Willowbranch Goes To The Beach

WB P/T Clerk Susan Koedel (pictured) and WB Manager Margaret Morford had fun designing a July “Beach Reads for Your Summer Getaway” display for the Willowbranch Library.  Local history beach books, fiction books with a beach theme, recipe books for beach cooking, and beach themed movies were selected.  The table is accented with a beach bag and towel, sunglasses, flip-flops, water bottle, sand bucket and shovel.  Margaret said, "Now we are contemplating a captivating display for August."

My Dinosaur Tail; Cute, Huh?

June 23, 2018, Main’s Stories for Young Children presented DINOSAURS ROCK! Children enjoyed a dinosaur storytime with YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli and then made their own wearable dinosaur tails in Art for Young Children with LAS Hannah Genslinger.

Clowns Get Kids Into SLP At UPK

Musical Magic School Age Presenter Program, June 21, 2018, entertained kids ages 5-12 years old at the University Park Branch. Alexis Carter, YS Librarian II, said, "They were enraptured by the clowns as they did skits, sang songs, and even created their own music video. After this silly pic was made, 21 participants and their parents posed for a Libraries Rock! picture."

Friends of NW Agree: Libraries Rock!

Friends of the Bradham Brooks Northwest Library joined in the summer fun when they took this picture, June 8, 2018.  Pictured  from bottom L/R are Alma Smith, Mary Webster, Alisa Harrell; and top L/R are: Evelyn Eaves, James Cotton, and Antonia Bryant.  (Thanks to NW Branch Manager Donna Carroll for input.)

ROARING At Main

Main Children’s Art Room ROARED, June 20, 2018, as staff presented The Lion King Silhouette Mixed Media Art. This was the week 2 activity for Music, Movies & Art SLP where award-winning kids movies are expressed through creative art. "The music certainly motivates the outcome," said Main Children’s Associate, Marcie O’Dell, who is pictured along with three sisters, all taking the class together. Marcie added, "Grandma and a brother are at the table behind. This really was an all-in-the-family, fun art project!"

Kudos From Customers

Beaches Branch:  Librarian Mary Wilson was most courteous and helpful during my visit on June 13 and gave me a tour of the library collections, placed a book on hold for me, refreshed my understanding of the online capabilities to which I have access, and made me thankful that we have such good people and facilities at the Beaches Branch Library.

Main Library – Circulation:  I would like to commend Mr. (Corey) Scott, the…gentleman at the front desk, who assisted me getting a library card. I recently relocated to Jacksonville and he showed exemplary customer service skills by explaining the requirements for obtaining a card and providing me with a temporary use card. I have been to several branches and he is the first person to educate me on the options. Congratulations to Jacksonville Public Library for having an experienced and knowledgeable employee.

Pablo Creek Branch:  Jonathan (Sandbach):  Thank you from Angie and Alex! Jonathan, the youth librarian, was amazing and patient making slime with the kids at the PCR Kickoff party.

Regency Square Branch:  …on June 8^th…a staff member named Cindy (Mathieson) provided me with much needed assistance at the copier machine. I was impressed with her attitude of not giving up.

South Mandarin Branch:  We love coming to story hour when Christie (Rogers) does it.

Dinosaurs Rock and Rock Again

Joanna Nigrelli shares an interesting memory, "Here is a picture of my son James from my Facebook timeline five years ago. The picture was taken, June 21, 2013, when I was a storytime parent.  I would bring my son to JPL storytimes at San Marco, Willowbranch, and Main. Here James (now 9 years old) was  eating lunch in the Main Courtyard after a storytime. What is fun about this picture is that the label states we had a dinosaur storytime. Now, as the YS Librarian at Main, I present storytimes and, believe it or not, this week I’m presenting Dinosaurs Rock!"

KR Honors Dads

"Just in time for Father's Day, the Children's Department at Mandarin Branch, hosted 27 fathers and youngsters and treated them to donuts and orange juice, Saturday, June 16, 2018. They read books, enjoyed a craft, and the kids conducted dad interviews with interesting results!  The interviews with their dads included several questions, such as, what is your favorite food, sport, TV show, hobby etc." reports YS Librarian I Isabel Moreno-Santiago.

