Tropical Storm Tracking

Scroll down on the right and find a new gadget that will allow you to track tropical storms in the Atlantic (click on the green square on the right of the map) and in the Pacific (click on the green arrow on the left of the map). Clicking on either one gives you an enlarged view.

Graham Branch Scores Big with Kids in Summer Library Programs

Ron Anglin entertained 22 school age children with his juggling program, July 1, at Graham Branch. This proved to be the largest attended of their summer library programs.

Then on July 22, Cranston Burney, Library Assistant in Main's Digitization area, introduced Pat Morrison, Main Library Supervisor, Special Collections, who presented a program about famous Jacksonville African Americans. She closed her program with a bingo game, which challenged kids to identify as many of the famous people as they could. Here you see Ms. Morrison on the left; Carmen Gregory, age 11, center; and Delores Walker, Clerical Support Aide II, to the right. Mr. Burney is in the background. (Click on either picture to get a better view.)

Goodluck, Marlon!

Marlon's party at Northwest. We wish you all the best!

Kudos from Customers

Main - Children's: I witnessed one of your employees, a clerk whose name I believe is Pamela (Brannon), dealing with a rude member of the public. Yet this young lady was able to put all that aside and acted professionally.

Main-Government Docs: Ms. Kathleen Krizek was most helpful and courteous to me on my visit. I’m working on my family tree and I appreciate her assistance and patience. She is an asset to this department.

Main - Interlibrary Loan: Highest compliments to Carolyn Hampton, who helped me with an Interlibrary Loan renewal today. She was patient with me in that at first I could not locate my ILL number. She then proceeded to successfully renew my book saving me much needed time today. A+ work on the part of Ms. Hampton!

Main - Popular: Matthew Moyer has exceptional public relations skills + extremely helpful and polite.

Mandarin Branch: The children's programs at the Kori Road Mandarin branch are excellent. Jean Winney and Margo Crafton do an exceptional job each week and have kept us coming back for storytimes during my child's toddler years.

Nominations Open for 2009 Carnegie Corp. of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award

Richard Mott, JPL's Training Coordinator, wants to share this information he received from Florida Library Association's Executive Director, Faye Roberts.

"Deadline for nominations for the I Love My Librarian Award is October 9. Categories include: public librarians; school library media specialists; or college, community college, or university librarians.

"Last year’s winners included Floridians Linda Allen, Director of the Pasco County Library System, and Iona R. Malanchuk, Associate University Librarian and Head of the Education Library at the University of Florida. "

Ms. Roberts can be contacted at PO Box 1571, Lake City, FL 32056-1571; phone 386-438-5795; Fax 386-438-5796; faye.roberts@comcast.net; or: http://www.flalib.org/.

You can email this discussion board: fl-lib@list.dos.state.fl.us

You can use this link to sign up to join the discussion list: https://list.dos.state.fl.us/mailman/listinfo/fl-lib

For more information about nominatons for the 2009 Carnegie Corporation Of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award: http://www.ilovelibraries.org/lovemylibrarian/home.cfm

Southeast Branch Customer Had A Special Need Quickly Resolved

Who says you can't have a hot time at the library? This comment was recently proven at the Southeast Library on Thursday, August 13. At around 12:45 p.m., a customer notified our circulation staff that a car in the parking lot was smoking and was emitting a strong burning odor. Investigation revealed a white automobile in the beginning stages of conflagration. Once the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department was called and arrived, the engine compartment of the car was engulfed in flames. Resolving this event was all in a day's work for the firefighters. Much to the relief of the onlookers and owners of the vehicles in the vicinity, the flames were extinguished in short order. So much for the idea that libraries are not exciting places to be.

Monique GrahamWins Jax Suns Trip to Miami

Monique Graham, CSA II at South Mandarin Branch Library, attended the Jacksonville Suns game, August 2, which closed out JPL's summer library program, and won a round-trip bus trip for two to Miami. It's not just any bus trip though. She and her daughter, Nadia, will travel with the Jacksonville Suns baseball team to attend the Marlins/Mets game there. The trip includes hotel accommodations for September 26-27. Congratulations Monique!

One Hears It; One Doesn't & Nobody Sees It; What IS It?

James Sigler heard a cat crying. That couldn't be possible because he was in a boat in the middle of the St. Johns River fishing with his father, grandfather, and a family friend.

