We Help Ourselves When We Help The Friends

Harry Reagan, President of the Friends of JPL, asks us to:

• Tell friends and neighbors about the Friends and that joining for only $10 REALLY HELPS needed projects JPL undertakes
• *Tell them about Friends book sales and where their Book Warehouse is located
• Become a volunteer
• Encourage them to go to a City Council meeting and tell our elected officials how important our libraries are to all of us 

Beside the $10/bag of fiction books sale,  9 - 4, Saturday, February 1 (see article below), here are the Friends of JPL's additional sales:

Thursday, February 27 - 4 pm - 7 pm (member only night; you can join there)

Friday, February 28 - 4 pm - 7 pm

Saturday, March 1 - 10 am - 4 pm

These are the $10/bag days:

Sunday, March 2 - Noon - 5 pm

Tuesday, March 4 - 4 pm - 7 pm

Thursday, March 6 - 4 pm - 7 pm

Saturday, March 8 - 9 am - 4 pm

These sales will be at the Friends of JPL Book Warehouse, located at the far right of the UPK building, 3435 University Boulevard North--a few blocks north of JU on the right; phone: 630-2304;  online: fjpl.org.

WE HELP OURSELVES WHEN WE HELP THE FRIENDS.

One More Reason To Be Proud of CAL

Sharon Jaskula, Center for Adult Learning Manager, shares this picture of Tatiana Masley (smiling at the camera), a Russian student in Valencia Kidwell’s ESL class at Main, as she was sworn in as a U.S. citizen, January 16, at the Duval County Court House.  Ms. Masley was one of 36 who became U.S. citizens that day.   Sharon said, "It was a great way to start the new year!" 

All Together We Make A BIG Difference

Thanks to Theresa Welch (on left) at Beaches Branch for this neat pic and blurb:

"James O’Rear, 62, is a retired educator from Alabama who stopped by the Beaches Branch Library in Neptune Beach on January 15th as part of his 'A1A for United Way' bike ride. He is stopping at one library in each county along A1A to raise awareness for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a United Way program promoting literacy.  Imagination Library mails an age-appropriate book to children each month from birth to age five, with the idea of encouraging families to read to their children.  Mr. O'Rear was a delight!"  

Friends of JPL BIG CLEARANCE SALE!

The Friends of JPL do everything in a BIG way to help our library system and their upcoming FOJPL Clearance Sale is no exception.  Friends members  can buy bags of fiction (only) books for just $10:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2014
9:00 AM TO 4:00 PM
FRIENDS BOOK WAREHOUSE 
LOCATED AT FAR RIGHT END OF
UNIVERSITY PARK BRANCH LIBRARY
3435 UNIVERSITY BLVD. NORTH 32277
PHONE: 630-2304
fjpl.org

Look around while you are there; you'll see lots of bargains!

Do your family, friends, and customers a favor and spread the word!

What Is Retiree Carole (Schwartz) Moore Doing Now?

Carole (Schwartz) Moore is pictured here with her hubby, Gary, in Yosemite during their four years out west, after she retired from JPL.
If you are a JPL retiree reading this article, don't miss Carole's last paragraph about the Retiree Tea scheduled next month. and if you have not already made your plans to attend, you are welcome to add your name to the attendance list. 

Carole said, " I really have not done very much since I left JPL other than live out west for four years and travel while we were there. Since we've been back home, it's taken me most of the the year to recover from my chemotherapy last year. I am grateful to Heaven for my healing and am blessed to wake up in the morning. I have two grandsons in Miami, who are my step son's, and my other son lives nearby (not yet married). 

"In January, 1986, I began as librarian at the old Main library in the Business, Science and Industry Department  on January 27, the day before the shuttle Challenger disaster. I’ll never forget my starting date at JPL, nor the date of that explosion. A few months later, I transferred to the brand new Beaches Branch to help organize it for the opening in May of that year. I then became Collection Development Coordinator, working at old Main again, also Library Supervisor at Fine Arts, Recreation & Media at Main and, lastly, supervisor at Southeast Regional. It was then that my husband’s company moved us to Seattle, Washington, so I retired in January, 2009 after 23 years at JPL.

