Join the Green Team!

Did you know?

• We purchase 100% wind power to electrify out buildings.
• We have converted every light fixture in our buildings to LED, drastically reducing our electric consumption.
• Our maintenance team collects our recycling and takes it out to the county recycling center.
• We recycle our printer cartridges.
• We don't use fertilizer, herbicides or pesticides on our lawns. We have learned to love the dandelions that the rabbits love.
• We're actively working on installing electric vehicle charging stations in our parking lots.

Love what you just read? Would you like to join a Green Team at the library? Our Green Team has been inactive for a while, but there's so much more to do! If you're interested in joining a newly formed team, check with your supervisor to see if they can spare you an hour per month to brainstorm how KPL can be better environmental stewards. If the answer is yes, let me know and we'll get started! Thanks!

Our license to CreativeBug will expire June 2023 and there's no intention of renewing- just an FYI.

Here's an interesting way to embed social workers from Everett, Washington- within the police department, fire department and library, all 3 because the same people tend to be seen by all 3. We are finding that our own social work student Savannah is making a great impact. Savanah will be with us until May 2023 and we've already told Carthage that we'll be grateful for another student when Savannah graduates. 

Many state legislatures are proposing legislation to control the collections of school and/or public libraries and it's more widespread than you think. Here's a list  from EveryLibrary, a nonprofit organization that works to provide referendum and marketing support for public libraries. In Wisconsin it seems to be critical race theory that is the point of contention. Locally, we continue to receive complaints from a small group of people who are opposed to our Big Read selection, Homegoing, characterizing it as "pornography."

This week's Bright Spot awards:

From Barb: The Southwest team for their fantastic displays! Truly, the tables and shelves we have going right now are a model to the library (and book retail) world of really enticing, creative ways to remind the public that they love books and movies and all the things the library has to take home. Outstanding job, everyone! Way to shine!

From Phillip: As the end of the year approaches, I wanted to acknowledge the staff that have been extra supportive of me during my transition into my new role.
Gina Williamson and Katie Engle:
In 3 months, Gina and Katie are two of the most supportive staff members I have ever had the pleasure of working with. The norm in which they operate is to offer unconditional support to whoever they are working with, patrons and staff alike, and their day-to-day humility when interacting with others is truly commendable. During the week that I was quarantined, I did not have access to my notary logbook, but had to submit notary stats for the Board packet. After trying to figure out how I could submit the stats from home, in the end, it was Katie and Gina who were willing to help me, and actually brought my logbook to me via curbside pickup, so that I could submit my statistics. It is ironic how a situation that was so stressful to me could be resolved with such empathy, that I was actually grateful for the experience. Their willingness to support their staff members in any way possible only speaks to their brilliance as individuals. What an honor it is to work with you!

Brandi Cummings, Betsy Leach, and Michaela Beltran:
December 5th was the first official time I had the chance to organize any type of event for a large number of people. When it comes to the planning aspect, none of it would be possible without the support of Brandi. There is not enough room on the page to describe how helpful Brandi is in all capacities of my role; all I can do is try to learn from her, I am very grateful. Michaela and Betsy, on the other hand, were the heroes when it came to helping me put all the various moving pieces together. Not only did they offer their assistance when it came to putting the packages together, but they were also a huge support in helping brainstorm designs for cards, and verify logistics like how many staff members KPL has, and which locations they typically work at, so I could deliver the packages to their rightful places.

Tara, Dina, Katy W, DJ, Amanda, Justin, Kimmy, Janice, Elliot, Susannah, and Janet all deserve recognition as well. They have all supported me in putting on this event at some point, or offered to be of assistance if needed, and in many ways it was thanks to them that the food deliveries were signed for and set up at each location. I hope I did not forget anyone! Thank you all!

Jeremy:
Can be an honorable mention, because I appreciate all the guidance I received from him in the short time we worked together.

Happy weekend, everyone!