Diana Lasky – Page 4 – Harrison County Public Library

HCPL Volunteers Recognized at Reception

Adult Program, Book club, Notices, Photography, Tell Your Story / By Diana Lasky / April 24, 2023

Harrison County Public Library volunteers were invited to a recognition reception on Thursday, April 20, for Volunteer Recognition Day. The library hosted the event in the Blaine H. Wiseman Community Room at the library. Bite-sized desserts, fruit, coffee and tea were served. Volunteers received a certificate recognizing their individual service for the library as well as library “swag.”

Director Alisa Burch said, ” This year we have an outstanding group of new volunteers who have made adding more adult programming possible. Plus we have very dedicated, long-term volunteers who repair books, man our book sales and serve on our active library board of trustees.”

Library volunteers help in many ways, some in front of the scenes and some behind. Some volunteers run programs such as photography, book clubs or English as a Second Language. Volunteers help with book repair, cleaning DVDs/CDs or assisting library personnel during youth programs. The library could not run without the Board of Trustees and the support of the Friends group.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS!

Board of Trustees: Kathy Crimans, President; Sharon Mathes, Vice-President; Derrick Grigsby, Treasurer; Barbara Smith, Secretary; Jon Howerton, Suetta Tingler and Roger Windell.
Programming Volunteers: Elizabeth Redding, Carol Erpelding and Gary Pope.
Book Repair, CD/DVD Maintenance & other youth program assistance: Christine Pendleton, Sharon LaHue, Walter Ryan and Charlotte Adams.
Friends of Harrison County Library: Cyndi Voyles, Karen Eves, Lynne Schipp, Cindy Daily, Susan Isbell.

Recognize a Library Star during National Library Week April 23 – 29, 2023

1 Comment / Notices / By Diana Lasky / April 21, 2023

During National Library Week Harrison County Public Library (HCPL) celebrates the valuable contributions of library workers. National Library Workers Day, April 25, is a great time to thank library employees for their contributions. Do you know of an exceptional library worker? Have you received top notch service? Members of the community are invited to “Submit a Star” and show appreciation for library staff. “Stars” may be filled out in person at any HCPL branch by placing a staff name on a physical star or by providing a submission online about a favorite library employee at http://bit.ly/librarystar.

HCPL workers play a critical role in meeting the needs of the community. Show appreciation by taking time to recognize library professionals for their expertise and commitment to transforming lives and communities through education and lifelong learning. Visit http://bit.ly/librarystar to post an online star or drop in at any branch to fill out a physical star during National Library Week April 23 – 29, 2023.

Art Unplugged – Harrison County Winner Announced

Design, Notices, Teen Activities, Youth Activities / By Diana Lasky / April 19, 2023

Samantha Lawyer is the winner of the Harrison County portion of the Regional High School Art Juried Competition – Art Unplugged – Repurposed Shape with her entry Garden of Vellichor. Samantha, a junior at Lanesville High School, will be awarded a $500 scholarship sponsored by Harrison County Public Library for the Best in Show. This competition is the area’s first-ever regional high school art show with winners from Clark, Floyd and Harrison Counties advancing to a finalist show at the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana in New Albany, Indiana.

All 17 Harrison County student entries are showcased on the library website through April 30. Six Lanesville High School students were awarded Honorable Mentions:
Ella Funk – Garden Snail
Kassie ZurSchmiede – (untitled entry)
Brayden Isgrigg – Johnny Bravo
Hannah Rowley – Stand Proud
Ella Funk – upcycled city
Elizabeth Saier – Heart Strings

Samantha Lawyer’s Garden of Vellichor advances to the finalist show May 8 – 20 at the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana. Finalists will compete for the following scholarships: 1^st place – $2,500; 2^nd place – $1,500; and 3^rd place – $1,000. Scholarship winners will be announced at the finalist ceremony and reception on May 20, 2023, at the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana.

A judging committee member commented, “I would like to thank all students who submitted artwork for the competition. It was such a joy to view all of the entries and see the broad range of amazing artistic talent from Harrison County students.”

Best in Show

Honorable Mentions

Who’s Awesome! – Savannah Wallace – March 2023

Notices / By Diana Lasky / April 4, 2023

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

Who’s Awesome! – Nikki Esarey – February 2023

Notices / By Diana Lasky / March 6, 2023

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

The Library Brings A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Corydon on April 22, 2023

Notices / By Diana Lasky / March 2, 2023

Harrison County Public Library and the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana will sponsor Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site gazebo and lawn.

