August 22, 2019.  Meanwhile, Director Tim Rogers (L) gave the employees their awards and both personally congratulated the winners of the third quarter.

Employee of the Quarter, Marcie O'Dell, above, has been the creative mastermind behind kids' games and scavenger hunts at the Pablo Creek Regional Library.  On average, about 150 kids each month enjoy the program, "Eye Spy with My Little Eye".  For this and much more, Marcie also received the Inspiring a Shared Vision Award. 



L/R above, Kim Bennett, Passhunate Payams, Nerresa Posey, and Noah Thomas (not pictured) combined their talents to make Firefighter Storytime at the Webb Wesconnett Regional Library a success.  Kim created flyers, Noah planned an edition of Young Children Read, Play and Learn to Match the Theme, and Passhunate got parents to sign the photo waiver.  Nerresa prepped goodies to thank the firefighters.  For this, they received the Carolyn Williams Modeling the Way Team Award.

L/R above, Greg Pierce, Lauren Lazar, Alison Pulley, and Carolyn Redmond (not pictured) pulled out the stops for Duval County Schools in April when they created a red carpet award ceremony for student art.  Alison crafted certificates, Lauren designed hand-delivered invitations to the schools, and Carolyn offered logistical support.  Greg served as the driving force.  For this, they received the Carolyn Williams Modeling the Way Team Award.

L/R above, Kat Simi, Margaret Morford, Joe Gaskin, Troy Eittreim, Jason Brown, Ryan Reid (not pictured), and Christina Pope (not pictured) displayed great professionalism when they fielded a high volume of phone calls and in-person inquiries after a negative Facebook post followed the cancelled Pride Prom.  They delivered excellent customer service in the midst of protesters.  For this, they received the Carolyn Williams Modeling the Way Team Award.


Joel Thorbs could not attend; however, Joel has been a valuable source of support for his fellow employees at the Highlands Regional Library, offering everything from back-up with disruptive patrons to help in making sure everyone gets out on time.  He even changed a colleague's flat tire one day after his shift.  For this, Joel received the Encourage the Heart Award.

Hooray For Honeybees

Librarian III Carol Bunker is also a beekeeper.  To celebrate      National Honey Bee Day (August 17), she brought in a bee hive to Southeast, August 22, 2019, and 42 participants learned about honeybees.  Additionally, Carol brought the tools needed to go into a hive, an empty hive so children could see what it looks like inside a hive, extra veils and gloves for them to try on and take photos, and an observation hive for children to see bees up close in the library. With parents' permission, they were allowed to sample some of the bees' honey they made back in June. Home Depot on Lane Avenue donated 45 terra cotta saucers and the kids decorated them with marbles to make bee baths for wild bees at their homes. Bees need water for themselves and to feed their babies, and for honey production.  Bees cannot swim so marbles in the bottom of the saucer gives bees places to perch while they drink water. Carol was assisted by Caitlin Ruvolo.

 

Big Bash At Brentwood

           Guests picked up their backpacks and checked out materials at NS.

 

 Three hundred backpacks filled with school supplies, courtesy of The Friends of Brentwood Library, were passed out, Saturday, August 10, 2019. This was FOBL's 6^th annual Back to School Bash at Brentwood Branch and kids and parents were treated to pizza and popcorn.  A local story teller entertained the children and staff provided other activities.

The event began with speeches from four Council Members:(above L/R ): Terrance Freeman, (Director Tim Rogers), Reggie Gaffney, (FOBL founder Sharon Coon), Sam Newby and Ju'Coby Pittman. 

The CM's all focused on the importance of education and staying in school.  They encouraged parents to be engaged with their kids and to keep a positive attitude.

It was a double header day--backpacks for kids and Mrs. Coon's birthday, so CM Pittman sang Happy Birthday to her and everyone joined in.

Director Rogers thanked Mrs. Coon and FOBL for demonstrating their interest in children's education and keeping branches open.  When Mrs. Coon (below) spoke, she recognized and thanked Director Rogers for his excellent work for JPL

 
 Above, Director Rogers obviously enjoyed communicating with one year old Joshua while his four year old sister, Destiny, tunes in.  (Joshua and Destiny are Region Manager Marshelle Berry's grandchildren.)   

