Kids Love Puzzles At WBK

 Susan Williamson said, "On a rainy Thursday, March 19, children  at Westbrook had fun with a puzzle contest. They worked as a team to see who would be the first to put their 48 piece puzzle together. They all went for the GOLD medal! 

 "The children also learned about the first puzzle ever made and that puzzles were popular during the depression era because they were cheap and could be used over and over again; plus they were a great way to reduce stress. The kids also learned that a puzzle could have as little as 4 pieces or up to 40,000 pieces."

Gold & Ants

Beverly Mason is proud of these displays done by Felecia Battle at Highlands Branch: 
















(Don't know about the ants marching into spring, but one--a big fire ant at that--marched into my house yesterday so we know they know it's spring.)

Study Buddy Passes from Dowdell To Stuckey

Regency Square Branch Manager Donna Carroll reports, "Library Assistant Pat Dowdell’s last official duty at Regency (she moved to UPK, March 16) was to pass on the Jaguar Study Buddy to Library Associate Lenora Stuckey. Lenora exemplifies Get To Yes with 

all of her interactions, but most recently with having to re-arrange meeting rooms due to Early Voting.  She went above and beyond making sure that all groups could still meet, even if in a different room or on a different day.  

"Hamid (pictured L/R Hamid Hassan, Lenora Stuckey and Pat Dowdell) was not to be

outdone and tried to steal the pass and everyone on the AR team enjoyed a little fun (above L/R: Christelle Mayele, Lenora Stuckey, Bernice Newsom, Pat Dowdell, Farryn James and Nargis Noorullah)."

               

Happy Masks & Wearin' Of The Green At WBK For St. Patty's Day

Library Assistant Antoinette Walker said, "Westbrook Branch hosted 16 customers for our St Patrick's Day mask making program, March 17. Each participant decorated a mask and took home a set of beads to celebrate Erin Go Bragh." 

Antoinette presented the successful program and thanks to Kimberly Cherry we can see the happy results in the pic she took:

                   

Staff Development Day (SDD) 2015

Staff Development Day (SDD) is Monday, April 20^th, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in the Main Library Conference Center (breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 am).

As we announced on March 2^nd, we are eager for staff to share stories (or pictures, videos, and artwork) about their JPL experiences.

Take a look at the "Stories" tab on the JPL Training Blog to see what folks have sent in so far. 

- Stacey Humphrey

- Valencia Kidwell

- Tammy Crotts

- Noah Thomas

- Mike Shell

- Jane Harris & Nanette Holt

- Keli Likins

Here are some questions to consider for your own stories:

- Why did you come to join JPL and what has kept you on?

- What was one customer experience that really stuck with you?  Has that experience changed how you do your job and if so how?

- Is there a fellow staff member who has altered your way of seeing JPL and if so how?  And how has that affected you moving forward with your career.

- How long have you been with the library and in your time as part of the JPL family, how many branches have you worked at?  If possible, please provide a list of branches.

- Do you have an idea for the library but you have always been unsure if or how to share it?  If so, take this chance to share with us all, just don’t forget how this will benefit staff or customers.

Send your story to the JPL Training Blog at jpl.staff.training@gmail.com, using the Subject line “Stories.” Or, if you prefer, send your story anonymously through Delivery to John Carter at Webb-Wesconnett.

DU Goes Green For St. Patrick's Day

Joel Thorbs, Felecia Battle, Susan Kyle, Kristi Dorney, Beverly Mason and Chanika Kimbrough.didn't have an Irish beer to raise but they had the Irish cheer all the same on St. Patricks's Day at Highlands Branch.

QUESTIONS

Q: Could a display, program, story time, or speaker be on your agenda highlighting The Year of the River? Let us hear about it!

The St. Johns River - Where dolphins, manatees, gators and boaters work and play. It runs 315 miles solely in Florida.


Q: Could you combine information about The Year of the River with interesting facts, similarities, and differences of the St. Johns River and the River Thames since Shakespeare Saved My Life: Ten Years in Solitary with the Bard is the subject of The Big Library Read Program?  You can use this link to get some input about the River Thames at: http://www.visitthames.co.uk/about-the-river 

The River Thames has 45 locks and 25 species of fish and hosts Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Garden Bridge and more. It runs 210 miles solely in England.

