Allegra Young: Job Well Done

San Marco Branch Library Clerk Allegra Young, received a Job Well Done award from SS Librarian II Sandra Ostroski, March 28, 2019.  Sandy said, "One of Allegra’s duties is processing new items received. For the last four months, SS was not on the In Process list, which the branch is on if there are items not processed.  Not being on the list means the branch’s new items are getting out to the customers quickly.  Allegra is a positive influence on other staff and shows by example the Library’s expectations for behavior.  She always follows through on commitments made."

Robin West-Rogers: Job Well Done

A Job Well Done Award was presented to San Marco Branch Children’s Library Associate, Robin West-Rogers (L), March 26, 2019, by Librarian II Sandra Ostroski (R), who nominated her for outstanding work promoting JPL educator cards.     

Sandy elaborated, "During the SS educator card initiative, Robin spoke at two staff meetings about the importance of inviting teachers to sign up for educator cards and staff highlighting other library services to customers.  Consequently, 16 teachers now have their new educator cards and SS has added 16 to its total in the New Card Scorecard.  Robin is a positive influence on other staff.  She shows by example the Library’s expectations for behavior and she always follows through on commitments made."

Kim Kirkland: Job Well Done

                                     The next Picassos or Dalis?


YS Librarian II Kim Kirkland received a Job Well Done Award from MH Branch Manager Shawn Norton, March 26, 2019.  Shawn is proud of Kim's ongoing accomplishments.  The art work shown here is a result of Kim's having worked with a local school teacher, Beverly Castro of Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center, to have her students’ art work displayed in the Children’s area of Bill Brinton Murray Hill Library. Shawn said, "The art makes a positive difference in the children’s lives by offering a gallery space of their own, and it expands on the type of work we already do with DCPS art shows. A BIG plus is it makes the Children’s department look great!”

 

Library Leadership Award Winners Honored By Library Board

The Library Board of Trustees honored these Library Leadership winners for the first quarter of FY2019 (October-December) at its regular meeting, March 21, 2019.  Board Chair Ronnie King (R) and Director Tim Rogers (L) personally congratulated them and presented them with their awards.

Nicolle Burton:  Employee of the Quarter:

 

 Nicolle first won the Encourage the Heart Award and ultimately the Employee of the Quarter Library Leadership Award.  Along with her many job responsibilities, Nicolle works hard and is positive and encourages staff to contribute to various citywide initiatives such as the Daniel organization's Thanksgiving baskets and Salvation Army's Christmas Drive for Children, etc.  Promoting participation by JPL staff while cooperating with other city departments running charitable campaigns, Nicolle has done a superb job--and always with a smile.  She is also appreciated for coordinating staff celebrations and get-togethers which take effort, patience, and passion.  Nicolle is a bright light in JPL!

 

Carolyn Armstrong - Inspire A Shared Vision:

 

 On Saturdays at Dallas Graham, each child is asked to do some reading before logging on to the computer. They check with staff on their reading, either relating elements of the story or reading along with a staff member. Part-time Clerk Carolyn Armstrong takes this mission seriously and spends significant time with each child, usually reading with them for several pages and ensuring they comprehend what is written. Her patience and determination serve as an example to other members of the team and reinforces the sense of purpose staff has in developing young readers.

 

Catherine Currier - Encourage the Heart Award:

 

Catherine formed and strengthened partnerships with local community organizations during the first quarter. She coordinated the exhibition of two Jacksonville Historical Society displays, ensured all paperwork was completed, and managed the installations. Catherine worked with Cummer Museum staff and library staff to develop adult and children's library programs to complement the Cummer Museum's Augusta Savage exhibit and to cross-promote institutions. She attended Memorial Park events and distributed library information. She established a partnership with Alliance Francais which resulted in the planning of a series of tours of Special Collections and English language instruction for a group of French visitors in the Main Library's Center for Adult Learning.  The partnership also resulted in promotion of the "Mapping Our Past" event on Alliance Francais's website and an email blast to Alliance Francais's email distribution list of 750 people.

