If Not Candy, Pizza, Anyone?

JPL joined other businesses in Downtown Vision's "Trick or Treat on the Street", October 30, 2015. Between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Friday, participating businesses and restaurants set up, either inside or outside their storefronts, and handed out candy, coupons, and other promotional goodies. At the Main Library, each department handed out candy to people in Halloween costumes.

In addition to the "Trick or Treat on the Street," Stephanie Miller and Marie Myers of Main Children's department organized their annual trick-or-treat scavenger hunt.  When trick-or-treaters (up to age 12) went to each department for candy, they had to find the answer to a question on the scavenger hunt. When kids finished the scavenger hunt, they returned to Children's and selected a free book.

Charlie Parks (age 4) came into the Teen Department dressed like a pizza so Laura Minor said she showed him their fun and fully loaded "pizza" that Mia Clark made years ago. Charlie enthusiastically posed for photos.  Great shot, Laura.

Halloween At Main

In part or total costume, (L/R) Lynne Baldwin, Emma Pancho, Tia Samuels, Karen Deas, Kathleen Brunner and Lilia Simonton were ready to treat kids to candy, along with other participating businesses downtown, October 30, 2015.  You can envision their character representations, can't you?

Here's another view of Main staffs who were ready to participate in handing out candy treats. Kathleen Brunner (far left) is, well you know by the halo; Chris Cavan donned a tam and now she's a Frenchwoman; Katie Goldman, to the right of Chris, and Theresa Bascom (far right) dressed as cats, including pointed ears, whiskers and long tails, which the pic does not do justice.  Tammy Billings is a police lady for the day; handcuffs, anyone?

SLEEP ONE HOUR LONGER SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015

YEA!  TIME CHANGES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015, SO SET YOUR CLOCKS B-A-C-K ONE HOUR BEFORE YOU GO TO BED SATURDAY NIGHT. (Remember: "fall back" & "spring forward".)

Spooks Invite Kids To KR For Halloween

SE Region Youth Services Librarian Carisia Rooney and KR's YS Library Associate Alison Pulley are shown frozen solid by these spooks. Obviously, they don't know that these are fun loving ghosts who want to invite kids, tall and small, to come "haunt" the Mandarin Branch with them this Saturday, October 31.

We Remember & Honor Our Heroes

October 29, 2015, Jacksonville's Fire and Rescue Department’s Sea of Blue Fallen Firefighter Memorial March honored local firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Hundreds of off-duty firefighters in full dress uniform marched a 1.5 mile route through the streets of downtown, followed by a few rescue vehicles.  As many as could of City employees (most remembered to wear the requested red for remembrance) took a few minutes to honor these heroes and lined the streets.  The helmets of those killed in the line of duty were held by other firemen in the march.

It was the honor and privilege of a few of us to be there and remember that if it weren't for our firemen, police, military and others who unselfishly take the protective "shield" for our well being, where would we be?

Study Buddy Makes Public Appearance

Librarian II Chris Eaton works in the Talking Book /Special Needs Library and knows how to get double duty out of most anything.  He said, "Some months ago Nate Fuller gave me the Jaguars Study Buddy and told me that I needed to take a picture with it before passing it on to someone else.  

"I never really found a good opportunity until Sunday’s Spirit of the ADA event at the zoo, October 25. So I took a pic of our display table there with Study Buddy (peeping over the table, next to the red bowl) overseeing the table." ...Who's going to get the Study Buddy next, Chris?

Kids Like NW's Halloween Pizza Party

Gloria Buenavista said, "Northwest had an exciting day for preschoolers, October 27.  We planned a Halloween Pizza Party for the kids and they came in costume. They enjoyed storytime with Sheenae and we made a laser maze for them to crawl through and had blocks for the little ones to play with. Thanks to Michelle Petrin for bringing the pizza and candies."