They were having a good Saturday morning. The only sounds Mike Sigler, JPL's Security Guard Supervisor, could hear was the radio playing and the rush of cars overhead on the Buckman Bridge. Nevertheless, his son, James, age 6, was insistent that he could hear a cat crying. So Mike Sigler turned off the radio and then he could hear it, too. Frantically, they started looking around. But where was that cry for help coming from? Click below and enjoy the video that unravels this mystery:

Meet the cat rescued under Buckman Bridge by Deirdre Conner

Mandarin Branch Salutes Artist Extraordinaire

Melissa Tison is a part-time Children’s Library Associate at the Mandarin Branch Library. Melissa is their resident “artist extraordinaire” with her creative artwork enhancing posters announcing Mandarin Branch's adult movie programs. Melissa is pictured with some of the artwork she has done. Her favorites are the giant ants she made for the movie program “Them” and the octopus for “It Came From Beneath the Sea”. Melissa also entered the “Design a Bookmark” contest in 2007 and placed 3rd in the adult division.

Melissa’s favorite author is Michael Ende. Her favorite children’s authors are Mo Williams, Chris Van Allsburg, and, of course, J.K. Rowling. She graduated from the University of Florida in 2005, and Florida State University in 2008. She will be leaving JPL to start a new job as a media specialist. Melissa would like to say that she had a great experience working at the Mandarin Branch Library and will miss her co-workers. Best of luck, Melissa! You will be missed!

Councilman Dr. Johnney Gaffney Revisits Brentwood Branch

At the invitation of Brentwood Branch Manager Tasha Toliver, Councilman Dr. Johnny Gaffney visited their library again, Wednesday, August 29, 2009. Librarian Maude Scott introduced him and the storyteller, Diane Delage, at the branch’s last children’s summer library program.

Councilman Dr. Gaffney gave a brief introduction before the storyteller began, and then he told about his life experiences in college and the role he plays in Africa. He also talked about the

importance of good character and having a drive to succeed in life.

He closed the program by reading Dwayne Dyer’s book, Incredible You. Councilman Dr. Gaffney stayed for over two hours and the children, as well as the adults, really enjoyed his visit. Ms. Toliver said, "Overall, it was a great way to end the summer."

Staff Profile

Luis Flores, Assistant Director, Facilities & Planning, has some notable accomplishments of late. You guessed it; the greatest of all was seeing his first child, Alexis. She was born June 20, 2009, weighed 7.1 lbs and was 19.9 inches! (Click on picture for larger view.) Now you can read on about some other interesting news from Mr. Flores.

Q: You were recently certified as one of four in Florida COJ who has completed Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) training. Please explain how your LEED certification will facilitate JPL’s meeting current national and state building standards.
A: As the sustainability movement takes hold, more and more Federal, State, and Local agencies will require new/renovation projects to be LEED certified. LEED is a building rating system that serves as ‘quasi de facto’ standards for green building. Obtaining the LEED AP certification gives me a basis of understanding for making environmentally friendly facility decisions. Our focus at JPL will be on the LEED EB (existing buildings) standards which serve as a guide for delivering environmentally responsible, healthy, and productive environments. My goal is to systematically change our business practices by implementing a more sustainable lifestyle. The ‘green blog’ is the first of several initiatives geared to make JPL ‘green’. In addition, whenever possible we will procure and specify environmentally friendly products. As an example, the bid specifications for the Main Library walk-off carpet required a secondary backing (Ecologix/Preformance precoat) containing 88% post consumer material. Our efforts will mirror those of the Mayor’s sustainability committee, Executive Order 2008-03, and the Environmentally Preferable Procurement Guidelines.

Q: What experience do you believe best fitted you to your position with JPL?
A: I obtained valuable public sector work experience working for Broward County Public Schools and Broward County. I’ve had the privilege of being involved in every level of the public sector construction and building maintenance process. I feel I can communicate with all levels of staff within an organization and have the ability to expedite projects. I bring a no nonsense, pragmatic approach to management.

Q: Is there a particular book or two that impacted your life goals?
A: I can not single out one or two books, but I can refer to my MPA degree courses as having a significant impact on my career outlook. Coming from the private sector, I enrolled in the MPA degree program to gain a better understanding of public sector policy and administration. Once I learned about the intricacies of the public sector process, I was hooked and knew that I could make a significant impact with my work ethic and ideas. I am committed to maximizing efficiencies, improving outdated business practices and finding more cost-effective methods.

