Argyle Branch Fires Up Christmas

Argyle Branch's Children's Department holiday decorations were created by Tia Samuels, Library Associate Senior, and Melanee Terrell, Library Assistant. A "warm" fireplace was created from construction paper and toilet paper rolls. Daily, children created their very own stockings to place around it.  Additionally AYL’s “Toilet Paper Roll Owl” themed tree and their “Christmas Around the World” display of seasonal books, and Christmas lights wrapped around a bench, etc. brightened customers'  visits.  

Thank you, Tia, for sharing Argyle's holiday joy with us.

JB's Teen Event: "Nightmare Before Christmas"

On December 19, Beaches Library offered the first “teens only” program in many moons.  The movie “Nightmare Before Christmas” was shown and the title was used for the teen holiday event to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the movie.  JB teens decorated “undead gingerbread” , “holidays around the world” trivia and more.  Pictured are some of the undead cookie creations.  Twelve teens enjoyed the celebration and they are excited about future events, including a “My Little Pony” Art Afternoon, “Random Fandom” Wednesdays and an “end of the world” dystopian book club.  Stay tuned for more fun and educational teen events at JB!  (Thanks to JB's Michelle Petrin, Teen Services Librarian, for this article.)

Jessica Serrano Gets To Yes Jaguar

Webb Wesconnett Region Manager Marshelle Berry sent in this photo of Jessica Serrano, CW's Teen Library Associate, who was recently presented JPL's "Get to Yes Jaguar" for providing excellent customer service to our Spanish speaking customers at CW.
Congratulations, Jessica!

Angels At Work

Every year, a City angel, Sandra Stonestreet, heads up a city wide program, Adopt An Angel. She asks for City employees to donate gifts and volunteer, if they can, at the Salvation Army's big give-away for children birth to 12 years of age. 

Again this year, JPL's staffs joined other volunteers for their all-day job, December 17, in the old Montgomery Ward store at Regency Square Shopping Center. As their expressions show, they thoroughly enjoyed helping make 3200+ children happy for Christmas. Volunteers passed out children's gifts to parents who came to pick up items they could later give to their kids. Playpens, basketballs, softballs, wagons, tricycles, bicycles, dolls, etc. were happily received. Everyone received a Christmas stocking.  Pictured left to right are Tenesha Anderson, Jackie Curry, Charlene Ovshak, Pam Beaton, Diane Alexander, and front/center is Alfreda Whitfield.  

Thank you, ladies, for sharing your time, talents, and love for so many children.

Tenesha Anderson gave us the heads-up on this event and shared these pictures.

Kudos From Customers

Murray Hill Branch;  Absolutely love Murray Hill Staffs (Raymond Neal, Chiquita Powell, Douglas Fair, Margaret Esposito, Mary Fletcher, Erin Tuzuner)…

Pablo Creek Branch: Mary Boyd is such a special asset for you. I always feel fortunate when she assists me in checking out books. She is always smiling, pleasant and professional. Everyone in that branch is very friendly and professional.

San Marco Branch: My wife and I love the San Marco Library. We are on a first name basis with the staffs and they are very helpful. I am an author and have had readings in the library and Pam Thompson has been very accommodating of my style. Donna (Crowther) and Philip (Sturges) are always friendly and help me renew items…

Southeast Branch:  The staffs here (Ed Murray, Anita Haller, Sally Doherty, Steve Egbert, Karen Hardin, Brenda Javier, Carisia Rooney, Mandy Elliot, Deborah Wainwright, Jemima Diggs, Paul Schaffner, Blake Fowler, Crystal Kadkhodaie, and Paul Thornton) are very kind, helpful and friendly. I have grown up going to this library, and I am very thankful for all the advantages it has offered me...

Webb Wesconnett Branch:  Love Greg (Royce) who teaches sessions on different systems (PC, tablets, etc.) He was very helpful and polite. 

It's A Merry Christmas At The Turner Home

Library Clerk Patricia Turner works at Webb Wesconnett Branch.  She graciously shares this picture of her sons, Mark (age 2) and Thomas (age 1) enjoying a prelude to Christmas--"reading" together.

What a nice present for us.  Thank you for making our day!