 Mandy Elliott (not pictured) - Enable Others to Act:

For the 3rd year in a row, JPL has participated in Jacksonville Beach's Deck the Chairs by sponsoring and decorating a lifeguard chair. Each year, Pablo Creek Library's Mandy Elliott has stepped forward to give her assistance in this endeavor. This year, the library didn't have the help of the carpenter and an area school that had participated previously. The call was put out for regional staff to help assemble the chair and Mandy offered to chip in again. She studied the chair design, grabbed a string of lights, climbed up the lifeguard chair and within a few hours she led a JPL employee and a group of teens successfully through setting up and lighting the chair. Mandy brings this can-do attitude into every project and her willingness and talent are admired and appreciated.  (Region Manager Michael Sullivan accepted the award for Mandy Elliott.)

 Sylvester Rease - Model the Way:

Sylvester consistently goes above and beyond as he pursues and executes his duties at JPL's Conference Center.  He takes the initiative to look for improvements needed, projects to make our work more efficient, and to get started on tasks needing to be completed without being prompted or waiting for direction.  He prepares for event set-ups prior to his shifts by printing and reviewing floor plans and asking questions.  He exceeds expectations by being precise and taking measures to ensure safety and attendee comfort.   He sets up equipment properly and submits ideas and recommendations for improving working conditions and methods.  Sylvester models a strong work ethic, kindness, humility, and dependability.  He absolutely models the way for Conference Center helpers and is a huge part of the Conference Center's success.

 Stephanie Boilard (3rdd left) and Nicole Rivera (2nd left) - Challenge the Process:

Stephanie Boilard and Nicole Rivera 'Challenged the Process' in their efforts to develop, launch, and facilitate the first Girls Who Code Club at the Jacksonville Public Library.  With the idea to host a club for 6th - 12th grade students, they began meeting in the spring of 2018, along with volunteer Alexandria Lewis.  They established milestones, prioritized their tasks to launch the first club meeting, September 15, 2018, with 20 students in attendance.  Over the semester, they held a total of 11 sessions with an average of 13 participants in each session.  Since then, they have held regular planning meetings, attended webinars hosted by Girls Who Code, and reviewed the program tutorials and curriculum.  Although both Stephanie and Nicole have coding experience, they dedicated time to improve their skills and researched other Girls Who Code Clubs for best practices. Stephanie and Nicole developed the course and scope of the group project for the club.  In addition to the club curriculum, they compiled passive coding activities in the event of participant overflow.

They then worked with CR and M to develop promotional materials and reached out to local schools and organizations to generate interest and potential participation in the club and promoted it at outreach events.  Stephanie and Nicole also developed the parameters of the club, including holding club sessions in Main's e-Classroom and they set the semester schedule.  They are still working to improve the processes for the next semester.

 Shirdellah Grouix (not pictured), Kim Kirkland, Mary Fletcher (not pictured), Margaret Esposito (4th left), Doug Fair (3rd left), Akeem Adell (5th left), and Albina Akramova (not pictured) - Inspire A Shared Vision:

Murray Hill Branch Library celebrated its 50th Anniversary, Saturday, December 15, 2018, along with a name change and dedication to the late local attorney and library activist Bill Brinton. Over 300 people attended the event. The celebration was a perfect example of inspiring a shared vision and collaborating with others to achieve a successful community event.  MH staff organized and hosted the event, led by Branch Manager Shir Groulx and Assistant Manager Kim Kirkland with support from Library Associate Doug Fair, Library Assistant Margaret Esposito and Library Clerks Mary Fletcher, Albina Akramova and Akeem Adell.  Staff began planning in June and reached out to community groups and businesses for support. They decorated the branch with the theme Flashback to 1968 and the holiday season. Staff and many customers dressed in 1960's attire and 1960's games were played at the event. The team did a wonderful job working with other JPL departments, the Friends of the Murray Hill Library, community leaders, and area businesses to ensure that the celebration was a success.  Bedside this fabulous team, CR and M, Conference, and Facilities staffs, many local businesses, City Council members, our Director and Admin team all made this anniversary/renaming of MH a tremendous success.  Please see the December 19, 2018, article in this blog to enjoy fuller coverage of this event.   

