Creative Solutions During This Past Year
This March/April edition of the Employee Newsletter marks one year we are in the pandemic as well as celebrating, for the second year in a row, National Library Workers’ Day (April 7). As we know, this past year and this year have not been easy.
First, I want us to take a moment and to acknowledge and to celebrate our adaptability and on finding creative solutions during this past year.
Second, I want to acknowledge how very difficult both work and life challenges we faced and continue to face. We are fortunate to be able to turn to family, friends and co-workers during the most challenging of these times, sharing our feelings of frustration and upset. That said, it is important to not let the negative thoughts overwhelm us and take over. Rather, we need to do what we have been doing at TRL - focusing on what’s in our power to change, and my goodness, TRL has changed!
Research shows once we go through something difficult, we change and grow, we do not stay the same, nor do we go back to how we were. We have to do things differently – we have and we will continue to do so.
And we made it work, all thanks to you. Thank you for your continued efforts and resilience.
- Cheryl
National Library Workers' Day
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 was a special day to recognize and celebrate all library workers.
*Excerpts are from the 2021 TRL Library Workers Appreciation eMagazine. View the full magazine, created by Stephanie Cahill.
IT
Thank you for keeping us connected, managing all the help desk tickets and keeping the technology flowing to our patrons. -Anonymous
Facilities
Thank you for all the work behind the scenes! Our branches shine brighter with your finishing touches! – Anonymous
TRL Bilingual Staff
To everyone on the bilingual team, thank you for supporting our efforts to provide materials in español. The team rises to the need with little or no notice for translations.
¡Gracias! Katie L, Lupita L, Torey Y, Sean L, Holly P, Betsy S, Jenna A, Meghan M, Kären M, Peter B, and Susan F. -Creative Services
Changes at the Service Center
Courtesy of Heydi S. and Rebekka S.
Good day fellow library devotees,
We are excited to announce that we are now taking care of ILL and the mailroom. Since this is new to us, we wanted to mention how incredibly splendid you all have been during our transition. Here are a couple tips:
- Anything being sent for SC can be put in the SC mailroom box
- Mail sent to us for postage should have a legible address
- We return any library or school items, so send them our way
- Feel free to contact us at ILL@trl.org and mailroom@trl.org. We love hearing from you
Meet our newest staff members
Skyler V
Hobbies: Automotive related stuff, outdoor activities
Education/Training: Graduated from R.A. Long high school, went through fire academy at Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue.
Favorite Music: Classic rock and country
Favorite Book: Train related books
Favorite Travel Spot: McMenamin's hotels
Favorite Restaurant: Ribeye
Favorite Quote: We're at now now - Space balls the movie
Fun Fact: Received a beginners rally driving certificate for rear wheel drive cars.
What do you like best about your job/TRL? Seems like fun/good atmosphere.
What inspired you to work in libraries? I have always been interested in building and fixing things.
Alex C
Hobbies: My current hobbies include - working, sleeping, eating and occasionally some TV shows.
Education/Training: Some college
Favorite Music: Rock, Hip-hop
Favorite Book: Dune
Favorite Restaurant: Taco Bell
Favorite Quote: “I don’t know I just work here“
Fun Fact: It takes 8.3 seconds for the light from the Sun to reach the Earth.
What inspired you to work in libraries? I went to the library most weekends when I was a child.
Amoreena H
Hobbies: Knitting/Crochet, Gardening, Reading, Listening to podcasts, and Hiking (or at least taking leisurely strolls in beautiful places)
Education/Training: I majored in Spanish many years ago and taught ESL for a while, but have spent most of the last decade and a half raising my kids.
Favorite Music: Broadway musicals
Favorite Book: There are too many great books to pick just one but my favorite thing I’ve read in the last year is the Broken Earth trilogy by NK Jemison.
Favorite Travel Spot: Anywhere that’s not too hot
What do you like best about your job/TRL? Getting to spend all day in one of my favorite places.
What inspired you to work in libraries? Two of my greatest passions are education and community service. Libraries feel like a nice intersection of those two interests.
Riann S
Hobbies: Reading aloud to my children, travel, and photography
Education/Training: Two year Library Technician degree from Spokane Falls Community College that is now a vintage 20 years old! The years between that education and this job have included travel around the world and raising 6 children, learning every day along the way.
Favorite music: Family music nights in the living room -- folk songs and hymns on guitar, recorder, and piano
Favorite travel spot: Ethiopia? Vietnam? Wales?
Favorite quote: "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
What inspired you to work in libraries? As a child, I remember climbing up the steps of the bookmobile and being allowed to bring home a bushel basket of books. My mother read aloud to us every night, even into our teenage years, and pursuing work in a library seemed a natural next step in my education. I didn't end up using that library degree until this year, but in the many years between, I, too, introduced my children to the joy of reading and the gift of connection to our community library. It's a delight to be raising readers and to be involved in my community in this way.
Susan J
Hobbies: Reading, baking, walking, talking ☺
Education/Training: BA in Education (formerly an elementary special ed teacher)
Favorite Book: When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin
Favorite Travel Spot: Road trips in the US
Favorite Restaurant: Depends on the day…Panera, Chipotle, Wild Man (in Raymond)
Fun Fact: As a child, I played school, restaurant and library with my sisters. Getting hired as a sub for TRL fulfills actually working in all of those!
What do you like best about your job/TRL? It’s great being surrounded by books and meeting others from the community.
What inspired you to work in libraries? I like helping. Working as a substitute librarian seemed like a good way to be helpful. The South Bend librarians make it look like a fun thing to do.
Naomi F
Hobbies: Gardening, Cycling, Knitting and watching my cat do weird stuff
Favorite Music: Celtic Folk
Favorite Book: Pick just one? really? I've read the Lord of the Rings trilogy four times. I guess that must count for something...
Favorite Travel Spot: Victoria BC. …. or Greece, if I ever get there.
Favorite Restaurant: Fulio’s in Astoria.
Fun Fact: I’m a Mets fan. I can’t help it. I’m sorry.
What do you like best about your job/TRL? My coworkers are wonderful!
What inspired you to work in libraries? ... a chance encounter with a bookmobile at age 10
Quotes from Live Chat
Thank you to our patrons for taking the time to send us comments about TRL staff. Enjoy a few examples from Live Chat, courtesy of Meghan H.
"I don't need help today, but I wanted to say that you all are so awesome! We missed the library so much during this past year - but you all have really been a bright light in the darkness. Much love and peace to all of you at TRL. Thank you for showing up every day for our communities."
About Library Giving Day:
"I so appreciate all you have saved me in book purchases and love your plans for a new Hawk's Prairie location. 🙂"
Staff SLP T-Shirt Order Form
Don't miss your chance to own the most anticipated shirt of the season. Complete the form (for staff only) to order your 2021 Staff SLP T-Shirt. The deadline is TODAY, April 21.
Do you have an event to promote or a great idea for a social media post?
Interested in joining the Social Media Team? Contact Sarah O.
Buildings are encouraged to create their own events in Facebook, following the guidelines in the Social Media Handbook.
Phishing Emails - Reminder:
- Always look at the full email address to confirm the correct staff email address
- Never respond to the email if the staff email address is not correct
- Do not click on any links
- Follow up in Teams/Chat and notify IT
- Questions? Speak with your Library Manager
Contact Creative Services
Thank you to everyone who contributed photos, ideas, information, and more for this eNewsletter. Contact Creative Services to help with the next edition.
Credits:
Created with images by MabelAmber - "glory of the snow flower plant" • danigeza - "poppies field sunset" • MabelAmber - "dock feet footwear" • BriF - "sign bicycle decoration"