Amanda Applegate, patron services, is HCPL’s February winner for Who’s Awesome! Amanda was one of eleven nominations for the honor this month.

Alisa Burch, library director, nominated Amanda stating, “Amanda is always friendly and helpful to patrons and staff. She helps make the library a pleasant place to work and visit. Amanda is awesome!

Amanda was also named the Who’s Awesome! winner for October 2023 when Tiffany Thieneman, Public Service Manager wrote, “Amanda is always willing to help in any way she can! From carrying chairs and tables up and down stairs, to helping with programs, to answering any questions I may have – she always  offers to help in whatever capacity is needed. I appreciate how she offers assistance to other employees and patrons regardless of the situation. Thank you for being awesome!”

Amanda has been with the library for 26 years, joining the youth services and circulation staffs in January of 1999. She then transitioned to patron services where she works handling the recovery of overdue and damaged materials. She serves on several of HCPL’s committees including the Fun Committee, the Employee Appreciation Committee and the Hotspot Committee. She has helped Tiffany Thieneman design and host adult programs such as Just Desserts and Cookbook Club.

Amanda has received multiple nominations over the months. In August of 2024 Genealogy Head Kathy Fisher wrote, “Coming up with creative ways to celebrate the Paris Olympics was harder than imagined! Amanda was so awesome to finally break through and create such great snacks packs!” Another nomination that month read, “Day after day Amanda is friendly and upbeat. She takes her responsibilities seriously and always looks for ways to accommodate patrons and still follow HCPL policy. Amanda brightens the day for staff and patrons. Amanda is awesome.”

In July of 2024, Debi Strubler, circulation clerk, stated, ”Amanda is always cheerful. That demeanor is infectious! I also appreciate everything she does for the fun committee too!!” And Ellie Tucker-Brown wrote in May of 2024, “Amanda is willing to pitch in and help when needed, always showing a positive attitude in the process.”

 Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Other staff members nominated in February include Bethany Banet, Elizabeth Esarey, Nikki Esarey, Connie Gresham, Eden Ransdell, Heather Rapp, Trevor Smith, Jessica Stroud, and Brandy Wilkerson.

 Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Brandy Wilkerson, business manager, is HCPL’s Who’s Awesome! winner for January. There were 24 nominations for the honor this month.

Jessica Stroud, assistant director, nominated Wilkerson writing, “Following the winter storm, Brandy went out of her way to help salt the library sidewalk and to get the attention of a Town of Corydon bobcat driver to ask him to clear the way in front of the Emporium. Brandy goes above and beyond, and she is awesome! ”

Wilkerson received two other nominations this month. Palmyra lead circ associate Nikki Esarey nominated Wilkerson stating, “Brandy was so helpful recently when I needed to make a change to my insurance papers. She made multiple calls and emails to quickly get it  straightened out. I really appreciate her taking care of it in such an efficient manner. She did an awesome job!!”

The third nomination by Director Alisa Burch stated, “Everything went wrong last week and Brandy kept plugging away with a can-do attitude. If there are mistakes, she works to fix them. She keeps learning and progressing everyday. Brandy is awesome!”

Wilkerson joined the HCPL staff on October 22. She trained for a month with former business manager Kelly Powell. Wilkerson was previously employed by Tyson Foods.  She received two nominations in December. Public Services Manager Tiffany Thieneman wrote, “Brandy has jumped right into her new role and is doing a great job! She asks questions and works to understand processes/procedures in different  departments. I appreciate that she is already participating in our “fun” activities and dress days. Brandy is awesome! “  The second nomination said, “Brandy is working hard to learn and understand her new role  as business manager. She is making the position her own working on a more organized system and keeping accurate instructions and records of processes. She has also filled in on the run while Steven has been off. She is willing to help when and where she is needed. Brandy is awesome.”

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Others nominated in January include: Ann Allen,  Amanda Applegate, Bethany Banet, Alisa Burch, Nikki Esarey, Kathy Fisher, Connie Gresham, Eden Ransdell, Jennifer Schroering, Steven Schifcar,  Trevor Smith, Jessica Stroud, Tiffany Thieneman, and Savannah Wallace.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Sarah Dorton, circulation clerk at the Elizabeth branch library, is HCPL’s  Who’s Awesome! winner for December. There were 19 nominations for the honor this month.

Eden Ransdell, youth services manager, nominated Dorton writing, “Sarah made an awesome promo video for the Winter Reading challenge! ”

Dorton joined the HCPL staff in October of 2012 and was part of the original Elizabeth staff when the branch opened on Sunday, October 28, 2012.  She was a perfect fit for the branch library being from Elizabeth with an interest in genealogy and the history of the community. Dorton is a whiz at Photoshop, Canva and video editing. She uses her creativity to come up with awesome decorations and displays and is a patron favorite.

