Kuodos From Customers

Argyle Branch: Tracy (Mills) was patient and very helpful. She answered all my questions and it was a pleasure to be assisted by her. I just wanted you to be aware of such a great employee you have (but I'm sure you already know).

Highlands Branch:  Oh I wish I remembered the lady that helped me. She was so friendly and helpful.  She made it easy to sign up for a card!

Main Library – Special Collections:  Today I requested a copy of a page in The Florida Times-Union from 1896. Librarian John Wilson was very helpful and fulfilled my request with great speed and quality. Great customer service!

Murray Hill Branch:  We have been to the library twice now since we received my son's card a week ago. He is six years old. The staff is amazing and beyond helpful. They have fun conversations with my son and make the experience very personable. We look forward to going. (I have not been in close to 20 years.)  My son and I have "date days"... they now include lunch and the library. Thank you to the staff…for helping me make these fun memories with my son! (Shirdellah Grouix, Margaret Esposito, Douglas Fair, Akeem Adell, Mary Fletcher, Camera Bragdon, and Albina Akramova.)

South Mandarin Branch:  My 7 y/o triplets and I participated at the Books to Bricks summer program and Mrs. Angela Richman was wonderful. She was well prepared and kept the audience engaged all the time. The room was full of children with their parents. At the end of the presentation she made a game for the children and they loved it. I also liked the way she structured her presentation to leave time for the children to build with Legos and express what they learned with their creativity... She emphasized it was a group activity and all children built together. The theme was opera, they built a theater with different stages. Now my girl, Sofia, is asking me to learn how to sing and take some classes. I think it is because Mrs. Angela made a positive impact and interest on my girl’s heart. Thank you for the program and thank you, Mrs. Angela, for your Awesome presentation!

3 Big Celebrations At Main Library

Three important events were celebrated in the Main Library Children's Department, July 19, 2018. 

Mayor Lenny Curry wanted to celebrate his birthday reading to children for a very good reason.  One year ago he met with area hospital executives to announce a COJ learning initiative: What I Can Be from A to Z, a book that has since been provided to every baby born in our area hospitals. This past year, about 13,000 of these books and related literacy materials have been distributed to parents of infants born at UF Health, Baptist, Memorial, and St. Vincent’s hospitals. 

Mayor Curry read the book to participants in Main's Stories for Toddlers program and each child received a copy later. Prior to the Mayor's reading, Library Associate Keira Maschan (left of Mayor) began the program with songs and finger plays.  At the close, Mayor Curry received a birthday card "signed" by the toddlers--and one from Main Library staff.  Then everyone sang Happy Birthday and thanked him for sharing his birthday with them.  

Happy Birthday to Mayor Lenny Curry and Main Children's Librarian III Chiquita Powell.  (Chiquita received her Happy Birthday song from staff in a meeting shortly before the children's program.)

KR Says Thanks To Summer Worker

KR Manager Mark Hohnadel and his staff took time to thank Colleen Macklin, one of the Mayor's summer workers, and present her with a bouquet of flowers, July 18, 2018.  Mark said, "We were privileged to have Colleen at Mandarin.  She helped us a lot with shifting and rearranging the adult collection this summer.  We are grateful for her assistance."  Pictured are (L/R) Librarian II Margo Crafton, Colleen, and Mark.

Ready, Aim, Read

AR's Cindy Mathieson proudly announces, "Regency Square Branch is supporting PBS’s Great American Read.  Lisa Buggs worked hard to get a grant to fund books and speakers for programs to be held at MAIN.  Dawn Brock and I have gathered 99 of the 100 titles that PBS listed.  Unfortunately,#100 is out of print."   

Alfreda Whitfield Thanks Staff Who Gave Leave Time

Hello JPL  family, I would like to give a great big Thank You to all of you who donated leave hours to me while I was out on sick leave. I really and truly appreciate it.  I am also so grateful for the cards, calls, texts, flowers and prayers you all showered me with. I am back to work, and I am doing so much better. Your thoughtfulness  during my time in need will never be forgotten. 

