Who IS That Pokemon?

“Who’s That Pokémon?” If you take a jaunt around the Children’s area at Main you can play this game created by JPL staff members Beth Friederich and Chris Tabur. If you can name 10 of the 15 shadows throughout the department you win a prize!  Many children have been up to the challenge.  Marcie O'Dell asks, "Are you?"

The answers are: Haunter, is the ghost in the self-check machine. Totodile is the gator by the gator couch.  Dewgong is the ice Pokemon responsible for the below zero temps. Pikachu is an electric mess-maker responsible for all computer malfunctions.  Jigglypuff carries his microphone to put people to sleep, and Wobbufet is the patient Pokémon who is there to inspire all passersby.
  

  

Library In Middle Of 100th Celebration Of MH Community

The Murray Hill Preservation Association sponsored a block party, Saturday, September 17, 2016, to celebrate the community's 100th year anniversary, and they exceeded the estimated attendance of a thousand.  MH Branch stayed open until 9 pm for the occasion.

Murray Hill was incorporated as a city on July 5, 1916 and then on June 8, 1925, citizens voted 96 to 9 for annexation to the City of Jacksonville.

Region Manager Marshelle Berry, MH Branch Manager Guy Adkins, and several employees enjoyed joining in the community centennial celebration.  At left, you see the results of E-Specialist Donna Peretzman helping kids with 3-D printing Pen Art they created--stars, caterpillars, and feathers, etc.

CR&M's Part-time Graphics Artist Margaret Fishback ran a green screen just outside the library, and inside YS Librarian II Camara Bragdon helped youth make Pokemon Balls.

The Friends of the Murray Hill Library had a booth in front of the library and Judy Klein (center below), past president and board member, helped man their booth.

A unique touch to the block party was a portable (trailer) climbing tree right in the midst--no climbers were seen; still it was a great conversation piece. (No, the tree is not connected to the live wires even though it appears to be.)

                      AND A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL!

Patty Henderson: Job Well Done!

Patty Henderson (left) is a part-time shelver at Mandarin Branch. She was presented with a Job Well Done award, September 20, 2016, by her supervisor, Stacey Van Hoy.  Stacy said, "Not only does Patty do a great job shelving, in her 20 hours a week she has almost single-

handedly shifted the entire adult collection.  She shifted quietly, quickly, and efficiently, with a smile on her face.  Customers now have a more organized collection, in good condition, with room for growth."

Kudos From Customers - September 2016

Beaches Branch:  I have been thrilled with the help and partnership Theresa Rooney, Nicole Saville, and Gail Bloomberg have given the American Sewing Guild! The facility is fantastic. Large conference room was perfect for a group Sew In—machines, ironing boards, and all! Small conference room is great for our monthly meetings. Gail made a great flyer, pulled circulation material, and made a display to promote National Sewing Month. Seams Beachy Neighborhood group surely appreciates the Beaches Branch Library!

Murray Hill Branch:  The Staff at this Library is the Best! Margaret (Esposito), Amy (Douglas) and Doug (Fair) go out of their way to help. Love all of them!

Mandarin Branch:  ...While it's been many years since I've visited a public library, I was pleasantly surprised by the resources offered along with the assistance and guidance that is available from the staff.  It's been several decades since I've tested the job market. I found myself unsure of the correct and current procedures for formatting and electronically submitting a resume so I went to the library. I was told by Ms. Stacey Van Hoy that there are classes held on a monthly basis to bring folks up to speed and that Mr. Mark Hohnadel will hold the next one the following month.  Instead waiting until the class next month, Stacey spoke with Mark and explained my dilemma. She then introduced us and he spent time to give me a brief overview, chose several books for me to review, and then set an appointment with me for the following week. The following week, Mark took an hour of his time to discuss my situation and offered guidance in several areas and clarified questions I had from the reference material he gave me.  I was in awe of the helpful service and the sincerity of solving my concerns exhibited by Mark, Stacey and the entire staff. 

After reviewing the end product, Mark asked for a copy to forward to a friend and has even set an appointment for me to interview for possible employment. Mark said "just doin' my job"; however, he and his staff certainly go far above and beyond their duties.

Please accept my thanks for the assistance that your Library System provides and congratulations to you and Jacksonville on providing an excellent product.

Pablo Creek Branch: Ms. Marcie (O’Dell) is always helpful; she is always smiling and welcoming. …

San Marco Branch:  I want to commend the library staff (Lilia Simonton, Davi Harmon, Robbie Crabtree, Emily Gideon, Amber Pierce, and Juanita Searies) on their deep reserve of patience with the Middle School kids during the weekday hours after Landon Middle School lets out. I have observed the library staff treating the kids fairly, leniently (sometimes more than one chance to change behavior as befitting a middle school aged child), with compassion and understanding. I believe this is appropriate and the way kids will learn not to fear going to the library. They will grow up wanting to keep coming back. My son loves coming to the San Marco branch! ... 

