Two New Titles & Two Wedding Dates

Ali Johnson previously worked in Marketing Communication part-time as a Communications Specialist when she was single. Now working full-time for Kathy Tekin, Library Supervisor, Youth Services, Ali has a new title--Youth Services-Community Relations Specialist. Shortly after taking her new position, she made another major change in titles--Mrs.--when she married Kyle Loftin in Orange Beach, Alabama, May 22. (Ali prefers to be known as Ali Johnson Loftin.) She gives this fun fact about their wedding: "I actually forgot to apply for my marriage license in advance for the May 22nd wedding, so the secondary wedding ceremony, which we held on the 29th in my home state of Kansas, will be our official wedding date, though we will acknowledge the 22nd as our anniversary date. " (To enlarge picture, double click on it.)

Best wishes to the bridge and groom!

Bravo Zulu!!!

Bravo Zulu!

Navy Band Southeast’s Brass Quintet, Windward Brass, treated the Northwest staff and customers to everything from “Ain’t Misbehavin” to “Amazing Grace” with a little tango thrown in. They performed musical styles ranging from traditional brass quintet literature, Broadway hits, and the popular songs of today. We even got downright patriotic with “ God Bless America”.

Just another day at the library.

Mary Heaney Inspires a Shared Vision

In the latest one-minute video story , Mary Heaney tells how she inspired a vision of a popular book club for young girls that could nurture social skills, encourage reading, and build a sense of community at the Regency Branch.

(To play properly, you may need to click Play [>], then click the Pause button, give it a minute to pre-load, then check back and click Play [>] again.)

Everyone knows someone who models the way, inspires a shared vision, challenges the process, enables others to act, and/or encourages the heart. If you have a story to share, we'd love to hear it. Please contact jpltraining@coj.net.

If you missed previous video stories, simply click the arrow on the left side of the screen to see the rest.

Main Teen Department Participates in ALA Great Stories CLUB

The Main Teen Department and Impact House have partnered to participate in the ALA Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books) Round III grant this spring. The grant awarded 11 copies each of 3 book titles that were selected by YALSA and $200 for refreshments and gift books. A select group of Impact House teens, Ms. Perret, Ms. Elias, and Mia Clark, Librarian, have met regularly to read Gary Soto's The Afterlife. Tomorrow is their last meeting where they will celebrate with pizza and final discussions. The book club has been a big success and they plan to continue their partnership by starting a new book club in June. More information about the grant can be found in the link below.

http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/programming/greatstories/club.cfm

Staff Profile

Matthew Moyer is innovative, interesting, has a wonderful sense of humor and is the Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter and won the Challenge the Process award recently. He, along with the Zine Committee (L/R: Josh Jubinsky, Matthew Moyer, Jessica Whittington and Andrew Coulon), helped begin a new collection at the Main Library, known as the Zine Collection, and participated in a well received Zine presentation at FLA in March.

Q: What is a Zine?

A: A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced "zeen") is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier. They are generally produced in editions of less than 200, and profit is not the primary intent of publication. Zines are written in a variety of formats, from computer-printed text to comics to handwritten text. Print remains the most popular zine format, usually photocopied with a small circulation. Topics covered are broad, including fanfiction, music, politics, art and design, personal journals, social theory, single topic obsession, or general content far enough outside of the mainstream to be prohibitive of inclusion in more traditional media.

Q: Why did you think the Zine Collection would be a good addition to Main’s Popular Department?

A: The timing seemed right. Libraries all around the country have added zine components to their collections, but there really aren’t any such collections in public libraries in the Southeast. Why not Jacksonville?

Q: Who is the target audience for the Zine Collection?

A: Originally, the target audience was adults from the ages of 16–40. This group is familiar with the zine format and recognizes zines as a source for educational and entertaining writing. This demographic is still the core audience, but with the Zine Machine program for kids and having the poet Alan Justiss (after all, chapbooks and poetry pamphlets were the antecedents of zines) speak at our Much Ado events, we’re hoping to expand awareness of the medium.

Q: Is customer interest still growing in Zines? How do you promote the collection?