What Your Gift To United Way REALLY Does

JPL's United Way donations total giving this year is: $10,010.  Considering the drive was right at Thanksgiving and people were preparing for that and what to start buying for Christmas, and some employees on annual leave during the very short turnaround time for UW, that ain't bad.

These days every dime counts.  Follow this link, if you'd like an encouraging,  positive revelation of the good being done with your United Way donations.  

http://members.jacksonville.com/opinion/premium-opinion/2013-12-12/story/local-united-way-leading-nation

To those of you who donated to United Way and read the article above, you have the assurance of being an integral part of much good effected for many in our community.  "Thank you" seems inadequate but you certainly deserve appreciation and you have it from the many who cannot offer it personally.

Hats off to Pam Beaton, Tenesha Anderson, and Diane Alexander for helping sort the UW materials and get them out to all departments and branches.  Additionally, Diane Alexander served as coordinator for the Main Library departments and branch UW representatives were Jason Brown (WB), Aracelis Diax (WST and MAX),  Theresa Rooney, (UPK), Gretchen Mitchell (SST), Paul Schaffner (SE), Keli Likins (SOM), Pam Thompson (SS), Farryn James (AR), Hongying Song (PCR), Gloria Beuenavista (NW), Chiquita Powell (MH), Lynne Baldwin (KR), Felicia Battle (DU), Jackie Spiritas (GB), Sharon Kirkes (CW), Michelle Petrin, (JB), Janet Ducat (AYL), Gloria Armstrong (NS), Anthony Williams (EB), and Kimberly McTeer (WBK).

What's Retiree Joan Dismore Doing Now?

Joan Dismore (regretfully we do not have a picture of her) worked in the SWIFT (System Wide Information for Telephoners) department at the old Main Library.  When the new Main Library opened at 303 North Laura Street, the department was renamed the Call Center.  Here’s Mrs. Dismore’s update to us:

“It’s hard to believe that 17 years have passed since my stint in the SWIFT area at the Haydon Burns Library.  I still remember the fun we had and some of the really unusual questions customers phoned in to us.  It was a happy nine years for me.

“Since that time, George and I have enjoyed many wonderful trips—ocean cruises to Hawaii and through the Panama Canal; riverboat cruises through the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany; bus tours of the western canyons, Poland, Czechoslovakia and parts of Russia and Italy; and a trip across Canada on the American Orient Express.

“Now we’ve narrowed our travels to a week each summer on the Gulf Coast with my sister’s family.

“Nearer to home, we work out three times a week.  My husband, George, is active in the Exchange Club and I volunteer one day a week at Nemours Children’s Clinic, meet old college friends once a month and also old high school buddies once a month.

“Thankfully, I’ve been able to keep in touch with a few former employees at Haydon Burns Library--Louise Warren (a former part-time librarian), Elsie Oishi (Senior Librarian in Literature and History), and Arden Brugger (headed up Genealogy department).

“At Sara Gunter’s request, I’ll relate a funny story about my engagement to George 54 years ago:  Meeting the father of a childhood friend, I told him to tell Joanne I was engaged to George Dismore.   Somehow, in transition, Dismore became Dinsmore (a Dinsmore dairy was here in Jacksonville for many years and was owned by the Skinner family who owned a lot of land).  By the time Joanne got my message, it had become my engagement to one of the Skinner boys whose family owned the Dinsmore dairy farm.”

Board Member Ronnie King at GB

Library Board of Trustees member Ronnie King participated in the Graham Branch Art Club, December 4. The Art Club was facilitated by Children's Library Associate Marie Myers and Children’s Senior Librarian Peggy Crawford with Library Clerk Chanika Kimbrough offering assistance.  The event was attended by 18 area children and teens coming from various schools in the community, including Stanton High School, K.I.P.P (Knowledge is Power Program) and Susie Tolbert to name a few. Pictured here is Ronnie King with his creation along with the students working on their art. The children were shown how to create their own unique prints in reverse to stamp on cards and create a handmade image. The young group was amazed by their own artistic ability!

Thanks to Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas for this article.

Staff Profile

Valerie Evans has seen many changes in JPL in her 34 years of service. She is quiet, modest, and certainly a Southern lady.

Q:  You began working as a librarian at Regency Square Branch in 1979.  Where have you worked during these 34 years?

