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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

A Visit from Nancy P & an unusual tree!

 Nancy P. wants to thank everyone for all the many kindnesses!  She said the good wishes, prayers, puzzles, balloons, cards and phone calls meant so much.  She misses everyone like crazy and will be by periodically to visit.  She says if she can't stay away, she may volunteer-- as a greeter if nothing else.

She also sends out holiday greetings to everyone.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Please continue to keep Harrison's family in your thoughts and prayers.  While Chris came through the operation well, he isn't out of the woods yet.  

Okay, Janice-- start saving donated books for next year!

The Richard Gleeson Library at the University of San Francisco apparently has a Christmas tree tradition with a bit of a twist.  Here's a shot of this year's 9 foot tall tree:

To see another shot of the tree, click on this link:
University of San Francisco library

And finally, the last word from Melon:

"So, where are the cookies and milk?"

Update from Mr. Gilley

As some of you may know, Harrison Gilley's son in law Chris underwent open heart surgery on Tuesday in Nashville.  He came through the surgery well and is now in ICU.  Prayers and good thoughts for Chris and the family would be appreciated.

I'll post further news as we get word.

Update:  Harrison called to say that the doctors had Chris up and walking around this morning!  Harrison and Mary Jo will be heading back to Bristol today (Wednesday) and we should be seeing his smiling face at the library tomorrow.  He sends thanks for all the prayers and good wishes.

Monday, December 20, 2010

A gift for all of us!


It is indeed the season of giving, sharing and caring.  Click HERE to see an animated card and gift from Mr. Barry! (There's sound, too!)

Remember that we'll be closed on Sunday, December 26 as well as December 24-25.

Security guard Scottie has left us, but has promised to come back and visit.  In the meantime, we'd like to welcome Art Booher to our security team!

For those of you who missed Janice H's version of the Twelve Days of Christmas at the party, I offer-- no, not yet another photo of Melon modeling antlers-- but this fine feathered friend:
Not a partridge, not a pear tree: Cooper's hawk on a power pole!

 Have a happy and safe holiday!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Staff Christmas Party!

"And I'm gonna have some ham and some cheesecake and some sweet potatoes and some more cheesecake and slaw and bread and creamed corn and...."

Nancy P. attended, with the news that she will not be retiring: she will resign but never retire.  She may volunteer for us!


Nancy Young gave a fine rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas as rewritten by Janice H!














The food was fabulous, the company convivial, and a wonderful time was had by all!











 Everything went really well, except for the annoying person taking photos.


A toast to Janice & Bill, who did their usual fine job!  Each claims that the other did all the work, so we'll just celebrate both!




  Merry Christmas, everyone!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Alert! Change in Party Plans & Work Schedule!

Due to illness, the Staff Christmas Party is going to be held here at the library instead of Michelle's house.  Date and time remain the same:  Saturday at 6 pm, dining at 6:30, fun to follow!

Also, the library is going to be CLOSED on Sunday, December 26! 

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Party Alert!!

 We just got word that there will be a Bristol,Virginia City Party for employees on Friday night!  It's at the Holiday Inn at Exit 7.  Doors will open at 6:00 pm, with dinner from 7-8:00 pm.  There will be entertainment, doorprizes and a dance with a DJ from 8-10:00 pm.  Employees may bring a guest.  Dress is casual.  Let Brenda know ASAP if you plan to attend!!!  She needs to let City Hall know on Thursday how many folks are coming.


Don't forget the Staff Christmas Party is Saturday at 6 pm at Michelle's house! Sign up sheet for food is in the kitchen so that we all don't turn up with some sort of potatoes.  Although I don't think that would  be a bad thing at all. . . .

The Scholastic Book Sale is going on in the Children's Department all this week. There are some great deals, so be sure to stop by and take a look! There are some neat things.  I bought pens with eyes on them for my nephew the eye doctor.  I'm sure he will be thrilled.

Don't forget to admire all the wonderful Christmas trees people have brought in for the Parade of Trees in the Children's Department!  There are some very inventive and lovely trees this year.  Contributors include the BPL Foundation, the Self Family, and Christine Caldwell.
Any guesses as to who did this tree??


It's been Old Friends Week!  Nancy Patterson stopped by and she is doing very well now.  Janice Crowe came to get some Christmas books to get into the spirit of the holidays.  Joan was here to be wished "Happy Birthday" on December 6th.  She's getting very excited about that third grandson!
Speaking of birthdays,  good wishes will be in order for  Kathryn on December 15 and Harrison Gilley on December 17! 

On Sundays we're often treated to another special visitor, courtesy of Nicki!  In case you haven't had the pleasure, here is a photo of Wolf the Wonderdog! 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Board Members to Visit, Staff Bios & Money!

Don't panic! Board Development is requesting that all Board members visit the library and meet some of the staff. They want to find out more about the staff as individuals and more about the nuts and bolts of our jobs, how things really work.  Jud says, "This is a great opportunity to 'open the eyes' of Board members to the good work you do and the challenges you face. The visits will be informal and friendly. There's no need to feel like you're in the hot seat.We have a great group of Board volunteers. They are seriously interested in learning more about how staff feel about the work they do."

The BPL is a great place to work.  The proof is in the number of people who have stayed here for years-- even decades.  People are the heart of any organization and we have some of the best right here. This is our chance to show our stuff a bit.

Along this same line,  Mr. B. asks that everyone write a brief biography to be used in some of our library publicity. It doesn't have to be too long, about 200 words or so.  This is just a way of letting people know about the real us, not just warm bodies behind desks.  (Although in winter at the Reference Desk in front of the automatic doors, finding a warm body is quite the challenge!)  It doesn't have to be elaborate, just something simple and friendly.  "My name is Bunny, I like long walks on the beach and pina coladas--"  oops, wrong bio.  Just tell a bit about your job, how long you've been here, what you like best, your hobbies, favorite book or movie,  that sort of thing.  Email your bios to Kathryn at kathryn@bristol-library.org or if you don't email, you can just write out what you want to say.

And now, what you've all been waiting for: written confirmation of our "additional compensation," aka bonus money!  From the City of Bristol, Virginia memo of November 30, 2010:

"The one time employee additional compensation will be issued on December 10, 2010, as a separate check, with taxes withheld.  Anyone that is on the City's payroll December 10th will receive the compensation.  Full time employees will receive $500.00; part time employees will receive $250.00."

There is another notation of interest about the payroll for December 24:
"Regular payroll will be in the bank on Friday the 24th, not Thursday the 23rd as some banks choose to deposit early."

Finally, the staff Christmas Party will be at Michelle's house this year!  Mark Saturday, December 11 on your calendar and show up about 6 pm.  Sign up to bring a dish for the festivities. Meat and drinks (tea or coffee) will be furnished.  The address is 1025 Highland Avenue, Bristol, Virginia.  In case you didn't get Michelle's email with directions, here they are:  from the library, turn onto Commonwealth toward Euclid.  Go past the Marathon Station and cross a set of railroad tracks.  Turn right onto Highland Avenue (this is just before the EVERYTHING GOES furniture store) and go up the hill 2 blocks.  The house is on the left on the corner of Highland and Prince Streets.  It's a light green/blue house with cream trim, fence around the yard and lots of trees.  You can park on Highland or Prince.