San Marco Will Host Writing Class

Who wants to write?  Shoo those customers--and you, if you like--to San Marco Branch, 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2012, for an interesting class:

Creative Writing with Ray McClintock:
Tea, Cookies and Conversation

SS invites customers and staff to join them for tea, cookies and conversation. Ray McClintock will speak about his writing career and share his keys to creative writing. He is a published poet, a past winner of the Florida First Coast Writers Competition, and a former professor of creative writing. For more information, please call SS: 858-2907.

Staff Profile

Eric Soriano is an E-Library Specialist, who works in Main's Popular department. He is the winner of the third quarter Employee of the Quarter and Challenge the Process Awards. Earlier in the year, Eric arranged a public viewing of The Hammer, a new movie about a deaf wrestler (see JPL Staff News blog article, April 12).  He is enthused about opportunities to bring those with expertise together to serve the needs in our community.  His passion for life, family, and helping others is commendable.

Q: Your interest in helping people is the basis of much of your work at JPL. What promulgated your determination to improve the quality of life for others?

A: I’ve always been involved with socially relevant and service-oriented activities since my college years. I went to a university that emphasized the value of social action and that stuck with me. As a member of Jesuit Volunteers Philippines program, my volunteer work with rural poor communities strengthened my resolve to seek opportunities to serve the underprivileged. The same passion and commitment led me to start a career education and placement program for the deaf in Manila, among other related initiatives.

Thus, I see JPL as an excellent platform to serve fellow citizens who visit the library daily. I take the word “public” in public library very seriously. As a struggling immigrant father almost six years ago, I was a beneficiary myself of the fantastic services of the public library. So I can relate how a refugee, a person with a disability, or a customer facing challenges appreciates JPL’s many resources and programs. It is my own way of giving thanks to this institution for the many opportunities given to me both as a customer and as an employee.

Q: After “The Hammer” was shown at the Main Library, teachers and deaf viewers expressed an interest in attending future JPL deaf or ASL related activities. Have more activities been scheduled?

A: I am grateful to the Jacksonville Deaf Club, local colleges that offer deaf education/ASL courses, and various JPL offices for making The Hammer movie screening a great success. I'd like future programs to carry the same spirit of collaboration with both JPL and the deaf community. That said, there is a pending request to see if we could get the rights for movies using mostly ASL. There are independent film companies that produce such films. However, these titles are not part of the current list of movies that we have the rights to show. Hopefully, we can develop a follow-up movie program sometime during the fall. We are also checking the possible use of the auditorium in November for the Deaf Hands-On Theatre program organized by the Jacksonville Deaf Club and UNF. ASL programs for kids are also being discussed. There may be opportunities for other JPL branches to host deaf-themed programs. I plan to contact JPL colleagues who may be interested in exploring these activities. Working with and for the deaf community is a rewarding experience.

Q: How have you used your knowledge of Filipino sign language in assisting deaf customers?

A: I always tell people that there is no universal sign language and my previous experience signing in Filipino Sign Language (FSL) does not perfectly translate to American Sign Language (ASL). However, it helps that the language structure/rules and many signs of FSL and ASL are very similar. It has definitely been an advantage communicating with our deaf customers. While I am not certified to interpret, I've been called numerous times at the circulation and "Ask Here" desks to facilitate the communication between staffs and customers. I have also made myself available during e-government and job search open lab programs for deaf customers in need of assistance.

Q: When you found that our deaf and Spanish-speaking population wanted computer classes, you met the challenge. How did you organize these classes and get instructors to assist, and what benefits do you see for these people and JPL from your efforts?

A: We have yet to offer regular computer classes in ASL. I have discussed this with our partners and hope to someday offer classes at Main and other branches that may be more accessible to the deaf community.