Appreciation Lunch For MH Staff

Above, MH staff (L/R), Akeem Adell, Doug Fair, Margaret Esposito, Mary Fletcher, and Shawn Norton joined Friends member Nancy Beecher for a special lunch. The Friends of Murray Hill Library and Harp's Restaurant provided lunch for Bill Brinton Murray Hill staff because, as Manager Shawn Norton said, "We nearly doubled our goal for days customers read over the summer.  Our goal was1288 and customers read 2438 days.  The hard work and dedication of our staff during the Summer Learning Program is much appreciated by the Friends and me."

JPL Promoted At Navy Back To School Splash

Above (L/R), JB's Library Associate Dylan Franke and Librarian Julie Rekow, E-Specialist Richard Lamb, and Main's Librarian III Chris Eaton (below), represented JPL at the Mayport Naval Base Back to School Splash, on a blistering Saturday, August 10, 2019. Julie said, "We promoted library card sign up and library services. Richard had kids playing with tech gadgets. Chris Eaton talked to families with special needs and how the library can provide support. It was a great kick off for the new school year."

Chris & Richard At OrangeBoy & Columbus Metro Public Library

                 Chris Boivin in front of the Columbus Metropolitan Public Library.

 

CR&M Assistant Director Chris Boivin and Manager for Strategic Initiatives Richard Mott attended an OrangeBoy User Conference, August 7 and 8, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio.  JPL subscribes to a data aggregating and targeted marketing tool called Savannah.  OrangeBoy is the company that created it.  Richard and Chris joined 60 other public library colleagues to hear about libraries that had gone fine free, launched a library in a shopping mall, used data to persuade stakeholders to approve a new downtown library, reached new customers and re-engaged lapsed customers, and more.

OrangeBoy, the cat, is the company mascot (third generation), held by Sandy Swanson, one of OrangeBoy's founders.

Chris and Richard also had the opportunity to visit Columbus Metropolitan Public Library's main library downtown where the other photos were taken.

Many thanks to Richard for sharing their adventure and photos.

 

Jobs Well Done: Caitlin, Rochelle & Christina

     SE's YS Libraraian II Carol Bunker and Library Associates Golomb, Garmon,and Ruvolo

On August 5, 2019, three new comers to SLP received awards for their diligent contributions to the success of the program at Southeast Branch.  YS Librarian II Carol Bunker said, "Christina Garmon, Rochelle Golomb, and Caitlin Ruvolo deserve a Job Well Done Award for demonstrating excellent service, teamwork and innovation. In their first involvement in SLP, each had a positive impact on our customers and co-workers.  All three worked double desk shifts throughout SLP.  Christina handled all things teen related; she created the teen volunteer summer calendar and did all teen programming.  She created our branch calendar and weeded the entire teen fiction and non-fiction sections.  Rochelle took on SE's school age miniseries by herself, helped weed the entire children’s fiction and picture book area and helped create our concept section and a check and balance system for entering stats into Communico.  Her accomplishments made it easier for EOM stats to be completed.  Caitlin took on our school age summer camp series.  She received excellent feedback from the camp organizer and altered her schedule all summer to attend their summer camp. She also helped weed the entire children’s fiction and picture book area to create the concept section for customers."  

CW Encourages Teen Artists

      Click on either picture to get a larger, clearer view..

Webb Wesconnett Library celebrated a local teen artist, Timothy Elder, with a reception, August 5, 2019.  Library Associate Janice Adams hosted the reception and prior to that created this display unveiling Timothy's art.  She complemented it with art related books beneath Timothy's works.

Timothy is originally from New Orleans and has lived in Jacksonville for several years.  He currently attends Douglas Anderson School of the Arts.  He is also a singer, dancer, and instrumentalist.  Janice added, "The 18 year old prefers drawing with pencil but also paints with acrylics. He enjoys using perspective in his art and is currently working on a large scale image of a tunnel that will draw the viewer into the painting. Although he has not decided where he will attend college, he has been offered scholarships at two different schools for art and music."

Timothy spoke about his art at the reception, inspiring others to develop their talents.  Passhunate Payams, CW Youth Associate, said, "This was a great event and we plan to encourage other local teen artists to display their art."

 
The exhibit will be up through August and staff invite everyone to visit CW and enjoy this emerging artist's talent.

  

KR Invites You To Visual Treat

        Click on either picture to get a larger, clearer view..

