Congratulations to the following September 2020 Employee of the Quarter Winners:
Hamilton:
Robyn Pittenger, 2 nominations
Robyn is always one of the first ones to help with the quarantined bags in the morning and checks them in. This helps out everyone who is scheduled at the desk.
Robin emptied 19 bags of quarantined materials on Saturday July 25! Also, Robyn consistently works on the quarantined items with a cheerful attitude.
Oxford/Smith:
David Halliwell, 2 nomations
I am grateful for David’s help with the Teen Writing Contest. I also appreciate his willingness to think outside the box with all the changes we made due to COVID.
David you are an amazing member of Oxford Team who is always willing to help others. Your help with Circulation tasks is very much appreciated. You have done everything from quarantining the items to sanitizing to check-ins to shelving holds and much much more. You have done a lot to help your coworkers. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.
Fairfield:
Missy Thompson
Missy is a great co-worker! Recently (and on more than one occasion), I’ve noticed her interactions with difficult patrons and I feel they are worthy of recognition. Even as these patrons directed their frustrations at her and acted out, Missy effectively stated our policies to them in a calm and polite manner. These instances were good reminders to me of the importance of handling pressure from patrons well- and Missy does just that.
In addition, Missy is attentive and considerate towards her co-workers. She has a good sense of when to lend her support, whether it’s stepping in to help at the front desk or at the drive-thru (as she’s done for me many times), or even just asking how she can help alleviate the work load for others when it gets busy. Missy sets an example for how to act when the more difficult situations come our way, and it’s encouraging to know that we have her on our team!
LAC/BKM/Tech Center:
Mike Busam, Bookmobile, 2 nominations
Mike was incredibly helpful with the Teen Writing Contest. He did a fantastic job of keeping track of all the entries and also came up with a fun award to give participants. I truly appreciate Mike’s creativity and insight.
During this strange time for the library, Mike has been helping us move McNaughtons to the branches in his spare time.
Congratulations to this quarter’s winners! Each winner will receive 4 hours of vacation.
Congratulations to the following nominees:
HAMILTON:
Alyssa Childs
Alyssa had done a great job planning/leading some of our virtual storytimes! I also really appreciate her ability to think outside the box with the many changes we had to make due to COVID-19. We are lucky to have Alyssa on staff.
Jeff Baker
I am grateful for Jeff’s help with the Teen Writing Contest. He put a lot of thought into reviewing each poem and story and I really appreciate his thinking about each piece. I also appreciate his creativity. He and Amy developed a few demo videos for teens. These have been incredibly popular on our YouTube channel.
Alex Scales, 2 nominations, won in March 2020
Alex is always eager to help both patrons and other staff members, keeping up a wonderful customer service attitude no matter how stressful the day gets. He makes us all laugh and empathizes with everyone.
Alex has done a great job working on Cummins Room requests and working with the collection
Amanda Lehman
Amanda has been a great help in working on Cummins Room requests and communicating with patrons
Shyann Thomas
Shyann has done a great job working on Cummins Room requests, especially property histories
Michaela Perkins
Michaela has worked hard on uploading digitized Cummins Room collections to Portfolio
Emily Mays
Emily consistently works on quarantined items cheerfully, as well as maintaining her other duties efficiently.
Kristen Howard
Kristen is a trooper, fulfilling the hold lists efficiently and is tenacious tracking down lost or missing items. She also helps fill in gaps wherever needed, cheerfully and efficiently.
Sara Stapf
Sara has been active in restocking our cleaning supply and hand sanitizer stations. This has become incredibly important and we appreciate it!
OXFORD/SMITH:
Rebecca Evans
Rebecca is fully committed to going above and beyond to patrons in the most normal of times. Throughout these strange and trying months, I have only ever seen her engage with each and every patron warmly and trying to make them feel seen and heard, always attentive to help if she can. Rebecca has a commitment to community and creating it through her actions that is admirable and a great asset to our library.
Akiko Urayama, 4 nominations
Akiko had done a great job planning/leading some of our virtual storytimes! She has also done an amazing job filling in while Caitlin is on maternity leave…and she only is part time! Her hard work and creativity are genuinely appreciated!
Akiko has stepped in to help keep our current children’s programming running, along with Sarah Gifford. Akiko, even though she is only part time, has given the take and make programs her all and contributed greatly to keeping Oxford’s programming a part of our community, even as we have needed to scale back for health reasons so much. She puts thought, time, and craft in everything she does. e could not be more lucky to have her and her talent and heart now.
Akiko has done a great job of assembling Summer Reading Prize Packets and monthly craft kids for the kids. This has helped keep patrons feel connected to the library even though this has been a most unusual summer. She is always pleasant to work with and more than willing to help patrons and fellow employees.
With all her contributions, it is easy to forget that Akiko gets so much accomplished as a part-time employee. She has stepped up to cover during Caitlin’s maternity leave with Make & Takes, K-Readiness, and summer reading prizes, all while working toward her MLIS. She is a kind and energetic co-worker.
Chad Wonsik
Chad has done a great job planning/leading some of our virtual storytimes! The musical elements that he includes in each program are extremely engaging, and we have had several requests for more Mr. Chad videos! We are lucky to have Chad on staff.
