Staff news, Reminders, and Reader Request

Good Luck, Jessica!

The start of a new school year means we'll be saying goodbye to Jessica, who has been a wonderful addition to our Circulation staff. Jessica also volunteered many hours for the library.  She's a very motivated, energetic young lady who will continue to excel in all her endeavors.  We know we'll see her again, because she's a an avid reader who can't stay away from us for long.  Good luck, Jessica!

 

Welcome, Kellin!

There's a new face at the Circulation Desk!  Kellin will be working part time and is already getting her feet wet on the job. She says she's enjoying it so far.  Kellin will be attending a local college, and we are very pleased to have her on our team!

 

News from Jud:

"Attached is a picture of a public library sign in Llangollen, Wales (where I was today). It says "library" in Welsh and in English."

Brenda Sets New Shrimp Record!

Brenda is in a class by herself when it comes to eating shrimp. Nobody else even comes close!  So at this year's first Shrimp Fest she ate (Drum Roll!)

165!

Yes, that's one hundred sixty five shrimp! She has a stick with the total and date on it for proof.  She said she could have eaten a few more but she wanted to leave room for the next time, when she hopes to set a new record.  

Proof of Brenda's feat:  The Stick!

Brenda's ready for more!

Sarah Starts School!

Yes, Janice's granddaughter Sarah is headed back to school-- but this time she's the teacher!  Sarah has taken a position at the Ashley Academy in Johnson City.  Congratulations, Sarah! 

Active Avoca! 

Sue and the Avoca staff are keeping things lively out on Volunteer Parkway! Last week storyteller Carl Jenkins came to spin some tales and give a history lesson to a very interested crowd.  Next up, they have a ten week class in sign language, which has proved so popular that there are no slots left.  In mid-September, they're going to collect gently used Halloween costumes and decorations for a Halloween Swap.  If you have things you'd like to donate, please let Sue know. 

Thursday Reminder:  Family Race Night

Remember, Thursday is Food City Family Race Night in downtown Bristol, so expect parking to be tight. You may want to plan to bring your lunch/supper or else eat within walking distance. The festivities are scheduled to begin at 1 pm, but judging from years past people will begin to arrive early.  For those who ask, admission is $6 at the gate or $5 if you buy a ticket ahead of time. For more information, click on this Food City Family Race Night link.

Whatcha readin'?

It's almost time for the next newsletter and we need some staff picks for books.  Do we have a volunteer or two who wants to divulge what book has your attention? And we're always looking for guest reviewers for the book blog, if anyone wants to contribute.

Janice's Just Desserts

 Remember, we're going to party on August 30 with some decadent desserts in honor of Janice! Please let Nancy Patterson know whether or not you will be able to attend.  If you will NOT be able to attend, please see Jeanne.

 

Greetings from Jud!

Jud sends greeting back to us from the UK!  He wanted me to share a link with everyone to the John Rylands Library:

John Rylands Library

As he said in the email, he's on a busman's holiday. The Rylands Library is a part of the University of Manchester, and holds the rare books collection.  (In a case of "It's a small world," I had a friend who worked at the University of Manchester Library, though not in the Rylands.)

 National Book Lover's Day!

Who knew?? But according to the fine folks at Books A Million, it's National Book Lover's Day!  And they had a really nifty graphic to share:

 

Happy Birthday!

Brenda  August 15

Here's your squee for your day!

  

Happy Birthday!

 

Here are two of the August birthday girls with fabulous balloon wishes!

Also celebrating (or not!)  this month are Pam & Nancy Young!

Best wishes to all!

No! We do NOT have more Bedbugs! And event notes

A rumor has been started that the library has a second bedbug infestation.  This is NOT true.  We have had the entire building inspected, including the mechanical room and offices, and no bedbugs were found.  Infested furniture was removed long ago. We continue to have regular inspections and should anything EVER be found, prompt action will be taken to ensure that we remain a bedbug-free facility. Please reassure patrons on this point.

Bluegrass Bonanza!

As everyone should know, the fifth installment of the America's Music series is this Saturday. The theme is Bluegrass and the film is "High Lonesome," which talks about Mac Wiseman, Bill Monroe, and other pioneers of the bluegrass sound.  The film will be shown at 11:00 AM in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room. 

At 2:00 PM, Dr. Ted Olson from ETSU will be giving a lecture on Bluegrass.  Dr. Olson wrote the liner notes for "The Bristol Sessions" and received at least two Grammy nominations.  His topic is "Researching the Roots of Bluegrass."  Should be a good 'un!

