Parking Lot Alert!!!

 PARKING LOT

From Joyce:

"Evening to all,

 

The city has just let me know that they are going to start striping the parking lots starting tomorrow.  They said that they will not be striping Goode St. That might be where you would park.

 

We will be working around patrons as much as possible. I know that Kiwanis is going to be here Thursday. We may have to block off half of the lot and the other side later.

 

Please be patient with me on this project. I have been waiting for a loooooooog time for this to come about. The City is being kind to do this… going to be a great help to the library.

 

Library may only have to pay for the paint. Guess that is pending. I try to get as much free labor for the library as much as possible.

 

I will be having them if they want to use the staff break area… and keeping them hydrated with water or pop.

 

Parking lot has to be a certain temp before this can happen.

 

Sooo, please be patient with this project.

 

If you want you can park where you usually do that will be fine but, please….. if I come to you or call you to move your vehicle please don’t hold the guys up by telling me just a minute. Have keys ready and be ready to move vehicle when ask.

 

If I have not covered everybody on this e-mail please help me get the word around.

Thank you,

 

Joyce McCracken"

So be sure to park on the street or to be ready to move your car quickly! Thanks!

Flu Shot Reminder!

Yes, it's time for the flu shots!  The vaccine is available to all active employees and their spouses.  This is strictly voluntary.  If you want to take advantage of this offer, you will need to fill out an authorization form. There are copies posted on the employee bulletin board near the staff entrance.  The vaccines will be administered at City Hall on

Wednesday, September 25  1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Friday, October 11             8:00 AM- 12:00 PM

Flu Shots & Staff Stuff

Joan continues to expand her horizons!  She's been taking art lessons.  As you can see from the painting above, it's paying off!

Farewell, Penny!

 Penny Major, one of our most faithful volunteers, is moving to Charleston, SC.  Our patrons will miss hearing her voice informing them that the book they've been waiting on has arrived and we'll miss her smile and friendship.  Penny says if you're in Charleston to look her up! We'll certainly keep in touch.  Thank you, Penny, for all you've done for us!

 

 

Rhythm & Roots

As everyone should know, Main will be closed for Rhythm and Roots on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  However, Avoca will be open!  Please make sure that our patrons know they do have a place to get their "library fix" even if Main is closed for three days.

  

Free Flu Shots at Local Pharmacies!!

In case you can't make either of the shot events at City Hall, you can get a flu shot at a pharmacy instead!  Here's the information:

If you are a participant in The Local Choice/Anthem health insurance and are unable to attend one of the scheduled dates for the City’s flu clinic, you can get yourself and all your dependents a free flu shot at a time more convenient.  Any vaccinations administered to children under the age of 18 may require prescription.  Check with the participating pharmacy. 
Follow these steps:
1.    Look at the list of local participating pharmacies posted on The Local Choice website at:  www.thelocalchoice.virginia.gov/flushots.html
2.    If your retail drug store is listed, it is important to call them and verify that they are  participating in The Local Choice flu shot program, and ask when flu shots will be available and if you need an appointment. 
3.    Once you have the information, go to the pharmacy and present your Key Advantage plan ID card
4.    Get your flu shot at no charge. It is covered by your prescription drug benefit.
Be sure to get you flu shot from the pharmacy and not from a third party vendor who may be holding a clinic at the store. Flu shots received at non-network pharmacies and vendors will not be covered.
If you present an ID card at the pharmacy and are denied coverage for the flu shot, please tell the pharmacist to call Anthem/Express Scripts, the prescription drug program administrator to ask how to process the TLC/Commonwealth of Virginia flu shot program correctly.

Below are participating pharmacies in Bristol, Virginia.

FOOD CITY PHARMACY #816    100 BONHAM RD    BRISTOL    VA    24209    (276)669-2388

FOOD CITY PHARMACY #821    1320 EUCLID AVE    BRISTOL    VA    24201    (276)645-0044

RITE AID #1577    1200 EUCLID AVE    BRISTOL    VA    24201    (276)645-0977

KROGER PHARMACY #29335    31 MIDWAY ST    BRISTOL    VA    24201    (276)642-0032

SAM'S CLUB #6518    13249 LEE HWY    BRISTOL    VA    24202    (276)466-4727

CVS #07365    31 E VALLEY DR    BRISTOL    VA    24201    (276)669-4640

TARGET PHARMACY #2308    16600 HIGHLANDS CENTER BLVD    BRISTOL    VA    24202    (276)642-6301

WALGREENS #09046    1460 LEE HWY    BRISTOL    VA    24201    (276)642-0738
           
If you need further assistance in locating a participating pharmacy, please contact Human Resources at (276) 642-2325. 
 