"Gary’s projects turned out to be an exceptional opportunity for us to see our country. Near Seattle, we rented a small apartment overlooking the Puget Sound. From our front window, we could look across the Sound to the snow covered Olympic Mountains and when we drove uphill to the next town, the snowy peaks of the Cascade Range would come into view. Surrounded by this kind of scenery, we took every chance we could to explore on days off. After two years in the Pacific Northwest, we were transferred to central California. Here again we were in the midst of wonderful places and traveled often. We were within two or three hours of San Francisco, Yosemite, Napa Valley, Big Sur and much more. After two years in California, we were able to move back home and took two months off to drive back across the country, sweeping through Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

"Back in Atlantic Beach, I have revived friendships with quite a few JPL colleagues and see several of them regularly. They are loyal friends who came to my rescue during a serious illness last year, bringing me meals and driving me to appointments while Gary was still working in California. 

"Speaking of JPL friends, Elsie Oishi and I, with help from Carol Smith, Arden Brugger and Heather Campbell, are organizing a JPL retiree reunion for 2014. It will be held at Southeast Regional Library on Friday, February 7, from 2-4 pm. Elsie has already sent an initial email to alert retirees about the event. If you are a retiree and have not received her email, please email at Ejoishi@aol.com or me at dorieblu@gmail.com. Early in 2014, we will email invitations and mail postcards to those who have no email. " 

Bragging Rights For JB Programs

JB's Manager, Tamera Branam, boasts 253 kids of all ages attended their five holiday programs, including a New Year's Eve craft program and the Despicable Me movie reported on the JPL Staff News earlier. 

KR Appreciates Customers & CM Schellenberg & JPL Board Vice Chair Skinner Join In

Mandarin Branch Manager, Lynne Baldwin, and staffs hosted a Customer Appreciation Party, December 18, and City Councilman Matt Schellenberg (center left) and Erin Skinner, Vice Chair of JPL's Library Board (center right), dropped in to say hello to employees and customers--and enjoy a bit of cake and other refreshments.

                                               Yep, it's the whole KR team!
At far left is Eric Cusaac; behind Eric is Robert Moseley; foreground left is Shukti Banerjee; behind her  is Lisa Veal; next to Shukti and center is Jessica Jones; slightly behind her is Stacey Van Hoy; right foreground is Sara Peretzman; behind Sara, left, is Don Carpenter and to his right, David Foster. GO TEAM MANDARIN!

January 2014 Staff Profile

JPL's administrative office is a fast-paced, ever evolving place and Kimberly (Kim) Keen, jumped right in a few months ago and quietly began assimilating the myriads of information needed to work in this area.  She addresses priorities that could pressurize the work day, seldom ruffling a feather. Meet Kim Keen, Deputy Director Carolyn Williams' relatively new assistant.     

Q? You transferred to JPL, June 10, 2013, from the Sheriff’s Department.  What have you learned about the library system that seems most outstanding to you or you did not know about our libraries before?

A: I really did not know much about the library system before coming here.  I have learned a lot and will continue to discover its many facets and learn new technology. The one thing that stands out at this point is the massiveness of the Main Library. I still do not know my way around completely and there are areas I have yet to explore. This building is huge and absolutely beautiful!  The Special Collections Department is fascinating.

Q: Did you work in other City departments or in private business prior to working at the Sheriff’s Department?

A: I worked for Gulf Life Insurance Company in 1985 until it was sold to American General Insurance in 1987. I went to work in the Sheriff’s Office in August of that year and worked in several different areas. I started as a Police Services Technician in the Identification Department where I learned how to read and classify fingerprints. After that, I was the secretary for the Internal Affairs Division for seven years, and the secretary to the Assistant Chief in Zone 2 (Regency Substation) for five years. Upon my exit from JSO, I was in Human Resources and had a number of responsibilities, including training and troubleshooting our Time and Attendance and Performance Management Systems. I handled promotions, terminations, FMLA, Position Control (tracking all positions active/inactive/vacancies) and other various HR related tasks.

Q: As Administrative Aide for Deputy Director Carolyn Williams, what are your duties?

A: Even after five months, I’m still learning my role at the Library as Carolyn’s assistant. Some of my duties are handling correspondence, preparing for the Main Managers and Personnel Committee meetings, and assisting in keeping Carolyn’s calendar up to date. I create and distribute a monthly personnel update and I am learning Visio so I can keep the organization chart updated. Most recently, I have added the role of JPL Volunteer Coordinator, which was recently relinquished from City Employee Services.

Q:  Is there work experience you have that has helped you in your position with JPL?

A: My experience in Human Resources has been an asset in my role with the Personnel Committee and other areas.

