Congratulations to the following March 2024 Employee of the Quarter winners:
HAMILTON:
Bernadette Miranda – 4 nominations
Bernie is SIMPLY AMAZING. She manages part of the Seed Library and brings so much knowledge to the table. She has managed to plan three programs, all while working the circulation desk and working it well! She brings so much joy to any room she walks into. Bernie is an asset to the Lane.
Bernie is such a positive force; patrons really enjoy her programming and positive attitude, and she’s a joy to work with!
Bernie is a constant ray of sunshine! It’s impossible to be in a bad mood around Bernie. Her self-care series was a huge hit with patrons, to the point where people were asking for more! Patrons regularly ask for Bernie by name because she’s such a wonderful person to be around!
Bernie is one of those people that makes working fun. She brings such a positive energy to our team and to all of the awesome programs she leads for our patrons. I’ve had several patrons compliment Bernie on how she welcoming and inclusive she is, and I agree 10000% I feel lucky to work alongside someone who is truly one of the kindest folks I’ve ever met.
FAIRFIELD:
Brittney Houchins – 2 nominations
Brittney has been such a pleasure to work with since coming back to Lane. She’s organized, reliable and full of great ideas. She’s the type of coworker that will help out wherever she’s needed and her positive attitude is infectious. Brittney has already helped organize a baby shower and now she’s part of the fresh committee, so I’m sure they’ll be exciting things to come. Thanks for all your hard work, Brittney!
Brittney is so incredibly kind and caring to both her coworkers and patrons. Anyone who has the pleasure of interacting with her is sure to walk away with a smile. She brings so much light and joy to our branch. I am so grateful to have her back with us!
OXFORD/SMITH:
Haleigh Miller, OXB
Haleigh is always willing to participate and help out, and she gives consistently great suggestions and feedback. She makes the library a better place!
LAC/BKM/TECH CENTER:
Virginia Phelps, LAC
Virginia is a great bookkeeper. She has a great handle on all aspects of her job and is able to get masses of work done and still have time to answer any questions. She makes my job so much easier to do and is always looking for more ways to help me! Thank you Virginia!
Congratulations to this quarter’s winners! Each winner will receive their choice of 4 hours of vacation or a $50 gift card.
Congratulations to the following nominees:
Hamilton
Robyn Pittenger
Robyn is always willing to help out when needed and does so more than gladly. She is such a team-oriented player that is willing to go above and beyond for her coworkers.
Amy Carmichael – 3 nominations
Amy is wonderful to work with. She is kind, easy to talk to, and goes out of her way to help if you need it. She doesn’t mind taking on the more difficult patron requests and always does it efficiently and kindly. She makes working at LPL so much greater.
Amy’s program ideas are insanely good. She continues to pull in impressive and consistent numbers. Besides that, I love working the desk with her. She could handle anything a patron could come up with.
Amy has had a lot of success with some of her new programming; patrons have long loved her Only Murders in the Library, and recent interactive mystery, puzzle, and gaming programming have also really ignited patron interest. Seeing the adult patrons excited for these types of programs is excellent!
Shyann Thomas – 2 nominations
Shyann is such a kind, wonderful person. She is great with all patrons, and brings such amazing energy with her into every room she enters. She is very patient with patrons who may struggle comprehending things, and overall is such an integral part of LPL.
Shyann is always ready and willing to do whatever is needed. She is friendly and personable, always remembering details about coworkers and patrons and making everyone feel welcomed and seen.
Oxford/Smith
Caroline Williams, OXB – 2 nominations
Caroline is such a doll, I simply love working with her. She’s so fun and good at her job! I can always go to her for a chat about cats or to ask a work question. She’s the heart and soul of circulation!
Caroline takes care of business while having fun and sharing her joy with everyone around her. Caroline, thank you for making work more enjoyable.
Jackie Berberich, OXB
Jackie hit it out of the park with the community art display and gala. The program brought in community members who we have never seen in the library before, as participants and observers. This also drew folks upstairs to our adult section when so many only visit the main floor.
Sasha Levine, OXB – 2 nominations
Sasha has added so much fun and flair to OXB with her clever and beautiful displays and activities. Patrons have definitely taken note of the fun, especially the new weekly chess challenges. She’s also very passionate about her programs through which she has made some great new connections in the community. It’s also just a pleasure to work alongside her.
Akiko Urayama, OXB
Everyone should get to work with Akiko. She is thoughtful, organized, insightful, and so very excited about service work for the community. She has created so many amazing programs for Oxford’s teens and has transformed a former outreach service into an enriching afterschool program for kids in need. She’s awesome!
Taylor Maddox, OXB – 2 nominations
Taylor is so pleasant to work with here at OXB. She is very efficient and always willing to help out patrons and fellow employees. Taylor is a pleasure to be around.
Taylor has been a great addition to Oxford’s Circulation team. Taylor works hard and offers great customer service. Taylor has an amazing sense of humor and makes the days we work together are very enjoyable.
Patrick Hayes, OXB
Patrick is extremely thorough in every aspect of the Shelver position. He can spot a book out of place from across the room.
Morgan Abrams
Morgan is amazing not only for how incredible she is at the desk, but also how well she keeps the library running behind the scenes. Morgan makes sure we have the things we need before we even know we need them!