CW Welcomes Spring & Spring Break

The Charles Webb Wesconnett Library is excited to welcome spring to the children's department! The CW children's staff created a colorful spring display just in time for DCPS spring break.  YS Librarian III Michelle Petrin said, "We've been excited about the warming weather here and are happy to share our gardening collection with the kids. We will also be using this space to encourage children to complete the activities in the Spring Break Happenings guide.  Visitors to the Webb Wesconnett Library should also be on the lookout for more colorful paper butterflies which are hidden throughout the children’s department."

DeLon Rowan Retires After 27 Years At JPL

After 27 years, DeLon Rowan is retiring on March 18 and was honored with a framed letter of recognition and appreciation by Director Barbara Gubbin at the Library Board meeting, March 11, 2015.  To DeLon’s left is Library Board Chair Erin Skinner, who holds the JPL gold card also presented to DeLon along with a bouquet of flowers.

DeLon began her career with JPL at the old Main Library as a Graphics Artist. She is remembered as an integral part of the success of Night of Literary Feasts, which evolved into Much Ado About Books.  DeLon designed exciting promotional materials and advertising for these events and for the library system. She has an extraordinary creative talent as Regency Square, Argyle, and Pablo Creek branches discovered later as she served these branches as a Children's Library Assistant.  DeLon designed fantastic scenery for the children's section of Much Ado About Books several years ago and made the 39 centerpieces for the tables used at the grand opening of the new Main Library in 2005. Her story telling talents, enhanced by her creativity, led many a child to create exciting characters and objects related to her children's stories over the years--mostly made out of recyclable materials donated or collected by DeLon.

DeLon Rowan is a stellar example of what has made the Jacksonville Public Library great for many years.  You will be sorely missed, DeLon.    

Betty Person Honored For 35 Years Of Service

Margaret Morford, Librarian II in the Main Library's Special Collections Department said, "Betty Person, Library Assistant, began working at the library as a student in the old Main Library's Circulation Department. She was later hired part-time and then went full-time. Betty has worked in most of the departments at Main and has worked at Graham Branch.  She has been in Special Collections 2 ½ years, and we are glad to have her as part of our Special Collections team." (Pictured are, L/R: Volunteer Pam Gibson, Christa Snow, Sean Wallace, Betty Person, Catherine Currier, Kathleen Krizek, Margaret Morford.

Special Collections staff celebrated Betty Person's 35 years with a party, March 11, 2015, prior to her being honored and thanked at the Library Board meeting at noon where Director Barbara Gubbin presented Betty with her 35 year pin and a framed letter from Mayor Alvin Brown commending Betty for her years of service.  And, again, all of us at JPL salute and thank you, Betty, for your many years of service. 

Parent Thanks NW Staff With Pizza Party

Michelle Petrin said, "The teens at the Northwest Library’s Yu-Gi-Oh club recently received a surprise pizza party from one of the parents!  The parent said she and her son are grateful for the teen programs and friendly staff at her neighborhood library."  

Thinking Caps Are On At UPK

Roz Smalls (R) and Mina Figuerrez were surprised to receive JPL Innovator Awards from Branch Manager Theresa Rooney at the University Park Branch monthly staff meeting, February 27. Theresa said, "Both received an Innovator button and a certificate of recognition.

"Roz Smalls had a simple solution to our public copier issues. We have one older copier, which frequently jams and requires lots of staff time and attention to unjam it, and one newer copier,  which works great but didn’t receive as much use due to its location.  Roz had the idea to swap the locations of the copiers so  the newer one would be highly visible and receive greater use. We asked ITD to do the swap and since then we haven’t had any printer issues to fix or resolve!

 

"Mina Figuerrez very creatively and economically repurposed an old display shelf, which another branch surplussed. It had purple behind the slats and didn’t fit in well with our other furniture.  Mina did a total transformation of the display shelf  using blue duct tape and a red, white, and blue stars and stripes theme. UPK plans to use it as an information kiosk for U.S.C.I.S. brochures and flyers."

Additionally, Director Barbara Gubbin always sends a congratulatory email to recipients of the Innovator Award once the presentations are made by the manager.

