Bright Spot Award Goes to 4 Library Winners!

We had the distinct pleasure to spend time with four outstanding staff members last week as they vied for the upcoming opening in the Team Leader position at Simmons and Uptown. I have to admit that I sometimes dread interviews, but talking with these four superstars really made my day!
This week's Bright Star Award goes to Amy Klein,  Kala Istvanek, Martha Coaty, and Jonathan Sward. Each of these outstanding library leaders demonstrated passion for public service, dedication to their coworkers, and excitement about the library's focus on Strengthening Neighborhoods, Inspiring Learning, and Keeping You Curious. I congratulate them for stepping forward and applying for this position. Interviewing is a very nerve wracking undertaking, and they all impressed us very much. I know I will continue to see great things from each of you and I hope you'll continue to seek new opportunities at KPL!
Congratulations to Martha, our new Team Leader! Martha begins training with Barbara Fulton this Friday, so we'll have a smooth transition in this important position. Looking forward to continued strong leadership in our branches.

Power of Libraries Award

Thank you, Wally!

Today marks the end of a very short but very productive tenure at KPL as we say goodbye and best wishes to our Bright Spot Wally Freitag. In the few short months Wally was on staff, he

• finished the long overdue Digital Media Lab
• completely relamped our libraries with LED fixtures that are projected to save us 40% or more on our electric bills
• helped create the KPL Kids Play Area @SW
• designed a program for in-house cleaning that will finally provide the level of cleanliness we've been hoping for (to be implemented)
• rebuilt the transmission on the old maintenance truck to keep it in service
• added an electrical panel for the SW cafe so we can add ventilation in that area
• cleaned all the carpets @SW and NS
• painted our walls beautiful colors @CCB
• fostered a maintenance team that works and learns together

Wally's  kindness, spirit, and work ethic will be sorely missed. He has truly been a Bright Spot in our organization. Please join me in wishing Wally well!

Barb

Thank you, Kala and Melissa!

Thanks to this week's Bright Spot Award winners, Kala and Melissa B! 
If you haven't seen the gorgeous decorations they created at SW to celebrate National Asian Pacific Heritage Month, you're really missing something! Just look at these pics! 
Donna Holmen reports that the decorations really meant a lot to a child she met:

"I had a 9-year-old Asian girl ask me why the library was being decorated with an Asian theme.  When I told her about the month of May celebration, she just beamed with pride. Her whole family stopped in to see the decorations. I suspect the child is perhaps first generation Chinese American.  It was obvious the displays mattered to her."

Kala and Melissa, thanks for putting your wonderful idea into action! Can't wait to see what you do next!