In the Spirit of Thanksgiving
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The Friends
I’m thankful for the Friends of the Library and all
they do for us. You have accepted me as staff and allowed me to help you out.
You tirelessly work to make our library better and provide for the needs of staff
and patrons that we could not do otherwise. You’ve got our backs.
And y our perpetual Book Sale is sometimes the only
thing some of our patrons go to. It’s a bright spot in our space.
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1904
I’m thankful for our building.
Weekly, new patrons come in and look up and comment
how rare and beautiful you are. You are broken, but fixable, and we are doing
our very best to care for you.
You engender respect for our past (literarily and
historically), create a haven for the broken and hurting, foster learning and
searching for truth, and maintain a place for quiet study like no other
building can.
You grace your space in Galion with grand beauty and
are the true center of town. Everyone can come to you without fear of
judgement, prejudice, or shame.
You are a quiet space of comfort.
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Chloe
I am thankful for Chloe, for her perseverance in
dealing with way too much work for one person, mountains of boxes, and
multitudinous glitches in the new cataloguing system.
You’ve taught me lots of software and computer tricks,
suggested manga to read (sorry, graphic novels), and kept me feeling young with
our discussions about cool tech (I’m jealous of your iPad) D&D, and pets.
You are a great person to work with (I’m sorry I keep
calling you by the wrong name!) and a valuable source of general library
knowledge and experience. Thank you.
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Courtney
I am thankful for Courtney for always being willing to
re-teach a newbie, sharing vital information about patrons, and being the guard
dog for building, holdings and staff.
I’ve learned about plants and people and library
history from you and I appreciate all the help you are willing to give on a
daily basis.
You are the quickest worker I have ever known (even
faster than that girl at Hobby Lobby!). But We will understand if you are a bit
slower when you get back to work. We’re praying for you.
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Chad
I am thankful for Chad who always keeps the building
warm and comfortable, for getting here early so things are ready for us, and
for keeping the grounds looking nice and neat.
You do a million different tasks that no one ever
sees, but the evidence is there.
Thank you especially for NO ICE on the stairs. The
library has the cleanest walkways in Galion!
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Nathan
I’m thankful for Nathan and his tech knowledge,
willingness to help, and patience with patrons. You are the computer whisperer
and sometimes they stop acting up the minute you touch them. (How is that?)
Thank you for taking over helping a patron when I’m
out of ideas. Thank you for the discussions of Ancient Computer Lore Soon
Forgotten. Thank you for sharing Star Trek trivia. Knowing you can fix it,
whatever the “it” may be, is a comfort to all of us.
Live Long and Prosper.
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Makayla
I am thankful for Makayla, for her patience with me
when I forget to turn on night service – AGAIN – for helping me with lots of
little things on front desk, and for being incredibly kind and respectful with
certain patrons who shall remain unnamed.
It’s fun working with you, getting hit with snow
balls, and talking about crocheting project and cats (probably more than we
should).
You make Tuesday nights fun! Thank you!
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Rebecca
I am thankful to Rebecca who keeps our books on wheels
rolling. You do a ton of work behind the scenes that most of us don’t see, and
you work miracles with patrons when you’re on desk.
It’s nice to work with someone who has had a million
jobs like me, has a great work ethic, and a sharp wit that sometimes puts me in
stitches. I’m glad you landed here.
Thanks for always being willing to help me out in
packing and binding and patron issues.
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Alexx
I am thankful for Alexx who has shown himself
flexible, very artistic, and funny.
Thank you so much for your packing help, for sharing
your art with me, and for helping out in unique ways (like ripping up boxes and
participating in shelving challenges).
Thanks for conversations about rabbits, manga and
fellow artists. Patrons trust your book suggestions. You may be quiet, but your
presence is felt.
Oh! And thank you for reminding me I’m not old!
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Amy
I’m thankful for Amy who takes care of our finances,
keeps our spending in check, and signs our checks. You have a great attitude, a
solid understanding of people and situations, and a quick laugh for me (even
when my joke wasn’t funny).
AND - You have the classiest wardrobe ever! I envy
your closet!
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Lexie
I’m thankful for Lexie and I’m glad she moved
upstairs! Patrons are always stopping by and admiring her desk and asking
questions about the books and the décor.
Thanks for helping me out with patrons when we get
swamped on desk. I look forward to the day you are well enough to officially be
“on desk” with me.
Your games and puzzles and riddles are challenging and
fun, and I’m happy to help out when I can. Your unique outlook on life keeps
work interesting!
AND – I’m glad you don’t mind me building my wall
every few days :o)
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Jessica
I’m thankful for Jessica and her Can Do attitude. No
matter how bad things seem she can find possible solutions and silver linings
in our rain clouds.
Thank you for your unique perspective on our work here
at the library, your limitless creativity, and your boundless energy.
Thank you for asking my advice about parenting – a
rare event in my life these days – and thank you for helping me focus on the
most important part of the library – The Patrons.
FLANNEL FRIDAY!
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Jodie
I’m thankful for Jodie, my neighbor and fellow
philosopher. Your bright, energizing personality gets patrons and staff excited
about the work and purpose of the library – Everyone belongs, everyone counts,
everyone is equal, everyone learns.
Thank you for helping me out with difficult patrons,
telling me I’m doing a good job, and thanking me for my perspective.
Our many political and relationship discussions have
challenged me and changed my paradigm. PLUS you’ve taught me lots of new words
for old things and honed my compassion.
Thank you for your work in promoting the library,
bringing lots of new people in (not an easy thing to do) and in the process
challenging other libraries to do the same.
PINK WEDNESDAY!
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Nancy
I’m thankful for Nancy. You bring smiles and positive
energy everywhere you go – even if you don’t happen to be smiling at the time.
Your presence helps us feel safe and secure. Your
knowledge of patrons gives us perspective on present situations.
You help me feel like I’m supposed to be here. You
tell me everything is going to be okay. You are fun to work with and are always
up for a surprise.
Thank you for your little pep talks Saturday morning
(when we’re supposed to be letting Alexx in).
By the way, I’m still turning into a toad at night …
maybe you could help me out with that?
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Melissa
I am thankful for Melissa – Oh, the mess you stepped
into! But the stress level of the staff area has gone down by 50% since you
arrived. You listen to our concerns without judgement. You understand. Your
caring attitude creates a desire in each of us to help each other out.
Feeling heard gives us hope, and hope turns into a
desire to do better. You meet problems head-on and don’t shy away from angry
people. I have watched you diffuse potentially explosive situations with
seeming ease.
Your dry wit and snappy asides are always a treat, and
your wisdom of people and situations creates a foundation of safety, in the
library and among the staff, one of the most valued assets in any workplace.
Thank you for listening. Thank you for hearing. Thank
you for caring.
I’m so glad you’re here.
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Happy Thanksgiving!
~
