Staff Party news & More!

 Thanks to Michelle for hosting our annual Christmas party!  It will be on Saturday, December 8, at Michelle's house.  We'll meet at 6 pm and eat at 6:30.  There is a sign up sheet in the Staff Lounge so we'll know what everyone is bringing.  Janice is worried someone may bring kidney beans and she wants a chance to nip that notion in the bud. See Michelle or Janice for further information.

Happy Birthday

"Granny" Sue Morrell (Avoca)   December 2

 Welcome, Nancy!

Nancy Turner has joined the staff at Avoca! Stop by and say hello!

 

Some of you may remember Gail Rose, a long time Circulation staff member.  Gail's father passed away last week.  You can read the obituary and post a message here.

City Christmas Party & Turkey Trot

City Christmas Party

 Are you ready for the big Bristol Virginia Christmas party?  They want to be ready for you, so they need a count of the number of people attending.  Please let Brenda know ASAP!!  Remember, the party will be at the Holiday Inn at Exit 7 on Friday, December 7, starting at 6:00 pm.

Congratulations, Joyce!

Joyce not only completed her 5K race, she came in at #72 out of 125 finishers! 

City Christmas Party, Joyce Trots, and Laurie Celebrates!

City of Bristol Virginia Christmas Party

Just an FYI to “save the date” of Friday evening, December 7^th, for our Annual City Christmas Party.

 

It will be at the Holiday Inn at Exit 7, and will start at 6:00 p.m.  This year the doors will not open until 6:00 p.m. and will be City worker and spouse only.

  

Happy Birthday!

 
Laurie W.   November 13

GO, JOYCE!

Our own Joyce will be running in this year's 5K Turkey Trot sponsored by the Bristol YWCA!  If she finishes in the top 100, she'll have her name listed online.  Look for her making a lap down Anderson Street this Saturday morning.  You go, girl! 

 Great Programs!

 We had a very good turnout for Chuck Todd.  Congratulations, Anita and Sarah! We continue to hear compliments about what a great program that was.

Also,  King College's Buechner Institute presented Leonard Pitts, Jr. at a program in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room Monday night.  It was standing room only.  

It was very nice to see the library represented at both, as well as so many of our regular patrons.

   

Meet Trixie! (And other stuff)

Smoking Cessation Class

If you signed up for the free Smoking Cessation Class offered by the City of Bristol, VA, the program will be held next Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Public Works Street Division Training Room located at 2103 Shakesville Road.

United Way

Thanks to those who have contributed to United Way .  There is still time to make your contribution of any amount. You can still make a pledge or a one-time gift—remember your one-time gift can be deducted from your paycheck; it won’t come out until January. Brenda has forms if you need one. Please share your thankfulness.

Here's Trixie!

 This adorable little Yorkie girl was adopted from Sullivan County Animal Shelter by Sarah.  Welcome to the BPL Fur Family, Trixie!

 

Veterans Day

Have a safe and happy Veterans Day!  Remember we have two programs over the holiday weekend, Chuck Todd on Saturday at VI and Leonard Pitts in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room on Monday at 7 pm.  The ONLY entrance will be through the meeting room doors in the parking lot.  These should both be outstanding programs.

Note:  If anyone wants a Melon Halloween or Thanksgiving card, see Jeanne.

Leave Applications, Many Events & Malachi

 Leave Applications

There have been some questions about leave applications lately, so here's the word directly from Jud:

"Sick leave: Applications must be turned in to supervisors immediately upon returning to work after taking sick leave. Supervisors should then sign and turn in the form to Brenda as soon as possible. Any delay will result in the refusal of the sick leave request.

Vacation leave: Vacation leave must be requested in advance from your supervisor. Approval depends upon the work requirements of the department. Supervisors have the final say as to the approval of all requests for vacation leave. As with sick leave, signed applications for vacation leave should be turned in to Brenda as soon as possible.

The memo is also posted on the staff bulletin board."

This will not only make life easier for Brenda, it will ensure you are paid.

Upcoming Events

We have a number of upcoming events which may bring questions.  In order of occurrence:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2:  TIM KAINE     10:30 am???

