More Space Is Great!

Main Children’s Librarian II, Joanna Nigrelli, was recently in charge of a huge project--shifting Non-Fiction book and Biography areas. She had a team helping accomplish the tasks, including removal of damaged items. This allowed for the replacement of outdated items, created more display space (shown in the pictures above), and refreshed the overall look of the area, among other benefits.  Marcie O’Dell says, “Great job, Joanna and team!”

 

Go Fish!

"These are part of a Main Children’s department display created by Library Associate Sheenae Nelson.  Whatever the display subject is, like this week’s fish topic, each child receives a free 'Make-Your-Own-Bookmark ' kit to take home for added fun. Check out the display near the alligator couch in the Children’s area," says Marcie O'Dell.

 

Joe Gaskin, Library Associate Extraordinaire

Director Rogers told you about Joe Gaskin receiving an ALA Spectrum Scholarship recently.  Now Mr. Gaskin gives us insight into the person/attitude that is well able to receive such an award:

 

"The library is a sanctuary; at least it always has been to me. It was the place where a young boy could go to explore options that might never have been revealed just running around the neighborhood. It was a job where I earned my first paycheck as a shelver at the Murray Hill branch. I have spent a majority of my adult life working in the library. Other jobs came and went but I was repeatedly drawn back to the library system. Each return enabled me to excel and develop a greater connection to library services, so much so, that I found myself working on my master’s degree in Information Science. Since I was fortunate enough to receive the ALA Spectrum Scholarship, it has removed the financial barrier that could significantly slow my progress.  I plan to use this opportunity to improve myself and the service I provide to the public library system and the people it serves. Now, working as a Youth Services Associate at Willowbranch library (where I visited as a child), I strive to play the role in my community that so greatly influenced me.

"Libraries are one of the last true public spaces in our society that offers openly accessible information or just a place of respite for all. As a Library Associate, I spend a majority of my time creating programming for youth, a task that I have found truly fulfilling, especially reading stories, singing songs to toddlers or teaching high-school students how to fix their bicycles. I never thought that I would find myself playing a guitalele in front of a hundred singing and dancing toddlers each week, but I discovered the importance of providing an outlet for kids to learn to act silly. I believe it is crucial that our society provide youth with a safe space to explore, debate and challenge their interests outside of school. My motivation to receive a Master of Library and Information Science degree is based on my desire to expand my knowledge to help others expand theirs.

 

"I am so grateful for the egalitarian services that libraries provide to our society. As the division of wealth expands in our country, it is reassuring to know that libraries are maintained as free and open to all. I also believe that the library can offer a cross section of services such as housing assistance, mental health resources, alternative educational paths and small business assistance. I believe in the potential of a library to exist as more than just a repository for books. I see it as a space in which we can apply the knowledge acquired within—libraries with a car shop, open kitchen, gardens and so much more. I believe libraries should be more than a place where people can just read; libraries need to be spaces where knowledge can be put into practice.

"Upon completion of my degree, I plan to become a Librarian for JPL. I hope to add to the diversity and growth that the library and the City of Jacksonville needs, as it is rare to come across a black male librarian in the U.S., let alone in JPL. Libraries act as a safe space for many children of color, and I believe the faces of those working in safe spaces should reflect the population that inhabits them. I am excited to soon join the ranks of the less than 1,000 male African-American librarians in the United States, so that I can hopefully inspire more young black men to follow suit. We are at a moment in time where the purpose of a library is changing. I hope to be part of that change because a library is a sanctuary and so much more.

"I would also like to add that anyone considering taking the leap into an Information Science Master’s program, now is a great time to consider applying, as FSU has a 100% online program and they have waived their GRE requirement to apply for the program.  Additionally, the city has a great tuition reimbursement program and there are a lot of great scholarships out there!"

38 Good Years

Karen Lewis retires today, September 11, 2020, and leaves us with a capsule of her 38 years with us, "My journey with JPL began at the Haydon Burns Main Library in 1982 and I remained at Main through the move to the new Main Library in late 2005. 

"Hired as a page through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Jobs Program, I first worked part time in what was known as the Catalog/Technical Service/SST departments.  I was offered an opportunity to stay full time at the end of the summer and continued working for about two years, then quit.  After a couple of months, the Library let me know about an upcoming test for a Clerk 1 position; I decided to take it and passed.  I was assigned to Highlands Branch when it opened in 1985.  To my delight, however, a Clerk 1 position opened in my previous work area--old Main’s Catalog department.