TheatreWorks of Southern Indiana will present the Shakespeare comedy directed by Martin French and James Thompson. This play includes an upcoming marriage, fairy mischief, silly pranks, and multiple plot twists and turns. During a recent visit to Corydon, French mentioned that there will be audience interaction, even for the younger set.

The library is pleased to be able to host the event at the newly renovated gazebo at the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site. If there is inclement weather, the play will move indoors to the Harrison County Parks Department Office location (the old Presbyterian Church) at 126 E. Walnut Street in Corydon. The Blaine H. Wiseman Visitor’s Center restrooms will be open until 8 p.m.

Can love overcome all obstacles during A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Grab a lawn chair or blanket and join the library on April 22 to find out!

Who’s Awesome! – Julia Phipps

New services, Notices, Technology / By Diana Lasky / February 6, 2023

Congratulations, Julia Phipps!

Julia Phipps, affectionately known by staff as Julie, is HCPL’s first Who’s Awesome! winner. Julia works as a reference assistant and was one of twenty-two staff members nominated in January.

Tiffany Thieneman, public services manager, nominated Julia for the award stating, “Julie was awesome when we had a patron in reference who had a medical issue. Julie’s nursing experience came in handy as she assessed the patron’s condition. Julie stayed calm and was able to provide EMS with information regarding the situation. I was glad Julie was there to help!”

Julia joined the reference staff at Main October 25, 2021.

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 January were Amanda Applegate, Nikki Esarey, Ann Allen, Eden Ransdell, Sandy Harbeson, Melissa Schellenberger, Ann Crecelius, Vee Colantonio, Lynn Hardesty, Bethany Banet, Savannah Wallace, Seren Lindsey, Debbie McClanahan, Steven Schifcar, Liz Dennis, Trevor Smith, Kelly Powell, Alisa Burch, Jessica Stroud, Sarah Dorton and Pat Schwartz.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

TALK – Text and Learn for Kindergarten

New services, Notices, Technology / By Diana Lasky / December 12, 2022

TALK is made possible by the Indiana State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Harrison County Public Library is excited to provide TALK – Text And Learn for Kindergarten to our residents. TALK is an early literacy texting program for parents and caregivers of young children. Diana Lasky of Youth Services stated, “Our director Alisa Burch has always looked for ways to encourage early literacy practices at home. This is the perfect way to put early literacy tips directly into the hands of all caregivers. Anyone can use TALK, no library affiliation is required.”

Interested adults may sign up to receive 2 messages per week with fun activities to do at home to help prepare little ones, ages 5 and under, for school success.

To register, simply:

Text TALK to 75547 or go to TALK
Provide the child’s birthdate and zip code
Choose your language: English or Spanish
(2 children maximum per phone number)

You’re all set! You may opt out at anytime.

HCPL staff are happy to help if you need assistance with registration.
Feel free to contact the library at 812-738-4110 for assistance or information.

Gingerbread Man Puppet Show & Fun – Dec. 3, 2022

Notices, Youth Activities / By Diana Lasky / December 8, 2022

by Diana Lasky

Harrison County Public Library Palmyra Branch employee Nikki Essary and her family presented The Gingerbread Man Puppet Show at the Harrison County Boys & Girls Club. Many puppet characters chased the runaway “naughty” cookie hoping to be the one to get a bite. After the puppet show, children visited fun stations where they could make a puppet, decorate a cookie and decorate a gingerbread playhouse.

HCPL Corydon Youth Services Assistant Ann Allen helped children decorate and make a gingerbread man marionette puppet. It was amazing to see all the gingerbread puppets dancing and running away!

R.S.V.P. volunteer Charlotte Adams helped children decorate and cut out paper candies to decorate the gingerbread house. The children enjoyed playing in the house as much as decorating it! Visit the Corydon Branch to add more decorations to the house or to play and read in the house.

Teen volunteer Zada Taul and Diana Lasky of HCPL monitored the cookie decorating stations where children were very creative with their frosting and candies. The cookies were delicious however, not many cookies made it out the door. It was a fun-filled day to kick off the holiday season.