Neither Rain Nor High Water Could Stop ComicCon

Think the digital world has completely upstaged the printed word? Despite incessant rain and rising water, the Beaches Branch Library proved

otherwise on Saturday, May 4, celebrating a free comic book day.  From 2-5 p.m., 1,180 local artists and kids--large and small--flocked into JB's first ComicCon to absorb all they could of the comic book and Sci-Fi worlds.

The library partnered with the local comic store, Superhero Beach, and contacted local artists, shops, and schools to get on board.  Gavin Lambert and Julie Rekow worked hard to realize ComicCon's roaring success.  Customers enjoyed local graphic artists' works and talking to them.  Many showed off their costumes, mimicking their favorite comic book characters,and joined in the trivia contest.

At top,Tony Miller's version of Yoda.   Above right: JB's Gavin Lambert and Julie Rekow in front of "Tardis" (for non-SciFi fans, that's the time machine from BBC's TV show "Doctor Who".  Julie made this one from cardboard boxes. 

Gavin Lambert's daughter, Abigail, took a shine to Wonder Woman.  Of course, there was a costume contest and Richard and Noah Crook, dressed as Batman and Robin, won.  Below is comic book artist Henry Gonzalez.

Above Iron Man and JB's Terry Welch consider each other.

All fun things come to an end but Beaches Branch plans to WOW their community again next year with their second ComicCon.   For more info, enjoy the newspaper article from The Florida Times-Union:

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-05-04/story/fans-flock-comicon-beaches-library-despite-stormy-challenges#.UYYbVGY4ijI.facebook

Library Board Honors JPL Award Winners

May 6, 2013, the JPL Board of Trustees will honor JPL's latest award winners.  Board Chair Dr. Branda Simmons-Hutchins will make presentations to:

Library Associate Hongying Song (Mandarin Branch) - Model the Way

Library Assistant Kenya Coleman (Main Library Circulation)  -Challenge the Process

Librarian Senior Scott Adams (Main Library, Talking Books, Interlibrary Loan/Special Needs) - Enable Others to Act

Library Assistant Midge Roton (Mandarin Branch) - Model the Way and Employee of the 2nd Quarter

Congratulations to all of you from all of us!

Staff Profile

Mandarin Branch Library Assistant Midge Roton is efficient, succinct, self-effacing and respected by her peers and Mandarin Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin. She addresses each day with a positive attitude and completes tasks with all the skills she can muster. Midge is not shy about employing the expertise of others and knows who knows what and where to get what she needs to make Mandarin Branch shine. She likes a job well done.

Midge Roton won an Innovator Award in March and two awards for the second quarter of 2013: Model the Way and Employee of the Quarter.   

Q: Planning months ahead was key to your success with the Big Read promotions you did for Mandarin Branch. How did you go about that? When I heard a book club discussion was to be done on A Lesson Before Dying at Mandarin Library, I suggested that the Mandarin Book Club do it for the January selection. I got The Mandarin Book Club attendees on board and from there I just had to figure out how to go about it. We had some of the books and placed holds to add more. Later, Lisa Buggs sent an email that there were flyers and reading guides available so I immediately replied that I would like to have a supply of those. Once the books and materials were obtained, I just had to figure out how to do the display, programming, etc. Early planning allowed ample time to engage staff support and the right marketing materials made everything go smoothly.

Q: How did you involve other employees to keep your planning on track and fruitful? I join a book club discussion each month but usually I am not the one to lead the discussion and I have never done a display. Since I needed help, I relied on suggestions from Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin and other employees at the Mandarin Library prior to the event. This was more like a group effort throughout the process and I could not have done it alone.

Q: Did planning and getting other staffs on board with your Big Read promos have a positive result? There were the usual Mandarin Book Club attendees and some new ones. There was even a couple visiting Jacksonville from New York that attended. The positive result was that the attendance was higher than any of the other book club meetings.

Q: What is your philosophy of leadership? Taking responsibility and doing what needs to be done with a positive attitude and confidence, setting a good example for others.

