Program notes, Hawaii & sweet recipes!

 Aloha!  On Thursday,  March 10, Janice wants to decorate the library!  Given our limited budget, the most cost effective way to do this is to have the staff dress up in Hawaiian style.  So break out the leis, grass skirts, and what Ray Stevens referred to as "Hi-warian floweredy shirts" and get ready for a Janice style luau! (If it turns cold, expect me to confuse our 50th state with our 49th.) 

The March 1 book signing by Lil' Jess has been postponed by her request.  Should anyone ask, tell them to go to her website www.kidrocktherealdeal.com.

The winning recipes from the Candy Contest are posted on our website!  Directions:  scroll to the bottom of the front page. Under "Other Information," click on "Special Events."  This will take you to a page with a description of the contest and a link to the recipes.  That's the easiest way to tell patrons how to access the winners. If you're reading this blog, the easiest way is to Click here!

The painting from the gallery show by Mr. Brinkley and Mr. Jessee was won by Tom McConnell.  The next show will be the paintings by the children from the home school group. Their previous exhibitions have been well received.  They're a talented group!

The program about water was a great success!   73 people attended.  David St. John did a super job, with some magic tricks, some amazing physics lessons and lots of good information.  I wish I'd known some of this before I got my new faucets.  At least I have some good ideas about what to look for in my next refrigerator...

The audience was entertained and informed!

Some young volunteers help Mr. St. John with a demonstration.

A patron tries the amazing ancient Chinese water bowl!

Yes, these are actual water pipes that were used for drinking water....

 

Policies, Programs and Staff News!

Mr. Barry and the Library Board, along with input from staff and security, are making some tweaks to our policies.  We want the library to fulfill its mission of being a great community resource.  To that end, we need to be sure that the library is being used for its intended purpose. We've had several compliments already from people who have noticed a change.  If you want to review the changes, you can do so from our website.  Policies are posted here
http://www.bristol-library.org/about-us/mission-policies.

To go directly to the Conduct policy click here
http://www.bristol-library.org/site/files/Policy_conduct.pdf.

If you want to read the minutes of the Board meetings, you can do so from our website.  I'll post the link, but just in case you want to check from our site, this is your path:

Go to www.bristol-library.org and Click on "About Us" at the top far right.  On the next screen go to the left under "Department Links" and click on "Board Minutes."  The next screen will give you a list of the minutes posted. New minutes should be listed soon.

Or you can click on this link to go directly from this post:   Board minutes

 Staff News

As many of you may have heard, Janice's husband Bill has been hospitalized.  I'm pleased to report that he is home and doing much better!  Janice would still appreciate good thoughts and prayers.

Welcome, David Erik Hutton!

Proud grandmother Joan writes, "We have a baby.  He was born Thursday at 4:30.  He has red hair and blue eyes.  He weighed 6 pounds and 13 ounces and was 20 inches long."

Rebecca & Baxter

Rebecca took pity on a stray kitty!  Baxter joined Belle & Chessie last week.  Best wishes to them all!

I hope everyone got to see Saturday's Bristol Herald Courier with the front page article on the Candy Contest!  Just in case you didn't, click here:  Candy Contest

Remember, if you want something in the blog, just let Jeanne know!

Valentines, chocolate & water!

It's almost Valentine's Day!  You should know that the Blackbird Bakery, sponsor of The Nevermore Book Club, will be open on Valentine's Day.  (They're usually closed on Mondays, but they're getting in a new oven on Tuesday so they will be closed that day. )  The good news is that they'll be open for those last minute Valentine treats for your sweetie-- even if that sweetie is you.

Melon says, "Cupids like chocolate too!"

Next week we have some fun events at Main!  The annual candy contest will be on Friday the 18th. Be sure to encourage folks to enter!  Remember, more entries may translate into more samples being left in the break room!

On Sunday, Feb. 20, at 3 pm we'll have David St. John doing a presentation on water.  He does some magic with water too!  Plus he'll talk about bottled water, dangers in water, and water and health. Ever get one of those forwards about the dangers of bottled water?  Or been told you need to drink eight glasses of water a day?  This is the man to ask!  Plus, he should do a great show!  Refreshments will be served-- including water!

Remember, Avoca is having a wonderful book, DVD, & Good Stuff Sale on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.  Stop by and check out the bargains!


We're having a great turn out for the free tax help!  Here was the scene last Saturday:

Yep, the folks sitting in the Burris Room were also waiting for taxes, and there were folks at tables on either side of the stairs.

Staff Stuff

Everybody looked fabulous on Wear Red for Women Day!  Check out the photo on the library Facebook page, too! 

Emily E. is doing well in Charleston!  She had an eye exam recently and the doctor was Jeanne's nephew John.  Chorus of "It's a small world" now!

Crowe has a new hobby:  beading!  She stopped by the library to stock up on books before bad weather.

Joan is still awaiting that grandbaby!  He's due any day now. She and DJ visited the library on Wednesday.  DJ is growing up fast!

Art in Security is expecting a new addition too-- except his has four legs.  He and his wife are adopting a teacup chihuahua!

