DVD fines, Boating Test, and More!

Lower Fines for DVDs!

The Board of Trustees voted to lower DVD fines from $2 per day to $1 per day.  The system admin has been notified.  DVDs checked out after August 1, 2016 should reflect this change.  Please note that items checked out BEFORE August 1 may carry the same $2 per day charge that was in effect when the items were checked out.

JCC Offers Boating Exam!

The Jones Creativity Center is now offering the Tennessee Boating Exam!  They are working on becoming a testing site for Virginia as well.  Please direct any inquires about the  either Boating Exam to the fine folks of the JCC. 

 

Time to Update!

Brenda is updating some staff information, such as T-shirt size. No, we don't know of any free T-shirts in the offing, but a couple of times we've had sudden offers (BPL Foundation, for instance) and Brenda has had to submit information on very short notice.  Thanks!

Kitchen Witches

This little witch was hanging out in a restaurant in Prague-- and it was the best place we ate!

In many northern European countries, you can find a little witch doll hanging in the kitchen. These are considered good luck, as the Kitchen Witch (or Cottage Witch, as she's sometimes known) keeps roasts from burning, pots from boiling over, and ensures good order in the kitchen.  The BPL version keeps our Staff Lounge in good order! Thanks to Christy H., Ambrea, Susie, and Candess for being our very own KWs.  From our chart, it appears Christy H. has been the most active of late, so there will be a little something for you in your cubicle. (And no, it's not another broom!)


We appreciate your efforts, ladies! Thanks!

Happy Birthday!

 Janice H. (Happily Retired)  August 8

Pam Neal (Ditto)  August 9

Joe L.  ( Volunteer, Main)  August 9

Doris' Memorial and More

Doris' Memorial

The Celebration of Life saw the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room filled with those who wished to pay tribute to our friend and colleague.  Her husband Walt did the flower arrangements and adorned them with some of Doris' favorite scarves.  Walt said he was gratified not only by the turnout but by the number of people he did not know, people whose lives Doris had touched.

There were several who weren't able to attend who sent condolences to the Bristol Public Library Facebook page, but Gena C. sent a note to Reference:

"I am so heartbroken to hear this. It really made for a rough afternoon for me.

Please share with anyone there who may remember me that the whole Bristol Public Library family is in my thoughts right now (and more often than you know!)."

On the Job Injury Reminder

If you are injured on the job, even if you don't think it is serious, please remember to leave a report for Brenda. 

  

Happy Birthday!

Don   July 24

Doris Stickley

As most have heard by now, Doris passed away in Nashville on July 7th. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held here at the library in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room on Saturday, July 16, beginning at 2 pm.

Here is a link to the current obituary posted at Akard Funeral Home:

Dorothy Louise "Doris" Sinks Stickley

Rest in peace, sweet lady.  We miss you.

Home Sweet Home, City Alert Sign Up, Butterfly is Back!

Home Sweet Home!

We have had several folks move to new homes recently, so we used hot dogs to lure most of them to the Staff Lounge to receive cards, our good wishes, and the traditional new home gifts.

Sisterhood of the blue broom?

Thanks to all who brought in food, especially to Judy and T.J. for the wonderful baked beans and Brenda D. for the deviled eggs. Yum! Also thanks to Christy, Rebecca, Ambrea, Amy, Brenda G.,and Justin who  brought chips, pie (mmmmmm, pie!), watermelon, cookies (mmmmm, cooookieeee!), sauerkraut, cheese, chili, and all the other goodies.  If I left anyone out, please let me know so I can thank him or her.  I missed the set-up and am going by best guess.  Also thanks to both Brendas for clean up afterwards!

 Be Alert(ed)!

Did you know that both Bristol, VA and Bristol, TN allow citizens to sign up to be notified by text or email in case of emergency? You can also sign up for other notifications. To sign up, go to Bristol, Tennessee and click on "Notify Me."  You will get a menu of things to sign up for, from Full Moon Jam notices to emergency alerts to City Council meetings. On the Virginia side, go to Bristol, Virginia, hover cursor over "I Want To" and choose "Register for E-notifications."  You can sign up for weather alerts, notices of job openings or voter registration information or many other things.

The Butterfly is Back!

At last the Caterpillar Crawl has its butterfly back!  It's on the column with the "No Loitering" sign and is flatter in this incarnation.

Pokemon Go!

As many staff have noticed, there are a lot of folk playing this nifty new game.  The Abingdon Police Department has some good humored but serious warnings in their blog.  Even if you aren't in on the hunt, I think you'll enjoy their take on it.
Practice Safe Pokemoning

Leave Requests, Hot Dog Day, Patron Text Notification

Leave Requests

Amy is looking at possible dates for a Staff Training Day.  If you are planning to take time off in August or September, please put in your requests as soon as possible so she can see the days when the most people will be scheduled to take advantage of training.

Hot Dog Day

Remember, tomorrow is Hot Dog Day! We have the basic hot dog (wiener & bun) plus mustard.  Brenda G. is bringing relish.  Others are invited to bring a side dish or favorite fixin', and everyone should bring their own soft drink.

Patron Text Notification

From Rebecca:
"Here lately, we've been having patrons say (or I have) that they aren't getting their text notifications. I've sent a screenshot of one to Heather, to make sure that having multiple boxes checked isn't causing the problem. The report is running fine but she's going to send it on to Sirsi to see if they can see an issue. Heather has asked to that we don't make any changes (for notifications); that way she and Sirsi can see the way we have it set up. If staff could take a screenshot of the patrons who are having issues and email them to me, that would help us solve the problem."

End of the Fiscal Year Stuff, Change Of Address and Hot Dogs!

Personnel Action Notices 

If you need to sign a PAN, see Brenda.  If you aren't sure if you need to sign a PAN, see Brenda.  (These are first of the year forms dealing with VSRS. It's a yellow sheet.)

Addresses

We have some folks who are moving!  The competition for boxes is going to be fierce.  This is just to remind everyone that in between packing, trashing, unpacking, re-buying something you trashed, and total collapse you need to update your address with both Brenda and City Hall. And-- congratulations!!! Happy New House!

Continuing Education Hours

All LIS staff need to be sure they have either entered their completed continuing education hours either online or let Christy know.  Avoca & Children's, report to your supervisor and Michelle and Susan will turn the information over to Amy.  These numbers will be part of our statistics to the state.  July means everyone has a fresh slate to earn those hours before next July! The deadline to turn in such stats is Monday.

Hot Dogs! Get Your Red Hots!

Remember, Tuesday will be Hot Dog Day at Main.  Avoca folks, you are welcome to drop by! Jeanne brought in mustard, both yellow and brown, because with hot dogs you can't have enough mustard.  Brenda G is of the opinion that hot dogs unaccompanied by relish are unworthy of the name, so she is bringing relish. If anyone else wants to bring something, you are more than welcome to do so.

Hot Dog! Staff Updates!

Hot Dogs!

It's been awhile, so let's have another staff lunch! We're aiming for Tuesday, July 12, at noon. There will be hot dogs with mustard and mayonnaise.   It's BYONAB.*  If you'd like to bring something else, such as chips, dip, potato salad, relish, desserts, that would be great but it's not required. See you then!

*Bring Your Own Non-Alcoholic Beverage

Doris Update

She is still in Nashville and will be there for some time.  If anyone asks about sending a card, ask them to bring it to the library and Jeanne or Brenda will be sure she gets it.

Happy Birthday!

Bill at Avoca      July 6