State Rep. McBurney & Director Gubbin Join Fun At KR Storytime

State Representative Charles McBurney and his staff visited the 10:15  am Stories for Young Children program on Thursday, September 25, at the Mandarin Branch Library.  Representative McBurney is a big supporter of the library and he was absolutely terrific interacting with the families and the staff.  He and Library Associate Alison Pulley make a great story time team.   Administrative Assistant Adam Miller shared his memories of coming to Mandarin as a child and was particularly pleased that  the Mandarin Dragon was still here.  On hand to show their support and join in the story time fun were Library Director Barbara Gubbin, SE Region Manager Michael Sullivan, and SE Region Youth Services Manager Anita Haller. 

Mr. & Mrs. Sangani Are New U. S. Citizens W/124 Others

Mr. and Mrs. Mitesh Sangani became United States citizens, September 26, 2014, along with 118 others, in a ceremony presented by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and JPL’s Center for Adult Learning.  The ceremony was conducted at the Main Library’s Conference Center, which Mitesh manages.  Mitesh was proud to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Library Director Barbara Gubbin gave the  welcome address and Betzy Santiago, Special Assistant to the Mayor and International Officer for the City of Jacksonville, was the keynote speaker.  Ms. Santiago also presented Mr. and Mrs. Sangani with a congratulatory letter from Mayor Alvin Brown on their new citizenship.  The letter also acknowledged Mitesh’s impressive experience that contributes to his success as Conference Center Manager. 

Susan Olson, USCIS Senior Immigration Services Officer, presided. Roseanne Hill, Immigration Services Officer, made the Presentation of Motion to Naturalize New Citizens; and Lisa Bradley, Jacksonville Field Office Director, administered the Oath of Allegiance.

 

Mitesh and Bhagwati Sangani have two sons, Rohan and Ryan (scroll up the blog; they are pictured on the right), were present for this momentous occasion, and the other new U. S. citizens were cheered on by their friends and families as well.

"Conversations With Courtney" Event Big + For JSO And JPL

 Courtney Lewis, the new Music Director for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, was a hit with a crowd of 100+ who came to hear what they could expect from the young Maestro and get to know him personally during a JPL/JSO partnering event, September 24.                    

Courtney told how he went often after school as a boy to Belfast, Ireland's public library to search out past and present great works of music, particularly old compositions, and learn what other Maestros did that promoted them to greatness. 

 

His favorite books and CDs were on display for the audience to check out on the spot and he touched on a couple of his favorites. (You can find his list at http://tinyurl.com/courtneyslist) 

He spoke about his expectations to attract newcomers to JSO performances and old scores to be played, as well as new ones, that he believes will be interesting to various segments of our multicultural population. 

 

To conclude the event, Director Barbara Gubbin presented Courtney with his own Jacksonville Public Library card.

 

Big Announcement: JSO offers a special discount for JPL cardholders to save 50% on concert tickets in October.  Use the code JAXLIB when ordering online at www.jaxsymphony.org or when calling the box office at 354-5547. 

JPL Wins Golden Apple Award

Congratulations to our Training Department for helping JPL win the Golden Apple Award from NEFLIN for sending the most employees to training. Library Director Barbara Gubbin was proud to receive the award at the NEFLIN Annual Meeting recently and is shown here sharing it with Mike Shell, JPL Training Coordinator and Diane Alexander, Training Library Assistant.

UPK's 10th Anniversary Party - Come One, Come All!

University Park Branch Library Manager Theresa Rooney and staff offer this personal welcome to all JPL employees, friends and families to attend UPK's 10th anniversary celebration.  UPK is located at 3435 University Boulevard (about eight blocks north of JU, on the right).  :

"The staff of the University Park Branch Library would like to invite all  JPL staff to visit and help celebrate our 10^th Anniversary on Saturday, October 4^th. We are having a Community Open House from 11-2 with free coffee and donuts from the Donut Shoppe (an Arlington institution since 1962 and winner of the “Best Donut in Jacksonville” poll by The Florida Times-Union in 2012). We expect the branch to be a beehive of activity with approximately 14 community organizations doing outreach (see flyer for participating organizations) and our CAL and computer classrooms open for demonstrations. Tree Hill is bringing a snake and JFRD will have a fire truck in the parking lot outside the branch."

"Our program with elected officials will begin at noon with a welcome by Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, Library Board Chair, and remarks by Director Barbara Gubbin, Councilman Bill Bishop and Councilman John Crescimbeni, the presentation of a City Council Resolution to the branch and a Florida Library Award presentation to Senator Audrey Gibson. We will have some great door prizes, including gift certificates from the Donut Shoppe and area restaurants, donations from several of our vendors and two Jaguar tickets. Winners must be present to win."

Kudos From Customers

Argyle Branch: I love this library. The staffs are very friendly and are always willing to help, especially (Janet) Ducat - wonderful lady.

Mandarin Branch:  Don Carpenter was a big help with citations.

