Let's Hear It For the River

The second branch to install a “Year of the River” display (that we know about), including  appropriate books, was done recently by Vickie Leonard and Gloria Buenavista of Bradham - Brooks  Northwest Branch.

SOM Hosts Student Artists

Palm Avenue Exceptional School students took a field trip to South Mandarin Library to view their art on display there for three weeks. SOM staff held a reception for the students and served refreshments on March 25.

These young people are so talented.

Meet Brent, NS' Library Bear

A Story for the Young at Heart: Lead worker Betty Williams was cleaning the workroom on the second floor of the Brentwood library when she thought she heard a wee voice say, “Help me, help me!”  Betty looked around the room; seeing nothing, she continued to clean.  Eventually Betty worked her way to the top of a large storage cabinet.  There she discovered a large object all red, brown and furry – too large and too furry to move by herself.  Betty called for back-up, and thus began the charmed life of Brent the library bear.

Brent was dressed in a Santa suit and was covered in so much dust the white fur on his Santa suit was limp and grey.  The staff thought Brent was a delightful find, but only one person, Aquilla Stewart, saw his true potential.  Aquilla dusted Brent off, cleaned his fur, and gave him a new wardrobe.  Soon Brent began participating in activities at the branch and would show up in the most surprising places.  Below are a few shots of Brent in action.

Brent loves to read and can be found enjoying a good book most anytime.  Here he is enjoying a little Curious George on his first Christmas after the adoption.  He attends story time with Ms. Crawford every Friday morning and sets the perfect example of how to behave in story time.

Brent chose to be a rooting-tooting cowboy for Halloween.  No guns allowed; just a good book about the holiday.

Brent is supportive of all library initiatives.  Here he is jumping for joy over hoopla.

This is how Brent claims to spend his time after hours when staff goes home; he and the other library toys gather on the staircase for a read-off.  Yeah, right!  His outfit looks a little too ___ for such a sedate activity. 

In addition to good grooming habits and good manners, Brent’s adoptive mom (right) also takes time to teach him a good work ethic and how to “Get to Yes.”

Whether decorating the branch for Black History Month while wearing his kofia, dashiki and scarf (above), or playing his favorite game of hide  and seek (right), Brent loves his library and he loves all of the attention. 

There is only one thing Brent loves more than his new life. He loves when he can just be himself -- Brent the Santa-bear. 

Aquilla Stewart is responsible for Brent’s care and grooming.  It is always a delightful surprise for the staff and the young customers to see what Brent will be wearing or what Brent will be doing next.  Now if she could just get him to change his expression sometimes…

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Please Note:  Space at top--for some reason--will not remove. ......THANKS TO PAT MORRISON FOR THE ARTICLE AND PICS

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party for Alice

WST's YS Part-time Associate Melodie Brunson reports, "We celebrated the 150^th 'unbirthday' of Alice in Wonderland at West Regional Library, March 25, in a BIGGG way with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party for school-agers!  We began with a Scavenger Hunt for images of all the major players in the story and everybody had fun looking around for each character and then marking it on their sheets to turn in for a prize.  Flip-flop decorating with balloons followed and then anyone who was so inclined could dress up in hats and feather boas that we made available for them to wear to the tea party itself. 
On real china, we served hot tea (with sugar cubes and cream, naturally!), cupcakes, petit fours, and bite-sized ice cream cones turned upside down on their plates…well, it was a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party after all!  Everyone had a dashingly good time!"

Powerful Displays At SE

Deborah Wainwright updated her creation of Southeast Branch's Year of the River Display. She added a giant seahorse balloon and purchased a real fish and bowl.

Deborah and Mandy Elliott also made a One Spark Display (above), a kite display (below) for Kite Month and a craft display for Craft Month and Mark Hohnadel created a weather display. To round out their advertising, there is Paul Shaffner's Painting Program on the wall behind the kite display. 

One thing is for certain--Customers are never without a suggestion for a subject to focus on or a good book to read at the Southeast Branch Library.

Angela Richman Honored With Innovator Award

South Mandarin Branch's Part-time Associate Angela Richman (seen on left) received an Innovator Award, March 31, 2015, after Margo Crafton nominated and SOM Branch Manager Keli Likins granted Margo's nomination because Angela "brought innovation to SOM doing bilingual story times and adult computer classes in Spanish."  Margo and Keli agreed, "Both weekly programs are successful and we feel that Angela goes above and beyond as a part-time employee.  She showed risk taking skills by starting these programs."