Q: What is your favorite book? Gone with the Wind; I like the historical aspects of it.

Random Acts Of Kindness

Mary Hatfield, Library Clerk at Beaches Branch, shares this pleasant recount of a surprise visit from two grateful customers: 

"While I was on the circulation desk, a young girl, Malea James, put this hand decorated box, filled with cookies, on the counter.  As you see, on the box was written, “I love the library” and "thank you". Her mom, Meaghan Brundage, explained how much Malea appreciates the library and wants to come here often.

"Malea and her mom are performing random acts of kindness. Each week they will complete one project and talk about the lessons learned. I told them how much I appreciated Malea's gift of the cookies and how happy all of the employees would be to receive them. I asked for her address so we could send her a thank you card.

"You never know how your actions help motivate a child."

Remember Dr. Bertice Berry saying, "If you aren't grateful, you will always be in need."  Here's a parent who is teaching her child one of the most important lessons of life.

In Memory of Librarian Paul Votaw

We deeply regret the passing of Librarian Paul Votaw, April 25.  Today, May 1, we gather at his graveside service in Jacksonville National Cemetery to pay respect to a friend and fellow employee.  Paul's wife, Carolyn, was a longtime employee of JPL, too. She was Executive Secretary to two Deputy Directors, Sylvia Cornell and then Carolyn Williams, and retired in 2005.

Paul served his country well.  He retired from the U. S. Air Force in 1967. The Jacksonville Public Library had the benefit of almost 26 years of Paul Votaw's faithful service.  Paul loved the Lord, his wife, his friends and being a librarian.

We will miss you, dear Paul.

Beaches Branch Knows How To Get The Word Out

Beaches Branch employees and Friends advertised their upcoming Comic Con being held at JB on May 4 in a unique way.  Julie Rekow, parttime Library Associate, Terry Welch, Library Clerk, along with Cynthia Hagist of the Friends of the Beaches Branch Library, Ann Evans and Kristina Schuler participated in the 37^th annual Sandcastle Contest at Jacksonville Beach on April 27^th.  Their entry was based on a Batman Comic Book (must have been a first edition since the price was 15 cents!) Their art was sculptured and decorated with starfish and shells. They did not win a trophy, but a good time was had by all and they caught the eyes of a huge crowd that descended on Jacksonville Beach for their summer opening. What a great way to advertise, ladies!

Win-Win At NW Friends Annual Book Sale

NW's Manager Elaine Randolph said the Friends of the Bradham*Brooks Northwest Library held their Annual Spring Book Sale, April 25-27.  Who doesn't like books priced at 50 cents - $2?  Titles were available in a wide range of titles from mysteries to biographies for all ages.  Sales will benefit the Olga L. Bradham and Etta L. Brooks Branch Library.  Customers had an opportunity to pick up a stack of books to entertain or enhance their educational, economic, and quality of life.

The NW Friends and Ms. Randolph express their appreciation to all the volunteers and participants that made this Annual Book Sale a success.

2913 Staff Development Day Slide Show

As you requested, the SDD slide show is posted to the right. You can use that "small rear view mirror" Dr. Bertice Berry spoke of to see what you might have missed April 15, 2013, on the big screen.

A big thank you to Ayshea Golden for posting this and, again, a huge HURRAH! to all of you who make every day successes SOP at JPL.

Southeast's Bookie Monster

SE Senior Children's Librarian Anita Haller gives us this coverage of their fun Saturday, April 20, event:

"JPL's Director Barbara Gubbin announced the winner of the “Name the Auto Return” contest that was recently held at the Southeast Regional Library. The winning name was “Bookie Monster” and was submitted by the mother/son team, Rachel and Jay Bennett. The Bennett family won a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble Bookstore. The contest, run by the Children’s Department, had 60 names entered. The auto return machine checks in the books of library patrons, automatically sorts them into bins, and then issues a receipt.*

"The contest winner was announced during the weekly Saturday morning Stories for Young Children program. City Council Member Bill Gulliford was present to read to 73 children and parents. This program is run every Saturday morning at SE at 11 am and is very popular with families."