What a wonderful way for children to get to know their parents better, Isabel.

Teens Rock & Roll With CM Joyce Morgan

                        Teens were pleased to be photographed with CM Morgan.

Council Member Joyce Morgan enthusiastically joined UPK's Rock of the Ages-The 1960's event, June 19, 2018, and Branch Manager Tamera Branam wrote a prompt thank-you to her for her participation.  CM Morgan talked about what she does on the Council and asked if any of the teens would be interested in politics. She invited them to attend City Council meetings and to volunteer to be a page at City Council meetings and/or Town Hall meetings. Several signed up.                   

 Above right are (L/R) Tamera, CM Morgan, and Teen Library Associate Mina Figuerrez, who conducted the porgram.  In the pic centered above you can see the teens really enjoyed the program.  (Thanks to Tamera for the article and pics.)

Fancy Nancy At Main

Main Children’s Department part-time LAS Kelli Heath created a *three week summer program for children ages 5-12 called Fancy Nancy Days. The program is based on the popular book series by Barbara O’Connor. Each week the children listen to a Fancy Nancy book, make a craft, play a game, and enjoy a snack based on the book. In the picture above, children listened to Fancy Nancy: Explorer Extraordinaire and are posing with binoculars to play a scavenger hunt game.  

_________________________

*This picture is from the second week, June 18, 2018.  The first

 week was Monday, June 11, and the third and final week is Monday, June 25.  (Thanks to Main's YS Librarian II Joanna Nigrelli, for input.)

Illustrator Visits KR

Isabel Santiago, KR YS Librarian 1 had a surprise visit, June 16, 2018.  She said, "During our 'Donuts for Dad' activity, we received an unexpected visit from Chris Hsu. He is the illustrator of the book “The Boo-Boos That Changed the World"--a true story about an accidental invention.  Chris Hsu was born in Taiwan and grew up in Northeast Florida. His work is heavily influenced by art, history, and classical music.  He has worked professionally in several fields of animation and illustration. Pictured are Mr. Hsu with his daughter, Artemis, and me." 

SE Puts Kindness Into Action

"Southeast Branch had week two of Kindness Rocks for our school aged children and 23 people attended, June 15, 2018.  Kate Zakharov read a book about a service dog and how loved he is and then explained some dogs do not have homes and do not get a lot of love. Then we made dog toys for the Humane Society. Parents and children loved working together to create some awesome toys," reports Carol Bunker, YS Librarian II.

You Gotta See It To "Get It"

"Southeast Library unveiled our last and semi-permanent observation station featuring animals, June 8, 2018, displaying a saltwater aquarium!" said YS Librarian II Carol Bunker.

"The more the tank matures, the more new corals and a couple more fish will be added to the tank.  Over time, we will have our own miniature coral reef.  Currently we have eight different animals living in our aquarium and the children will get to watch them all grow. 

 

"All eight animals are displayed on our 'lift the flap" chart. If a child or parent wants to know what a particular animal is, they can open a door and find the answer. Our current aquarium guests are: two clown fish (seen below), blue leg hermit crabs, a skunk shrimp (aka cleaner shrimp), sexy shrimp (we call them dancing shrimp in the library), cowrie snails, bumblebee snails, a conch, and our first coral is a beginner coral called Green Star Polyp coral (aka GSP). So far the children and parents are loving it!  At one point, we had at least 15 people crowded around the table to get a look at our newest additions," brags Carol.

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Drum Beats At SOM

In tune with JPL's Libraries Rock! Jazz It Up! theme, South Mandarin Library and 17 youngsters welcomed Mr. Cameron Moten--from a band called Noteworthy--and his drums, June 14, 2018.  They followed his lead in the jam session to learn basic drumming and  rhythm.  Then each child had an opportunity to conduct the group and decide how fast the drum beats would be and when to conclude in unison. What a fun way to learn to work together in harmony and experiment with leading while enjoying something new.  (Thanks to Library Associate Christie Rogers for the input and pic.) 

100+ Glow At JB's SLP Kick Off

"Beaches Branch kicked off the summer with an awesome SLP glow in the dark party, June 5, 2018. Summer learners enjoyed several activities such as glow in the dark mini golf, bowling, hopscotch, tic tac toe, a graffiti wall and more.  Sidewalk chalk coloring and refreshments were also available outside for our younger customers.  Over a 100 people joined us and many signed up for SLP.  Summer at the Beaches is off to a great start," reports Nicole Saville, YSLibrarian II.

