It Pays To Be A Favorite, First, Unique And FUN!

First Look Book Club (a Random House initiative) is a book discovery tool that offers snippets of new books to its email subscribers. In celebration of National Library Week, a “Favorite Librarian” contest was held and Terry Welch, Library Clerk at the Beaches Branch, submitted this entry:

"I'd like to nominate Julie Rekow. She is a part-time Library Associate at the Beaches Branch. She was instrumental in our branch having it's first Comic Con last year. It was such a success, we are preparing for our second one, May 3, 2014. It promises to be bigger and better. Julie started The Flamingo Book Club, which has also been very successful and fun. Julie has inspired me to take chances and as a result, I am spearheading an Open House at our branch (our first)..."

Terry reports there were over 70 entries nation-wide and Julie Rekow won!  She received a delectable prize of assorted cookies and muffins. Pictured are Julie Rekow (L) and Terry Welch. (Between Julie and Terry is JB's mannequin mascot, Shirley, in costume for Comic Con.)

Hooray For Mitesh Sangani

Director Barbara Gubbin wants to share a compliment Bart Laird, the City's Personnel Services Manager, paid to Deputy Director Mark Merritt this week regarding Mitesh Sangani.  (Mitesh and his excellent, hard working crew run the Main Library Conference Center.)

" I wanted to thank you and let you know how impressed I was in working with Mitesh last week during the Classification Study meetings.  He had everything set up and ready to go and went out of his way to ensure everything went well. He even went the extra mile to ensure we were able to get a video copy of the presentation in the format that we needed.  I think is a great example of the service that we should strive to give citywide.  He is a great ambassador for the library and city to customers that utilize the conference center and meeting rooms."

Milicia Thomas Gets Study Buddy

CR and M Assistant Director Kathy Lussier (R) passes the Jaguar Study Buddy she recently received to Milicia Thomas at Main's circ desk.  Kathy said,
"Recently I was checking out a book on CD and having problems getting it positioned correctly in the self-check machine. I kept getting an error message, so I went to the desk to have them scan it.  Rather than just taking it from me and doing it herself, Milicia asked me if I had a minute, she would show me a trick. She walked back to the machine with me and showed me how to position it differently so the scanner got a better "read" of the bar code and the item checked out successfully.  She was kind and patient during the process and she was smart, too--by taking the time to show a customer how to do it, there's a better chance the customer will continue to use the self-check machines in the future. Plus, I walked away with a positive impression of library staff.  What a great way to 'Get to Yes!'"

E-Classroom Dedication at NW

April 17 was a big day for Olga L. Bradham and Etta L. Brooks Branch Library. Branch Manager Elaine Randolph and her employees welcomed a host of VIPs and all enjoyed seeing a full house at the new e-classroom ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was part of JPL's celebration of National Library Week.

Above is City Council President Bill Gulliford ( L) with Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins holding the City Council resolution he presented to highlight the many ways our libraries support the community. Council members Greg Anderson and Denise Lee and Friends of JPL President Harry Reagan look on. 

CM E. Denise Lee said digital literacy is vital to customers' myriads of needs and imperative for job seekers. CM Lee helped make Bradham Brooks a reality and it is special to her. She plans to take an adult technology class there soon.

Outfitted with 10 computers, an interactive whiteboard and projector system, the e-classroom will be used to teach introductory and intermediate classes including MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, keyboarding, etc. Classes for e-instruction, e-government services, downloading e-books, and tech device usage also will be offered.

The project was funded by the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library and a State Aid to Libraries grant. With eight JPL locations, the e-classrooms support the library’s goal to bring computer accessibility and technology skills to more people in the community.

Participating in the ribbon-cutting (above L/R) : City Council President Bill Gulliford; Friends of JPL President Harry Reagan, CM E. Denise Lee, CW Region Manager Marshelle Berry, CM Greg Anderson,  Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, Director Barbara Gubbin and Branch Manager Elaine Randolph. Seated in the foreground (L) is Velma Rounsville of the Citizen Planning Advisor Committee. To the right (back to camera) is Joyce Smith, Friends of the Bradham Brooks "Northwest" Branch Library, and smiling proudly is Branch Manager Elaine Randlolph. 

Last but not least (below), meet E-classroom teacher Shinita Miles:
 

Graham Branch entertains Jax Zoo's Wild Ones

Miss Michelle from the Jacksonville Zoo visited Graham Branch, April 23, bearing some of their “friends”.  Seventeen children and caregivers from Kidz Korner enjoyed close encounters with a baby alligator (seen here), baby boa constrictor, opossum, turtle, rabbit, and a blue-tongued lizard. A wild time was had by all!

