Caitlin Ruvolo: Job Well Done

Mandarin Library Clerk Caitlin Ruvolo received a Job Well Done Award, February 1, 2018, for all she does to improve staff morale.  KR Manager Mark Hohnadel said, "Caitlin is always smiling and doing small things for staff for their birthdays."

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT, CAITLIN; THANK YOU!

ArtRAGEOUS: Mardi Gras at EB

"Sixteen school children learned about the history of Mardi Gras, January 31, 2018.  They listened to music from New Orleans and decorated hats for the upcoming celebration with Maja Williams at the Brown Eastside Library. Laissez les bons temps rouler!" EB Branch Manager Shawn Norton reports--and translates the French: "Let the good times roll!"--a popular theme around this time.

Alison Pulley: Job Well Done

Library Associate Alison Pulley was presented with a Job Well Done Award by Margo Crafton at Mandarin. February 1, 2018.  The award icelebrates all the hard work Alison does especially her  creativity in teen programming. 

WHAT COULD SAY IT BETTER?

Mark Hohnadel sent us this great display at Mandarin created by Library Associate Frances Wickes.  (Mark thanks the Helsby family for donating the dinosaurs to KR.)

Author Laura Lee Miller At JB & Coming To WB, PCR & Main

JB's Library Clerk Terry Welch reports, "JB hosted approximately 34 people who attended the Flamingo Book Club, January 30, 2018, to discuss the book, The Ice House by Laura Lee Miller. This was the author's second appearance at our book club and she is a delightful and inspirational speaker. 

 "Ms. Miller also held a writing workshop at JB, January 27, 2018 (15 attendees.)  She will also be holding a writing workshop, February 10, at WB and another, February 24, at PCR and she will be appearing at Main on March 3, 2018, as part of the Jax Book Fest!"

Terry keeps us tuned in to JB's latest--and she admits that authors are her favorite celebrities.  

Webb Region Plans Programs On Memory Loss

CW Manager Kathy Tekin announces, "Webb Region is hosting two programs in February on memory loss with staff from Arbor Terrace Ortega. Three programs, 5:30 - 6:15 p.m., are planned:  February 20, 2018, Conversations Before the Crisis will be held at Webb Wesconnett Branch and on February 27, Role Reversal is scheduled at West Branch Library.  (Our display is promoting both programs within the region.) Then a third program, Caught in the Middle, will be held March 6 at Argyle Branch."

JPL Foundation & Ansbacher Family Partner For Great JPL Events

 Director Tim Rogers greets crowd, introduces himself, then Mr. Lane at the concluding presentation on Saturday.

JPL Foundation's Executive Director, Dr. Jamie Self, hosted Dinner in the Maps, Friday evening, January 26, 2018, where 48 people dined at a $125/plate dinner to hear PBS’s Antiques Roadshow map and print expert Christopher Lane.  And they had the pleasure of meeting our new Library Director Tim Rogers.

Dinner was served at the reading tables in Main's Ansbacher Map collection on the 4th floor of the Main Library. The paper sculpture artists for Dinner in the Maps centerpieces (and seen here) are JPL staff Shirdellah Groulx and Emma Pancho.  (If interested, please contact the Foundation Office for purchase: info@jplfoundation.org.)
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The next day, about 150 lovers of maps and history attended the Mapping Our Past event at the Main Library. The day began with appraisals of antiques by B. Langston. One of the appraisals made was a first edition of Gone with the Wind  by Margaret Mitchell, appraised at $5,000.  Another appraisal was of a Norman Rockwell painting signed by him, valued at $7500 - $10,000.

Collector and friend of the late Lewis Ansbacher, Michael Fisher, provided a tour of the Ansbacher Map Room. Map activities took place in the Children’s and Teen areas as well as the Jax Makerspace. City Planner Autumn Martinage and planner, developer, and author Ennis Davis provided insight on how maps are used for zoning and transportation in Jacksonville and the state. 

