Friends of Brentwood Library Highlight Needs At NS

Staff of the Brentwood Library was presented with a beautiful floral centerpiece following a luncheon held by the Friends of Brentwood Library, April 28.  The event was a fundraiser and volunteer recruitment opportunity for the group.  Their goal is to strengthen community partnerships and support programs at the branch.  A group of 38 people attended the event, hosted by Chanel 12's Investigative Reporter (better known as a great consumer advocate), Ken Amaro.  Deputy Director Carolyn Shehee Williams brought greetings from the library.

Pictured L to R:  John Reazer, FOBL Secretary; Margaret Miles, NS; Aquilla Stewart, NS; Sharon Coon, FOBL Founder/Chair; Gloria Armstrong, NS; Betty Williams, NS; Carolyn Williams, JPL; and Florence Rush-White, FOBL President.  Thanks to Patricia A. Morrison, Library Supervisor, Urban Library Centers, for this article.

Here Comes Comic Con!

 

                                                               On Sunday, April 27, Beaches Branch Library participated in the 68^th annual Opening Of The Beaches Parade. Julie Rekow (Hit Girl) and Terry Welch (radioactive Librarian) were joined by Richard Crook, President of the Friends Of The Beaches Branch Library, (Batman) and his son Noah (Robin) advertising the upcoming Comic Con, May 3. Also walking were Superheroes from Superhero Beach Comic Book Store who is partnering with JB. Once again, a good time was had by all!

Hable Espanol?

Bob Silkett, PCR Region Manager, reports that University Park Branch began computer classes in Spanish in April and UPK employees expects a growing attendance.  Part-time E-Specialist Luis Terron teaches this class. 

Welcome, Mr. Whighams!

Kimberly McTeer at Westbrook Branch brags about a customer who brightens every employee's day when he visits, "Mr. Whighams is one of our favorite customers.  When he comes in, he always has a smile on his face and says he had a call that his DVDs were ready for pickup.  The staff can do nothing but laugh.  He also treats us with fruits and his favorite drink, Coke, every month.  We love Mr. Whighams and we know he loves the staff at WBK.  Thanks, Mr. Whighams!"

Argyle Branch Into Easter For April

During April, each of Argyle Branch’s regular children’s programs particularly “Stories for
Preschoolers” and “Krafty Fingerz”, both hosted by Library Associate Senior Tia Samuels and Library Assistant Melanee Terrell, all focused on the theme of Easter.  Celebratory activities included reading of the book, Little White Rabbit, by Kevin Henkes, followed by the creation of the children’s own little white Easter bunnies, Easter egg finger painting art projects, and construction of a poster size Happy Easter egg collage created by our school aged children.  The month’s cheerful activities culminated in a popular Easter Egg hunt for 5-12 years olds.  The Easter Egg Hunt included games, crafts, light refreshments and prizes with a whopping 60+ attendees and participants.

New Citizens Ceremony At Mandarin Branch

KR Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin had the pleasure of hosting a group of VIPs and a ceremony to welcome new citizens of the U.S., "The United States Citizenship and Immi- gration Service hosted a    Naturali-  zation Ceremony at Mandarin Branch Library on Tuesday, April 15, as a part of National Library Week.  It was standing room only as 56 immigrants from 26 different countries were sworn in as United States citizens.  Among the honored guests were City Councilman Matt Schellenberg (L/R), Library Director Barbara Gubbin, Library Board Trustee Guy Anderson, Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees, and SE Region Supervisor Michael Sullivan.  The library staff decorated the branch with red, white and blue balloons and served a huge cake decorated as a United States flag.  Congratulations to all of the new United States citizens!"

Presidential Award Made To JPL Volunteer

Pablo Creek Library Associate Janice Adams announced some good news about one of JPL's volunteers, "In April 2014, Forrest “Frosty” Schuneman received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award that includes a certificate, lapel pin, and a letter from President Barak Obama thanking Mr.Schuneman for his service to the community. He began volunteering at the Beaches Branch in 2012 and now spends time helping at both the Beaches and Pablo Creek Branches. Frosty is a dedicated volunteer and is much appreciated by JPL employees."

It Pays To Be A Favorite, First, Unique And FUN!

First Look Book Club (a Random House initiative) is a book discovery tool that offers snippets of new books to its email subscribers. In celebration of National Library Week, a “Favorite Librarian” contest was held and Terry Welch, Library Clerk at the Beaches Branch, submitted this entry:

"I'd like to nominate Julie Rekow. She is a part-time Library Associate at the Beaches Branch. She was instrumental in our branch having it's first Comic Con last year. It was such a success, we are preparing for our second one, May 3, 2014. It promises to be bigger and better. Julie started The Flamingo Book Club, which has also been very successful and fun. Julie has inspired me to take chances and as a result, I am spearheading an Open House at our branch (our first)..."