Q: Please tell us what you would like to share about yourself.

A: I have a 24 year old daughter. Spending time with her and the rest of my family and friends is very important to me. I have a very small but close circle of family and friends and though small, when we are together, look out world! My favorite time of the year is November and December. I absolutely love Christmas. (My tree went up November 9^th.) I love the music, the lights and decorations and everything about it. Most importantly to me, is the true reason of the celebration of Christmas, the fact that Jesus Christ began his journey towards the Cross on that night so many years ago. I love, love, love Walt Disney World. It is truly the most magical place, especially at Christmas time. I also enjoy the mountains, particularly the Great Smokey Mountains. I go each year, right after Thanksgiving. My grandparents took me there as a child twice a year and I have continued to enjoy visiting ever since. I enjoy singing in my church choir. December is a busy time for us. Our choir performs in various areas a couple of times a week, including Avondale for their luminary. I am a huge Elvis Presley fan.

Minions' Opinions: Fun Time At JB

Terry Welch reports, "On December 28, the Beaches Branch showed the movie "Despicable Me 2" to 100 attendees and they also enjoyed games and crafts. We served popcorn, juice, Twinkies and, of course, ba-ba-bananas! Pictured are employees Terry Welch, Abigail Santos, Gail Blumberg and Julie Rekow, who got in the spirit by dressing up as minions.

Susan Williamson Got It

Kimberly McTeer, Library Associate at WBK reports, "Westbrook's Library Clerk, Susan Williamson, recently received the Jaguar Stud Buddy from Assistant Director for Branch Services, Julie McNeil. Julie thanked Susan for sharing her “Get to Yes” action plan. The customers appreciate all that Susan does to “Get to Yes”!

AR's Very Own Christmas Elf

Mia Brack, Children's Librarian at Regency Square Branch, held a “Santa’s Little Elves” breakfast, December 20 for over 50 preschool kids that included breakfast, writing a letter to Santa, Storytime and much more.  She also handmade gifts for employees--magnets that depicted their favorite childhood books.  Branch Manager Donna Carroll said, "I think you could say that Mia was Santa’s Elf for the Regency Library".

JB's Version Of "Pretty Woman"

JB's Shirley Neikirk put an exclamation point on "Merry Christmas" with this lovely lady  bedecked in a colorful wreath.  Great idea! 

KR: All About Holiday Fun

Mandarin Branch Manager, Lynne Baldwin, said her employees made several displays for holiday cheer. Sara Peretzman and Jessica Jones created a display celebrating Hanukkah and decorated a Reading Tree using bookmarks.  Sara and Jessica also worked with Frances Wickes on setting up the tables for the Customer Appreciation Open House KR hosted on December 18.  Additionally, KR had a cake decorated with poinsettias and best wishes for the holidays, and, of course, "Start Here. Go Anywhere" wrapped up the greetings.

Charlie Brown & Friends At CW

Snowflakes made a soft backdrop for Charlie Brown's crowd and more paper cutouts of snowflakes hung from the ceiling in the Children's department at Webb Wesconnett Branch.

It's a Winter Wonderland In Main Teen Dept.

Main Teen Department invites teens to its warm winter wonderland and teens added felt ornaments for the teen's tree.  Mia Clark made wreaths for the Main Library's doors out of small colored paper circles--neat idea, Mia. 

NS For the Holidays

A lively Christmas tree on the ground floor was complemented by a wreath, greenery and touches of red on the stairway to Brentwood Branch's second floor.

NW's Delights

NW had delightful decorations for everyone to enjoy, including this beautiful wreath made from drinking cups.  Gloria Buenavista also made a snowman display and a "book" wreath made from a withdrawn book.  Other eye catchers were a Christmas card display and a music table --all to make NW's customers and staffs' spirits bright!  (Thank you, Gloria, for showing off your creativity.)

SOM's Door Sets Holiday Mood

South Mandarin Branch Manager, Keli Likins, and employees know how to welcome customers during the holidays.

Highlands Holiday Special

Felecia Battle at Highlands Branch shares their holiday display/greeting.

Santa's The Draw At SE

southeast's Deborah Wainwright and santa.  (no DISCLOSURE HAS BEEN MADE ON DEBORAH'S WISH LIST.)

SE Manager Ed Murray reports that Santa drew an audience of 120 young fans with the help of Clerical Supervisor Deborrah Wainwright at Southeast on December 19.