Pendulem Painting At GB

The Graham Branch Art Club swung into gear with paint on  March 4 experimenting with the physics of pendulum painting. GB's courtyard was awash with color as Marie Myers, Peggy Crawford, Eva Newton and Joshua Wise guided 16 children and teens (ages 6-18) through the activity. Upside down water bottles fitted with glue tips were filled with paint and tied to string. Easels were used to create the pendulum effect when the bottles were given a gentle or not so gentle push. They were like giant “Spirographs” – and only those from a certain era may remember those. A fun and colorful time was had by all.  (Library Clerk Josh Wise stoops to make sure he gets the right effect.) 

Noah Thomas Honored

CW's Michelle T. Petrin (middle), YS Librarian III, shares some cheerful news, "We recently celebrated Library Assistant Noah Thomas’s 5 year anniversary with JPL. Branch Manager Sharon Kirkes (L) and I presented Noah with her 5 year pin.  Noah joined CW's Children’s Department at the end of October 2014 after being promoted to Library Assistant.  Noah’s Saturday morning story time and craft program is a favorite with children and their families.  She is a wonderful addition to the CW family!"

 

We all join you in a high five or Noah!

WST and MAX: Making A Heartfelt Difference

As part of the Summer Reading craft projects in 2014, our teen volunteers were encouraged to take part in creating fidget quilts for a local nursing home.  Fidget quilts allow those who are wheel chair bound to do something with their hands while waiting.  They have different textures, colors, buttons, zippers, and other decorations for the patient to play with and thus calm their fidgety hands.  The West Jacksonville Health and  Rehabilitation Center on Fouraker Road is the proud recipient of the quilts and they will be delivered March 13. 

Additionally, the ladies of the Maxville Library have been crocheting lap Afghans for wheel chair bound patients.  These will also be delivered to the West Jacksonville Health and Rehabilitation Center at the same time.

Teen Art Contest Reception To Announce Winners

The winners of this year's annual Teen Art Contest were announced at a 5:30 p.m. reception, March 3, in the Zimmerman Overlook area near the Teen Department gallery where the contest entries will be on display all month. The first place winner, Steve McCall, received a $30 gift certificate from Reddi Arts, a gift bag from the Cultural Council, and a solo show in April 2015. 

The contest was judged by three outstanding art leaders from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, MOCA Jacksonville, and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. 

Judges:

Tony Allegretti, Executive Director, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville    

Lynn Norris, Director of Education, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens    

Lauren Spencer, Public Programs Manager, MOCA Jacksonville

Susan Mankowski, Early Childhood Specialist, Jacksonville Public Library

 

Special Guest:  Councilman Don Redman

Teen Art Contest Winners:

1^st Place – Steve McCall, Lavilla School of the Arts, 7^th Grade

2^nd Place – Zizhoa Wang, Stanton College Preparatory School, 17 years old

3^rd Place – Ellery Susan, Stanton College Preparatory School, 15 years old

The 1^st and 2^nd place winners were not present.  James Greene, Steve McCall's art teacher, accepted the award for him.  Ellery Susan is pictured here.

Main Teen's YS Librarian II Mia Clark added, "Fresh fruit, veggies and dip were served and it was a successful event JPL can be proud of, thanks to all of those who worked on it and to everyone who participated,"

Staff Profile - March 2015

Aubrey Winship reports to Eric Lawrence, Assistant Director of Facilities Management and Planning.  Soft spoken and amicable, Aubrey is a no fanfare person who is as tenacious as a dog with a bone; she does not give up until she gets the input needed to get a workable plan to resolve the challenge of the moment.

Q: What are your responsibilities as Executive Assistant l, Library Services in Facilities?

A: Executive Assistant I, Library Services is a fancy way of saying that I am the Facilities Manager. In that role I am responsible for the day to day physical issues concerning library buildings and furniture. I also help with budgeting, capital improvement projects, general maintenance, and furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E). My job is essentially to serve as the one stop shop for facilities questions or concerns. I'll either answer the question, fix the problem, or know who to go to who can.

Q: You are relatively new to JPL; what particularly attracted you to this position?

A: I have always had a love of libraries and books. Combine that with my degree in building construction from Georgia Tech and this position was a wonderful fit. I get to daily be involved with two of my favorite things: reading and construction.

Q: What do you find most challenging in your work for Facilities?

A: I would say that the transition from private industry into the public sector was a significant change that came with a steep learning curve. I am sure that many people can understand how much more paperwork seems to be required for every step in the process with the city! I came from a world where I found the issue and I fixed the issue. I didn’t have to explain anything until after I had the resolution in hand.

