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Newsletter - Issue No. 5, Sept/Oct 2008
Phone 1 800 248-3887
Fax 1 800 523-6379
www.emery-pratt.com
news@emery-pratt.com
Encouragement
“How do you identify someone who needs encouragement –
that person is breathing.”
-Truet Cathy Chick-Fil-A
I recently read that Nathaniel Hawthorne, having been fired from his job in a custom house, thought himself a failure. But when he told his wife she said enthusiastically, “Now you can write your book!” She then pulled a sum of money out which she had been saving because she knew that he was a man of genius and would someday write a masterpiece. It was that encouragement which gave Hawthorne the confidence to write one of the greatest novels of American literature: The Scarlet Letter.
Several years ago I stopped at the local card shop and purchased a box of blank note cards and envelopes. I keep them on hand for when I feel the need to drop someone a quick note. A word of support, sympathy for a loss, thanks for a kind word. It doesn't happen all that often, but when I feel the need I can let someone know “You are being thought of”. This kind of encouragement is important for anyone, whether personally or professionally. And it doesn't have to be as formal as a note; a kind word to an employee behind the counter; a smile as you pass on the street; a quick call to a co-worker for a job well done.
We all need encouragement. So when you can, offer a word of encouragement. You never know when what you say, or how you act, can be exactly what someone needed at that particular moment. And in giving it, you may motivate another Hawthorne.
Mo Shattuck
Marketing Manager
Library Showcase
Betty Johnson
National Business College Library
Salem, VA
How long have you used Emery-Pratt as a book vendor?
9 years or more.
Why did you decide to order from us?
Because of the free shipping, to begin with, and because SWING had an “up to 40% discount” on items, depending on publisher discount, but now most importantly, because I can call up Ray Brabo and say, Ray, I need this book, and he says do you have an ISBN, and I invariably say no, but he does all the leg work, going to get the ISBN, going to the publisher, getting the book, then shipping to me. Ray is great on clarifying orders, follow-through with publishers, and has wonderful customer service skills.
Any other comments?
I also appreciate Pam Shattuck in Accounting, whom I can call and she will work with my account. Roni Rann is a great help and I appreciate her wonderful customer service skills and cheerful attitude whenever I talk to her. She is also great with follow-through and clarifying orders.
Employee Corner
Peanut Butter Cake with Frosting
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1 C. water 2 sticks oleo ½ cup peanut butter 2 C. flour 2 C. sugar 1 tsp. Baking powder 2 eggs ½. C. milk 1 tsp. Vanilla |
Frosting: 1 stick oleo 7 Tbsp. Milk ½ C. nutty peanut butter 4 C. powdered sugar 1 tsp. Vanilla |
Bring water and oleo just to a boil, then add peanut butter. Bring to a rapid boil and set aside. In a mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Mix together with mixer. Add hot ingredients and beat well. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes in a greased sheet cake pan. Remove from oven.
While cooling, mix the following for frosting.
Bring just to a boil, one stick of oleo and 7 Tbsp. Milk. Add ½ C. nutty peanut butter and cook until smooth. Put powdered sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and add hot mixture, mix until smooth. If frosting is too stiff add more milk. Pour over hot cake.
(Can use chopped nuts and peanut butter in place of nutty peanut butter.) I have used 1 tsp. Soda and ½ C. sour milk in the place of milk and baking powder. Makes a heavier cake.
Submitted by: Claudette Andrews, Business Development Dept., as given to her by her mother, Helen Myron
Frequently Asked Questions
Need answers to your frequently asked questions? Find them here in our general questions and answers section. If you don't find the answer to your general question here, please call our toll-free line at 1-800-248-3887 and someone will personally assist you.
Q: What is your returns policy?
A: Returns with Emery-Pratt is simple. With the use of our preprinted credit memo / return forms, prior authorization is not needed. Material must be returned within 3 months from our invoice date, in saleable condition, not identified as nonreturnable on our invoice, and books sealed in shrink wrap are nonreturnable if opened. Defective books can be returned anytime. If an item is damaged in shipment, a return cannot be processed or credit issued without the shipping cartons and packing material. Please hold all shipping materials and books and contact customer service for instructions or any questions. Feel free to contact us anytime about a returns question or a supply of preprinted forms and labels. Your business is greatly appreciated and we’re always happy to talk with you.
In the Spotlight
This month we would like to introduce and profile Reid Travis, Emery-Pratt's Website developer and Webmaster. He started working with the Emery-Pratt team in 1998 to plan, design and write code for Emery-Pratt's debut for online internet ordering: emery-pratt.com. Reid continues to update, upgrade and try to upstage the competition with the fastest, most helpful and user-friendly site on the web.