A: Interest is still very high. Our circulation has been steady, and every time we’re at an outreach, new faces approach us, surprised and happy that the library is now making these materials available. We promote the collection through our web presence (blog, Facebook, and Twitter). We’ve had musical performances and author readings to hype the collection, but more importantly, we do a lot of outreach. We’ve set up our table at concerts and other events like the Riverside Arts Market, where we sign up people for library cards and have zines available for checkout right there. We feel that it is important to take the collection out to where our audience can be found.

And people seem to love the “I Heart My Zine Library” buttons.

Q: Please recommend a couple of “best” titles from the JPL Zine Collection.

A: Where to start? Sandra Knauf’s Greenwoman zine—all about gardening and environmental consciousness—is always a favorite. Molly the Popsicle, by Christoph Meyer and his five-year old son Herbie, is a really fun read. We’ve got a massive donated archive of the famous punk zine Maximum Rock N’ Roll, which is indispensable reading for anyone interested in music subcultures. I’m personally enjoying The Rise and Fall of the Harbor Area at present. But there are so many hidden treasures in the collection right now – Food Geek, America?, Dictionary Stories, Reggae Chicken, King Cat, Galatea’s Pants, Stories That Care Forgot, Salt and Slush, Feedback…. I could go on forever.

Q: What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?

A: I’m a huge Dolly Parton fan. I want to make a pilgrimage to Dollywood.

Mandarin Branch Celebrates The River with Art

Check out the art scene at the Children’s Department at the Mandarin Branch Library. Click on the picture to get a bigger view.

The After School Art is a wonderful program at Mandarin developed by Shivon Rockward with an emphasis on different artistic and cultural styles. The children's program is offered once a month on Tuesday afternoon during the school year. Works from the program are on display on the After School Art Wall.
Customers help celebrate The River with the ABC River Celebration Bulletin Board in the Children’s Department at Mandarin. Each letter of the alphabet is an original work of art designed by our youngest library customers.
Could we be looking at the next Picasso?

Team Regency Encourages the Heart

In the latest one-minute destination:LEADERSHIP video, Lanette Jackson explains how the Regency Branch Encourages the Hearts of their co-workers by using the now-familiar "Wall of Appreciation".

(To play properly, you may need to click Play [>], then click the Pause button, give it a minute to pre-load, then check back and click Play [>] again.)


Everyone knows someone who models the way, inspires a shared vision, challenges the process, enables others to act, and/or encourages the heart. If you have a story to share, we'd love to hear it. Please contact jpltraining@coj.net.

If you missed previous video stories, simply click the arrow on the left side of the screen to see the rest.

Much Ado About Mandarin Branch Library

Mary Mlady, Volunteer Coordinator at Mandarin, (left) congratulates longtime KR Volunteer Josie Lococo on being named the Volunteer of the Quarter.

Mandarin Branch also celebrated the reopening of the branch after a five day renovation of the circulation area with a Customer Appreciation Party on Wednesday, May 12, 2:00 -3:00 pm. Cake, popcorn, bottled water and Capri sun fruit pack were served. Staff took the opportunity to demonstrate the new self check machines to customers and route them to the new interior book drops. Lynne Baldwin, Manager, and staff thank Michael Sullivan, Administrative Supervisor, for attending and showing his support.

Customers are very pleased with the new circulation area. Three self check machines, two interior book drops, new carpeting, tract lights and LCD Screen give this library area a whole new look, and Kara Heydon's pictures adorn the back wall until June 30. (Other artists' works will subsequently be displayed.)

Ms. Heydon, a local photographer, who hails from Portland Oregon, celebrates the Year of the River in this display (right) and captures the distinctive flavor of living in Northeast Florida.

Mandarin Branch staff welcome you to come see their beautiful new look and enjoy this exceptional photographic display. (Double click on the pictures for a better look.)

A BIG WELCOME TO:

Dr. Donna L. Riegel, Administrative Supervisor, who reports to Carolyn S. Williams, Deputy Director,

AND TO

Lisa Brown Buggs, Community Education and Enrichment Program Supervisor, who reports to Barrett King, Deputy Director, Administrative Services.

Artwork from Genius Factory Kids

Northwest is doing an art show. Staff used the children's department and the hallway (elevator foyer)to display the artworks.