Gretchen Mitchell Makes Kathy Lussier's Day

Community Relations and Marketing Assistant Director Kathy Lussier received a pleasant surprise recently and said, "Gretchen Mitchell presented me with the 'Get to Yes' mascot.  In her note she said, 'You have BLASTed to the top in your ability to find workable solutions.'  I feel very honored to have earned the privilege of having Jackson de Ville hanging out with me these past few days, but it's time to send him along to another JPL employee." 

Congratulations, Kathy!  A well deserved kudo.

NS Friends Help Make Fun Program

The Friends of the Brentwood Library presented staff with a sour cream coconut covered lamb cake for National Library Week.  Here you see the lamb demurely nestled between the clues and prizes the branch used for its card catalogue scavenger hunt.

 

On April 18, 30 youth participated in the “Egg Stravaganza" as it was called.  Tweens to teens randomly selected a clue which they entered into the card catalogue.  When they found the item on the shelf, an egg containing either the words "goody bag" or "prize" was hidden behind each item.  Younger children could select an egg and take a chance to win a special prize or goody bag.  Everyone was a winner!

The movie "Thor" was shown that day, too, and attendees were treated to popcorn and a drink.  (Thanks to Brentwood Branch's Betty Williams for this article.) 

Green Is For Growing

Marilyn Jordan boasts of a wonderful morale booster designed by WST's Matisha Williams and it grows on WST's  workroom wall. 

 

Matisha said, "The Positive Tree promotes positive comments from employees. We work together a lot and we see each other's hard work, determination, and team work. But how often do we take the time to say something besides “thank you” or “you are a real hard worker”. Not often with our busy schedule. So the “Leaf Your Co-Worker A Message”, noted on the tree trunk, gives us that opportunity. Two small words or even a paragraph spark encouraging feedback inside the workroom. We have the best staff around and that is why we all mesh together."

Promoting JPL At Mandarin Arts Festival

 
Lynne Baldwin, KR Branch Manager, said, "Inclement weather did not keep library staff from participating in the Mandarin Arts Festival the weekend of April 19-20.  SOM's Margo Crafton and I manned the library table at the Festival all day Sunday which was our day off.  Library staff promoted upcoming library programming, the JPL Newsletter, and sold JPL bags. Quite a few people mentioned the Naturalization Ceremony at Mandarin Branch and the media coverage of the ceremony." 

Pictured are (L/R) KR employees Sara Peretzman, Stacey Van Hoy, and Jessica Jones, who manned the library table at the Festival last Saturday.  Thanks to Olga Bayer, Community Relations and Marketing, for sending in the photo.

Kudos From Customers

Main - Reference:  I …was hoping to locate online information about a deceased Jacksonville resident. The obituary was not online but Guy Adkins was able to locate and provide me with an obituary. This was in spite of the fact that I was off by a couple of weeks on the date of death so it required more searching than anticipated. …What a superior asset he is to the library. …

Mandarin Branch: In a time when hours and wages are being cut, this branch constantly has employees (Lynne Baldwin, Stacey Van Hoy, Don Carpenter, Alison Pulley, Robert Moseley, David Foster, Eric Cusaac, Diane Lewis, and Sara Peretzman) that make going to the Library an absolute pleasure.

Murray Hill Branch:  Erin (Tuzuner) was a big help finding and holding research books for my daughter's project. She also updated our account and showed us the copier.

West Regional Branch: The professionalism of your staff was extremely welcoming. Kudos to you and your team. Thanks, Greg Pierce!

Westbrook Branch: They are always helpful and kind, gracious and honorable staff.  I appreciated every one of them (Kimberly McTeer, Antoinette Walker, and Susan Williamson).

The Fun Of Learning Is In The Teaching

Murray Hill hosted science expert, Sheryl Dwyer from Big Bang Science to do a “Wicked Weather Science” program for kids ages 5-12, April 17.  YA Librarian Chiquita Powell  shares the results, "We had 25 participants who saw Ms. Dwyer use UV beads to demonstrate the effects of UV rays on the skin.  Inside the beads were white; when we went outside the beads turned colors.  She explained they turned colors because of the UV rays from the sun.  Additionally, she explained and demonstrated how hurricanes and tornadoes form.  Using a glass jar with water, a few pieces of confetti, and dish detergent, with the flick of the wrist, they created their own tornado in a jar.  Lastly, using a leaf blower, she demonstrated how powerful hurricanes can be.  Overall the kids and parents learned a lot about science and gained more of an appreciation for our--sometimes--wicked weather." 