Support Services:  Donna (Peretzman) knew the subject, was very professional, and verified we understood what she was teaching.

Southeast Branch: I was in the SE branch yesterday and the librarian on duty at the front desk was doing a super job despite some "difficult" customers and a long waiting line.  She was very professional, helpful and her ability to handle competing priorities/numerous unhappy people was truly commendable. (Even though the employee is not named, this is so exceptional for a customer to notice, it is being posted.)

 West Regional Branch: …Jason Enoex is a big asset to the library. He is so helpful and very nice. I am happy to know him.

Gloria Bunevista Celebrates 10 Years w/JPL

 NW's Teen Library Associate,Gloria Bunevista, receives her 10 year service pin from her Region Manager, Marshelle Berry on September 18, 2014.  Thank you for all those years, Gloria.

JPL Board of Trustees Update

Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, right, passes the gavel to the new Chair of the Board of Library Trustees, Erin Skinner.   Dr. Brenda Simmons-Hutchins will now be the Board's liaison with the JPL Foundation.  Her devoted service as the Board's Chair is very much appreciated, and we welcome Mrs. Skinner as the new Chair. 

Delores Walker Wins Innovator Award

Graham Branch Library Clerk, Delores Walker, was presented with her Innovator Award, September 15, by GB Manager Jackie Spiritas.  Delores planned for months, garnered businesses, volunteeers, and staffs to see the "Unique Boutique" at GB a reality again this year.  Resut:  200+ children received school supplies and clothing.  All this, and she still performed her daily duties. (See the article here about "Unique Boutiqe", posted August 15, 2014.)

Congratulations, Delores!

 

NW Manager Elaine Randolph Retires

                     All the very best to you, Elaine, always.            

Many of us would have liked to join those who came to bid a sad/glad farewell (glad for her, sad for us) to Elaine Randolph at a lunch held in her honor at Monroe's Smokehouse Barbeque, September 15.  In the photo above (L/R) are Marshelle Berry, Guy Adkins, Stephanie Harley, Sharon Kirkes, Michelle Petrin, Raymond Neal, and Elaine Randolph in front.  The Friends of NW also paid tribute to Elaine's tireless support over the years on September 11 during a covered dish dinner held in her honor by employees.

Planning The New JPL Staff Association

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Marshelle Berry, Region Manager, sent this photo of several members of the JPL Staff Association Planning Committee--(L/R) Kimberly McTeer, Cory Scott, Leslie Patterson and Stephanie Harley--as they review a draft copy of the Membership Brochure. Stay tuned for more updates.

KR Celebrates September Birthdays

On September 11,  the staff at the Mandarin Branch Library threw a surprise birthday party for three employees who celebrated their birthday in September --  Library Associate Alison Pulley, Library Associate Don Carpenter (center) and Library Assistant Robert Moseley.  It was a great party!

 KR Manager Lynne Baldwin said, "A big thank you to Sara Peretzman (with help from Jessica Jones for organizing the celebration --  decorations, refreshments and gifts." 

Ms. Wilson Receives 10 Year Service Pin

Library Assistat Tyhedra Wilson (left), works in the Main Library's Circulation department.  Tyhedra received her 10 year service pin today from Cynthia Simmons, Library Clerical Services Supervisor.  Congratulations, Tyhedra!

Incredible India Meets SOM

Leslie Patterson (2nd from left), a clerk at South Mandarin Branch, planned a hit program, September 6, and 70 people were charmed by the Indian dancers from Renuka's Indian Dance Academy.  An India storyteller, Mr. Garge, was no less spellbinding as he read to the children and all enjoyed a craft, henna tattooing, and refreshments topped of the event (donated by House of Spices India Cuisine Art.)

 

A Challenge From KR

Library Assistant Robert Moseley created a sign connecting the name of each person working at Mandarin to show the power of team work.  Branch Manager Lynne Baldwin challenges the other branches and departments to show their awesome teamwork by connecting their names.

India Comes To KR and SOM

Mandarin Library Clerk Shukti Banerjee and her daughter, Dayita, stopped by the  Mandarin Branch Library on September 6 to show the staff their beautiful traditional Indian dress.  Shukti and Dayita were on their way to an Indian Festival program at the South Mandarin Branch.

Staff Profile - September 2014

Robert Moseley started with JPL in May 2000 working part-time in Technical Services (now SST), as he puts it, “slapping labels on books.”  After six months, he worked in Acquisitions, receiving and packaging new materials to go to branches. Robert moved to Distribution in 2002, making daily deliveries and driving the Bookmobile for 2 ½ years.  Then he passed the Library Assistant exam and worked in Main/Circulation until spring 2007, and subsequently laterally transferred to Main/Teen and was there until October 2011, when he was promoted to Clerical Supervisor at Mandarin Branch. Due to budget cuts, Robert demoted to a Library Assistant in October 2012, and was sent to Main/Popular. After 6 months in Popular, he transferred back to Mandarin where he is today—and where Robert had an idea that management thought would improve customer service system wide.  We thought you would like to know how that clever idea evolved into a reality.  

