Reminders: Insurance, Scents, and More!

Tick-Tock!

Time is running out if you want to make any changes to insurance and other benefits.  The deadline is May 5.

Perfumes, Colognes, Scents, Etc.

Some of our staff members are sensitive to strong scents. Reactions vary from headaches to dizziness to breathing problems that require doctor visits.  Please be considerate of others when using perfumes or air fresheners. 

No, it's not Mardi Gras again, but Ambrea is bringing food anyway! May 2 will see the winners of the battle of the tasty dishes in our break room.  I'm sure she wouldn't mind if folks decided to bring in a few extra snacks, chips, etc. that day.  Thank you, Ambrea!

Happy Birthday!!

Amy  April 29

 

National Library Week Events, Code, & More

National Library Week

Michelle's Go Fly a Kite program got some wonderful coverage from the Bristol Herald Courier.  You can read the article HERE.

  

Kristin had a nice turn out for her Beginning Genealogy class.

 TJ conducted 3D printing demonstrations for all those who were interested, including some staff members. This young man seemed to have a grand time!  

Security Code

From Joyce:

"The phone number for Fleenor Security has been moved to Don’s phone, but the code is still the same. If for some reason you don’t know the code just ask your supervisor or me.  Because that is what Fleenor Security will be asking if the alarm goes off. The way this is set up Fleenor Security will call Don’s Phone; if no one answers the phone or if you can’t give them the codes, they will call Amy, Joyce, then Brenda D. If for any reason you need to call The Fleenor Security number it is located on Don’s phone receiver." 

Retirement Counseling Scams/Services

 Be aware-- don't get taken!

http://www.varetire.org/whats-new/stories/be-alert-for-unsolicited-retirement-counseling-services.asp

Be Alert for Unsolicited Retirement Counseling Services

Recently, there have been reports of groups or individuals contacting VRS members to offer retirement counseling services.

Please be aware that VRS does not use unsolicited calls or emails to offer its services. All correspondence from VRS will be sent by U.S. mail on official letterhead or by secure message in your myVRS account. Also, VRS counselors do not come to members' homes to discuss benefits.

VRS counseling services are free, whether in person in the VRS counseling center or by phone, and are available by contacting VRS.

VRS also offers free retirement planning sessions, held at colleges and universities throughout the state, other public locations or the VRS offices in Richmond.

Remember to be cautious in responding to unsolicited offers of retirement planning or advice. If you are uncertain if a communication originated with VRS, contact VRS at 1-888-827-3847.

So Which Fictional Librarian Are You?

Take the Quiz!

Happy National Library Week! And More....

Happy National Library Week!

We're half way through and still have lots of things going on! Kirstin will be doing a Beginning Genealogy class on Thursday (4/13), TJ will have a 3D printer workshop on Friday (4/14), and on Saturday Michelle will be flying kites at Steele Creek in the morning (registration is in the Children's Department) and we'll have a showing of the movie version of Matilda in the afternoon!  If you need details on any of these programs, just ask!

Also, Rebecca is running a promotion in the Gift Shop.  She has some lovely green library tote bags for sale for $4 or shoppers can get one FREE by spending $8 in the Gift Shop! Is that a great deal or what?

2017 Employee Benefits Fair

Need to make some changes to your health insurance, flex spending, or other benefits? April 17- May 5, 2017 is the time to do that. You do need to contact Human Resources to fill out the appropriate paperwork.  Their number is 276-642-2325.

Not sure and need more information? Wednesday, April 19, from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm is the Employee Benefits Fair in the Bristol City of Virginia Council Chambers.  It's a great place to find answers and possibly pick up some free pens. (Or is that just me?) Anyway, LIS folk need to speak to Ambrea so she can schedule reference and circ coverage.

Sam's Card

The cards are coming up for renewal.  Please contact Brenda ASAP if you want to keep your card another year.  She also has some extra cards if someone wants to get one.  Cost is $45 per year.

Continuing Education

At last check, there are some LIS people who have yet to meet the CE requirements.  That's 16 hours for full time and 8 hours for those who work 20-30 hours per week. Those who have been here less than a year but who work more than 20 hours will have pro-rated CE requirements.  If you are having trouble finding suitable webinars or lectures, or if you need to schedule time to do those things, please see Ambrea. We will be checking on progress.