Reid feels his biggest challenges are keeping up with the latest technological advances and applying them to Emery-Pratt's online presence; keeping the infrastructure running 24/7; and creating new features from customer input and needs analysis.
Reid is a native of Jackson, Michigan and spent most of his career in computers – his work interests include programming, Linux and Open Source, and scouring e-bay for computer bargains. Reid spends his off-computer hours bicycling, skateboarding and scuba diving. He also enjoys astronomy and building robots.
Reid has two children from a previous marriage, Jamie and Mike. He is married to Carol with another biological child, Zoe, and two adopted children, Samnang and Bopha.
When asked what his favorite book was, Reid answered “The Hitch Hiker's Guides trilogy by Douglas Adams. (All four books).”
Emery-Pratt would like to thank Reid for his continued hard work and invaluable expertise!
Conference Schedule
Illinois Library Association
Chicago, IL
September 24-25, 2008
Booth #421
Emery-Pratt Reps: Alan Tripp, Kevin Coyle
Michigan Library Association
Kalamazoo, MI
October 22-23, 2008
Booth #23
Emery-Pratt Reps: Byron Shattuck, Avery Weaver
Academic Library Association of Ohio
Wilmington, OH
October 24, 2008
Emery-Pratt Reps: Byron Shattuck
Wisconsin Library Association
Middleton, WI
November 5-6, 2008
Booth #125
Emery-Pratt Reps: Alan Tripp
Pennsylvania Library Association
King of Prussia, PA
November 10-11, 2008
Booth #96
Emery-Pratt Reps: Dennis Miller
According to the American Library Association:
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month – a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind parents that the most important school supply of all is at your library—it's your library card!
Banned Books Week, an annual celebration of the freedom to read, is observed the last week of September. Each year, librarians, booksellers, teachers and countless others take this opportunity to highlight the importance of intellectual freedom and remind us not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted.
In 2008, Teen Read Week will be celebrated under the theme, “Books with Bite” at your library. This is a national literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Associatoin that is aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, educators, booksellers and other concerned adults. The continuing message of the Teen Read Week initiative is to encourage 12-18 year olds to read for the fun of it. Teen Read Week is celebrated the third full week in October every year.
Read for the Record, sponsored by Jumpstart will be held Oct. 2, 2008. Readers of all ages will join together to break the world record for the most children reading the same book with an adult on the same day. This year the book will be Corduroy by Don Freeman. Find out how to take part at www.readfortherecord.org
Featured Titles
Listed below are several titles which we are offering at a 42% discount until December 6, 2008. Consider adding them to your collection today!
Queen of Halloween 978-0-06008-190-4
Halloween Night 978-0-06135-186-0
Vera's Halloween 978-0-80508-144-2
Halloween 978-1-60320-052-3
Emery-Pratt Employees Bike to Work
Emery-Pratt has several employees who have been commuting to and from work on their bicycles this summer. Ellen VanderMolen (Business Development) and Cheryl Glover (Standing Orders) have been riding their bikes together to work which averages about five miles per day. Ellen mentioned that it surprised her to learn that it takes “almost the same amount of time to ride our bikes as it does to drive to work.” She estimates that she has saved at least $60.00 a month on fuel.
Pam Shattuck (Customer Service/Accounts Receivable) has been commuting by bike since the end of July. She tries to ride at least 3 days per week and averages 5 miles a day. Pam mentioned that her incentive is “exercise” and that she has “enjoyed the scenery, especially seeing the yellow finches.”
Julie Davis (Systems Operator) has been riding her bike to work occasionally to reduce her commute costs. Her commute averages five miles per day.
Cycling is a great way to get in shape while saving dollars. And it also benefits the community by improving air quality and reducing highway congestion.
Way to go Ellen, Pam, Cheryl and Julie!! Keep pedaling!!
ANNUAL SALES CONFERENCE
Emery-Pratt's annual sales conference was held at our headquarters in early July. Inside and outside sales representatives discussed recent behind the scenes upgrades to our website and reviewed products and services available now and improvements being implemented over the next year. The most exciting new feature reviewed was updates to our New Title Selection Plan, allowing you to use LC Classification Numbers as search criteria.
On the final day of the conference our entire staff was treated to an outdoor picnic. Perfect weather and delicious food provided a great environment for all of us to chat leisurely together.
The conference was a huge success.