Computer classes in Spanish, on the other hand, wouldn't be possible without the partnership with Center for Adult Learning (CAL) and the support of my supervisors. CAL was instrumental in relaying to us the request for basic computer instruction from their ESOL students, as well as coordinating with the students and promoting the program. I was fortunate to have a couple of bilingual volunteers who were very patient with me as we went through the birth pains of the program. One of them, Francisco, is now currently employed and serves as a class facilitator. CW’s Jessica Serrano is part of the team that developed the modules and regularly teaches classes. My role has been to set the general direction of the program, coordinate with our various partners, and be our learners' number one cheerleader! The team also enjoyed the numerous brainstorming and evaluation meetings since the early conceptualization stage back in April. We've grown from an initial pilot class exclusive to selected ESOL students to weekly public class offerings in two locations (Main and CW). The goal is to further improve promotion of the program and recruit more bilingual volunteers to teach classes. We hope to work with other branches that have a significant Spanish-speaking population and offer similar classes in the future.

Q: What is your favorite pastime?

A: I am blessed to have a beautiful wife, Ruby, and two amazing daughters, Danielle, age 8,  and Denise, age 7. I spend most of my leisure time with them and every moment with them is a favorite!

My wife and I love traveling and exploring new adventures together. We've done all the crazy theme park rides, skydiving, white water rafting, and we've jumped a bridge together. Recently, we conquered Asia's longest zip line (840meters/4500 feet above sea level) during a visit to the island of Mindanao, Philippines. We are the biggest fans of our daughters who are budding junior triathletes. They are now training for their third race of the year in central Florida.

I'm getting more involved with the Filipino community in Jacksonville and currently teach a pilot Conversational Tagalog class twice a month at the Main Library. I am a lifelong sports fan. I only discovered American football six years ago and now I'm totally hooked on the game and rooting hard for the Jags!

What is most important to me, though, is that I always try to make time amidst my busy schedule for personal prayer and reflection.

CW: Celebrating Success and Rewarding Great Customers

Webb Wesconnett hosted 120 people at a special party, Saturday, August 25.  All who came and had read the 10 book requirement for the summer received a book. (Webb reports that 3,000+ books were read over the summer and CW had the highest number of people in the library system that signed up SRP readers.

At the party, everyone received prizes. Laurie Mills asked three pizza places to donate pizza: Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, and Little Caesars. Pizza and drinks were follwed by dessert (four dozen donut holes donated by Dunkin Donuts).  Gator Clowns volunteered to do a skit and they painted faces and animal balloons. All the kids dressed as storybook characters.

Laurie Mills' grandchildren attended and they are pictured lower left.    What a way to celebrate the success of CW's Summer Library Program and reward those who came!

Webb Closes SRP Then Stars the Tooth Fairy

Webb Wesconnett's Carol Bunker dressed as the one and only Tooth Fairy and--to no one's surprise--kids listened aptly to stories about teeth.  Laurie Mills demonstrated the proper way to brush one's teeth, using Freddy Sauras' (a stuffed dinosaur) pearly whites. The children received new tooth brushes, tooth paste, and a color book about the importance of brushing well. They had a healthy apple snack and watched a movie on te subject. The August 16 program garnered 32 people.  Pictured are some of the kids with the Tooth Fairy.

Curious Moon Puppets delighted the 65 folks who attended CW's last program of the summer on August 1st. The program complemented their night time theme for the Summer Reading Program, Dream Big.

Ballots for City's Pension Advisory Committee Due August 29, 2012

Per the August 6, 2012 memo from the City's Retirement System Administrative Office, City employees must return their ballots by Monday, August 27, 2012, by no later than 4:00 p.m.  Facsimiles and postmarked dates will not be accepted.

Two-Term Chair Jim Selzer Honored By BOLT

Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, Ph.D., became the new Chair of our Board of Library Trustees, July 1.  Here she honors past two-term Chair Jim Selzer with a book that will be placed in the library in his honor.  He also received a beautiful wooden bowl handmade by BOLT member Mark Wood. 

Many of us remember Jim Selzer's untiring efforts working on the Capacity Plan and working hard with Director Gubbin and other BOLT members to keep as many dollars as they could for JPL's budget and help move JPL's services into the 21st century.  We deeply appreciate Mr. Selzer's dedication to JPL; he is an outstanding executive and will continue to serve as a Trustee on the Library Board.

Award Time For Staff At BOLT Meeting

Pictured left/right, top to bottom, are BOLT Chair Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, flanked by Deputy Director Carolyn Williams, presenting awards at the August 9 Board meeting to:  CAL's Katie Bark and Karen Wishart both won a Challenge the Process award. 

