Five Years Of Service & Job Well Done: Lan Nguyen

Lan Nguyen was honored, December 17, 2020, by Deputy Director Julie McNeil, Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel, and her teammates for Lan’s five years with JPL. Julie presented Lan with her five year service pin and a letter of appreciation from Director Tim Rogers.

 

Lan also received a Job Well Done Award because, as Mark Hohnadel said, "She is always working to make Mandarin Library a better place with her creative displays and decorations.  Lan always jumps in and is a true team player." 

Congratulations from all of us, Lan!

Terry Welch: Job Well Done

JB's Terry Welch was nominated by Hongying Song for a Job Well Done Award, which was presented to Terry, December 15, 2020. Hongying said, "Terry consistently exhibits behavior that supports JPL Core Values. She is dedicated to providing the best customer service and making a positive difference in people’s lives, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since we opened to the public in September, Terry has created all kinds of bookmarks and flyers to go with her displays to help customers find what they want. Examples of her display themes are: True Crime, Tea-riffic, Staff Pick with bookmarks, Staff Best books of 2020, Seasons & Reading, and In Memoriam. Library Aware created a memorial flyer and bookmark templates inspired by Terry’s “in memoriam” display flyer and bookmark. Terry seems to know every customer by name at JB. Customers will ask for her to recommend books and movies for them. You can see how happy they are from their high pile of books and ear-to-ear smiles after they’ve talked with Terry. Because of Terry’s close relationship with JB’s customers, she can notice problems with our hold call list first and notifies SST. When the branch manager receives the hold phone call list, Terry is usually half way through or through her calling system. She wants our customers to be notified as early as possible so they can get to read what they want quickly. How can you beat that for customer service?"

Holiday Door Decor @ Pablo Creek

The challenge at Pablo Creek was to think beyond the typical wreath on the door and design holiday doors instead.  The challenge was accomplished with team work, creative expression, and fun.  Needless to say, it is a morale boost during this stressful time of COVID-19.

During the winter months when various cultural and religious days of significance are observed, PCR's decorated doors depict popular book and movie titles, as well as being inclusive to all holidays.

PCR staff has extended an invitation to school Advisory Committees, JPL Facebook members, customers, and to all of you: 

Come out and see our Holiday Doors! 

Thank Y O U, JPL Staff

                     Click once on pic for a better view.

Administrative Assistant Nicolle Burton has again collected, stuffed many Christmas stockings, donated, and packed up for delivery to COJ the many gifts JPL employees gave in response to JaxCares Adopt an Angel program. Above are Abel Flores and Jessica Glenn waiting for Mandie McKenzie to get this wonderful shot of all your gifts before taking them over to the Ed Ball building, December 7, 2020.  There your gifts will join other COJ departments' gifts and soon many children will be much happier this Christmas because of your big hearts.

Nicolle said, “Due to the generosity of JPL staff, eighteen Salvation Army angels were adopted and over 30 stockings were filled. The JaxCares representative and I sincerely thank each of you who participated in this worthy cause to brighten the season for needy children in the community. Have a happy, healthy holiday season.”

Job Well Done: Alison Halkovic

Alison Halkovic received a Job Well Done Award from SE Manager Carisia Rooney, December 4, 2020, at SE's staff meeting.  Carisia nominated Alison for the award for initiating and implementing the use of a Microsoft teams platform for creating and saving the daily schedules at the Southeast Library. Carisia said, "With three departments needing to work on creating and updating the schedules each week, we were having a number of 'I thought I saved those changes' glitches and the dreaded 'Read Only' access.  Alison created a SE scheduling team and make sure all schedulers were trained on saving, editing, and printing the Excel docs in Teams.  This new process not only removed the schedule-making problems, but also effected different departments helping one another confidently."

Spirit Of Christmas Thrives At AR

"Regency Square Branch's (L/R) Dawn Brock, Ann Ludke, and Sandra Lockley display gifts for staff's adopted angels, including a brand new bike and tablet.  These Christmas surprises are a result of staff's generous donations for two young ladies during the recent JaxCares Adopt an Angel program. "Thanks to the entire staff for helping with this effort," added Mia Brack.

Adios, Aaron

"A sincere thank-you to LIB I Aaron Neff, who was a HUGE help to the Main Library Children’s Department during his displacement from Westbrook Branch over the last many months. This photo features LAS Kitty Maschan, LIB I Aaron Neff, and LIB 2 Joanna Nigrelli at Main Children’s this past week as we all shared some laughs, which we all did many times while Aaron was here. We’re missing you, Aaron, and hope you’re enjoying your new temporary home at Highlands Regional Branch," said Marcie O'Dell.

Promoting Giving & Sharing

Main Library’s LAS Kate Martin once again used her talents to repurpose a piece of Styrofoam board into this adorable snowman. Giving and sharing are the themes for this winter display--and all  for the kids and your--viewing pleasure through December at Main Children’s. Marcie says, "Kate always has such great ideas!"

A Tree Full Of Reading Fun

Tis the season for holiday fun! Pictured here is LIB I Kate Zakharov’s display featuring YA green book covers creating the tree with a gold choice for the star on top. "For your enjoyment, this will be available through the end of the year, so come on by and boost your holiday enjoyment," invites Marcie O'Dell.

What's A Rainbow Forest?