As staff put up all the works, we were amazed at all the wonderful art projects the kids did this week. The kids were very excited to see their work displayed and to show off their artistic talents to their parents. Northwest is so proud of Genius Factory kids and their gorgeous art work! Here is a sneak peek…

View all

Get your own

Kudos from Customers

Beaches Branch: “We come to storytime every week we *LOVE* Miss Lizzie (Bourland)! She's a **SUPERSTAR!!*”

Highlands Branch: “Janet (Ducat) is a very helpful and very nice person. Every time I need something she is always there for me!”

Main – Children’s Department: “… I was very impressed with the quick response of your staff (Keith Hayes) to my request for a class visit. …My visit was fruitful in that I left with all the materials I needed to write a scenario and allow the creative staff to develop the additional information needed to attach a library visit to the Children's Lit course … .”

Main Library – Conference Center: “…Frank Smith was terrific again this year helping me navigate through all the coordination required. (In fact, he did all the work for me!) I'm grateful for his assistance and cooperation. Mitesh Sangani and his staff …were wonderful to work with as well. …”

Pablo Creek Branch: “Wanted to let you know about the wonderful service provided by your staff member Susan (Williamson). I come in here all the time to check out and pick up holds and she always gives 110%. Thank you!”

It's a bird...It's a plane...It's.....

It's a bird, it's a plane... it's Free Comic Book Day! Fifteen kids of all ages stopped by the Northwest Library on Saturday, May 1 to pick up their free comic book.

How did we do it? I pulled out comic books from our collection (Adult, Teen and Children's sections) and put them on the table decorated for the day. When the customers check out, circulation staff hands them their free comic book.

Congratulations to Brenda Javier, New American Citizen at Regency Square Branch

Team Regency recently hosted an Encourage the Heart party in honor of Brenda Javier, who was sworn in as a U.S. Citizen on March 15. Team members brought in All-American food items, dressed in red, white, and blue and celebrated Brenda’s tremendous achievement. Pictured L/R: Mary Heaney, Pamalia Null, Lucy Harris, Bernice Newsom, Marshelle Berry, Lanette Jackson, and Stephanie Harley. Brenda Javier is in the center holding her flowers.

Alfreda Whitfield's Grandson

Jaiden Franklin Hale was born Februay 16, 2010. He is the new addition to Alfreda's family.

Staff Profile

Charlene Ovshak, Library Clerical Supervisor at Pablo Creek Regional Library, won The Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter FY09/10. She is attributed with setting a personal example by being the first one on her team to embrace changes.

Q: What recent changes at JPL have had positive results?

A: The biggest change that I have seen recently to produce positive results is the Library Card/Key Chain campaign. This has been a huge plus for the customer in locating their card at the circulation desk and a huge time saver for staff in terms of customers having to search for their library cards. Further, it has given the library a daily reminder or “advertisement” to our customers to “Start Here. Go Anywhere.”

Q: What enables you to embrace change?

A: What most enables me to embrace change is to actually see the value and usefulness of the change. Not just to change for the sake of change, but to really experience positive results – better customer service, reduction of wait time, increased circulation, things like that. Change as a “flavor of the month” is old and tired. Staff and customers want to experience change that matters and impacts their lives positively.

Q: How long have you worked at JPL and what influenced you to pursue this career?

A: I have worked at JPL for over 22 years. I am a Jacksonville native and have lived here all of my life. My Dad is a retired fire fighter with over 25 years of service, and my brother is also a firefighter and he has worked for the City for 6 years. I am proud to work for my City and be associated with the Public Library and the services it provides. The Library touches so many people. I have had the opportunity to work in several branches over my career and to contribute to each community in which I have worked in a different way.

Q: Share something about yourself that most of us don’t know.

A: I am a huge “Lucy” aficionado! I have collected "I Love Lucy" memorabilia for many years and at one time even had a boat named “The Mertz”. Fred and Ethel Mertz were the best friends of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. In fact, my two little Chihuahua dogs are named Fred and Ethel!

Q: Do you have a favorite author or book and why?

A: I am kind of an eclectic reader and don’t’ really have a favorite book or author. Sometimes I find myself reading some weird stuff based on the suggestions of my customers!

