Circus Storytime At SE

YS Librarian II Beth Friederich said, "Circus Storytime at Southeast, December 30, was part of our Winter Reading Program. We had 64 “clowns” in the audience but perhaps the goofiest one was reading the stories. In addition to reading circus stories, we wore our clown noses to sing 'I’m a Little Clown' and crawl through the Ring of Fire!"

LOVE Those Prizes

Dallas Graham Branch's Tyhedra Wilson boasts their success story, "We held a weekly Christmas raffle for children and teens, which I hosted during December. The last gift of the week was considered as a Big Gift. To enter children had to check out books either from the self check machine or use their K-5 student ID number. Prizes ranged from books to toys.  Here we have four of the six winners. Elijah Lattimore (last down on right) was our Big Gift winner.  The children were eager to enter the raffle and now the enthusiasm has spread and children from K-5 want to check out more materials.  The motto for the month was READING + WINNING = SUCCESS.

Great success story, Tyhedra!

Customers And Staffs Enjoy THE Guy At WST

West Regional Branch's Santa visit and Storytime on December 23^rd made for many happy faces.  Want attention?  Just invite Santa, as you see.  (Thanks to Melodie Brunson, YS Part-time Associate, for the blurb and pics.)

Elise Fare, WST Library Associate, and the Season's No. 1 in popularity.

It Takes A Little Imagination

Main's Katie Guarino said, "We have a magnetic poetry board in our teen department (in the style of the once-popular magnetic poetry kits for refrigerators) that stays up year-round as a sort of passive program. Usually teens will pick out a few words that inspire them to create a short “poetic” phrase. One teen named Quint filled up almost the whole board with his free-form poem, using just the given magnetic words and some extra magnetic letters. If you read it closely, you can find a load of meaning and rhythm!

she shine when she sing with the most love your crush could only dream about music over lust but will

never chant man made men under the sea the wind blow love like mist near the lake water above her

head did she bare sun from light his life soar away fast a rose a boy and girl shot to live and play

with their gift of milk n honey to show that black hair is cool ..."

SOM's Staffs & Customers Enjoy, Enjoy

SOM's Library Associate Christie Rogers reports, "South Mandarin Library held dual programs December 22, 2015.  One hundred fifteen attended the Gingerbread program where staffs read the Gingerbread Man story (above L/R are Angela Richman, Christie Rogers, Leslie Patterson, Salvatore Migliaro, Gayle Lafser, Margo Crafton, and Sarah Miller.) After the story, children chose decorations for their gingerbread man cookie and decorated it.

In another room, Santa was available to greet children and have pictures taken and many lined up for a pic with Santa. They had color coded tickets and were allowed in the room 10 at a time. A huge thank you to Cheryl Callavini and Rebekah Mitchell for handling the crowd control (185 attendees!) for Santa.

Jessica Jones Receives Innovator Award

Jessica Jones (seated left) holds her Innovator Award recently granted to her by Main Library Manager Lynne Baldwin. Jessica is a Part-Time Clerk at KR and volunteered, along with Library Clerk Sara Peretzman, to create a display for Main's 10th anniversary. They used customer compliments from Main's opening in 2005, complemented by the library's symbol of the reading owl. Sara and Robert Moseley set it up on the ground floor for all to see. A good pic of the display can be seen in the article posted November 19, 2015, "Main's 10th Anniversary Photo Contest & a Kiosk Full of Kudos". 

KR Manager Mark Hohnadel said, "The part-time staff were also honored at a party just for them at the Mandarin Library on December 9.  (Pictured L/R standing: Mr. Hohnadel, Patty Henderson, Stacey Van Hoy, and Shukti Banerjee; seated L/R: Jessica Jones and Tammy Hilbert.)

State Rep. Fullwood & FOBL Make 30 Kids' Christmas Bright

NS Library Associate Sr. Betty Williams writes, "On December 18^th the Friends Of Brentwood Library sponsored their 2^nd annual toy giveaway.  Jolly ole St. Nick (State  Representative Reggie Fullwood of the 13^th district) read to 30 children who are regular attendees of our Storytime and those  young children received a wonderful Christmas  surprise.  

"Branch Manager Christine Cavan started the program with Christmas songs and showed the children how to make it ”snow”. She then introduced St. Nick who was followed by his reindeer pushing two tables loaded with gifts.  The looks on the children’s faces were priceless.

