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Friday, May 9, 2014

Get Well WIshes, Cheers, and More



 Get Well Soon!
As some of you may know, Laura's daughter is having some medial issues.  They would appreciate any and all prayers and good thoughts sent their way. Thanks!

Nancy P. should be headed back home soon.  Thanks to Janice H., Laurie, and Nicki for keeping us updated.

Cheers to....
When one of our newspaper microfilm reels broke, it was Rebecca to the rescue!  Judy found our old film splicer, Rebecca consulted the instructions, and voila! She fixed the reel.  Thank you, Rebecca!

If you haven't been downstairs to check out the Kentucky Derby and Mother's Day displays, please take the time.  Laurie did a wonderful job of decorating!

Congratulations!
We have a couple of college graduates to celebrate!  Doris' Patrick will be graduating from ETSU on Saturday, and volunteer Megan will be graduating from Virginia Highlands.  Well done, folks! We're proud of you!
Program Notes
ArtSmart classes for kids won't meet again until September.  The class scheduled for this Saturday has been cancelled.

If you haven't checked out the exhibit in the Gallery, treat yourself! Margaret Gregg has some wonderful pieces in there.
  

Happy Mother's Day!

It is somehow ironic that I'm having trouble typing this at home because Mama Cat is trying to nap on the keyboard.  Anyway, Happy Day to you, moms!

Friday, May 2, 2014

Remodeling, Dental & Meeting Rooms

 Renovations
From Jud:

"Look for changes to start to happen as the remodeling project moves forward. After a long delay to work out funding and management details, it is back on track. There are still at least 3-4 months before construction will start to happen—the plans need to be finalized with the architect and approved by the Board before the construction documents can be drawn, and then the contract will need to be bid out. But in the meantime the upstairs admin. and AV areas can be cleared out so we’ll be ready to go whenever. In addition, a big job coming up will be the weeding/shifting of the books and shelving in the downstairs area in preparation for flipping the YA area to the back.
With all the weeding that’s coming up, boxes will be at a premium, so until further notice please do not remove any boxes from the recycling area for personal use."

 Dental Insurance
From City Hall:

"City management has decided to continue the auxiliary dental reimbursement benefit for another year.  For anyone wishing to enroll or make changes, the open enrollment period is now active and will end on May 9, 2014.  Please distribute/post the attached notice for all your employees.  The attachment includes new rates and a form to be completed for those electing to enroll or make changes.  Employees who participate in the City’s health insurance (The Local Choice Anthem BC/BS) must first submit dental claims to Delta Dental before filing any claim with the Comptroller’s office for reimbursement.   A copy of the City’s Dental Reimbursement Plan is available online at www.bristolva.org under Human Resources. " 

(A copy of this notice is posted on the Staff Bulletin Board.)

Meeting Room Reservations
Meeting Room reservations must go through Doris.  The only exceptions are for the lower level study rooms which Reference can do under the following conditons:
1. Doris is not available, AND
2.The room is needed before Doris will be available, AND
3. The room is needed for a one time only use, not multiple reservations, AND
4.The room is needed within 48 hours or less
Reference can NOT book any of the rooms upstairs. If you have any questions, please see Doris or Jeanne.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Harrison, ILLs, Holds and more!

Welcome Back, Harrison!
The headline says it all!
 
Interlibrary Loan Renewals



Nicki wants to remind everyone that Interlibrary Loan Books through Agent can NOT be renewed.  These are the ones which check out using a white or blue strip with one of our barcodes and the item name in the record is ILL.  She intends to check the item out twice when it arrives so that if a patron tries to renew it, it will appear that the book has already been renewed.  If the patron says it has not renewed, he or she will be right, but explain that we cannot renew ILL items without express consent from the loaning library.  If the patron wants to try to get an extension, the request must go through Nicki.  If we do not adhere to the loaning library's restrictions, we may not be able to borrow books this way.
 
   
Holds
 In answer to a question from a staff person, Don says, "Hold books are pulled from the shelves the day AFTER the date the patron has been told to pick up the book."  So the books are actually on the shelf for an extra half day past the date the person is told is the deadline.
Donations


While the library has traditionally used donated items to supplement the collection, Lisa has requested a two month moratorium: no one is to take anything out of the donations to add to the library collection. This will give her a chance to evaluate the materials coming in to have a better idea of frequency and quality, and to build her inventory for the Gift Shop as it takes on a new identity.  After June 15, we will come up with a system which will allow the library to resume adding donated items to the  collection  to give our patrons the best selection possible while remaining within our materials budget.

Thanks, Becky!
The Staff Break Room has a spiffy new paper towel holder courtesy of Becky B!  This one allows for easy replacement of towels and is very attractive.  Thank you, Becky, for your thoughtful and helpful donation!


Happy Birthday!
Anna P.  (Volunteer)     April 16

Joyce's Quilts
For those of you who didn't make it to Abingdon for the Block Party, here are a couple of shots of quilts done by our own Joyce!


Friday, April 11, 2014

Adults in the Children's Library, Assistant Supervisor, and More

Adults in the Children's Library
From Jud:  "Back in Feb. there was a reminder about the “no unaccompanied adults in Children’s Library” policy. The reason for the reminder was that an adult had been sent there to use the copier. Let me be more explicit this time: please do not send adults to the Children’s Library to use the copier."
 
