Profiles of New Staff

You might have noticed some new faces in our children's department.  As of October 2012, we welcomed Margo Crafton and Eve Harm.  Margo Crafton is a Librarian Senior and head of the children's department as she comes by way of Mandarin Branch Library most recently.  Eve Harm is a Librarian and her last assignment was the West Regional Library. 

Ms. Margo's Staff Profile 

Favorite kid's book and why?  The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster is one of my favorite kid's books.  The reason I love it is because it is about grandparents and I have wonderful memories about my grandparents.  Plus it is even more special to me now that I am a grandparent myself.   

Best storytime story?  There are a lot of great moments to choose from.  A lady once told me that while she and her daughter plays school, they have a pretend storytime.  During storytime, the daughter pretends she is Mrs. Crafton.  She holds up her book just like Mrs. Crafton.  Then the daughter licks her finger to turn the page...just like Mrs. Crafton.  It was something I wasn't even aware of before that. Or I was in Publix one day and saw a family that had come to storytime throughout the years.  After saying hello and catching up with them, they then started to go out into the store.  As they were walking away, I noticed the older teen turn to his mother and hold up his hands, opening and closing them.  This was a familiar move since opening and closing the hands is how we would always do in storytime for "Open, Shut Them". It was lovely to see that even though he hadn't been to storytime in some time, this was obviously something that stuck with him. 

Tell us about yourself?  I have been a librarian for quite some time and worked for Jacksonville Public Libraries for 15 years.  I was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI.  I am married and have three grown boys and four grandchildren.  Besides reading, I like to cook and love to garden. 

Something not many people know about you?  I like to fish and go shelling. 

Ms. Eve's Staff Profile 

Favorite kid's book and why?  That is a super tough question.  One of my favorite children's books is Dinosaur vs. Bedtime.  I love to be animated in my storytimes and this one most definitely allows me to be.  I get to roar for the entire storytime and then snore at the end. 

Best storytime story?  My favorite thing to do for storytime is dress up.  I have worn everything from overalls and a straw hat for a farming storytime to bunny ears for Easter.  Well, for St. Patrick's Day, I was wearing a big green afro and shamrock headband.  After having a great storytime, I started to tell the audience that I would look a bit more normal next time.  But then I stopped and thought, "No, next time I will be wearing bunny ears.  Maybe my normal is weird."  When I said that out loud, I laughed and so did my audience.  Whatever I can do to make reading fun and enjoyable, I will do.

Tell us about yourself?  I am a Jacksonville native.  I am one of six children and am married with four cats.  The Jacksonville Public Libraries is the only system I have worked since getting my degree ten years ago.  I love to travel and have had the chance to visit 23 of the 50 states as well as Mexico, England, Italy, Scotland, Belgium, and France.  I have been lucky enough recently to combine a love of writing and puppetry by writing a number of puppet shows for the library and performing them. 

Something not many people know about you?  During my time as a camp counselor, I got the chance to try out the flying trapezee and learn some tricks.