Christmas Party Thanks, ALL, Alarms & BPL in the news

Thank You, Michelle!!

Michelle did her usual wonderful job of hosting the staff Christmas party!  The turkey was falling off the bone tender, the ham was luscious, the meatballs tasty, and all the sides were delicious.  Thanks to Amy for the spinach and cheese dip, Christy H. for the deviled eggs, to Justin for the snack tray, Ambrea for the Oreo pie, Janice H. for the cookies and pea salad, and Brenda for the macaroni salad.  There was food and fellowship galore!  The children had a great time and the adults had a great time watching the kids burn off calories. 

Thanks, Michelle and family, for all the hard work you did in getting everything ready.  We really appreciate it!

Adult Learning Lab

Katie has decided to close the Adult Learning Lab the week after Christmas.  It will reopen January 4, 2016. Please keep this in mind when patrons ask about ALL or take a copy of the schedule, which shows ALL as being open that week.

Alarms May Sound!

The construction crews will be doing some welding this week.  In addition to the burning smell, it may trigger some alarms.  We just want everyone to be aware that this could happen.  Patrons may ask as well.  We don't know exactly when they will be doing the welding, just that it will happen soon.  

BPL in the News

There was an article in the Saturday's Bristol Herald which mentioned the library in connection with the foot patrols by police. If you have questions, please ask. The link is here.

   

 

Thanks to the Williamses, Blood Drive, & Birthday Wishes

YUM!

Many thanks to Carl and Sarah Williams for the wonderful Christmas treats!  They brought an assortment of cookies, cocoa, and nuts for everyone to enjoy.

Blood Drive

Remember, the Red Cross will be having a blood drive here at the library on Friday, December 18! The drive will run from 9:00 am until 1:30 pm.  You can even go online reserve a time to donate and fill out the paperwork ahead of time, but you must complete part of it on the day of donation.  The site is http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood

Robin Elaine Cathey

A long time patron passed away this week.  Many of   the staff will remember Robin Cathey, who visited the library on a regular basis. Below is a link to her obituary for those who wish to leave condolences:

Robin Cathey 

Construction

 The renovations are proceeding rapidly!  Next week they will be doing some welding, so there may be an odd odor, probably a sort of burning smell.  Patrons may notice and inquire, so just be aware that it may be construction.
 

Party!

 Remember, the staff Christmas party will be at Michelle's on Saturday, starting at 5:30 pm.

Happy Birthday!

Harrison     December 17

Book Signing, Farewell & Welcome,

Book Signing: Laurie Alice Eakes

Laurie Alice Eakes will be here on Saturday, December 12, from 2:30 - 4:00 pm to sign copies of her newest novel, Mountain Midwife.  It's a contemporary book set in the mountains of Appalachia ande will be published Dec. 15.  This should be a really nice event.  Please help spread the word!  Her website is http://lauriealiceeakes.com/

Online Magazines

READs is now offering magazines, but the patron needs to have a Nook or to be able to download a Nook app to their device in order to read them.  According to the list, they should be able to download the app to most current devices.  It has to be at least Windows 8 on PCs.  

However, do mention that if the patron goes to "Resources," then "FindItVirginia" they will find magazines available there as well.  These do not require a special app to read.  They will need to create a username and password, but then they can immediately read an issue in the browser.  A few back issues of each title are available, and they can check a box to be notified when the next issue of that magazine is available. 

Both services offer a wide variety of magazines, from news to computers to cooking to fashion.  I know Virginia even offers Star and Us magazines, so now you can check out that fascinatin' headline you saw about Brad and Angelina without the embarrassment of trying to read in while standing in line at the grocery store. Never mind how I know.

 Farewell, Laurie!

Laurie, Queen of Cards, and her cake

The Card Players, Together Again!

Holding Court

Laurie & Judy

Amy & Laurie

Laurie and  Unidentified Party Crasher

Christy & Laurie

Justin & Laurie

BFFs!

Welcome, Christy H!

Christy H. will be taking over Laurie's position.  Even though she has been here for a couple of years first as a volunteer and then as a part-time employee, her hours have been such that she hasn't gotten to meet a lot of the folks who work here.  We'll fix that when she starts full time!

 

Christmas Stuff, Book Events, Housekeeping, Kudos

Christmas!!!

The annual Christmas Tree Parade is going on the Children's Department!  You still have time to decorate a small tree with a children's book theme for display. They always have some wonderful entries!

The Staff Christmas Party will be at Michelle's house again this year.  If you need the address, ask Jeanne; if you need directions, ask Michelle or anyone else because Jeanne is directionally challenged.  The date is Saturday, December 19. There will be a sign up sheet in the kitchen so we all won't show up with mince pie as dessert. 

From Michelle:

We will be having: Turkey Breast, Ham, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Meatballs, and rolls provided by the library. :)

Any additional sides, desserts, and drinks will be appreciated.