"Later, I passed the Clerk 2 test and went to the Circulation department, then transferred to Interlibrary Loan on the 3rd floor.  While there I took the test for Library Assistant, passed it and moved to the newly created Digital Library.  When the new Main Library opened, I continued in digitization and worked in the Grand Reading Room, which is also located on the 4th floor, and from there I transferred to Non-Fiction.

 "In January 2015, I transferred to Brown Eastside Library where my 38 year journey was to end but the pandemic changed that. EB was closed for a season and I was assigned to DU.  Now I will end my career where I once was supposed to start it—at the Highlands Branch on September 11, 2020. 

 

"Looking back, I did not think I would be suited to the children’s department when I transferred to EB, but surprisingly, I really liked working with children; their effervescence is contagious!

 

"Working in different departments and libraries helped me understand the importance of all of our contributions and when every area works well together it makes for a successful library system."

 

THANK YOU, KAREN, FOR 38 YEARS OF SERVICE TO JPL!  OUR VERY BEST TO YOU.  WE'LL MISS YOU.

Good Reflections

Two employees celebrate 35 years each with COJ/JPL in September 2020:  Library Assistant Kathy Lynch and Library Associate Linda Smith.  Both work in SST.  Linda politely shied away from elaborating on her years with JPL. Kathy summed up her 35 years briefly, “I have worked in several departments, both in technical services and with the public.” Then she added some persiflage for old-timers and closed with some reasons JPL staff have persevered and why all of us can be proud of our library system.

“Remember when

you helped someone look up something in the card catalog?

you told customers JPL couldn’t take credit cards for fines?

you told customers, ‘Sorry, you can’t check your personal e-mail at the library’?

you first left a voice message on someone’s phone?

you didn’t know what ‘bundle your TV and Internet’ meant?

a keyboard was associated only with a musical instrument?

you used the *'fugitive fact file' for quick reference?

“So many changes and JPL still stands! JPL has survived budget cuts, hiring freezes, staff shortages, hurricanes, floods, droughts, and COVID-19. We survived and thrived and were named 2017's Florida Library of the Year!  I think it is because at its heart and soul are so many good people doing their jobs every day, no matter what. I have been blessed to work with many of them!”

__________________________________________

*A file of 3x5 cards each library reference desk maintained in the pre-computer era.  It held documented information and suggested resources for difficult and FAQ’s that the library received from customers. This was a means to save staff time and resources.

Programs Online

"At Main Children’s we’re excited about the new Children’s Online Programming!  Kudos to all those involved in getting this project going. Here’s one example of a wall display that gets the word out," says Marcie O’Dell, who created this display that is part of an information wall.

Waste Not, Want Not

This exciting “Where Did Dinosaurs Go?” display at the Main Children’s Department was created by Library Assistant Kate Martin. Kate has a knack for taking leftover pieces, soon to be discarded items and trash to create an informative and imaginative outcome. If you have a few minutes, we welcome you to come by; the display is up through September.  (Thanks to Marcie O'Dell for the pic and input.)

It Pays To Advertise

Marcie O'Dell extends an invite, "Come and check out the creative way Main's Teen Librarian I Kate Zakharov and Children’s Associate Hannah Genslinger chose to advertise online classes for Main's Teen Department. This chalk board shows the classes offered on the left and a mock Zoom conversation between six 'participants' on the right. What a wonderful, eye-catching way to get our classes noticed! Great job you two!"

Twins Win

SOM's YS Librarian II Isabel Moreno-Santiago enjoyed a "return on investment" in SLP when William Hartman visited the South Mandarin Branch with his twin brother, Daniel, August 18. 2020. Isabel said, "William came to collect his Summer Reading prize: Young Architect. William and Daniel’s mother, Liz Phillips,  told us the twins enjoyed reading so many new books over the summer and their favorite program was Page Turner. The twins, who will attend St. Joseph Catholic School this year, shared their winning strategy with Branch Manager Theresa Rooney and me: they pooled their tickets to increase their chances of winning and agreed to share the prize if they won. Theresa and I were impressed with the twins’ strategy as well as their masks, which they got at Disneyworld."

 

 

Worth Quoting

Did you have a moment to enjoy Ryan Dowd's (Homeless Training) email, August 18, 2020?  If not, it's worth a read now: 

"I ran upon this great quote the other day from Paulo Coelho: 'The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.'

"I think this has always been true but is especially true right now:

• Maybe we need a little less opinion right now and a little more kindness.
• Maybe we need a little less opinion right now and a little more human connection (safely, of course!).
• Maybe we need a little less opinion right now and a little more laughter.
• Maybe we need a little less opinion right now and a little more smiling (yes, you can smile through a mask… it is in your eyes!).

