Daylight Saving Time Ends 11/4/12

Gain an hour!  On November 4, 2012 at 2:00 a.m. Daylight Saving Time ends and we set the clock backward one hour and gain one hour.  If you're not a morning person, you can sleep an extra hour.  (Oh, happy day!)  This is your last Sunday to get up an hour earlier until Daylight Saving Tme begins again, 2:00 a.m., March 10, 2013.

Main Teen Department's Video Contest Is A Big Winner

Main Library Teen Department's Librarian Senior Keli Likins reports they had 14 entries and 42 teens/family members in attendance at the reception on October 16 in the Main Library's MP-1 where the winners were announced. The winner of the contest was Aakash and he played his video on the book The Life of Pi. His and the other videos can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/JPLTeenScene

Aakash won the New iPad.  The second place winner won an iTouch and the third place winner received an iPod Classic.
In the top center photo, Bruce (a volunteer) and Angela Gaines (leader of TRW workgroup) are seen in the background and front, left to right, are Keli Likins, the 3rd place winner Ryan P., and Adult Program Specialist Lisa Buggs, who emceed the show.

On the right above are pictured Michelle Barth, Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Brown, and Dr. Donnie Horner, Education Commissioner, who obviously enjoyed the event.

Veteran's Day Display

Veteran's Day is November 11 and what a good time to have a blowout celebration of our veterans with a red white and blue book display honoring those brave men and women who have served, and many paid with their lives for us to live in this country.

Kudos from Customers

MAIN – CAL: Congratulations to your Adult Literacy Curriculum and to Katie Bark (Library Program Specialist), who wrote the Life Skills Lessons. …

MAIN – REFERENCE & PERIODICALS: Teacher Karren Deas is a very good teacher in the basic knowledge of computer skills…

GRAHAM BRANCH, MAIN, & WILLOWBRANCH: Going to the library has become a weekly ritual for us and aside from a trip to get ice cream, telling our girls we are going to the library brings unparalled excitement in our home. Mr. Josh (Jubinsky, Main), Miss Bell (Isabelle Pierre, WB), Miss Donna (Carroll, formerly at WB, now at Main), Miss Julie (Lipschutz-Pactor; formerly Children’s Librarian Senior at GB; now in Main Teen Dept.), Miss Susan (Koedel at WB))—they are all household names and have become my daughter Lillie’s alter ego when we play library at our house. Needless to say, the library and its librarians have become a constant source of entertainment and have made a strong, positive impression on my children.

SOUTH MANDARIN BRANCH: Please keep Ms. Pat (Dowdell, now at SE) in the children's section. My 3 & 4 year old have literally grown up with her. They now go right to her and ask for books on specific topics (fish, turtles, soccer, super heroes, etc.) and she helps them find just what they need each time. I do not think they would feel as comfortable asking for things themselves if they did not have such a strong bond with Ms. Pat.

City Offers Helpful Program for Staffs

Everyone seems to need help at one time or another.  Need to talk?  Got a problem that could use some valid, objective advice but you cannot afford counseling?  City/JPL employees can call (904) 351-5010 and arrange an appointment, if need be.  Short-term counseling--at no charge--on various aspects of life, are offered by the City's Employee Assistance Program.  These services include:

Addictive behaviors - Anxiety - Anger management - Caregiver counseling - Child counseling - Coping with a life change - Depression - Divorce counseling - Domestic violence - Eating disorder situations - Eldercare issues - Emotional/physchological concerns - Family counseling - Grief issues - Legal or financial stress - Loss and grieving - Marital or relationship difficulties - Organizational change - Other Difficulties - Personal and life improvment - Stress management - Substance abuse - Work stress

You are invited to visit their website:  www.aetnaeap.com

Argyle Keeps 'Em Coming In

Argyle Branch Manger Janet Ducat reports they have a volunteer who visits AYL twice a week to give computer classes on their teen computers. If not enough people sign up, she cancels the class.

Also, Amber Boyette, one of their part-timers holds a knitting class.

San Marco Hosts Creative Writing Talk

On September 25, San Marco Library hosted an evening bookside Creative Writing chat program for adults with Ray McClintock , a former professor of Creative Writing at FSCJ and Edward Waters College: Tea, Cookies, and Conversation.  SS's Manager Pam Thompson said eight attendees were delighted with the talk.

If you are interested in having Prof. McClintock do a Creative Writing talk at your branch, Ms. Thompson could give you contact information.

November Friends Book Warehouse Sale

At the next Friends of JPL Book Warehouse Sale, you could find some practically new books for your friends, family, or anyone who "has everything"--or buy a new arm chair adventure for yourself:

FJPL Members Night (You can join the Friends there, if you are not already a member):  Friday, 11/9/12:   5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Come One, Come All: Saturday, 11/10/12:  9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

$10 for a Bag of Books:
Sunday, 11/11/12: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, 11/13/12:  4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday, November 15: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, 11/17/12: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

All sales days will be at the Friends Book Warehouse located at the University Park Branch Library.

