How To Make Florida Snowflakes

As we began the holiday break the kids enjoyed creating their own snowflake (since Florida hasn’t seen snow since 1989) holiday cards and placemats. Mrs. Antoinette Walker helped them color and create a placemat to complement their holiday dinner while Mrs. McTeer created snow, I mean snowflakes. (Thanks, Kim McTeer at Westbrook, for the blurb).

To Jump Start Your HAPPY NEW YEAR!

From an 8-year old recently

 Dear library,

Thank you….For all the books you have to share with us, and the computers so we can find the books we want.  And most of all the kindness you have for us!

Sheraton

One of your library Friends

Happy Kids At WBK

There were 23 kids jumping for joy to have the Balloon program at Westbrook Branch Library again this year. They twisted a New Year’s Eve hat to bring in the New Year. Not sure who did the most popping, the kids or the adults. Mrs. Brunson is always fun to have around and sure knows how to draw a crowd.  (Thanks to  Kimberly McTeer at WBK for the blurb and picture.) 

EB's Winter Activities Are Popular

Sharon Whitt reports, "Brown Eastside’s Winter Activities are a hit with the kids.  Karen Lewis, EB’s Library Assistant (below), hosted the Candy Cane Craft program with 45 in attendance. The kids had fun listening to carols, making their own candy cane sleighs and, of course, eating candy. Our own Library Clerk, Michelle Dubois, attended the program with her daughter (above).

"There were also 25 in attendance at the Let It Snow Puppet Show hosted by Eve Harm (below, standing, left). The kids had fun watching the show and making their own snowflakes. Each held their snowflake up to make it seem like it was snowing."
 

Love Those Smiles!

Season Greetings and Happy New Year from the staff at the Mandarin Branch Library.

Kudos From Customers

Main – Children’s Dept.: Today I called in with a problem. I needed to know how to download the e-book onto my computer and do a search for a book in particular. I have never done this before and had quite a few questions and steps to go through. I got Marie (Myers) on the line from the Main Library and she took the time and was very courteous and patiently and professionally helped me to solve my problems. Job well done to you, Marie, and those who hired you. You shine in what you do!

Main – Conference Center:  We can't thank Will Daniels enough for all of his wisdom, talents, experience and classy Ideas during the planning of our wedding! Will patiently answered all of our crazy questions with nothing but expert responses and then backed them up by making sure nothing went wrong during the entire evening! He also made my 8 year old niece and 80 year old aunt feel as if they were the only ones in the room and equally comfortable. HE THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING! Thanks for making my wedding day as beautiful as the library itself. I still can't believe how amazing it looked for both the ceremony and reception. Thanks to Will Daniels, my family 'as a whole' has been treated to a great event in the Downtown Area no less!

Murray Hill Branch:  …She's great. I've never heard her be rude or down talk anyone. Talks in the same tone all the time. Margaret (Esposito) is her name. …

Pablo Creek Branch: Beverly Brown is "Employee of Month“ for exceeding her duties!

South Mandarin: Ms. (Margo) Crafton's sweet spirit and her genuine love for children. I feel we have a fun, safe place to come and learn and play. The crafts are neat and easy for small children to do. My son leaves with a sense of accomplishment.

Plus one special one for Christmas, addressed at Mandarin Branch with a picture of Santa, but I think this would apply to all:  "Dear library: Thank you….For all the books you have to share with us, and the computers so we can find the books we want. And most of all the kindness you have for us!"

Even If You Haven't Got A Dime To Give

Most everyone would probably agree that Gratitudue and (good) Attitude are about the best gifts we can give each other--and ourselves.

KR Hosts Exceptional Student Art

Mandarin Branch Library was the site of an Art Show celebrating  the Alden Road Exceptional Student Center Art Program and artists during the month of November.  Library Clerk Sara Peretzman coordinated the event as well as the reception that the branch hosted for faculty, students and parents on Wednesday, November 19.  Fifty-seven people attended the reception including School Board Member Ashley Smith Juarez.  Sara is pictured holding a large thank you card created and signed by the Alden Road artists.  Sara is also pictured with School Member Smith Juarez and Library Clerk Jessica Jones.

