Hooray for Dr. Seuss at Main

The day was funny but not so very sunny, March 2, 2013, in Main's Children's Department.  People big and small gathered to do crafts and celebrate Dr. Seuss.  Eve Harm (The Cat in the Hat) and Anne Draper (Thing One) hosted a number of Dr. Seuss crafts including a Lorax moustache, a Cat in the Hat hat, a Where’s the Who cup game and a Cat in the Hat Whiskers.  They listened to selections from the Horton Hears a Who audiobook, as well as Seussical the Musical and Child’s Celebration of Silliest Songs CDs.  Attendees left with smiles and stickers and a take home edible Cat in the Hat craft made of lifesavers, Oreos, and vanilla icing.  It was a “Great Day for Up”--over 45 people attended this special Saturday Dr. Seuss Birthday craft program. 

Daylight Saving Time Begins March 10, 2013

Above are two outflow water clocks from the Ancient Agora Museum in Athens.  At the top is an original from the late 5th century BC.  The one below it is a reconstruction of a clay original.  Would you say the water clock would be difficult to adjust to Daylight Saving Time?  But, whatever you have--alarm clock, digital, quartz, analog, cuckoo clock --every one of them should change at midnight this Sunday, March 10, 2013, when Dayloght Saving Time begins.  So, set your clocks, watches, etc. forward one hour this coming Saturday night before you turn in.  (Lose an hour is placatingly called "Spring Forward", which also equates to spring out of bed an hour earlier, if you don't want to be late.

What Is She Doing Now?

Alma T. Brown, retired from JPL in January 2003 having served as a Librarian Senior for Children's Services and Circulation Departments and Head Reference Librarian in General Services and Art & Music Departments.  She also served a short stint at Eastside and Southside Branches. Mrs. Brown said, "I started my fantastic career at JPL as a provisional clerk, October 6, 1971, in the Main Library's Art & Music Department with Jeff Driggers as my supervisor.

"Since my retirement, January 2003, I have remained active in volunteer work.  Once a week, I read to preschoolers at Community Connections on Duval Street.  I service Avon representatives and customers at the Avon Training Center on Normandy Boulevard two days a week and have maintained my involvement with church work on a regular basis. Hence, I call myself a “retired librarian,” rather than a “former librarian.” For me, the difference is that I am still involved, yet on my own flexible terms, and that adds “spice” in my life that I didn’t have time for during my working years.

"My husband, James, and I still find time for travel.  We attend church conferences and conventions several times a year and visit family and friends along the way. I enjoyed my first cruise, February 2012, to the beautiful Bahamian Islands.

"Our daughter, Courtney and her husband, Reginald, still live in New Jersey; the younger two daughters, Garnetta and H. Maria, live in Delaware, while our oldest, Faith, and youngest, James, II, live in Orange Park, Florida. We “claim” other children as well, so these are the source of our grandchildren.  There are six now and we expect the seventh, a granddaughter, in a few days. As our family has grown, so have the celebrations.

"James and I celebrated 55 years of marriage May 20, 2011, at the beautiful Community Club of Mandarin (the Old Freedom School set on the former Harriet Beecher Stowe property). It was indeed a fabulous affair orchestrated by our children with guests from various places, including our neighborhood. We have been blessed with good health as we grow older and better!"

Alma and James, your picture reflects the joy in your marriage and now you're a couple of months away from celebrating 57 years together.  Congratulations in advance and may you enjoy many more years together.  What a lovely example you are to all who have the honor of knowing you.

Proposals To Present At 2014 PLA Are Due THIS March 2013

Circulation Services Manager Ron Block advises that the submission date for proposals to present a PLA 2014 Conference session is 3/29/13, so if anyone is thinking about presenting at a national level, visit www.pla.org for details. Ron said he is happy to assist if needed.

Great Input From Ron Block on Recent ALA In Seatle

Ron Block, Circulation Services Manager, has this to share about his experience at the January 25-29 ALA Midwinter Conference in Seatle, Washington:

"I was able to attend a series of talks led by Rich Harwood of the Harwood Institute about a partnership he is forming with ALA to highlight the need for libraries to become more civically engaged in transforming communities. The sessions were inspirational and created a lot of buzz! Some of the best phrases I heard were “move libraries from nice to necessary”, “people are looking toward trusted organizations, like libraries”, and “re-learn how to fail, to celebrate, and to re-forge meaningful relationships”. We’ll be hearing a lot more about this in the upcoming year!