Director Tim Rogers greeted the crowd, introduced himself, then Christopher Lane at the concluding Saturday event. Mr. Lane made a presentation on the myths of the American Southeast in the earliest days of exploration through the 18^th Century. (Did you know many maps include mountain ranges going through Florida?) 

The Saturday event was sponsored by the Ansbacher Family. 

                            Michael Fisher, standing, during the Ansbacher Map tour.

THANK YOU, JAMIE, AND THE ANSBACHER FAMILY, FOR ALL YOU DO AND HAVE DONE FOR THE JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY.   AND WE OWE THANKS TO LISA BUGGS AND LAURA MINOR FOR MUCH OF THE INPUT AND TO JENNA HASSELL WHO SUPPLIED THE PICS.

Ozobots For Outreach

Using Ozobots--small robots programmed to follow lines and dots on a page--proves to be a great draw whether they are used for Teen Tech Week or a Coding Unplugged activity because participants can design an environment for the robot to interact with by simply drawing on a page.

Here GB's Jonathan Sandbach (GB) gives a demo of Ozobots at the John E. Ford Pre-K - 8^th School during their Family Literacy and Makerspace event, January 25, 2018. Main's Joanna Nigrelli provided a table of library information and earlier in the day, Elizabeth McConney from Youth Services presented a more detailed Ozobot program for several classes. (Visit this Ozobots web site for more information:  https://ozobot.com/; thanks to Joanna and Alex Bishop for input.)

Red Any Good Books Lately?

Region Manager Lynne Baldwin says, “AYL Library Clerk Christina Pope created a display to promote reading by highlighting a different color each month along with a catchy slogan.  The color for January is red and the slogan is 'Red Any Good Books Lately?'  Orange is on tap for February. This is exemplary of creative marketing for increasing circulation of reading materials as part of the Strategic Plan Objective 1.1.1B  (tracking circulation of reading materials). Let’s work together and help JPL build a community of readers.  Start Here. Read Anywhere.”

Welcome, Tim Rogers!

Our new JPL Director Tim Rogers' smiling face peeks at us from behind the Pooh Bear picture.  L/R:  Region Manager Keli Likins, SS Manager Lilia Simonton, and Robin West-Rogers, Children's Librarian and all staff (not pictured) heartily welcomed him as he begins his tours of our 21 library locations.

First Storytelling For 50+ Folks At JB

A biggie for Beaches Library was their first JPL50 event, January 20, 2018, dubbed “A Midwinter’s Tale”, storytelling for customers who are 50 years old or older. Retired JPL Librarian Anita Haller captivated the audience with Appalachian folktales. The program was well attended and motivated many to tell their own stories.  Anita is a native of east Tennessee and holds a second master’s degree in storytelling.  She still enjoys working part-time for JPL and we appreciate having such a talented person continue sharing her time with us.  (Thanks to Gail Blumberg for the input and pic.)

Paul Krause: Job Well Done!

EB/NS Manager Kathleen Krizek nominated Facilities' Paul Krause for a Job Well Done Award.  Kathleen said, "Paul provided excellent service to the Brentwood Library during its reopening. He installed shelving, bulletin boards and furniture and removed non-functioning items from the walls, such as a time clock and antique people counter. He made suggestions for better ways to put the branch back in order, such as moving the key box to a smaller wall, which gave us more room for delivery shelves.  He installed a kick stand to the staff door and added an alarmed push bar to the 2^nd floor emergency exit door. He supported our requests to remove unnecessary door hangings, repaired walls, including sanding and repainting.

"At Eastside, there was a sign marked with graffiti I had reported several times to no avail that he was able to fix with paint remover and elbow grease. He is a hard worker who does an excellent job and cares about the finished product."

Paul received the well deserved award from his supervisor, Facilities' Ezra Thomas, January 17, 2018.

Shirley Holcomb: Job Well Done!

