News for the week and a shout out to Jason Holmes

The NEA Big Read got off to a terrific start this week and there are so many people to thank! To Jennifer for her leadership, to everyone who is hosting online or in person programs, to staff who do the publicity, the graphics, pass out the books, talk up the programs to everyone they meet, make sure the technology works, all of you are so appreciated! Look what the talented staff at Simmons and Northside did to announce the NEA Big Read celebration. 

Food for Fines officially starts this coming week. We're collecting nonperishables and toiletries for Grace Welcome Center and pet food and supplies for Safe Harbor Humane Society at all branches.

Here's a  great article about why Zoom meetings are so tiring and how we can improve them- all easily doable. 

Thanks to everyone who attended Wednesday morning's COVID-19 vaccination presentation by Nick Eschmann from KFD. A number of you have told me that it was really helpful. For those of you who could not make the live presentation, we've recorded it for you. Watch here.

Please take extra care when clearing out the buildings at the end of the day. We were lucky this week that the young lady trapped inside Northside after hours kept her wits about her and was carrying a cell phone so she could call her mother. The mother was very gracious about it. Still, pretty embarrassing. So use the phones to make the announcement just in case you miss someone on your rounds. And check restrooms twice. Sometimes people are in their own world, and if they're wearing headphones, they aren't going to hear you.

This week's Bright Spot nomination comes from Karen Rozzoni, seconded by Shawn Wolf:

I would like to nominate Jason Holmes for a Bright Spot  Award. I needed something from Menard's that just came up today. He not only went to Menard's this morning to purchase the items, but when I realized I told him the wrong items, he went back to return the first ones and purchased the ones I really needed. He went above and beyond!

Last week, he also went above and beyond. He was emailed about purchasing sunflower seeds when he had time to get to Menard's. He went that very day and picked them up. 

Last week Shawn had a question about our shelves in the YFS workroom. He had this request finished in record time. Jason really went  ABOVE and BEYOND for this shelving project. 

We can't thank him enough!!