KR Manager Mark Hohnadel and staff welcome you and your customers to visit the Mandarin Branch Library to enjoy the Jacksonville Water Color Society art exhibit during August and September 2019. Here are just a few of the many art pieces on display.

 

WST Closes SLP Far Out In Space

"Old Luke", Melodie Brunson, Amy Davis, and Storm Trouper

 

"For West, the closing SLP theme, 'A Universe of Stories,'  led to a galaxy far, far, away, July 29, 2019.  Eighty-five Jedis and a Storm Trooper enjoyed a bevy of activities such as competing in carnival style games, crafts, and making ice cream sundaes. 

Unique way to bowl:

"They also found out what out-of-the world hair color had been voted on for Ms. Eve--and the winner by a landslide was Rainbow Rocket!  The evening of fun ended with a chance to meet and get a photo with the members of the 501st Squad 7 Storm Troopers and participate in a raffle.  We made sure everyone was a winner with a swag bag courtesy of Daily's," reports WST YS Librarian I Eve Harm (pictured below.)









 

WHAT'S IN A THANK YOU...

Zoe Carr asked Main Children’s to create a thank you card for Community First Credit Union in appreciation for their support of Summer Learning and the Hi-5 program.  Main Children's LAS Marcie O’Dell came up with the idea of making an art piece using hands that the kids could write their names on and decorate.  Joanna Nigrelli said, "The card was one of our activity stations at our Summer Learning Closing party, July 25, 2019."
(The picture didn't capture all of the logo at the bottom: JPL's "Start Here. Go Anywhere.")

Main Gives Kids Great Ideas For SLP

"The Children’s Department at Main had a hit with its 2019 six week Summer Library Program, which was dubbed, “My Space Art Adventure.”  It consisted of art projects focusing on an ever-widening view of space.

Pictured left is a sample from Week 5, featuring Slime Aliens.  Students made their own space slime in cups, then watched it ooze over their individual cups. They had fun adding googley eyes, stir sticks, hats and tails, etc. to make the slime into an extraordinary alien.

"Week Six included the making of astronaut photo props as you see the girls above wearing.  The kids were treated to an astro lunch of dehydrated foods and bagged drinks with straws. We had a very fun six weeks!" said Main Children’s Associate Marcie O’Dell and we thank her for the photos and writeup.

Main Children's SLP Closing Party

The Main Library Children’s Department hosted a Luau to celebrate SLP's last day, July 25, 2019. "FUN" was the key word: the kids made their own leis, played musical chairs, were given balloon creatures, colored their favorite Moana characters, played with Sphero bots and Rigamajigs, ate Hawaiian snacks and proudly wore their 2019 Exhibiting Artist lanyards as they pointed to their displayed artwork. The happy spirit of the day is displayed above by Main Children’s Associate Hannah Genslinger and Main Children’s L2, Joanna Nigrelli. (Photos and writeup by Main Children’s Associate, Marcie O’Dell.)

NW Celebrates 850 New JPL Users

Staff and customers at Bradham and Brooks Library recently celebrated reaching their annual goal of 850 new users.  Manager Donna Carroll said, "Mr. Timothy Roark (left) was the 850th customer on July 24th and received a complimentary JPL bag and chocolate for taking us over the finish line.  Staff celebrated our goal with an appropriately themed cake, July 29, 2019. 

"Pamela Branon (below)  received an extra gift, a copy of her favorite new game, Spot It, for registering TEN customers a day, helping us to achieve our branch goal. 

"Congratulations and thank you to all our employees at NW for working diligently this year towards our success.  What a team!" 

 

CM Michael Boylan Speaks At SLP Closing Party

Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel (standing far right) welcomed the newly elected District 6 Council Member Michael Boylan (center standing) to Mandarin Branch for its summer closing party, "Take Me to Your Reader," July 26, 2019.  Mr. Boylan spoke to a crowd of 100+ and congratulated the children for meeting their reading goals over the summer.  

Participants pinned the eye on the alien and they went home with lightsabers (skillfully made from an overstock of re-purposed cardboard.)  YS Librarian Katie Kienitz and summer volunteers helped families with photo ops, including Frances Wickes' walk-in rocket and a Star Wars droid and spaceship. Face paining was also popular. 

Ann Winfree Passes Away

Ann Tracy Winfree, 88, passed away, July 19, 2019.  A remembrance service will be held at Adele Grage Cultural Center, Atlantic Beach, 4:00 p.m., Saturday, July 27, 2019.  (Retiree Elslie Oishi said the parking and seating at the venue where the service is being held has very limited parking and seating capacity.)

