They're here before anyone. They make sure that your trash is removed. They dust, clean, scrub and even pick up after the students. They're the housekeepers in the University Libraries. And it's time to thank them for the tremendous job they have done for us. To honor them, September 14th - September 20th is Housekeepers' Appreciation Week. And to celebrate, the University Libraries Staff Association will be doing the following:

On September 15th at 11 am we will be hosting a Housekeepers' Appreciation Luncheon. Rosann has generously offered to pick up pizza, drinks, dessert and a giftcard for all of the housekeepers. We would love for you to come down and eat pizza with the housekeeping staff, and give you an opportunity to thank them in person. Please be there promptly at 11 as the housekeepers' lunch break starts then.

Also, the housekeepers are participating in an event they are calling "Giving Back". The housekeepers of each zone throughout campus are collecting canned goods, non-perishable goods and/or household items for Urban Ministries and the Battered Womens' Shelter. The zone that brings in the most items will receive an award. Let's help our housekeepers win! Items can be brought to the large table just inside the doorway to ERIT. Please bring any donations before the end of the day, Wednesday September 17th.

Should you decide that you would like to do something personally for the housekeepers, please feel free to do what you feel best represents your appreciation for their hard work. Thank you for your help, We're sure the housekeepers will really appreciate all that we can do for them. They certainly do a lot for us.

Housekeepers' Appreciation Week Upcoming!

September 14th - 20th is Housekeepers' Appreciation Week. The Staff Association of the University Libraries will be beginning the week with a luncheon honoring the wonderful work that our housekeepers have done for us. More details will be coming, so please keep your eyes on this post for more information.

Summer Haitian Adventure

I was given a great opportunity to do some mission work in Haiti this summer. Most of my time was spent working on developing a library at Pwoje Espwa, an orphanage in Les Cayes. At times it was difficult to get anything accomplished, with doubts and frustration more prominent than anything. But by the end of my five weeks, bookcases were in their place with shelving in protective plastic (protection against the mites and humidity). The library "room" finally came together!
Before.
After. (More or less -- not all the books are on the shelves yet in this picture.)


I also had the opportunity to visit the National Library in Haiti and meet its director. What a blessing!

While we are on the subject of babies

A Baby Shower was held for Michelle Courtney on August 7th in the library. We all had a great time - and she got plenty of useful goodies for when the baby arrives. Her baby girl (who will be named Leona) will be due in early October.



There are more pics - just follow the flickr link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10659274@N08/sets/72157606650281615/

In case you didn't know....

I am expecting a baby! Many of you already know this, but I've learned that news travels unevenly through this place. My baby girl is due on December 14, smack dab in the middle of exam week (and on Jenny Raabe's birthday). So, yay!
So if you see me in the Stacks, please know that I'm not just eating too much ice cream (though I'm certainly doing that too), I'm actually incubating a human being!

Welcome to Jackson Leaks!

Amy Harris and Lynda Kellam, as the new co-editors of Jackson Leaks, have decided to migrate to the blogosphere. It may be experimental, but hopefully it will be fun! If you would like to let people know about your vacations, your family fun, or your random accomplishments, please let us know. We can post for you or make you part of the posting community. Come get web 2.0!