245 People At SOM's 10th Anniversary Open House

 

On June 18, South Mandarin Branch Library celebrated ten years of service with an Open House attended by 245 people.  CM's Matt Shellenberg and E. Denise Lee respectively read resolutions approved by City Council.

Mandarin's fire house engine No. 42 gave fire safety tips and kids were excited to see a fire truck up close and asked the firemen questions; both firemen and kids enjoyed the experience. 

Sunshine, the Therapy dog, was with the children for a reading and the Mandarin Garden Club held a seed planting program in the children's department.  Door prizes, including an iPad mini, were awarded and the event was topped off with refreshments.

Kudos From Customers - June 2015

Main – Ref/Per:  All aspects of the staff have been excellent. In particular, Karren Deas, is an exceptional employee, who has always consistently helped me when I needed it. Overall, she is a polite, professional, and informative employee who is an asset to any organization.

Main Library – Circulation: I write to praise Main Library employee Erin Tuzuner, who is consistently helpful and engaged. She is alert to patrons who could use assistance. Her demeanor is calm, efficient, and friendly. She seems knowledgeable about many aspects of the Library. Thanks for being a library whose staff is welcoming and helpful!

Pablo Creek Branch - Winning statement of SirsiDynx contest (see link in article below for full statement): …Its structure and cleanliness is inviting and its staff always helpful.  It provides tools such as computers, classes and advice to all sorts of needs.  It’s a place to meet and learn for adults and children….

University Park Branch: I called today and a very pleasant, articulate, well-mannered young man assisted me in putting a book on hold. His name is Justin Broadfoot, and I think he deserves some kind of recognition, REAL recognition. He was courteous, knowledgeable, and affable. … He's a "good guy" in my book…. 

PCR Customer's Love For Library Wins $250 for JPL

                             Pablo Creek Branch Library Employees 

Lynn Jacobson, Bibliographic Systems and Access Manager, wanted to share some good news, "How cool is this? A Pablo Creek customer submitted a story about why she loves her library in the SirsiDynix Love Your Library contest. Because of her story SirsiDynix will be donating $250 to the library. Congrats to Sandy Ostroski and her staff!

More information is below but here’s a link to Suzanne-Marie’s story: http://librarylove.sirsidynix.com/story/suzanne-marie-pablo-creek?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRonv63McO%2FhmjTEU5z14uorXKCg38431UFwdcjKPmjr1YIEScBmI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFSbLAMa1l07gKWxk%3D

Important Japanese Exhibit Opens At JB

 A new history exhibit, "Rising Sun in the Sunshine State" opened at the Beaches Branch, June 9, 2015, and will be up through July. A reception was held, followed by a program attended by 115 people. This important piece of Duval County history was created by Elsie Oishi (standing to right of the podium, as she was being introduced), who serves the Jacksonville Historical Society as their volunteer expert genealogist, and REALM Consulting. The exhibit tells the story of Tokutaro Takami, his family, and friends. The Takami family arrived from Japan at the turn of the 20th century. They settled in Duval County, bought property, invested in businesses, educated their children, served in the military and became an integral part of the American dream.

The story was told by Elsie Jun Oishi, Tokutaro's granddaughter. Her interest in her family’s history started in 1988 after she read an article about the Japanese community in Duval County. It took Ms. Oishi, a former JPL senior librarian, 25 years to research her family history and she came to realize that her family was the first Japanese family in Jacksonville Beach.

Bishop Estevez Co-Hosts Storytime At KR

Community leader Bishop Felipe Estevez co-hosted Stories for Young Children at the Mandarin Branch Library, June 18, for a crowd of 40 children and caregivers. Bishop Estevez read from I Spy Under the Sea and Hooray for Fish for an ocean theme. The children especially enjoyed answering the Bishop’s questions about the stories and talking about their favorite fish. Having the Bishop read stories for our community was a great way to liven up summer programming for early literacy.

KR Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin said, "Bishop Estevez was very pleased to have been invited for story time and thought it was a wonderful idea to ask people of faith to come to the library.  Brandon, the photographer for the diocese, also attended the program and will be sending us photos."*

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Photo(s) will be added here later.