Much love, and many blessings to all of you,

Alfreda S Whitfield

Library Assistant

Southeast Regional Library

Renaming of Kings Road USPO

The USPO building on Kings Road, which has been the "main" post office in Jacksonville, for many years will be dedicated to Mr. Rutledge Pearson and renamed the  Rutledge Pearson U. S. Postal building, 10 am, July 20, 2018. The ceremony will be at the U.S. Postal Service building, 1100 Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL.  Mr. Pearson was an activist in the NAACP and the civil rights movement--even after the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964--until he passed away in an auto accident, May 1, 1967. 

Mr. Pearson’s wife, Mary Ann, was also active in these endeavors.  Mary Ann retired as the Senior Librarian in Business, Science, and Documents (BSD) at the old Main Library after 35 years with JPL.  She began with the library, October 3, 1961, and retired, July 13, 1996.  She first worked as a Library Clerk at Brown Eastside Branch and later Mary Ann was promoted to Children’s Librarian at Graham Branch, then she transferred to BSD.  Mrs. Mary Ann Pearson passed away February 21, 2017, at 85 years of age.

Amanda Gore: Job Well Done

P/T Shelver Amanda Gore received a Job Well Done Award from PCR Region Clerical Supervisor Stephanie Harley, July 10, 2018, for her great eye for detail.  Stephanie said, "Amanda exhibits great ownership of Objective: Goal #4 Providing Outstanding Experience -- when seeing misshelved books reshelve them in the right place for customers to find when they come in."  Amanda spent a week putting misshelved sections back in order after teen volunteers had misshelved items."

Gifts Of Kindness From KR

KR 's Isabel Moreno-Santiago, YS Librarian I, reports, “Mandarin Library is giving back to the community through the SLP mini-series 'Kindness Rocks.' July 11, 2018, I delivered projects made by the children to two organizations. Our donations included greetings cards to the Taylor Residence Care Center and  'No sew fleece baby blankets' to the Wolfson Children Hospital.

 "Above, Betty Pender, Activities Director for Taylor Residences, receives the greeting cards and below Wolfson Children's Hospital Care Patient representative, Dana Severidt, receives the baby blankets.  Both representatives expressed their gratitude for the donations."

Way to go, Isabel!

Kids, Caregivers & Kitty Hit It Off

Main Library Children’s Associate, Kitty Maschan, rocked the new Stories for Toddlers class that began just last month here at Main. Here is a picture from the July 12, 2018 class, which took place in The Hightower Family room. Marcie O'Dell said "Kitty is a natural and caring presenter that parents enjoy and depend on.  Great job Kitty!"

Willowbranch Goes To The Beach

WB P/T Clerk Susan Koedel (pictured) and WB Manager Margaret Morford had fun designing a July “Beach Reads for Your Summer Getaway” display for the Willowbranch Library.  Local history beach books, fiction books with a beach theme, recipe books for beach cooking, and beach themed movies were selected.  The table is accented with a beach bag and towel, sunglasses, flip-flops, water bottle, sand bucket and shovel.  Margaret said, "Now we are contemplating a captivating display for August."

My Dinosaur Tail; Cute, Huh?

June 23, 2018, Main’s Stories for Young Children presented DINOSAURS ROCK! Children enjoyed a dinosaur storytime with YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli and then made their own wearable dinosaur tails in Art for Young Children with LAS Hannah Genslinger.

Clowns Get Kids Into SLP At UPK

Musical Magic School Age Presenter Program, June 21, 2018, entertained kids ages 5-12 years old at the University Park Branch. Alexis Carter, YS Librarian II, said, "They were enraptured by the clowns as they did skits, sang songs, and even created their own music video. After this silly pic was made, 21 participants and their parents posed for a Libraries Rock! picture."

Friends of NW Agree: Libraries Rock!

Friends of the Bradham Brooks Northwest Library joined in the summer fun when they took this picture, June 8, 2018.  Pictured  from bottom L/R are Alma Smith, Mary Webster, Alisa Harrell; and top L/R are: Evelyn Eaves, James Cotton, and Antonia Bryant.  (Thanks to NW Branch Manager Donna Carroll for input.)