  As you see, CM Gulliford and Anita also led some audience participation activity.  
_________________________
*Do you know where we can get a similar machine for home that would open our mail, sort it, then open our checkbooks and pay our bills???

April Is National Poetry Month

Spring comes in all her pastel beauty
Beginning shyly her yearly duty.
She prances her way across starry nights in frozen wonder
And melts their hardened charms in summer rains and thunder.

That's mine.  What's yours?  What poetry project is in your wallet--I mean your location?

JPL also participated this year in Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 18th. It was a day long opportunity to share a poem with customers, family and friends. Four poems from the Academy of American Poets website were printed on cardstock for you to distribute at your service desks or in a program.

Let us know the fun things you did on Poem in Your Pocket Day at your library and we will post them here on your JPL Staff News blog.

BORED? GOT JUST THE FIX!

It's Friday, April 19, and once you buzz out the library door after work, remember ONE SPARK downtown this weekend.  If you can't make it this evening, go Saturday, or Sunday--great food (we've tried it and it is) and live music.  There are people with new ideas in art, music, science, and technology--and they need your vote as to who gets what share of the $250,000 that will be awarded according to public vote. You can make your day and someone else's. (See the earlier article this month for web sites to peruse.)

Kudos from Customers

Argyle Branch: (Before Mr. Carpenter transferred:) I came to the library for assistance in pulling some books for my son's school project. Mr. Don Carpenter was so helpful in assisting me to find the books I needed in a seamless fashion. I have never walked in and someone look up something and go out of their way to find what I'm looking for. Outstanding service. Thank you, Don Carpenter!!

Main – Reference/Non-Fiction/Special Collections: Mrs. Karren Deas is an excellent teacher! I don't know what I would do without her here! Please keep her as our teacher! My keyboarding speed is getting better and better! Thank you!

Murray Hill Branch: (Computer class taught by Greg Royce): Excellent. A+. 10 out of 10. Learned so many new things.

Southeast Branch: 1) Big ups to Ed Murray, way to lead by example. GREAT Customer Service my friend! 2) I am already a member of the FJPL and I support the libraries throughout the year. I like the new look at the SE Library, much more user friendly. I also like the new manager (Ed Murray) at the same location. He seems to be everywhere within the building. Very easy to talk to.

SST – Collection Management: Re: Charlene Adkins: Thank you so much. It is lovely to get a reply so quickly and I do now have the book checked out. You are so amazing about purchasing items and listening to suggestions. I really appreciate what the library offers. Everyone I have dealt with has been helpful, professional and kind. Who could ask for more?

Webb Opens Its New E-Classroom

Webb Wesconnett officially opened its new E-Classroom space on Saturday, April 13. The ribbon-cutting at 10:30 a.m. was followed by short addresses by Board of Library Trustees member Jackie Perry and Director Barbara Gubbin.

CW Branch Manager Sharon Kirkes reports she was honored to do the ribbon-cutting for the official opening of the new e-classroom space. CW Teen Library Associate Jessica Serrano had previously held a class in the new space.  Jessica assisted Gretchen Mitchell, Assistant Director for Support Services, and Lisa Peterson, Technology Systems Administrtor, in demonstrating some of the computer features, especially the “smart board.” Two interactive childrens programs have already been installed.

Luis Flores, Assistant Director for Facilities Management, was there with his daughter, Alexis, now age four.  CW Region Manager Marshelle Berry attended, as well as WST Region Manager Jane Harris and Manager of E-Services & Digital Access Karen Walker.

Mrs. Kirkes said, "JPL staffs and customers were enthusiastic about the classroom and what it may lead to for other locations in the system."

A Memorable Staff Development Day

The 2013 version of Staff Development Day was the best yet. 