"After Santa read a story each child received two gifts, a Leap Frog “laptop” and a box of smart blocks.  Mrs. Coon, FOBL founder, also gave the children snacks of fresh fruit and popcorn balls.  The FOBL left  several small gifts which included a stuffed animal and a book for the staff to give to other community children who frequent the library.  They also gave the staff a fruit basket.  Another FOBL member, Miss Pearl, who owns a bakery in the neighborhood loaned decorations to make the library festive for the children.

"Our Friends exemplify the spirit of Christmas all year long, but this is always very heartwarming and the community appreciates it."

Poinsettias For EB

Brown Eastside's Manager, Chris Cavan, sent this picture of May Kramer, their new part-time Associate. May is standing next to some Christmas poinsettias planted outside the library.

Looks like they brought a literal ray of sunshine.

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch:  I wanted to thank the library and Ms. Gail (Blumberg) for having the beading class…It was my first experience with Native American beading.  I learned a lot and enjoyed meeting more folks in my community with like interests. It’s great that you offer classes such as this for adults.  Look forward to similar offerings in the future.  Thank you!

Main Library and Pablo Creek Branch: (Re: Amber Holley and Jackie Spiritas) I'm the Asst. Director of IT for the North Central Regional Library - I attended the YALSA conference in Portland and am writing to request a copy of the presentation on "Teaching Urban Teens Valuable Skills". This was presented by two of your library staff members I believe. We are interested in holding a job fair and would love to have a copy of the presentation for future reference and planning. This was a great presentation and an excellent idea. Thank you for sharing!

Mandarin Branch:  A grandmother wrote a thank you letter as it was dictated by her two 3 year old grandchildren, thanking friends for chocolate popcorn, etc. Later, the grandmother attached a copy of the letter to her comment card left at KR.  The comment card reads, “Attached is a copy of the thank you letter my not-quite 4 year old grandchildren wrote to some friends.  Miss Allison (Pulley) and Mr. David (Foster) have made a wonderful impression on them as you see in the letter!  You will notice that these librarians received more attention than even the chocolate popcorn my friends gave them. I would like my Sophie’s and Evren’s comments included in these employees’ next performance review.  Good work—especially with lasting impact as theirs has—should be rewarded.”

Murray Hill Branch:  Re: Cheyla Scantling: …I came...needing help. …There is a girl there, who…was so very nice to me…I asked her to help me with my computer work; she said, “No problem” and showed me how to print. I told her I was not good at computers and she said not to worry because we all have something that we're not so good at. She made me feel so much better about being there. I told her I was a veteran and new to Jacksonville because my wife just died and I was now living with my daughter. She told me, “Welcome to Jacksonville and welcome to the library.” I had my daughter set up this email address for me so I could write…and let you know what a nice girl she was. She gave me a booklet of the computer classes the library has and told me there are classes for the elderly. I'm glad that she was there to help me. My daughter is going to help me go to some of the computer classes. Sheila [sic] told me we all have something that we are not so good at, but thanks to her, computers might not be one of them. Please tell her for me what a good job she did helping this old veteran and I thank her very much.

Webb Wesconnett Branch:  I would like to acknowledge the excellent service Ms. Michelle Petrin provides in the Children's department. I am a grandparent of two beautiful grandchildren and we have used the library throughout the summer and during the holiday season. Ms. Petrin has always assisted me in finding materials, books, and videos and has given excellent suggestions for my grandchildren. Also, Michelle has provided schedules for my grandson for I-Ready. I will continue to bring my grandchildren to this library because of her. She is always pleasant, smiling, and helpful to anyone I’ve seen in Children's. She is an asset to the library. Thank you for her service to the community…

Study Buddy Goes To Cheyla Scantling

Julie McNeil, Assistant Director for Public Services, noticed a detailed compliment for one of Murray Hill Branch's library clerks, Cheyla Scantling, and presented the Jaguar Study Buddy to her in recognition of  her outstanding customer service. What did the customer say? You can read the kudo  (and others) in December's Kudos from Customers, posted December 18, 2015, on this blog.

Santa Visits NW

The ever popular Santa’s visit to Bradham - Brooks Northwest Branch drew 36 kids and caregivers, December 15, 2015. Councilwoman Katrina Brown’s assistant, Dana Lewis, was there and read Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, by Steven Kellogg, and Santa read What Santa Can’t Do, by Douglas Wood.  *Presents were given to the children, which they plunged into quickly.

The Library Board's Liaison to the JPL Foundation, Brenda Simmons-Hutchins, PhD., pictured left in the middle picture, boosted NW's Phenessa Gray's (she sent the input and pics) and Ms. Lewis' (right in the center pic) spirits.