Be a friend to the Friends and JPL:  talk up FJPL's sales days; it's a win/win opportunity.

Idea for November Book Display

November is National Adoption Month, a time to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care. This year's initiative focuses on building capacity of adoption professionals to recruit and retain parents for the 107,000 children and youth waiting for permanent families in the U.S. foster care system.  Peruse the website for more information: http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/nam/

Staff Profile

Jane Harris was asked to contribute to this article when she was still West Regional/Maxville Branch Manager.  She was recently named JPL's West Region Manager and will be supervising Argyle, Highlands, Maxville and West Regional branches.  For now, Jane says she will keep her office at  WST.  Smart, kind, relatively quiet, dilligent, intuitive--one could think of many positive adjectives to describe this lady.  It is really easy to like Jane Harris, and once you read her history of 27 years at JPL, you'll agree:  JPL has come a long way!

Q: How long have you been with JPL and what experience did you bring with you that best served you here at JPL?

A: I have been with JPL for 27 years. Before coming to JPL, I worked for the Palm Beach County Library System. When I started with Palm Beach County I had no experience working in a public library. It was an eye opening experience. During my time there, I think I called every emergency number in existence, went through a hurricane, a parking lot brawl, and a number of building emergencies. By the time I started at JPL, I was a lot calmer when dealing with emergency situations.

Q: You have managed several of our libraries.  Please share your experiences and how branches differ (or don't) in service to meet the needs of their geographical areas.

A: I have managed five libraries for JPL. In many ways they have been very similar. The customers come in with a need that they expect us to fill. The vast majority of the customers are appreciative and friendly. In all the branches, children’s services were in high demand. Parents want to bring their children to the library for a fun and educational experience. The differences were mostly in the demand for materials. In my current location, Inspirational books and nonfiction “how to” books are very popular. When I was at Regency, Romance and Manga were popular. At Webb, African-American fiction and books to help with school were in demand. Of course, there are the universal favorites like DVD’s and practice test books.

Q: What are a few of the important things you have learned as a manager that could benefit all of us?

A: The main things I have found helpful are to be flexible and to listen to my employees. It is amazing what ideas they can come up with when you are receptive.

Q: What are some of the outstanding changes you have seen in libraries since you have been with JPL?

A: I am really dating myself with this one, but computers have been the most outstanding change. When I first started with JPL, the computer circulation system was in the works, but had not been implemented. This felt like a return to the dark ages for me because Palm Beach County was already using a computer circulation system. I could not check and see if another branch had a title. I no longer could easily reserve materials. The reserve system at Regency was a marker board with needed titles written on it. When items were checked in, the clerk had to check the board to see if the book was needed for a reserve. We used to make monthly trips down to Main and search the shelves to fill reserve requests. Also, for the first time, I had to file catalog cards. I hated it. I could not wait for the day Jacksonville started using computers. We have come a long way since those days. Record keeping and inventory control are so much more efficient since the advent of computers. The dissemination of information has totally changed. We take for granted so much that was not even possible such a short time ago. I love knowing where an item is and being able to locate it for a customer. It is so much easier to search a database and come up with an answer in a few minutes than searching indexes of multiple texts trying to locate an obscure fact. (Although I do miss some of the bar bet questions that apparently customers are now answering themselves.) As technology continues to develop and evolve, I know there will be other changes. I am struggling to keep up with this, but I believe that libraries will continue in some form. After all, we provide free access and assistance to information.

Q: Who is your favorite author and why?

A:  I do not really have one favorite. I like authors that develop their characters. I have to be able to see and visualize the character. One author I like is Anne McCaffrey. I like her Pern series because she has developed a whole world and society with great characters. I also like Irving Stone, Leon Uris, Jane Austen, and Janet Evanovich along with many others. I mostly read fiction although I also like biographies. Robert Massie and John Toland are two biographical writers I enjoy.

CW Enjoys Fall Fest

Webb Wesconnett celebrated a fall feast with their preschoolers and parents on September 2.  Staff and customers had an interesting agenda.  The program included the turkey pokey and kids' pictures being made  (staff later sent the emails home to participants). Then the 45 attendees enjoyd various dishes everyone brought.