AR's Elaine Aspinwall won the Encourage the Heart award and Main Conference Center's Will Daniels won the Model the Way award. Enable Others to Act awards were presented to JPL's Training Coordinator Sara Radovic and SE's Carisia Rooney. Main's Eric Soriano won a Challenge the Process award and the Employee of the Quarter award. (We regret that a presentation picture of Carisia and Eric were not received but are including their staff pictures.) 

"Back to School" At GB Hosts 200+ Families

For several years, GB Library Clerk Delores (Dee) Walker has organized a Back to School event in the Urban Core. On August 15, Dee was assisted by GB staffers Carolyn Armstrong and Johnnie Speights, and all relished seeing the results of their labor. Thanks to gracious donations of JPL staff and community “friends”, Graham Branch hosted 200+ families.  Each child received an age appropriate bag with school supplies, and clothing and treats were available.  Additionally, children were given a TNT bag full of  tooth paste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc. that Dee helped put together.

One special feature was the Unique Boutique where Dee and other volunteers helped families select an outfit for their children. One special memory for Dee is when she assisted a family with two visually impaired young ladies.  She enjoyed helping their parents select an outfit for both girls that met everyone’s satisfaction.

Dee said, “It was hard work but worth every minute when so many kids with wide smiles said ‘thank you’. The biggest reward was when a family of four said ‘thank you’ and then one of the little boys turned away from his family and ran back and gave me the biggest hug without saying a word.  To me, that was worth all the sleepless nights of preparations.”

This event was truly a labor of love and it couldn’t have been done without the extraordinary efforts of Dee, her volunteers, and the gracious donations and assistance of others.

Need New Ideas? Innovator Award Winners Have 'Em

We all need a fresh idea at times and JPL's Innovator Award winners can help turn the light bulb on for you.  Just when you think it has all been done, someone gets a nifty idea; in fact, at JPL it is almost every day.  If you have not looked at the Innovator Award site lately, do it now--you'll be glad you did:

http://jplstaff.coj.net/archive/admin/innovator-award/index.html

Kudos from Customers

Brentwood Branch: The staffs at the Pearl St. library (Kim McTeer, Irissa Allen, Denise Thomas, and Margaret Miles) are very friendly.

Mandarin Branch: We have an excellent children's library section, thanks in large part to Mr. (David) Foster, Mrs. (Margo) Crafton, and (until being transferred recently) Ms. (Sarah) Miller. Thank you for being a much needed educational resource for the children, especially in the summer months.

Pablo Creek Branch: Dear Peggy (Crawford): Thank you so much for your assistance…in selecting the many bereavement books for our household; they were extremely helpful. I appreciate your efforts for going all out and researching them for us. You are a credit to the Jacksonville Library system.

South Mandarin Branch: Ms. Pat Dowdell…is so cheery, helpful, warm, and welcoming. We really appreciate her.

University Park Branch: Mary (Calcagni) and Kim (Hamilton) in the kids' section are the best! All the staff members are very friendly…and we love coming to UPK.

City Leaders & JPL Are Building Effective Partnerships

On Friday August 10th, some community leaders (pictured above with JPL staff) boarded a bus and toured several library locations, highlighting programs and services. The tour began with a continental breakfast meet and greet at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church’s Educational Center. Locations visited included CAL, Talking Books, PCR, EB and GB. The group received words of welcome by Deputy Director Carolyn Williams and JPL's Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins. Presentations were done by Library Supervisor Marshelle Berry, Early Childhood Specialist Susan Mankowski, and Youth Services Coordinator Kathy Tekin. Talks and tours were provided by Karen Wishart, Chris Eaton, Tamera Branam and Anthony Williams.

According to Library Supervisor Marshelle Berry, “This particular tour is just one aspect of the amazing partnership with Shiloh. JPL outreach activities focusing on family literacy are being confirmed."

