Programs Online

"At Main Children’s we’re excited about the new Children’s Online Programming!  Kudos to all those involved in getting this project going. Here’s one example of a wall display that gets the word out," says Marcie O’Dell, who created this display that is part of an information wall.

Waste Not, Want Not

This exciting “Where Did Dinosaurs Go?” display at the Main Children’s Department was created by Library Assistant Kate Martin. Kate has a knack for taking leftover pieces, soon to be discarded items and trash to create an informative and imaginative outcome. If you have a few minutes, we welcome you to come by; the display is up through September.  (Thanks to Marcie O'Dell for the pic and input.)

It Pays To Advertise

Marcie O'Dell extends an invite, "Come and check out the creative way Main's Teen Librarian I Kate Zakharov and Children’s Associate Hannah Genslinger chose to advertise online classes for Main's Teen Department. This chalk board shows the classes offered on the left and a mock Zoom conversation between six 'participants' on the right. What a wonderful, eye-catching way to get our classes noticed! Great job you two!"

Twins Win

SOM's YS Librarian II Isabel Moreno-Santiago enjoyed a "return on investment" in SLP when William Hartman visited the South Mandarin Branch with his twin brother, Daniel, August 18. 2020. Isabel said, "William came to collect his Summer Reading prize: Young Architect. William and Daniel’s mother, Liz Phillips,  told us the twins enjoyed reading so many new books over the summer and their favorite program was Page Turner. The twins, who will attend St. Joseph Catholic School this year, shared their winning strategy with Branch Manager Theresa Rooney and me: they pooled their tickets to increase their chances of winning and agreed to share the prize if they won. Theresa and I were impressed with the twins’ strategy as well as their masks, which they got at Disneyworld."

 

 

Worth Quoting

Did you have a moment to enjoy Ryan Dowd's (Homeless Training) email, August 18, 2020?  If not, it's worth a read now: 

"I ran upon this great quote the other day from Paulo Coelho: 'The world is changed by your example, not by your opinion.'

"I think this has always been true but is especially true right now:

• Maybe we need a little less opinion right now and a little more kindness.
• Maybe we need a little less opinion right now and a little more human connection (safely, of course!).
• Maybe we need a little less opinion right now and a little more laughter.
• Maybe we need a little less opinion right now and a little more smiling (yes, you can smile through a mask… it is in your eyes!).

"It is easy to assume that I’m talking about 'them' with this quote. I’m not. I’m talking about you and me and them. But it may have to start with you and me!"

Whetting Appetites

Hongying Song, East Region's YS Service Manager, shares pictures of Pablo Creek's displays that will have customers searching the library for these titles.

 

"The first picture shows YS Library Associate David Humphries' adroit voting display,“FREADOM 2020.” David supports early voting at PCR with children's civic education in mind. He has been working diligently to bring hands-on voting to kids.  He says his efforts were aided by his wife’s Cricut and Button Badge Maker machines.

 

"In the second pic, YS Library Associate Bridgette King created a Diversify Your Reading display that encourages kids to read fiction of different genres as well as nonfiction books.

 

"A books to movies display in the third picture is the result of  YS Library Associate Bridgette King's and Adult Librarian Abbey McGeathey's collaboration to whet the appetite for JPL's many book to movie combos.

 

"As you see, the creative staff at PCR continue providing the best customer experience and service."

Read Any Good Movies Lately?

Marcie O'Dell says, "Come and check out a new display at the Main Library Teen department.  It encourages some fun with books that have been made into films.  Someone pass the popcorn, please!  (Display created by Gloria Buenavista from NW.)"

The picture will be posted when the Google program allows.

5 Months & Reading!

Hannah Ringstaff, Support Services Librarian II, Acquisitions, is proud to say, "My son Aiden received his first ever summer reading prize in July at 5 months old. We read together for 20 days and picked out his book prize at Pablo Creek. He just loves to read!" 

 

Please Note:  Aiden's picture will be posted here when Google program allows. 

 

 

Need A Smile?

Lady Bug & Thunders

SOM's Heather Bumbalough said, "Thunder Bug is a simple kitchen timer housed in a cute lady bug which measures about 4 inches in diameter. When staff hear thunder, they know not to go outside for curbside service for 30 minutes. They set Thunder Bug, who stays in the SOM workroom by the curbside phones, for 30 minutes each time there is thunder, so she can let staff know when it is safe for them and customers to be outside.  Our employees really get into it! Every time they hear thunder everyone yells, 'Thunder Bug!' to be sure people at the phones know to set the timer."

JB Masks Books

 "Covid-19 has inspired me!  I thought to myself, 'I’m either going to make a 'current events' display or strategically place books with masks around the Beaches branch for folks to find – like Easter eggs!  (Have I mentioned that I have the best job? 😊" That is Terry Welch's ever lemon-to-lemon aide approach to life.

 

 

 

3 Cheers & Drum Rolls For Dayita Banerjee

Shukti Banerjee, PT Library Clerk at Mandarin Branch, is proud to announce, "My daughter, Dayita Banerjee, graduated July 20, 2020, from Stanton College Preparatory School with a GPA of 4.9675.  Stanton held their in-person graduation in their football stadium and social distancing was maintained and masks were a must.  Each student could bring two family members, and since the event was live-streamed, family and friends in Jacksonville, Dallas, Texas, and India could watch and share Dayita's great achievement in real time.  That was amazing.

