Condolences to the Stickley family

As some know, Doris' beloved mother in law, Betty Stickley, passed away.  A full obituary will be in Saturday's Bristol Herald Courier.  Here is a link to the funeral home notice:

Betty Stickley

I apologize for the lateness of this notice, but Akard has been slow to post details. It may finally be updated by the time you see this.  The family will receive friends on Sunday at the funeral home. You can leave messages at the Akard site.

TAX TIME

The first tax returns will be done on Tuesday, Feb. 2.  It's always a rough time with much confusion and this year will be even worse due to the construction.  Brace yourselves! People are already unhappy that they've had to wait for this free service.  The volunteers will arrive at 5:30 pm or a little before, but expect patrons to start showing up and asking hours earlier.  Traditionally, the sign up sheet has not been put out until an hour before time.

I had a notice that one of the boxes of tax forms is scheduled to arrive on February 3.  I don't know which form(s) it will contain. I'll update as we know.  Remember-- we can NOT offer any tax advice.  If someone asks which tax form they should file, we cannot tell them. Refer them to the IRS office on Lee Highway or to the VITA volunteers.

Survey Notice

 Public Survey for Tennessee

From Nancy Roark:

"I participated in a conference call this morning to discuss TN Economic and Community Development's Broadband Assessment.  I wanted to give you a heads-up about it, for several reasons.  First, it is a wonderful way to garner support for better internet infrastructure statewide.  Second, the Secretary of State's office will issue a press release Monday alerting patrons to this survey, and encouraging them to come to their public library to fill it out--particularly if they do not currently have access to broadband at home.  So, you may have patrons asking you about it.  The link to the survey is here:

http://tn.gov/ecd/section/broadband-survey

They also would like us/you to promote this assessment."

Amy is going to publicize this for the library but she wants everyone to be aware of the survey and to encourage our Tennessee patrons to participate.  Tennessee staff are also encouraged!  

There's nothing special that we have to do with this.  Amy just wants everyone to know about it so we don't have the "deer in the headlights" look if a patron asks about it. The patron can use our wifi or get on one of our public computers with their cards or guest passes and fill out the survey.  The usual requirements will apply (in good standing with the library, show ID if no card, etc.)

Schedule Changes, Welcome Brenda, & Birthdays!

Schedule Changes

• GED classes will NOT meet tonight, Monday, January 25th
• ESL classes with NOT meet this week; schedule should resume the first week in February
• Teen Clubs will NOT meet until  the new Teen Librarian arrives the first of February.  Announcements will be made on the BPL and BPL Teens Facebook pages, so have patrons check there for updates.

 Children's programs for today WILL take place, including the American Girl Book Club from 4-5 pm

Welcome, Brenda!

We now have a new cataloger!  Brenda G.  will be taking over Doris' old office to be next to Judy so our Tech Services will be together.  Doris will move into the office next to Brenda.  

We're glad to have you here, Brenda! If we can do something to help you settle in, just let us know!

  

Happy Birthday!

Kay L.  (Outreach)  January 29

 

Contact! Katie's Project, & More

CONTACT!

Folks, the winter weather is moving in.  We need ways to contact people quickly to give updates.  Amy is going to send text messages and I will send out email notices.  If you are reading this blog and you did NOT get an email telling you it was posted, please give Jeanne your email to be added to the staff contacts.  Otherwise, you may not receive important notifications.

 

 From Katie:

I am partnering with a group to do local community service projects each month. For the month of January we are collecting Hats, Scarves and Gloves, and we are going to put them in baggies and distribute them to the homeless. If staff members have any that they would like to donate or know of some individuals that are in desperate need please let me know and I will see to it that they get it. The deadline is Jan 24^th, so if anyone wants to donate if they could have it to me by Sat Jan 23^rd that would be awesome.

Happy Birthday!

It's hard to believe but little Miss Florence Blue aka Flora turned one year old on January 17. 

Baby pictures are always cute for the blog.  This is a hint for those on the staff who have adorable babies.    