Q: What past experience has helped you enjoy the success you have had in Facilities?

A: Past experience has taught me to be patient and calm. Nothing ever gets solved by getting worked up over an issue. I’ve always heard that your facilities department is doing their job best when you never have to think about them. While things will always happen - you never know when someone will steal, say, the flush valve off a toilet in the children’s section (this really happened at CW!), the facilities department strives to handle all issues quickly and efficiently.

Q: Who is your favorite author and why?

A: I’m not sure I have a favorite author (though JK Rowling would probably take the prize if you twisted my arm enough) but I certainly have a type of book that I love best. I like easy, happy reads. The world is a harsh enough place so I don’t need my books to be as well. Now within that: my interests vary from Harry Potter to Tina Fey’s Bossypants or from Stephanie Plum to Pride and Prejudice. If it’s a quick read that keeps my attention or can make me smile, I will probably love it.

Aubrey is pictured with her boyfriend, Roshan.

100 Years of Family History For Teens & Tweens At NS

Pat Morrison and teen librarian Eva Newton conducted four database workshops in February to teach teens and tweens how to explore and map their family history.  100 years of family history was selected in keeping with the 2015 Black History Month theme, “A Century of Black Life, History and Culture.” The group of attendees learned how to research their family history -- from interviewing family and using Ancestry Library Edition database, to Census Records and other resources. 

Students used the information they discovered to create and frame a family tree.  One participant tracked his family history back to Germany.  The workshop was conducted in partnership with JAAGS – Jacksonville African American Genealogy Society and Friends of Brentwood Library.  Thanks to these organizations that donated picture frames, refreshments and prizes for the family history scavenger hunt.

Oh, For A Vanna Moment

Aquilla Stewart and Gloria Armstrong had a “Vanna moment” as they pose with the new popcorn machine, including oil and popcorn, donated to Brentwood Branch Library by Friends of Brentwood Library.  The new popper will be used during movie times on early release Wednesdays and at other youth programs throughout the year.

Staff Development Day 2015

“Team JPL: Tell Us Your Stories”

Since we last met for Staff Development Day, two years of challenges and change have required all of us to reclaim and reinvent our work as library professionals. As a team and as individuals, what we have accomplished is remarkable.

This year we would like to gather once again to celebrate our outstanding work and share with team members our stories of determination, inventiveness and “stick-to-it-iveness” in dealing with the day-to-day challenges of helping our customers and co-workers.

We want you to tell us those stories.  

In fact we are counting on your storytelling and have planned Staff Development Day 2015 (SDD15), Monday, April 20^th, to be built around your stories.

You may not realize it, but your stories of success can serve as a source of inspiration for other team members, positive messages to help us all to grow and learn.

Think about JPL situations over the past two years, large or small, where you have gone beyond the routine—to help a frustrated customer, to improve a work process, to find new or better resources and methods for doing a task, to help a co-worker get past a challenge on the job.

Write an informal 300-400 word story about this experience—or, if you prefer, create an art work or short video.  Use the following questions as examples to guide you:

- Why did you come to join JPL and what has kept you on?
- What was one customer experience that really stuck with you?  Has that experience changed how you do your job and if so how?
- Is there a fellow staff member who has altered your way of seeing JPL and if so how?  And how has that affected you moving forward with your career.
-  How long have you been with the library and in your time as part of the JPL family, how many branches have you worked at?  If possible, please provide a list of branches.
- Do you have an idea for the library but you have always been unsure if or how to share it?  If so, take this chance to share with us all, just don’t forget how this will benefit staff or customers.

Send your story to the JPL Training Blog at jpl.staff.training@gmail.com, using the Subject line “Stories.” If you prefer, send your story anonymously through Delivery to John Carter at Webb-Wesconnett.

We will share these stories with JPL staff in a number of ways:

- On the Staff Development Day 2015 page of the JPL Training Blog
- During the Kickoff and Keynote events on SDD15 on April 20^th
- In posters and displays during that day
- During a full staff storytelling event at the end of the day.

Remember, you can write about difficulties and failures, but keep it friendly.  We are sharing stories to encourage and to celebrate, not to criticize or blame.

Contact Mike Shell at mshell@coj.net if you have questions or suggestions.

Thanks, folks!