A Bit of JPL History From A Soon To Be Retiree, Heather Campbell

Heather Campbell, Senior Librarian in the Main Libarary's Popular/Fiction Department, will spend her last work day at the library on September 28 after 33 years of faithful service.  Needless to say, she will be missed.  Heather has seen many changes in library service and we thought you would like to hear about some of JPL's history from someone who has experienced many changes in library service in her 33 years:

"I have been at JPL since May 1979. I started out in General Services at the old Main Library. One of my duties was Interlibrary Loan, which was a lot different from the ILL we know now. It involved teletype machines and paper forms. I was there for seven years. In 1985, I promoted to Senior Librarian and went to Highlands Branch which opened that October. It was the first branch to have computer catalogs and a Circulation system; both were still in beta testing at the time. I was there 13 years. Then I was transferred to Bradham Brooks Northwest and was there a few months. I was transferred to Literature and History at the Main Library in May 1999. I served as Senior Librarian there and then transferred to ILL in December 2003. While in ILL, I oversaw the shift from multiple softwares to the ILLiad (ILL) system. Just before I left ILL, I oversaw the introduction of the Florida Navigator system. JPL was the first Florida public library to use ILLiad for both lending and borrowing. JPL also led the way in being the first and largest public library to sign up to be a "first wave" participant in the Florida Navigator project. In October 2011, I was transferred to the Popular Department. In addition to my reference and supervisory duties, I led the Art Walk Committee, was the contact person for Tai Chi classes, and was one of the JPL representatives for ShAdCo and Downtown Vision."

We wish you and your family the very best in the years to come, Heather, and hope your retirement years will bring new adventures and much joy.  Thank you for all you have done for JPL; we have enjoyed working with you.

Kudos from Customers

Main – Popular: "...I would like to commend the very outstanding services rendered by Alisha (LeVasseur) regarding my use of my Kindle Fire."

Main - Teen: “Keli Likins from the Teen Department really went out of her way to accommodate my needs and those of my sixth grade students. She had tours set up for our students to walk through the library and also gave a 1 hour presentation on accessing the online databases. The event was such a success that Mrs. Likins offered to come to the school this year to work with our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. This was instrumental in getting our students excited about Science Fair. …”

Regency Square Branch: "…Elaine Aspinwall. I have praised her previously and it is certainly well earned and deserved. She never fails to greet me by name. She is always willing to help with any query I present. Elaine just goes out of her way to always smile and show genuine caring for my being there and her position. Please keep in mind, however, there are others on your staff there that are also wonderful and exemplary employees and volunteers or possibly interns."

San Marco Branch: "Several of the staff members know me by name and are very helpful and friendly. Philip (Sturges) is especially helpful."

Westbrook Branch:  "…the employees at this branch are awesome!!! They are so willing to help and it is nice that they all have smiles on their faces every time I come in. Christie (Rogers), Tia (Samuels), and Susan (Williamson) are the best! The Library should be very proud to have them as workers dealing with the public."

A Note From Jerry Reynolds

Special Services Manager Jerry Reynolds will retire after 24 years of service, and he has this to say:

" I appreciate the opportunity that JPL gave me to work with a very significant segment of the population of Jacksonville in offering a program as valuable as Talking Books. The chance to extend JPL’s resources into a community of people who don’t always have the advantages of excellent health or mobility was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I plan to continue to volunteer outreach and to maintain the relationships that we have built through the years, especially to seniors. The personal rewards are worth so much.  Thanks, Jerry"

And we thank you, Jerry, for all your years of dedicated service to JPL and wish you the very best in the future.

UPK Hosts CM Yarborough's Town Hall Meeting

University Park Branch hosted District 1 Councilman Clay Yarborough's  Town Hall meeting on September 17 to discuss the City's budget and his work on the Council's Finance Committee.  UPK Manager Marlin Day said about 25 people attended.

Summer Short Story Contest Winners Announced

Youth Services Supervisor Kathy Tekin announced this summer's Short Story contest winners today.  They were selected from 56 entries at the High School level and 24 entries at the Middle School Level.

Middle School Winners:

1st Place - Shruti Murali, who volunteered at Southeast and attends Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts

2nd Place - Nicole Altomare, who volunteered at Mandarin and attends Liberty Pines Academy

High School Winners:

1st Place - Dipayan Banerjee, who volunteered at Mandarin and attends Stanton College Preparatory School

2nd Place - Taehwan Mark Kwak, who volunteered at Pablo Creek and attends Stanton College Preparatory School

Mrs. Tekin reports that the judges spent considerable time reading and rereading the short stories to select the best. It was a difficult task to come up with the top two in each age group.

Mrs. Tekin gives a BIG Thank You to the judges and all of the volunteer coordinators who worked with the teens this past summer.

The combined base number of hours volunteered were 800 hours of assistance in our branches!

Southeast Speeds Up Children's Check Out

Attention!  Attention!  You can now check out library materials in the Children’s Department at Southeast.  SE just moved a self-check machine from the circulation desk to the Children’s Department and customers love it!  Manager Lynne Baldwin gives a big thanks to Innovator Award winner Carisia Rooney for creating a sign to highlight ther old but new service in the Children’s Department. 

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!