Employee Handbook, Info Update, and 1095C

Employee Handbook

Everyone should read the both the Bristol, Virginia Employee Handbook and the Bristol Public Library Handbook, and then sign the form affirming that you have done so.  The forms are in Brenda's office and you turn the form into Brenda so she can keep it on file.

Good Job, LIS!

Brenda reports that members of the Lending and Information Services Department have signed and turned in their Handbook forms! Thank you! You get a gold star! And maybe something better. . . something a little more. . .  chocolate. See Jeanne to claim your reward.

   Info Update Time

It's that time of year when the weather can turn a bit dicey, so we're gearing up to notify folks if there is going to be a change in schedule.  How do folks feel about getting a text?  Please check with Brenda to be sure she has your most current contact information and that she has an Emergency Contact listed for you.

Health Insurance & 1095C

Employees will receive a form 1095C in the mail.  This is proof of your insurance for tax purposes.  City Hall has sent out a memo, a copy of which is posted on the Employee Bulletin Board.  You are welcome to make a copy if you wish.

    

Teens, Taxes, & Adult Learning Lab

 

Tax Information

We will be getting a few tax forms in this year, but they will be limited to 1040, 1040A, and 1049EZ.  We can go online and print out tax forms for folks at the usual rate (20 cents per page).  We will have a few instruction booklets to give away.  Please let patrons know that this was not our choice, but the choice of the IRS. We would have preferred to have more forms and more instructions.

We do not have any shipping dates for tax forms.

The folks who provide the free tax preparation will be starting on February 2.  They will be here on Tuesdays from 5:30- 7:30 pm and on Saturdays 10 am- 2 pm. Due to construction, they will be meeting upstairs in the Frances Kegley Conference Room on Tuesdays and downstairs in the ALL Classroom on Saturdays.

Teen & Tweens

The position of Teen Librarian has been offered to someone, but there are still formalities that must be observed.  The new Teen Librarian will probably start in February. Information will be posted on the BPL Teens Facebook page.  Also, information about Teen Book Club and Tween Book Club will be posted there as well.  Please direct patrons to that page.  I'm putting a link so you can do a quick check from the desk in case someone asks.  This is where the most up to date information about that program will be posted.

BPL Teen Readers

Adult Learning Lab

The hours for ALL remain in flux.  Until January 20,  you can tell patrons that Open Lab (i.e., anyone can drop in) usually will be from 2-5 pm Monday-Friday.  From January 20 on, the hours vary and some days Lab is not open at all except for Mt. Rogers classes.  Katie will be here at other times, but may have appointments.

The safest thing to do is to have patrons contact Katie directly at 276-645-8790 or to email her at kvenable@bristol-library.org for an appointment.  

However, the Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education Program  GED and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will meet regularly.  To sign up for classes, patrons need to call Mt. Rogers at 1-800-322-7748.  Mt. Rogers offers GED classes here on Mondays &Wednesdays from 5-8 pm and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 pm.  They also offer GED at other times and locations in Bristol.  The ESL classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.

Printed copies of contact information should be readily available at both Reference and Circulation. If you can't find a copy, please see Jeanne.

Thanks, Happy New Year, and more

Thank You Notes!

We have had some wonderful treats this holiday season!  Special thanks to Mary Jo Gilley for the Chex mix and to Becky Wilkerson for the pumpkin bread.  Delicious!! We really appreciate it!

Also, check the staff bulletin board for notes of thanks from Debbie and Pam.  

 

Reserves Note

Mosheim Library is undergoing some exciting changes! As a result we will not be able to reserve books from Mosheim for awhile, until they complete moving their collection.  This is just something to keep in mind for our patrons.

Becky

 As most will have heard, Becky B.'s father is ill and in the hospital.  The family would appreciate prayers and good wishes.

Happy Birthday (Belated!)

Christy H. (Main)  December 28    

Here's wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year!

   

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