Food, Rocks, & . . . Frogs?

Food!

On Wednesday, Sept. 20, there will be lunch in the breakroom!  Of course, we all know that there is no such thing as a free lunch.  To partake of the almost free food, we are asking that everyone bring a recipe to give to Ambrea for the library cookbook.  That's it!  Just a recipe.  Of course, if you would like to bring more than one, we'd even let you have seconds. 

BPL Rocks!

On Friday, Sept. 22, staff can gather in the breakroom after closing to paint rocks! It should be a lot of fun.  Ambrea has left a couple of examples on the counter.  There will be pizza, too!  Bring your own drink, a friend or family member if you wish, and we'll rock out!

Happy Birthday!

Rhythm & Roots, Fridge, Birthdays, & BPL Rocks!

Rhythm & Roots

 From Amy:

 The BCM called me to let me know what parts of our property they will be using for the festival.  It is pretty much the same as last year, with the addition of the first item on the list below.  They will be setting up and closing off Piedmont on Thursday thru Sunday night.  The use of the property includes:

• Placing a television screen on the sidewalk near the intersection of Goode Street and Piedmont Avenue

• Placing portable restrooms in the public parking area, located to the northeast corner of the library building.  (This is the Piedmont parking lot, lower level, for those who are directionally challenged, like Jeanne.)

• Placing a portable light tower to provide lighting to the restroom area.

Abuse Alternatives

The Abuse Alternative group will be placing the silhouettes in the library on Friday, Sept. 29 in observance of Domestic Violence Month.  They will be taken down on October 6.

Refrigerator Clean Up:  September 14

It’s been awhile since we cleaned out the fridge, as was evidenced when Joyce found a spoiled gallon of milk which had leaked all down into the drawers.  Much cleanup had to take place and it had spoiled some other items. As a result,  we’re asking everyone to go through and mark a date on your items in the refrigerator.  Things without dates may end up in the trash.

BPL Rocks!

Some of you may have heard of the “Kindness Rocks” that people are leaving for others to find and enjoy.  Ambrea, Nicki, and Kristin decided this would be a fun thing for us to do!  After the library closes on Friday, Sept. 22, we will have a pizza and rock painting party!  We’ll provide the pizza, paint and rocks, you bring your own non-alcoholic drinks, and we’ll have a great time!  We will put some of the rocks around downtown Bristol with the hashtag BPL Rocks.  Ambrea has set up a Facebook page BPL Rocks for folks to log in and comment. "Joe Bristol" has already joined, by the way.  We may use this to promote our One Bristol, One Book community read in October.

Please let Ambrea know if you plan to attend so she’ll know how much pizza to order!

Happy Birthday!

Nicki  September 12

Laura  September 14

R.I.P., Rebecca's Phone

Rebecca's cell phone has gone to that great switchboard in the sky.  She will be getting a new one over the weekend.  Until then, she can be reached via email or office phone if you need to get in touch for schedule changes, calling in sick, etc. You can also contact Ambrea.

Continuing Education Computer

The good news is that someone decided to use the computer in the old security cubby for a webinar.  The bad news is that we didn't have a user name and password set up.  That has now been rectified and the information is posted at the computer.

Happy Labor Day, R&R Reunion, more

Rhythm and Roots 

As many know, we will not be getting day passes to Rhythm and Roots.  However, they are still accepting volunteers to worth the festival. For every four hours worked, a volunteer will receive a one day pass.  All volunteers will also receive a R&R t-shirt.  You can register here.

Please let your supervisors know if you are planning to work the days the library is closed.  

Also, as patrons find out we will be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, they may need alternatives.  Please remind them that the Avoca Branch Library will be open Friday and Saturday.

Cookbook

Ambrea is gathering recipes to create a Bristol Public Library Cookbook.  Please take a card from the staff bulletin board, write down a recipe, and give it to Ambrea.

Happy Birthday

Patrick  September 8

Happy Labor Day!

Have a happy and safe Labor Day, and we'll see you on Tuesday!