The partnership with the Education Center was an outgrowth of her Sunshine State Library Leadership Project. However, Ms. Berry stated, “The collaboration was specifically developed to assist in meeting critical literacy needs within the Urban Core Community. As we continue to redefine library service, establishing strategic alliances with non-traditional partners is going to be critical to our effectiveness. As a result of this one partnership, I have been contacted by other community organizations interested in collaborate efforts.”

UPK Honors Summer Teen Volunteers

University Park Branch Manager Marlin Day emailed this picture of volunteers who were honored and received treats at UPK, August 15, for all their much appreciated assistance over the summer.

Pictured left to right: Laura Sainvil, Gabriel Kwaji, Esther Iya, Adrienne Floyd, in blue in front is Lauren Adams next to sister Emily Adams.  Behind Emily is Laurie and Robin Shorem, Library Clerk Cheyla Scantling, who helped with the volunteer celebration, Harsh Patel and Marlin Day. 

Appreciation certificates and thank you notes were given to 16 teen summer volunteers. UPK also had a short story contest and the winner received an MP-3 player.  Way to go UPK volunteers!

Ending a Great SRP at Southeast

Fun was popping out all over in the Children’s Department at the Southeast Branch Library on August 8 when they celebrated the end of the Summer Reading Program with a popcorn party with over 100 parents and children in attendance.   The branch’s new popcorn machine and cart was the feature attraction along with a craft program, refreshments and awarding of prizes.

A Bridal Shower for Virginia Romero at Southeast Branch

Staff at the Southeast Branch Library gave a surprise bridal shower on August 7, 2012 for PT Library Clerk Virginia Romero who was so surprised she was speechless. Southeast’s own Cake Boss Barbara Hughes baked and decorated a pink shower cake. Library Associate Pelin Hangul (with able assistance from PT Library Clerk Suzanne Neikirk) did a beautiful job decorating the breakroom with different shades of pink, aqua and purple.  Virginia and Alex were married at the Ribault Club in Ft. George Island, Sunday, August 12, and we hope Virigina will share a wedding picture with us when she returns from her honeymoon--as well as her new last name.

AR Hosts Popular Party To Close SRP

Regency Square Branch's August 11 End of Summer Reading Party was held on AR's lawn and hosted 100 teens and chldren, who enjoyed sno-cones, ice cream and games.

Big Win for Jax Suns As JPL Customers & Staff Close SRP

The Jacksonville Suns hosted JPL customers and staff, as they have done for years, to close JPL's Summer Reading Program.  Youth Services Coordinator Kathy Tekin reports the August 12th ballgame was a real win for both the Suns and all who attended because the Suns won 7 - 1 over the Montgomery Biscuits!  That was remarkable because their opponents are leading in the league.

Robbie Tiedeman, Executive Assistant to the Facilities Manager, deferred his chance to throw the opening pitch to let his oldest son, Trevor, have the honor (pictured above).

Suns owner Peter Bragan, Jr. provided two bicycles to be given away at the game.  Ten year old Regency Square Branch customer Holly Adams and seven year old Argyle Branch customer Connor Peterson won the drawings.  Holly read approximately 50 books and Connor read about 125 books.  Mrs. Tekin said pictures of the winners should be available soon.

DU's Kathleen Brunner took her son, Alex, (pictured left ) and UPK's Rosalin Smalls (right) brought her granddaughter, Zylynn, to enjoy the winning game in the best weather they have had in years.

Today a Wrestling DVD; Tomorrow the Olympics?

Never underestimate the power of a good display.  This display of wrestling DVDs was done by Kim McTeer at Brentwood.  The young fellow is really taking it in; maybe he is dreaming of being an Olympic wrestler.  You never know who or what you may be inspiring, but one thing is certain, libraries make a big difference in millions of lives every day.

Staff Profile

Farryn James is a Non-Civil Service Clerk in the Main Library's Special Collections Department.  Pat Morrison, who supervises that department, thought Farryn's experiences would be of interest to JPL staff.  Farryn exemplifies what one can do early in life to overcome obstacles, set goals high, and work hard to attain them. 

Q: What were your aspirations when you were a young girl?

