Operation Christmas Cards at CW

Webb Wesconnett Branch is involving children in Operation Christmas Cards. Michaels Arts & Crafts sponsored CW by providing stickers and cards. Children make the Christmas cards and then staff gives them back to Michaels to be sent to the soldiers in Afghanistan. CW has offered this program three times a week. Interest has grown and CW now has about 125 kids who participate. Operation Christmas Cards will culminate the end of October.

Princes and Pirates Party at CW

Webb Wesconnett Branch hosted a Halloween party, October 27, with 90 kids (and some adults), who came to show off their costumes.  Before they could ask, "Trick or treat?", CW offered plenty of candy, food, and other goodies.

How DO You Get 500+ Kids To Your Library?

On October 25th, Urban Library Center staff, including Garland Wilson, Anthony Williams, Joshua Wise and Library Supervisor, Marshelle Berry, welcomed a parade of over 500 students from R. L. Brown Elementary School. Students, teachers, and parents, as well as the Principal and Vice Principal, made their way through the Brown-Eastside Branch Library dressed as book characters. Those who did not have JPL cards, completed library card applications, which were handed to staff as students chanted, “We love to Read”. Each student was given a colorful bookmark to take with them.

In upper left photo, students file into Eastside Branch as Joshua Wise holds the door, and Garland Wilson passes out bookmarks to students in lower photo.

The event was followed by a Family Learning Night at the school and staff also participated in that.

Fire Prevention Program @ Northwest

October is fire prevention month, Northwest had a wonderful program today with Officer Cynthia Downer from the Fire and Rescue department. We had 61 in attendance representing Precious Hearts Learning Center, As we Grow Learning Center, St. Thomas Child Development Center and Genius Factory Learning Center. Thanks to Maude Scott, Northwest's Children's librarian for coordinating this program.

Councilman Ray Holt Reads at Highlands Branch

On October 24, Councilman Ray Holt (pictured center, facing camera, photo to right) visited Highlands Branch Library and read a book at the Family Preschool Story Time. CM Holt recently presided over the opening of the Oceanway Express lockers, for which Highlands is responsible. At that same event, a dog park was opened at the Oceanway community center, so DU chose dogs as their story time theme.

Beverly Mason (center, facing camera in photo at left), DU's Children’s Library Associate, planned and presented the story time. CM Holt read the book, Digby Takes Charge, by Caroline Jayne Church, and sang along with “B.I.N.G.O” and “How Much is that Doggie in the Window.” Ms. Mason reports that CM Holt was an excellent reader, engaging the audience of 20 preschoolers and parents. As an elected official, CM Holt is used to taking the stage. He also “has the three most adorable children on the planet” according to his official online profile and is clearly comfortable reading to children.

Southeast Branch Draws Kids With Chibi

Southeast Chibi Drawing Club proudly presents the "Artists of the Month" (top picture).  Each month students (a girl and a boy) get their own exhibition in the SE Teen Department.  Congratulations to October Artists Stephanie Preston and Tyler Ray, who attended the program all summer and did great artwork.  You are invited to visit SE Teen Department and feast your eyes.

SE Tween Chibi Drawing Club (bottom left) welcomed autumn with a party recently where they snacked on cupcakes and chocolate milk.  Chibi drawing classes will be going full speed during winter 2012, too.

Palin Hangul, SE Library Associate, sent in these pictures and comments and said "chibi" is a different kind of manga art in that it is simpler and more cartoonish than manga.

Library Leadership Students Making History

Carol Bunker, left, Library Clerk at Webb Wesconnett Branch, and her father, Lowell Edwin (Ed) Bunker, Maintenance Worker Crew Leader for Public Works, are LDA students . This is the first time two generations have taken this City program together.  He graduated from LDA, October 19; she has one more class left.  Carol and Ed realize LDA is essential to being promoted within their respective City departments.

Carol says, "LDA is fun and informative. I have learned so much from the program and gained a lot of information and friends along the way. I believe that it has helped me have better relationships with my coworkers and supervisors."  Additionally, she is enjoying her first semester at the School of Information Science at Florida State University, working towards her Master's degree in Information Science and hopes to become a librarian and eventually a supervisor. For now, she is happy being a clerk and going to school.