A:  I worked in "pre-Charles Webb Wesconnett Branch" in the old Main Library.  CW was being planned in an office on the third floor. From the early 1980's through early 1990's I worked in the old business department on the first floor.  It was called Business, Science and Industry and later named Business Science and Documents.  This area included business reference, newspaper indexing and run-of-the-mill library work.  Later I transferred to Literature and History, then Periodicals--all in the old Main Library.  Later I worked in Non-fiction in the new Main Library, and now I am a librarian at Willowbranch.

Q:  Having seen JPL change from a Dewey Decimal system collection typed out on 3"x5" cards and correspondence hammered out on typewriters to the technology we use today, how did employees initially address this huge change?

A:  The changes were good for customers and staffs but a struggle for non-techies.  After finally absorbing the knowledge, it was obviously a good move in the right direction.  Technology made indexing FTU a breeze for librarians.  Instead of typing 3x5 cards, we only had to type the headlines into the computer.  During that time,  Infotrac made its appearance and that made searching for periodical information easy for customers.  I do feel it was a big undertaking for library staff to walk customers through the procedures on new technology.  E-mail made life much easier because employees didn't have to climb steps or use elevators to talk to each other.

Q:  Dress codes have changed dramatically over the years at JPL, along with society's many social changes.  Can you tell us something about that?

A:  JPL dress codes thankfully allowed for the uniformity of staffs' appearance but favored personal style.  Staff was counseled if they did not adhere to dress codes.  Hose was required for women; no round neck shirts; no slogans or statements on clothing and no T-shirts.

Q:  What other changes in JPL and the community have you seen that made a big impression on you?

A:  The technology that we now use does not allow for many mistakes.  It also helps customers retrieve more information.  The services the library provides allows a library visit to operate as smoothly as a trip to a store.

Q: Do you have a favorite author or two and care to share what appeals to you about their writing?

A:  I don't have a favorite author, but I love mysteries--from purely fictitious stories to actual events.

How To Cool & Chill

Dallas Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas submitted this pic and said, "Library Clerk extraordinaire Chanika Kimbrough created this wonderful bulletin board for the GB Meeting Room with the theme of 'Cool Readers Chill With Books.' The meeting room is where the stories for both Children and Teen programs take place so it will get plenty of visibility this winter."

UPK Volunteer's Reward: New JPL Tote Bag

University Park Branch volunteer Emily Adams (left) received her newly designed JPL tote bag recently from UPK's Volunteer
Coordinator/Library Associate Hazzel Sutton.  The new, beautiful JPL tote is stronger, has a reinforced bottom and the graphics are eye catching--a smart choice to show appreciation to JPL's volunteers.

First Recipient of "Get To Yes" Award: Theresa Rooney

Assistant Director for Public Service Julie McNeil awarded the first Jaguar Study Buddy for excellent service to UPK Manager Theresa Rooney at the Library Roundtable Leadership meeting, November 21.  

Ms. McNeil said, "All but 20 public service employees have taken the 'Get To Yes' customer service class and our goal of 'all' taking the class will soon be reached."  When an employee receives Study Buddy and subsequently sees another staff member giving excellent service, he/she then passes on Study Buddy and the process continues--a fun way to remember excellent customer service is a priority at JPL.

The second recipient of the Jaguar Study Buddy is KR's Library Assistant David Foster.  ARE YOU NEXT?

KR Celebrates Deborah Wainwright's 25 Years With JPL

KR Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin sent in this photo and said, "The staff at Mandarin helped SE Region Clerical Supervisor Deborah Wainwright celebrate 25 years with the Jacksonville Public Library on November 22 with a cake and balloons and good wishes.  Congratulations to Deborah for 25 years of great service!"   

And everybody says, "Ditto!" To Deborah.

Murray Hill Kids Are Thankful

Murray Hill's Children’s Librarian, Chiquita Powell, submitted this recap of their After School Thanksgiving Program, November 21, "It has been a struggle to get customers to attend our after school programs, so I was very excited we had 13 people show up today. The children participated in three activities. First, they played Thanksgiving Bingo. The two winners were able to select leftover summer reading books. The children then made two crafts. The first was a turkey crown, and the second was a "thankful" wreath. The children were able to write on small leaves what they were thankful for and attach it to a paper wreath. Everyone had a great time."

Big Thank You to Chiquita!

