Makerspace Update

Don Carpenter reports, "Crafts are starting to boom in Main's Makerspace. Crafternoon: Mend Your Own Business, a program teaching the fundamentals of needle and thread sewing, is doing well. And Sew Good, a program teaching sewing terminology and sewing machine basics is progressing seamlessly. We have had a total of 16 classes with 90 participants and a success in anyone’s book! 

"Recommend them to your customers and come and attend them yourselves.

"Mend Your Own Business is from 10 to 11, Saturday, July15, and Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:30. Sew Good is on Thursday, July 6 and 20, 3 to 5.

"Remember, when you make it yourself, it’s whatever size you say it is."

Job Well Done: Diane Lewis

Library Clerk Diane Lewis was nominated by KR Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel for a Job Well Done Award, which he presented to Diane, June 28, 2017.  Mark credits Diane with finding a solution regarding the door to the conference room. He said, "We needed to change the door out to one with a window in it for safety reasons. Diane suggested we swap the conference room door with the door to the staff lounge. This worked out well and the doors fit perfectly." 

Books & Bricks At UPK

At UPK's Books and Bricks school age program, July 3, 2017, 40 kids and their families took the challenge to build a boat and test to see if it would sink when submerged in water. They also learned about displacement and famous boats around the world. (Thanks to Alexis Carter for input.)

Tell your Mama, Tell Your Pa & Customers Re: FOJPL Specials for July

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library have some good news for all of us so DO talk it up to your family, friends and certainly customers:

IN-STORE SPECIALS FOR JULY 2017 INCLUDE BOGO's IN TWO CATEGORIES:

BOOKS BY MOST POPULAR AUTHORS, such as:  David Baldaci, Tom Clancy, Mary Higgions Clark, Catherine Coulter, Patricia Cornwell, Clive Cussier, Janet Evanovich, W.E.B. Griffin, John Grifin, LaHaye/Jenkins, and many more!

ALL MEDIA:  Books on CD, Music CD's and DVD's

AND YOU CAN MIX AND MATCH ALL THROUGH THE MONTH OF JULY 2017!

Stamped Art

Alison Pulley, YS Library Associate, said, "Nine teens participated in week 3 of Go Native!, July 1, 2017, at Mandarin Branch Library. This week we explored Asante art and culture, specifically the making of adinkra cloth. Teens were then given the opportunity to go through the print making process themselves: first by carving a stamp, and then making prints on a white piece of fabric. They were so committed we went over the program time by an hour. As you see, the results were fantastic."

Unique Gift For A Unique Library Director

Highlands Branch employees were quite creative in thinking of an unforgettable going away present for Director Barbara Gubbin. They had a gorilla named for her at the Jacksonville Zoo! Here she holds the certificate affirming the naming and Director Gubbin received a toy gorilla to remember Highlands staff by. She wanted to share this with you on June 30, 2017, her last day with JPL as our Library Director.

Drumming At UPK

"Week three of SLP saw UPK hosting Just Add Rhythm where 75+ school age children learned about drumming, rhythm, tempo and keeping a beat--and about their roots in African culture, said UPK's YS Librarian II Alexis Carter. FUN, FUN, FUN!

Don't Let The Death Cockroaches Loose!

GB Manager Susan Arthur, said, "Animal ambassadors from the Jacksonville Zoo visited Dallas Graham Branch, June 28, 2017, fascinating the children with critters they could learn about and touch. Young 'scientists' had close-up views of an alligator, a turtle and other animals, as well as artifacts from the Zoo. One Iimportant lesson learned:  don’t let the Death Cockroaches loose!

Augusta Savage Sculpture Comes To Main

An unveiling of an Augusta Savage statue owned by the library was held in the Special Collections Department on Main's 4th floor, June 28, 2017. 

A secure wall installation needed to be installed prior to displaying the piece, which is a bust of an African American woman signed by the artist. Director Gubbin said, "There are not many pieces of this late native of Jacksonville in existence as she moved from creating art pieces to teaching art to students, so this is a special work of art for JPL to own."