*The gifts of books, decorative bags and wrapping  were given by Marshelle Berry, Highlands Wesconnett Region Manager, for the children.  APPLAUSE!

Star Wars At SOM & KR

Christie Rogers, Library Associate, SOM, reports, "On December 12^th, 102 people at the South Mandarin Library held a Star Wars Celebration that included light saber making and practice, Yoda ear craft, and a Jedi walk. Four characters were on hand to interact and have pictures taken with those who chose to participate. Star Wars library materials were available for check out and water and popcorn were furnished by the Friends of the South Mandarin Library. A fun time was had by all."

The picture below shows an earlier Star Wars program with participants at Mandarin Branch.  Alison Pulley said, "KR hosted a Crafternoon: Star Wars program on December 16 and had 104 attendees. Kids interacted with various Star Wars memorabilia from David Foster’s personal collection and had a blast making Yoda light sabers."

                            Getting Started

Now, how does that go together?

Pretty, Pretty

Main Manager Lynne Baldwin sent this beautiful picture of one of Main's trees decorated by library customer Judy Klein, who used her own creations of origami birds.   

UPK's Kids' Gifts Are "Wrapped" Between Two Covers

Ms. Eve (Harm) beautifully displayed UPK's children's Christmas/holiday/Santa book collection and she said, "Those titles have been flying off the shelves as fast as Rudolph."  

 

Tis The Season For Red Noses

These kids showed their circus spirit recently at UPK clowning around with Ms. Kim (middle). They have read the five books required to earn a kid’s ticket to the Ringling  Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, January 21-24, 2016.  

What stories do you have to share of children ages 2-12 who have read five book and earned a free ticket to the circus???

PCR Has A Treasury Of Looters

Mia Brack, YS Librarian III for the Pablo Creek Region, reports, "Library Associate Zachary Jimison designed an amazing scavenger hunt at Pablo Creek Branch, December 12. Sixteen children and parents explored the entire department to loot a treasure trove of book prizes and the treasure chest of books."  

EB Creates Yummy Houses

Brown Eastside Library's Karen Lewis stands with one of the gingerbread houses decorated by the kids at EB during their December 10 session. Karen created the houses and 14 youths stuck on the various candies and sweets.

(Nobody's telling if the gingerbread houses will last till Christmas.)

SE Teens Enjoy Hour Of Code Program

Southeast Branch's Teen Library Assistant, Anjelica Bencomo said, "I am pleased to report we had 18 participants December 11, 2015, in our Hour of Code program for teens. We paired up on the computers and some teens worked using their phones. Most averaged 7-10 per game. They started with Star Wars and migrated to the Minecraft program and one or two teens worked on the Frozen program."  Anjelia's Region Manager Keli Likins responded, "Great job." 

Lunch @ the Lounge Concert Series Begins At Main

"The new Lunch @ the Lounge concert series began December 9, 2015, at Main and was a rousing success," Kathleen Brunner (in the red outfit below) reports.  

"Sixty people came to meet and hear the trio Meridian’s music that put a tap in the feet and a smile on all the faces.  Meridian played lots of traditional songs from many countries:  Ireland, England, France, Germany and Poland.  All of the most recognized songs were played, such as Silent Night, We Three Kings, Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabelle and Away in a Manger. 
   

"Many thanks to many staff who deserve recognition for their contributions that equaled total success:  Deputy Director Jennifer Giltrop and Cranston Burney took pics; CR&M made fliers, posters, and ads; Linda Ekersen put it on the website; Lynne Baldwin got the cake, water, and decorations; Erin Tuzuner served the cake; Kathleen Krizek and Katie Devanny manned the AARP table outside the door and directed people into the Lounge. Mitesh Sangani and Will Daniels are appreciated for helping get everything ready, several months in advance, the day before and day of the event.  Thanks to Ed Lein and Lisa Buggs for helping shape the idea and for everyone who supported me on the path to make it happen.

"This is such a wonderful place to work with excellent team members everywhere you look!  Thanks to all of you for caring and making this come together so well.

"I look forward to seeing you at the next concert on Wednesday, January 13, at noon in the Lounge for Jig to a Milestone!

"P.S. Don’t forget Ed Lein's Intermezzo Concert on Sunday at 3 pm in the auditorium featuring The Florida Brass Ensemble.”

Guess Who Uses The Library

Molly Curry, the Mayor’s wife, and their daughter, Brooke, using the self-check machine at San Marco Branch. Thanks to Region Manager Keli Likins for the pic.