 

Please spread the word!  We'd love to have a big turnout for Dr. Olson.

Neighborhood Watch Block Party

Remember, the Downtown Bristol Neighborhood Watch and the Solar Hill Historic District will be having a block party Tueday night which will involve our plaza.  The information I have saying the festivities will start at 7 pm, and those in charge will be setting up tables about 6 pm.  Piedmont Street will be blocked off during this time.

BPL Book Review Site

The Library's Book review blog http://bristol-library-bookblog.blogspot.com/  has been up and running for about 4 years, starting in June 2009.  We're closing in on 40,000 hits now.  If anyone wants to contribute reviews, please let Jeanne know!

i

 

 

Woo-hoo! Chance to win a tablet!

(And we mean a computer, not a pill!)   

Summertime is Learning Time!

What : Webjunction Virginia Contest

When : August 2013

How: Complete a course (over 400 available!) and you will be entered into a drawing to win a Coby Tablet PC!

The more courses you complete by the end of the day on August 31st the better your chances of winning. You will receive one prize drawing for each completed course.

What is Webjunction Virginia?

At Webjunction Virginia,  library staff  can take any of our self-paced courses! Choose from more than 400 titles on topics that include library basics, software, customer service and more.

Get started today! You can access Webjunction Virginia here:

http://www.webjunction.org/partners/virginia.html/

Need instructions on how to create an account on Webjunction Virginia, click here:

http://www.vpl.virginia.gov/ce-training/webjunction-online-training.html

  

Webjunction has a number of useful courses, from customer service to MS Office tutorials.  Take advantage of this free service and have a chance to win a cool tablet!

Happy Birthday to all our Leos!

Janice H.  August 8

Nancy Y.  August 8

Pam   August 9

 National Night Out:  Tuesday, August 6

This is a general Staff FYI:  Downtown Bristol and the Historic Solar Hill Neighborhood Watch are having a huge block party on Tuesday, August 6, starting at 7:00 pm. Piedmont is going to be blocked off, including our small parking lot.  The publicity says that the party will start at "7:00 pm at the Bristol Public Library Front Entrance."  This means the lower Piedmont entrance, as they will be using our plaza.  

  

Events, a birthday & beating the heat!

Believe it or not, the library finished last year's budget with money to spare: $12.58, to be exact.  Kudos to Janice for the Gift Shop bounty and for the uptick in fines and collections.  Our ever-busy meeting room also brought in more money than expected. 

Children's Summer Reading Club has finished for the year, although the 8-10 year olds will have a final meeting on Friday. Pam is still running her clubs. Great work, all!

 

Attendance was up for the America' Music Series!  A very interested and engaged crowd really enjoyed the program on Rock music.  Next up is Jazz/Swing.  The documentaries have all been excellent as have the discussions afterwards.  This is definitely a great program for anyone who likes music, so spread the word: Saturdays at 11:00 AM through August 17!

 

Don  July 24

How to Beat the Heat

Christy L.'s Franklin knows what to do-- nap hard!

 

Bedbugs, Snuffy Smith, Health Education, America's Music and More!

Bedbug Update

We passed the K9 Bedbug test!  Yes, the bedbug sniffing dog gave us the all clear.  The TV station did report the good news here:  WCYB Report.  If you'd like to watch the earlier report, click here.  We will continue to have inspections but right now it appears we're bedbug free.

Health Education: Dementia

Dementia:  Myth and Reality is the topic for the July Health Education series.  Dr. Tim Urbin will be doing the presentation on Thursday, July 11, starting at 7 PM in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room.  Just about everyone knows someone affected by this dreadful medical problem, yet there is so much confusion about the disorder and its causes.  Please encourage patrons to come and learn about dementia from an expert in the field.

Snuffy Smith Visits Main

 Or at least the artist behind the Snuffy Smith comic strip does! John Rose will be here at the library on Saturday, July 13, starting at 10 am. He'll be signing autographs between the stairs on the lower floor.  Be sure to let patrons know about this free event!

America's Music

The library is hosting the America's Music Project, a six week look at some of the musical genres for which America is famous.  This will be a film and discussion program which will be held each Saturday at 11:00 AM in in the J. Henry Kegley Meeting Room starting on July 13.  The first session is Blues/Gospel music.  Jazz and Rock will be the other featured genres in July. There may be a 2 pm discussion group as well.

 

Bristol Herald Courier Story

In case you missed the article in the paper, here's a link to the newspaper story about the cutbacks in the Foundation: Library Foundation Forced to Scale Back

Happy Birthday

Bill (Avoca)  July 6