Kudos from Customers

Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch: “The library staff that is working here at this time are the most helpful and polite staff that I have ever encountered in this branch. I must point out Shivon (Rockward). …She is just walking around helping everyone and doing it in a very professional manner...”

Main – Center for Adult Learning: “…I am originally from Nicaragua. I wanted ...to say thank you to Miss Tammy Owens in the Center for Adult Learning for all of the help in my class and all of the materials that she is sharing with me. My goal is to write very good English, and I learn new rules each time I come to her class. Also, my husband is so happy when I share everything with him that I learn. Thank you so much, Miss Tammy, for everything you do to help me and all of the other students that are in your classes.”

Main – Popular Department: “Peggy (Glasnapp) was so helpful - always had a smile on her face. Hard to find good customer service these days - she is a dying breed.”

Mandarin Branch and Main's Interlibrary Loan Departmnt: “I would like to again compliment those men and women who …are very, very professional and give me outstanding service. They include: Cheryl Callavini, Branch Manager; Larry Butler, Don Carpenter, Elizabeth Garnett, Becky McClure, Linda Smith, Margo Crafton, David Foster, Elaine Roberson, Frances Wickes, Sarah Miller, Robert Moseley, Mildred Roton, Eric Cusaac, David Jones, Sim Yam, Tammy Hilbert, Diane Lewis, Josh Santiago, Lisa Veal, Shuki Banerjee, Jessica Jones, and Brettney Gonzales. I also want to commend Carolyn Hampton in the Interlibrary Loan Division.”

Southeast Branch: “I come in on my lunch hour every day and want to praise Pelin Hangul and Blake Fowler - both are extremely helpful and go out of their way to help all the time. Also reference gentleman w/ glasses, middle age - very helpful.”

JPL's Library Board Is Forward Thinking

Mayor Alvin Brown says City departments must be ready for reorganization.  With input from the Capacity Plan, JPL's Library Board will be setting up an action plan for the library.  It will focus on five key areas all staff should be aware of, and we will hear more about this in coming months:

1. Strengthen information delivery.
2. Maintain buildings adequately.
3. Remedy inequities in library service.
4. Stabilize funding.
5. Ensure flexibility in staffing.

These five focus points are posted in front of every Library Board meeting.  JPL owes a BIG thank you to Jim Selzer, Chair, and every Board member for their forward thinking and more than able leadership of this library system in difficult times.

Got Friends? Oh, Yes, We Do!

Barbara Gubbin, our Library Director, says "Thank You's" are important and it's true, appreciation never goes out of style.  Library support flowed in from many directions before and during our recent City Council meeting, September 27, which went into the wee hours of September 28.  Our many vocal supporters helped influence City Council and JPL got back $1.7 million of the original $3.1 million proposed library budget cuts.  Our Friends groups played a big part in our public support.  Why not say "Thank You" to these advocates when you see them--especially considering October 16-22 is National Friends of Libraries Week--as well as any others you know who made that special effort:

Harry Reagan, President of the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library
Virginia Maxted, President, Friends of the Beaches Branch
Alisa Harrell, President, Friends of the Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch
Celia Miller, Graham Branch
Judy Klein, President, Friends of Murray Hill Branch
Alicia Johnson, President, Friends of the Willowbranch Branch

And, if you called or wrote your City Council Member, give yourself a pat on the back.

Northwest's Art Program

Children from local Bradham*Brooks-Northwest area schools (Good Shepherd, For Your Child Only, and Genius Factory) came to the library for a special program in which they painted their very own works of art. Shivon Rockward got the creative juices flowing and Maude Scott sent the teachers back to school with goody bags of library promotional materials as a “Thank You” for attending. The program was a blast with 44 children and 6 adults! For more pictures click here.

50 Years Celebrated for Brown Eastside Branch

It was a bright, sunshiny day as Marshelle Berry, Brown Eastside Branch Manager, welcomed everyone to this library's 50th anniversary celebration, October 5. She introduced former State Sen. Tony Hill, who represented Mayor Alvin Brown. He recounted his "home branch" memories for the approximately 50 people in attendance. Sen. Hill grew up across the street from this library and Willy Dennis, the branch's first manager, encouraged him to read books instead of some of his other after-school activities--and he decided to heed her advice. She told him reading could take him to higher places in life and when he and Ms. Dennis attended Pres. Clinton's inauguration years later, Sen. Hill reminded Ms. Dennis of her admonition.