Dr. Bertice Berry personifies the victorious person who is nurtured by the "manure" of life's worst experiences and greatest challenges and uses it all to mature into a sympathetic human being who can overcome any obstacle and find humor (one of life's best preservers) through it all.  Several things she said stood out, didn't they?  For this purpose, I'll use her statement, "Be grateful or you will always be in need."  That is so true.

We are grateful to the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library for good food and snacks.  Breakfast could not have been better.  Eggs, sausage, and biscuits were cooked to perfection and the fruit, orange juice and coffee were fresh.  The servers were so cheery their smiles woke me up before coffee had the chance.  Can't you still taste that brownie melting in your mouth just before we plunged into "constructing" our libraries? 

A standing ovation to Friends President Harry Reagan, Council Member and Vice President of  FJPL John Crescimbeni, Margaret Smith, and all the Friends!  Mr. Reagan's and Mrs. Smith's warm welcome at the door set the mood for the day.

Hats off to the JPL Foundation! Chair Dan Edelman and the board elected to give financial support for the prizes awarded to JPL employees, as well as Mrs. Eleanor Baldwin (Lynne's Mother) and other organizations and businesses.

Without the many volunteers taking on this huge responsibility with vim and vigor, we would not have had SDD.   We can thank our SDD Planning Committee and their advisors for well timed events; the day went smoothly, event to event.  We had good instructors for classes we all needed and there was not a boring moment. 

Closing the day with our project to not only build a library but build a JPL library system revealed where we are and where we need to evolve in our systemwide collaborative efforts.

For their leadership and their collaborative efforts, we express our appreciation to Library Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, Director Barbara Gubbin, Deputy Directors Carolyn Williams and Mark Merritt.

We appreciate Council Member Ray Holt who recognizes our efforts to survive many budget cuts and hopes for a turnaround.  That reminds me of Dr. Berry's determination to go forward, expectantly looking through the much larger windshield of life.  She sees what's ahead, with only brief glimlpses in the much smaller "rear view mirror" so past mistakes can be used as building, not stumbling, blocks: Building Our Future Together.

Now There's A Real Thank-You

Some customers really know how to show appreciation and one such customer made Willowbranch Library's Jason Brown's--and other employees'--day recently by bringing in a batch of homemade brownies.   

WB staff must have appreciated right back because Sally Doherty took the time to send in this picture.

SOM Hosts CM Schellenberg

SOM's Senior Children’s Librarian Anita Haller welcomed Councilman Matt Schellenberg to the library, April 5.  The councilman read two stories, Wide Mouth Frog and What Am I?  As you see, CM Schellenberg's story telling transformed fidgety kids into rapt listeners and he held the attention of parents, caregivers, and staff.  The summary remark about his visit:  "What a treat!"

Have you scheduled a City Council member or other legislator at your branch this year?  IT'S FUN and it keeps their attention on JPL and our value to our community.

Smell The Aroma

Find comfort at NW Library's food table for recipes on cooking the deee-licous way. Part time Library Associate Shinita Miles gets credit for this tempting table display.

NW Readies for National Library Week & Y O U

NW is set for National Library Week (NLW), April 14-20, 2013.  Gloria Buenavista reports they have a poster above a special display of teen books.  In addition to paying tribute to libraries as centers of learning, NLW also honors local librarians for their service, knowledge, and expertise on NLW Day observed on Tuesday of National Library Week each year.   This year, we honor Y O U on April 16, 2013.  Every day is a good day to remember how valuable public libraries are and that they don't oeprate without you.  So, epecially next week, take a moment and salute a fellow library worker.

Staff Profile

Karren Deas, Library Assistant in the Main Library’s Reference Department, is a sponge for computer technology. Additionally, she is “able”—reliable, flexible, and stable—and those characteristics enhance her learned skills with customers.  Several JPL supervisors have noticed the compliments Karren has received from customers since she started teaching computer classes, such as “(Karren) helps us progress to where we would like to be…to function in this modern world…” and “…an excellent teacher and should get many accolades for her teaching skills! I have learned a tremendous amount of knowledge about the computer from her that has been beneficial to me in all facets of my life! ...”