Terry reports there were over 70 entries nation-wide and Julie Rekow won!  She received a delectable prize of assorted cookies and muffins. Pictured are Julie Rekow (L) and Terry Welch. (Between Julie and Terry is JB's mannequin mascot, Shirley, in costume for Comic Con.)

Hooray For Mitesh Sangani

Director Barbara Gubbin wants to share a compliment Bart Laird, the City's Personnel Services Manager, paid to Deputy Director Mark Merritt this week regarding Mitesh Sangani.  (Mitesh and his excellent, hard working crew run the Main Library Conference Center.)

" I wanted to thank you and let you know how impressed I was in working with Mitesh last week during the Classification Study meetings.  He had everything set up and ready to go and went out of his way to ensure everything went well. He even went the extra mile to ensure we were able to get a video copy of the presentation in the format that we needed.  I think is a great example of the service that we should strive to give citywide.  He is a great ambassador for the library and city to customers that utilize the conference center and meeting rooms."

Milicia Thomas Gets Study Buddy

CR and M Assistant Director Kathy Lussier (R) passes the Jaguar Study Buddy she recently received to Milicia Thomas at Main's circ desk.  Kathy said,
"Recently I was checking out a book on CD and having problems getting it positioned correctly in the self-check machine. I kept getting an error message, so I went to the desk to have them scan it.  Rather than just taking it from me and doing it herself, Milicia asked me if I had a minute, she would show me a trick. She walked back to the machine with me and showed me how to position it differently so the scanner got a better "read" of the bar code and the item checked out successfully.  She was kind and patient during the process and she was smart, too--by taking the time to show a customer how to do it, there's a better chance the customer will continue to use the self-check machines in the future. Plus, I walked away with a positive impression of library staff.  What a great way to 'Get to Yes!'"

E-Classroom Dedication at NW

April 17 was a big day for Olga L. Bradham and Etta L. Brooks Branch Library. Branch Manager Elaine Randolph and her employees welcomed a host of VIPs and all enjoyed seeing a full house at the new e-classroom ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was part of JPL's celebration of National Library Week.

Above is City Council President Bill Gulliford ( L) with Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins holding the City Council resolution he presented to highlight the many ways our libraries support the community. Council members Greg Anderson and Denise Lee and Friends of JPL President Harry Reagan look on. 

CM E. Denise Lee said digital literacy is vital to customers' myriads of needs and imperative for job seekers. CM Lee helped make Bradham Brooks a reality and it is special to her. She plans to take an adult technology class there soon.

Outfitted with 10 computers, an interactive whiteboard and projector system, the e-classroom will be used to teach introductory and intermediate classes including MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, keyboarding, etc. Classes for e-instruction, e-government services, downloading e-books, and tech device usage also will be offered.

The project was funded by the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library and a State Aid to Libraries grant. With eight JPL locations, the e-classrooms support the library’s goal to bring computer accessibility and technology skills to more people in the community.

Participating in the ribbon-cutting (above L/R) : City Council President Bill Gulliford; Friends of JPL President Harry Reagan, CM E. Denise Lee, CW Region Manager Marshelle Berry, CM Greg Anderson,  Board Chair Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, Director Barbara Gubbin and Branch Manager Elaine Randolph. Seated in the foreground (L) is Velma Rounsville of the Citizen Planning Advisor Committee. To the right (back to camera) is Joyce Smith, Friends of the Bradham Brooks "Northwest" Branch Library, and smiling proudly is Branch Manager Elaine Randlolph. 

Last but not least (below), meet E-classroom teacher Shinita Miles:
 

Graham Branch entertains Jax Zoo's Wild Ones

Miss Michelle from the Jacksonville Zoo visited Graham Branch, April 23, bearing some of their “friends”.  Seventeen children and caregivers from Kidz Korner enjoyed close encounters with a baby alligator (seen here), baby boa constrictor, opossum, turtle, rabbit, and a blue-tongued lizard. A wild time was had by all!

Gretchen Mitchell Makes Kathy Lussier's Day

Community Relations and Marketing Assistant Director Kathy Lussier received a pleasant surprise recently and said, "Gretchen Mitchell presented me with the 'Get to Yes' mascot.  In her note she said, 'You have BLASTed to the top in your ability to find workable solutions.'  I feel very honored to have earned the privilege of having Jackson de Ville hanging out with me these past few days, but it's time to send him along to another JPL employee." 

Congratulations, Kathy!  A well deserved kudo.

NS Friends Help Make Fun Program

The Friends of the Brentwood Library presented staff with a sour cream coconut covered lamb cake for National Library Week.  Here you see the lamb demurely nestled between the clues and prizes the branch used for its card catalogue scavenger hunt.

