Teens & Children Hold Luau To Close SLP

YS Librarian III Chiquita Powell gave a wrap up of the last SLP activities at the Main Library, July 26, 2018, "Sixty one teens attended the luau in the Teen Department presented by Stefa Witt, Meon Graham, Kathy Frazier, Devan Shepard, Alex Bishop, teen volunteers, and me.  Alex gave away 73 books to teens playing the Book Walk game and Stephanie Bollard (Jax Makerspace) taught 15 teens how to play the ukulele. 

"In our Children’s Department we had 70 people celebrate the end of Summer Learning at our luau. Children made leis, played coconut bowling, hula danced to musical chairs, and received a balloon twist from balloon artist Linda Brunson. Marcie O’Dell held an art show exhibition displaying art children made during her six week summer program 'Music, Movies, and Art.'

                                                                                                               

"Thank you to our wonderful interns Erionnia and Joy, teen volunteer Deyjah, and Diane Alexander for helping the Children’s Department celebrate the end of Summer Learning."

Main Library Thanks Summer Interns

The Main Library employees' appreciation of Mayor Curry's summer interns was expressed in two teen favorites:  pizza and ice cream (with an array of toppings), provided in a luncheon, July 26, 2018.  Staff hosted them in the staff lounge for lunch and individually thanked them--again--for their many contributions that made lighter workloads for employees.  All enjoyed the camaraderie and many staff agreed that this was the best group ever assigned to Main. Staff are sad to see the students' time come to a close but wish them much success in the ensuing school year.

Cow Oinks & Bubbles Fly At SOM

South Mandarin Branch Library held its 2^nd Annual Puppet Show, July 24, 2018, presented by the South Mandarin Teen Volunteers. Christie Rogers said, "The show featured the books, The Cow that Went Oink by Bernard Most, and Bark George by Jules Feiffer. The children and parents loved how the characters were making sounds differently, such as when the cow oinked like a pig. Along with the puppet show we sang Old MacDonald Had a Farm and BINGO. After the show, the 68 attendees made a paper bag dog puppet craft so they could perform their own puppet show later at home. The program wrapped up with blowing bubbles, and as you see,  the children were wide eyed."  

Extreme Weather Gets Customer Attention At KR

Isabel Moreno-Santiago, KR YS Librarian I, reports, “Action News Jax Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh presented a fascinating program on extreme weather and its potential danger to 56 children and their parents at Mandarin Branch, July 21, 2018.  It was a great success and afterwards the children made "tornadoes" in a bottle.  (Thanks to all those branches who responded to our SOS for bottles!)

AYL Wraps Up Teen SLP

Argyle's Library Associate and Teen Coordinator, Tonja Ferrell, said, "Pictured are some of the 28 teens who came to the last session of our six week SLP for teens, 'Musical Escape Rooms', July 20, 2018. The theme was 'Disco Fever'. The kids were diagnosed with this terminal illness and in order to get immunized and/or cured, teens had to work through clues utilizing library resources. They wore colored disco balls, designating the team they were on and showed designated staff that they were Escape Room players. (Staff wore Star name tags.) Teens were then given Q's and correct answers were rewarded with dance step clues resulting in their ability to perform the 'Hustle' deeming them cured and free to go. They performed the dance as a group and several spectator parents got 'jiggy' as well.  Some of the teens told me how much they enjoyed the sessions and several parents also relayed their kids' kudos for the series and were sorry to hear it was the last one. Throughout the programs, we have had new teen and tween participants, who had not been to AYL before, which was fantastic! We had two teen visitors yesterday from Chicago, who were visiting family in Jax. Their father told staff they had so much fun they intended to come next week. I regretted having to say this was the last one; however, I invited everyone to our closing party. We are pleased to say that all of these sessions were well received.

  

"Unfortunately the video files are too large to attach. They are both in our G-Shared folder, under Argyle group, Teens at Argyle. 

"Another great thing that occurred at yesterday’s Escape Room was that several staff participated as 'Library Resources.'  They not only gave out dance clues; each demonstrated the step or clue they had--a great example of everyone serving youth at Argyle." 

Kuodos From Customers

Argyle Branch: Tracy (Mills) was patient and very helpful. She answered all my questions and it was a pleasure to be assisted by her. I just wanted you to be aware of such a great employee you have (but I'm sure you already know).

Highlands Branch:  Oh I wish I remembered the lady that helped me. She was so friendly and helpful.  She made it easy to sign up for a card!

Main Library – Special Collections:  Today I requested a copy of a page in The Florida Times-Union from 1896. Librarian John Wilson was very helpful and fulfilled my request with great speed and quality. Great customer service!

Murray Hill Branch:  We have been to the library twice now since we received my son's card a week ago. He is six years old. The staff is amazing and beyond helpful. They have fun conversations with my son and make the experience very personable. We look forward to going. (I have not been in close to 20 years.)  My son and I have "date days"... they now include lunch and the library. Thank you to the staff…for helping me make these fun memories with my son! (Shirdellah Grouix, Margaret Esposito, Douglas Fair, Akeem Adell, Mary Fletcher, Camera Bragdon, and Albina Akramova.)