Boating Education

T.J. wants to remind everyone that the JCC can now do the boating tests!  They'll be advertising it more heavily in a couple of weeks as the weather warms up, but if people call and ask, please refer them to the JCC.

Condolences to Bill

As some may have heard, Bill at Avoca lost his father recently.  Services will be held April 22 at the Arcadia United Methodist Church on Bloomingdale Road in Kingsport.  The family will receive friends starting at 1 pm and the service will begin at 2:30 pm.  Please keep Bill and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Condolences to Katie

For those who haven't heard, Katie's grandfather passed away last week.  You can read the obituary here:  James-C-Honaker

You can also leave a message there if you'd like. Please keep Katie and her family in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Fake News, Events Blog, National Library Week, Community Type In, Dr. Bernice King

Events Blog!

Ambrea has set up a wonderful new blog with details of events occurring at Main and Avoca.  Note that there are different tabs for different departments as well.  We will be letting the public know about it soon, but would like for staff to start looking at it now.  Hopefully, this will be a way for everyone to keep up with all the things going on at the library!

If you have questions or comments, please let Ambrea know.

Events Blog

National Library Week

And speaking of events, we are planning a number of them for National Library Week.  More information will be available after we get the details worked out, but we are planning to have the Beaver Creek Storytellers do a special performance, Avoca Friends will be having their book sale (and they always have WONDERFUL baked goods for sale too!), a genealogy class, and a showing of the movie "Labyrinth."

Fake News

Michelle sent a link to an excellent webinar about how to spot fake news.  I would like to encourage all LIS staff to schedule time to watch this webinar.  It will count as 1 hour toward your Continuing Education hours.

Print outs of the resources list are already available. See Michelle or Jeanne if you'd like to look at a copy.

Here is the link:  Fake News

Community Type In

On Saturday, March 25, we will have a display of manual typewriters in the space between the stairs.  Patrons (and staff!) are encouraged to give them a try.   This is an all day event to encourage creativity and writing.

Dr. Bernice King

Dr. Bernice King, daughter of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,  will be speaking at ETSU on Monday, March 20, at 7:30 pm.   Tickets are $10 and may be purchased here.

Hybrid Employees, Happy Birthday, and Thanks!

Hybrid Employee Seminar

Hybrid employees may want to take a look at the bulletin board near the staff entrance for information on an upcoming seminar.  Attendance is not mandatory, but if you want to attend you may.  LIS staff will need to see Ambrea so she can schedule appropriately.

Happy Birthday

Ambrea March 21

Thanks!

I certainly appreciated the cake and the card. Both were sweet but one was much tastier than the other.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"Are leprechauns magically delicious?" ~ Billy

Happy Retirement, Becky!

I think we surprised her!

All hail Becky!

For she's a jolly good fellow!

And a grand time was had!

The cake says it all!

Thanks to everyone who contributed time, effort, food, fellowship, and cleaned up after.  You are the best!

Finally, Jud wrote a memo to the staff when Becky moved here from Avoca.  It was a fitting tribute to her then, and just as fitting now.

From Jud:

"I want to personally welcome Becky Berry to the Main Library and want to share with everyone how difficult it was to tear her loose from her fans down at Avoca. Becky is treasured down there for her winning ways: for her ability to smile at people and call them by their first names. The folks at Avoca are terrified that without Becky, it will never happen to them anymore.

Why? Because, according to them, nobody smiles or calls people by their first names at the Main Library. And if Becky got taken away, it would mean the smiling at Avoca would stop....

In fact, I thought it would be useful to share this with everyone just so that we could understand what it is about Becky Berry that makes her so special to these people. I don’t mean to put her on the spot because she’s modest and humble, but I do think it would be good for all of us to realize the very simple and easy things you *must* do in order to make the library a place that people want to come to.

I can say all I want to about the threat of changing technology to the future of libraries. But the best thing to keep libraries viable will be people who treat the public like Becky Berry does."

Thank you, Becky.  We will do our best to uphold your high standards.  We'll miss you, and our patrons will too.  We wish you all the best that life has to offer, and we expect you to stop by often.