French Delegates Visit Main

Thanks to Grand Reading Room Library Assistant Pam Beaton for reporting on an important visit to the Main Library, June 5, 2018.  

Consul General of France Clément Leclerc (L) and  Consul Honoraire de France Francois Kloc (L below) were welcomed by Mayor Lenny Curry earlier in the day.  The gentlemen paid homage to U.S. soldiers who helped free Europe and particularly France in WWII.  After a ceremony at City Hall, they visited the Grand Reading Room and the Consul General added the painting of the Jean Ribault mural of the French landing at Ft. Caroline, to his twitter page.

Above you see Messieurs Leclerc and Kloc flanking Mr. Joe Tillmon, U. S. Army (Ret.) and president/founder of Buffalo Soldiers Historical Society, standing at the 4^th floor railing. Here are a couple of sites you may visit and see the important role these gentlemen recently played locally and play internationally.
https://miami.consulfrance.org/spip.php?article4133

https://miami.consulfrance.org/  

Main Managers Help 200 As Main Opens SLP

Main Children’s celebrated with 200 customers--more than doubled from last year--for our Summer Learning Kick Off Party, June 7, 2018. Families enjoyed an Ozobot demonstration from our neighborhood partner, MOSH (Museum of Science and History), a Sphero robotics demonstration by Sara Radovic (Jax Makerspace Coordinator pictured above with kids), 
build-your-own harmonica craft, a photo booth, tattoos, and refreshments.

The Children’s staff had expert help from our Main Library team:  Susan Mankowski (Youth Services), Sara Roberts (Main Region Manager), and Tracy Pigott (Training and Development Manager) registered families for Summer Learning. Charlene Ovshak (Library Circulation Supervisor) served cake and Stephanie Miller (Main Library Youth Services Manager & Jax Makerspace) worked the reference desk.  (Thanks to Joanna Nigrelli, Youth Librarian II, for pics and blurb.)

                 Tracy Pigott getting children signed up for SLP.

82 Go For CW's SLP Kick Off

Bobbie Knight reports, "CW had 82 people attend our Rockabilly themed Summer Kick-off Party, June 6, 2018. Participants enjoyed a serving of root beer or cola floats and 1950’s themed games like bowling, record toss, and a muscle car relay race while listening to classic Elvis songs. Several kids said they had never had a root beer float before and loved the new dessert. CW’s staff was pleased to host a full house on a day when library attendance was low due to computer issues."

186 Pack PCR To Catapult SLP

It was the most anticipated party of the year! Readers of all ages came together to celebrate the beginning of summer and JPL's SLP: Libraries Rock! The children had a thrilling time rock painting, slime making by the bucketful, doing putt-putt golf, playing a life-sized 

Knowledge Challenge game board, and visiting with the Chick-Fil-A Cow--a valued Pablo Creek Regional Library community partner and benefactor. Not to be left out, older

                  PCR Region Manager rocks thanks to Chick- Fil-A providing a party hat.

participants got to make a unique bookmark celebrating this year’s summer learning theme. In all, approximately 185 kids and their families indulged in snacks and refreshments, mingled with staff and our fantastic volunteers, and took a moment to enroll in SLP, helping to ensure everyone wins while reading during the summer. Happy faces all around were on display as old friends and new came together to share in the excitement of summer at the library!  (Thanks to Jonathan M. Sandbach, PCR Youth Librarian for pics and a wonderful article.)

"Erick Larsen (below) was a big hit at Drop Everything and Read," said Michael Sullivan.

140 Glad To Jump Start SOM's SLP

South Mandarin Library wowed 140 people at their SLP Party, June 7, 2018. Christie Rogers said, "Our party had a 70’s theme with pet rock decorating, YMCA dancing, a 70's themed scavenger hunt and prizes for finishers, and Pringles and pop rocks for snacks. We also offered glitter hand tattoos and karaoke. "  Thanks to Kevin Douglas for pics.

         Pet rocks made a comeback and kids loved painting them.