Going Away Party For Sharon Kirkes

WST Branch Manager Sharon Kirkes (3rd from left in front) transferred to Graham Branch, January 13, 2018.  Before she left, staff at West hosted a surprise party for Sharon.  She received a gift card to Panera Bread plus a huge good luck card signed by the entire staff and everyone enjoyed a table of delicious goodies.  It was a great sendoff for Sharon who will be missed by everyone at West.  (Thanks to Region Manager Lynne Baldwin for the input and pic.)

NS Staff Thankful For Brentwood Friends Support

"Chris Garmon created a bulletin board thanking the Friends of the Brentwood Library for their assistance supporting our children. Depicted here are the Grand Reopening, Santa visit (FOBL raised money to give 100 children gift bags with a book, ball and blanket) and protests to keep Brentwood Branch open. Additionally, they support the Fall Festival and Back to School event where every child gets a back pack filled with school supplies, " said Kathleen Krizek, Manager of  NS and EB Branches. 

KR's Hot Time With The Firemen

Mandarin Branch Library hosted “Touch a Truck” activity, January 6, 2018 with three firemen from Station 51 Fire Engine.  They explained to 62 kids and caregivers how the truck's engine works and the different parts and tools they use in cases of emergency. Above is part of the audience with Ms. Frances Wickes. Below, Isabel Moreno-Santiago is pictured with firemen Jennings, Vanderveer and Hatcher. 

Kids were delighted to see the fire truck up close and touch the siren. (Thanks to KR's Isabel Moreno-Santiago for the input and pictures.)

Ideas To Help Market Books

Above are some of Maxville Branch's displays by Jimmy Morgan, who made these models, and Jimmy wanted to share his eye catching models and thought they might spawn a few ideas for your areas.  At top is some hefty reindeer pulling Santa, second down is for Western fan readers, next: Super Heroes, & Adult Graphics.

Friends BOGO January Special

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library's special sale is on for January 2018.  So, invite your customers, friends and family--and do yourself a favor, too.  FJPL is located at the south end of the University Park Branch Library, 3435 University Boulevard North:

ALL FICTION HARDBACK, SOFT COVER AND PAPERBACK BOOKS ARE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE DURING JANUARY! 

How To Get The Whole Family Into It

"Our 4^th annual Gingerbread House Decorating party at West Branch Library, December 15, 2017, was a resounding success as usual. Whole families got into the holiday spirit making these fun Christmas houses," said Melodie Brunson, pictured here with one of the younger participants, Tina, who has never missed one of these events and, as you see, all the folks who came to enjoy this family-friendly community event were not disappointed."

How Snow White Lives In Florida

Argyle Branch's Tonja Ferrell said, "Several weeks prior to our Teen/Tween Snow White sculpture event, I tickled the kids' imagination by asking them to guess the medium we would use to make their Snow White sculptures.  Prior to the event, December 23, 2017, no one had come up with the right answer.  To the teens' surprise, it was Styrofoam packing peanuts.  One of the boys thought it was a perfect choice since we live in Florida and SNOW White would melt, so the packing peanuts.  I told him he had nailed it.

"The teens had fun; one young lady came for the first time, specifically for this program.  She has since requested an app to join the TAB and Reading Buddies.  I thought this was  a great example of how Argyle is working on the Strategic Plan by supporting Citywide and departmental efforts to improve services to youth with partnerships and programs that promote education and enrichment."

Here's To The Friends Of JPL

WST's Library Clerk Jessica Carpenter showed her support for the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library with a display located in the center of the West Branch Library.  Region Manager Lynne Baldwin said, "Jessica knows how important the Friends are to JPL and to the community.  Jessica is planning on adding bookmarks to the display promoting the upcoming Friends Book Sale scheduled for February  9,10 & 11, 2018."

What a great idea and hopefully all of our locations will follow suit. 