Q: What is something that most people don’t know about you?

A: I love watching food shows and enjoy cooking.

Q: What are your favorite pastimes or hobbies?

A: I love to play sports and try to lead an active lifestyle. I enjoy indoor rock climbing, scuba diving and golf.

FLA Accepting Conference Proposals

Proposals for concurrent or poster sessions are now being accepted for the 2010 Florida Library Association conference. This event will be held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, April 7-9, in Orlando.

Spread the word to colleagues who may be interested in applying.

See the right sight of the FLA home page for an application form and more information.

The proposal submission deadline is August 24, 2009.

Notes from Collection Development:

Recent DVDs set in the realm of the fantastic:

Knowing



Fifty years after a time capsule was buried at a local school, teacher Ted Myles (Cage) examines its contents and discovers that it holds many shockingly true predictions. Soon, Ted is convinced that his family will play a role in an impending apocalypse. Diana Whelan (Byrne) is the daughter of the woman who first buried the capsule. This tense blockbuster thriller is from ace sci-fi auteur Alex Proyas.

Push



On the run from the Division, a dangerous government agency that uses people with psychic abilities to do their bidding, telekinetic Nick Gant (Evans) and clairvoyant Cassie Holmes (Fanning) team up to find a third psychic who can help them destroy the organization. But when the Division picks up their trail, it sends a powerful agent (Hounsou) to stop them at all costs. Paul McGuigan directs this thriller.

The Unborn

Tortured by frightening dreams at night and the ghost of a young boy during the day, young Casey (Yustman) turns to a spiritual adviser (Oldman) for help. Together, the two uncover and try to stop a powerful family curse dating back to the Nazi era. David S. Goyer writes and directs this supernatural thriller.

Argyle Children's Program Creates "Baby Bot"

Here is a photo of the results of the School Age Art Program that DeLon Rowan, Library Assistant at Argyle Branch, led children to create last week. They used recycled foam packing from light fixtures, parts from a keyboard, and other materials to create a baby "robot" and dubbed it “Baby Bot”. DeLon designed the program to conform with the Florida Library Youth Program theme, "Be Creative @ Your Library". In this program, children developed pre-literacy (cognitive and physical skills) while creating three dimensional pieces such as Baby Bot. (Click on the picture to get a larger view of "Baby Bot".)

Marie Boyer Will Retire from Southeast Regional Branch

After 21 years with the Jacksonville Public Library system, Librarian Marie Therese Boyer will retire, August 1. On Wednesday, July 22, Southeast Regional held a luncheon to commemorate her many years with JPL. Marie noted she has seen a great many changes with the JPL system during her time with the library. Specifically, she described the completion of the new Main Library as one of the most significant accomplishments of the Jacksonville system as a whole. Marie said her enjoyment of many years with the library was primarily due to the wonderful people she has worked with and the variety of work tasks to be completed each day. With the tasks changing hourly, there was never a boring moment.

Marie spent her early childhood in France, has family there, and even after living in America for many years, still has a distinctive French accent. Therefore, a French theme was used for the gathering, with a menu comprising of many common French delicacies such as fried chicken faire un bide (to make a big belly), Laissez-faire (let it be) sausage and green peppers, and Pret-a-porter (ready to wear) macaroni and cheese.

To assist Marie in her future retirement endeavors, she was presented with a personalized floating pool chair. In the picture above, Marie is displaying the chair box after removing the wrappings. You may notice that the person on the picture of the box has a very familiar appearance.

We at Southeast wish Marie the best of luck and a great retirement.

Notes from Collection Development

Zombies: The New Vampire?!

You may have noticed a lot of Zombies appearing in fiction recently. A few titles customers can find and devour at JPL—


Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Booklist Reviews

This may be the most wacky by-product of the busy Jane Austen fan-fiction industry at least among the spin-offs and pastiches that have made it into print. In what's described as an "expanded edition" of Pride and Prejudice, 85 percent of the original text has been preserved but fused with "ultraviolent zombie mayhem." For more than 50 years, we learn, England has been overrun by zombies, prompting people like the Bennets to send their daughters away to China for training in the art of deadly combat, and prompting others, like Lady Catherine de Bourgh, to employ armies of ninjas. Added to the familiar plot turns that bring Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy together is the fact that both are highly skilled killers, gleefully slaying zombies on the way to their happy ending. Is nothing sacred? Well, no, and mash-ups using literary classics that are freely available on the Web may become a whole new genre. What's next? Wuthering Heights and Werewolves? Copyright 2009 Booklist Reviews.