Employee Handbook, Info Update, and 1095C

Employee Handbook

Everyone should read the both the Bristol, Virginia Employee Handbook and the Bristol Public Library Handbook, and then sign the form affirming that you have done so.  The forms are in Brenda's office and you turn the form into Brenda so she can keep it on file.

Good Job, LIS!

Brenda reports that members of the Lending and Information Services Department have signed and turned in their Handbook forms! Thank you! You get a gold star! And maybe something better. . . something a little more. . .  chocolate. See Jeanne to claim your reward.

   Info Update Time

It's that time of year when the weather can turn a bit dicey, so we're gearing up to notify folks if there is going to be a change in schedule.  How do folks feel about getting a text?  Please check with Brenda to be sure she has your most current contact information and that she has an Emergency Contact listed for you.

Health Insurance & 1095C

Employees will receive a form 1095C in the mail.  This is proof of your insurance for tax purposes.  City Hall has sent out a memo, a copy of which is posted on the Employee Bulletin Board.  You are welcome to make a copy if you wish.

    

Teens, Taxes, & Adult Learning Lab

 

Tax Information

We will be getting a few tax forms in this year, but they will be limited to 1040, 1040A, and 1049EZ.  We can go online and print out tax forms for folks at the usual rate (20 cents per page).  We will have a few instruction booklets to give away.  Please let patrons know that this was not our choice, but the choice of the IRS. We would have preferred to have more forms and more instructions.

We do not have any shipping dates for tax forms.

The folks who provide the free tax preparation will be starting on February 2.  They will be here on Tuesdays from 5:30- 7:30 pm and on Saturdays 10 am- 2 pm. Due to construction, they will be meeting upstairs in the Frances Kegley Conference Room on Tuesdays and downstairs in the ALL Classroom on Saturdays.

Teen & Tweens

The position of Teen Librarian has been offered to someone, but there are still formalities that must be observed.  The new Teen Librarian will probably start in February. Information will be posted on the BPL Teens Facebook page.  Also, information about Teen Book Club and Tween Book Club will be posted there as well.  Please direct patrons to that page.  I'm putting a link so you can do a quick check from the desk in case someone asks.  This is where the most up to date information about that program will be posted.

BPL Teen Readers

Adult Learning Lab

The hours for ALL remain in flux.  Until January 20,  you can tell patrons that Open Lab (i.e., anyone can drop in) usually will be from 2-5 pm Monday-Friday.  From January 20 on, the hours vary and some days Lab is not open at all except for Mt. Rogers classes.  Katie will be here at other times, but may have appointments.

The safest thing to do is to have patrons contact Katie directly at 276-645-8790 or to email her at kvenable@bristol-library.org for an appointment.  

However, the Mount Rogers Regional Adult Education Program  GED and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes will meet regularly.  To sign up for classes, patrons need to call Mt. Rogers at 1-800-322-7748.  Mt. Rogers offers GED classes here on Mondays &Wednesdays from 5-8 pm and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 pm.  They also offer GED at other times and locations in Bristol.  The ESL classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30 pm.

Printed copies of contact information should be readily available at both Reference and Circulation. If you can't find a copy, please see Jeanne.

Thanks, Happy New Year, and more

Thank You Notes!

We have had some wonderful treats this holiday season!  Special thanks to Mary Jo Gilley for the Chex mix and to Becky Wilkerson for the pumpkin bread.  Delicious!! We really appreciate it!

Also, check the staff bulletin board for notes of thanks from Debbie and Pam.  

 

Reserves Note

Mosheim Library is undergoing some exciting changes! As a result we will not be able to reserve books from Mosheim for awhile, until they complete moving their collection.  This is just something to keep in mind for our patrons.

Becky

 As most will have heard, Becky B.'s father is ill and in the hospital.  The family would appreciate prayers and good wishes.

Happy Birthday (Belated!)

Christy H. (Main)  December 28    

Here's wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year!