Administrative Assistant Diana Lasky nominated Dorton in August 2023 stating, “Sarah does amazing work behind the scenes to provide content for social media. The library is very lucky to have Sarah’s talent available as she works magic to create short video ads and content to provide a polished professional look to everything she touches. I value the incredible work that she has done for me this year working with Shakespeare and WaterStep promotions. Thanks for being awesome, Sarah!”

Dorton was also nominated by her supervisor Sara Deatrick, Elizabeth lead circ associate, in May 2023 for, “Decorating for SRP. Scavenger hunt, hallway display, Memorial Day display, bulletin boards!” and January of 2023 for creating “Beyond awesome balloon & streamer hoop decorations for Ella Enchanted Program on 1/18/23. We received a thank you in the mail from Patty Ball thanking each.”

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Others nominated in November include:  Ann Allen, Sara Deatrick, Amanda Embrey, Nikki Esarey, Connie Gresham, Shawnda Mosson, Julia Phipps, Courtney Satterfield, Trevor Smith, Jessica Stroud, Debi Strubler, Savannah Wallace, Brandy Wilkerson, and Heather Wyss.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Amanda Embrey, circulation clerk at the Palmyra branch library, is HCPL’s  Who’s Awesome!  winner for November. There were four nominations for the honor this month.

Nikki Esarey, the Palmyra lead circ associate, nominated Embrey writing, “Recently, Amanda purchased a variety of puzzles to create a puzzle swap for our free book cart, and the patrons love it. Whether it’s setting up an aquarium at the desk, bringing in cute decorations, or starting a puzzle swap, Amanda is always striving to make the library more welcoming and fun.”

Embrey joined the HCPL staff at Palmyra in April of 2013 and worked until the end of 2017 when she transitioned to a substitute position. In November of 2023, she rejoined the Palmyra schedule and has since received eight Who’s Awesome nominations.

In October Embrey received two nominations. Co-worker Shawnda Mosson wrote, “Amanda has been great about covering my shifts for me when I have needed to take time off. I am very grateful that she has been able to switch her schedule around when I have needed the coverage.”  Esarey’s  nomination read, “Amanda has great customer service skills and is always friendly and helpful to library patrons. While I was at a school visit this week and she was working by herself, a couple visiting from out of town were so impressed with her welcoming attitude that they made a nice donation to the library in gratitude. Her kindness and dedication is apparent in all she does. She is awesome!!”

Esarey also nominated Embrey in June stating, “Amanda purchased an aquarium and all of the supplies for the library’s desk. She thought that it would be nice for our patrons, especially our young patrons, and she worked diligently to make it a reality. The patrons do love it and so do the employees. It is so bright and cheerful – complete with a bubbling volcano. It’s a great addition to the library. Amanda is awesome for making it happen!”

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Others nominated in November include:  Jan Hecht, Shelley Gulley and Pat Schwartz.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Pat Schwartz, circulation clerk at the Lanesville branch library, is HCPL’s  Who’s Awesome!  winner for October. There were twenty nominations for the honor this month.

Carla Ward, Schwartz’s Lanesville co-worker, nominated  her writing, “Pat is very good with the patrons. With one of our regulars she has taken on the responsibility of finding books and authors he might enjoy. This hasn’t always been an easy task for her since this patron is very picky. She also recommends books to one of our patrons who struggles finding books. She’s always putting books on hold for them and also giving them book recommendations. Both patrons are very pleased with the amount of help Pat gives them.”

In September, Schwartz received two nominations for Who’s Awesome! Systems Administrator Trevor Smith wrote, “Pat has helped out tremendously every time I am working from Lanesville. If a patron comes in for a tour of the makerspace, and I am assisting a patron, Pat always takes it upon herself to show the patron around and describing what each machine does perfectly. Pat will also go the extra mile to help identify issues when reporting them. I can’t thank her enough for her help.” The second nomination by Business Manager Kelly Powell read, “Pat was very helpful in training a new  employee. When the employee was having difficulties learning different aspects of the job, Pat called the main branch to ask what she could do to help this employee. Pat implemented different training techniques to try and help. Unfortunately, it did not work, but Pat’s willingness to think outside of the box to help a fellow employee was noticed.“

In July, Debi Strubler, a Corydon circulation clerk, nominated Schwartz writing, “On several occasions I have called Lanesville with a question. Pat always answers my questions in record time and very kindly. I really appreciate this.”

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Others nominated in September include: Ann Allen, Chelsea Arnold, Bethany Banet, Henry Blair, Amanda Embrey, Nikki Esarey, Connie Gresham, Shelley Gulley, Kelly Powell, Shawnda Mosson, Julia Phipps, Trevor Smith, Jessica Stroud, Savannah Wallace, and Heather Wyss.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director