Drum Roll, Please, for Susan & Antoinette

Pat Morrison, ULC Supervisor, proudly reports, "Susan Williamson received an anniversary pin for 10 years of service with the City of Jacksonville.  Susan began her career with JPL in October 2004.  Pictured with Susan is Antoinette Walker, Library Assistant at Westbrook Branch.  Both ladies received an Innovator Award for two projects they initiated at the branch. Using Traveling Tales, Susan provides pop-up story times for young customers at the branch.  Antoinette sponsored a Customer Appreciation Day where, on a frosty morning, more than 20 customers received a cup, a candy cane and a packet of hot chocolate.  Kudos to both ladies for their service and their thoughtful ideas that add value and support the goals of Outstanding Customer Service and Educational Success ."

All Things Bright And Beautiful

Beautiful Happy Hanukkah Greeting at Mandarin Branch - Mandarin Library Clerk Sara Peretzman created a Hanukkah Wall to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

  

And Lynne Baldwin loaned her Nutcracker collection to add to the joy at Mandarin:

Very Merry At Southeast Branch

Wow!

Would you believe Southeast likes the Season?

They must; they sport TWO beautiful renditions of THE tree.

How The World Celebrates

Part of the “Winter Happenings” at NS was “Celebrations Around The World" and billed as a fun, educational, and tasty program to teach youth how other cultures and countries celebrate. The children learned some history, geography, fun facts, played games and sampled food.  Requests were made to the JPL family asking for volunteers to represent various countries and cultures.  Everyone eagerly agreed.

Lilia Simonton (M) and Emma Pancho (M), dressed in traditional clothing, represented the Philippines.   They presented a slide show and later taught the children to play Sipa, kicking bundled rubber bands, and Tinikling, a dance with Bamboo poles.  Eva Newton, Urban Core Teen Librarian, represented Iceland.  She presented the folklore of the mischievous Yule Lads.   Jackie Spiritas (GB) represented Israel and the Jewish traditions. She lit a Menorah and later taught the children to play the dreidel game. Angela Richman (SOM) represented the Hispanic cultures of Colombia, Mexico and Spain. She brought a full display board as well as treats for tasting and other items and icons. Everyone smiled when she told of the custom of fresh yellow underwear to bring in the New Year and her daughter, Amy, ran around rolling an empty suitcase to represent greeting a new year full of travel.  Presenter Nancy Quinones of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce represented Puerto Rico.  Besides leading the children in an impromptu percussion band, she brought coconut treats as well.

 

The Friends of Brentwood Library prepared and served two tables full of fruit and tasty treats with an international flair.  There were approximately 70 participants and everyone learned something and enjoyed it.  Betty Williams, Library Associate, Sr. at Brentwood Branch, who contributed this articles, says, "Thank you Family!"

CAL Shares Christmas Story

  Merry Christmas from the Center for Adult Learning and Learn to Read!  The staff of CAL and LTR decorated the Christmas tree in CAL with a theme of The Learning Tree.  The decorations (all handmade) were designed to include all areas of studies, i.e.: Math, ESL, and ABE.   Books were wrapped as gifts and placed under the tree.  A family of four stopped by and asked if they could get closer to the tree.  As they walked closer to the tree one of the kids asked his parents why there was writing on the decorations. The father said to the child, “I’m sure it’s related to the books under the tree because books are given as Christmas gifts.”  Denise was manning the desk and took the opportunity to provide the family with information concerning CAL and Learn to Read and what the decorations represented.   The parents thanked Denise, and the response from the kids was “COOL”. So, as you plan for your days off at Christmas don’t forget to READ!