In a somewhat related note, Saratoga is trying to fix the coin operated public copier but they aren't sure if they can get the needed part for the coin box.  Reference staff are making copies in the Reference workroom, but if the patron has anything complex, you may want to suggest  Bristol Office Supplies, Minuteman Press, The UPS Store, or other photocopying establishment. Updates will follow as soon as we hear from Saratoga.

Assistant Supervisor for LIS
As many of you may have heard, we have a new position at Main: Assistant Supervisor for Lending and Information Services.  We had four very good, very worthy candidates apply for the job, all bringing their own special strengths and perspectives.  In the end, only one could hold the position.  The winning candidate is Christy Lunsford out of the Reference Department.   Congratulations, Christy!

She'll be working on staff schedules, assigning tasks, and working toward making BPL an even better place for both our patrons and our staff.  It's not an easy job;  it will require everyone's cooperation to make it work, but we have faith that our extremely capable and congenial staff can make that happen. 

Update on Joyce's Quilt Blocks
While we don't know where all seventeen or so are placed, you can see several at the Lights at Stone Mill in Abingdon.  There are other exhibit locations throughout Abingdon where some of Joyce's work may peek out at you, but if you don't want to do a lot of roaming around Wolf Hills, then Lights is your best bet.  Joyce says there are a lot of beautiful blocks out there, many done by the members of her Quilters' Guild.

The Return of Harrison!
Mr. Gilley stopped by to let us know that he hopes to be back next week.  He looked rested and fit, if maybe a little bored. Okay, maybe a lot bored.  He's looking forward to taking up the beat again. Hope to see you Tuesday, Mr. G!

 Events at Main & Avoca
  • Dr. Robin Feierabend kicked off the new season of the Health Education Series with "New Hypertension and Cholesterol Guidelines: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." There will be a new Health Education program every second Thursday of the month in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room.  The start time has been changed to 6:30 instead of 7:00.  Upcoming topics include Summer Hazards, Joint Replacement, and Diabetes.
  • ArtSmart Class will meet at 10 am on Saturday, April 12
  • Sunday, April 13, three  award-winning poets will be doing a poetry reading in honor of National Poetry Month.  This program will begin at 2 pm in the J.Henry Kegley Meeting Room.
  • National Library Week is April 13-19.
  • The Children's Department is having the Caterpillar Crawl which will start at the Farmer's Market at 6 pm on April 14.  At 6:30, participants can meet KC the Caterpillar, make crafts, and have a snack in the Children's Library. 
  • The final Tax Help session will be on Tuesday, April 15, from 5:30 until 7:30. 
  • There will be a library luncheon on Wednesday, the 16th, starting at noon. Members of both City Councils have been invited as well as the Board of Trustees and other dignitaries. We would like as many staff members as possible to attend, but we will also have to keep the library open so we will be looking at the schedule to see what can be done.  Please let Jeanne or Christy know if you wish to attend.  If you do not attend, lunches will still be available. Doris needs to have a physical count so they'll know how many tables and chairs to set up. 

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

National Library Week, Avoca, & "Block" Party!

The theme for this year's National Library Week is Lives Change@Your Library.  Laurie & Kristin came up with this great display!


In Other Artistic News...
Abingdon is having a Block Party!  Only these blocks are quilt blocks, and the quilts will be hung around in establishments all over town.You can find more information here:


Let's see, do we know someone who quilts?  Hmmm. Someone did make all those lovely little "sheets" for the bookdrops, one for every holiday and season (and a few just for fun.) Here's a hint:
Yes, indeed, our own Joyce has entered seventeen blocks!  She doesn't know which venues will display her artisty yet, but we'll keep you posted!

Avoca News!
April is going to be a busy month at our branch library!  Starting on Thurday, April 11, the Avoca Friends will be hosting a humongeous Book Sale!  The sale will run Thursday-Saturday; come early for best selection.  The hours are:
Monday & Friday  10:00 am- 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am- Noon 

Then on Thursday, April 24, the Avoca Branch Open House will celebrate the rededication of the Children's Area. Stay tuned for details!

Friday, March 28, 2014

Harrison, Teamwork, & More

It was wonderful to see Harrison when he stopped by for a visit! We continue to get very good reports on his progress. He's doing very well, and plans to be back with us next month.  Harrison, the staff sends all their best wishes to you, and want to let you know that many patrons have asked after you.

THANKS!

This is a special thank you to all the staff members who have pitched in and helped us get through some rough days with so many folk out due to illness.  Everyone here did what needed to be done.  It was great teamwork, and it is very much appreciated by both the library and its patrons.  Thanks!

 National Library Week
National Library Week is April 13-19 this year, and we will be having some special events. Details will follow. This year's theme is Lives Change@Your Library.  
 

Happy Birthday!



Nancy T. (Avoca)  April 5
Richard (Security) April 8





Thursday, March 6, 2014

Fat Tuesday, Indeed!

The Mardi Gras celebration was one to remember! 
We got to eat, drink, and be merry!



Brenda looked quite festive...

As did Melba!


Thanks to catfish chef Don & all those who helped with food & decorations!

This masked woman found the baby in the king cake!

This party was the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of folks.  Janice would have been proud!