"I also was thrilled to listen to Caroline Kennedy speak about how reading and libraries have played a huge role in her life, how it was interwoven into her family both at home and through their philanthropic work. It was so exciting to hear her talk of her family’s love of poetry! You can see her talk at http://www.eventscribe.com/2013/ALA-Midwinter/assets/videoPlayer/player.asp?PresentationID=34408"

Scroll down to see Sharon Kirkes' insight on this conference.

NW Friends' Black History Program Popular

The Bradham Brooks NW Branch Friends of the Library held a “Celebration of Love, An African-American Experience,” on February 20, 2013, in the community room. The room was decorated with hearts, lighted candles atop red and pink tablecloths. The program involved poetry readings by various Friends members and Branch Manager Elaine Randolph (pictured below), dances by the “Sassy Seniors & Steppers”, all dressed out in black and red, and storytelling by former JPL employee Elaine Kitchens and Friends member Mary Webster. One of Bradham Brooks NW Branch partners, Well Care, set up a table exhibiting information for seniors on Medicare. Approximately 45 attended and enjoyed the refreshments and prizes were awarded to happy faces.

Thanks to NW's Library Associate Senior, Gloria Buenavista, for this article.

Sharon Kirkes' Recap on ALA's Midwinter Meerting

Sharon Kirkes, Webb Wesconnett Regional Branch Manager, had this to share about her recent trip to ALA's midwinter meeting in Seattle, January 25-29:  "The conference had fewer presentations than committee meetings, but two of the sessions I attended were really informative—the one on the PLA Digital Learning project, and the session on Common Core, which I knew very little about.

"I visited Seattle Public’s Central Library—interesting architecture (very Bauhaus), but not as beautiful as ours.  There were some service differences, like their coin-operated printing service, limited guest pass policy, and teen desk hours.

"Seattle appears to be a thriving, very active city, but the weather is depressing. I was so glad to get back to Florida."

I asked Mrs. Kirkes to explain a little about what she learned about "Common Core" and this is her input:  "It is a new set of education requirements that is being implemented in schools.  Florida seems to be moving right along with this approach.  It includes style and emphasis changes--students reading from a variety of sources and being able to evaluate a case based on evidence.  Common Core involves a different approach to teaching/learning and content.  Reading lists will not include so much fiction; they will include more nonfiction; I don't know the ratio. 

"As I undersand it, FCAT will evaluate students' performance in a particular course, so it will be broken down more--science, reading skills, etc. and will involve independent, critical thinking, and evaluating materials--a change in approach and content."

Kudos from Customers

Highlands Branch: "Corey Scott notifies me when my ILL's are at the branch."

Mandarin Branch & Main-ILL: "I would like to commend the following people who work at the Mandarin Library. They are all excellent professionals and give patrons like me superb service. This includes: Lynne Baldwin, Steve Egbert, Jackie Spiritas, Hongying Song, David Foster, Frances Wickes, Mildred Roton, Eric Cusaac, Diane Lewis, Sara Peretzman, Shuktibanerjee, Tammy Hilbert, Lisa Veal, Katie Currier, Brittany Gonzales, and Jessica Jones. Also, with regard to Interlibrary Loan, Carolyn Hampton gives me excellent service."

San Marco Branch: "I had the pleasure of working with your employee, Donna Peretzman, at the San Marco Library. She helped me with my E-reader. She was so very helpful, professional, and kind. Kudos for hiring and lending such a wonderful teacher. This is a great program!"

Southeast Branch: "Dear Anita (Haller) and Carisia (Rooney), Thank you so very much for all that you did to help make "Greenfield Day at the Library" such a resounding success! The students and their families all enjoyed learning more about the public library, as well as enjoyed the story time featuring "Two of Everything" and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." Greenfield Day at the Library is an event we'd like to participate in every year, especially as a way to top off Celebrate Literacy Week. Thank you again for all your hard work, and please know how much it means to us and our school to have such a great relationship with the public library and their amazing librarians!"

Big Read Lookin' Good At Mandarin

Mandarin Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin sent in this photo of Library Assistant Midge Roton, who helped KR celebrate Big Read activities by creating a large display and organizing, as well as facilitating, the book club discussion of A Lesson Before Dying.

What A Success Story!

Children's staffs at the Beaches Branch have high praise from one of their regular customers.  She is an 89 year old lady who reads to a Duval County first grade class and visits Beaches Branch to check out books that correspond to the teacher's lesson plans.  Dianne Byrd reports that JB employees have all helped this eldery lady find appropriate books on a monthly basis and the lady claims she would not be able to do such a good job with her reading, if were not for JB's staffs regularly giving "over the top good customer service".