Job Well Done: Michael Sullivan

Main Manager Lynne Baldwin said, "Michael Sullivan deserves a Job Well Done Award for leading the Main Library through a successful year of exciting activities, events and programs -- the 10th Anniversary Celebration for the new Main Library Building (with 4,000 customers participating), Project LEAP, the DCPS visits had 10,000 kids visit, Spark Walk, the visit of Librarians from South Korea, Lunch in the Lounge Concerts, monthly Art Walk, Online High School, the Braille Challenge, the Young Adult Job Fair 1(200 teens and parent attended) and the brand new Makerspace.  Most importantly, under Michael’s leadership, Main Library staff has become a real team dedicated to working together to creatively expand our services and programs to the Downtown and Urban Core Community."

Rosalin Smalls Retires 9/23/16

Rosalin (Roz) Smalls came to JPL in September 2004 and first worked at AR, then transferred to DU, then central supplies at Main, then to UPK, and back to Main working in circ to close out her career, September 23. as a library clerk. She is proud that she has only had three jobs in 46 years. 

Roz first worked in the NY Attorney General's Office for 9 1/2 years, typing legal docs, then moved to Jax in 1978 after visiting family here.  She said, "Things really changed since I used to come down on the train for summer vacations with my brother."  Two weeks later, she had a job as a typist at Southern Bell and then became an operator, finally taking an "exit" package offered to staffs when Southern Bell downsized in 1998.  

For nine months she was semi-retired and Roz went to Ft. Meade, MD to be with her daughter and son-in-law for the birth of their first child and Roz' first grandchild was born, July 4, 1999. By August, she was job hunting and in October began working for Guardian Ad Litem (a program that advocates for children displaced from their homes) as a front office person. In June 2004, they downsized and Roz visited family in NY.  That September, she began working at AR as a clerk and the rest is history. 

Roz is excited about not having to be anywhere at any given time and plans to first visit her Dad in October, then make a few road trips, including Atlanta, South Carolina, and Miami.

Above, Roz is pictured as she sang, "Natural Woman" at the Staff Association party, August 6, 2016.  She says, "Maybe I'll take my talent show 'Natural Woman' act on the road or join a line dancing group so I can 'keep moving'.  I've built some treasured relationships and sistah-hoods at JPL and I plan to visit some of the staff and do lunch.  I will miss staff; I have learned from them and appreciate that.  As my Dad, who is 96 years young says, 'You're never too old to learn and anyone can be a teacher.'"

Roz' blended family includes five daughters: Sharlene, Doreen, and Junise, Troy and Danielle, seven grandchildren and three great grands.

PCR's Turn It Up Turns It On

                       JB Library Clerk Danielle Linnen at ticket booth

Pablo Creek Library hosted a Football themed Turn It UP Thursday on September 15, 2016, complete with a life sized ticket booth and decked out Jacksonville University cheerleaders (pictured below) from the JU Spirit Team. 

Library fans enjoyed music courtesy of the Northeast Florida Music Conservatory which provided a lovely woodwind quartet playing background music for library customers. Bach to Rock Music school offered two free 30 minute music lessons to our youngest customers in the Children’s department. There was a “pin the football over the goal post” game as well as delicious Nothing Bundt Cakes (table pictured below).  They provided free bundt cake samples to Pablo Creek customers.  Putt-Putt in the Stacks pitted the Jaguars against

FSU and the Gators and our flick the football table awarded the finger kicker with information about online resources for sports magazines. All levels of staff enjoyed making the sports cut-outs, building the ticket booth, arranging the Putt-Putt holes and thinking of ways to move people through the activities. Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas is proud of the staffs' efforts and happy that the customers really seem to enjoy the interaction and variety of activities.  We are planning the October Turn It UP which will be a Fall Festival, October 20.
                                              

        Part-time Library Associate Diane Ressler and Region Manager Sara Roberts

LRT Hears Management Points Learned From NEFLIN Training Institute

Among other important issues discussed at the Library Round Table, September 15, 2016, were management keys learned by recent graduates of the NEFLIN Management Training Institute.  Margaret Morford, Librarian II, Special Collections, shared points she learned: dealing with employee performance issues, how to eliminate time wasters, dealing with staff who are habitually late to work, and those habitually late submitting reports within deadlines.  Additionally, she pointed out the "2x2 strategy" - managers should take a couple of minutes every two weeks to have an informal talk with their staff and ask what they are working on and see if they are having any problems. This will be helpful at monthly one-on-one meetings we have.