Megan Russo
Megan!! We are so lucky Megan works at the Lane! She caught on to things so quickly and handles any problem a patron has with ease. On top of that, she is probably just the coolest person I have ever met.
Jennifer Albinus
Jennifer is a superstar. She handles Cummins requests, she works on the Seed Library, and she manages the circulation desk ALL with ease. Jennifer is someone you can call on at any time for anything and that is such a valuable thing to have in the work place. I LOVE working with Jennifer!
Alexia West
Alexia has recently taken the initiative to ask to learn how to do additional tasks. Her willingness to learn and do whatever she can to help at Hamilton is greatly appreciative.
Sammy Haven
Not sure how we ever survived without Sammy around. It doesn’t matter if it’s a patron with a hard question, a backlog of check-ins, tons of deliveries, or a co-worker having a bad day– Sammy is all over it, even with one foot in a brace!
Michaela Perkins – won December 2023
Michaela’s storytime families love her so much that 2 kids force their parents to play “Miss Michaela” at home.
Fairfield
Pam Giuliano
Pam is a shining star of ffb. She’s so gracious and kind to everyone all of the time. She spends long amounts of time helping patrons with whatever they need. If there is a slow moment, she’s willing to find something to do that will help out her coworkers. We are truly blessed to have Pam at ffb.
Jen Bonnlander
Jen is an amazing shelver. It’s almost a super power, she’s so quick and efficient. She’s friendly and always willing to help patrons and other staff members too.
Odalis Jimenez
Odalis should be recognized, due to high her level of work ethic and positive impact. She’s never afraid to go above and beyond for a coworker or a patron. Even giving me a ride home after attending a work event, and giving plenty of advice along the way.
Abriljoanna Huerta
April deserves to be nominated due to her commitment and passion. She’s constantly involved: especially from the teen zone, art programs and the Hispanic Heritage festival. Always checking in to see if I ever needed a hand and was the biggest help when I did. Whether it was in Children’s, reference or wherever, I knew I could always turn to her. Those are just a few reasons why she deserves it.
Hannah Kuhn – 3 nominations
Hannah is the person I search out whenever I ever have question at circ or pretty much anything. From the beginning, she’s answered every question I threw at her and would give the best tips. She’s given me tours to show me where any item I could possibly need is at and honestly, the reason I finally know what is all in our break room. She’s a team player and more than deserves this recognition.
Hannah jumped into action to help another coworker when they were hurt. She remained calmed under pressure and was a supportive friend when it was needed.
We recently had a medical emergency here at FFB. One of our employees tangled with the paper cutter and the paper cutter won. Danni and Hannah jumped right in to stop the bleeding and bandage the hand. Then when the bleeding would not stop they determined that a trip to the ER was in order. Danni called 911 while Hannah continued to triage the cut. Their calm under pressure and knowledge of what to do was amazing. And they turned out to be right – many stitches were in order!
Danielle White – 2 nominations – won September 2023
Danielle aided a coworker who was injured in a mishap. She was resourceful and helpful in a situation that was stressful.
We recently had a medical emergency here at FFB. One of our employees tangled with the paper cutter and the paper cutter won. Danni and Hannah jumped right in to stop the bleeding and bandage the hand. Then when the bleeding would not stop they determined that a trip to the ER was in order. Danni called 911 while Hannah continued to triage the cut. Their calm under pressure and knowledge of what to do was amazing. And they turned out to be right – many stitches were in order!
Joshua Cardona
Josh has been so wonderful to work with! He only started here a few months ago and he has already taken on so much responsibilities. He works so hard with a smile on his face and a great attitude. He’s already been a huge help with the Hispanic Heritage Festival and childrens programming. We are so thankful to have him around!
Pam Giuliano
She is so helpful and kind with coworkers and patrons alike. She brings joy and light to FFB and it’s a pleasure to work with her!
Michelle Marcus
Michelle is so friendly and kind-no matter the situation! She is always willing to jump in and help wherever needed.
LAC/BKM/Tech Center
Hanna Rhodis – Tech Center
Hanna is a really hard worker and resourceful when unexpected things happen- whether it’s locked doors or problem patrons. Recently, we had to do a mini-maker faire on short notice and Hanna was a huge help with setup and the overall program.
John Taggart – LAC- 5 nominations – won September 2023
John is SUCH a joy. I look forward to working mornings to get to chat with John while he drops off our delivery. He is always full of energy and greets everyone enthusiastically as soon as he comes in. He’s the storyteller we all wish we could be! He is truly a bright spot in our days.
John always brightens our day when he does the deliveries! He has a contagious positive attitude even on bad weather days. This winter has been cold, snowy and rainy but he always comes in with a smile.
John is always a vibrant bright spot in our days at our branch. Always comes in with a wonderful mood, some stories or funny remarks to put smiles across our faces. His big heart and kind words are always appreciated.
John is always a delight. He is the glue that connects all of our branches together. He always has a kind word and really makes our day. Thanks, John!
John is an extremely hard worker, but always has a great attitude, even on days when he’s clearly busy. He is so kind and always ensures everyone is doing okay. He loves to make his coworkers laugh, boosting our moods and making our workdays brighter.