Eric Cusaac Celebrates Ten Years Of Service

Library Clerk extraordinaire Eric Cusaac was honored with a party at the Mandarin Branch Library, February 15.  Eric actually celebrated ten years of service with the City/JPL last September but service pens for last quarter were just recently sent out.  It looks like everyone wanted Eric to know they appreciate him.  Note those FOUR heart baloons! 

Check out the other employees in JPL who have contributed many years of service in January and February 2013; look to the right for "Years of Service".

You've Gotta Have Heart!

Maxville Branch Library enjoyed a Valentine’s Day Extravaganza, February 14, including Valentine munchies in the auditorium (finger sandwiches, homemade cupcakes, heart-shaped red velvet brownies with cream cheese icing and punch (red-of course!)

Four tables were set up for children’s Valentine crafts, as well as a teen craft table for all-day fun, and the highlight of the day was a drawing for a four-pack of family tickets to MOSH!

Who's that behind those "Foster Grants"?  Two West Regional Branch employees:  Melodie Brunson (left), WST Library Clerk, who sent in this blurb and picture, and Chris Cavan, WST Librarian Senior.

WBK Celebrates Black History Month

Westbrook Branch makes the most of their one display. Last month, their display specialist, Library Assistant Antoinette Walker, built a display for the BIG READ. WBK had just one copy of Ernest J. Gaines book, A Lesson before Dying, so this was quite an accomplishment.

For February, Antoinette designed a Black History Month display. She not only used books from WBK's collection, but also borrowed books from other libraries that can be checked out.  Pictured are Antoinette and her display for Black History Month.

High Flyers Visit Westbrook

The U.S. Air Force has special names for its serving officers. The pilots are referred to as “zoomies”, as in to “zoom through the sky.” The non- flying officers are referred to as “kiwis,” after the flightless birds that inhabit New Zealand.

On January 30, 2013, Westbrook Branch had nine budding paper airplane pilots to brave the windy flight line of the library’s community room. Peggy Crawford, Children’s Librarian for the Urban Core and hangar chief, visited Westbrook and provided an hour of paper plane making craft fun. The intrepid paper pilots endured the confined airspace of the library while attempting to defeat the earth’s gravitational pull. Pictured are Peggy, and two of the crafters of the day.

Should paper airplane makers and flyers be called “zoomies” or “kiwis?” We really don’t know, but they did have a great time just the same.

What's She Doing Now?

Carol Smith retired from JPL as a Librarian Senior and finished her career in Fine Arts & Recreation in the old Main Library in September 2001.  This picture of Carol with her two granddaughters was made at Bella's (right) birthday party, February 2.  If you knew Carol, the one Q you might ask is, "What's there not to like?"

"What I missed most when I retired was the camaraderie of friends and coworkers. But I have joined a few groups and organizations and have made several new friends. What I have never missed is the alarm clock. I don't set one. I sleep until I'm ready to get up.

"It has been said that growing old 'ain't' for wimps! What I did not expect was to have some of the health issues that have developed. I've had five major surgeries and numerous procedures; the most recent has been a series of eye surgeries. But I now see 20/20 and only need reading glasses. And like many people my age, I've had to deal with aging parents and all their "stuff" after they're gone.

 "'I thought I was too old to fall in love again; then I became a Grandma.' The absolute joy of my life is my granddaughters. My son, Brandon, and his wife, Lou Gena, have two girls.  Bella just turned three and Abby turned one in October. On days when there are scheduling conflicts, I run a toddler chauffeur service. As an only child who raised two boys, I just spoil them rotten with little girly things. My son, Corey, is still single (but maybe not for long.)

"My husband and I have not travelled as much as we had hoped (and I must admit to being slightly jealous of retirees who have), but we have spent a lot of time renovating our old Riverside house. We did a complete new kitchen about three years ago and recently finished the bathrooms.

"We always thought that we might live in the country (our house in High Springs) when I retired, but I've found I like it in Jacksonville where all my friends and family are."

His First Job Was At Regency Square Branch

CR&M's Assistant Director Kathy Lussier has a sharp eye for jawdropping articles, especially when they're about JPL.  She wanted to share this article written by a former employee at the Regency Square Branch where he obviously enjoyed the many life/work lessons learned in his first real job.  His name?  Richard Hadden.  And what makes his comments notable?  Mr. Hadden is a leadership speaker, author, business consultant and co-author of the Contented Cows leadership book series, etc.  He attended Regency Square Branch's 40th anniversary celebration, January 30.  Here is the link to his article and you won't be disappointed in his recollections:

http://contentedcows.com/2013/01/employee-engagement-fundamentals-havent-changed/

It's nice to know that some successful people remember JPL and that its leadership formed a good foundation for their life's work.