Nancy Young's Tribute to Janice, flu shots & leave slip reminder

"I had a little bird

Its name was Enza

I opened up a window

And in flew Enza!"

Yes, it's time for the flu shots!  The vaccine is available to all active employees and their spouses.  This is strictly voluntary.  If you want to take advantage of this offer, you will need to fill out an authorization form. There are copies posted on the employee bulletin board near the staff entrance.  The vaccines will be administered at City Hall on

Wednesday, September 25  1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Friday, October 11             8:00 AM- 12:00 PM

                                            Vacation Reminder

 Remember, if you plan to take more than one day of annual leave off between now and January 1, 2014, you MUST turn in leave slips by Friday, September 13.

                                    Nancy Young's Janice Poem

One of the highlights of Janice's retirement party was Nancy Young's wonderful tribute poem.  For those who missed it or the ones who wanted to read it again, here it is for your reading and reminiscing pleasure:

JANICE

She's a red-hot mama, and her love for chilis proves it,

She has an organizational gene; the Gift Shop shows that she can use it.

She can take a volunteer rookie and turn him or her into a worker;

She always gets the job done--so you know she is no shirker.

She once said thanks for Christmas gifts by passing out small Ty babies;

And they all had a Coke in hand; no ifs, ands, buts or maybes.

She loves her husband, kids, and grandchildren, not necessarily in that order;

She also loves Texas & sourdough bread,  & hot stuff from just north of the border.

She began working at BPL around 1984,

And every year since that time, her work's grown more and more.

She started out shelving books and said she was "just a page."

Now she's a "book" of many "chapters"--is that what's made her age?

She's so creative in those special plans, whether a party or a board meeting,

Her decorations, games and food presentation, keep all having fun while they're eating.

She's earned our respect in the time she's been here, and she keeps everyone on our toes;

But she's lots of fun and is always ready for lunch--with cards and dominoes.

Things will be different when she has retired, I'll listen to 50's music alone;

There'll be no one to tease me that she'll take my Coke stuff (and all of hers will be gone).

I've always liked to finish anything that I've started, but she once told me, to my sorrow,

"Don't worry about those books still left on the truck, someone else will finish tomorrow."

When I was a new volunteer she made a reserve call, and rolled her eyes at the walls;

I said, "I could do that for you." Here I am--13 years later still making those calls!

To Janice, our friend, our boss, our co-worker, we give our love and goodbyes;

But we'll see her again, for she can't stay away, so dry up now, and wipe your eyes!

　

(By Nancy C. Young, August 30, 2013 for Janice Hoelscher upon her retirement from Bristol Public Library)

Important: Vacation Time Requests

 Vacation Time Requests

From Jud:

 If you want to take more than one day of vacation between now and the end of the year, make your request by the end of this week (Sept. 13). Make your request to your department head. Circulation should give theirs to Brenda. Dept. heads should turn in the requests to Brenda after they’ve been approved.

Lost & Found

Janice found a set of keys amongst her gifts. She's going to bring them by the library soon.  Since we didn't have anyone frantically searching for keys, we are assuming the owner has a backup set!

 

Happy Birthday

Jud           September 8

Thanks for the Memories, Janice!

Shanghai Chinese Restaurant posted a photo of the retirement tablecloth and wished Janice all the best on their Facebook page!  Check it out!

And speaking of Janice's retirement party, it was quite the celebration!

The food from Blackbird Bakery was fabulous. . .

 

...the company superb. . . .

... and the Guest of Honor seemed to have a GREAT time!

Janice got her gold watch!

She loved her Coca-Cola lamp!

Joyce totally outdid herself with this gorgeous quilt, pillows, & wall hanging!!

Other highlights for which photos are not available due to inept photographer included

•  the Power Point presentation with all the great old photos (Sister Janice the nun was a popular one, while Princess the fine-seeking dog was an unexpected delight) put together by Doris
• the place mats signed by the staff
• the wonderful poem by Nancy Y. in honor of Janice (copy, please!)
• the 18 1/2 pounds of M&Ms from Joyce & Christian, which made Janice's eyes light up
• a warm speech from Jud, explaining both the Tennessee/Texas connection and why he now likes jalapenos
• Janice's announcement that she would be back to play cards on Tuesdays!

Or, if not cards, then dominoes!

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this party a success and give Janice the send-off she deserves.  The turnout was wonderful! Thank to those who posed for being "Wanted" and for sharing memories. Special thanks to Joyce, Doris, Brenda, Becky, Laurie, Nancy Y., and Nancy P. who put a lot of time and effort into making this a celebration to remember.

Happy Trails, Janice & Bill!

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!