Book Signing, Mason Update, & Iron Man

Dr. Ballard Book Signing

Dr. Wayne Ballard will be at the library on Sunday, May 1, signing copies of his book Glimpses from State Street.  The signing will be in the Homer and Ida Jones Creativity Center upstairs, beginning at 2:30 pm.  Copies of the book will be available for purchase.  Dr. Ballard was the interim pastor for First Baptist Church.

Mason Update

Baby Mason continues to do well.  He hasn't gone home yet, but Grandmother Pam is already reading to him.  We don't know the book-- it could be Winnie the Pooh or Harry Potter or the latest J.D. Robb-- but whatever it is, I'm sure he's enthralled.

Kiln Time 

 Justin finished his Kiln Time project and I have to say that Iron Man never looked better! Maybe we can do this again some time!

 

 

Flex Accounts; Happy Birth Day and Birthday!

Flex Accounts

For those with Flex Accounts, remember that you need to sign up for next year by this Friday, April 29. You'll need to  go to City Hall to fill out that paperwork if you want an account for 2016/2017 year.

Happy Birth  Day, Mason!

Pam Neal is a grandmother!  Baby Mason was delivered on Tuesday, April 26.  He weighs four pounds, six ounces and is already the apple of his grandmother's eye.  As a Tuesday's child, we expect he will be full of grace. As a Taurus, we expect him to be loyal, generous, and stubborn.  Congratulations, Pam, on the new little man in your life!  

Happy Anniversary, Amy!

 April 29

We wish you the happiest of days! 


(Anniversary of your birth, that is!)

 

  

Staff News, Thema Chafin, and Art Objects

Health Updates

Good news!  Brenda's Harry is out of the hospital and seems to be doing well.  

Judy's Harold is back home as well.

We've heard that Janice H. is under the weather.

Prayers and good wishes for all concerned will be appreciated.

Thelma Chafin

Some of you may remember Thelma Chafin who came to us through Experience Works.  Thelma and Dottie kept the workroom rockin' back in the day.  Thelma passed away last week at age 93.  You can read her obituary here. 

Kiln Time

Here are some of the wonderful objects created.  Can you guess who did what?

Okay, this one is a ringer-- not done by staff.  But isn't it cute???

   

Maybe we should do this again sometime!

Kiln Time Characters!

Here's a shot of most of the crew at Kiln Time!  We had fifteen people participate, including three guests.  Photos of individual pieces will be posted after they are fired.  We have some very creative people!  I think everyone had a great time. 

We saw you hiding in the other photo, Kim!

Thanks to Doris for making all the arrangements!

Kil'n Time!

Kil'n Time!

For those who are interested, we'll be chillin' at Kil'n Time this Friday, April 15, at 5 pm -- just head over after work, for those who are scheduled that day.  The library will pay for the sitting fee for employees. Pizza and drinks will be provided!

 You are welcome to bring a friend or relative, but you will have to pay the library for the extra sitting fee.  (If we have ten or more people, the fee is reduced to $5.) You will also be responsible for buying the item you wish to paint.  I'd suggest that you go over and pick something out before the session because there are lots of choices.  Lots and lots! 

We do need to know how many people are going to participate for both the folks at Kil'n Time and for purchasing pizza.  Please let Doris know by Wednesday afternoon if you are going to attend.  I hope we'll have a good turn out.  We don't often have a chance to just hang out and have fun together.

Did I mention pizza?

Trust me-- your art will be better.  It has to be.

  P.S. There will be pizza.

 

Almira Rain, Art D'Vine, Brenda's Award & Melon!

Meet Almira Rain

Welcome to the newest addition to the BPL menagerie! Rebecca has just added a baby bloodhound.  She's six weeks old and, obviously, adorable!

 Brenda's Award!

The world's worst photographer strikes again!

Art D'Vine

We will be a stop on the Art D'Vine route again this month!  Two artists will be displaying their work in the Gallery.  This will be Friday, April 8, from 6-9 PM.

 

National Library Week

Happy National Library Week!  Enjoy it, everyone! Melon will try to post a book of the day at his FB page.  

"I like the classics, of course."

Melon's FB page

 

 

Award Winning Staff, Lunch, Health, & Thanks!

Congratulations, Brenda!!

Just in case you hadn’t heard, Brenda D. will receive the Tennessee Library Association Support Staff of the Year Award at the annual meeting in Kingsport.  It’s well deserved as we all know.  Thank you, Brenda, for all you do for us!

Unfortunately, a trip to Hawaii was not part of the award.

Staff Luncheon

If you’re prone to forgetting to bring your lunch, next Tuesday would be a great day to do just that.  In honor of Library Workers Day, Staff at both Avoca and Main will be treated to lunch!  The event will start around noon.

Open Enrollment 2016 Employee Benefits Fair

Wednesday, April 20  10:00 AM- 3:00 PM

From City Hall:

This year, the entire event will be held in the City Council Chambers.  There will be about 17 vendors this year.  All Hybrid employees should stop by and make contact with Erinn Briele, with ICMA-RC who will be available to discuss and answer questions regarding voluntary contributions to your retirement plan.

Also, this year, for the first time, employees on the City’s health insurance may stop by The Local Choice’s Commonhealth Wellness booth and get a complete health screening at no cost!  As part of this package, you can get blood pressure, cholesterol, - total and HDL, glucose and diabetes risk assessment, body mass index (BMI) and get instant results!  Attached is a registration sheet if interested, (this is strictly voluntary) and there will be 3 nurses available to conduct these tests. 

  Please contact HR with your preferred time slot BY NO LATER THAN MONDAY APRIL 11.  Approximately 1-4 participants every 15 minutes may be seen.  These tests can be conducted in separate and private spaces of the Council Chambers area.  You should present your Local Choice/Anthem insurance card at the time of testing as evidence of a participant of The Local Choice.

NOTE:  LIS staff, you are welcome to attend but please check with Christy first so we can be sure desks are covered.  Then if you want to take advantage of the health screening, you can call the HR Department at 276-642-2325 to get an appointment in that time period.

New Spaces!

Our new spaces are almost ready and they look wonderful! Joyce has put in a lot of hours and a lot of sweat putting up shelving, moving things around, and measuring.  Thank you, Joyce, for all your hard work!

Thanks to the LIS Staff!!

And speaking of hard work, thanks to those who have been moving the YA books, especially Justin and Don.  They’ve been troopers.

Also thanks to all those who have been straightening and cleaning the adult books.  You make the library look wonderful! It is noticed and appreciated.