A: As a little girl, I always knew I could do everything and be anything. I wanted to be a “quadruple threat”—singer, dancer, actress and an author.  As I matured, however, I found my real passion in life was writing. I knew I was destined to become an author when I was writing on my bedroom walls as a kid. In my free time, I would take the school planners and compose songs and poems in them. I wrote my first play in elementary school and in high school I received an “A” on my first short story.

Q: How do you deal with adversity?

A: As a teenager, I remember asking God, “Why me?” when it seemed that my luck could not get any worse.  I was 15 when I was diagnosed with two chronic and sometimes debilitating diseases. Although I would be forced to live with these ailments for the rest of my life, I decided they would not cripple me. While most 16 year olds were enjoying their summer vacation, I was beating the pavement looking for a summer job. I didn’t have any luck until the following summer.

Q: How did you hear about the Seeds of Change Program?

A: A friend told me about this program that offers young adults job opportunities over a 16 week span during the summer, and after joining it, I was assigned to Brentwood Branch Library. Once there, I gained experience and bonded with the four women I worked with. That bond will never be broken.

Q: How has your experience in the Seeds of Change Program and JPL impacted your life?

A: The following year, I graduated from William M. Raines High School with a 3.0 GPA and began my first year at Florida State College at Jacksonville. I began working two jobs as well because I wanted to prove to my family that I could do anything I put my mind to. The Seeds of Change Program and my experiences at Brentwood Branch became building blocks for me on my bridge to success--the same bridge that brought me to my current job at the Main Library.  Ms. Gloria Armstrong (Brentwood Branch) sent excellent recommendations to my current supervisor.  I received a phone call, interviewed with Mrs. Margaret Morford, and the rest is history.

Now it seems as though my life has come full circle.  Instead of asking God “why me”; I thank Him every day for all the blessings in my personal and professional life. This year, I graduated from FSCJ with a cumulative GPA of 3.08 and an Associate of Arts Degree. I recently received a letter stating that I made the President’s List during my final semester at FSCJ.  I have been accepted at the University of North Florida and plan to receive my bachelor’s degree in Journalism. I never imagined that I would be where I am today, and I am so thankful for the good and the bad because everything is a lesson learned for me.

Q:  To a large degree, past and present determine the future.  What do you see for your future?

A:  While I feel I have accomplished so much, this is only the beginning. Look for me on the New York Times bestsellers list one day.  Toward that end, I continue to work on my craft -- writing, learning, and growing. I always thought, but now I know, any and everything is possible.

ULC Enjoys Three Treats In One Meeting

The Urban Library Center team breakfast was held at Graham Branch, July 26. Staff members came together from the four ULC locations and contributed breakfast items such as homemade waffles, cornbeef hash, grits, fresh fruit, bagels and sausage balls.

Christie Rogers and Tia Samuels were presented with JPL Innovator Awards.

As special guest, FJPL President Harry Reagan was presented with a certificate of appreciation.

KEEP THOSE INNOVATOR IDEAS & AWARDS GOING

Tia Samuels, Library Assistant at Westbrook Branch (pictured above), received her Innovator Award at a Team breakfast at Graham Branch, July 9, 2012.  Urban Library Center Supervisor Marshelle Berry was pleased to present Ms. Samuels her award, along with an Innovator Award presented to WBK's Library Associate Christie Rogers.  Ms. Rogers won her award for her personalized services at WBK.  She dedicates one hour each week of one-on-one computer training to a senior adult.  Ms. Samuels created "Recommended Reading " Shelf Talkers and uses bright colored paper with brief summaries of books to garner attention of customers, resulting in increased circulation.

Circulation was also upped in Main's Poular & Fiction when Librarian Kema Roseberry created a Last Chance Bookshelf that consists of books that have not been checked out for a while and are in danger of being weeded.  Ms. Roseberry won an Innovator Award for her idea, July 26, and it was presented by Library Supervisor Alisha LeVasseur, who appreciates these books getting more attention and seeing increased circulation.  A sign draws attention to the shelf, which reads, "Your patronage helps keep these books circulating in our collection. Check out a book today!"

Y-O-U may have a new idea to share with your manager that would benefit staff and/or customers.  Be creative and share your helpful suggestions with your supervisor.  If your idea is used, you could be the next winner of an Innovator Award.