Brentwood Holds Fall Carnival

Betty Williams, NS Library Associate Senior, said, "Brentwood's Fall Carnival, October 20, attracted 70 participants who enjoyed balloon twisting by the Balloon Lady. 'Too cool' teens and some parents also waited in line to wear 'Curious George' and 'Hello Kitty' balloons on their head.  Brent the Library Bear asked participants to guess the number of pompoms in the plastic bear for a prize.  There was a pumpkin toss and some enjoyed tossing balls into pumpkin cutouts for points.  In the Gone Fishin’ game they used a pole to 'fish' for balls to get points, and in the ring toss, rings were thrown over various sized cylinders for points.  There was also a word scramble game using fall words. Prize bags were awarded to the highest scorers and the closest pompom count. 

"Friends of  the Brentwood Library manned some of the game stations and sponsored the hot dogs and drinks. Navy Federal Credit Union manned a game station and gave away frisbees, key chains, and glow necklaces. Staff popped popcorn, cooked hot dogs on the indoor grill, and went downstairs to work the public service desk. A special thank you to our Library Supervisor, Patricia Morrison, for those cute decorated prize bags and candy."

Some Can Wear It; Some Could Not

Director Barbara Gubbin (center) is pictured with two other ladies (identities unknown) at the Friends of the Murray Hill Branch "Dinner with the Dead", Saturday evening, October 24, 2015. Ms. Gubbin dressed as Isadora Duncan, including a long, flowing scarf, which Isadora was famous for wearing. Director Gubbin, however, did not ride home in an open roadster.

Congrats to DU For 30 Years Of Service

Kristi Dorney, Highlands Branch Manager, recaps DU's big day, "Highlands Regional Library celebrated 30 years of service, October 24, with the theme 'Preserving Our Past, Forward to the Future'. Guests were greeted at the front door by friendly scarecrows who complemented the library's fall decorations.The celebration included a ribbon cutting for DU's new E-classroom, face painting, clowns, balloon twisting, crafts, and door prizes. Everyone enjoyed delicious sweets (including the 30th anniversary cake) and drinks served with a background of 1980's music. 

L/R are Board Trustee Mario Payne, CM Katrina Brown, Board Chair Erin Skinner, Director Barbara Gubbin, and DU Branch Manager Kristi Dorney are pictured at the E-classroom ribbon cutting. Region Manager Jane Harris and Executive Assistant Andrew Herron also attended,. 

"Councilwoman Katrina Brown presented the branch with a resolution of service from the City Council. After remarks from Board Chair Erin Skinner, she and CM Brown cut the ribbon for the E-classroom. 

"I wish to thank my staff at the Highlands Branch Library for the success of the 30^th Anniversary event. Everyone pitched in to help in some way. I wish to particularly thank Mia Brack for assisting the custodian in cleaning up the huge mess our dumpster diver made just hours before the celebration. The event would not have been so successful but for the incredible vision and hard work of Felecia Battle and her team. Felecia created the theme and vision for the day and Farryn James and Barbara “Bunny” Fritz helped her to realize it. I am so fortunate to have had such a great team for the anniversary. Thank all of you so much."

Thanks to  Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop for the pics.

Beautiful Listeners To A Fish Story

Margaret (Peggy) Crawford, Brentwood Branch's YS Librarian III, tells us,  "Eighteen children, some of NS’s favorite patrons, participated in our Read for the Record program recently.  They listened to Not Norman, A Goldfish Story, by Kelly Bennet. The youth from the All About Kids preschool are regular attendees at our Stories for Young Children programs."

Who Woulda Thunk?

Alison Pulley reports, "Mandarin Branch Library created a Read for the Record Display featuring the title character, Norman the goldfish. Books detailing the care and keeping of pet fish were a surprising hit and flew off of the shelves the whole month long." 

Scarecrows Don't Scare But Do Make Kids Smile

Eastside entertained 25 students during the “Fall Into Eastside” program, October 23. EB welcomed the fall season as students engaged in poetry reading with expression, a candy corn race, a candy apple craft, and a scarecrow building competition while sipping apple cider.  The scarecrow competition winner was Scarecrow Freddie in the purple attire. (Thanks to  Sharon Whitt for the blurb and pic.)

