KR: 130 at Zoo Program & 2000+ Books Read for SRP-So Far

Jacksonville Zoo and friends visit the Mandarin Library
Melissa from the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens brought some four legged friends with her when she visited the KR, July 16.  More than 130 kids and parents attended the program. 
 
See How Much We’re Reading

Sisters Jiwon and  Jihoo Byun and their little brother Jian are active members of the 2014 Summer Reading Program at the Mandarin Branch Library.  On July 11, the siblings with a little help from their mother Jeong Lee, added their books to the Fizz Boom Read beaker that keeps track of the number of books read this summer.  Over 2000 books have been added to the beaker since the Summer Reading started on June 1.

Thanks to Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin for the reports.

 

KR Happenings

Jessica Jones and Eric Cusaac (pictured below) celebrated the 4^th of July at the Mandarin Branch Library with enough decorations of red, white and blue to

launch their own Independence Day Parade.  Jessica and Sara Peretzman created a learning display focusing on the American Revolution and a book display highlighting the American History collection at the branch.

On June 18, at the last minute, MOSH had to cancel their scheduled program at Mandarin due to a fire at the Museum.  David Foster and Alison Pully rescued the situation so 160 kids and parents would not be disappointed! They stepped in and did an impromptu art class.   The kids loved making their own art work and Alison and David showed real leadership and customer service skills.  A Get to Yes Moment!

KR Volunteer Dipayan Banerjee Honored

KR Manager Lynn Baldwin is proud to congratulate Mandarin Library Volunteer Dipayan Banerjee who was selected by the Duval County Public Schools to attend the National Youth Leadership 

Forum (NYLF) on Business and Innovation to be held at Stanford University, California, July 16-23, 2014.  Dipayan is a senior at Stanton College Preparatory School and has been a volunteer at the Mandarin Branch Library since he was 12.  The all-expense paid trip was sponsored by the Duval County Public Schools.  Dipayan is the son of Mandarin PT Library Clerk Shukti Banerjee.

 

All of us throuhout the library system want to congratulate you, Dipayan, and thank you for your service to Mandarant Branch for so many years!

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch:  Michelle Petrin was a big help with printing from computer…          

Highlands Branch: I've just begun to learn more about the functions and gain hand-on knowledge of the computer. Ms. Yuri Jewitt, is a jewel, she is patient, great at explaining the process and procedures in terms that become clearly understandable and easy for this great granny to comprehend. Please continue to extend this service for all.              

Mandarin Branch: Dear Lynne Baldwin & the Mandarin Branch Library, Thank you! I really appreciate all the support you gave to the World Refugee Day celebration -- housing an awareness-raising display and providing services at the event. Thank you very much!

Pablo Creek Branch:  Ms. Elizabeth (Garnett) does awesome work.

South Mandarin Branch: The staff is consistently courteous, knowledgeable, and efficient (Keli Likins, Margo Crafton, Bryan Thomas, Ralph Henderson, Linda Ehnert, Lilly Waller, Leslie Patterson,  Irissa Allen, and Barbara Hughes).

Zoo Time SOM

The South Mandarin Branch had 75 in attendance for their July 17 SRP Zoo program, and as usual this is one of the kids' favorite programs.

An extra bonus: SOM hosted a special guest speaker for the program, School Board Member Jason Fisher.

The 4th At Southeast

 Deborah Wainwright shares some of the beautiful decorating done at the Southeast Branch Circulation Area for the 4^th of July.

Fiction Writers' Festival Great Success At NW

Four authors made a rainy Saturday afternoon a buzz of excitement at Bradam Brooks Northwest, July 12.  Authors Znea Wynn, Angela Vernon Mencham, Brenda Jackson, and Roy Glen, above, charmed 57 attendees with their helpful tips for writers, including the writing process, their books and their personal lives.  They had their books for sale answered questions.They obviously like people and the feeling was mutual. 

These four local authors are well-known for their urban, romance fiction genre and fantasy fiction.

Lisa Buggs wants to send a special thank you to these employees who made made it all possible:  NW Manager Elaine Randolph, Pam Beaton, Janice Best, Gloria Buenavista, R. Michelle DuBois, Gloria Glover-Fowlkes, Stephanie Harley, Davi Harmon, Dorrael Johnson, Erik Larsen, Shinita Miles, Sheenae Nelson, and Alfreda Whitfield. Thanks, too, to Region Manager Marshelle Berry for making sure the authors had lunch and attendees had delectable refreshments!

One of the Authors, Angela Vernon Mencham, garners attention at the Free Fiction Writers' Festival.

