Hybrid Employee Webinar, Country Cooking Lunch, Congratulations, and More!

Hybrid Employee Webinar

From the City: 

"The Hybrid Retirement Plan Features & Benefits Series Webinar is coming soon!

Improve your knowledge of the defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution (DC) components of the Hybrid Retirement Plan. Explore the payout options for the DB component and your investment options for the DC component. In addition, the webinar will highlight your other VRS benefits as a hybrid member.

You’ll learn how to access your account and tap into retirement planning resources including publications and online tools."

If you are unable to view this presentation at the specific time, the webinar (along with others) will be available here:  http://www.varetirement.org/hybrid/education/features-and-benefit-series.

Friday, March 9, 2018
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET
Register Online

Country Cooking Luncheon

We have another Staff potluck lunch coming up!  It's scheduled for Monday, March 12, and there's already a mouthwatering array of dishes listed on the whiteboard.  Bring a dish and join us! 

Glass Jars & Bottles

Need to get rid of any old glass jars or bottles?  Ambrea will take them!  She's planning some crafts involving those items.  And why, yes-- she will take wine bottles!

Summer Reading Club

Summer will be here before you know it! Ambrea has put some flyers with information about t-shirts and bags with the "Books Rock!" theme.  There are several designs from which to choose.  If you wish to purchase items, just add your name and choices to the paper beside the flyer.  There is also another book themed t-shirt on offer.

Congratulations, Patrick!

Patrick was the successful applicant.  He will begin his new job in Tech Services on Monday!

Ambrea’s Newsworthy Crafts!

Check out this great article from the Bristol Herald Courier! Chinese Lanterns
 

 

Staff, Tax, and TEL News

Retired Staff News

Most of us remember Melba, who graced our circulation desk until her retirement.  Melba's sister passed away in January.  A service is scheduled for Saturday, February 17.  The obituary is here.

Janice H. stopped this week.  Her grandson Thomas has some health issues, and she would appreciate good thoughts and prayers for him.

Becky B. called to thank us for the card.  She really enjoyed it!

TEL Changes

The Tennessee Electronic Library will have some changes later in the year.  Learning Express, source of some of the practice tests, will be dropped in favor of a new site, Testing & Education Center.  It will offer practice tests as well as tools to help with financial aid, career development, and English as a Second Language.  PowerSpeak will be replaced with another language learning site, Transparent, which offers over 100 different languages.

If anyone is using Learning Express or PowerSpeak, just be aware that those subscriptions will be ending.  The new databases will be available May 1.

Tax Stuff

We now have the booklets for all three basic forms (1040, 1040EZ, and 1040A) and the 1040 and 1040EZ forms.  We still lack the 1040A forms, but we can print those off for patrons; it's two copies, so forty cents.  We are able to print off a number of other forms, but some can not be used for filing.  Also, we can not tell anyone what form they need.  If asked for a Schedule D or form 8864, we are happy to oblige.

We do not have state tax forms but again we can print them off, providing the person can tell us which form (individual, part-year resident, non-resident, etc.)

Avoca has the same forms and booklets as Main.

Happy New Year!

It's the Lunar New Year!  Ambrea is making Chinese lanterns this Saturday afternoon (yes, it's already full!) and Christy has a lovely display up. If you haven't seen it, stop by and take a look!

Enjoy the Presidents Day holiday, everyone!

News and Thanks!

Thanks!

Many thanks to all who cooked or contributed to Soup Day! It was all delicious, and greatly enjoyed. It was wonderful to have so many participate!

And if anyone would like to share the recipes with Ambrea for the cookbook, by all means feel free!

Rita News

We were so glad Rita stopped by to join us on Soup Day! If anyone wants to donate sick leave for Rita, please let Amy or Brenda D. know.

Clancy News

Clancy starts his new job at Sullivan County on Monday. No rest for the weary!  We wish him all the best as he takes on new challenges.