 

Everyone enjoyed the program because Ms. Dwyer used simple but amazing "props" to drive home important lessons.

Appreciating The Friends' Appreciation

The staff at the Mandarin Branch Library celebrated National Library Week with delicious cookies from the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library.  Pictured (L/R):  Robert Moseley, Jessica Jones, Sara Peretzman and Eric Cusaac.

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P.S.  The Friends of JPL President Harry Reagan is quoted as having received more than 50 thank-you's from employees.  Way to Go!

Dissolving Language & Cultural Barriers

Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas said, "Our Anime Club meeting, April  14, was a Japanese cultural and educational experience. For those who think it is all gaming, they would be surprised. The program was planned by Library Associate Sharon Whitt and facilitated with the help of Library Clerk Chanika Kimbrough and Volunteer Lanicha McMillan. Eight teens tried their hand at drawing Japanese lettering and learned that each letter represented a word in the Japanese language. They also used chopsticks to eat authentic Japanese noodles prepared in a crock pot, as well as a variety of candy and sweets from Japan. The leftovers were awarded to the teen that could identify what the word or character drawn on the bottom of their noodle bowl represented.

Happry Easter, Kids!

Willowbranch Manager Kathleen Brunner reports, " COJ JAXCares requested Easter basket donations for Community Connections and The Sanctuary on 8^th Street.  Willowbranch staffers Sabrina Whitfield, Susan Koedel, Grace Fletcher and I put together these two baskets, delivered them to Sandra Stonestreet at City Hall, and she made sure that they reached children/families in need."

Have A Cookie

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library made their annual delivery of sugar, oatmeal/raisin, and chocolate chip cookies  to JPL today and a share will be distributed to all JPL libraries as usual.  What a wonderful thing for the Friends to do--in addition to all they do for our libraries all year, year after year.

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE FRIENDS OF JPL!

Whole Lot Going On At SOM

                                                                  
CM Matt Schellenberg again visited South Mandarin Branch Library, April 11, and spoke about the importance of libraries and reading to the community. Branch Manager Keli Likins reported approximately 70 attended the ceremony, including some of the Friends of SOM (L/R): Jeanne, Jud, George and Sue. To their left are Keli and CM Schellenberg. 

Keli said, "In addition to thanking the Friends and unveiling the new items they purchased for us, we celebrated our volunteers since it was National Volunteer Appreciation Week." Pictured below are a couple of kids sitting on a rug SOM Friends purchased and enjoying the new activity cube they also bought for the children's department.

 

Keep Those Creative Ideas Flowing

Chanika Kimbrough (R), Library Clerk at Graham Branch, received an Innovator Award from GB Manager Jackie Spiritas, April 11.  The award was granted for Chanika's idea to create a series of educational bulletin boards.  A picture of her board for March and April, The Library Is the Place to BEE, was posted on this blog in March.  In February, Chanika had a collage of famous African American faces.  What's next, Chanika?  

Galaxy Traveler Visits KR

On April 9, during Early Release Wednesday We Play, the Mandarin Branch Library had a surprise visitor from a galaxy far, far away.  501^st Legion Twin Ion Engine Pilot TI 7723 (Vader’s Fist) took time from his official duties escorting Darth Vader during his travels between vessels to stop by the library and autograph trading cards, coloring pages and share temporary tattoos with 37 exited kids. 
 

Big thanks to Brian Chittick of the 501^st Legion and David Foster and Alison Pulley for organizing the event and taking photos.

Thanks to KR Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin for the latest news on what's going on in the galaxy.

 

P.S.  Wonder if he'd loan us the hood so we can deal with the pollen?

 

Popular? Yes, On A Par With Smiley Face

April 8, Alison Pulley received an Innovator Award and button for creating a very clever, eye catching "joke box" for Mandarin Branch Children Department's Humor Festival in April, as well as other Southeast Region libraries (San Marco, South Mandarin and Southeast).  This adorable guy is bound to attract some whimsical "donations".  Children's Senior Librarian Anita Haller was so impressed she asked Alison to bring the joke box to the quarterly Youth Services staff meeting as an example of creative marketing.  The joke box will also be featured at the library booth at the Mandarin Arts Festival, April 19-20.   

Swingin' Into Spring

Celebrating a welcome spring, Westbrook's Part time Clerk Brooklyn Parkins made flowers out of tissue paper to add to the butterflies on the managers window. She also helped create a children’s display with colorful flowers.  Brooklyn’s creative skills will be missed as she will soon journey on to further her education.   

The little cutie below had a different idea as to how a big flower could be used and snagged one for her Easter bonnet--and it looks as though she's thinking about picking one for Mommy's Easter bonnet, too.