Author name: Diana Lasky

Congratulations, Diana Lasky!

Diana Lasky, administrative assistant to the director, is HCPL’s April Who’s Awesome! winner.  Diana was one of twelve nominations for the honor this month.  Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. A quarterly winner and nominator receive a small prize in addition to the recognition.  

Kelly Powell, HCPL business manager, nominated Diana saying, “Diana went above and beyond to make sure the library volunteers had a wonderful day. She made certificates, and a fruit tray with a fancy bird, and put fun little dots on the tables.”

Diana received two additional nominations this month. Main circulation clerk Debi Strubler had this to say, “I have worked at the library for almost 10 years. I have always seen Diana working diligently no matter the time of day and/or at the end of the week. She works with high intensity each day. The taxpayers can rest assured that this steward of the library uses the taxes for her salary afforded to the library in a very efficient way every day.”

Another nomination stated, “Diana did an awesome job planning and coordinating the April 20th Volunteer Recognition Reception. From the minute she was asked to plan something she got right to work. She designed, printed, addressed and mailed the invitations. She designed and printed certificates of appreciation and found folders to display the certificates. She created the menu, bought and set up the refreshments, even going so far as to watch a YouTube video to create a swan out of an apple for the center of the fruit tray. She stayed throughout the reception greeting and interacting with all the volunteers and she cleaned up afterward. She made blog and social media posts about the event.” 

Diana started her career at HCPL as a youth assistant in August of 2007. She was promoted to youth services director in January of 2018 and became administrative assistant to the director in January of 2023.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Congratulations, Savannah Wallace!

Savannah Wallace, youth services assistant, is HCPL’s March Who’s Awesome! winner. Savannah was one of nine nominations for the honor this month.

Ann Allen, also a youth services assistant, nominated Savannah saying, “For the past several months Savannah has been giving the shelves in the children’s library a “facelift.” She has been busy weeding, organizing, labeling and creating displays. Patrons have noticed. So many have been remarking how great the shelves look and how much easier it is for their children to find books that appeal to them. Savannah’s creativity and hard work have made the children’s library look so cheerful and inviting!”

Savannah joined the HCPL staff in July of 2015  in youth services. She has also worked in genealogy and reference. In addition to making the library a cheerful and inviting space with innovative displays, Savannah programs for a variety of ages at the Main Branch in Corydon. She is responsible for weekly Mother Goose sessions for babies and toddlers and also the weekly Teen Volunteers group. Savannah also collaborates on the special Fantastic Fridays programs, Family Fun events and youth services dance parties. She has recently taken on some of the library visits to Head Start.

In a February nomination, Director Alisa Burch said, “Savannah works hard to make the library a fun place for youngsters to create life long memories.”

Each month a winner will be selected by random drawing. A quarterly winner and nominator will receive a small prize in addition to the recognition.

Other staff members nominated in March were John Kunsman, Sara Deatrick, Jessica Stroud, Amanda Applegate, Debi Strubler, Shawnda Mosson and Tiffany Thieneman.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Congratulations, Nikki Esarey!

Nikki Esarey, the Palmyra lead circ associate is HCPL’s February Who’s Awesome! winner. Nikki was one of 16 nominations for the honor this month.

Carla Ward, who does adult programming and works at the Lanesville Branch, nominated Nikki saying, “Nikki is very helpful in setting up the community room for my card class. She always takes the time to make sure the room is set up right and exactly how I want it. She doesn’t have to go to all that trouble but she always does. I appreciate all she does for me.”

Nikki joined the HCPL staff in July of 2007 as a circulation clerk at Main and in October of 2007 she moved to the reference department. In April of 2008, she was made head of Reference. When the Palmyra Branch opened in 2010, Nikki was named the Palmyra lead circ associate where she excels at innovative, creative children’s programming and excellent customer service. Nikki is an artist who writes and illustrates her own children’s books. Cardinal Publishing will soon be releasing one, “Chicken and Moodles.”  She also makes puppets and puts on puppet shows, is a ventriloquist, creates elaborate escape rooms, leads step-by-step painting classes and more.

Nikki was also nominated this month by Sara Deatrick who said, “She proofs and catches minor mistakes on both adult and children’s handouts/calendars. She is phenomenal! I appreciate her taking the time to do this. My concentration (or lack there of nowadays) makes this a daunting task for me.” 

Each month a winner will be selected by random drawing. A quarterly winner and nominator will receive a small prize in addition to the recognition. 

Other staff members nominated in February were Tiffany Thieneman, Steven Schifcar, Melissa Schellenberger, Bob Olrich, Eden Ransdell, Alisa Burch, Diana Lasky, Savannah Wallace, Ann Allen, Jessica Stroud and Kathy Fisher.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director