"It is easy to assume that I’m talking about 'them' with this quote. I’m not. I’m talking about you and me and them. But it may have to start with you and me!"

Whetting Appetites

Hongying Song, East Region's YS Service Manager, shares pictures of Pablo Creek's displays that will have customers searching the library for these titles.

 

"The first picture shows YS Library Associate David Humphries' adroit voting display,“FREADOM 2020.” David supports early voting at PCR with children's civic education in mind. He has been working diligently to bring hands-on voting to kids.  He says his efforts were aided by his wife’s Cricut and Button Badge Maker machines.

 

"In the second pic, YS Library Associate Bridgette King created a Diversify Your Reading display that encourages kids to read fiction of different genres as well as nonfiction books.

 

"A books to movies display in the third picture is the result of  YS Library Associate Bridgette King's and Adult Librarian Abbey McGeathey's collaboration to whet the appetite for JPL's many book to movie combos.

 

"As you see, the creative staff at PCR continue providing the best customer experience and service."

Read Any Good Movies Lately?

Marcie O'Dell says, "Come and check out a new display at the Main Library Teen department.  It encourages some fun with books that have been made into films.  Someone pass the popcorn, please!  (Display created by Gloria Buenavista from NW.)"

The picture will be posted when the Google program allows.

5 Months & Reading!

Hannah Ringstaff, Support Services Librarian II, Acquisitions, is proud to say, "My son Aiden received his first ever summer reading prize in July at 5 months old. We read together for 20 days and picked out his book prize at Pablo Creek. He just loves to read!" 

 

Please Note:  Aiden's picture will be posted here when Google program allows. 

 

 

Need A Smile?

Lady Bug & Thunders

SOM's Heather Bumbalough said, "Thunder Bug is a simple kitchen timer housed in a cute lady bug which measures about 4 inches in diameter. When staff hear thunder, they know not to go outside for curbside service for 30 minutes. They set Thunder Bug, who stays in the SOM workroom by the curbside phones, for 30 minutes each time there is thunder, so she can let staff know when it is safe for them and customers to be outside.  Our employees really get into it! Every time they hear thunder everyone yells, 'Thunder Bug!' to be sure people at the phones know to set the timer."

JB Masks Books

 "Covid-19 has inspired me!  I thought to myself, 'I’m either going to make a 'current events' display or strategically place books with masks around the Beaches branch for folks to find – like Easter eggs!  (Have I mentioned that I have the best job? 😊" That is Terry Welch's ever lemon-to-lemon aide approach to life.

 

 

 

3 Cheers & Drum Rolls For Dayita Banerjee

Shukti Banerjee, PT Library Clerk at Mandarin Branch, is proud to announce, "My daughter, Dayita Banerjee, graduated July 20, 2020, from Stanton College Preparatory School with a GPA of 4.9675.  Stanton held their in-person graduation in their football stadium and social distancing was maintained and masks were a must.  Each student could bring two family members, and since the event was live-streamed, family and friends in Jacksonville, Dallas, Texas, and India could watch and share Dayita's great achievement in real time.  That was amazing.

 

"We later celebrated with a take-out lunch from Olive Garden, a red velvet graduation cake  (Dayita's favorite) and lots and lots of balloons.

 

"Now Dayita is headed to UF Honors and will be majoring in Microbiology and Cell Sciences."

 

Wanna Know About Fingerprinting?

Main Children’s Department Library Assistant, Kate Martin, created a display educating customers about the history of fingerprinting and the fingerprint process.  Kate has previous experience working in a field that required taking fingerprints and maintaining fingerprint records. This is a unique, interesting display and you are invited to come check it out in the Main's Children’s Department.  (Picture will be posted once the program is repaired.)  

 

Sea Creatures Entertain, Educate At Main

Main Children’s Librarian II, Joanna Nigrelli had an original idea that played out well in a display.  LASes Hannah Genslinger and Marcie O’Dell took her idea to reality. They put some lonely puppets to work and had fun creating a three-tiered ocean display and a game kids could play.  This is one of a variety of passive programming options set up around the department that allows children to learn and win a prize, which always makes them smile!

SE Encourages Wearing Masks

 

SE's Alison Halkovic, YS Librarian II, said, "Our staff added paper face masks to the characters in the children's department mural, following the example of the New York Public Library and their iconic lion sculptures. We hope the addition will help show our littlest customers that kids just like them are wearing masks all over the world to help keep their communities healthy and safe."