Graham Branch's Study Buddy Recipient

GB Manager Jackie Spiritas proudly reports, "Chanika Kimbrough, Library Clerk at the Dallas Graham Branch Library, is the newest recipient of the Jaguar Study Buddy Customer Service award.  Susan Williamson passed the buddy on to Chanika after hearing about the excellent service she provides to the customers at Graham. We are very proud to have Chanika on our staff! She has a youthful energy and attitude and the customers ask for her by name.

3 Employees, 60 Years Of Service To JPL

Southeast Branch Manager Ed Murray has the support of three experienced employees and wants to thank and hail three loyal people who deserve a BIG CHEER!  

"On January 31, Regional Manager Michael Sullivan presented service pins to three Southeast employees.  Librarian Sally Doherty Chitko received a 25-year pin; Librarian Senior Anita Haller, a 10-year pin; and Clerical Supervisor Deborah Wainwright, a 25-year pin.  All three recipients have extensive and full careers and have worked in many locations throughout JPL."

Sally and Anita were recognized in the "Years of Service" section here on the blog in December and Deborah in November.

Snapshot Day at Mandarin Branch

KR Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin fills us in on their successful Snapshot Day, "The Mandarin Branch Library celebrated Florida Libraries Snapshot Day, January 22, with a huge Snapshot Day cake, JPL bags, and favorite books.  From 3:00-4:00, we gave a free JPL tote bag to each customer who had their picture taken with their favorite books and we got a lot of pictures!  A big thank you to Jessica Jones (left below) and Sara Peretzman for organizing this event.  Sara and Jessica are perfect examples of JPL creativity and innovation at its best.  Jessica and Sara are pictured holding their favorite books.

Mandarin had a special visitor on Snapshot Day.  Suzanne Hudson-Smith (center below) toured the library with Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin, SE Region Manager Michael Sullivan and Reference Librarian Extraordinaire Stacey Van Hoy.  Pictured are Stacey Van Hoy, Suzanne Hudson-Smith, and Michael Sullivan.

Put On Your Thinking Cap

Who is always going to bat for the Jacksonville Public Library? Who continues to fund special projects for JPL?  Who keeps JPL's needs and JPL's importance to Jacksonville ever before the community? 

                Yes, it's the Friends of JPL.  

How can we show support for the Friends?  Join the Friends, if you don't currently belong. There are Friends groups at these branches:  Beaches, Willowbranch, Bradham Brooks Northwest, Murray Hill, Dallas Graham, South Mandarin and Brentwood.  The Friends want to organize more groups to better support JPL.  Do you know of anyone--maybe you--who loves libraries and would help organize a Friends group in a particular neighborhood? Know anyone--maybe you--who would want to volunteer and help sort books and/or help during the Friends Book Sales? If so, contact Harry Reagan at harry.reagan@comcast.net, call him at 630-2304, or drop by the Friends warehouse located at the far right end of University Park Branch, 3435 University Boulevard North.

Last Chance

"Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries: African-Americans in Civil War Medicine" is an exhibit history buffs will enjoy and anyone can learn something new from this one--but only until February 1. The exhibit is just outside the elevator on the 4th floor atrium of the Main Library.  Mention it to your customers and see it yourself.

This traveling exhibit was developed and produced  by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health and curated by Jill L. Newmark.  

We thank the Friends of JPL for sponsoring related programs.

Much More Than Hazzel Sutton Bargained For

A lasting impression was made on UPK Library Associate Hazzel Sutton when she attended Leading from Where You Are, a  NEFLIN training class held at Main, January 24.  Hazzel said,  "I signed up for this class primarily to fulfill my training requirements but received much more than the few 'kernels' I anticipated.  The instructor, DeEtta Jones, was engaging and challenged us. The content of the class appealed to me personally having been part of the organizational shift in 2012 and having some current challenges at work.  

"Ms. Jones was dynamic, informative, and well spoken. Her delivery was impeccable. Her presentation was that of a college professor, a comedian, a preacher, and a motivational speaker. I can apply her presentation in my doctoral studies, at home, and hopefully at work. All COJ/JPL managers should be required to attend this training. She covered emotional intelligence in great detail and pointed out the various positive approaches  that most managers lack.

"I liked the handout that was given for her power point presentation. I find it very useful. She referenced books and authors that we can follow up on relating to her training and the questions that were asked. I liked the problem solving methods versus the appreciative section defining how to identify problems, conducting root cause analysis instead of imagining "what might be." It is hard to pick out specifics. I was emotionally and academically involved and engaged in the entirety of the training. 

"This is by far the most useful class I have attended in JPL in the past five years.  I aspire to be like DeEtta Jones." 

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch:  Terry (Welch) - professional & courteous enough to help me when I was wrong! Mary (Hatfield) - thoroughly helpful.  Re: Randy Mapanoo:  If I weren't retired, he is someone I would hire instantly for my business.  I would love to talk to Randy's supervisor about the consistently awesome service...

 

Mandarin Branch: Mr. David Foster has been an awesome resource of information for my children; also for adults.

 

Southeast Branch: Loved Donna's (Peretzman) teaching skills, personality, and subject matter.

 

Webb Wesconnett Branch:  I've had a Nook for 2 years and did not know how to borrow a book from the Library. I attended "Walk-In E-Instruction",  She (Yuri Jewitt) spent about an hour showing me how to borrow a book using the Nook.  She was very patient and thorough in her explanation and demonstration. I think this is a remarkable service that is offered and a very competent instructor. Thank you.

Westbrook Branch:  It's always a pleasure to utilize the Westbrook Branch. There has not been once that I asked for help and the staff (Antoinette Walker, Kimberly McTeer and Susan Williamson) din’t go over and beyond--ALWAYS!

Worth Repeating Even If You Know

Friends of the JPL President, Harry Reagan, is proud of the volunteers who worked hard  to make the petition drive for a straw vote on creating a special tax district for libraries. Thanks to their diligence, the Friends turned in enough petitions to get the straw vote on the August 26 ballot; in fact, they exceeded the 25,931 signatures needed. FJPL previously helped fund a JCCI study on library funding and provided funding for the major recommendation of that study--a petition drive for a straw vote on creating a special tax district for libraries.  The straw vote will be on the August 26 ballot and the legislative delegation is expected to put a real referendum on the November 4 ballot.

Mr. Reagan believes many people will vote "yes" in August and November of this year.  

Three cheers to all of these people who love libraries.

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!