At NS “Dreams Begin with Dreamers”

The youth of Brentwood Branch Library showcased what they learned during an intense four week camp in their production of “Dreams Begin with Dreamers”, July 31. The students were offered lessons in reading, math, science, interpersonal skills, drama, dance and self-esteem.

  

The Friends of Brentwood Library, along with funding from a grant from Navy Federal Credit Union,, sponsored the FOBL Theater Camp and Playhouse.  The children, ages 4 to 13, also had a muti-cultural field day. First they visited the courtroom of Judge Pauline Drake where she acknowledged and encouraged them in open court.  They also visited the Jacksonville Centre of the Arts, Old Stanton High School, the Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Historic Park and finished the day with lunch at CiCi’s Pizza.  They were featured in the Jacksonville Free Press and a front page picture and blurb in The Florida Times Union’s Metro section.  The youth were also encouraged because they were able to earn points during the camp and were surprised at the end of the production when those points were turned into a monetary award.

Artistic Director and FOBL founder, Sharon Coon, developed the curriculum.  With the help of student stage manager Camille Boyd, student production manager Charlai Cooper (also the Mayor’s Summer Student employee who volunteered to stay an extra week), library liaison Betty Williams and the Brentwood staff that took on extra desk shifts, shelving and popped popcorn etc., the “dream” of having a summer playhouse for the young people of Brentwood became a reality.

Milestones At The Main Library

Will Daniels, Main's Conference Center Specialist, has celebrated many milestones with library customers and friends over his ten year tenure at the Main Library--and some of his own most memorable moments have also been experienced here at Main. Until July 5, 2014, Will was a single Dad, who can be especially proud of his son's accomplishments and shares some milestones here in photos of his son, Omari's growth from a boy to manhood.

Omari with Dad when he graduated as president of his elementary school class.

Omari, age 10, working at the Friends BOOKtique at Main. .

Omari with his date at the Main Library before their Senior Prom.

And above, Omar shares a very happy day, his Father's wedding day, July 5, 2014, at the Main Library. Will married a lovely physician named Terry.  

Many Super Hero Shirts On 1 David Foster = 1 Super Strategy

KR's super P.R. strategist, David Foster, quickly won customer support when he wore a different super hero T-shirt each day for SLP. Customers began donating hero T-shirts for David to wear. He said, "I’m wearing Spider-Man today, but tomorrow I can wear one of the Captain America shirts; plus I can hold his shield, which was a hit at the kick-off celebration.

"At our summer kick-off, Sara Peretzman and Jessica Jones were both Batgirl; Carisia Rooney was SuperC, and Debra Wainwright helped kids create their own Captain America shields.

"Throughout the summer, so many families chose photo-ops with cardboard superheroes that Ms. Baldwin provided – Anna and Elsa from Frozen, Batman, Iron Man, Vision, Thor, and Captain America!

"Our super summer is a team effort involving everyone at KR.  'Avengers, Assemble!'"

Staff Profile - August 2015

JB’s Library Associate Julie Rekow is a collage of talent and expertise. She brings the community to JB by partnering with businesses and organizations for different programs, such as ComicCon, the Flamingo Book Club or the Doctor Who party.  Whether Julie is demonstrating JB’s new *Makerbot Replicator 3-D printer, helping a customer with an I-Pad, or sharing a synopsis of a classic novel with a teen, she is always promoting and personifying the value of a library visit. 

Julie graduated with an MLS degree from Dominican University and then worked as a youth services librarian in Minnesota.  She began as a part-time Library Associate at JB in January 2011 and promoted to full-time in August 2014.  JB Manager Tamera Branam and fellow staff value her contributions to JB and the beaches area.  When JB’s Gail Blumberg nominated Julie for a “Challenge the Process Award”, which ultimately won her the Employee of the Quarter Award, Gail commented, “Julie creates an environment that invites the community to utilize the library for programs, displays, and reading enjoyment…” 

Q: You use Makerspace technology and samples you have displayed, and you demonstrate the *Makerbot Replicator 3-D printer to JB’s customers.   How and why did you prepare for this?

A: Our Friends of the Beaches Branch Library made a very generous donation of a *Makerbot Replicator 3D printer last summer. It has been an amazing (and sometimes challenging) experience to learn how to use this emerging technology. The idea behind the donation was to give our customers an opportunity to see how a 3D printer works and share small 3D prints with them. JPL E-Specialist Randy Mapanoo and I have presented three workshops at JB. The 3D printer has been a hands on learning experience and I have been very lucky to have Randy to consult with. The 3D printer is one of the ways that JB has responded to patrons’ evolving needs and interests.

Q: You inspire staff and customers to share your vision of the future of the Beaches Branch; how do you accomplish that?