Newly Stocked Book Shelves & Big Sale At FJPL Bookstore

Friends of the Jacksonville Public  Library

March In-Store Sale 

All books, CDs, DVDs, books on CD, puzzles, are Buy One Get One Free... 
 
...except for Special Books, which will be 25% off price noted on the item.

Since FJPL's last bag sale, we have been busy restocking the shelves with books, many of which have not been on the shelves before.

Also, we now have hundreds of non-fiction DVDs reduced in price from $2 each to $1 each, and with this BOGO that works out to be only 50¢ each. 

VISIT THE FJPL BOOKSTORE (SO. END OF UPK) YOURSELF
AND

SPREAD THE WORD TO CUSTOMERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

There's Nothing Like The First Grandchild

SE  Manager Carisia Rooney, happily announces, "Zephyr DeVoe Rooney was born on Sunday, March 10, l2019, to Anthony and Claire Rooney, my son and daughter-in-law. Anthony has presented summer teen art programs at the library, and Claire has had her DeVoe Design artwork displayed twice in the Jax Makerspace."  This is Carisia’s first grandchild!

 CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE ROONEYS!

 

WINNERS IN NEW LIBRARY CARD SIGN UPS

     Kim Smith, SE Library Associate, adds to SE's fast growing number of JPL cardholders.

"The Southeast Library now has a fun way to encourage Free Library Card sign ups. We use a station that mimics Charles Shultz’s Peanuts character, Lucy, and her ‘Advice 5₵’.  The yellow frame fits directly over a cart, so it can be rolled anywhere in the library. Its main feature is it makes people smile, and library card sign ups are climbing again at Southeast," reports SE Manager Carisia Rooney. 

 
Richard Mott, who is tracking new library card sign ups apprised us, March 12, 2019, "For the second week in a row, Southeast had the most new cards with 67."  Richard also cheered these libraries for their outstanding JPL card sign ups (some things are worth a repeat):

"Congratulations to Maxville. With 39 new cards last week, and a total of 82 for the year, they become the first library to exceed their annual target (79 new cards); 38 of those new cards were Educator cards.

 
"Last week, these libraries all achieved the furthest distance ahead of their weekly target that they have been all year:

"+25% - Willowbranch, with 22 new cards last week, achieved a record of 10 weeks in a row of beating their weekly target.

"+57 - Murray Hill with 34 new cards (12 of them Educator cards.)

"+14 - West, with 40 Educator Cards and 15 others, achieved 65 total new cards--four times their weekly target of 16.

"+49 - Westbrook, with 16 Educator Cards and a total of 29 overall, also beat their weekly target by 400%.weekly target by 400%.

"Congratulations to Webb with 56 new cards last week and 5 out of 6 weeks beings their week's target, surpassed their YTD target for the first time since December 22."

"Congratulations to Webb with 56 new cards last week and 5 out of 6 weeks beating their week's target surpassed their YTD target for the first time since December 22."

Job Well Done: Marsha Collins

Marsha Collins is a Library Associate in the Fiction department of the Main Library.  She was nominated by her supervisor, Librarian II Stacey Van Hoy, in February for a Job Well Done Award and received it at Fiction's staff meeting , March 7, 2019. Stacey commended the 30+ businesses Marsha visited to promote Jax Book Fest (see article posted in this blog, February 28, 2019.)  GREAT work, Marsha!

A Bit Of Fun Included In Training

Main Library's Marcie O'Dell says, "Interns learn all kinds of things during Youth Services Training.  Pictured here (L/R) are: Janelle Parnovetz, Rochelle Golomb and Caitlin Ruvolo with me in the Children’s Department having fun making Mardi Gras masks with the kiddos, March 5, 2019.  All enjoyed some King Cake and we donned beads to celebrate."