Mandarin Regional Honors Their Volunteers

The Mandarin Branch Library celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Week with a luncheon for their volunteers on April 21st. The luncheon was organized by Mary Mlady, the Adult Volunteer Coordinator, with the staff supplying the food and decorations. Mandarin is so lucky! Some of our volunteers have been working at the branch since it opened in June 1986. The food was great and the company was even better. The volunteers and staff had a wonderful time!

Floating: One System One Collection

This article was conributd by JPL's Gretchen Mitchell, Assistant Director, Support Services:

“Floating” collections are materials purchased for the system rather than a specific location or branch. When the material is returned, it is checked in and remains where returned. Major advantages include reduction in delivery and less wear/tear on materials.

There are many reasons to use this collection management model:

• Increases materials availability
• Continuously refreshes collection
• Reduces wear & tear on items
• Extends materials budget
• Less to pack/Fewer injuries
• Customer focused

JPL’s committee was formed in December 2009 to investigate, evaluate and implement the floating collection. The committee includes Lynn Jacobson, Charlene Adkins, Jill Haile, Laura Minor, Valerie Mattair, Mark Hohnadel, Brad Jaskula, Ron Block, Mia Brack, Cheryl Callavini, Ann Fridl, Gretchen Mitchell (chair), Chiquita Powell, and Jim Burns.

The first phase of the committee’s work was researching best practices. This included developing questions for other floating libraries, making a list of those libraries, and contacting or visiting those libraries. The committee compiled a comprehensive list of public libraries that float all or part of their collection. It was agreed to gather information from across the United States, not restricting our research to Florida. The committee also included researching this model through articles, blogs, and websites.

Additionally, a Floating Committee Team Site was created on the City’s portal. It is available for all staff to view. It includes all minutes, notes, and other documentation. http://inside.coj.net/li/committees/floating_committee/default.aspx

Based on the information collected in the research, the committee determined that floating the full collection was beneficial and would work.

Now in the second phase of its work, the committee is planning for the implementation. Implementation will take place in two phases: 1)floating of media and 2) floating of all other circulating materials with some exceptions.

Three subcommittees are currently hard at work.
Collections/Standardization (these two groups are working together):
The Collections committee is tasked with reviewing and making recommendations for catch up and gap ordering, rebalancing and weeding activities and any collections exceptions to floating.

The Standardization committee is reviewing and making recommendations for locations, labeling, item types and related ILS issues.

The Communications committee is responsible for determining stakeholders and developing communication plans and staff training.

Watch the staff blog, the Floating Committee’s portal team site and your email inbox for continuing updates and information. Questions can be emailed to any committee member.

Southeast Celebrates Their Volunteers

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and on Wednesday, April 21, 2010, Southeast Regional Library employees held a luncheon to honor their volunteers. Each volunteer was provided with a personalized Southeast Regional Certificate of Appreciation and all the food they could enjoy.

Volunteers are an integral part of the Southeast operations. They help with shelving and tasks as diverse as computer training. Pictured left to right are Valerie Morris and John Macrae, two of their most dedicated and long serving volunteers.

JPL will soon present a digital desk top clock/calendar to all of our volunteers in recognition of--and with deep appreciation--for their unselfish work at our libraries.

A Big Welcome to...

Ava Barrett, Administrative Supervisor, who reports to Carolyn Williams, Deputy Director,

and to

Bill Schaefer, Operatios Analyst, who reports to Barrett King, Deputy Director, Administrative Services & SST.

Kudos from Customers

Main – Popular: "Matthew (Moyer) on 1st floor is very friendly!"

Main Library – Genealogy: - “…He (David Fuller) is always professional, courteous, and helpful as he carries out his responsibilities. …”

Main – 2nd Floor Reference: “Greg (Royce) has been the greatest help with my son's history project. …”

Webb Wesconnett: "Mia Brack is a fabulous children's librarian…She is always very friendly and engaging. Every time I visit she helps locate what I need. …”

West Regional: “…Greg (Pierce) in particular goes out of his way & beyond the call of duty to make sure myself & the rest of my family are always taken care of.”