Storytime Is A Big Draw At DU

On February 6, Highlands Branch's storytime featured Corduroy the Bear. Afterwards, Felecia Battle had each child make their own Corduroy Bear out of construction paper. Julie Pactor, DU's manger, said storytime attendance there is steadily growing – their largest audience so far has been 50 parents and children.

Black History Month Calendar Unveiling

Honorees at the unveiling of the 2013 Black History Month Calendar, January 17, are seated center, front row above. Second from left is Lloyd Pearson; to the right of him is Rodney L. Hurst, Sr., and Sollie Mitchell.  JPL's Board Chair, Brenda R. Simmons-Hutchins, Ph.D., stands far left, back row, and all the youth pictured wrote winning essays that are printed in the calendar.

The Jacksonville Black History Month 2013 calendar is dedicated to the memory of Ms. Clovia Russell, who, along with Dr. Simmons-Hutchins, originated the calendar.
                                        
JPL's ULC Library Supervisor, Pat Morrison, is Co-Chair of the Jacksonville Black History Calendar Committe and contributed this coverage of the special event:

"The Jacksonville Public Library hosted the unveiling ceremony for the 2013 Jacksonville Black History Calendar on Thursday, January 17th.  The theme for this year’s calendar is “At the Crossroads of Freedom & Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington”.  The event was held in the Main Library Hicks Auditorium and included a host of special guests, honorees, and 255 people attended.  First Coast News meteorologist Steve Smith was the master of ceremony and the Edward Waters College choir ensemble led the audience in a stirring rendition of the Negro National Anthem, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.

"The multigenerational concept for the 2013 edition of the calendar was explained by the Chairman of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees, Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins.  Program participants included Deputy Director Carolyn Shehee Williams and Mayor Alvin Brown.  Other attendees included Senator Audrey Gibson,
members of the mayor’s cabinet, former State Senator Tony Hill, and representatives from the calendar partners – FSCJ, First Coast News, ASALH and the title sponsors, local Burger King Restaurant franchisees.

"This event, as in the past, was a multi-departmental affair with support from the excellent resources in the African American Collection at Main Library, and sweat, equity, and research from dedicated JPL staffers Cranston Burney and Arthur Finley, who are also on the Black History Calendar Committee.

"The promotional and marketing support from Olga Bayer, Kris Snider, and Kathy Lussier in CR&M was greatly appreciated. Farryn James from Circulation, Denise Thomas from ULC, Margaret Miles from NS, Roderick Newton from EB and Cathy Currier from Special Collections provided support at the event by acting as host and hostesses. They greeted guests, distributed calendars, monitored the refreshment tables and so much more. Conference Center Manager Mitesh Sangani and his staffs, Nathan Fuller, Sheldon Wright, and Robert Giles played a key role in staging the event, and Will Daniels helped with planning.  Refreshments were provided through the generosity of the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library.

"Nearly 7,000 calendars have been shipped to branch libraries for distribution throughout the month of February."

This is the first year the Mayor has attended the Black History Month Calendar unveiling.  Mayor Alvin Brown (left of the calendar above) and WTLV's  Steve Smith did the official unveiling and they are flanked by (L/R) Acting President of FSCJ, Dr. Judith Bilsky, Deputy Director Carolyn Wiliams and a Burger King franchise representative.

Lots Of Talent At Highlands Branch

Julie Pactor, Highlands' new Branch Manager, brags on her staffs' displays and sent in photos to prove her point. Pictured above left is  Library Assistant Felecia Battle proudly flanking the Black History Month display she designed with Corey Scott's (pictured right) help in setting it up. 

Below you see DU part-timer Bunny Fritz with her Valentine’s Day display.

Julie said previous displays in January included a display designed by Pauline Berkeley, “Resolve to Read”, that featured a three-foot tall snowman.  Stacey Van Hoy created a “Downton Abbey” display and all the books displayed included an informational sheet about Highclere Castle.

DU staff can add good photography to their list of talents.

From Lego Mania to Hunger Games; It's a Circus at SOM

South Mandarin Library offered two fun & educational programs for school-aged children in January.

In conjunction with the “Reading with Ringling” promotion, SOM’s January 9th “Circus Fun” event included a circus storytime, circus craft, a “tightrope walk”, calliope music, a circus/animal book display, a mini-reading tent, and an animal cracker snack. The “Lego Block Mania: Outer Space” program on January 23, featured an outer space storytime and building a Lego display based on the theme.

SOM’s teen program on January 26th was a “Hunger Games” afternoon. It consisted of a Cornucopia Competition/Relay and various challenges (stations) such as Wii Archery, Peeta’s bakery, & “design a costume for your tributes”. Teens also enjoyed playing “Hunger Games” bingo.