As promised, I brought back some warmer weather from California ! (You're welcome! :))
Don't forget tomorrow's holiday lunch! Thanks to Sandy for her generous spirit in making all the arrangements!
We had our last Library Board meeting of the year yesterday evening and there were several changes made to staff policies and to the Unattended Children Policy. Sandy and Michelle are sending out full policies for you to look over. Highlights include more bereavement leave for part time staff, a broader list of relatives that qualify for both sick leave and bereavement leave, and the option to choose someone unrelated by blood who lives with you as your special person that you can take sick leave to care for or bereavement leave in the event of their death. We hope these expansions of benefits support you and your family.
2021 was unpredictable, to say the least, especially before immunizations. We did our very best to support you through the worst of the pandemic, including special benefits for those of you who faced very unsure child care and school schedules so you could continue to receive a paycheck if exposure required you to quarantine. And because the year was so stressful, we required everyone to use their full allotment of paid time off to maximize your rest time away from work. I'm happy to say everyone managed to do this. I know it was tricky to predict what you would need through December just in case of emergencies and I applaud you all for making it work. As you know, I asked to review all unpaid leave requests this year so I can clearly understand the limitations our policies might place on you and I learned a lot. In 2022, we'll return to the policy of allowing staff to carry forward up to 40 hours of vacation to be used in the first quarter of the following year. Hopefully that will provide enough cushion that no one needs to take unpaid time in 2022.
On January 1, 2022, all staff will receive a 4% pay raise. Many of you will also receive your annual step increase. Remember that we are also working with Carlson Dettman to conduct a wage study to be sure that you are all fairly compensated. Any increases as a result of that study will be implemented July 1, 2022, if our budget allows. We have earmarked $50,000 total in the 2022 budget to allow for recommended increases in the wage study results. If for some reason that does not turn out to be enough, we may need to phase in wage adjustments.
David Vinjamuri reviewed the proposed space plans for NS and SW last night with the Library Board. The overall plans look a bit overwhelming, but there is much we can accomplish step by step and even enjoy ourselves along the way. We'll be developing space project plans and determining budgets early January in time for the next round of grant opportunities expected to be released through DPI.
As you know, we received all three ARPA grants we applied for through DPI, which collectively provide over $500,000 for projects. So we'll be working hard to get all our projects up and running by the June 2022 deadline including:
- Staff training for responding effectively to social service and mental health needs
- Book vending machines and book drops at the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA for after school and summer kids programs
- Meeting room upgrades to support classroom learning, telehealth, and job interviews both at KPL and Community Library
- Conversion of existing public drinking fountains to water bottle fillers at KPL and Community Library
- Public address systems at NS and SW
This week's Bright Spot Award comes from Karen
Hi. I'd like to nominate Jason Holmes for the Bright Spot of the week. Last week, he came over to look at the puppet stage (which screws and stuff needed tightening) and there was quite an extensive pencil drawing on the wall. He was able to come over the next morning and clean the entire drawing off the wall and tighten everything. He is really awesome and follows up quickly. We really appreciate all he does for us in YFS. Thank you, Jason!!
Hi. I'd like to nominate Jason Holmes for the Bright Spot of the week. Last week, he came over to look at the puppet stage (which screws and stuff needed tightening) and there was quite an extensive pencil drawing on the wall. He was able to come over the next morning and clean the entire drawing off the wall and tighten everything. He is really awesome and follows up quickly. We really appreciate all he does for us in YFS. Thank you, Jason!!
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