Of course, chihuahuas always remind me of Tonia and her Thor.  Tonia's library, the Glade Spring Branch of Washington County Public Library, will be having its Grand Opening this Saturday 1-5 pm.  After you've shopped at Avoca, stop by Glade! Congratulations, Tonia!

Have any news to share?  Just pass it on to Jeanne!

King Corn, birthdays, news!

Next Saturday, Feb. 5,  at 10 am there will be a screening of the documentary "King Corn" in the large meeting room. This is the story of two young men who undertake to grow an acre of corn and attempt to follow it to market.  It turns out that growing the corn is the easy part.  This is thought-provoking film.  One of our Board members, Katherine Wilson-Thompson, will be leading the discussion.  Please mention this special program to friends and patrons!

Tax help begins Tuesday, Feb. 1!  The tax folk will be at Main on Tuesdays 5:30-7:30 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm.  It's first come, first serve.

Avoca is having a book sale!! Actually, it's a book, dvd, video and all sorts of things sale!  The proceeds will go toward the children's Summer Reading Program and other needs at Avoca.  Great prices, great selection, great cause!  It'll be February 10-12-- that's Thursday through Saturday-- during normal operating hours.  Spread the word!

There's a wonderful new exhibit in the Virgie R. Fleenor Gallery.   Carl Jessee and Bill Brinkley are two talented local artists. Joyce has already given it a big "thumbs up!" Bird fanciers and barn fanatics will especially enjoy this one.    Let me know if your feet itch after you see "Sole Food!"  I think my favorites were the one of Carl at work by Bill and the installation of the Bristol Sign by Carl.  Which are your favorites?

Happy Birthday!

Kay LaSpina on January 29

Tommy Woodby on Jaunary 31

Becky Berry on February 3

And speaking of birthdays,  Christine's daughter Moira celebrated her third birthday recently!

   And. . . by next birthday, Moira will be a big sister!  

There's more good news to report:  

Patron Bill Ivey is out of the hospital and doing much better!  We expect to see him back with his Friday group sometime in the future.  

Happy Chinese New Year on February 3!

It's the Year of the Rabbit, which I hope will mean a more peaceful year after the Year of the Tiger. Good luck, everyone!

Tax Prep, King Corn, An Out of This World Cat, and Other Stuff

Remember when Jud appeared on WJHL?  Well, he's not the only celebrity in the family!  Meet Pogo Barry!   Pogo had gone walkabout and was gone for two weeks.  She ended up at the Sullivan County Animal Shelter but found that the accommodations a bit less than those to which she was accustomed.  Accordingly, she hailed a passing news crew who had come to the shelter to do a story on helping folks to keep their animals.  Pogo just needed a few seconds of fame  to get back home.   Needless to say, her ploy worked!  Congratulations to all concerned!

Oh-- you want to know which one is Pogo? You can't miss her!  She's quite the trend-setting kitty:  just take a look at those stylish ears! An ear-bobbed beauty if ever I saw one!

Joan stopped by to tell us that Crowe got a very good report about her back.  She can start doing some light tasks.  Then Crowe called to tell us how well she was doing too!

Stuff You Should Know Department

Tax Preparation: The folks will be filling out taxes for free again this year, starting Tuesday, February 1. They'll be here on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.  It's first come, first serve; they will be e-filing as far as we know.

Food for Thought:  Jud has posted some documents from OCLC about public perception of libraries. As Robert Burns said "O would some power the gift to give us to see ourselves as others see us."  (Except of course he actually said something more like "O wad some Power the giftie gie us /To see oursels as ithers see us!") Anyway, here's what one survey says about libraries and how people view us.  Click on  Google Documents.

King Corn:  Main will be showing the documentary "King Corn" on Saturday, February 5th, at 10 am.  This is a fascinating documentary! Two young men rent an acre of corn, learn what they have to do to grow corn, and then follow it to market.  Sound simple?  Reality is anything but!  Katherine Wilson-Thompson will be leading the discussion. Encourage folks to come to this eye-opening event!

January news updates.

Lots of good news this time!

• Judy's husband Harold is home and is doing very well. 
• Former staffer Tonia Totten has a new library in which to work! The Bristol Herald Courier did an article on the new Glade Spring Library, but Washington County News has a photo of Tonia herself!  Read all about it HERE! (Click on the blue word)

The program with Artie Kornfeld was a great success!  Several staff members were present to hear about Woodstock first hand. Some sixty or seventy people were there, including a few who had actually been to Woodstock! It was an interesting mix of folks, both young and old.  Kathryn has posted a great series of photos at the library's Facebook page.  Here's just a sample:

Peace & Music, y'all!

Remember, if you have news for the blog, want to comment on a new book you've read, or have a suggestion, please see Jeanne.  Or email her.  Or leave her a note.  Just don't leave a message with any of the cats, as they're notoriously bad conveyors of information.

Staff news update

We've just heard that Judy's husband Harold has been hospitalized with what may be a slight stroke.  He is doing well, but the doctors wanted to keep him under observation.

I'm sure that both would appreciate prayers and good thoughts.