Robin West-Rodger: Job Well Done

San Marco Branch's Robin West-Rodgers was presented a Job Well Done Award, December 22, 2017, by Kevin Douglas.  Kevin  credits Robin with successfully assisting with various projects, programs and events using her strong customer service skills.  For example, Robin's November 17th Stories for Young Children program was recently featured as part of JPL's YS new employee orientation. 

It's A Very Merry Time At Mandarin Branch

Isabel Santiago, KR YS librarian, Carlos Santiago and Santa host the big get together.

Santa Claus visited Mandarin Branch, December 21, to the delight of 160 kids and caregivers. Everyone enjoyed holiday songs led by guitarist, Carlos Santiago. Attendees

were also treated to stories and face painting. The children gave their letters to Santa and had pictures made with him.  (Most would like to have been there to sing along and give our wish list to Santa, Isabel.) 

Look Out Vogue - Here We Come!

Main embarked on an ugly sweater contest, December 20, 2017.  We have not yet seen the winners; however, here are a couple of entrants: JPL Training Library Assistant Diane Alexander and the JPL Foundation Development Director Dr. Jamie Self were anything but ugly in their Brightest and Merriest Christmas vests.  They made our day and we're green as the Grench with envy.

The Way It Was

Thirty people enjoyed Mandarin Branch's program, Back in the Bronx, December 19, 2017.  The visual 90 minute tour included some 500 slides and a number of videos of the Bronx in the 1940s, '50s and '60s, presented by Steve Samfur (R walking towards camera), editor-in-chief of Back in THE BRONX magazine.

Kudos From Customers

Main – Genealogy:  I suppose I am a little slanted in their favor since I use their expertise so much but I vote for Genealogy/Special Collections for Department of the Decade, at least. (Genealogy: Laura Minor, Christa Snow, James Brasfield, Catherine Currier, and John Wilson.)

Main – Makerspace and SST – E-Services:  Regarding classes offered in the Jax Makerspace: I recently took a sewing class (Nancy Swain) and thought it was just fantastic. Regarding the E-service's certification program: I live in Springfield and was participating in the computer classes working on my certification. The certification process got me to check out different libraries because the class I needed wasn't offered at Main at a time I could attend. I was quite pleased that I had a chance to check out another library. Overall, the library is doing great work.

Mandarin Branch: Mrs. (Isabel) Santiago, Wanted to thank you for being at the Mandarin Library.  My great granddaughter needed a science experiment and you told us about the carnations.  Thought I would share one thing from the weekend when we got back from Winn-Dixie with the flowers. I told her to go ahead and get the water in vases.  Well Isabella got three Mason glasses instead of vases out and cut the stems and showed me the flowers floating on top of the water; oh boy! So back to the store for more flowers.  I will never forget.  May you and yours have a safe and happy new year.  Oh, Isabella got a 95 on her project.

Pablo Creek Branch: I am extremely satisfied with all the staff at Pablo Creek Library. However, I am especially pleased to have interacted with an employee of yours named, Jason Enoex. The guy was INCREDIBLE! He has gone out of his way numerous times to talk with me, show me to the right resources or help me with my searches. The guy is amazing. He always stops what he is doing, greets me with a smile and asks me how he can help today. He is personable, professional, knowledgeable,... the guy always seems to be at the library and always seems to be working hard. It is so nice to see such a positive and motivated individual! He has made some difficult work much easier by patiently explaining what I need to do and where I can find the information I am looking for. ...

West Branch:  I have visited the Chaffee Road Library every week for many years and have come to know the staff there very well. They are all very polite, eager to assist me with any requests, problems, and suggestions to make sure that my visits each week are memorable. Just wanted Human Relations to know that you have an awesome staff at the West Branch. (WST staff:  Sharon Kirkes, Eve Harm, John Jessee, Dana Curry, Julie Horton, Bill Figlietti, Shannon Buchanan, Latisha Woolbright, Jessica Carpenter, Melodie Brunson, Jessica Roling, Kelsey Groth, & Stephanie Brantly,)

Don't Say Cheese; Say Merry Christmas!