The party starts around 5:15/5:30 (so people can come after work without having to waste their time in between) and we will aim to eat around 6:00/6:15.  BYOB

  

Michelle will also be offering some holiday children's programs, including Christmas movies from 11 am- 5 pm on Dec. 22.

Book Events

Don't forget about the Book Fair this weekend, Dec. 4 & 5!  Jan-Carol Publishing will be offering refreshments and a sneak preview of their Book Fair on Friday evening as part of Art D'Vine.  The event runs from 6-9 pm.  On Saturday, there is a full schedule of free events, from publishing forums for both adults and teens to a children's storytime.  There will be door prizes, books for sale, and the chance to meet some great local authors.  Please encourage patrons and friends to drop by this wonderful FREE event!

Another exciting book signing will be December when Laurie Alice Eakes will be here with copies of her latest novel, Mountain Midwife. Details will be posted later.

Housekeeping

 

 Some of our housekeeping faeries have left us. This makes it more important for everyone to pitch in.  There are four basic things that need to be done almost every day.  We will have a daily checklist on the refrigerator; if you are working the late shift, I ask that you take a look before leaving to see that someone has checked the items for the day.  We really don't want a coffee pot left plugged in all night or to face a dishwasher full of dirty dishes and no clean silverware in the morning. Thanks!

Above and Beyond

 Kudos to Joan at Avoca!  We had a patron at Main who wanted a book that was available at Avoca.  Joan pulled the book and, since she was getting off work ten minutes later, drove the book to Main so the patron could have it right then!  Thanks, Joan! 

Welcome Back!

Megan is returning from maternity leave.  You will see her smiling face back at Circulation this weekend!

(P.S. Megan, there are lots of folks who would love to see a photo of baby Henry if you would like to send us one to post!  Hint, hint!)

(And Christy, if you have any photos of Flora you'd like to share-!)  

Happy Birthday!

 

Joan (Avoca) December 6

Kim (Children's, Main) December 8 

Good Luck, Laurie!

Good Luck, Laurie!

As most have heard, Laurie is moving away and leaving us.  She will be missed, but we wish her all the best.  By way of a salute, here are some photos of her displays:

Grandma's Thanksgiving. . . .

And Martha Stewart's!

Fabulous fall!

Spring has sprung!

But the beach is best!

Happy Birthday!

Karen (Security) November 21!

Found Earring

This was found near the Staff Entrance.  Does anyone recognize it?

  

Construction, Pam's Party, Blood Drive, & Flex Spending

Hard Hat Areas

The areas with the dust curtains are hard hat areas.  We're off to a great start with the renovations, thanks to a lot of hard work by staff. It is going to be stressful for everyone as change happens, but please be patient and encourage our patrons. It's exciting that we have children and teens who are so engaged that we need more space for them!  And the flexibility of the upcoming Jones Creativity Center will let us offer so much more to our patrons! 

  

Flexible Spending

The 2016 Flexible Spending enrollment will be for a short plan year.  The representatives for these accounts will be at City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from noon until 5 pm and on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 8 am until 1 pm.  The enrollment period is from November 18 until December 4.  More information is posted on the staff bulletin board.

 

Blood Drive

Main will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, December 18, from 9 am until 1:30 pm.  You can make an appointment by calling Melanie Tucker at 423-433-9552 or go online at redcrossblood.org.  We have flyers at Circ and Ref to give to patrons with all the information.  

  
Pam's Party

We will be having a luncheon for Pam at noon on Tuesday, November 17.  Her final book group will be on the 19th.  We'll have soup, salad, and baked potatoes, with Ambrea doing her fabulous taco soup!  You're welcome to bring your favorite salad fixings or baked potato toppings.

 

Construction, farewells, birthdays

Construction Begins!

This week should see the start of construction for the Creativity Center and the new YA area.  Things are still being moved, so patrons will be confused.  Here's a quick list of some changes:

1.  Paperbacks are now shelved at the end of the  SSBs.  
2. Books on CD are just behind the newspapers.  As you come down the stairs on the left, the order is newspapers, Books on CD, paperbacks, and SSBs.
3. The computer lab room is closed as it is inside the new teen area. Katie will continue to offer the usual Adult Learning Lab services (computer instruction, tutoring, resumes, etc.) in the the classroom near the microfilm reader-printers.
4. WiFi will have problems and may go down as construction progresses. Holston IT will be troubleshooting but be aware that problems are a distinct possibility.

Until We Meet Again. . .

Pam will be leaving the week of November 18 for a well-earned retirement and the chance to do some things SHE wants to do for a change.  We were incredibly lucky to have her with us as long as we have.  Expect the many inquiries for "Miss Neal" to continue.

Gatsby Fitzgerald Neal is looking forward to having Mom

 at his beck and woof!

 

 

 Job Postings

YA Librarian Job Description

Tech Services Job Position

 

Happy Birthday!

   Laurie   November 13