 

On April 18, 30 youth participated in the “Egg Stravaganza" as it was called.  Tweens to teens randomly selected a clue which they entered into the card catalogue.  When they found the item on the shelf, an egg containing either the words "goody bag" or "prize" was hidden behind each item.  Younger children could select an egg and take a chance to win a special prize or goody bag.  Everyone was a winner!

The movie "Thor" was shown that day, too, and attendees were treated to popcorn and a drink.  (Thanks to Brentwood Branch's Betty Williams for this article.) 

Green Is For Growing

Marilyn Jordan boasts of a wonderful morale booster designed by WST's Matisha Williams and it grows on WST's  workroom wall. 

 

Matisha said, "The Positive Tree promotes positive comments from employees. We work together a lot and we see each other's hard work, determination, and team work. But how often do we take the time to say something besides “thank you” or “you are a real hard worker”. Not often with our busy schedule. So the “Leaf Your Co-Worker A Message”, noted on the tree trunk, gives us that opportunity. Two small words or even a paragraph spark encouraging feedback inside the workroom. We have the best staff around and that is why we all mesh together."

Promoting JPL At Mandarin Arts Festival

 
Lynne Baldwin, KR Branch Manager, said, "Inclement weather did not keep library staff from participating in the Mandarin Arts Festival the weekend of April 19-20.  SOM's Margo Crafton and I manned the library table at the Festival all day Sunday which was our day off.  Library staff promoted upcoming library programming, the JPL Newsletter, and sold JPL bags. Quite a few people mentioned the Naturalization Ceremony at Mandarin Branch and the media coverage of the ceremony." 

Pictured are (L/R) KR employees Sara Peretzman, Stacey Van Hoy, and Jessica Jones, who manned the library table at the Festival last Saturday.  Thanks to Olga Bayer, Community Relations and Marketing, for sending in the photo.

Kudos From Customers

Main - Reference:  I …was hoping to locate online information about a deceased Jacksonville resident. The obituary was not online but Guy Adkins was able to locate and provide me with an obituary. This was in spite of the fact that I was off by a couple of weeks on the date of death so it required more searching than anticipated. …What a superior asset he is to the library. …

Mandarin Branch: In a time when hours and wages are being cut, this branch constantly has employees (Lynne Baldwin, Stacey Van Hoy, Don Carpenter, Alison Pulley, Robert Moseley, David Foster, Eric Cusaac, Diane Lewis, and Sara Peretzman) that make going to the Library an absolute pleasure.

Murray Hill Branch:  Erin (Tuzuner) was a big help finding and holding research books for my daughter's project. She also updated our account and showed us the copier.

West Regional Branch: The professionalism of your staff was extremely welcoming. Kudos to you and your team. Thanks, Greg Pierce!

Westbrook Branch: They are always helpful and kind, gracious and honorable staff.  I appreciated every one of them (Kimberly McTeer, Antoinette Walker, and Susan Williamson).

The Fun Of Learning Is In The Teaching

Murray Hill hosted science expert, Sheryl Dwyer from Big Bang Science to do a “Wicked Weather Science” program for kids ages 5-12, April 17.  YA Librarian Chiquita Powell  shares the results, "We had 25 participants who saw Ms. Dwyer use UV beads to demonstrate the effects of UV rays on the skin.  Inside the beads were white; when we went outside the beads turned colors.  She explained they turned colors because of the UV rays from the sun.  Additionally, she explained and demonstrated how hurricanes and tornadoes form.  Using a glass jar with water, a few pieces of confetti, and dish detergent, with the flick of the wrist, they created their own tornado in a jar.  Lastly, using a leaf blower, she demonstrated how powerful hurricanes can be.  Overall the kids and parents learned a lot about science and gained more of an appreciation for our--sometimes--wicked weather." 

 

Everyone enjoyed the program because Ms. Dwyer used simple but amazing "props" to drive home important lessons.

Appreciating The Friends' Appreciation

The staff at the Mandarin Branch Library celebrated National Library Week with delicious cookies from the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library.  Pictured (L/R):  Robert Moseley, Jessica Jones, Sara Peretzman and Eric Cusaac.

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P.S.  The Friends of JPL President Harry Reagan is quoted as having received more than 50 thank-you's from employees.  Way to Go!

Dissolving Language & Cultural Barriers

Graham Branch Manager Jackie Spiritas said, "Our Anime Club meeting, April  14, was a Japanese cultural and educational experience. For those who think it is all gaming, they would be surprised. The program was planned by Library Associate Sharon Whitt and facilitated with the help of Library Clerk Chanika Kimbrough and Volunteer Lanicha McMillan. Eight teens tried their hand at drawing Japanese lettering and learned that each letter represented a word in the Japanese language. They also used chopsticks to eat authentic Japanese noodles prepared in a crock pot, as well as a variety of candy and sweets from Japan. The leftovers were awarded to the teen that could identify what the word or character drawn on the bottom of their noodle bowl represented.