Sen. Aaron Bean Helps Close SLP At SOM

The Harry Potter themed End of Summer Learning Party at South Mandarin Branch was an opportune time to invite State Senator Aaron Bean to kick off the event and that he did, July 27, 2017. Sen. Bean enjoyed the event and hob knobbed with some VIP's--our customers. 

SE Region Manager Keli Likins said, "Senator Bean congratulated the crowd on their reading over the summer and spun the prize wheel as Mia Brack looked on."  (L/R: Keli Likins, Senator Bean, Stefa Witt and two children having fun.)

Jobs Well Done At West

Lynne Baldwin, Webb Region Manager, nominated Library Associate Bill Figlietti, Librarian I Carolyn Koehler, Training's Library Assistant Dinane Alexander and Library Clerk Latisha Willbright for a Job Well Done, and all were presented the award, July 20, 2017. Lynne said, “West Branch Library hosted a summer camp field trip, June 14, for 68 kids and five teachers from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Summer Camp. Expected at 10:30 am, they arrived at 9:20 and YS staff was not scheduled to arrive until 10:00. Latisha Woolbright and Diane Alexander arrived early at 9:00, along with me. I spoke with the teacher in charge and she realized she had made a mistake. We let the kids into the Children’s department and these JPL employees were amazing. Diane and Latisha quickly distributed coloring sheets and board games and assisted with finding books for the kids and teachers. They took turns covering the reference desk in children’s and managing crowd control. When Carolyn and Bill arrived, they were surprised to find 68 kids enjoying resources in children’s. Carolyn and Bill immediately came up with a plan and divided the kids into two groups – one for story time with Carolyn and the other group for a tour of the children’s department with Bill and then the groups switched off. Bill did a short presentation on library data bases and resources for the whole group before they were divided into two small groups. End result:  everyone had a great time. Carolyn and Bill interacted really well with the kids and the teachers. Latisha helped Carolyn in the meeting room with story time and Diane helped Bill with the tours.  The kids were out of the building and on the bus by 11:20 am.”  

SMOOTH TEAM WORK!

San Marco Branch Closes SLP

SS Branch Manager Lilia Simonton and her hard working staff wanted us to know their closing celebration of the 2017 Summer Learning Program, July 25, saw 55 happy faces reflecting the fun SLP has been all summer--and State Senator Audrey Gibson (back left) and Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop mirrored everyone's delight. Southeast Region Manager Keli Likins is not pictured but was present.)

Senator Gibson explained to the children what a senator does and how it impacts Jacksonville.  She handed out books and congratulated two of the children who read the most books over the summer. (Sen. Gibson is a native of Jacksonville, FL and graduated from Florida State University.)

Six Weeks Of Harry Potter At DU

 June 15, 2017 began a six week series of Harry Potter activities called Dumbledore’s Army for Highlands Branch teens. Beverly Mason said, "Each week concluded with participants completing their OWLs trivia. Week 1 activities included sorting the teens into the four Houses (Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw), making their own wands and discussing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stones. During Week 1, we split the teens into Houses. Each week they earned points for their House by playing games and answering trivia questions. We tallied the points at the end and gave prizes to each teen in the winning House.  Slytherin was our winner.  Each teen from Slytherin won a Harry Potter pencil and a Harry Potter book. Week 2 we included discussing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and creating a Dobby sock holder.

                              Week 2 - Two of the participants.

 Week 3 activities included discussing H.P. and the Prisoner of Azkaban, answering riddles, practicing spells with Confundo, Petrificus Totalus, Expecto Patronum (H.P. style of Rock Paper Scissors) and creating flying keys.  Week 4 Teens discussed H.P. and The Goblet of Fire, Quidditch Practice and they created Golden Snitches. 

                      Week 4 - Three of the teen attendees.

"Week 5  - We discussed Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, played H.P. style Would You Rather and created Cat Plates. 

                                                            Week 5 - Teen participants

"Week 6 - Teens discussed H.P. and the Half-Blood Prince and H.P. and the Deathly Hallows and created Deathly Hallows pendants. We also had a House Awards Ceremony. After the award ceremony, we all enjoyed a Harry Potter feast including Butterbeer Floats, licorice wands, pretzel broomsticks, cauldron cakes, lemon drops, and golden snitches." 

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch:  I have enjoyed this library from the time I moved back to Jax Beach as an adult in '89 (born here). I raised two children with this library’s help and resources.  I was a single parent for most of it and couldn’t afford Internet at home, which schools were asking for.  I now have my grandsons for most of the summer and throughout the year as well.  Having longer hours and more days would benefit them and me immensely.  I appreciate and respect the library and its role in the community.  Thank you for all these educational and fun filled years!  Staff:  Theresa Rooney, Andre Smith, Robbie Crabtree, Julie Rekow, Gail Blumberg, Mary Hatfield, Amer Pierce, Theresa Welch, Nicole Saville, Mary Wilson, Darlene Boda, Rachel Jones, Margaret Terrell, Cheryl Weatherford, and  August Ford.

Brentwood Branch: I enjoy this site and staff very much. I visit quite often and my experiences are delightful. Staff:  Kathleen Krizek, LaKendra Hicks, Milicia Thomas Aquilla Stewart, David Stevenson, & Okey Emejuru.