2014 United Way Campaign At JPL

If you have not received your United Way donation form from your branch manager or United Way rep for your location, you will get it soon.  Please return your completed UW form to your UW rep by December 6, 2014, so we can collect all the donations system wide and get a grand total for JPL and turn the forms in to the Citywide coordinator on time.

Donations are not mandated; however, if you are donating and prefer to make a payroll deduction gift, there will be TWENTY-FOUR (24) deductions--not 26 as we have total pay periods with the City--of the amount you state on your donation form.  Payroll deductions begin on your January 3, 2014 pay period and continue through December 2014.

Cash or check donations are welcome as well and you can donate as little as a dollar.

If you make a mistake on your preprinted UW donation form (your name, employee number, and work location are stamped on the form), just line through it, make your correction(s) and initial by each correction.

Business volunteers around Jacksonville donate their time to watch over the running of United Way and make sure donations are wisely used.

We have visited the agencies United Way supports and have seen first-hand how well funds are used. The Bridge, for instance, helps teenagers stay out of trouble and gives them some place to go after school. There are many,many more and YOUR donation, large or small, when combined with others DOES make a big difference in THIS community.  Visit the UW website and learn more:

www.LiveUnitedNortheastFlorida.org

Kudos From Customers

Main Library – Special Collections:  4th floor. This is the first time I have been to this library. Ryan Fix took the time to show me on the computer how to save a document and use in my job search. Sean Wallace went the extra mile to help me with my resume and teach me how to do things for myself, that will aid me in my job search. I was very impressed with all of the staff I encountered today, but especially the two of them. They are a definite asset.

Main Library - Center for Adult Learning (CAL):  I think the CAL department (Sharon Jaskula, Katie Devanny, Tammy Owens, Valencia Kidwell, Stephanie Smith, Teresa Thompson, and Lane Wright) and the people working there are a true asset and blessing to the Jacksonville community.

Mandarin Branch:  Though I normally use the Mandarin South Branch I am presently at the Kori Rd. location where I am always thrilled whenever I hear David Foster speak with the children in that section. I literally stop dead in my tracks listening to all the educational and life/safety lessons he conveys to the children. Oh, to be a child again and have David Foster as my guide to all the wonders the library has to offer. He is such a unique and special person. He's the type of person that one recalls much later in life the way one recalls his or her favorite teachers.

Regency Square Branch:  I wanted to commend the library staff at Regency Square Library. I especially want to recognize the children's library staff, Ms. Mia (Brack) and Ms. Mary Heaney. They both go above and beyond when it comes to children's activities. My kids and I truly appreciate all their hard work and dedication.

Willowbranch:  Jason (Brown) & the other gentleman who is often there (sorry, don't know his name) are very pleasant & welcoming as well as being efficient with the library's computer system.  

Yea! Teen Read Week Winners!

Laura Minor reports, "Winners of the Teen Read Week - My Favorite Book Video Contest 2013 were announced on Art Walk Night (Wednesday, November 6). Councilman Don Redman was in attendance, and he is pictured here with 1st place winners Justin and Ryan Perez (L), and the 2nd place and "Viewers’ Choice" winner Jessie Bailey (R). The winning videos are now up on our website - http://jaxpubliclibrary.org/teens/teen-video-winners.html"

Sleepover At Main

On November 15, Eve Harm hosted a Stuffed Animal Sleepover for the Children's Department to celebrate Main’s eighth birthday. Eve said, "The kids listened to bedtime stories with me.  Then the stuffed animals slid down the banister, had snacks in the staff lounge, and played hide and seek. Later we tucked in our animals and enjoyed a sleepover at the library. We posted pictures on our Facebook so the children could follow their animals' activities."  

CONGRATULATIONS To Our JPL 4th Quarter Award Winners

At the November 14, 2013 Board of Library Trustees meeting, JPL Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins (left) and Deputy Director Carolyn S. Williams (right) congratulate and present 4th Quarter JPL Awards to (top to bottom, center) Troy Ettreim, WB Library Clerk, who won two awards:  Model the Way and Employee of the Quarter.  Grace Fletcher, Part-Time Page at WB, won a Model the Way Award.  Jessica Jones, KR Part-Time Library Clerk, won a Model the Way Award, and Kris Snider, who is JPL's Graphic Designer in CR&M and works at Main, won a Challenge the Process Award.

                         CHEERS!  CONGRATS!  HOORAY!