The Zombie Survival Guide

PW Annex Reviews

Website: http://www.publishersweekly.com/In this outrageous parody of a survival guide, Saturday Night Live staff writer Brooks prepares humanity for its eventual battle with zombies. One would expect the son of Mel Brooks to have a genetic predisposition to humor, and indeed, he does, and he exhibits it relentlessly here: he outlines virtually every possible zombie-human encounter, drafts detailed plans for defense and attack and outlines past recorded attacks dating from 60,000 B.C. to 2002. In planning for that catastrophic day when "the dead rise," Brooks urges readers to get to know themselves, their bodies, their weaponry, their surroundings and, just in case, their escape routes. Some of the book's more amusing aspects are the laughable analyses Brooks proposes on all aspects of zombiehood, and the specificity with which he enumerates the necessary actions for survival-i.e., a member of an anti-zombie team must be sure to have with him at all times two emergency flares, a signaling mirror, daily rations, a personal mess kit and two pairs of socks. Comic, though unnecessarily exhaustive, this is a good bet for Halloween gag gifts and fans of Bored of the Rings-esque humor. 100 line drawings. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

World War Z

Booklist Reviews

"The Crisis" nearly wiped out humanity. Brooks (son of Mel Brooks and author of The Zombie Survival Guide, 2003) has taken it upon himself to document the "first hand" experiences and testimonies of those lucky to survive 10 years after the fictitious zombie war. Like a horror fan's version of Studs Terkel's The Good War (1984), the "historical account" format gives Brooks room to explore the zombie plague from numerous different views and characters. In a deadpan voice, Brooks exhaustively details zombie incidents from isolated attacks to full-scale military combat: "what if the enemy can't be shocked and awed? Not just won't, but biologically can't!" With the exception of a weak BAT-21 story in the second act, the "interviews" and personal accounts capture the universal fear of the collapse of society--a living nightmare in which anyone can become a mindless, insatiable predator at a moment's notice. Alas, Brad Pitt's production company has purchased the film rights to the book--while it does have a chronological element, it's more similar to a collection of short stories: it would make for an excellent 24-style TV series or an animated serial. Regardless, horror fans won't be disappointed: like George Romero's Dead trilogy, World War Z is another milestone in the zombie mythos. ((Reviewed August 2006)) Copyright 2006 Booklist Reviews.

Monster Island: a zombie novel

Booklist Reviews

This is a zombie novel--a fantastic zombie novel. Most of the world has fallen to the undead, with pockets of survivors clinging to a precarious existence. At the behest of the leader of the Free Women's Republic of Somaliland, a shipload of those makes the ludicrous trip from Africa to New York in a desperate quest for medicine. New York is a wasteland, and everything depends on a small, incredibly dedicated band of teenage girls, armed to the teeth, and native guide Dekalb, formerly a UN arms inspector. Also, in NYC there is Gary, a zombie who, completely unexpectedly, retains live human mental faculties. The questers get ringside seats for some of the apocalypse's finest moments, and no matter how prepared they thought they were, something worse awaits in the depths of New York. When zombies have already overrun everything, that's saying something. There are many layers to this zombie apocalypse, and this book just gets things rolling. Stay tuned. ((Reviewed March 15, 2006)) Copyright 2006 Booklist Reviews.

Cell

Booklist Reviews

/*Starred Review*/ Think horror meister King's gone soft? Try this: Clay Riddell, on top of the world after finally signing a contract that pays off for his years of scrabbling as a comics artist, is fairly bouncing along Boston Common when an awful lot of the people nearby suddenly go berserk, using any weapon that comes to hand, including their teeth, to assault with deadly intent everyone in their paths. Motor vehicles collide or leap curbs to smash through windows and doors at high speed. Planes power-dive into buildings. And, of course, gunfire and explosions punctuate the soundscape. Instinctively, Clay puts his heavy portfolio between a small man about to be butchered by a middle-aged crazy, and thus meets Tom McCourt. Within the hour, they rescue 15-year-old Alice Maxwell, and another of King's many stories of a decent remnant struggling to survive in a world gone mad is off and running. During the course of what must be the most suspenseful, fastest-paced book King has ever written--a 'Salem's Lot without lulls--the trio expands to as many as six, though it is solely from Clay's perspective that King tells the story. Clay is concerned with more than survival, for his 12-year-son is out there, surely by himself, Clay thinks, given the time of day that the Pulse began. The Pulse, keenly perceptive Tom noticed right away, that all the crazies became so while using their cell phones. Tom's was broken that day, and Clay doesn't own one. Exploiting motifs and devices from Richard Matheson's vampire-world classic, I Am Legend (1954), and George A. Romero's living-dead movies (author and filmmaker are this book's dedicatees), King blasts any notion that he's exhausted or dissipated his enormous talent. ((Reviewed January 1 & 15, 2006)) Copyright 2006 Booklist Reviews.