Sen. Hill read Mayor Brown's proclamation commemorating the library's 50th anniversary and declaring October 5, 2011, as Brown Eastside Branch Library Day.

He noted that he and Councilman Dr. Johnny Gaffney had played football together in this neighborhood and were best friends, and then introduced him to speak.

CM Dr. Johnny Gaffney stressed that he was passionate about his service as a City Councilman. He said he owed his success to the good Lord and one of the things that contributed to his pursuing a Ph.D. in education was the Brown Eastside Branch Library. He said, "We cannot afford to let this library shut down," and was glad when Ms. Berry asked him to speak at this event.

Charlotte Brown Osgood, daughter of Raiford Allen Brown, Sr., for whom this library was named, said several members of the Brown family had travelled far to attend this celebration. Her father advocated for the community and implored City Council to put a library in this neighborhood. Subsequently, Eastside Branch was built and dedicated, August 12, 1961. (It was renovated in 1992 and expanded under The Better Jacksonville Plan in 2004.) Mrs. Osgood said Maryanne Pearson, who retired from JPL as department head for the Main Library's Business, Science, and Documents Department years later, had been Willy Dennis' first assistant at Brown Eastside, and she also was in attendance. Mrs. Osgood thanked everyone who made this library possible and said the fight for libraries is not over.

Mrs. Osgood dedicated a book she brought for Brown Eastside, Remembering Neighborhoods of Jacksonvile, Florida: Oakland, Campbell's Addition, East Jacksonville, and Fairfield: the African-American Influence, by Mary F. Mungen Jameson.

Library Director Barbara Gubbin and Jim Selzer, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees, also spoke and thanked the Brown family, legislators, and all who attended and cared deeply about Brown Eastside Branch.

Mr. Selzer presented CM Dr. Gaffney with a book for the Eastside Branch, The Mentor Leader, by Tony Dungy, which will be dedicated in his honor. Mr. Selzer expressed appreciation to all City Council members who supported JPL in the recent budget process that effected $1.7 million being restored to JPL from the original $3.1 million FY2012 budget cut. He said the speakers for this event had emphasized the value of Brown Eastside Branch Library in the successes they attained and they seemed to think of this library as a second home--and so all of our libraries should be considered by customers.

He asked Jackie Perry, Library Board Trustee, to speak and Ms. Perry said she grew up a few blocks from her "home branch", Brown Eastside, and was pleased to serve on the Library Board.

The Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library members donated refreshments of cake, ice cream, and punch, which everyone enjoyed at the close of Brown Eastside Branch Library's 50th anniversary celebration.

Photos will be added here when they are ready.

Staff Profile

Marilyn Jordan, West Regional's Clerical Services Supervisor, won the third quarter Model the Way and Employee of the Quarter awards--and for no small accomplishments. Both Jane Harris, WST's Branch Manager, and Ron Block, Circulation Services Coordinator, recognized her proficiency in cash handling procedures and asked Marilyn to illustrate them to JPL employees who need training in balancing accounts for all monetary transactions.

Ron Block asked her to illustrate and explain her cash handling procedures, processes, procedures and financial paper work to City auditors. She was appointed chair of the Cash Handling Committee and worked diligently to develop written procedures that can be clearly and accurately conveyed to library personnel. Marilyn has trained all WST staff and those from other JPL locations in reading and correlating audit reports with daily financial statements, but let's hear the story in Marilyn Jordan's own words:

Q: You saw a need for JPL staff to have a uniform way to account for monetary transactions. How did you propose to solve this need and get supervisory approval to use your cash handling methods?

A: I was approached by a member of JPL Administration and asked to work on a team with other JPL employees, both from Public Service and JPL Finance, plus team members from ASD to create a uniform way of handling money at all JPL libraries. The team members--Charlene Ovshak, Donna Crowther, Cindy Chism, Bill Schaefer, Renee Frederick, Mary Namala--and I worked very hard to create a JPL cash handling manual that was manageable and would account for all the ways that the library is unique as a City agency. We also made sure that our manual was in line with the City's cash handling policy.

Q: Did you write cash handling procedures "from scratch" for JPL based on City cash handling policy, or revise procedures that were already in place?

A: We used the old JPL cash handling manual as a guideline. After we revised and added everything we thought was pertinent we compared our proposed manual to the City's cash handling manual to make sure we were not violating any City policy. We had to make some changes and additions; overall, however, we streamlined what was already in place.