Alice Ahrens, 2 nominations
Alice is always a dependable rock at our branch, one of the most knowledgeable and generous of staff in the building, and a capable solver of patron and staff problems. As part of the Health committee, Alice has stepped up to try and help distribute COVID-19 information through the library, and she has been a major help in every way.
Alice has done a fantastic job leading circulation staff during these unprecedented times. Truly, the entire department deserves a nomination! From quarantining returns, higher drive-thru demands to passing out Summer Reading Prizes, Make & Takes, and Kindergarten Readiness kits, Alice has kept a cheerful disposition through these odd times.
Sarah Gifford – won in December 2019
Sarah has taken on many responsibilities in the children’s department along with Akiko Urayama. Sarah has not only contributed to the Take and Make programming, but has shouldered much of the day-to-day work of keeping children’s going: weeding, reaching out to potential partners, and much more. All while still being a floating member of our staff with great programs in the works for adult programming.
Constance Van Frank
Connie is always eager to help colleagues with any tasks. As children’s department is trying to create Take and Make programs, Connie is always available and able in assisting putting hours into helping setup kits to be ready to go out looking inviting and exciting for kids to try. Her colleagues greatly appreciate her indefatigable wit and energy and everything she does.
Caroline Williams
Caroline is always a supportive, knowledgeable, and humorous coworker. She is always willing to help, and can always put a bad turn in a day in perspective. It’s no surprise that she has been one of our most focused on keeping everyone, staff and patrons, safe in these times. We appreciate the stabilizing force she brings both in her skill as an experienced coworker and as a part of the work community here.
Anne Wright
Anne is an amazing Shelver who is willing to help other departments when asked. Anne thank you for sorting carts, shelving holds and much more you have done to help.
Kevin Sequeira
I am nominating Kevin for his continuous help with sanitizing returns. Because of his help with sanitizing materials Circ was never behind on check-ins.
FAIRFIELD:
Hannah Spurlock
Hannah goes above and beyond helping other staff with program planning. She recently created instructional cards for 30 kindergarten readiness kits and created several of the kits. She also worked with another staff member to organize all our children’s area supplies. It is amazing to see Hannah in action. I appreciate her hard work and creativity.
Tracey Jewell
Tracey is so amazing with children and caregivers. She has been a huge help with Toddler Time. She has a rapport with the children and knows all of their names. She also used her creativity to create a kit for our kindergarten readiness station. She is also so organized. She worked with another staff member to reorganize all of the children’s area supplies. I love watching Tracey in action and feel lucky that she is a part of our team.
Odalis Jimenez
Odalis had done a great job planning/leading some of our virtual storytimes! I also really appreciate her creativity. She is always thinking up new ideas and she is also very detail oriented. We are truly lucky to have Odalis on staff!
Tammy Brooks
Tammy had done a great job planning/leading some of our virtual storytimes! I also really appreciate her ability to think outside the box, especially with Summer Reading. We are truly lucky to have Tammy on staff.
Chris Esposito – won in December 2019
Chris has done a great job planning/leading some of our virtual storytimes! I also really appreciate his creativity in coming up with the “Draw-Along” program. We are lucky to have Chris on staff.
Sarah Hedrick
I am grateful for Sarah’s help with the Teen Writing Contest. She put a lot of thought into reviewing each poem and story and I really appreciate her thinking about each piece. I also appreciate her willingness to think outside the box with all the changes we have made due to COVID. We are lucky to have her on staff.
Michael Reiseiger
Michael lifts my spirits at work! I always notice him doing something silly as he goes by the desk, like dancing or taking an empty book cart for some sweet racecar turns. It really helps brighten my day. Thank you Michael!
LAC/BKM/TECH CENTER:
Logan Turner, Tech Center, 2 nominations
Logan has done an amazing job recording and editing our virtual programs. I really appreciate his patience (with me) and flexibility. We are really lucky to have him on staff.
Logan really stepped up this quarter, using his exceptional video editing skills to ensure that Lane, as a system, is capable of presenting virtual storytime programming despite the shutdown. This kind of technical skill is far above what is typically expected of someone in a part-time position. Thank you, Logan!
Amanda Bull Chafin, Tech Center
I am grateful for Amanda’s help with the Teen Writing Contest. She put a lot of thought into reviewing each poem and story and I really appreciated her thinking about each piece. She also did an amazing job designing the award that Mike developed. I really appreciate her hard work and creativity.
Holly Claxton, Bookmobile
I am grateful for Holly’s help with the Teen Writing Contest. She put a lot of thought into reviewing each poem and story and I really appreciated her thinking about each piece. She also did a good job developing a list of crafts for teens.
Mandy Thoman, LAC
I really appreciate Mandy’s creativity and flexibility. We had to make a number of changes due to COVID-19, and she was always able to adjust and get things done quickly. We are incredibly lucky to have her on staff!
Matt Leffler, LAC, 2 nominations
Matt has been a godsend during the move from the old Tech Center location to the new Tech Center location! He’s really been the driving force behind making sure that everything is packed and ready – and his physical strength has been indispensable, as well! Thank you, Matt!
Thank you Matt for coming to Oxford every Thursday to help us with technical issues. You always answer our questions with a smile no matter how time consuming they can be.
John Taggert, LAC
John has worked through the entire pandemic, kept his incredible attitude, rolled with all the changes and never missed a beat! I think he is employee of the year!!