Tech Services News

Clancy's departure means there is an opening in Tech Services.  A job description is posted on the Employee Bulletin Board.  It is a full time position.  Anyone who is interested is welcome to apply. There is a copy of the job description here.

Tax News

We now have the 1040 and 1040EZ forms, and 1040 instruction booklets. Fingers crossed that we get the rest soon!

Congratulations, Soup, Tax Updates, Rita, and More

 Congratulations, Clancy!

Clancy is moving on up!  He is the new Assistant Director for Sullivan County Libraries! Of course, their gain is our loss.  His last day will be Thursday, February 8. Best wishes in your new position!  We hope you'll visit us often.

Soup, Soup, Soup!

On Wednesday, February 7, we will be having Wintery Soup Day!  Bring along your favorite soup, snack, bread, etc. for everyone to enjoy.  Please sign up on the staff whiteboard so we'll know what to anticipate.

Tax Update

We  have the 1040EZ forms!! We have been notified that the 1040 instructions have been shipped, so we expect to have them by next week.  Other forms and instructions should follow.

The free tax help begins this Saturday.  They'll be using the Frances Kegley Conference Room and the JCC.

Harrison Gilley, Front Page News!

Our former security guard, Harrison Gilley, was reunited with his long lost dog tags!  Read the story here.

There's a gallery with more photos here. 

Rita News

Rita is doing very well indeed! Her best birthday present was being home on her own couch.  She's still tired but getting better every day.  She misses everyone and hopes to be back soon!

And speaking of birthdays. . .

Happy Birthday

Rita  January 29

Kay January 29

Becky B. February 3

Phone tree, Deane Everett, and more

Phone Tree

With the possibility of bad weather upon us, Brenda is assembling a phone tree to notify folks in case of schedule changes.  If you have changed your phone number, be sure she has the new number so you can be reached.

Whether or not to come in during inclement weather is a personal decision.  We don't want anyone to risk life and limb.  If you can not make it in and the library is open, you can make arrangements with a supervisor to make up the time later.  Those who have annual leave may use it. Please do let a supervisor know if you plan to come in or not.

If you have questions, please ask Amy or Brenda D.

Deane Everett

We have lost another long time patron, Deane Everett.  She owned the F.O.B. Everett toy store in downtown Bristol for many years.  Her granddaughter, Emily Everett, worked for the Bristol Public Library Foundation.
Deane Everett

Also, in case someone missed it, our former security guard, Mike Stilwell, passed away in June.
Mike Stilwell

Teen and Tween Book Clubs

The Teen Club will be restarting this week and the Tween Club will have their first meeting next Monday.

Board of Trustees Meeting

The regular meeting of the library's Board of Trustees will be on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Christmas is Over

But these two dogs don't want it to be.

Dogs love Christmas tree

Flo Carter, Tax Info, Welcome Amber, & More

Florence "Flo" Carter

The library has lost a staunch friend and ally.  Flo Carter was a tireless worker for the Friends of the Avoca Branch. As Christy said, "We were very grateful for Flo and we are really going to miss her.  It won't be the same without Flo."

Oakley Cook Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Here is a link to the full obituary:

Florence Carter

Tax Information

The IRS will start accepting tax returns starting Jan. 29.  The last day to file is April 17 this year.

We still haven't heard when the tax forms will arrive.  Most forms are available to be printed off from the irs.gov website, but not all can be filed. For example, Form 1099-A is on the site, but the online version is not scannable and therefore cannot be used to file; and those who try to use it to file will face penalties.

If someone asks about a particular form, just direct them to Reference to find out if it's available. Thanks!

Welcome, Amber!

Amber Combs is the new YA librarian!  She will be setting up schedules for the various teen and tween clubs.  We're so glad to have you, Amber.  If we can help you in any way, please let us know!

GED Classes

FYI:  The Mt. Rogers teachers follow Bristol, VA school schedules. If schools are closed for bad weather, odds are the teachers will not be coming in to the library. If the student wants to confirm, the numbet for Mt. Rogers is 1-800-322-7748.