The biggest challenge we faced was writing VCA and copier procedures. From Bil Schaefer we realized the old copier form we had always filled out really did not tell us what we needed to know. Bill created a new copier log form and instruction guide that makes copier collection much easier.

Q: What advice, if any, did the City auditors have for your proposed guidelines?

A: The auditors advised us that our manual should be in sync with the City's cash handling manual and to be sure we had policies in place that would ensure that we are good stewards of the taxpayer's money.

We implemented checks and balances on all cash handling duties so JPL staff can see at a glance if there is a problem. The new copier log sheet, the VCA report, and the daily audit are some of the tools provided to help employees with daily cash handling responsibilities.

Q: Which branch employees have you trained in cash handling and do you plan to continue this training for JPL?

A: I have worked with all of the reference staff at West Regional on proper cash handling. I've also worked with employees from several other branches on general cash handling duties and how to use the daily audit as a tool to see if your money is really balanced. I am a huge proponent of consistency throughout the system, so if I am asked to provide training, I will be happy to comply. Employees I have worked with thus far seem to have benefited from the training I have provided.

Q: Who is your favorite author and why?

A: My favorite author is Janet Evanovich because she makes me laugh out loud. When I'm reading her books I always have a smile on my face.

Prime Time Is Prime Example of JPL's Great Service to Families

Kathy Tekin, Library Supervisor for Youth Services, reports that the Prime Time Family Reading Time Program has returned to JPL and this series will be hosted at Webb Wesconnett Branch, running from September 27 & 28 through November 8 & 9. They have enjoyed a successful recruitment of families that will participate in the two-day weekly program that spans six weeks. Attendance the first week boasted 24 family members on Tuesday and 23 family members on Wednesday, and a few more families have registered since September 28.

Additionally, Prime Time scheduled new storytellers--Debra Keels and Robert Kelly--and scholars--Dr. Elizabeth Furdell and Lisa Wells--for this six week session.

Patricia Putman and Carly Guidry with Florida Humanities Council will be at CW's October 11 Prime Time and are meeting staff members from Three Rivers Regional Library System to observe JPL's program.

Teens + Harry Potter Event = Big Success At AR

In July, the Regency Square Branch Library hosted a Harry Potter After Hours event for teens. This event was planned and executed by their Teen Anime & Activity Committee (TAAC), pictured at left. This group of young people worked hard to make this event a success. In addition to planning for the big night, they set up, manned games, conducted activities, monitored themselves and the area for clean-up needs, prepared and served refreshments that included endless cups of butter beer--and then helped clean up after the 37 attendees. Rita Vernon, AR Librarian, reported that they were great about reporting clean-up needs and helping her and other staff members, including those who came from other branches to assist.

Their enthusiasm for this project was so catching that they inspired staff and parents to donate food, time, and attendance at the function. The team's hard work has been recognized with an R&R nomination for a 4th quarter Team Award. Team members included Daniel Jefferson, TAAC President and Vice President, respectively, Devon Quattlebaum and Carlisha Jeminson; TAAC Treasurer Joshua Bertrand, TAAC Advisors Robert Wing and Kathryn McMurtry; Jack Godsey; Donna Leonardy; and DeAngelo Demps.

NW STAFF VISITS ALL ASSIGNED SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER

Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch kicked off the school year by participating in a big celebration at the annual Carter G. Woodson Elementary's (CGWE) Community Day on Saturday, August 20. Library Associate Gloria Buenavista (pictured left at a school display table) and Part-time Library Clerk Annie Norris met with 260+ students and parents at the event and promoted library programs and services--everything from Live Homework Help to Zumba classes.

In the month of September, staff attended three open house events at local elementary and middle schools. In addition to CGWE, they visited all of their other assigned schools--16 in all! These schools were presented with informational packets about library events, programs, and services.

Great accomplishment!

Kaherine Day Retires After 23 Years at JPL

Katherine Day, Librarian at Beaches Branch, finishes her long tenure at JPL, September 23, and the Beaches employees honored her with a retirement party on the 14th.