Q: What sparked an interest in you to change the way library cash register receipts are configured?

A: One day I looked at the receipt from the customer’s point of view, and I thought to myself, “Is there a way that we can change the way the receipts are printed so customers can see what they paid for?” So I did a little research, found the manual to the registers, and discovered that you could indeed change the registers and with Ron Block’s and my manager, Lynne Baldwin’s, approvals, I tested a cash register and found it’s not that hard to change one. With that assurance, I wrote an instruction sheet and sent it to Ron, and he distributed it. Now the registers say Fines, Non Resident Cards (Non Res Cards for short, due to small space on the receipts), Lost Materials, Damaged Materials, Library Bags, Lost Cards, Guest Pass, Printing, Donations, VCA, Jamex (rarely used), and Misc.

Q: How did you persuade KR Manager Lynne Baldwin, and then Circulation Manager Ron Block that reconfiguring JPL cash registers would be beneficial?

A: I explained that defining exactly what a customer paid for on the receipt would benefit customers and staff and I explained how it could easily be done, and Lynne could see the advantages of the change and approved my proposal right away.  She asked me to please ask Ron first. I emailed Ron for approval, and he responded within 5 minutes: YES!!  

Q: You also created a manual so other libraries could easily reconfigure their cash registers, if the change went system wide.  Tell us about that.

I am more of a visual learner, so I created a step-by-step instruction sheet with LOTS of pictures to easily guide staff in changing a cash register.

Q: When did the new configuration of cash registers take effect and what steps were made to get the changes system wide?

A: From approval to test my idea, to completion of the instruction sheet, it took about a week. I emailed the instructions to Ron, and he sent them to the branches right away, and the system wide changes were made within a month.

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby or care to tell us who your favorite author is?

A: Spending every second I can at home with my daughter is No. 1. Once she’s in bed, I’m on my computer playing MMORPG (Massively multiplayer online role-playing games).  The game I’m playing right now is Star Wars: The Old Republic. My favorite author is Joseph Delaney, author of the Last Apprentice series.

SE Wecomes Back To School

Southeast Branch shares their Back to School decorations with us. Appropriate signage with appealing art addressed such things as bullying (see first sign on left) below alphabet; then "raise your hand" kept the mood light.  Overall the signs and  props are delightful and would make even the somber soul smile and want to look at everything displayed. 

 

Thanks to Deborah Wainwright for making going back to school an adventure.

Sad News

Mrs. Carole Smith, a JPL retiree, phoned today to say that Mr. Larry Snook passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital here in Jacksonville, September 1, 2014.  No funeral arrangements or other information is available at this time.

Mr. Snook was Assistant Director under Library Director Harry Brinton.

Our sincere sympathy to Mr. Snook's family and friends

Friends of Brentwood Library Have A Big Bash

The Friends of Brentwood Library put smiles on the faces of children, parents, public officials  and even public safety officers with the help of a few fabulous community partners.  FOBL presented a Back to School Bash at the Brentwood Library, August 15, 2014.  It was an afternoon of fun, food and information.  Parents and children queued up inside for the backpack give-away where they were treated to words of encouragement by Councilwoman Group 1 At-Large Kimberly Daniels, and a short presentation on The New Core Curriculum by a representative of DCPS’ Parent Academy.  Parents were encouraged to attend the educational sessions before the giveaway began. Then 124 backpacks were distributed to an appreciative group of parents and students.  Meanwhile, in the downstairs meeting room there was beading and foam jewelry making fun, and 35 youth participated in the crafts program conducted by our youth librarian Michelle Petrin.  The church across the street from the library allowed the Friends to use their parking lot for the outside activities. 

The fire department brought the big red truck and JSO brought the K-9 unit as well as the bike safety unit.  The officers directed traffic as customers crossed the street to pet the dog and climb into the fire truck.  Another local church provided hotdogs, chips, and drinks for 200 people.  There was jump rope fun and a hula hoop contest judged by Navy Federal Credit Union staff.  The Credit Union provided the prizes for that contest.  FOBL founder Sharon Coon stated “I’m very pleased that we’re able to serve so many people”.  She gave certificates of appreciation to all the volunteers.  Betty Williams, Library Associate and David Stevenson, part-time Clerk helped with the backpack giveaway, Michelle Petrin did the beading class and Gloria Armstrong took pictures.  Our little staff did our part  to help with the back to school bash and continued to Get to Yes with our other customers.  Betty Williams says, "Thank you all for your hard work, everyone.  We were tired but smiling at the end of the day."
In addition to providing monetary and volunteer support to the programs presented by the Brentwood Library staff, FOBL has identified three events they will plan and present this calendar year. The Back to School Bash was one of those events.  (Thanks to Betty Williams for this article.)