Scheduling Update

Schedules

From Jud:
Scheduling update:

·         Starting on Sat., Feb. 1, library assistants working in the Circ. and Ref. departments will be scheduled to work the “phone room”—the Reference office where pre-shelving book sorting is done.

·         Nicki, Christy L., Laurie, and Don will be responsible for scheduling the phone room rotation, shelving, and sick/vacation relief.

·         A new “Saturday rotation” will be in effect: full-time library assistants with Friday as a regular work day will be in a rotation to work Saturday. When scheduled to work Saturday, you will not work the Friday before.

New Phone Message

 Doris has recorded new messages for our telephone, which should make it easier for folks. Most calls will go directly to the "Phone Room" to be dealt with as needed.

Addition to Emergency Policy, Staff News & More!

Early Closing

As the weather becomes more severe, there may be times when the library needs to close early.  Here is the amended procedure for early closing:

Early closing: In the event of bad weather, the Executive Director can authorize the early closing of the library. If the Executive Director is not present, the security officer on duty should contact him/her. If the Executive Director cannot be contacted, the security officer on duty is authorized to make a decision to close early.

This has been added to our general Emergency Policy.

Staff Notes

Brenda reports the wonderful news that her vision is improving after surgery!

Nancy P. is going to continue to undergo therapy.  Laurie and Nicki have been to visit her, so you can get updates from them.  Thanks to Doris H.for the wonderful copies of Hello! magazine! Nancy is enjoying them very much.

Happy Birthday!

Kay (Outreach)   January 29

Tommy W. (Volunteer)  January 31

Becky B  February 3

COOKIES!!!

Yes, it is Girl Scout Cookie Time!  Why this isn't on the calendar as some sort of national holiday is beyond me.  Anyway, for all those who love Thin Mints, Trefoils, Samoas, and other once a year delectables, I'm happy to tell you that there is an order form in the Staff Break Room so you can fulfill your cookie dream.  Remember, this just happens once a year, so be sure and stock up.

Mmmmm.... cooookeeeeeessss!  

 

And...  Happy Chinese New Year!

January 31

Welcome to the Year of the Horse! 

According to some sources, this means the year ahead will see more cooperation and optimism, as well as being an energetic year.  This energy can also be unpredictable at times, and people will gallop ahead without taking enough precautions. There's also a stubborn and/or independent streak to horses. 

Tax Info & Staff Updates

It's THAT time again!  Here are some answers to questions I'm sure we are all getting:

• Yes, we will be getting in some federal tax forms.  They will be shipped in mid-Janaury to early February.  They will be out downstairs in the usual place, on top of the third set of shelves, where the new non-fiction books are shelved.
• Free tax help will be available again this year, courtesy of People Incorporated.  They will start on Tuesday, Feburary 4,  and continue until April 15.  Times are: Tuesdays from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.We have bookmarks to give out with a list of items folks need to bring, such as a current photo ID and a copy of last year's return. They will be doing returns back in the computer lab.
• State tax forms have not been available at the library for several years now.  Sometimes they are available at the courthouse.  We can go online and print out a form, providing the patron knows what form is needed.  Copies are 20 cents a page.

As many have heard, Nancy Patterson is having some health issues.  She is making progress but good thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.  Laurie will post updates on the staff bulletin board.

Happy Birthday!

Karen G.   January 15

Melba  January 23 

And just in case anyone's forgotten, we will be closed on Monday, January 20, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Book Signing

Dr. Mark Lineburg and Rex Gearheart will be at the BPL on Sunday, January 19 at 2 PM for a book signing for their book Educating Students in Poverty:Effective Practices for Leadership and Teaching. There will be copies of the book available for purchase.

The stockings are hung. . .

. . . on the elephant tree with care!  Ashley & Rebecca have made new stockings for all the staff.  They're filled with treats and are on Brenda's tree (aka the tree with the elephant on top) back in the work area.  You are welcome to the treats but please leave the stockings!  Thanks!

Thanks, Rebecca & Ashley!!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Tapes, Checking Returns, Literacy Academy & Mount Rogers GED, Nevermore

In my rush to get out the word about the schedule changes, I failed to put in a couple of additional items:

 Taps for Tapes

We will be closing out our collection of VHS tapes and Books on Tape.  If you are attached to a title and want to keep it, see Don or Rebecca.  Books on Tape will be going soon, so keep that in mind.

 Checking Returned Books

Jud asks that people who are sorting the books for shelving take a few moments to look through the books for damage and/or stray bookmarks and other items. By doing it back in the sorting area, the books can be checked out to Repairs immediately and sent back upstairs.  Thank you all for cooperating!

Holiday Schedule for ALL & Mount Rogers GED

The Adult Learning Lab will be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 18 until Thursday, Jan.2.

The Mount Rogers GED classes will not meet again until January 15.  

 

Nevermore Book Club Hiatus

 The Nevermore Book Club will not meet December 31.  Staff may suffer doughnut withdrawl until the next meeting, January 7. 

Happy  Birthday!

December   17      Harrison 

      December    28     Christy  H.     

         December    29    Selena                

Important Party & Closing News!

One  important part is that there is no party. From Olivia Denton at City Hall:

"It has come to my attention that you and your staff may not be aware of the Christmas-related items that have recently come to light.  The originally scheduled Christmas party at Waldo Miles is cancelled.  In lieu of that party, Council has graciously granted City Employees an extra Holiday day off on Monday, December 23." 
 
So don't anyone head to Sugar Hollow on Wednesday in search of a party and unless you've been designated to do bookdrops, don't show up to work on Monday!

And the library will follow suit and be closed on December 23! Enjoy!

Early closing, Staff Info Update, & Lots of Thanks!

Updating Information

Brenda has left a sheet out by the employee sign in station.  Please check your information to be sure it's correct.  Also, we'd like to get current email addresses on folk, as well as an emergency contact number we hope to never need! New phone trees will be coming out soon as well.

 Custodial Information for Joyce

 Joyce asks that anything related to custodial concerns (Hygienitech) needs to be sent to her by email.  That helps her and the vendor save time on verification and communication.

Thanks to All Our Decorators!!

Our library is looking quite festive,due to a lot of hard work by some of our staff.  Your work is appreciated, folks!  Laurie did the honors for Reference, and Ashley and Rebecca worked on some of the trees you see around.  I especially like the tree on the employee bulletin board but I suspect Brenda might be partial to another.   The Children's Department looks great, Selena and Susie!  If you haven't stopped by to see this year's Christmas Tree Parade, by all means do so!

Thanks, Melba!

The first of the Christmas goodies arrived, courtesy of Melba and the Woodbys.  If you hurry, you'll find a BIG tin of Danish butter cookies in the staff lounge. If Jeanne gets there first, there may not be any left. Thank you, Melba, Tommy, and Marva!

Early Closing on December 23

We will be closing at 5 pm on Monday, December 23, i.e. the eve of Christmas Eve.  Happy holidays everyone!