West Branch Treats Mother's Day With Finesse

West Branch's Mother’s Day Photoshoot and Tea Party was celebrated with 55 customers attending, May 9, 2019.   Melodie Brunson said, "West has been doing this for three years so word has spread in the community. This year we made it even more special with a tea party to honor our Moms and Grandmothers.  They enjoyed a brief story time then participated in a photo shoot with lots of dress-up options like feathered boas, hats, gloves and cute headbands.  They took the photos (made with a Polaroid camera) home with them. Then we had the pleasure of serving them hot tea, apple juice, petit fours, and cheese and crackers.  Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it!  (The child pictured with me is Vincent.)"


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

(L) Eve Harm, Y Librarian, and Melodie Brunson, Y Associate Librarian. Jessica Carpenter, Library Clerk, and a much appreciated volunteer, Wes, helped make this a total success. 

 

 

Joe Gaskin: Job Well Done!

Congratulations to Joe Gaskin, YS Library Associate at Willowbranch Library.  May 15, 2019, Joe was presented a Job Well Done Award by Beth Friederich, YS Librarian III, (R) for his outstanding job of creating and recording all of the music for the Summer Learning Program.   WB Manager Margaret Morford (L) said, "We are so proud of Joe and his use of his many talents and accomplishments helping JPL be the great library it is."

712 Attend SOM's Comic Con

                                                                   The Ghostbusters cool car

"South Mandarin Library held their 2^nd Annual Comic Con and 712 people enjoyed the kickoff, May 11, 2019.  An author panel comprised of six local authors gave book talks, advice to aspiring authors, and had their books available for purchase.  Four local vendors shared their art, comic book store Mythical Mountain, 501^st Legion (Star Wars characters), and representatives from Universal Films shared promotional items for the upcoming movies, Godzilla and John Wick 3.

 

"Storytime with Mia Brack held kids' rapt attention at the top of each hour, 11 am till 3 pm, and crafts, such as making masks (shown below), were available in the Children’s and Teen areas.

 "The biggest hit of the event was the Ghostbusters of Middleburg.  They arrived in their cool car, ran a slime lab in the teen room, and brought their marshmallow man.

 

"The Comic Con ended with a costume parade through the library with superhero music blasting, candy stations throughout the branch--and the Ghostbusters driving off with their siren sounding as music to the children's ears as they waved goodbye," brags Christie Rogers.

How About That!

CW Associate Noah Thomas shares a happy milestone, "My daughter Kayla graduated, May 9, 2019, from Florida State College at Jacksonville with her Associates in Arts degree and with High Honors. She is 19 years old and doing some great things with her life. Kayla will be heading to FAMU in the fall and moving forward with her studies in Veterinary Science. God has truly blessed this amazing daughter of mine and I am so proud to share this good news."

 

We are all smiling with you, Noah and Kayla! 

Another Step On Road To Success

The Center for Adult Learning (CAL) hosted its third GED graduation celebration, May 7, 2019, in the Hicks Auditorium. "This year 20 students completed the GED test and obtained their high school diplomas, making all of us proud.  Although only four students could attend the celebration, there was no shortage of praise for all of the students," said Katie Devanny, Adult Learning Manager.

"The keynote speaker, James Cook, Supervisor, Duval Soil and Water, encouraged the graduates to continue their perseverance towards their goals.  Mr. Cook had failed ninth grade twice and his first year at Edward Waters College (EWC) he had a GPA of 0.25.  He shared his determination to persevere and how, with support of family, friends, and instructors one can achieve his/her goals. He graduated from EWC with a 3.1 GPA and still speaks with his instructor, Selah Bishop, a GED instructor for CAL.  Pictured is Lianying Ye, the student speaker for the evening, said it best, 'Our classmates come from different countries, different industries, and different ages. It is the Jacksonville Public Library (JPL) that brings us together. We have established friendships and become friends in our studies.  JPL makes us feel like family.'”

Fun Day At Main's Comic Con

Saturday's Comic Con was a hit at the Main Library, May 4, 2019.   Pictured above  is Lorna Reid, Teen Librarian II, with her daughter and a friend making use of the Superhero Photo Wall and prop in the Children's area.  Pictured right you see a minuscule portion of the

fun everyone had.  This family of four is a mainstay in Main's Wednesday afternoon Art Creations class.  Their creativity is contagious!   Below is Children’s Associate Marcie O’Dell, sporting a new hair style.  Where did you get that ‘do, Marcie? 