Cookie Mouse Shares His Cookies

Graham hosted a Cookie Mouse Storytime on December 17. There were 15 children and adults in attendance and they were amazed that they could meet the famous mouse “in person”. Each got some chocolate chip cookies as a treat to add to the Cookie Mouse experience.

Some wanted their picture taken with the famous mouse – others chose to be polite observers. GB Manger Jackie Spiritas would like to thank the mystery staff person that agreed to take on the role as Cookie Mouse. You know who you are….!

Navy Band Performs At KR

Lynne Baldwin, KR Manager, reports "The Navy Band Southeast’s Brass Quintet, Windward Brass, performed holiday music on Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 pm in the Community Room at the Mandarin Branch Library.  Council Member Matt Schellenberg(left) introduced the members of the Quintet before an audience of over 91 community members and library supporters.  Veterans and active duty personnel in the audience were recognized by CM Schellenberg. 

 

"Big thanks to Sara Peretzman, Eric Cusaac, Stacey Van Hoy, Don Carpenter, David Foster Robert Moseley and Jessica Jones,who coordinated the event, and Frances Wickes and Diane Lewis who organized the refreshments including the Navy cake. Great job!"

 

We appreciate the Navy Band; they perform often at the Main Library in the Music at Main series.  If you have not attended the performances, try it--you'll like it.

Happy Holidays from Support Services!

Main Circ Lites Up

L/R: Cynthia Simmons, Erin Tuzuner (behind desk), Theresa Bascom, Gabriel Quintas, Sean Wallace (behind desk), Dana Denson (behind desk), Corey Scott (also with tree), and Willysa Jones, who took time to share these photos with you, and all the Main Circulation team wish you the very best this Christmas.

Main Library Abounds With Decorative Cheer

We thank Cindy Johnson, JPL's Community Relations Specialist, who was thoughtful and took some photos around Main and wanted to share them with Y O U: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yourticket/sets/72157649782795015/

Sorry we don't have any pictures of the 3rd floor Board Room or the reception area, but you can be assured the Grinch did not stop here and Admin is cheery and bright.

Merry Christmas!

NS Knows How To Have A Jolly Christmas

The children who usually attend Story time for young Children at NS love “Miss Margaret” and the songs that Peggy Crawford, Youth Services Librarian III for the Urban Core, sings with them.  Last Friday they had a special guest story teller (Rev. Bernard Wright), and from the looks on their faces, the kids were enthralled. After Santa read stories and took pictures with the children, each child was able to choose a gift bag and a small treat bag of candy and a “cutie”.

 

The Brentwood Friends Group  purchased items and created gift bags.  They also sponsored Santa.  FOBL founder, Sharon Coon and two celebrity “elves” (Ken Jefferson, candidate for Sheriff and Representative Reginald “Reggie” Fullwood of the Florida House) gave out the gifts. The Brentwood staff provided snacks. Thirty-nine children received gift bags and 15 additional bags were sent back to the preschool for those children that were in those classes and were not able to come.

  
A huge THANK YOU to Betty Williams, Library Associate Sr., Brentwood Branch, for this inspiring article, and to all the NS staff, Peggy Crawford, and the NS Friends for giving and making so many people happy .

GB Makes It Easy To Find Job Listings

Joshua Wise received his Innovator Award certificate and button December 22 with Pat Morrison and other Graham staff in attendance.

GB Manager Jackie Spiritas reports, "Library Clerk Joshua Wise, pictured above, created a 'Career Corner' Bulletin Board for the customers at Graham Branch Library. He had the idea to provide an area to promote current job listings posted from CareerSource FL, Library events flyers, and a pocket with JPL brochures related to Economic Success. The board is a very eye-catching and organized resource for job seekers in the area. Manager Jackie Spiritas, who also shared the news, says it is a creative use of bulletin board space devoted to one of JPL's highest service priorities."  'Way to go, Joshua!