      A: When I arrived in Jacksonville for the first time in 2010 after living in landlocked Minnesota all of my life, I got off the plane with my daughter and we drove straight to the beach. The Beaches Library was my first stop and I knew it was where I belonged.

     For the public library to continue into the future, we need to work together to make our libraries thriving community centers that are responsive to the changing needs of our patrons and be a place that they care about. I make that happen by offering programs that reflect our patrons’ interests, collaborating with community partners, and creating eye-catching displays that demonstrate the depth and breadth of our fantastic collection.

      Q: What are some of the activities and partnerships with businesses and organizations you have participated in and how have those partnerships benefited JB?

A: Our partnership with the Superhero Beach Comic Book Store has resulted in three super fun comic cons. Local restaurants and Rona’s Bookmark have been extremely generous in donating prizes to the comic cons. Participation in SAC meetings at Fletcher Middle and High Schools brought the Fletcher HS band to play in our parking lot twice and Fletcher Middle art students painted jellyfish murals on our boarded windows. Circulation Assistant Terry Welch entered a group of us in the Beaches Sandcastle contest and we have participated twice in the Opening of the Beaches parade. Our biggest asset is the Friends of the Beaches Branch Library. They are the best. Our Friends group, our exceptional children’s department, led by Nicole Saville, and wonderful ref and circ staffs have helped raise awareness about the library.  They have all shown that we are a vital part of the community.

Q:  Tell us about some of the fun programs at JB that you are involved in and how you promote them successfully.

A: Before I became a librarian I was a decorative artist specializing in hand painted crafts, furniture, and murals. Combining these skills with library programming has been a dream come true. With Pinterest as my guide, I have made lots of props for Diary of a Wimpy Kid releases in November, a Harry Potter Yule Ball over Christmas break (each staff member wore Harry Potter glasses), superhero everything for comic con, and quirky fun stuff for Doctor Who in late summer. The challenge is to create things that are inexpensive, eye catching, and create buzz.

Signing up teens for SLP is my favorite activity. The average teen is notoriously elusive and difficult to engage. With clipboard in hand, I have made it my mission to speak to everyone I see. They are not always receptive but, once the dialogue is established and I explain that they can participate at the level they are comfortable, I make a connection and get to hear what they like to read and what they are into. I wish I could sign them up all year long.

We hold an adult Flamingo Book club the last Tuesday of every month, reading books that are by Florida authors or that are set in Florida, and we serve food that reflects the read. For the teen anime club, I have been using the kids’ art to make the club flyers. The Friends post our library events on their Facebook page. Kathleen Bailey, editor of the Beaches Leader, has been a strong ally. JB staff are a great group of people and help me promote ideas. All of the various initiatives at the Beaches would not have been possible without my Branch Manager Tamera Branam, giving me the green light; FOBBL President Richard Crook keeps up with me and makes all of the events better. Circulation Assistant Terry Welch has fabulous ideas and gives her support, and Library Associate Gail Blumberg has been behind me every step of the way making sure I don’t forget anything.

Q: What is the greatest thing that has ever happened to you?

A: Last summer I realized two dreams in less than a month. I finally made a trip to England, which has been a lifelong dream, and traveled with my daughter and her husband. When I got home, Rhonda Sarli called and offered me a full time job as JB's Teen Library Associate. Anyone who has ever worked with me will appreciate how big this was to me. Thank you, JPL!

Julie Rekow is flanked by her daughter Catie, who is an art teacher at the American School of Doha, and her son-in-law, Ben, is a geophysicist for Fugro. Catie and Ben live in Qatar in the Middle East. They visited Julie this July when this pic was taken.
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Julie's Note: The 3D printer is connected to a computer and we send jobs to it from thingiverse.com. Thingiverse is a website where people upload 3D print designs they have designed with a CAD program and they are free to share. Or we can also print designs that our patrons have created. The 3D printer uses PLA filament that comes on a spool like thick colored plastic thread. Like putting a bobbin on a sewing machine, the filament is mounted on the printer and then threads through a tube and is passed through an extruder nozzle that heats up to 215 degrees to melt the plastic. When it passes through the nozzle it follows the outline of the programmed design in thin layers of plastic that harden on contact with the air. This process takes a long time. Printing time can range anywhere from 20 minutes to 20 hours depending on the complexity and size of the design.

Maxville Branch Celebrates Ten Years

Director Barbara Gubbin welcomed 125 guests to Maxville Branch Library’s 10^th Anniversary celebration, July 18, 2015.  An official proclamation by the Jacksonville City Council was read recognizing Maxville’s anniversary. 

Festivities included face painting by Elizabeth McConney, a puppet show by Eve Harm, adult crafts by Elise Fare, a visit from the Jacksonville Fire Department, and balloon animals from Balloons R 4 Twisting.  All children in attendance received a new book, and refreshments were served.