JPL staffs salute you, Angela!

E. Vaughn Williams Passes Away

The employees of the Jacksonville Public Library express our loving and sincere regrets to Mrs. Carolyn Williams, our former Deputy Director, whose husband, E. Vaughn Williams, passed away Thursday, April 26, 2015.

As Director Barbara Gubbin announced yesterday in a JPL Main email, visitation with Carolyn, their son Avery, and her and Vaughn’s family will be Tuesday, March 31, 2015, from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Paul A.M.E. Church,  6910 New Kings Road (US1 @ Richardson).  The service will be on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul A.M. E. Church. 

Our thoughts, hearts, and prayers are with you, Carolyn and Avery, and all your family. 

Lynette Tanner Passes Away

Former JPL employee Elsie Oishi sent word that Lynette Tanner passed away Friday, March 27,2015. The funeral will not be held until Saturday, April 27, 2015; that is all the news we have at this time.  Ms. Oishi advises that Ms. Tanner  was Assistant Director Larry Snook's secretary back in the 1960s and 1970s.

Our sincere condolences to Ms. Tanner's family.  

SOM's Creative Spring Break Program

South Mandarin Branch enchanted kids on spring break with a "Create a Fairy House" program, facilitated by YS Librarian II Margo Crafton.  SOM Manager Keli Likins said, "Two librarians from Alachua County came to see how the program was done and we had 25 in attendance."

Argyle's 10th Anniversary Celebration: March 28

Libraries lovers will celebrate 10 years of Argyle Branch serving their community on Saturday, March 28, 2015.  From  3-5 pm,  attendees will be treated to a violin concert and door prizes, and kids can enjoy a puppet show and crafts. Everyone can meet community groups and Council Member Jim Love while enjoying refreshments donated by local businesses.

George E. Miller, Florida's featured artist for Black History Month, who displayed his work at the governor's mansion after being selected by Gov.and Mrs.Scott, will display some of his art.

Argyle Branch Library is small (15,000 s.f.)  but mighty in service and popularity in the Argyle area.  Director Barbara Gubbin and Argyle Branch Manager Janet Ducat welcome you to join the festivities next Saturday and enjoy a beautiful branch with special employees.

Here's a drum roll for Part-time Clerk Laura Norman, who did a good job getting Publix to donate a cake and lemonaide (thanks to Peterbrook) for the celebration.

A Tisket, A Tasket - A Happy Basket Packer

Library staff collected donations for the JaxCares for Community Connections Easter Basket Drive, and the SE Region branches teamed up and collected Easter baskets filled with hair bows, stickers, coloring books, toys, stuffed animals and art supplies for their contributions. (Here SE Region Clerical Supervisor Deborah Wainwright happily packs the baskets at Mandarin Branch. Mark Hohnadel organized the project.)

Brentwood Gets Down To Earth

On March 20, Mary Puckett of the University of Florida County Extension Office helped Brentwood close out its week of Spring Break activities and herald  the beginning of Spring.  Youth had an opportunity to learn about the needs of plants and “play in the dirt “ to transfer cherry tomatoes and plant Mexican sunflowers. (Thanks to NS Library Associate, Sr. Betty Williams for the article and pic.)

HELP SPREAD THE WORD, JPL:

To help Kathy Lussier advertise this for the City, we are posting this announcement:

The Mayor's Young Leaders Advisory Council presents:

FREE TO 16 TO 21-YEAR-OLDS:

COLLEGE, CAREER AND TRADES FAIR

10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Saturday, March 28, 2015

CITY HALL, 117 WEST DUVAL STREET

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202

 Attendees should bring their resumes and dress for success and they will

Meet with:

               College recruiters              

 Military recruiters

Employers

Learn About:  Construction trades apprentice programs; job training programs; advanced manufacturing; information technology; hospitality training; nursing assistant; and business.

SOM Supports The Year Of The River

This poster advertises a Year of the River concert coming up at 2:00 pm, April 4, at South Mandarin Branch Library.  The poster rests on an attractive display of other materials that support the Year of the River: 

Thanks to SOM Manager Keli Likins for the picture.

Do you have a display, story time, poster, or decorations highligthing the Year of the River? We would like to add it to the JPL Staff News blog.