ROARING At Main

Main Children’s Art Room ROARED, June 20, 2018, as staff presented The Lion King Silhouette Mixed Media Art. This was the week 2 activity for Music, Movies & Art SLP where award-winning kids movies are expressed through creative art. "The music certainly motivates the outcome," said Main Children’s Associate, Marcie O’Dell, who is pictured along with three sisters, all taking the class together. Marcie added, "Grandma and a brother are at the table behind. This really was an all-in-the-family, fun art project!"

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch:  Librarian Mary Wilson was most courteous and helpful during my visit on June 13 and gave me a tour of the library collections, placed a book on hold for me, refreshed my understanding of the online capabilities to which I have access, and made me thankful that we have such good people and facilities at the Beaches Branch Library.

Main Library – Circulation:  I would like to commend Mr. (Corey) Scott, the…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.

Pablo Creek Branch:  Jonathan (Sandbach):  Thank you from Angie and Alex! Jonathan, the youth librarian, was amazing and patient making slime with the kids at the PCR Kickoff party.

Regency Square Branch:  …on June 8^th…a staff member named Cindy (Mathieson) provided me with much needed assistance at the copier machine. I was impressed with her attitude of not giving up.

South Mandarin Branch:  We love coming to story hour when Christie (Rogers) does it.

Dinosaurs Rock and Rock Again

Joanna Nigrelli shares an interesting memory, "Here is a picture of my son James from my Facebook timeline five years ago. The picture was taken, June 21, 2013, when I was a storytime parent.  I would bring my son to JPL storytimes at San Marco, Willowbranch, and Main. Here James (now 9 years old) was  eating lunch in the Main Courtyard after a storytime. What is fun about this picture is that the label states we had a dinosaur storytime. Now, as the YS Librarian at Main, I present storytimes and, believe it or not, this week I’m presenting Dinosaurs Rock!"

KR Honors Dads

"Just in time for Father's Day, the Children's Department at Mandarin Branch, hosted 27 fathers and youngsters and treated them to donuts and orange juice, Saturday, June 16, 2018. They read books, enjoyed a craft, and the kids conducted dad interviews with interesting results!  The interviews with their dads included several questions, such as, what is your favorite food, sport, TV show, hobby etc." reports YS Librarian I Isabel Moreno-Santiago.

What a wonderful way for children to get to know their parents better, Isabel.

Teens Rock & Roll With CM Joyce Morgan

                        Teens were pleased to be photographed with CM Morgan.

Council Member Joyce Morgan enthusiastically joined UPK's Rock of the Ages-The 1960's event, June 19, 2018, and Branch Manager Tamera Branam wrote a prompt thank-you to her for her participation.  CM Morgan talked about what she does on the Council and asked if any of the teens would be interested in politics. She invited them to attend City Council meetings and to volunteer to be a page at City Council meetings and/or Town Hall meetings. Several signed up.                   

 Above right are (L/R) Tamera, CM Morgan, and Teen Library Associate Mina Figuerrez, who conducted the porgram.  In the pic centered above you can see the teens really enjoyed the program.  (Thanks to Tamera for the article and pics.)

Fancy Nancy At Main

Main Children’s Department part-time LAS Kelli Heath created a *three week summer program for children ages 5-12 called Fancy Nancy Days. The program is based on the popular book series by Barbara O’Connor. Each week the children listen to a Fancy Nancy book, make a craft, play a game, and enjoy a snack based on the book. In the picture above, children listened to Fancy Nancy: Explorer Extraordinaire and are posing with binoculars to play a scavenger hunt game.  

_________________________

*This picture is from the second week, June 18, 2018.  The first

 week was Monday, June 11, and the third and final week is Monday, June 25.  (Thanks to Main's YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli, for input.)

Illustrator Visits KR

Isabel Santiago, KR YS Librarian 1 had a surprise visit, June 16, 2018.  She said, "During our 'Donuts for Dad' activity, we received an unexpected visit from Chris Hsu. He is the illustrator of the book “The Boo-Boos That Changed the World"--a true story about an accidental invention.  Chris Hsu was born in Taiwan and grew up in Northeast Florida. His work is heavily influenced by art, history, and classical music.  He has worked professionally in several fields of animation and illustration. Pictured are Mr. Hsu with his daughter, Artemis, and me."