Guests had the opportunity to meet City Councilman Doyle Carter, Friends of the Maxville Branch Library President Kim North, and Board of Library Trustees Vice Chair, Guy Anderson.  (Thanks to Mia Brack, West Region Youth Services Librarian III, for the blurb and pictures.)

DU's Cook-A-Book Program

Library Associate Beverly Mason, Highlands Branch, shares pictures of DU's first SLP program, Cook-A-Book, June 17; they had 30 attendees and discussed Japan, Sumo wrestlers, and made candy sushi.

A Few Critters, 1 Senator & Lots of Enthusiasm

Mandarin Branch Library was excited to host Florida State Senator Aaron Bean who visited during the children’s Jacksonville Zoo program, July 15, 2015.   Senator Bean was exuberant to be a part of the event and obviously enjoyed playing a game with the children prior to the zoo program. All participants received Twinkies from the senator.  

Senator Bean appeared at the Main Library's Zoo program prior to his appearance at Mandarin and his enthusiasm permeated kids and caregivers alike as the photos in these links to social media indicate:

FLICKR: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yourticket/sets/72157655967282515

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jaxpubliclibrary/posts/10152935715416366

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jaxlibrary/status/621716478446956544

Instagram: https://instagram.com/p/5NHYzUrzjL/?taken-by=jaxlibrary

NW Finished Teen Hero Academy

NW's Library Associate Gloria Buenavista reports, "These pictures were taken the last day of our Teen Hero Academy series, July 23; The program began June 18 and ran six weeks. We discussed one superhero quality each time: Courage, Creativity, Strength, Intelligence, Generosity and Self-confidence.

"The teens painted shirts and, as you see, modeled them, too.  They had fun taking pictures using the masks and skyline during the program and while modeling their shirts."

 

JB's Flamingo Book Club Hosts Author

The Flamingo Book Club is held at JB and focuses on books set in Florida or written by Florida authors.  Terry Welch said, "For July we discussed Killer Instinct, written by SE Green (Shannon Greenland; she is 4th from left in the first row of those standing).  She attended the meeting and was a delight--and gained many new fans. Her new book is Killer Within. "  Thanks to Terry for the blurb and pic.  Terry is standing next to the author and JB Branch Manager Tamera Branam is on the back row, far right. Others are FBC members.

Sit! Stand! Heel!

KR's Children's Library Associate Alison Pulley said, "Seventeen kids attended the Summer Learning Mini Series program, July 24^th, “How to Train Your Dog to be a Hero”, at the Mandarin Branch Library. Paul Schaffner of Southeast Library organized the program and found a local dog trainer, Karen Soukiasian, who participated in the regional series. Karen brought a four-legged friend named Molly to help demonstrate basic commands. Kids and parents alike enjoyed the program, and Molly made many friends during her visit. All attendees are now prepared to be good pack leaders!"

DU Teens Love Their Art

Highlands teen program, July 21, 2015 was a blatantly colorful and fun event.

DU's Hongying Song, YS Librarian II, said, "There were about 15 participants in the hour long art program.  Felecia and Chanika judged the creations when the artists finished and first prize went to the work of the Superman theme (lower right).  The teens and tweens were creative and produced their own original designs. No one used the templates I had printed out online.  We were intrigued by the teens' creativity and delighted that they had big smiles of satisfaction with their works."

San Marco Branch Programs

San Marco Branch Manager Ann Fridl said, "July 25^th was a busy day at SS.  Landon Middle School teacher,  Monica Knighton (photo below) gave tips to parents on how to read to their children and then read her book, Next Time I Will Obey.  Saturday was also the last day for the Cook a Book program.  The theme was the hero in you and children made their own hero using Rice Krispies for a head and fruit roll ups for a cape."  

Big Hits Come In Small Packages

SOM's Library Associate Christie Rogers says, "Our Safari Soundlab program at the South Mandarin Library, July 23, was a big hit although we entertained a small group of ten.  Parents said that he played well to the children and he knew his audience." (Pictures did not turn out well.)

It's A Zoo Out There!

Sharon Whitt reports on their recent SLP, "The kids really enjoyed their visit with Emily from Zoofari Outreach.   Kids liked the hedgehog, alligator (yep, they petted it), and other creatures. Comic Heroes at EB was also a hit as children were able to enjoy a clay craft and they made comic characters after the program."

Summer Workers' Last Day

EB held a goodbye party for summer worker, Davetra Williams, July 23.  Library Associate Sharon Whitt said, "She has been such a pleasure to work with and eager to learn the operation of day to day activities in the  library.  I asked her what she liked best about her experience working at the Brown Eastside Library.  Her comment, 'Y'all!'  By that she meant Eastside staff has been very welcoming and helpful to her and a great staff to work with."  (Pictured L/R: Davetra Williams, Karen Lewis, Michelle Dubois, and Valerie Govan.)

