Photo by Aila Boyd
By Aila Boyd
The Buchanan Town Council recognized the staff of the Buchanan Library with a Buchanan Appreciation Award during its monthly meeting last Monday.
“Tonight, we recognize the contributions made by a team of public servants who give of their time and talents to make the Buchanan Library a special place in the heart of our citizens,” the award read.
Kay Ryder, a library assistant, was on hand and received the award on behalf of the staff of the library.
The award honored the following staff members at the library: Janet Buttram, Kay Ryder, Angie Veldhuizen, Julie Newcomb, Sandy Falls, and Skylar Witt.
“Buchanan is truly honored to show our appreciation for all the staff of the Buchanan Library do for our community by presenting each of you this Town Appreciation Award,” the award read.
Janet Buttram, the branch librarian, said that she was pleasantly surprised to find out that the library would be receiving the award.
“It’s an honor to be recognized,” Buttram said. “We are proud to be a part of and serve the Buchanan community and Botetourt County.”
Craig Bryant, the mayor of the Town of Buchanan, said, “It is an honor to be able to recognize the contributions and hard work of our community partners, citizens, and businesses who make the Town of Buchanan such a wonderful town to live in. We are proud of our library and the staff who go above and beyond to make sure the Buchanan area has access to books, learning activities, and an overall a sense of engagement within our community.”
The award specifically mentioned the work that the staff does in regard to the summer reading program, hosting first grade classes from Buchanan Elementary School, conducting teen programs, providing support to the Friends of the Buchanan Library, holding story hour for toddlers and young children, and for doing the Cupcake Extravaganza.
Additionally, the staff was praised for welcoming citizens and visitors from all walks of life and for going out of their way to assist those with special needs.
“We appreciate their efforts to make the Buchanan Library an inviting and comfortable place for all. This group goes above and beyond the expectations of their job descriptions contributing to the community in a multitude of ways,” the award read. “The staff at the Buchanan Library make the library a community center, a place where people can laugh out loud, talk and become involved in the community. The group makse visitors comfortable so that they wish to return again and again with their contagious, positive attitudes.”
