Focus Groups, Reserves, Notary Service, Tax Help, and COLD!

Focus Group Members Needed!

The library is going to hold a series of meetings with local folks to discuss how the library can better inform, educate, and support the community.  There were be several different meetings with five to twelve people at a time.  We're anxious to find people who would help us out.  Since our staff know patrons better than anyone, we would like you to approach people you think would have good ideas to see if any would like to be a member of such a group.  We're looking for young adults (people ages 18-25), Millennials (late 20s-30s), and older adults. If you know someone you think might be interested, by all means ask them! Let them know that we value their opinions and why you think they would be the perfect people to help us out.  We will have sign up slips at Circ and Reference for you to write down the person's name and contact information.  We don't have the meeting times set-- in part because we want to see what times will be convenient for our participants as well as our facilitator-- but the session should not last longer than 90 minutes and they would only need to come to one session.

The staff member who recommends the most people who end up participating will receive a reward! 

 

 
Reserves

As of January 1, patrons can NOT use our catalog system to reserve books from ETSU or Northeast State.  If someone needs a book which is only available at these locations, the request must be made through Agent. The Avoca library staff or Main's Reference staff can handle these requests. The reason is that the two academic libraries are leaving our system. 

Notary Services

Our notary services are going to be limited for the foreseeable future.  Nicki is no longer a notary; Christy will soon be on maternity leave.  This leaves only Brenda and Susan at Avoca to provide notary services.  Brenda says the best times for her are usually in the morning. It would probably be better if the requester made an appointment with either Brenda or Susan.  The important thing is to let people know that our notary services will be limited and they cannot count on being able to see a notary if they simply drop in. 

Free Tax Help Begins!

Yes, the volunteers will be here again this year to help folks fill out their taxes!  Help will begin on January 31.  The tentative schedule is Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 and Saturdays from 10:00 AM until 2 PM. We do have bookmarks to hand out with the times.  At this point, they are scheduled to come until April 14.

 

Staff News

Bill M.'s parents have both been very ill with pneumonia.   There has been some improvement and his mother has been released from the hospital while his father has been moved to Cambridge House. Prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated.  Susan will keep us posted as to developments.

Laura K. would also appreciate prayers for her daughter who has had a little set back in her recovery.

In better news, Joan is recovering well from her knee surgery and is impressing everyone with her range of motion.  Hope to see you soon, Joan!

Carolyn Pearson

Some of you may remember Carolyn Pearson, who used to work here part time.  Susan received word today that Carolyn passed away recently.  Per her wishes, there will be no service. You can see the obituary here.

 

Art D'Vine

From Doris:  "We will be taking part in the Art D'Vine event in Historic Downtown Bristol this Friday night. Joe Strickland's Toilet Rooms photo exhibition will be featured in our Virgie R. Fleenor Art Gallery. We will be serving hot coffee and some luscious cookies so come enjoy the art and get warm. Please enter the building through the Meeting Room doors since this is an after-hours event and the Library proper will be closed."  

The Art D'Vine event starts at 6 pm; folks can walk around downtown Bristol and browse local shops and galleries.  Some will offer wine tasting. The event is free, but a $5 contribution would be appreciated. Yes, it's supposed to be VERY cold so the library's hot coffee should be quite popular!

Even if you don't want to do the downtown event, it's well worth visiting the Fleenor Gallery to take a look at Joe Strickland's photographs.  You'll never quite view a public restroom quite the same way again.

 

 Welcome, Candess!

Candess will be joining our weekend crew at Main.  She worked for several years in libraries in Wise County, Virginia.  She says her favorite part of her job is customer service.  

 COLD!!! 

A quick reminder to everyone to take some precautions while the weather is so bitter.  Thanks, Laurie, for bringing this up!

• Be sure that outside pets have shelter or, better yet, let them come in. 
• Let your faucets run a bit to prevent freezing pipes. 
• Be careful with space heaters! Or any other extra heat you may use, such as fireplaces or wood stoves. Fires are even more difficult to fight in subzero temperatures.
• Layer your clothing to stay warm.