Willowbranch Shines Depiste The Rain

June 15, Willowbranch Library’s story hour focused on  water-- quite timely considering all the rain that we’ve been having lately.  We had a great turnout: 50 for the first session, followed by 39 during the second reading.  Miss Isabelle (Pierre) lead the children in singing and dancing, and then read the books Rain and The Falling Raindrop. 

Shenita Teaches Computers At NW

Marshelle Berry, Region Manager, sent in this photo of Library Associate Shinita Miles teaching Introduction to Computers. She is being assisted by Library Assistant Davi Harmon. Nine people registered for the class and all nine attended.

Too Much Fun To Pack Into One Summer--But DU Tried

Beverly Mason, DU Library Associate, reports, "Summer Library Reading Program and Zombie Makeover and other games have dominated the marquee at Highands Branch lately. We kicked off SRP eating hot dogs and playing “Minute to Win It” and other and board games, and included the 'Hunger Games'  Movie.

"Ms. Dana did a zombie makeover on one teen and then allowed the teens to apply each other's makeup.  They also had to make up a story about their person and how they became a zombie which would affect how they looked.  Afterwards, she gathered them together, had them explain why they did the makeup they way they did it, and gave helpful criticism on how they could have improved it.

"Other activities included Game Day with Pictionary Mad Science Party--including  Pop Rock/Balloon Experiment, Temporary Lava Lamp Experiment, Glow in the Dark Ring Toss, and a chemistry quiz.  We also enjoyed a bit of dirt cake."

A Stay at Home Mom

Mrs. Julie Pactor will to be a full-time stay-at-home Mom and part-time library employee as of July 5.  Laura Minnech threw a going away party--although she won't be gone too far. Julie will be working on a part-time basis to allow plenty of time for be a Mom.

Staff Profile - July 2014

Beaches Branch Manager Tamera Branam offers this input about the subject of our July Staff Profile, who is also an employee of hers, "Gail Blumberg, one of the first groups of Library Associates, is enthusiastic about her job.  Her past experiences as a teacher are reflected by her sense of order, belief in the sacred quietness of the library, and her injection of humor in the workplace environment.  She has a background in arts and enjoys making jewelry and other crafty projects."

Q: How long have you been a JPL volunteer coordinator and for which library locations?
      A: I have been a JPL Volunteer Coordinator for 9 years. I became the Coordinator at Pablo Creek in January 2005. When transferred to the Beaches Branch in November 2012, I took on the responsibility there as well.

Q: What caught your attention as to the need for uniform guidelines for volunteers and staff?
      A: Due to the 2012-2013 upheaval and transition system wide, I found that not all of the designated volunteer staffs were aware of the specific procedures set up by the Office of Volunteer Services.  They were either following what they felt was correct or continuing what was done by the previous volunteer coordinator. Many were new to the Volunteer program and did not know that they could access most information on JPL Neighborhood.

Q: How did you go about getting management’s approval to develop a system wide action plan for managing volunteers?
     A: When JPL initiated the concept of branches within a Region, I met with Director Barbara Gubbin and presented a written proposal to designate a Volunteer Coordinator to act as a liaison to coordinators within their Region.  These individuals would be “seasoned” coordinators with the ability to provide training and be available to answer questions.  This concept would also help to create uniformity throughout the system.

Q: Once management approved your suggestions, what were your next steps to implement the changes needed?
     A: From 2012-2013, I met regularly with a committee of administrative staff to create a pilot program within the Pablo Creek Region.  The members consisted of Sandra Stonestreet, Julie McNeil, and Bob Silkett.  We came up with a plan to update the information for the Volunteer  program on our website and determine what training could be offered.  During the first year, I met with the Volunteer Coordinators in my region and gave feedback to the committee.  In 2013-2014, we selected the Region Coordinators for the system and I instructed them on how to proceed.  We keep in touch via email and phone.

Q: Who is your favorite author and would you care to tell us why?      A: I do not have a specific favorite author.  I tend to select books in various genres based on the subject matter and storyline.  I do prefer novels with a strong female protagonist.

75 (SEVENTY FIVE!) YEARS: VALERIE EVANS, ED LEIN, & JIM BURNS

What's the occasion to party? The three persons seated below have a combined 75 years of service with JPL! We honored (l/r) Jim Burns' 13 years, Ed Lein's 27 years, and Valerie Evans' 35 years, at a well deserved  party, June 27, 2014.  Another long-timer, Lilia Simonton, Main Librarian, Sr., worked with these three employees over the years, and like many of us, came to wish all three the very best in years to come. (Ed will continue to line up some Music at Main programs part-time. Valerie and Jim will be full time retirees.)