Children’s also offered face painting, balloon twisting, a Star Wars texture table, a Disney Frozen Eye Spy Game for little ones and a Star Wars Eye Spy Game for the bigger kids. We also had a Space themed storytime that morning where the kids entered the theatre through a rocket (created by Children's Associate Hannah Genslinger,) and hung over the doorway.  There were many photo opps with stand-up and hand-held props in front of our photo wall.  (Thanks, Marcie, for the blurb and pics.)

 Librian IV Stephanie Miller added some fantastic facts, "Around 600 participated in the event (gate count overall for Saturday was 2,882).  About 55 people participated in the costume contest.  We had about 100 seats available for people to view it– almost all of those seats were filled and people were standing around the edges to attend the costume contest portion.

"We promoted on 3 news TV shows, Shortbox Podcast, and we had a Florida Times Union article.

"We had 18 vendors take part in the vendor market, which was scheduled to run from 10 am – 2 pm. No vendors left early AND there were a couple of vendors that weren’t able to pack up until about 3:30 pm because people were still visiting their tables past the end of the event!

"Some folks posted pics to the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/769042040134450/?active_tab=discussion

"Also, check out Christopher Harold Newman’s photos – he’s awesome and attends all of the cons and posts pictures.

"ILS says we made 6 new cards and renewed 7 – so not a lot there but a few. We might have checked out 766 items (includes renewals); that number is at least 100 above 3 of the previous 4 Saturdays checkout totals."

WB Puts A Twist on the 4th

Willowbranch Library clerks, Christina Pope and Troy Eittreim, had fun working together to create a May 4th Star Wars Day display in the main Reading Room.

 

Their theme is “The Force Has Awakened a New Hope for Literacy. May the Fourth be with you as you read these books…”  Customers are enjoying stopping by to look at the display and grabbing a good book to check out and read. (Thanks to WB Manager Margaret Morford for the input.)

MAX Red Hot On Educating Kids About Fire Safety

In honor of International Firefighters’ Day, May 4, 2019, Maxville had a Firefighter storytime during their May 1^st Young Children Read, Play and Learn program followed by a visit to the nearby Maxville Fire Station. Although it was a small group, it was fun.  Kara Chenoweth (with the fire hose) sent pics of the event and the basket of goodies they presented to the firefighters to thank them for their service.

 

CW's Firefighters' Day

"Webb Wesconnett celebrated International Firefighters’ Day, May 4, 2019, with a firefighter themed storytime, topped off with a visit from the local firefighters who drove their truck over and taught the crowd about fire safety.  The children liked wearing firemen's helmets and big and small kids could take a walk through the fire truck and shoot water from the fire hose. As a token of our appreciation, we gave a gift the firefighters a basket prepared by our own Nerresa Posey," said CW's Passhunate Payams, who also shared these photos.

NS Hosts The Chessmen

      Before lunch, NS Manager Kathleen Krizek welcomed attendees .

NS' Jackie Perry has a happy brag, "Brentwood hosted the Brentwood Bishops Chess Club Honors Luncheon, April 27, 2019. Thirty attendees, including a few proud parents, were treated to a delicious lunch of sandwich platters, veggie trays, chips, and cupcakes. Bobbie Knight crafted beautiful tissue paper flower centerpieces surrounded with paper chess pieces, which were the perfect complement to the luncheon.  After lunch, members received participation certificates.  A few exceptional members received special certificates for outstanding achievements, such as leadership, good sportsmanship, and most improved. The event concluded with a raffle giveaway of four glass chess sets to four lucky attendees.  Surprisingly, the winners were two pairs of siblings! David Stevenson, Clerk at SOM and founder of the Brentwood Bishops Chess Club, did an excellent job planning and organizing the event, along with Bobbie's help, and both the kids and the Brentwood staff were delighted to have him back at Brentwood for the occasion."

Sad News

We appreciate Mark Hohnadel, Mandarin Branch Manager, for passing on news about Becky McClure's passing, April 18, 2018 (obituary published in FTU, April 28, 2019.)  Mark also gave us a link to the obituary (below).  I called the crematory and was told they knew of no memorial service arrangements.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/rebecca-mcclure-obituary?pid=192728665

 

Becky, as she was known to us, was a long-time employee of JPL and well thought of by her colleagues.

BOLT Thanks Erica Brown for 31 Years of Service

The April 18, 2019, Library Board of Trustees kicked off their meeting with a warm tribute to Highlands (currently) Branch Manager Erica Brown.  Board Chair Ronnie King (R) introduced Erica to the board and guests and said, "Erica Brown has been a source of patience and good management at JPL for longer than most people have been librarians.  She is now retiring after 31 years, having started with JPL in March of 1988.  Her handprint is on many libraries here, having managed six of them--Highlands, Main, Southeast, Webb, San Marco, and Willowbranch. Director Tim Rogers read his letter to Erica, acknowledging and thanking her for her many years of service.  Then she was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  Everyone applauded Erica and we all wish her the very best in her future.  Erica Brown will retire May 4, 2019.  She will be sorely missed. 