We Survived the Eclipse! Birthdays, Continuing Education, And More

Continuing Education

 The old Security cubby (shared by Kay!) is now a Continuing Education resource center.  There is a small but growing collection of books on library related topics such as maker spaces, wordpress for libraries, difficult conversations, etc.  You can earn an hour of CE time by reading one of the books.  Also, you can use that computer for webinars.

Policy Updates

The Staff Manual has had minor updates.  There is a new Circulation policy which has some significant changes, especially to our service are which now includes all of the Tennessee counties in the Holston River Region and adds Scott County in Virginia.  Copies will be available if you wish to peruse them.

 

The Great Eclipse of 2017

Yes, we managed to survive the eclipse mania.  Thanks to all the staff who handled the "Do you have any eclipse glasses" queries with grace and a smile.  You are the best!

Thanks to Rita for the awesome photos!  Remember, she's doing a photography class on Monday, September 25, at 2 pm!

Kitchen Witch

A new Kitchen Witch has flown into the Staff Lounge.  Isn't she lovely?

Kudos to Candess!

Wonderful Candess has taken it upon herself to clean the sink in the staff lounge.  Brenda G. says she's never seen it look so nice!  The Kitchen Witch agrees, and visited Blackbird Bakery to get her a little treat. Thank you, Candess!

Kristin August 21

T.J.  August 24

Eclipse glasses

We have finally received our eclipse glasses!

Although we'd anticipated receiving a thousand, we've at least received 500.  Here's how they'll be distributed:

• 50 for staff (at the time clock)
• 50 for Children's
• 50 for Teens
• 100 for Avoca
•  250 for Bristol

We'll be distributing 100 glasses on August 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room as part of Eclipse Safety Event; we'll give away the remainder on August 18 at 1:00 p.m. in the Gallery.  Children's and Teens will give away their glasses as part of their programs; Avoca will have their glasses available at a time of their choosing.

Glasses will only be available at these times and on a first come, first serve basis.  Only one pair of glasses per person allowed.

We'll also be doing a live stream of the eclipse on August 21 beginning at 12:00 p.m. so we'll let people know even if they don't get glasses.

If you have any questions, just let Ambrea know!

Eclipse glasses, JCC, birthdays

Eclipse Glasses

We have been told that we will indeed be getting some eclipse glasses.  Ambrea will be distributing most of them at a time and location to be announced later.  We will post signs ahead of time.  For people inquiring about glasses, tell them to watch our Facebook page and to check the BPL Events blog as complete details will be posted there.

http://bristolpubliclibraryevents.blogspot.com/

www.facebook.com/bristolpubliclibrary

 Jones Creativity Center

Since Katie accepted a new job, the JCC is short staffed.  T.J. is keeping it open as much as he can, but hours have been curtailed.  Also, he had some previous commitments which he will honor, meaning that the JCC may be closed on some days.  There is a new schedule out; if you need a copy, please ask.  Also, T.J. will be coming in early to administrative tasks, though the lab won't be open to the public.  You can transfer phone calls to him, but don't send anyone back until you are sure the JCC is actually open.

Food & Painting

Next Wednesday, August 9,  there will be food! Feel free to bring in anything you would like to contribute.

On Friday, August 11, after closing, Ambrea will have a Staff Canvas Class which should be loads of fun! 

Condolences

We lost two of our long time patrons in July. They were both avid library users and supporters and they will be missed.

Susan Johnson met Melon at BPL

 Susan Smith Johnson

James T. Houser

Get Well Wishes

Justin is on the road to recovery and we hope to see him back Real Soon Now! Joan is already back at Avoca after her little slip, but it takes more than that to keep her down

One of our long time patrons, Dr. William Wade, is also recovering.  Nevermore Book Club has really missed him.  We hope to see him soon, too!

Return of the Kitchen Witch!

The Kitchen Witch awards Christy H. and Kristin prizes for pulling KP duty!  Thank you, ladies!

Happy Birthday

Janice H.  August 8

Joe Lawson (Volunteer) August 9

Pam Neal  August 9

Brenda D.  August 15

Justin August 16