JB's Manager Theresa Rooney passed on principles she learned about managing change.

Jackie Spiritas spoke on work site communication effectiveness; employee performance issues; how to manage change effectively at work and how to coach/mentor/train staff; building a team environment; and how to transition into a lean environment. 

CAL's Program Manager Katie Devanny shared points on worksite comunication (pic below) and Librarian II at Main Erik Larsen made a presentation about team environment. 

 SE Librarian III Carisia Rooney (below) spoke on the four keys of a lean environment.

Two JPL Advocates Receive Awards

JPL's new Library Board Chair Ronnie King received WJCT's First Coast 2016 American Graduate Champion award, September 15, 2016 at a reception and dinner honoring the winners.  

Friends of the Dallas Graham Branch Library Board Vice Chair Lynn Sherman also was honored with the award. 

The two were recognized for committing their time, skills, and resources to make sure that young people succeed, and for playing an active role in improving educational outcomes for all students.

Ms. Sherman

Betty Williams Retires

Library Associate Betty Williams is retiring, September 16, 2016, after eleven years with JPL.  Betty worked at SOM until 2012, then transferred to NS, and moved to Main's Reference department, September 12. She is looking forward to new adventures and an exciting new chapter in her life.  We wish the very best for this wonderful person.  

Congratulations To Susan Mankowski!

Main's Early Childhood Specialist Susan Mankowski was presented with the Sherwood H. Smith Award for Advocacy by United Way during the Partners in Philanthropy luncheon at the Omni Hotel, September 15, 2016. Susan was nominated for the award by Manager of YS & CO Amber Holley.

Susan had her own cheering section led by Director Barbara Gubbin, Amber, and Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop, who took pictures.

ALL OF US ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU, SUSAN.

Book Discussion & Art For Teens At KR

Alison Pulley in KR's Teen department advises, "In October, KR will begin a new program,'Book 2 Art', which will be half book discussion and half art.  We will discuss the spooky graphic novel by Emily Carroll, Through the Woods.   

One thing I have found to be helpful in garnering teen interest--aside from communicating in person and advertising to schools--is to create a display inspired by the book. Making this 'Book 2 Art' cart was fun and I’m looking forward to doing others."

Games To Learn By At CW

CW's Phenessa Gray used games to entertain and titilate the brain in her September 14 children's program. She said, "Twelve kids and parents enjoyed learning about *Milton Bradley (1836-1911), an American publisher and manufacturer, who also created board games still used today:  The Game of Life, Connect Four, and Battleship. 

Other classic board games, beside Milton Bradley's, were played, too, such as Tic-Tac-Toe, UNO, Jenga, and Candyland."
______________________________
*(Information was retrieved from Biography in Context research database and Who Was Milton Bradley? by Kirsten Anderson.)

Tuning Up For Poplular Tune-In With Customers

Lunch @ the Lounge with Steve Gallatin, pictured left "tuning up" for the noon hour-long concert, September 14, 2016, had about 35 people enjoy the concert. Steve is a guitarist rooted in the traditions of American jazz, blues, and R&B, representing America’s musical heritage from the perspective of the modern generation.  He also plays with local R&B collective Band of Destiny, World View, The Steve Gallatin Trio, and the Raisin Cake Orchestra.  (Thanks to Kathleen Brunner for the input and blurb.)

1st DCPS Visit At Main for 2016-2017

The Main Library hosted its first DCPS class tour, September 13, for the 2016-2017 school year. Pictured are 4^th graders from Andrew Robinson checking out the monster truck on Laura Street on their way out after touring Main.  Students participated in a ‘Non-Fiction Scavenger Hunt” after their tour of the children’s department and were introduced to many different kinds of books in non-fiction. Everyone had fun and day one was a success!  (Thanks to Nicole Evans for the blurb and pic.)

Stacey MacPherson: Job Well Done!

Tricia Larrabee, Library Services Clerical Supervisor, Pablo Creek Region, nominated Stacey MacPherson for a Job Well Done award and Stacey received it at PCR's staff meeting, August 31, 2016.  Tricia said, "Stacey is in charge of all missing and damaged materials, AV cleaning and spine labels for PCR. These items were in several locations in the workroom and she organized them in one central area, nearer to where they are needed.  Now items are in labeled containers indicating where they should go. Processed items are across the top, labeled with customer names and dated.  Stacey's hard work has increased efficiency of the process of these tasks."

Eve Harm: Job Well Done!