Lotsa Art, Little Refresh, All Happy

"Brentwood’s DCPS art reception, April 23, 2019, was an evening event filled with some 120 eager artists and proud, happy parents and teachers.  We were happy to serve the enthusiastic crowd  refreshments provided by the Friends of the Brentwood Library," said NS Branch Manager Kathleen Krizek.

Librarian I Jackie Perry added, "Students wore 'Exhibiting Artist' badges so everyone would recognize the honorees.  When the art teacher from John Love Elementary picked up her students’ art she said all of her exhibiting students attended the reception."

Three Happy Birthdays!

Regency Square Branch employees helped celebrate three important April birthdays with a cake in their honor.   Ann Ludke, Shelver; Lauren Lazar, Children’s Associate; and Nicole Atkinson, Adult Associate.  Cindy Mathieson brags,  Ann is a 'shelver extraordinaire,'  Lauren is always on her toes in the Children’s Department, and Nicole mans the REF desk and creates fabulous book displays.  AR is lucky to have each of them here."  (Thank you to  Cindy for sharing the good news and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EACH OF YOU APRIL BABIES FROM ALL OF US.)

WB's Storytime

Willowbranch’s Youth Services team hosted a special story time across the street at the Riverside Avondale Community Garden, April 17, 2019. Dozens of families enjoyed Mr. Joe’s (Gaskin)stories and music, Ms. Jane’s (Griffo)arts & crafts, and an Easter egg hunt.  Special thanks to Kat Simi, Joe Gaskin, and Jane Griffo for organizing the event, and thanks as always to the Friends of Willowbranch Library for their support! (Thanks to Ryan Reid for input.)

 

JPL At Mandarin Arts Festival

SOM's Julie Fredericks, pictured far right below, and KR's Angela Richman worked a library information table at the Mandarin Arts Festival, April 20, 2019.  Five people signed up for library cards and one card was renewed. Angela said “We have received many compliments from residents and visitors. Most of them were about our new library hours and our library services over all.”

 Keli Likins, Region Manager added, "Thanks Julie and Angela for working the event."

 

Important To Promote Art

The fascinating heart (left) crowned the Friends of Brentwood Library's invitation to their two hour evening kickoff to “Art from the Heart”, April 16, 2019.  The exhibit highlights a gallery of paintings from Andrew Jackson High School students at Brentwood Library.  The gala attracted art lovers from Andrew Jackson High, library staff, Friends of the Brentwood Library, and friends and family of the artists.  Some artists, such as Jordan Buenavista, pictured here with (L) Jeanette Ali, President of Friends of the Brentwood Library, and Marshelle Berry, Regional Manager, provided insight into the students' unique art.  Gloria Buenavista said, "Everyone is invited to visit the Brentwood Branch Library and enjoy the art exhibit until it closes, April 30, 2019."

Below is a very good reason why art is so important in helping youth express themselves.  This closeup of Jordan, 18, who is a senior at Andrew Jackson, with his water and pen painting expresses his grief over losing his paternal grandmother in January:


At the bottom of Jordan's painting is this dedication:

"TO GIVE

This drawing represents that I'd give my life for my grandma who passed away.  The house is how isolated I feel.  The mountains represent the distance that separates me from her.  This painting shows how far I'd go to have her back."

New U.S. Citizen Added

Highlands Security Guard, Albanus Uzoma Dimuna, received his USA Citizenship April 18, 2019.  Albanus is from Nigeria and has been in the USA for over five years.  In Nigeria he worked  as a police officer for 35 years.  He says he is very happy to be a United States citizen now.  Highlands staff helped him celebrate his accomplishment with applause, pictures, and a cupcake.  (Thanks to Marla Roberson for the input.)



Big Drum Roll For Jones & Branon

Donna Carroll, Manager of Bradham-Brooks Northwest Branch, proudly announced, "Two of my  competitive employees, Yvonne Jones and Pamela Branon are the first winners of NW's new JPL card sign-up contest.  They signed up 20 new cardholders in a two week period!
 
"Both are holding stuffed toys (similar to the Jaguar Study Buddy idea) that NW winners pass around. They will keep them for a couple of weeks and then pass them on to the next winners.  Whoever holds the stuffed animal the longest through the end of June gets to keep it.  Also, in the picture they are holding trophies filled with chocolate."

Congrats to Yvonne and Pamela from all of us!