To the right is Director Gubbin; on the left is Founder of the Dallas Graham Branch Friends. Board Trustee Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins and other JPL supporters were present for the unveiling. (More pictures are in the G-shared folder on the G Drive under Augusta Savage Pictures.) 

Laughter - The Best Medicine & A Really Good Draw!

JB's Terry Welch reports, "We had the Best. Book Club. Ever, June 27, 2017.  JB's Flamingo Book Club discussed Best. State. Ever: A Florida Man Defends His State by Dave Barry.  The book club meeting was especially exciting because the author visited us via Skype for a laughter filled 20 minute talk. Ninety one people attended; some from as far away as Palatka – probably because of the article that appeared in The Florida Times-Union (link below), thanks to CR&M. 

"Most of the stories he told were from the book, but here is an 'original' story, which is awesome on so many levels. Dave has a band called 'Rock Bottom Remainders'. Several authors are also part of the band (the members come and go). Once while Stephen King was strumming his guitar, Ridley Pearson whispered into Dave’s ear 'look at that fan in front of Stephen.' The woman was holding both hands up in front of Stephen and  her fingernails were on fire!  Dave hoped they were false nails!  Ridley then whispered in Dave’s ear 'I hope I never become that famous!'”

"Our Skype visit is the biggest news to hit our beaches community since one or all of the following: Hurricane Dora, The Beatles concert shortly after Hurricane Dora or Story time featuring Dora The Explorer."

http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/literature/2017-06-24/we-are-not-making-dave-barry-live-neptune-beach-and-almost

Mehndi Art At KR

Nine teens attended week two of the teen mini series Go Native! program, June 22, 2017, at KR.  The program is designed to introduce teens to indigenous art forms world wide and explore new mediums. This week KR highlighted India and the art of mehndi--painting elaborate patterns on the skin using henna paste. Henna temporarily dyes the skin for a couple of weeks. YS Library Associate Alison Pulley reports, "They all did a great job for being new to henna."

Director Gubbin Receives ALA's Earnest A. DiMattia Jr. Award

The American Library Association's 2017 Earnest A. DiMattia Jr. Award for Innovation and Service to Community and the Profession was presented to our Library Director Barbara Gubbin, June 25, 2016, in Chicago at their annual conference.

Pictured are the President of ALA, Julie Todaro, on the left, and Mrs. DiMattia and her son.  

Scroll down to see the June 19, 2017, article in this blog about her retirement party and why it is no wonder that Director Gubbin was chosen to receive this award.

Teens Kickoff SLP At SE

SE's Kate Zakharov reports, "Teens at SE made “goldfish bowl slime” at our SLP kick-off party, June 9, 2016. Our theme was Build A Better World: Ocean Conservation. We had 24 happy teens participate in this kick-off to an awesome summer!

JOB WELL DONE: TRISTAN DENMARK

Having only been employed at Pablo Creek Branch seven months, YS Librarian I Tristan Denmark was nominated for a Job Well Done Award by Hongying Song. Hongying said, "Tristan chose a wonderful 'I Survived the Library' theme for our SLP kickoff and invited Chick-fil-A cow to the party. Chick-fil-A not only brought the big cow, but the little cows with coupons and cow hats. The store manager was willing to support PCR because Tristan built an excellent partnership with the store. She brought stories and books to the store for their monthly family night since February. Tristan represents our library and brings the library to the store and now the store has come to our library.  Our party rocked with 164 attendees."

Kudos From Customers

Highlands Branch:  Cassy (Manning) was wonderful! Many thanks.

Main – Circulation:  I would like to commend Mr. (Corey) Scott, the African American gentleman at the front desk, who assisted me getting a library card. I recently relocated to Jacksonville and he showed exemplary customer service skills by explaining the requirements for obtaining a card and providing me with a temporary use card. I have been to several branches and he is the first person to educate me on the options. Congratulations to Jacksonville Public Library for having an experienced and knowledgeable employee.