Seventy nine people attended AR's story time and Santa visit, December 19, 2017. After Santa read to the little children and heard their requests, he didn't forget the big kids at Regency Square Branch. Sabrina Whitfield shares these photos and wants you to know ALL of the kids enjoyed Santa's visit. Below are some of the staff in the holiday spirit. L/R are Sabrina, Lauren Lazar and Ann Ludke. 

 

Good Ideas For Gifts At KR

Mandarin Library's Manager Mark Hohnadel invites you to a treat for your eyes and a few of the exeptional paintings are pictured here.  Mark says, "Mandarin is proud to host a display of various local artists.  The display will be up for an undetermined period of time and the paintings can be purchased.  The exhibit has been organized by Ronald Episcopo of the Jacksonville Artists Guild.  Come on out!" 

Nikki Denton: Job Well Done!

Nikki Denton plays a critical role in Pablo Creek Branch's Turn It Up! monthly, one of a kind program as well as in other areas. Although she works only 25 hours a week, Stacey Van Hoy, who nominated Nikki for a Job Well Done Award, says, "She is second to none in innovation and teamwork and is a creative engine, sparking ideas and action. Nikki is not only our photographer for Turn It Up!, she has created spectacular slat wall backdrops, crafts and games for that and other programs.  Her shadow puppets for the African folktale Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock captivated staff and customers, bringing to life an old story.  She created a Harry Potter display, made dragon's eggs and a craft for children. For Build a Better World, she created a seed bomb craft, showing kids of all ages how to add beauty to the world by planting a seed bomb wherever you want flowers." Nikki received her Job Well Done Award, November 8, 2017.

UMMM-UMMM Good

"For the second year in a row, Mandarin Branch Library celebrated our “Holiday Tree Swap,” organized by Library Clerk Caitlin Ruvolo (pictured here.) During this activity, the staff enjoyed hot cocoa and sweet treats. Additionally, they took home boxes full of leftover goodies," said YS Librarian I Isabel Santiago-Moreno  

KR's Santiago Visits Crown Point Elementary

Mandarin Branch Library's YS Librarian I Isabel Santiago attended a Crown Point Elementary Literacy Event, December 18, 2017. During this special activity different persons from all areas of Jacksonville read a book to different classes from pre-K to 5^th grade. Here you see Ms. Santiago with Ms. Carol Turknett, Pre-K class teacher, after reading the book , The Three Snow Bears, by Jan Brett.

Small Kids W/Big Hearts Delight Santa & Quench The Grinch

Santa Visits the Highlands Library:  Stories for Young Children, December 13, 2017, saw small children arrive dressed in their holiday best, mainly sparkly dresses and little dress shirts.  The program was presented by Library Assistant Felecia Battle, assisted by YS Associate Beverly Mason.  “Ms. Felecia”  shared the book, Bears Stay Up for Christmas, and led the families in song.  Next, the children practiced their colors by hanging paper ornaments on a mini Christmas tree.  Afterward, each of the children received a goodie bag filled with “reindeer noses” (chocolate covered raisins) and made reindeer hats while waiting for their turn to meet Santa.  It was a wonderful morning full of Christmas spirit!

Girls of Jacksonville Daisy Troop # 2324 created playful winter decorations for DU's Children’s department.

Highlands Display Highlights Kindness:  

The Grinch’s heart was 2 sizes too small. 

So kids and families at Highlands

Shared their acts of kindness

With good deeds to show love for all.

                                          Grinch display created by Lorna Reid

Deck The Halls With Loads of Cookies

South Mandarin Library had a cookie decorating program and a Santa visit, December 15, 2017. SOM's two elves, YS Librarian III Mia Brack and Part-time Library Associate Carissa Charest, helped at the cookie stations. Eighty children took part in decorating a cookie, face painting, and telling Santa what they want. Some of the requested items were a train track, a baby doll, and a real dinosaur, not a fake one.  (Thanks to  Library Associate Christie Rogers for the input & pic.)