The Living Dead

Booklist Reviews

Die-hard zombiephiles may be disappointed to find only one new story here (the Clive Barker and Stephen King entries are 20 years old), but they have to concede that it s full of good stuff. The real standouts tend to depart from the apocalyptic formula standard to the genre. A bully in Darrel Schweitzer s "The Dead Kid" torments an undead kid in a box that he keeps in the woods. David Barr Kirtley’s "The Skull-Faced Boy" features two teens who discover they re animated corpses after being killed in an accident. In Joe Lansdale s "Deadman’s Road," a gun slinging reverend hunts down a zombie who was a killer when normally alive. It s Dan Simmon’s brilliant, award-winning "This Year's Class Picture," however, that makes the collection worth the price of admission; in it, a teacher clings to her daily routine, teaching her "students" long after the Tribulations. Though it reprints so many oft-collected stories, this volume remains an excellent overview of the zombie genre. Copyright 2008 Booklist Reviews.

Kudos from Customers

Beaches Branch - I just waned to let Charlene's (Ovashak) supervisor know that the 2 times I dealt with her she was AWESOME! It's so refreshing to meet people that are so helpful and so friendly--it's rare these days.

Main - Reference - I attempted to utilize computer services; there was a linking problem w/website chosen. Ms. (Karen) Deas was very helpful to insure my designated computer wasn't at fault. We or she actually had me to view her unit at the service desk which did indicate my website choice was the problem. KUDOS!

Murray Hill Branch - I really enjoyed the personal attention I received from Margaret Esposito. She is outstanding! Keep up the good work!

Pablo Creek Branch - Margaret Crawford's & Kyong Lee's story time is fantastic. They are always enthusiastic & personable as are Padma Subramanian & Stephanie Harley at the checkout counter.

South Mandarin Branch - I brought my two grandchildren to the story hour on Thursday. They loved Mr. David (Foster) and his compassion for relating the stories. They look forward to returning next week.

Movies at Mandarin Branch Are Big Draw

Mandarin Branch Library is the place to be for summer movies! Next Tuesday, July 21, Mandarin is showing the classic summer movie, Jaws. This shark-bitten poster was designed by Melissa Tison (L) and Linda Smith (R), both library associates. Melissa’s artistic talents were put to good use by designing the shark. The movies Linda has shown have been very popular, averaging 10-30 people. Other popular movies, such as Bolt and Hotel for Dogs, were attended by over 50 people! (By clicking on the picture, you can enlarge it.)

Councilman Dr. Johnny Gaffney Visits Brentwood Branch

Councilman Dr. Johnny Gaffney visited the Brentwood Branch Library, Wednesday, April 15. Prior to his arrival, he and Branch Manager Tasha Toliver spoke extensively on the phone and he shared a lot of infomation about the community.

During his visit, Ms. Toliver introduced him to her staff, gave him a tour of the branch, and reviewed Brentwood Branch programs.

Councilman Dr. Gaffney expressed his regrets that his visit would be brief due to a special meeting called by City Council that day. However, he was able to stay about 30 minutes and was very helpful with ideas relating to adult and children's programs and offered to get community partners involved.

Ms. Toliver invited him to visit again and she and her staff look forward to the time--hopefully in the near future--when Councilman Dr. Gaffney can return to Brentwood Branch.

Training Helps in Technology

In the frenzy of our technological world it's easy to lose site of what an important place books still hold. More than that, we often miss opportunities to use that same technology to enhance and promote our collections. Stephen Abram, Vice President of Innovation at SIRSI, has 25 great recommendations for putting technology to work doing exactly that.

Try this shortcut to: http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/wordtothewise08.php