You started working for JPL as a custodian and later became a CSA II, then promoted to Library Assistant. How did you accomplish that?

October 1, 2003, the City’s HR Department hired me as a custodian for JPL and I began work under Susan Derrick at the old Main Library. Prior to that, I was an office administrator in the private sector for three years. I believed a door of opportunity would open for me at JPL.

While I was still a custodian, Margaret Smith told me she saw potential in me because I took pride in my work and suggested that I sign up to work Sundays at the circulation desk. After talking to several supervisors who agreed, I asked Deputy Director Carolyn Williams, who also thought I should go for it. I used my break time to train at the circ desk with Kenya Coleman, Carolyn Woods, and others at the Main Library. Within six months, in addition to working as a custodian, I started working every Sunday at the Mandarin Branch and learned a lot. Then I took the CSA II test, scored third on the list, and was offered jobs at three different libraries and chose Regency Square. Pay and benefits were better than my previous employment.

Later, I took the Library Assistant test and scored third on the list; however, the City had a hiring freeze at the time, so I continued working at AR as a CSA II. In 2006, Diane Moser called me with the good news that I had been promoted to Library Assistant and, again, I was offered my choice of three locations to work. I have been working in the Reference Department at the new Main Library ever since.

How did you progress so well that you can now use your computer knowledge to teach library customers?

Other than City/JPL mandatory training, I have always selected computer classes, and I’ve learned much more from other computer savvy employees that I have worked with at Regency Square Branch and here in Main’s Grand Reading Room, Call Center, and Circulation areas. (Before coming to JPL, I used keyboarding and other clerical skills in my work.) I am grateful to have received an Innovator Award for implementing the keyboarding class at Main.

Customers have complimented your ability to reach them on their level. How do you connect so well with them?

I assisted in computer classes and learned some good teaching techniques before teaching customers myself. I remember so well when I knew little about computers and empathy connects easily with customers. Patience and encouragement help them relax so they can learn more quickly. When they see how simple the steps are to learning computers, they are willing to go further. Just like me. Most of the students are seniors and letting them know they matter is important. Being reliable means a lot to them, and when I don’t know the answer, I tell them that I will get the information they need, and I do.

How do you balance your other duties with teaching computer classes?

My other responsibilities are checking in periodicals, newspapers, weeding, withdrawing materials, changing the location of materials, pulling holds, and revising the monthly newspaper statistical report. Currently, my desk time consists of working in the Call Center, 3-West, Circulation and other desks when staff is short. I balance this by bringing some work into the Call Center and I work at a fast pace. I am grateful for so many inspiring, encouraging and enabling people that I have worked for and with; most of all, I thank God, who makes all things possible. I am determined to continue to reach for higher heights.

Do you have a favorite pastime or hobby?

I enjoy working out, walking, listening to music, inspirational reading and spending time with family.

Be A Friend to the Friends

You know what a friend the Friends of  JPL are to JPL and the hundreds of thousands of dollars they have contributed to JPL over the years to supplement the lbraries' many needs.  If you are not already a Friends member, you can join at the Friends upcoming sale.  Everybody loves a sale and this good news is from Friends President Harry Reagan:

"Friends of JPL RUMMAGE SALE – April 20, 2013

"That’s right – The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library recently closed our downtown location – AND we have stuff left over!

"Great stuff, including tables, bookcases, carpets, file cabinets, shelves, even some dolls – and of course books, CD’s, and DVD’s.

"The Rummage Sale will be at the Friends Bookstore at University Park Library, 3435 University Blvd. N.

"Hours of the sale are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Saturday April 20th.

"Proceeds, as always, will be used to benefit Jacksonville’s public libraries.

"(For more information, please contact Harry Reagan at harry.reagan@comcast.net or 891-7582)"