HI$5 Doing Well At UPK

UPK's YS Library Assistant, Kimberly Hamilton, daily reminds customers about Summer Learning and the special programs JPL offers during the summer.  Kim received a $50 donation, June 7, 2019, for UPK's Hi$5 drive. Illesha Massaline, who sent in this article, said, "This is the largest single donation we have received at UPK thus far.  Great job, Mrs. Kim!

"Our goal was $400 and UPK is currently at $550."

Author & Centenarian Share Bit Of History

Laura Minor, Librarian III in Special Collections at the Main Library, reports, "The Special Collections Department hosted author Lu Vickers for a fascinating talk about her book, Paradise Park: Tourism and Segregation at Silver Springs.  Her presentation, June 1, 2019, was well-received by the 24 customers who attended. We were fortunate to have Sollie Mitchell join us for the program. Mr. Mitchell (green jacket) is 100 years old, rich in years and experience.  His history includes a career as a Pullman Car Porter, WWII veteran, and a participant in the 1963 March on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King. Mr. Mitchell visited Paradise Park in its heyday and shared his experiences with Ms. Vickers and the audience. He also shared these two photos with the library."

 

 

A closer look at Paradise Park signage:

Job Well Done: Margaret Esposito

"I presented Margaret Esposito with a Job Well Done Award at our Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library staff meeting, May 30, 2019" said Shawn Norton, Branch Manager.

 

"Margaret created reusable bookmark style signs to place in staff picks throughout the branch.  These selections have generated more customer interest than our usual endcap displays.  In fact, Margaret picked enough favorites to have an entire list to herself, 'Margaret's Favorite Non-Fiction' (click here:  https://jpl.overdrive.com/collection/1006927.)"

AR Is Hot On Hi $5 For Reading - Where Does Your Library Stand?

Guy Adkins has a well earned brag for AR staff, "At May 29, 2019, Regency Square Library has passed our $600 goal for 'Give a Hi $5 for Reading' with $624 and counting.  Individual donors' names are posted on the front of the counter adjacent to the 'thermometer ' branch goal sign."

Let us hear from you about contributions at your library for
                        Hi $5 for Reading!

Special Day For Special Graduate

Tyhedra Wilson, Clerical Services Supervisor. shares her good news, "My daughter Kezia Weston's graduation day, May 23, 2019, was a special event for us.  Kezia is pictured here with her father, Kevin Weston, and me.

 "Kezia graduated from Bishop Snyder High School here in Jacksonville.  She will be working for the Mayor's Summer Youth Program and will be starting school at FSCJ in the fall."



Thanks for sharing, Tyhedra, and congratulations to Kezia from all of us. 

 

York Sees Need & Fills It

University Park Library offered a Work Readiness Workshop presented by CareerSource Northeast Florida, May 22,2019. Library Associate Lisa York said, "I organized the event after recognizing that some adults visiting our branch were working to complete resumes and job applications. After creating a resource display to assist with their job searches, I arranged for CareerSource NEFL to conduct a complimentary workshop--the first one held at UPK since 2016.  One of the subjects broached was the importance of being a good self manager, that is: control feelings at work, refrain from angry outbursts, exhibit a good attitude, don't give up, have a workplace mentor, continue to learn and improve, and show initiative and motivation. 

Seven job seekers (of whom six are shown here) considered the workshop to be invaluable.  We appreciate the excellent presentation by Shelly Ray and Dwaye Sweet of CareerSourceNEFL."



 

SOM Hosts Exceptional Student Art

Assistant JSO Chief Lakesha Burton and Lead Teacher Robert Graver proudly flank the signature art piece displayed at South Mandarin Library's art reception for the Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center, May 14, 2019.  The exhibit included about 30 pieces for customers to enjoy through most of the month.

Palm Ave partners, along with the Police Athletic League, and Assistant Chief Greg Burton, pictured below with two other guests, joined teachers and students for the kickoff.  (Thanks to Ann Fridl, SOM Manager, for the input.)

Friends of Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library Win Award

Above left is pictured long time advocate of the recently renamed Bill Brinton Murray Hill Branch Library and Secretary of this Friends group, Judy Klein.  She sent this picture of the “Outstanding Program” award given to President of the BBMH Friends Jay Stuckey (above) and her at FLA. Mrs. Klein said, "It was presented, May 15, 2019, at the opening program of the annual Florida Library Association conference in Orlando."

As CRM Manager Chris Boivin aptly put it in his nomination to FLA for the award, "The Friends, comprised of six board and more than 50 regular members, takes great pride in their small neighborhood library and works diligently to support programming, enhance the campus and landscaping, create awareness, and hold various fundraisers throughout the year. I have never seen a more dedicated team effort than what the Friends put forth for the 50th Anniversary Celebration." 

The blog article covering the 50th Anniversary Celebration, December 15, 2018, can be viewed by clicking on the MH Friends "label" below this article.

JPL staff appreciate Mrs. Klein and Mr. Stuckey for sharing their achievement with us.  It is an award well deserved and we congratulate you!

A Proud Day

Hongying Song, East Region YS Librarian III, shares a monumental achievement, "My daughter, Selina Wang, graduated May 17 as the 2019 valedictorian of the McDonough School of Business from Georgetown University. We are very proud of her and hope she will do well for herself and the world."

 

Congratulations to Selina and her parents from all of us. 

                  (To get a better view, click on the picture.)

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."