EB Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Jumpstart

Sharon Whitt, Library Associate Lead at Brown Eastside, sent this recap of a milestone, "October 22, 2015, EB participated in the 10^th anniversary of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record global campaign to generate public support for high-quality early learning and encouraged 32 patrons (accounting for 13% of visitors to EB that day) to read Not Norman: A Goldfish Story. The readers were able to post a signed picture of Norman the goldfish on the promotional poster after reading. 

Leery Of The Eerie Until We Get The Facts

Library Associate Christie Rogers said, "SOM entertained 15 parents and children in our Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood program, October 21, 2015. Marsha Daniels, a local bat enthusiast, shed some light, including pictures and videos, on some nocturnal creatures: bats. The children were excited to talk about bats, learn what they like to eat, and how they benefit people (among other habits, they eat mosquitoes)."

One More For Very Good Measure

 
Accountant Senior Nellie Harnisch, who works at the Main Library in the Finance department, celebrated a wonderful addition to their family, October 5, 2015. Nellie's daughter, Juliette Wooten, and husband, Clay, presented their daughter, Alexandria, with a brother, Sidney.  

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU FROM ALL OF US!

Boo From Who?

BOO to you from Alison Pulley, David Foster (pictured), and Frances Wickes at the Mandarin Branch Children’s Department!

Kudos From Customers

Argyle Branch: Laurie (Norman) was a big help to me today.

Beaches Branch:  I just wanted to let you know how helpful Suzanne Neikirk was in helping me track down a returned book. Her assistance made my day much better and helped me breathe easier.

Main Library – Children’s: I wrote this review on Yelp about my WONDERFUL experience ...Especially impressed with the Librarian Marie (Myers). I travel to the Main Street Library WEEKLY! Free books… My baby has finally reached the important pinnacle of LIKING it when we read to her! Besides Dr. Seuss, what kind of books are interesting for both the baby AND the parents? I was at a loss so I asked the librarian, Marie, for some advice. Marie's eyes sparkled and I clearly saw the ignited fire of a librarian on a mission! She quickly grabbed books left and right, passionately describing how humorous each one was and how we'd enjoy them even if the baby couldn't understand them yet. Our favorites that Marie recommended were… She was SO helpful that I have decided to come to her on a regular basis so she can load me up with more entertaining children's books! I was dazzled by her knowledge and passion. Marie even took a family photo of "baby's first library trip!" Not only is the library lovely to visit in person, but you can also go online and choose what books you are interested in. Once the book is chosen, you select which library location you want those books sent to. In less than a week (sometimes longer if there's a queue for the book) you will receive an email notifying it's ready at your library of choice for a pick up! ...

Mandarin Branch: Mr. David (Foster) in the children's section is the nicest, most helpful staff person in your library, possibly in the whole Jacksonville library system. He remembers my kids and me, asks after their school lives, and is able to make recommendations for clubs and events they might like. He is far and above the friendliest person...

Pablo Creek Branch:  William (Bill) Figlietti was an amazing help to my son, assisting us in our home education program.  

SE's Teens Make Candy Sushi

SE's Anjelica Bencomo reports on their October 16 Teen program, Candy Sushi Making, "We had a sugar-filled happy time with 17 teens participating and they were eager to help and set up. "

It's Bosses' Day!

October 16 was Bosses Day--a day for staffs to thank their bosses and that they did. Some employees at the Main Library showed their appreciation to Lynne Baldwin, Main Public Services Manager, with a bouquet of flowers and Michael Sullivan, Main/Urban Region Manager, received a gift basket and balloon.  Both Lynne and Michael reflect their appreciation in these photos.

Nicolle Burton and Donna Crowther served up a scrumptidelicious luncheon to a few VIP's, too, on Bosses' Day.  The honored guests included Library Director Barbara Gubbin, Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop, Assistant Director for Public Services Julie McNeil, Michael Sullivan, Manager of Strategic Initiatives Richard Mott, and Executive Assistant Andrew Herron.  Lynne Baldwin had to be elsewhere and was missed but certainly is appreciated for her many contributions to JPL.

THANKS, ALL YOU BOSSES, FOR ALL YOU DO TO MAKE JPL THE CONTINUING SUCCESS IT IS.