Merry Christmas, Schedule Changes, A Blackbird Quilt, and More!

                         Joyce created a quilt for Blackbird in appreciation for all they do for us. Great job, Joyce!!

Schedule Changes

Last Friday we discovered that there would be some last minute changes to library schedules!  First and foremost, the City has decided to give employees an extra day off on the 26th.  This means we will indeed be closed on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, December 24-26.

Also on Friday afternoon we received an email from Katie V. telling us that the Adult Learning Lab will be closed for the next two two weeks.  ALL will be closed Dec. 22, 2014 until January 5, 2015.

Merry Christmas from Jud

I made my annual $100 Xmas donation on behalf of the library to Wikipedia again this year.  Here is the message I received from the Wikipedia Foundation:

Dear Jud,

Thank you for your invaluable gift of bringing knowledge to every human around the world.

My name is Lila Tretikov, and I’m the Executive Director of the Wikimedia Foundation. 

Over the past year, gifts like yours powered our efforts to expand the encyclopedia in 287 languages and to make it more accessible all over the world. We strive most to impact those who would not have access to education otherwise. We bring knowledge to people like Akshaya Iyengar from Solapur, India. Growing up in this small textile manufacturing town, she used Wikipedia as her primary learning source. For students in these areas, where books are scarce but mobile Internet access exists, Wikipedia is instrumental. Akshaya went on to graduate from college in India and now works as a software engineer in the United States. She credits Wikipedia with powering half of her knowledge.

This story is not unique. Our mission is lofty and presents great challenges. Most people who use Wikipedia are surprised to hear it is run by a non-profit organization and funded by your donations. Each year, just enough people donate to keep the sum of all human knowledge available for everyone. Thank you for making this mission possible.

On behalf of nearly half a billion people who read Wikipedia, thousands of volunteer editors, and staff at the Foundation, I thank you for keeping Wikipedia online and ad-free this year.

Thank you,
Lila

Lila Tretikov
Executive Director,
Wikimedia Foundation

  
Also, Jud sends thanks for all the goodies and promises a review of the wine!

Farewell, Ron!

Ron C. is no longer with the Adult Learning Lab, but has moved on to a new job.  We will miss him! Best of luck with your new position.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Brenda needs some Emergency Contact numbers for folks!  Check with her to see if she has your correct information.  Thanks!

Happy Birthday!

Christy H.  December 28

Selena  December 29

The More Things Change....

This clipping is from an old British newspaper.  Many of the rules seem strangely familiar....

The British Newspaper Archive FB page posts clippings from old newspapers on a regular basis.  The content ranges from serious historical reports to oddball news.  If you're curious, check https://www.facebook.com/TheBritishNewspaperArchive 

Thank You

From Jeanne:  I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone for signing my card, for the individual cards and gifts, and most of all for being a wonderful group of people.  You aren't just co-workers but friends and family.   You make the library a great place to work.  Thank you.  May you have warm and merry holidays, and may 2015 be a happy and healthy year for you and those you love.