Tim Meusel Retires from Talking Books/Special Needs

Tim Meusel (2nd from L) volunteered 18 months for JPL before he became an employee in 1993. A veteran of Bradham Brooks Northwest and Main libraries, Tim has been known for being a vital part of JPL's Talking Books/Special Needs departments housed at Main.  Amazingly, Tim has inspected about 500 returned items a day.

At the June 11, 2015 Library Board Meeting, Board Chair Erin Skinner (L) and Director Barbara Gubbin (far R) honored Mr. Meusel  with a congratulatory letter and a JPL gold card.  Tim Meusel retired, June 3, 2015. To Tim's left, is his wife, Anne, who often acts as Tim's "eyes" since he is visually impaired.

ALL OF US AT JPL WISH YOU THE VERY BEST, TIM AND ANNE, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, TIM, FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE TO KEEP TALKING BOOKS/SPECIAL NEEDS RELEVANT TO THIS COMMUNITY.

Clowing Around Gets Serious AT KR

David Foster welcomed Cotton Candy Clown to the Mandarin Branch Library on June 17. The first Summer Learning Enrichment Program of the season was a big success with 123 kids attending the program.  

GB's YA Job Fair Signs Up 295! YEA!

Dallas Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas said, "The Urban Core held a Young Adult Job Fair, June 12,  at GB that rocked the house from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Thanks to the efforts of JPL’s Community Relations and Marketing department, social media, radio, television, and word-of-mouth, it was obvious that news of the event hit a grateful nerve in the community. 

For hours before the event began, Graham’s telephones rang almost nonstop with calls from people confirming the time, location, asking what to bring, etc. When the community doors opened, 10 businesses and career agencies were set up and ready to receive questions and dole out literature, freebies (logo pencils, candy, tote bags etc) to many eager young adults who were ready to go to work. A total of 295 young adults signed in for the Job Fair after patiently waiting in a line that wrapped around the inside of the library and outside down the sidewalk. 

The event would not have been possible without the commitment and energy of the Graham Branch Staff and the Young Adult Job Fair Committee which included staff from each of the Urban libraries. For the last several months the committee contacted businesses, created table-top signs for each business, customized raffle tickets, prepared treat bags, and stuffed pocket folders with job-related literature. In the month prior to the Fair, The Jacksonville Urban League and library staff conducted career workshops around the Urban Core on interviewing skills, how to dress and prepare resumes so the attendees could be ready for this event. For example, for each Career Workshop, Graham Branch Library Assistant

Tyhedra Wilson went on location with a handful of neckties and taught the attendees how to tie a necktie. The workshops were hands-on and contained value added perks provided by library staff. 

 "What can only be described as an overwhelming response, the Job Fair brought out many young adults to the event in the hopes of acquiring a summer job or work experience to kick start their careers.

"We appreciate everyone who participated in this very successful event:

"Young Adult Job Fair Committee Members: Gloria Armstrong, Michelle Dubois, Linda Griffin Foresto, Jackie Spiritas, Antoinette Walker, Susan Williamson. Supportive Roles:  Leroy Harrison IV, Amber Holley, Pat Morrison, Luis Terron, Tyhedra Wilson, and Eva Newton.

"These Businesses/Career Resources were represented: Advance Auto Parts, The Armed Forces, CareerSource Florida, Checkers, Fresh Ministries, Habijax, Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA), Nemours Children's Services, Publix, and Randstad Staffing.

"Door prizes were donated by: Nemours Children’s Services, Checkers, Gale Databases, and Shear Finesse Beauty Academy."

Buffalo Soldiers Historical Society Exhibit Opens

Cranston Burney shared images from the Buffalo Soldiers Historical Society’s (BSHS) exhibit opening program held at the Main Library, Saturday, June 13, 2015.

Congresswoman Corrine Brown addressed the crowd and BSHS made former JPL Deputy Director Carolyn Williams an honorary member and presented her with a commemorative throw.

Former KR Volunteer Wins National Merit Scholarship

Former Mandarin Library volunteer Dipayan Banerjee graduated with honors from Stanton College Preparatory School with a 4.91 GPA.  Dipayan is a recipient of a National Merit Scholarship and will be attending Northwestern University in Chicago where he will be studying Industrial Engineering and Management Science.  Dipayan is the son of Mandarin Library Clerk Shukti Banerjee.  Congratulations to Dipayan and his family!