Jax Book Fest Lines Them Up Around The Block

More than 4500 people attended Jax Book Fest featuring more than 90 local authors and R. L. Stine, author of the best-selling Fear and Goosebumps books, at the Main Library, February 22-23, 2019.  One or two pictures could not tell a portion of all the activities, interest, and fun so enjoy the collage of customers and staff Justin Keiser shares with us:  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fs6YDKgC1VBjAYYHA

The day before people lined up around the block to attend either or both the dinner and later the story time hosted by the JPL Foundation.  Zoe Carr, Development Associate, said, "The dinner, An Evening with R.L. Stine, entertained 150 guests.  Mr. Stine spoke and read funny letters from his fans. There was a meet and greet and later 250 more fans joined the dinner guests in the auditorium for a story time. Mr. Stine read A Ghostly Stare, a short story from The Haunting Hour Series. The children were ecstatic to meet their favorite author and the adults were thrilled to meet the author of their childhood. We had families that traveled from Saint Augustine and Gainesville. One family was from Canada, vacationing in Florida, and made it to the event. The family of five said it was a dream come true to meet Mr. Stine, their favorite author. Overall the event went really well.”

Lisa Buggs, Coordinator of Lifelong Learning and Community Outreach, added, "Making Strides for Autism was on site to make the event autism-friendly and the ASL interpreter made the presentations by Stine and children's author Mike Thaler accessible to more customers.  The entire JPL staff made the event a success."

One example of the effort staff members gave to this project is shared by Main’s Librarian II Stacey Van Hoy, "Marsha Collins went above and beyond to advertise the Book Fest. She single-handedly went in and chatted with people at 30+ businesses. Our goal was to have each staff member distribute flyers to a few locations; she was unstoppable and relentlessly cheerful." 

Sally Doherty & Deborah Wainwright Celebrate 30 Years Of Service

Library Clerical Services Supervisor Deborah Wainwright and Librarian I Sally Doherty--both from Southeast Branch Library--celebrated 30 years of service to JPL, February 26, 2019.  They were joined by family and staff who came to see Deborah and Sally honored by Mayor Lenny Curry and Library Director Tim Rogers.  Mayor Curry presented them both with a 30 year gold pin and a letter of congratulations.

All of us cheer your combined 60 years of service and add our gratitude for all you have done to make JPL a top leader in libraries.  

JPL Staff Give 91 Towels For Needy

Nicolle Burton, vice chair of the JaxCares committee, said (with a huge smile on her face, "I want to thank JPL staff for their generous donation of 91 white bath towels during the JaxCares White Bath Towel Drive.  Towels are collected annually and given to the City Rescue Mission for the homeless and needy population in northeast Florida.  This year's prolific donations were collected from SST, Mandarin, Regency, Webb, Conference Center, Main Children’s Department and the Library’s Administrative Office."


Mary Johnson took this pic of the 38 towels (included in the 91 total) contributed by SST.

It makes one proud to be a JPL employee.

Color Them Neon For DU's Rock the Ages: 80's Edition

DU staff from left to right: Cassy Manning, Michelle Petrin, Tyhedra Wilson, Moriah Rose, Lisa Parisi, Maria Bridges, and Cheri Long

"Highlands staff broke out their neon clothes and Madonna accessories for Teen Associate Beverly Mason’s 'Rock the Ages: 80’s' edition, February 7, 2019.  Six teens joined in to practice dances like the Robot, Moonwalk, and Cabbage Patch and used their moves to dance off in a version of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors.' They also discussed historical events and culture with the teens who made their own 'Ghostbusters' slime and edible marshmallow 'Stay-Puff' men," reports Maria Bridges.

Job Well Done, Special Collections Staff

Six dedicated stars in Special Collection's crown received accolades from guest authors and the public alike at the Main Library program, Mapping Our Past, January 26, 2019.

(L/R above) Hannah Bedenbaugh, Catherine Currier, John Wilson, Laura Minor, and (front) Christa Snow defined the term "excellent library experience" according to attendees. (An article published in this blog, February 7, 2019, gives more details.)  Coupled with their Southern hospitality, the all day seminar was not only an eye opener for many about real Florida history, it went by smoothly--well planned, well executed.

For this, these library employees received Job Well Done awards at Special Collections' staff meeting, February 21, 2019.

Love: A Creative Work On Valentine's Day

Westbrook Branch Library supplied art materials for kids and teens, February 14, 2019, for a do- it-yourself Valentine card making event.   Westbrook's Kate Zakharov shares the joy these young people had interacting with one another, creating their Valentine’s Day cards with obvious zeal.  Kate said, "We had over 20 kids and teens making cards for someone special!"