Ann was a Children’s Librarian at the Regency Square Branch before going to the Beaches Branch as their head Children’s Librarian under then Branch Manager, Sallie Pickard. She retired from the system in 1999.

Deputy Director Julie McNeil remembers being privileged to hear Ann Winfree present storytime at JB when Julie was first hired, and anyone who knew Ann knew she stood for excellence.  For most of 20 years, JPL and its customers benefited from Ann's voracious appetite for learning.

For further information, please access Legacy.com.

Subway, UNF & UPK Partner For Healthy Eating Habits

University Park Branch  hosted a Subway Share the Color Workshop, July 9, 2019. Twenty-two people enjoyed this fun and educational program presented by Subway restaurants of Jacksonville!

Janine Dray, UNF nutrition professor and ISPP Program Coordinator, taught children & teens about nutrition and how to make a healthy plate. Then we got to make our own colorful, healthy, subway sandwiches.

Emma Phelps, Public Relations Manager at Subway, came from Salt Lake City, Utah to help with the event as did local Subway colleagues.

The children enjoyed having chef hats, coloring books, and  taking photos with the #SharetheColor frames.”

CW's SLP Closing Party: UMMM Good!

                          Sponsoring businesses' goodies load table. 

 

              Businesses' names on wall above party table.

Webb Wesconnett Library staff enjoyed seeing 150 customers (old and new) celebrate the July 24, 2019, Summer Learning Program closing party.  Staff were ready for the crowd, providing:  a photo booth, giant Jenga, a coloring station, toddler corner, parachute games, and bowling.
                                          UMMM!
 
          Peterbrooke's chocolate popcorn and other treats.

Passhunate Payams said, "We appreciate our go-getter, Nerresa Posey, who contacted numerous local businesses and they responded with an abundance of food:  WAWA, Peterbrooke, Great American Cookies, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Papa Johns, Firehouse Subs, Domino’s Pizza, Sweets by Holly, Subway, and Target.  Many thanks to our sponsors and the great team at Webb, and two teen volunteers.  Because of this team effort, we saw this huge crowd well entertained and fed.  The event could not have been more of a success." 

UPK Hosts Subway Share Color Workshop

University Park Library hosted a Subway Share the Color Workshop, July 9, 2019, for children and teens, and 22 enjoyed a fun and educational program sponsored by Subway restaurants of Jacksonville.  Janine Dray, a UNF nutrition professor and Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) Program Coordinator, taught them about the food groups, gave examples of each one, and explained how to make a balanced meal based on the "my plate" method.

UPK customers, a summer intern, and staff were invited to make their own colorful, healthy, sandwiches provided by Subway. 

YS Librarian I Nicole Gaudier-Alamay said, "Emma Phelps, Subway Public Relations Manager came from Salt Lake City, Utah, introduced Professor Dray, provided materials such as coloring books and chef's hats, and worked with her local Subway colleagues to help children make their sandwiches. The kids also enjoyed taking photos with the #SharetheColor frames.  We are very appreciative of Prof. Dray's time with us and especially Ms. Phelps, who coordinated the event, asked Prof. Dray to present the program, and pitched right in to make everything go smoothly."  

Tech Fair At Main Library Hosts 2,000

         Chewbacca and R2-D2 droid chat at Main's Circulation desk.

Where can you learn to code, use a 3-D printer, program sophisticated robots, and get your picture taken with Chewbacca and R2-D2? At Tech Fair in the Main Library, of course.

 "Approximately 2,000 people attended the Main Library's Tech Fair, July 20, 2019," brags Ryan Emmons, E-Services Supervisor and organizer of the event. "Kids’ faces lit up when they walked through the doors and saw an eight-foot Chewbacca and an R2-D2 droid rolling by. It wasn’t just the kids who had a great time. Two adults took time to come by, shake my hand, and tell me how much fun they were having and how they felt like kids again.
"This event was designed especially to inspire kids to love technology. They learned to program robots through mazes, code websites and experience the thrill of virtual reality.  Hopefully some of the kids will be inspired to be future engineers."

Bet they will, thanks to Tech Fair, Ryan Emmons, and staff who assisted with the program.