Murray Hill Branch:  I would like to say how much I appreciate and enjoy making use of your Hold System which allows me to request an item from any of your libraries and pick it up at my wonderful local branch in Murray Hill within a few days. The system works perfectly, from ease of use to reliability of notification. I am sure people have worked diligently to make it a reliable system, and they have succeeded! It also appears that your employees on both ends of the process perform their responsibilities pronto, because I am amazed how quickly I get the items I request. Please tell the responsible and helpful staff at Murray Hill, including Mr. Douglas Fair and others whose names I haven't learned, that you heard from a very satisfied customer.

San Marco Branch:  A hand printed  note from a young child:  Dear Mr. M. (Monte Latham), Thank you so much for always being so nice and helpful!  Thank you for being so thoughtful and picking out a book for me!  I can’t wait to read it.  You make coming to this library so much more enjoyable.  Thank you for your time!

Webb Wesconnett Branch:  Brenda (Johnson), Dana (Curry), and Ayesha (Turner) are efficient and friendly. ... 

Job Well Done: Martha Smith

Laura Minor, Librarian III in Main's Special Collections, gave Martha Smith a Job Well Done Award, June 21, 2017. Laura said, "Special Collections and Makerspace hosted a Local & Community history themed Art Walk event recently. Martha envisioned a 'History Fair' component for the event. She contacted nine local community history organizations and invited them to join us and all did. Martha kept in constant contact with them, communicating details of our expectations, load in, setup, and breakdown of each table. Consequently, the event was very organized and ran smoothly. Martha’s efforts strengthened our relationships with them and feedback from our community partners was positive. Adrienne Burke of Riverside Avondale Preservation commented, 'I had a great time and appreciate being invited… If there is anything else we can do to partner, let me know.' Rita Reagan of Norman Studios commented, 'It was a good event... Got some fun pictures.'  

Zoofari At KR

Mandarin Branch Library hosted "Zoofair Outreach", June 21, 2017, affording many children an opportunity to see, handle, and learn about different animals for the first time.

Isabel Moreno-Santiago, YS Librarian I, said, "Mr. Andrew and Ms. Susan from the Jacksonville Zoo Educational Program mesmerized the kids, kept the audience of 115 engaged during the entire presentation, and the event was a total success!"

The Bright & Beautiful

SE Branch Manager Erica Brown (center, 1st row) will be coming back to Main (date TBA) and Lenora Stuckey is leaving. So SE staff gathered together, June 21, 2017, for this photo--and Erica and Lenora will have something to remember staff by; they will be sorely missed.  
Glad you asked who the children are in the back; they are the subjects of a wonderful mural done in the Children's Department by Nancy Floyd. The  other beautiful, real people are SE staff (L/R, front to back row):  Paul Schaffner, Gina Scott, Andrea Markle, Erica Brown, Sandy Ostroski, John Manahan, Mayor's summer helper Kiara Ryan, and Mia Brack.  2nd row:  Deborah Wainwright, Alfreda Whitfield, Lenora Stuckey, Arielle Kellam, Erika Knapp, Abby McGeathey, Kate Zakharov, Carol Bunker, Hunter Alley, Anna Brown, and Blake Hudson.  3rd row back: Sally Doherty and volunteer John MacRae.

Touch, Feel, Gasp!

Brentwood  Branch’s “Wild Wonders” program, June 20, 2017, allowed many children an opportunity to see and handle a snake, if not their first time with a snake, for most it was their first encounter with a YELLOW python.   NS Manager Kathleen Krizek said, "A day care brought their kids, too, so we had over 50 people in attendance. I was covering the desk and could hear the screams of excitement as the presenter kept asking, 'Do you want to see a bigger snake?' I was very happy to be on a different floor."

Kids also enjoyed experiencing an encounter with other reptiles, a small alligator, etc. Look at that wonderment!

Director Gubbin Reads At KR

Director Barbara Gubbin (L, standing) is welcomed and introduced to children and caregivers in Mandarin Library's Children's Department, June 19, 2017, by KR Manager Mark Hohnadel (R) and David Foster (to Mark's right), 

  

Director Gubbin was there for Mandarin Library's Drop Everything and Read program and read from the book, Below by Nina Crews.