Main Admin's summer helper, Martin Jones, turns 18, August 15, and he starts college just before that.  Admin and he have a mutual admiration society and we will hear updates from college. Martin was treated to lunch at Cafe Nola on his last day.  

If anyone else has a blurb about your summer student workers, send it in; it will be posted. 

Conversations From Mayport

Lyn Corley’s talk, Conversations from Mayport, July 21, 2015, in the Lounge at the Main Library held the audience's rapt attention. Mrs. Corley is steeped in NE Florida history, and prior to her talk she taped interviews with 15 people who have their heels dug in Mayport sand. Her presentation was an excerpt of a year of securing interviews with people such as Buffy and Janice Strickland  (remember their seafood restaurant?)  She captured on tape the modern Mayport history from its citizens--something that never had been done.  A copy of her Conversations from Mayport is now in Main's Special Collections and the original recording is filed with the Jacksonville Historical Society.   

Mayport brags a big chunk of American history and Mrs. Corley dealt a full hand of details that most history books have not had privy to—a close-up of Mayport’s present day people, laced with old adventurers, such as Jean Ribault. It was an intriguing session. 

The first picture on the left is the Mayport Grammar School. Below that is pictured Donald and Gloria Wilson in front of the Jean Ribault Elementary School.  Mr. Wilson's grandfather was once principal of the school. The school is now used as the Marine Science Center. Last is the Mayport Presbyterian Church. The church underwent a modest addition but retained the main structure intact.  Both the school and the church are over a hundred years old. (Thanks to Mrs. Corley for sharing the pics.)

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Conversations from Mayport is just one of several JPL Summer Adult Programs that Lisa Buggs, Coordinator of Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement, has lined up that educate and entertain adults. These programs continue through August 18, culminating with "A Life Intercepted" and "Water from My Heart" presented by The New York Times best-selling author, Charles Martin.  GREAT LINEUP, LISA, AND CR&M!

Notice Of Three Former JPL Staff Who Have Passed Away

JPL Retiree Elsie Oishi (she and a couple of other retirees keep us apprised about retirees) sent an update on former JPL employees who have passed away recently, "I am not sure whether you know about these or not, but thought I would send to you in case not.. Besides Lynette Tanner, Larry Snook's former secretary in the 1970s who passed in March, there are two others that I know of.  They are Virginia Wansley who passed away in February and Sybil Stanton who passed away on July 8, 2015. I saw the Retired Employees Association newlsetter that mentioned Wansley's passing and Flo Clark alerted me to Sybil Stanton's death. Wansley went really far back so probably few people will remember her, but people should remember Sybil Stanton. There was no obit for Sybil, just an announcement."  The Admin office has received no other news about these retirees' passing but, of course, we take a moment to honor them and pray for their families. 

I Knew I Could Do It!

Jackie Spiritas, GB Manager, brags on two young SLP fans' accomplishment, "A young 'architect' and her 'engineer' friend posed for a picture by their creation in the Children’s Department at the Dallas Graham Branch Library."

Kudos From Customers - July 2015

Beaches Branch: I have been to many libraries in my 80 years, and have never met a more friendly staff than at this one. Whether it is placing a book on hold or renewing or checking out I have had a great experience.

Pablo Creek Branch: I was helped professionally, courteously and expeditiously by Greg Pierce and Elizabeth Garnett at the Reference Desk. I had checked in quite a few books at the automated center, but was not credited for a book that was due the 25th. I also was credited for a book that I had not checked out (nor returned). It was a glitch in the automated check-in, but Greg and Elizabeth persisted in searching for the missing book and did find it. I was very appreciative and very relieved.

South Mandarin Branch: Angela Richman was very knowledgeable regarding online services. She was helpful, accommodating and gracious in my native language (Spanish)! 

West Regional: Jason Enoex at WST was very helpful with my needs and went beyond the scope of his job duties.

Cows ARE Appreciated At DU & Staff Are Heros

DU's YS Library Assistant Felecia Battle held Stories for Young Children’s program, July 15 , for a crowd of 45 children and caregivers. Kids enjoyed stories, songs, and a flannel board activity for Cow Appreciation Day, and each child received a cow mask.

Thanks to Captain Felecia Battle, DU's All-Star Squadron (Kristi Dorney, Felecia Battle, Chanika Kimbrough, Farryn James, Tyneshia Matthews, Beverly Mason and Victoria Galman) has been in training during the Summer Learning Program. Felecia says, "We have completed our training mission and now we are all Heroes with a story to tell."