St. Patty's Day Fun At Brentwood

Library Associate Sr. Betty Williams reports, "25 'Irish' enjoyed the festivities and learned a little about Ireland and its folk tales as the Brentwood Branch presented a “Wee bit  O' St. Patrick’s Day” celebration. The youth listened to folk tales, played word scramble games and made pipe cleaner shamrocks.  They decorated a float for Brent the story time bear and participated in a parade throughout the Library where customers were treated to beads and candy coins.

"The children were given beads, tattoos, stickers, chocolate coins  and St Patrick activities sheets while they feasted on freshly popped popcorn.  The treats were sponsored by Friends of Brentwood Library."

WELCOME, WYATT!

Pictured are Sara Gunter's daughter, Beth Burns, with her first grandson Wyatt Ellison Roberts. Wyatt is the son, moon, and stars of Chris and Julia Roberts of Orlando, FL.  Born 16 days early on March 27, 2015, Wyatt weighed in at 6 lbs., 5 oz., and 18 in. tall. We are all happy to report he has all ten toes and fingers, loves to be held and he is beautiful (he can get handsome later.) 

The little mitts are not for boxing; they keep him from scratching his face.

Teens Do Manga AT NW

Northwest Teens did a Teen Tech Week program. “The theme this year is: Libraries are for Making..."  Library

Associate Gloria Buenavista said. "I chose Manga for the program held in the E-classroom. I presented and talked to the teens about three databases: Biography in context, Infotrac student edition and the Testing and Education Reference Center.

"After the brief 'school' session, we proceeded to do the Manga part of the program. We downloaded an app called manga_camera on our phones and took pictures shown in the display here." 

NEAT, Gloria!

Building Literacy Traveling Tale By Traveling Tale

Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas cheers Library Assistant Tyhedra Wilson, "Tyhedra  chose a creative and educational way to work on her library objective. During Spring Break she watched for parents and caregivers with their little ones. Many GB customers were not aware of the convenient and educational bags filled with Early Literacy tools that they could check out. Each customer got an explanation and a live demonstration of what was in each bag along with a brochure to take home. They also choose from a fun assortment of themes, such as sports, monsters, and fairy tales. Prior to the week of the bonanza, Tyhedra made a field trip to Main with Children’s Librarian Peggy Crawford to talk with Rebekah Mitchell about the Traveling Tales and choose the bags she wanted to stock for her 'program'.  She even had to make an additional pit stop back to Main to restock halfway through the week. Tyhedra talked to 37 customers and encouraged them to check out a total of 10 Traveling Tales during the course of 5 days. Way to go, Tyhedra!"

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch: The employees...always have so much fun. They have wonderful programs and make it fun for everyone who comes here. Staff is respectful and helpful.

Main – Circulation: …I brought my 15 and 10 year olds to the library. Alone, my son wanted to use the self-service checkout. Before I could assist him, Erin (Tuzner) in circulation was already giving him such patient instructions, so I didn't have to say a word. My daughter then needed more money on our account to print her color copies for homework. Erin kindly walked over to the kiosk that accepts cash and immediately placed the funds on the card. I didn't know what the kiosk function was until Erin showed us. She really gave a personal touch and care to our experience and my children. Thank you, Erin! And my daughter earned an A+ on that project.

Main -  Special Collections: Just want to thank the library for having talented people who are computer literate. I especially want to mention Tyler Spillman who went above and beyond giving me advice on how to make my document professional and knowing how to execute the proper way to do it. Kudos to Tyler. Hope you know the worth you have in him.

Pablo Creek Branch: Darlene (Boda) does a wonderful job. This library employs the most helpful people!

SST and  Highlands Branch:  The free computer classes have been extremely helpful for me. Yuri j. (Jewitt) conducts herself very professionally and it shows she enjoys her work.

It Was Fascination

 What child isn't fascinated with insects? Brown Eastside's Spring Insect program, March 19, drew rapt attention when Jaime Rhodes of Tree Hill Nature Center (at the table) displayed huge insect images as well as a framed array of insects and taught children about the metamorphosis of insects and the vital role insects play in ecology and, consequently, in our very lives.  Sharon Whitt and Karen Lewis presented a candy butterfly craft, "Who Knew?", after Ms. Rhodes' program.  (Thanks to EB's Sharon Whitt for the input.)