Former Virginia governor and Senate candidate Time Kaine will be here for an event on Friday.  This event is being hosted by an outside group and we do not have an exact time but best guess is 10:30 am. 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10:  CHUCK TODD   1:30 pm

This Discovery program will be held at Virginia Intermont College at the Kegley Auditorium at 1:30 pm.  Tickets are required.  Reserved seating is $50; general admission is $20.  Sarah is the contact person.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12:  LEONARD PITTS    7:00 pm

Yes, the Library IS closed on Monday, November 12 but we WILL be opening the Meeting Room doors at 6:30 pm for this special presentation. It's part of King College's Buechner program.  Mr. Pitts is a columnist whose work appears in the Bristol Herald Courier, so it's possible you'll be asked about "some newspaper person" who will be here.  Please keep this in mind when people call to ask if the library will be closed on the 12th:  the answer is, "Yes, but there is a program at 7:00 pm."  If the caller is calling about the program, be sure to say that the ONLY way in to the library will be through the upstairs Meeting Room doors. The rest of the library will remain closed.

Malachi's home!!

Linda shared this photo of her great-grandbaby, all dressed up in the Karate outfit Linda made.  He's now 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and getting round the clock attention. 

United Way and Chuck Todd

 From Jud:

"United Way pledge forms are being distributed with the next pay receipts. It would be great if everyone gave something. Please consider a pledge; at least make a one-time contribution. The form is a triplicate; please return the white and yellow portions to Brenda."


Editorial comment from Jeanne:  The United Way helps a good number of our patrons in through its many contributions to worthy organizations.  Working with BTES and BVU, they help people pay their electric bills; with the Bristol Emergency Food Pantry, they help people get food; with Family Wize, they help uninsured people get prescription medications.  If everyone in the library could give some amount, even $5, it would show that we actively support our community. 

Our community supports us; we should support our community. Please consider a donation in any amount.

From Sarah:

As you know, the Chuck Todd event at Virginia Intermont College is on Saturday, November 10th at 1:30pm. We have tickets available for staff. Please let me know how many tickets you need by Friday, November 2nd. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Remember, people who wish to buy tickets need to go through Sarah.  There will be no free admission for the public but tickets will be available for purchase at the door, providing the event doesn't sell out before then.

Stop Smoking, Holiday Mail for Heroes and more

From the Trish Henderson:

"As part of the City’s Wellness Awareness, and to coincide with Great American Smoke-out in November, the City is offering the opportunity to increase success for a healthier lifestyle, with a wellness presentation, “Smoking Cessation.”  Dr. John Angelopoulous will be the Speaker/Trainer.  These workshops are free services provided under United Healthcare’s Care 24 program.  The Public Works Department is hosting the Smoking Cessation workshop for any employee interested.  An employee need not be a smoker, but may know one and would like to attend to gain some insightful information.    The hour-long workshop will be held at 2103 Shakesville Road, on Wednesday, November 14, from 3:00-4:00 p.m.  Please let me know the number of interested employees from your department as seating space is limited and additional arrangements may need to be made."

If you wish to attend, let Brenda know.  There is a workbook you'll need to take with you.

From Sarah:

"Just a heads up: we are going to be doing the Holiday Mail for Heroes with the Red Cross again this year. I am going to be bringing your departments flyers today or tomorrow. We will begin accepting cards from now through November 21^st (the last day before we’re close for Thanksgiving) because I will have to deliver the cards to the Red Cross the following week when we return from Thanksgiving.

 

If you have any questions, just let me know."

 

Also, we've been receiving some inquiries about some upcoming events.  Chuck Todd will be appearing as part of the Discovery Series on November 10 at 1:30 pm at Virginia Intermont College.  Tickets are $20; reserved seating is $50 per ticket.  As ever, if you have a question you can't answer, refer the patron to Sarah.

Not strictly our event but one which will be held here is the appearance by Leonard Pitts on Monday, November 12 at 7:00 pm.  Yes, the library is actually closed that day, but we will be open for this event, which is part of King College's Buechner Series.  Admission is free.

  Happy Birthday

Ashley  October 25

Judy October 27