One card (in forefront below) expresses our impression of these kids' sharing and caring, "You are my sunshine."

Mandarin Promotes Mushy & Spooky

Mandarin Branch Manager Mark Hohnadel sent these pictures of KR's latest displays proving their staff does a good p.r. job promoting--through the hotline of Valentine's Day--not only KR but also programs that are proven good customer draws, such as the display below highlighting the February 23, 2019, Jax Book Fest (10 am-3 pm) at the Main Library. The event will feature R. L. Stine and Mike Thaler, who will give presentations and book signings--and attendees can mingle with some 100 local authors.  There will be sessions for kids, book lovers, and of course, writers.  The first 60 people in line outside the Hicks Auditorium at 10 am will receive a wristband to have their books signed first.

JB's Nicole Saville Goes Several Extra Miles

At Beaches Branch, Nicole Saville enlisted her family to help decorate the children's department.  (No wonder she can create all those wonderful displays.) Nicole, her sister and her mom decorated the wall seen here with the words and images created by Nicole's sister, who used  a silhouette machine at home.  The handsome job was finished February 6, 2019.  Below is the double paneled "I Spy" display/ collage created by Nichole.  Customers get an invite with her "Can you spy?" placard next to the panels.

Thanks to Hongying Song, PCR YS Librarian III, for the input and pictures, who commented, "I am deeply moved by Nicole's dedication and her family's support of the library." 

Pirate & Parrot At PCR

"Pablo Creek Branch’s YS Associate David Humphries was dressed as a pirate and used a hand puppet parrot to get kids engaged during his Young Children Read/Play and Learn program, February 8, 2019--and the kids had lots of fun treasure hunting with him later," said Hongying Song, PCR's YS Librarian III. 

 

 

Mapping Our Past - 2019

JPL's annual Mapping Our Past program at the Main Library satisfied a sweet tooth for some 130 Florida and French history buffs, January 26, 2019.  During this all day event, two speakers saturated the audience with information about this convoluted period in time.  Keynote speaker, journalist/author Miles Harvey told how French artist, mapmaker and explorer Jacques Le Moyne is credited with giving us the first European look at Native Americans who lived in what is now northeast Florida.  Lemoyne's engraved drawings, housed in Main's 4th floor gallery, were recently re-framed for the LeMoyne/De Bry Collection of engravings. 

Sheila Kloc is the wife of the honorary counsel general of France. She is immediate past president of Alliance France in Jacksonville and now represents Jacksonville's Sister Cities Program as representative to our sister city, Nantes, France. She spoke at the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated gallery on the 4th floor.  If you would like a succinct tour through this crucial period, click here to read her speech.  You will find it surprising -- for instance, did you know the real first Thanksgiving was right here in our area?  Also, Mrs. Kloc gives credit where credit is due.

Mrs. Lyn Corley, who worked for years to get Lee Adams' Ribault Landing painting hung on the 4th floor (and an expert herself on this history) said she was very pleased with both Miles Harvey and Sheila Kloc's input at the event and would not have missed it.  She enjoyed talking to Mr. Harvey and asked Mrs. Kloc for permission--at Sara Gunter's request--to use her speech in this article.  Mrs. Corley highly complimented staffs' expertise throughout the event, namely those in Special Collections   Laura Minor, John Wilson, Catherine Currier, Christa Snow, Jay Brasfield, and Hannah Bedenbaugh.  

Pictures of the event can be seen here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JZnsQanDZ5jzzUmt6

2 Staff, 2 Cards, 1 STEM, 1 Book, One Fun Time

YS Part time Associate Rhanda Hardee at the Regency Square Library reports The Wild Robot by Peter Brown was the featured title at Regency's monthly book club, February 1, 2019.  These kids were "all in" with the subject matter and the results of making their individual robots--out of two index cards yet!  Rhanda and E-Specialist Luis Terron each held a session.  She helped them construct their robots and had a Q:&A with pieces of candy for right answers. For a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) encounter, Luis demonstrated two Spiero robots and held their undivided attention.