 

"We later celebrated with a take-out lunch from Olive Garden, a red velvet graduation cake  (Dayita's favorite) and lots and lots of balloons.

 

"Now Dayita is headed to UF Honors and will be majoring in Microbiology and Cell Sciences."

 

Wanna Know About Fingerprinting?

Main Children’s Department Library Assistant, Kate Martin, created a display educating customers about the history of fingerprinting and the fingerprint process.  Kate has previous experience working in a field that required taking fingerprints and maintaining fingerprint records. This is a unique, interesting display and you are invited to come check it out in the Main's Children’s Department.  (Picture will be posted once the program is repaired.)  

 

Sea Creatures Entertain, Educate At Main

Main Children’s Librarian II, Joanna Nigrelli had an original idea that played out well in a display.  LASes Hannah Genslinger and Marcie O’Dell took her idea to reality. They put some lonely puppets to work and had fun creating a three-tiered ocean display and a game kids could play.  This is one of a variety of passive programming options set up around the department that allows children to learn and win a prize, which always makes them smile!

SE Encourages Wearing Masks

 

SE's Alison Halkovic, YS Librarian II, said, "Our staff added paper face masks to the characters in the children's department mural, following the example of the New York Public Library and their iconic lion sculptures. We hope the addition will help show our littlest customers that kids just like them are wearing masks all over the world to help keep their communities healthy and safe." 

Cause for Celebrations For San Marco Staff

Christie Rogers, SS YS Librarian I, and staff were ready to celebrate, June 12, 2020.  Christie said, "San Marco Branch staff caught up on birthdays and bade a sad farewell to Allegra Harris, who is going to work in the medical field at Shands.  Belated 'Happy Birthdays!' were extended to employees who celebrated their birthdays in April and May.

 

"Our celebrations were enjoyed with a Covid-19 appropriate staff party.  We dined on individual Chick-fil-a box lunches, Little Debbies, and sodas.  Pool noodles were used to keep appropriate distance.

 

"April birthdays included Library Clerk Tammy Mincey, Library Associate Robin West Rodgers, and Library Assistant Davi Harmon.

 

"May birthday celebrants were Part-time Clerk Selena Mann, Part-time Marilyn Maron, and Library Clerk Allegra Harris, whom we wished the very best in her new adventure."

 

Please Note:  Pictures would not align so all three employees would appear on this page so they are not used here.

 

Selena Mann: Job Well Done

Christie Rogers (R above), San Marco YS Librarian I, said, "Selena Mann was awarded the Job Well Done award before Covid-19 because a customer complimented her on how she took time to fix her family’s library cards so they can be active users again at JPL. The customer was grateful and this positive interaction will ensure she will continue to use the library and tell others about their positive customer service, which can lead to more active users. Selena, a P/T Clerk, always demonstrates positive customer service. Even now she is offering help to call customers about their holds."

JPL Starts Reopening

The Main Library resumed customer service inside the building, June 3, 2020. Nine other branch libraries began curbside service only the same day--Beaches, Graham, Highlands, Mandarin, Pablo Creek, Regency Square, Southeast, Webb Wesconnett, and West.

 

Deputy Director Julie McNeil said, "Presently, the Main Library is open to the public to come in, Monday-Saturday, 10 am-6 pm.  Curbside service at the above branches is Monday-Thursday, 10 am - 7 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm.  No Jacksonville Public Library Sunday service is available right now.

 

"Argyle, South Mandarin, Willowbranch, and University Park branches will add curbside service later this week, although the date has not yet been determined. Brentwood Branch Library will begin curbside service, June 15, 2020."
 

Terry Welch, a library clerk at Beaches Branch, coined a new word when she reported Theresa Rooney Nicole Saville, Dylan Franke, Robbie Crabtree, Amber Pierce, and she are the original JB "curbies." Terry said, "At first, service was slow but has picked up steam. Customers are happy to see us and we are happy to be back and serving them again." 

Mr. Walter Snow Passes

Christa Snow, a Librarian I in Main's Special Collections department when she retired in December 2019, lost her husband, Walter, May 21, 2020. 

Christa is fondly remembered by her colleagues.  She was with JPL 17 years and is sorely missed.  All of us at JPL extend to Christa and her family our sincere condolences.

SOM Robotics Club Launches

                             Click on the pic to get a larger view.

isabel Moreno-Santiago, YS Librarian II, announced, "South Mandarin Branch Library inaugurated the SOM Robotics Club, March 7, 2020. This program is sponsored by the Friends of South Mandarin Library in partnership with Shiva Robotics Academy. During the program the instructors from the Academy showed a group of nine very enthusiastic teens and tweens how to build their own robots. In the group picture above (L/R) are Mia Brack, YS Librarian III, and one of the Shiva Robotics Academy instructors, the nine students, and another Academy instructor on the far right.  Below the students are engrossed in building their robotics and then some of their final results are shown.  They--and we--were proud of their accomplishments."

Perseverance pays off!

    
The Robotics Club will have two sessions and a final Expo on May 2, 2020, to showcase the students' projects to the public.  The first session, for 5th-7th graders, will be held for two Saturdays beginning March 7.  The second session, for 2nd-4th graders, will run for six Saturdays beginning April 4.