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

Main Library – Grand Reading Room: Just moved back from Tennessee. Not very computer knowledgeable. Adrian (Johnson) helped me, made me feel comfortable and at ease. Two days ago I was here for the first time. A beautiful, slender black lady helped me. She also was very nice. And she stayed till I was comfortable and taught me a few new things about computers.

Pablo Creek Branch:  Chris (Tabur) in the children's section is very calm and helpful. He goes the extra mile to help out!

Mr. Baltiero Chairs Important PLA Committee

Main's YS Library Associate Anthony Baltiero was asked to Chair the PLA Continuing Education Advisory Group recently. Anthony said, "This is a one year appointment officially beginning July 1, 2017. Then I will serve the following year as a member of the committee. The purpose of this group is to advise PLA on the identification, development and evaluation of relevant, cost-effective, emerging face-to-face and online continuing education products and services. "

We all congratulate you, Anthony.

Upbeat!

Drumming for Everyone at SOM's SLP program, July 20, 2017, proved to be a good outlet for 35 energetic youngsters. Christie Rogers said, "SOM's performer, Alisha Ross, from Just Add Rhyth, did an amazing job! Attendees took the opportunity to experience a drum circle and really enjoyed it! Thanks to Angela Richman for the photos."

AYL's "Shelf Talkers"

You’ve heard about horse whisperers, well, Argyle has its very own shelf talkers. Terri Basemore and Shanay Johnson are highlighting each genre in the collection with unique shelf talkers.   Webb Region Manager Lynne Baldwin commented, "My favorite is Take Me to Your Reader shelf talker for Sci-Fi.  What a creative way to market the great collection at Argyle.  I'm looking forward to seeing what Terri and Shanay will do next."

It Went Swimmingly Well

P/T Associate Melodie Brunson has something to brag about, "We’ve been having a lot of fun with our Collaborative Art 6-week series as part of our Build a Better World Summer Learning Program at West Branch and we have seen some really good art produced by our young customers. As part of the series, one of our art projects was making a large mobile. With all of the water around Jacksonville, we decided to make an aquatic mobile. 

"Here are the proud artists with their finished work. Library Associate Bill Figletti helped hang the mobile in the Children’s area. And we had enough water creatures to make some small mobiles to hang under our 'porch' in Children’s.  It really WAS a collaborative effort!

"Three cheers to Bill and the young artists for the dee-lightful results!" 

  

Don’t Talk With Your Mouth Full!

Marcie O’Dell in Main's Children's department informs us, "Beside chewing of food, much 'chewing the fat' was included, July 11, 2017 at Main Children’s Welcome & Farewell Luncheon. Staff's time together proved once again that there are two things that make transitions easier and that’s loads of food and goodies!  

"Pictured from top right and clockwise around the table are: Raymond Johnson, Noah McGahagin, Anna Covart, Angelica Bencomo, Danny Menendez, Joanna Nigrelli, Anthony Beltiero and Melloney Shepherd. (Image by Hannah Genslinger.)  Best wishes to all concerned!"

What's SSLLI To Me?

Regency Square Branch Manager Greg Pierce wants to encourage JPL staff to attain a goal he reached recently.  Greg said, "I graduated, July 14, 2017, from the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute.  It is a life changing experience. Mixing with library staff from various types of libraries throughout Florida, you are exposed to a much larger library community.  The instructors lead you through an inspirational journey; you gain insight into yourself and others all along the way coaching and challenging your internal leader.  'The project' is a part of the experience--a way to put your knowledge to practical use. Learning the processes of project management, encouraged thinking 'out of the box', exposure to a much larger sense of community, networking and mentoring; all of these are true rewards." 

MAX Hosts Zoo For SLP

Summer Learning with the Zoo at Maxville Branch Library, July 17, 2017, afforded 60 kids and parents the opportunity to meet and greet zoo animals, including an armadillo and baby alligator. The program finished with a scavenger hunt throughout the branch. Big thanks to MAX's Jessica Serrano and Jimmy Morgan for facilitating the program.

Kids At KR Like Magic

Isabel Moreno-Santiago reports:  The “Funtastic Magic with Barry Hinnant” performance at Mandarin Library, July 12, 2017, drew the rapt attention of 109 customers as Mr. Hinnant demonstrated how to have fun with magic.
 

Thank You For All Your Help!

As they met with their supervisor, Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop added one more very important meeting to her full schedule, June 13, 2017. She stopped by to say hello and give a big thank-you for all the important support these Mayor's Summer Interns are giving to staff at the Main Library.  

Three Jobs Well Done

SOM Manager Ann Fridl nominated Julie Fredericks, Linda Ehnert and Kim Moseley for Job Well Done Awards.  Julie and Linda received theirs, July 7, 2017, and Kim was presented her  award the next day.

 L/R Linda Ehnert, SOM Manager Ann Fridl, Julie Fredericks received their awards July 7.

Ms. Fridl said, "Linda Ehnert relabeled all the public computers in order to conform to appearance standards and Julie Fredericks shifted and relabeled the magazine shelving to make them more accessible to customers.

"Kim Moseley received a Job Well Done Award for calculating that we would have more room for DVD’s if we redistributed the TV series to another section. She then supervised the teen volunteers as they shifted them to the correct location."

                                           L/R SOM Manager and Kim Moseley

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."