Shirley Holcomb received a Job Well Done Award, January 12, 2018, for her help with the Pablo Creek Library’s Deck the Chair lifeguard chair in conjunction with the annual Jacksonville Beach event. She helped create nearly the entire display herself on her own time as she only works part-time. Shirley also sewed six banners of various sizes (like the one in the picture), three shields and a faux stained glass piece for the Game of Thrones themed chair.  PCR's Mandy Elliott, who nominated Shirley, said, "But for her dedication to complete the Deck the Chair project, we would not have had the chair decorated in time.  As the Library’s participation in the community event, the chair was loaned to us to decorate and help promote the annual Deck the Chair at Jax Beach."  Of course the library's participation is important in partnering with other organizations.

It’s Been A Good Time…

Sheenah with her children, Jaden  and Atarah pose on the Big Oak.

"My last day at JPL will be January 26. 2018. Before I go, I wanted all of you to know that I will take great memories of experiences and opportunities I gleaned working in CR&M with all of you at JPL. There were many great days and some a bit more challenging; overall, I enjoyed my time here. Thanks for making an impact in my life. Now, I’m off to pursue things that I believe will continue the purpose God has for me: a career in dance and the arts.  Live your life to the fullest!   Sheenah Thrasher-Zamora, Community Relations & Marketing" 

Sarah Miller: Job Well Done!

Sarah Miller, a part-time shelver, was presented a Job Well Done Award January 12, 2018, by SOM Manager Ann Fridl. Former supervisor, Stefa Witt, wrote, "Sarah is a dependable shelver, whom we can always count on to shelve materials accurately and quickly.  She  provides quality customer service and is always willing to help customers in the stacks.  Sarah is a very talented artist and has kindly donated her talents at a number of events this past quarter.”

Kudos From Customers - January 2018

Kudos have always included compliments from customers that name employees specifically; however, thus far only generalized excellent service at branches has been commented on so this month an exception is made: 

Argyle Branch:  Great friendly service, I was very impressed.

Beaches Branch:  Everyone I had occasion to meet with was extremely pleasant, knowledgeable and helpful. I enjoy the peace and quiet surrounded by so many trips I can read about. I was also told about the "hold" system.

Pablo Creek Branch:  Was amazed about the excellent customer service provided! Definitely 5 stars. The lady was amazing!

Regency Square Branch:  My kids and I had a wonderful experience at the Regency Library. Thank you for making us feel welcome.

Webb Wesconnett Branch:  The woman who helped me was extremely polite and informative.

Alexander Hamilton At Main

The Main Library hosted an Alexander Hamilton reenactor, Eben Kuhn, and the program was presented by the National Society of Colonial Dames, January 16 and 17, 2018. About 800 5^th graders from public and private schools were bussed to Main for the program. After the performance, students participated in a Q&A with the founding father. Some students entered an essay writing competition wherein they wrote about Mr. Hamilton. Winners of the competition received a certificate signed by "Mr. Hamilton" and a ten dollar bill.

Left to right below: A representative from DCPS, a Colonial Dame, two essay winners, and "Alexander Hamilton."   (Thanks to Alexandra Bishop for input and pic.)

DU Celebrates Jags' Successes

Michelle Petrin reports, "Celebrating the Jags' successes, Felecia Battle created a fun display for January 2018 showing how much kids at Highlands Branch love the Jacksonville Jaguars. They were encouraged to color a football helmet to show some love. Thanks to Felecia for the great display idea!  Go Jags!"

Observation Station At SE Leaps To Reading

Southeast has leaped off 2018 with an observation station. Carol Bunker said, "We now have two tadpoles that parents and children can observe and watch grow into frogs. Children and parents are leaping into reading and wonder what little creature will come next to the observation station." 

Party for Stephanie Miller's New Baby Charlotte

Main Youth Services threw a baby welcoming party for YS Librarian IV Stephanie Miller’s baby, Charlotte, on January 11, 2018. The shower was Harry Potter themed and wizarding snacks such as chocolate frogs, a spell book cake, and pretzel wands were enjoyed by all.