Katherine had this to say about her visions of carefree days, "My plans are to put in a winter vegetable garden (organic, with raised beds) in our back yard; plant some flowers around the place, now that I can tend them; spend time with my husband, kids and granddaughters; read, make jewelry and sew-- and dust off the pressure-cooker because we’ll be eating beans again! I will also grow my healing ministry. And in the spring, Doug and I intend to go to France. It has been a desire of his since he was a kid. So, April in Paris, anyone?"

All of us wish you the very best in all you endeavors, Katherine. We will miss you.

Argyle Programs Are Packed with People and Goodies

Noah Thomas, Libray Clerk II, who started with a 11:00 am Toddler Story Time on Thursdays at the Argyle Branch, has been such a hit with the kids and parents that she now has to offer two toddler times on Thursdays. On average Noah has 60 participants for both programs.

Aracelis Diaz, Children’s Library Assistant, began her weekly After-School Program two weeks ago. The first week she had 20 participants and they played Wii and board games. Last week she had 15 participants and they used their creativity to make candy sushi. They used rice crispy treats for the rice and various candies were put on top of the roll, then topped it off by dipping their candy sushi in chocolate syrup. Ummmm. Does that sound good!

Kudos from Customers

MAIN – CHILDREN’S: “Ms. Laura's (Minnich) story time is well prepared and the crafts are wonderful. She has brought education to her work. My kid began to brush teeth after a tooth story time from her.”

MAIN – REFERENCE & PERIODICALS: “I was helped by a very nice gentleman. … I asked a question and, like a professional, he retrieved the information and handed it to me. I was so grateful. … Mr. Greg Royce, your candor is greatly appreciated.”

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: “Customer Service: Randy (Mapanoo) was extremely helpful! Thank you.

UNIVERSITY PARK BRANCH: (In response to Counting Opinions Question: “What are you most satisfied with (staff)?” Answer: “Ms. Mina (Figuerrez).”

WEBB WESCONNETT: “Thank you so much for finding and holding my ID and Social Security card. Thank you, Vickie (Leonard)!”

Staff Profile

Graduates of the Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute (SSLLI), Samantha Helfrich, Librarian Senior at Murray Hill Branch, and Laura Minnich, Librarian Senior in the Main Library's Children's Department, each had to complete a project as part of the requirements for graduating from this one year program.

Samantha's project was "to plan a project and write an LSTA grant proposal that will enable the system to evolve a small community library branch from a traditional library space to a learning and information commons. This space will provide the community with greater access to technology, digital literacy training and educational resources. These tools will help customers from a lower socio-econonimic neighborhood bridge the digital divide and promote access and education in the digital age."

Since Laura was the subject of JPL Staff News September 2009 "Staff Profile", we thought it would be fair to ask Samantha to share her experiences as she worked on completing the SSLLI program.

Q: Please tell us about SSLLI and why it is useful to public librarians.

A: The Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute is a year long program offered by the State Library to train library professionals to be tomorrow’s library leaders. It is an intensive series of courses that helps to give meaning to all those leadership practices we hear about on a regular basis, and give library staff a practical tool box for the workplace and community.

Q: Why did you decide to apply for the SSLLI program and how has that benefited you professionally?

A: I had always heard good things about the institute, and when the application was forwarded to me, I decided to apply. Moreover, the mission of the institute spoke to the skills I felt would better equip me to take charge of my professional development. As a new senior in a small branch library, it provided a great deal of insight and perspective to experiences I was having for the first time, and it gave me a greater sense of community with professionals outside the system.

Q: Your project changed as you went through the program; please share with us how that evolved as you worked through it at Murray Hill.

A: When I applied to the institute, I was a teen librarian and the focus of my project reflected a need I saw in young adult services. However, by the time I started the program, I had been transferred to Murray Hill Branch, and as the senior librarian, my focus shifted to needs of the local community and the ways the branch could better address customer needs with online job seeking training and digital literacy skills.

Q: What positive results were effected at Murray Hill due to your efforts on your SSLLI project?

A: Quite candidly, without knowing the outcome on the LSTA grant application, it is hard to tell what the long- term impact will be for the branch. However, working on the grant helped me gain a clearer understanding of what our customers are looking for and what the need is in the community. It helped the branch to identify programs and partnerships we could offer, i.e. personalized computer classes, partnering with WorkSource, and e-government assistance.

Q: What is your favorite leisure time activity?

A: I love all things related to travel. I love to read about it, research places I would like to visit, and agonize over where to go when I have the time to take a vacation.