UPK's Manager Sandra Ostroski awarded Eve Harm the Job Well Done award, September 9, 2016.  Sandi credits Eve with "creating a feedback form to be completed by her direct reports, which she believes will help improve her supervisory skills, as well as show her where she is doing a good job.  When I heard about it,  I thought it was a good idea and asked her to give me a copy.  Now I, too, can have my direct reports filled out and receive some feedback on my supervisory performance. Good job, Eve!" 

Mia Brack & Gina Scott: Job Well Done!

Gina Scott (red top, 2nd from R) and Mia Brack (far R) received their Job Well Done awards, September 8, 2016, amidst a lot of congrats and staffs' smiling faces.

SE Clerical Supervisor Debra Wainwright nominated Gina for her front line marketing skills, especially promoting SLP. Her infectious enthusiasm spread to all the staff to beat the goal set for SE.  She spoke to customers in the stacks, at self-check, and the circ desk. And beat that SLP goal, SE did, for kids and adults:  Kids - from 401 in 2015 to 695 in 2016 - up 73%. Adults - from 75 in 2015 to 210 in 20l6 - up 180%.  (Teens attendance was down from 75 in 2015 to 63 in 2016, or -16%.)  

Additionally, Debra said, "When customers say they don't have computer access at home, Gina asks them to write down the titles and bring the list on their next visit and they can get logged at the library."

Before Mia Brack transferred from PCR to SE, PCR Manager Jackie Spiritas nominated Mia for holding a reception for students, families, and teachers to celebrate the DCPS Art Show. Jackie said, "Mia models the way for other staff to share ideas.  In that way, she enables others to act and be successful with an idea that works."  

Flying High

Sarah Harper (left with fellow grad), Sara Gunter’s granddaughter, graduated from UF, August 6, 2016, cum laude, with a B. A. in Political Science.  Sarah minored in Environmental Science and Innovation while earning a certificate in Public Policy.  She also received a medal for being in the inaugural class of Innovation Academy at UF.  

Shortly after graduation, Sarah flew back to Paris and is a consultant for a nongovernmental organization involved with the U.N. where she had interned. She is exploring the continent, learning French and loves their baguettes and cheeses.

Staff Profile - September 2016

Main Manager Lynne Baldwin recognized Katie Guarino's ability to work well with staff--from the supply clerk to Main/Urban Region Manager Michael Sullivan-- to research, listen and communicate well and produce the Young Adult Job Fair at the Main Library, June 14. Katie garnered the expertise, talents, and cooperation of staff successfully.  The job fair had 1070 teens and 29 vendors participate--and 101 family members came to support the young adults.

It is no wonder that Katie Guarino won an Inspire a Shared Vision Award and subsequently the Employee of the Quarter Award for the 3rd quarter of FY2016. (Katie is pictured in her home town, St. Petersburg, FL, with her hubby, Drew.)  

Here this Main Teen Library Associate, who has only been with JPL since March 2015, explains how she accomplished so much.  
               

Q:   In January of this year Michael Sullivan approached you about organizing a Young Adult Job Fair, after Jackie Spiritas spearheaded a successful YA Job Fair at GB last year with over 200 teens participating.  How did you do that?

A:  I started by gathering as much information as I could from Michael and Jackie.  Since I wasn’t here for the GB job fair, I didn’t know much about it.  Jackie was very organized in putting together the original job fair, so it was just a matter of building on the strong framework that was already there.

Q:  What were the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?  

A:  It’s always hard to get everyone on the same page when you’re working with so many people all across the library system and everyone has other tasks that take priority. It was crucial to have teamwork from the Job Fair Committee, use clear communication, and then follow up.  We had an expectation for two pre-fair workshops per region, which was a challenge to coordinate.  I asked for help from the Job Fair Committee to create three different options for program plans, then we checked in with the Teen staff frequently to make sure they had programs scheduled. 

Q:   What was the response from administration, employers, teens and family members who attended?

A:  I think everyone was completely floored by the turnout, especially me. We were cautiously optimistic that we would have 400 attendees, but there was already a line down the next block before the doors opened and to see over 1,000 YA's participate made all of our efforts worth it! I think the more attention we give the 16-24 age demographic, the more response we will see. We are already brainstorming ways to make the Young Adult Job Fair bigger and better next year.

Q:  Your position allows you to enable teens to reach their full potential.  Other than the YA Job Fair, what other opportunities have you used to do just that?

A: It's very trial-and-error with what works for teens. I first try to create programs that will appeal to teens. They won't get any value out of a program they don't attend.

Q:   What are the greatest assets you have that make you successful in your position?         

A:  I set high standards for myself and I apply the same standards to projects I contribute to with others. I didn't have much leadership experience before the Job Fair, but I tried not to ask others to do work I wouldn't be willing to do myself.