Marcie O'Dell says, "Rainbow Forests are cool! Featured here is the newest interactive Mad Lib display at Main Children’s. The kiddos can choose to fill in the blanks to tell a story, or go rogue on a completely original creation. If they share it with staff, they earn a prize! What’s not to like about that? This display will be up through the end of this year." (Display created by Main Children’s staff Shelver Shawndrika Trottman and LAS Marcie O’Dell.)

The World's View

Marina Fry of the Southeast Branch created a wonderful display for December to celebrate the festive holiday season. Greetings of the Season became a colorful inclusive celebration of cultures, languages, symbols and joy. Filled with smiling snowmen it shows how we are all alike but unique in celebrating and in greetings. Five snowmen carry signs with greetings of different holidays, their clothing and a symbol of their belief that differentiate them. They are surrounded by 14 other snowmen that wish you Happy Holidays in different languages. She also created handouts to help figure out the language or country flags to take home with you. The staff of the Southeast Branch hopes this wonderful wall shows the warmth and joy of the season to all as they enter the library. (Thanks to SE Region Clerical Services Supervisor Tricia Larrabee for the input and picture.)

 

 

Good Gift Buys at Friends of JPL Book Store

"During December 2020, all items will be offered as buy-one-get-one free at the Friends of the JPL Book Store. Come soon for the best picks and invite your customers, family, and friends to visit for some excellent buys--but come soon; we will be closed, December 24-December 31.  The Friends and I wish all of you and your families a great holiday season and look forward to seeing you soon," said FJPL President Margaret Smith.

The FJPL Book Store is housed at University Park Branch about eight blocks north of JU, 3435 University Boulevard North.  The Book Store is at the south end of the building.  Store hours are Tuesday & Thursday, 9 am - noon and Saturday, 10 am - 3 pm.

Why Be Thankful?

God loves you.  You are. You love. You have respect for others.  You have integrity.  You have family, friends, and coworkers. You have special memories.  You can see, hear, talk, walk, move, and think.  You have a job and you do it well.  You have your dreams, hopes, and a future filled with surprises and challenges--good and bad--and your experiences will make you stronger.  And many more only you can name.  You are rich in many ways. 

Best To You At THANKSGIVING

Kate Kienitz  at KR wanted to share KR's Thanksgiving display and tell all of you in the Jacksonville Public Library System everyone at Mandarin Branch wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving.

 

JWD Team Gets It Done

YS Librarian I Kate Zakharov presented Job Well Done Awards to 13 Main Library employees, November 19, 2020, in appreciation for their help with the October Teen Department remodeling project. In the top pic is LAS Paris Goodman and next are LA Kate Martin and Shelver Katrina Mann. In the group pic, L/R, are LAS Allison Mason, LAS Marcie O’Dell, LAS Kitty Maschan, LAS Sheenae Nelson, YS Librarian I Aaron Neff, LAS Lisa York, LAS Hannah Genslinger, LA Kenya Coleman, and Shelver Shawndrika Trottman.  (YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli, not pictured, also received a Job Well Done Award, and we thank her for contributing the blurb and pictures.) 

 

Congrats To Robert Moseley

KR Manager Mark Hohnadel announced, "Mandarin Library Assistant Robert Moseley, pictured above,  was presented a Job Well Done Award, November 19, 2020, for taking the time and initiative to create a library book mark for customers that listed both curbside and inside service hours for Mandarin Library.  The bookmark was also shared with other libraries in the region and the bookmark has been well received by customers."  

 

November 11- Veterans Day

33,586 U.S. military are reported as having died in the Korean War.

56,220 U. S. military died in the Vietnam War. Many more have died since the war because of resulting illnesses due to Agent Orange used in Vietnam.

World War I counts 116,516 U.S. military deaths and approximately 320,000 sick and wounded. More died from disease than combat due to the influenza epidemic of 1918.

World War II totals 407, 316 U.S. soldiers killed and 671,278 wounded.

Veterans who have survived these horrific wars deserve our respect and give us pause to think about the many sacfrices by so many for our freedom and the responsibilities we have to preserve our freedom.

CW: Fall Focus & Thanksgiving

Webb Wesconnett Library children’s staff produced Thanksgiving and fall décor to liven up their displays. Tamera Pritchett created a turkey display that features books about Thanksgiving, fall, manners, and cooking. Passhunate Payams made a large display based on the book Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. Nerresa Posey decorated the promotional table and the area behind the children’s desk. Passhunate, who sent us the input, said, "Her turkeys and pumpkins reflect her unique creativity—and attract customers to CW’s collection." (Click on the pictures to get larger views.)

Friends Book Store Offers November BOGOS

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library Bookstore has reopened and now they are offering November 2020 buy one get one free specials on all their books, CDs, and DVDs. Good buys for gifts and for yourself!

Chute It!

Social distance was no problem for Library Assistant David Foster (R, top pic) on Halloween.  He donned plastic gloves and used a *unique touchless chute to deliver goodies to 34 kids in KR's Children's department.

 

Wearing costumes, some Mandarin Branch staff added to the fun:  (L/R): Library Clerk Rain Duncan, Children's Librarian Katie Kienitz, and  P/T Library Clerk Tammy Hilbert.  Thanks to Manager Mark Hohnadel (L, last pic above) for the input.

 

*Training and Development Manager Tracy Pigott adds, "The touchless candy delivery system idea was taken from a video featured in the October edition of the Professional Development and Training Newsletter!"  So read those carefully; you might find a treasure trove of ideas to use at your library.