 

Retiree Lilia Simonton Honored By BOLT

The Library Board of Trustees Chair Ronnie King introduced to the board and guests, July 18, 2019, recently retired and former Manager of the San Marco Branch Lilia Simonton.  Lilia received a resounding applause from the Board members and a verbal and written letter of appreciation from Director Tim Rogers acknowledging her 24 years and three months of faithful service to JPL.  She was also presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

We'll miss you, Lilia Simonton.

Leadership Award Presentations At BOLT

Second quarter (January - March 2019  ) JPL Leadership Award winners were introduced to Library Board members and guests at the Board's July 18, 2019 meeting by Chair Ronnie King while Library Director Tim Rogers passed out awards and posed for pictures with the winners.  (Thanks to Brian Edmond for the good pics he took.)

Christina Pope (right) received the Challenge the Process Award and ultimately the Employee of the Quarter Award for her work on "As the Page Turns Book Club" and other work at Willowbranch and in the West Region.  Here she receives both awards from Director Tim Rogers.

L/R Assistant Director of Facilities and Planning Ray Albury and his team, Ezra Thomas--Director Tim Rogers stands in back--then Reed Hoteko, Thang Tiang, and Pataricia Ferranti (far right); Paul Krauss stands behind Thang and Becky Stagg is in front.  Brad Schwarzbauer could not attend.This hard working team won the Carolyn Williams Team Award.  HOW would we do the wonderful job we do w/o their individual contributions?

Callie Myatt (left) became a major force in Support Services' efforts to weed out and quality check damaged CDs and DVDs, even developing a system of organizing the results for the Collection Development staff.  For this, Callie received the Model the Way Award.

Corey Scott (right) caught a lot of balls for the Circulation Department, calmly, courteously, and proficiently handling situations large and small during a time when his supervisor had to focus on other urgent concerns.  So, Corey received a well-deserved Model the Way Award.

Justin Keiser (below) proved the library truly is open to all when a non-English-speaking customer had trouble communicating with staff.  Justin brought Google Translate into the picture, helped the customer find Spanish-to-English dictionaries, provided a charger, and even purchased a book from Chamblin's that the customer needed.  (Remember, for all his technical work, Justin is still a librarian.)  No wonder Justin received the Model the Way Award.

Jessica Carpenter (left) started an "Author of the Month" program at the West Branch and, working with Eve Harm, she contacted authors who were being spotlighted. Author Lori Foster responded with bookmarks and a post on our Facebook page about how proud she was to be featured by JPL.  For this, Jessica received a Model the Way Award.

All of the JPL Leadership Award winners received a
warm round of applause from the Board members and guests.

Joanna Houghton: Job Well Done



Main Library Clerical Supervisor Tricia Larrabee nominated Joanna Houghton for a Job Well Done Award, which was presented to her, July 17, 2019.  Tricia said, "Joanna is responsible for helping run Talking Books/Special Needs.  She not only answers calls patiently and kindly; she helps organize TB supplies and created a checklist of daily tasks for staff working in the Talking Books area.  Joanna helps other staff and new staff learn processes and she has increased the efficiency and effectiveness in processing these tasks.  Her diligence is also reflected in this recent email from a customer:

" 'I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful employee you have in Jo.  She has helped me with my Talking Books selections and has afforded me many hours of enjoyment.  These books mean so much to me because of my loss of sight.  They bring me many house of pleasure and enjoyment.  Every time that I call her, she is so very patient, courteous, and knowledgeable and goes out of her way for me.  I hope that Jo is recognized for her outstanding service.  Sincerely, Yolanda Cerqueira.' " 

Joanna, a relatively new employee herself, is pictured above left with a staff well wisher, Tammy Billings.



Antinette Walker Waves Goodbye

No sad goodbyes from Antoinette Walker, Circ Library Assistant at Main, as she retires after 20 years at JPL.    Her longtime fans chipped in for a going away lunch, July 17, 2019, where Antoinette received good will wishes as staff signed the Main Library drawing retirees receive at parting time get-togethers.

WE ALL WISH YOU THE VERY BEST IN THIS NEW CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE, ANTOINETTE.

Karen Lewis' Father Passes

EB Manager Sara Radovic was kind enough to send this obituary with funeral service information for Karen Lewis’s father, who passed away, July 5, 2019: Mr. Morgan White, Jr.

For those who are new to JPL, Karen works as a Library Assistant at Brown Eastside Library.