A Carnegie Library In Ireland

Kristi Dorney says, "On my recent trip to Ireland, I stumbled upon the Kilkenny County Library. My Great-Grandfather was from County Kilkenny. I did not get a chance to go inside the library, but I did find it interesting to see that it is a Carnegie Library. During my travels, I did pass by the Trinity College Library as well at the County Kerry Library.

WBK's Father's Day Program

Westbrook Branch's Father’s Day craft was a success with 21 kids in attendance. They chose to make a tie or bow tie (some made both) for their father, grandfather, uncle or a

male role model. They loved it per Kimberly Cherry at Westbrook Branch.

Every Event Is An Opportunity To Promote JPL

Several area ShAdCo’s (Sheriff’s Advisory Councils) met together at the Legends Center on

June 8 to say farewell to Sheriff Rutherford, who will be replaced in the next few weeks by incoming Sheriff Mike Williams. Sheriff Rutherford expressed his gratitude to the community members that support ShAdCo and the work that the neighborhoods do to reduce and prevent crime by being aware and outspoken of what is going on around them. Dallas Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas ran into Northwest Branch Manager Guy Adkins at the event and they introduced themselves and shamelessly plugged the library. 

KR Kicks Off W/232 In Attendance

KR Manager Lynne Baldwin reports, "The 2015 Summer Learning Kick Off Party, June 10, was a wonderful success.  We had 232 in attendance! Using the SLP theme, "Every Hero Has A Story", Alison Pulley and her team of library of super heroes--David Foster, Frances

Wickes, Lisa Veal, Sara Peretzman, Deborah Wainwright, Shukti Banerjee and Jessica Jones--welcomed the kids for an afternoon of crafts, photos and special treats. In addition to signing up for SLP, kids were able to create their own shield and gauntlet, become their favorite super hero at the Dress Up Box and leap off the highest building for their Super Hero Photo Session.  Some kids had their photo taken with Iron Man, Batman and Thor. Everyone feasted on Super Hero Cake, juice, and popcorn.  It was quite an afternoon and the perfect way to kick off a summer of fun at the Mandarin Branch Library.  

"Everything went smoothly, despite the large crowd and not enough parking spaces. I am really proud of Alison Pulley, Frances Wickes, David Foster and the whole Mandarin staff.  A special thanks to Sara Peretzman and Jessica Jones for decorating the library for Summer Learning, and to SE Region Youth Services Librarian III Carisia Rooney for her help at the Kick Off Party.  She went over and above at the party–covering the information desk for two hours, handing out popcorn, helping with photos and crafts, telling customers about summer learning and much more.  Carisia is truly a library superhero!! It was a real team effort that paid off big time."  

                            THEY MADE IT HAPPEN!

GB's Eva Newton Moving to D.C.

The Graham Branch Library hosted a farewell breakfast (sumptuous) for Youth Services Librarian Eva Newton on June 10. Many JPL staff current and retired showed up to wish Eva well on her new journey. Eva has worked with JPL for five years and began as a part-time employee and worked her way up to Youth Services Librarian of the Urban Core libraries. Eva will be moving to Washington D.C. shortly and everyone wishes her well. Eva was showered with her favorite treats, which include chocolate and coffee. Eva will be missed by all of the staff and many of the customers. She was great with children and teens and left a lasting impression on everyone with her smile and bubbly personality. Farewell Eva, until we meet again!

GB Kicks Off SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAM

          Graham Branch Library kicked off the Summer Learning Program on Tuesday, June 9, with a fun activity and a cool treat for the kids. Even though Spiderman was busy making the world safe and couldn’t come to the opening program, everyone else had a wonderful time! Nineteen kids attended and got to pretend to be Spiderman by navigating through a “spider web” made of yarn.  Youth Services Librarian Peggy Crawford reported that the spider web was an idea that Susan Mankowski presented to the children’s staff several months ago and it was a great hit. You can see this is true by the looks on the “spiders” faces! The children,

ages 2 to 12, had a ball going over, under, and through the web. The children got a popsicle treat after listening to spidery tales and coloring. The event was the beginning of what is sure to be an exciting Superhero summer.

CAL Celebrates The Year Of The River

Reading on the River

CAL celebrates the Year of the River

The Center for Adult Learning spent the month of May celebrating the St. Johns River.  Classes took field trips to the river to see it firsthand.  Each week of the month a different topic associated with the river was discussed. 