South Mandarin Branch:  My 7 y/o triplets and I participated at the Books to Bricks summer program and Mrs. Angela Richman was wonderful. She was well prepared and kept the audience engaged all the time. The room was full of children with their parents. At the end of the presentation she made a game for the children and they loved it. I also liked the way she structured her presentation to leave time for the children to build with Legos and express what they learned with their creativity... She emphasized it was a group activity and all children built together. The theme was opera, they built a theater with different stages. Now my girl, Sofia, is asking me to learn how to sing and take some classes. I think it is because Mrs. Angela made a positive impact and interest on my girl’s heart. Thank you for the program and thank you, Mrs. Angela, for your Awesome presentation!

3 Big Celebrations At Main Library

Three important events were celebrated in the Main Library Children's Department, July 19, 2018. 

Mayor Lenny Curry wanted to celebrate his birthday reading to children for a very good reason.  One year ago he met with area hospital executives to announce a COJ learning initiative: What I Can Be from A to Z, a book that has since been provided to every baby born in our area hospitals. This past year, about 13,000 of these books and related literacy materials have been distributed to parents of infants born at UF Health, Baptist, Memorial, and St. Vincent’s hospitals. 

Mayor Curry read the book to participants in Main's Stories for Toddlers program and each child received a copy later. Prior to the Mayor's reading, Library Associate Keira Maschan (left of Mayor) began the program with songs and finger plays.  At the close, Mayor Curry received a birthday card "signed" by the toddlers--and one from Main Library staff.  Then everyone sang Happy Birthday and thanked him for sharing his birthday with them.  

Happy Birthday to Mayor Lenny Curry and Main Children's Librarian III Chiquita Powell.  (Chiquita received her Happy Birthday song from staff in a meeting shortly before the children's program.)

KR Says Thanks To Summer Worker

KR Manager Mark Hohnadel and his staff took time to thank Colleen Macklin, one of the Mayor's summer workers, and present her with a bouquet of flowers, July 18, 2018.  Mark said, "We were privileged to have Colleen at Mandarin.  She helped us a lot with shifting and rearranging the adult collection this summer.  We are grateful for her assistance."  Pictured are (L/R) Librarian II Margo Crafton, Colleen, and Mark.

Ready, Aim, Read

AR's Cindy Mathieson proudly announces, "Regency Square Branch is supporting PBS’s Great American Read.  Lisa Buggs worked hard to get a grant to fund books and speakers for programs to be held at MAIN.  Dawn Brock and I have gathered 99 of the 100 titles that PBS listed.  Unfortunately,#100 is out of print."   

Alfreda Whitfield Thanks Staff Who Gave Leave Time

Hello JPL  family, I would like to give a great big Thank You to all of you who donated leave hours to me while I was out on sick leave. I really and truly appreciate it.  I am also so grateful for the cards, calls, texts, flowers and prayers you all showered me with. I am back to work, and I am doing so much better. Your thoughtfulness  during my time in need will never be forgotten. 

Much love, and many blessings to all of you,

Alfreda S Whitfield

Library Assistant

Southeast Regional Library

Renaming of Kings Road USPO

The USPO building on Kings Road, which has been the "main" post office in Jacksonville, for many years will be dedicated to Mr. Rutledge Pearson and renamed the  Rutledge Pearson U. S. Postal building, 10 am, July 20, 2018. The ceremony will be at the U.S. Postal Service building, 1100 Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL.  Mr. Pearson was an activist in the NAACP and the civil rights movement--even after the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964--until he passed away in an auto accident, May 1, 1967. 

Mr. Pearson’s wife, Mary Ann, was also active in these endeavors.  Mary Ann retired as the Senior Librarian in Business, Science, and Documents (BSD) at the old Main Library after 35 years with JPL.  She began with the library, October 3, 1961, and retired, July 13, 1996.  She first worked as a Library Clerk at Brown Eastside Branch and later Mary Ann was promoted to Children’s Librarian at Graham Branch, then she transferred to BSD.  Mrs. Mary Ann Pearson passed away February 21, 2017, at 85 years of age.

Amanda Gore: Job Well Done

P/T Shelver Amanda Gore received a Job Well Done Award from PCR Region Clerical Supervisor Stephanie Harley, July 10, 2018, for her great eye for detail.  Stephanie said, "Amanda exhibits great ownership of Objective: Goal #4 Providing Outstanding Experience -- when seeing misshelved books reshelve them in the right place for customers to find when they come in."  Amanda spent a week putting misshelved sections back in order after teen volunteers had misshelved items."

Gifts Of Kindness From KR

KR 's Isabel Moreno-Santiago, YS Librarian I, reports, “Mandarin Library is giving back to the community through the SLP mini-series 'Kindness Rocks.' July 11, 2018, I delivered projects made by the children to two organizations. Our donations included greetings cards to the Taylor Residence Care Center and  'No sew fleece baby blankets' to the Wolfson Children Hospital.

 "Above, Betty Pender, Activities Director for Taylor Residences, receives the greeting cards and below Wolfson Children's Hospital Care Patient representative, Dana Severidt, receives the baby blankets.  Both representatives expressed their gratitude for the donations."

Way to go, Isabel!

Kids, Caregivers & Kitty Hit It Off

Main Library Children’s Associate, Kitty Maschan, rocked the new Stories for Toddlers class that began just last month here at Main. Here is a picture from the July 12, 2018 class, which took place in The Hightower Family room. Marcie O'Dell said "Kitty is a natural and caring presenter that parents enjoy and depend on.  Great job Kitty!"

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.