.  All three received  a beautiful rendering of the new Main Library like the one presented to Ed by his Supervisor Erica Brown.  Valerie's, Ed's, and Jim's copies were signed by Director Gubbin, Deputy Directors Carolyn Williams and Mark Merritt--and every other employee who could get a chance to sign their individual copies.  (Above Library Assistant Diane Alexander takes her turn to sign.)

 

You can read more about Valerie in the December 2013 Staff  Profile and in an article about her being honored by the Library Board of Trustees, posted here, June 17. Ed was featured in the May 2014 Staff Profile, and Jim Burns was the subject for the July 2010 Staff Profile. 

 

One More Time:  GREAT JOB, VALERIE, ED, AND JIM!

To Catch A Mouse Is NOT Easy But IS A Lot Of Fun!

Sixty-five children were involed in a delightful program at Graham Branch, July 1.  The balloon twisting program, “To Catch a Mouse”, was interactive, educational, and what's more, the kids had a great time! They marched out to show off their balloon mice, a “balloon pulley”, balloon “lever”, a mouse trap, etc. Peggy Crawford, Sharon Whitt and Graham’s summer worker Zahira attended the event, took pictures and practiced crowd control. Even Stephanie (Harley) Padmore (center, by door in last pic) came in with her three nephews for the show. 

Looking For A Beaker Full

Gloria Buenavista said, "Kudos to Sheenae Nelson, part-time Library Associate, Sr. at Bradham Brooks Northwest Library for putting up this Summer Reading Program display.

The bubbles are names of participants and they keep growing. The beaker will be filled with how many books were read during the summer."

Davi Harmon Honored For Ten Years Service

Davi Harmon, Library Assistant at Bradham Brooks Northwest, was presented his ten year service pen and Branch Manager Elaine Randolph read his congratulatory  letter from the City at a pizza party celebration on June 20, 2014.  Let all of us add a BIG HOORAY FOR DAVI HARMON!

Urban Core Libraries Into SRP

Michelle Petrin, ULC's Teen Services Librarian says, "The Urban Core Libraries are 'sparking a reaction' this summer with fun science and art centric programs for tweens and teens. 

 "Teens at Graham Branch, June 12, and Brentwood, June 17, enjoyed making lip gloss and bath fizzies while learning about the science of emulsion and chemical reactions at the 'Make Your Own Make-up' programs. 

"June 18, Eastside teens performed experiments with various types of candy and made artwork with M and M's at the 'Candy Art and Science' program. 

"Westbrook teens have been busy, too!  Teens attending 'Make Your Own Slushie', June 20, had a chance to make predictions, perform experiments using different catalysts and learn about melting points. And, of course, they made some delicious frozen beverages. 

"June 25, teens at WBK took part in 'Balloon Afternoon', which included balloon science experiments about static electricity, sound, and centrifugal force.  They also learned how to make and decorate their very own balloon dogs and played a game called 'balloon sandwich'."

Michelle shouts a big “thank you” to staff at all the Urban Core Branches for making this summer a memorable one for ULC's tween and teen customers!

NW Hosts Ronald McDonald

Library Associate, Sr., Gloria Buenavista reports Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch Library had 72 attendees, including adults, at one of their ever popular SRP's, June 25.

Art At NW

Gloria Buenavista shares a picture of Yamir Holmes, who is pleased to see his art displayed at NW.  Yamir is a student of Martin Luther King Elementary, and MLK art teacher, Mr. Ramos, had their school's art display at Bradham Brooks Northwest from mid May to June 10.

 

SE: An Electrifying Spark of Reaction With Mad Scientists

Southeast Library youth services staff Karen Hardin, Carisia Rooney, and Anita Haller kicked off their Teen Summer Reading Program “Spark a Reaction” with a Mad Scientist Party early in June.  The conference room was decorated like a mad scientist

 

 

 

laboratory with microscopes, ‘preserved’ specimens, and ‘radio-active’ alien rock (Jell-O that glows under a black light). The lights were dimmed (as all mad scientist laboratories are) as the muted movie “Back to the Future” was shown on the screen in the background.  Smoking punch (with a little help from dry ice) and donut eyeballs were served as refreshments while the latest techno music played. Each teen had the chance to dress up like a mad scientist and get their picture taken. They also participated in a chemistry trivia contest and a ‘build the highest molecule’ game using mini-marshmallows and toothpicks.  We had 13 teens come to the party, including some of our teen advisory board members. Five of the teens who attended the party have now joined the teen advisory board! The party was a great success and a lot of fun!

 

Thanks to Carisia Rooney for the report--and especially the pictures that clearly depict the fun those kids had with the "mad scientist" theme.