 The first week concentrated on the seven bridges.  Many of the English Second Language (ESL) students did not know the name of the bridge they cross every week to get to class but they knew the color. 

Next, the classes concentrated on the wildlife and the impact on the environment associated with the river.  Students wrote about the river and Jenny Busey from the St. Johns Riverkeeper came and spoke to the classes about the river and its wildlife. The students had many questions for the Riverkeeper especially about fishing.  We never knew we had so many fishermen and women in our classes.

Here is a poem from one of our ESL students from Russia:

Florida’s Springtime

I like Florida’s springtime.

Flowering bushes, flourishing trees

Renovation of nature.

I live on St. Johns riverside

Here, evening is the most beautiful.

I see the city

The luminous bridges, the sparkling light.

The varicolored lights of the city.

My soul rejoices.

Ludmilla Kahan

A student’s answer to –Why the St. Johns River is important for me?
The big reason for me moving to Jacksonville is the St. Johns River. I intend to live in waterside.  Good view make me pleasant and relax.  St. Johns River is also a busy channel for ships coming and going.  I feel like the St. Johns River becoming vivid. It is alive. - Thursday a.m. class- Mei Long-China

Finally, the classes looked at the economic and industrial impact of the river on Jacksonville.

May was a great month for “Reading on the River” at CAL.

Important Events To Promote To Customers

We have the Summer Learning Program in progress and that's a biggie; however, there are two other important programs that your customers need to know about.  CR&M has apprised you of them, too:

Small Business Resources @ Your Library
Wednesday, June 10 @ 4:30 pm
Main Library, Conference Center, Room G4

Great Decisions: Human Trafficking in the 21st Century
Thursday, June 25, 6:45-8:30 pm
Southeast Regional Library

Staff Profile - June 2015

Sharon Kirkes has managed Webb Wesconnett Branch since 2009 and has been with JPL 13 years. She is married to a retired JPL librarian and they have two daughters.    

Sharon is not one to toot her own horn; however, she was chosen to head up the team to develop the Economic Success exercises, rounds 1 and 2, and recently made a presentation concerning the results of those exercises at the Library Round Table (LRT) meeting.  (If you are not familiar with LRT, that is a JPL meeting held bimonthly where senior administrative staffs and department and branch managers share their initiatives, get updates and future plans for JPL's direction and budget.)  We thought it would be of interest to you to know a little more about Sharon Kirkes' adventure with Economic Success exercises, which is part of JPL's Strategic Plan.

Q: What necessitated the Economic Success exercises, rounds 1 and 2, and when were they held?

A: Basically, Objective 6.2.2 stipulates that, by the end of FY 15 all adult reference staff will demonstrate knowledge of economic success resources. Round 1 was held over several weeks going into the Summer of 2014; Round 2 was shorter, and covered many of the same resources in a different format. My focus for these exercises was to ensure that staffs had some exposure to, and an increased comfort level with, a variety of resources. It was personally a challenge for me as well—I was not comfortable at first navigating through some of these areas and using them appropriately.

Q: What improvements have you observed since these exercises were implemented--in employees and customer service?

A: It’s hard to quantify—I would say it’s more of an increased awareness of the resources that are out there, including some we didn’t originally have listed; and possibly getting more confident in using the resources that were initially intimidating.

Q: Will these exercises, or modified versions, continue to be used?

A: The exercise phase of this objective should be pretty much over.  The next phase should probably involve getting or designing training to enhance staff skills in using the resources.  The training that is coming up in August for some of the Gale databases is a good example.

Q: What did you and management learn from this process?

A: One thing that was encouraging was how well many of the Library Associates did with these exercises. We also learned not to initiate an exercise in late spring or early summer. Moving from a precise Q & A exercise to a more flexible format was part of the learning process as well.

Q:  What is one of the funniest stories you can tell about an experience in JPL?

A: When it comes to the Dress Code, I am more of a stickler regarding footwear than anything else. So one day several Webb staffers gathered in the workroom and held my attention until I noticed they were all wearing flip-flops. After my initial coronary, they changed and wore their “real” shoes. 

Digital Photography Classes At Main Well Received

Pictured is Cranston Burney, Library Assistant in Reference & Periodicals at Main, who lead a new digital photography class at the Main Library.  These classes are part of the initiative to provide more computer skills classes.  Two classes were held in May with a total of 22 staffs in attendance.