Discovery Green Staff Schedule

Starting the week of December 5, the Discovery Green Schedule will be added to the Frank on-line schedule. Keith and Norma will be the primary staff at Discovery Green, with Anthony as a back up to fill scheduling gaps in the absences of either. Anthony will be primarily scheduled at SW. Carolina will be responsible for scheduling the Discovery Green staff and notifying Thuy when Anthony is needed for coverage. This will be in effect until further notice. If you have any questions please contact me.
Edward Melton

AP 2-2 Compliance - Driver Record

A friendly reminder: We have not received all Driver Record Applications for employees who drive on city business. Please assist us with compliance and have these forms in the Human Resources office by close of business Friday, December 4, 2009.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Edward

Slideshow

Hi Guys!

As you all know I am trying to update our slideshow in the front screen. If you guys have any events that you would like to highlight please create a slide and send it to me by 5pm Tuesday. So far we have:

Adult Programs:
Computer Class
Citizenship Class
GED Courses

Teens:
Animeniacs
Pink Ladies

Juvenile:
Story Time
Book Club
Homework Help
Crafts

And we have included and this months Halloween Party

Please let me know if there is something missing before we upload the new presentation.

Thanks Alot!!!

Jennifer C

HPL Express Vinson

As a follow up to Dr. Lawson's email "Experimental Service Model". HPL Express and Neighborhood library will operate with one unified staff. Esmeralda and Sumitra have been assigned to this service model. The rotating training model that was previously discussed for Vinson Express will not be implemented.

Thanks, Edward

Fire Drill Blitz

FYI...
From Gwen Walter, HPL Safety

Hello. I am planning to start visiting all Neighborhood Libraries to conduct their annual fire drill conducted by HPL Safety. I call it my annual "Fire Drill Blitz." I would like to start next week and continue into December – until I get them all done. I will conduct as many as I can each week with the following parameters.

1. Weather – I will never conduct a fire drill in inclement weather.

2. Geographical Convenience – On any given day I will conduct drills for libraries in close proximities.

3. Time of Day – I will check current library hours and conduct drills when libraries are open to the public. When possible, I will conduct drills before 3:00 p.m. – before school is out.

4. Schedule – I will not have a rigid schedule to complete this task. I will blend the "Fire Drill Blitz" schedule in together with my regular schedule of core duties.

5. Results & Documentation – Upon completion of this tour I compile a report of all drills for the files of Planning & Facilities and the City of Houston Fire Marshall. I will send you a copy of this report as well.

Thank You.

Library Programs

According to library policy we are not to turn customers away from our programs, even if the program is already underway. The exception to this rule is if the room is at or over capacity. The capacity of the Classroom/Big Meeting room is 30 people, and the capacity of the Conference Room is 10 people.

If a customer comes into a class that has already started, you may need to explain that we won't go back so they can catch up, or that you don't have a computer for them to use, but they can still attend the class if there is less than 30 people in the room. Customers can always come back another day to catch part of a class that they missed.

--Jeff

Circ Daily Tally Sheet

I've put the Circ Daily Tally Sheet up on the Google Docs site. You can follow the link here, or see the link "Circ Daily Tally Sheet" under the Desk Information section on the right hand column of the blog page.

--Jeff

Money - Part 2

Frank’s terminal was moved from Location “Frank” to Location “HPL Locations”. So for any reports, such as Merchandise Category Report, beginning today select “HPL Locations” and terminal 5821.

Money - part 1

Feature release: Fines detail button

Search for fines by entering the library card number. When the results appear, you will see a summary of the patron record. It will display the total fines owed. Under the Fines category, it will display an option to pay Fines in Full or Partial. See image below.





If all you wish to do is apply a partial amount towards the fines, or pay the full balance, double click on the “Fine Full/Partial Payment” item. It will then pop up a small window to enter the amount you wish to pay towards the patron’s fines. This can be an amount equal or less than the total due. Then click OK.





You will then see this item in your shopping cart. Then continue the check out process as usual. It pays against the oldest fines first.

Fines Detail

If you wish to see the details of the fines, and pay a select few, you will need to first click on the “Fines Detail button highlighted in the image below.





Upon clicking this the “Fines Detail” button, it will expand the list of fines, displaying each individual fine. This will allow you to,
a. Pay a specific fine item
b. Pay a partial amount towards s specific fine item

Schedule for next week

The schedule for next week is complete through Tuesday.

Wed, Thurs, and Friday are still somewhat incomplete (I still need to add bookddrop, and review everything for programs, etc.). There is a chance that next week we will be hosting some staff members from VIN so that we can help with their cross-training as they prepare to open.

Please let me know what I have missed anywhere on the schedule. I work this Sunday at Alief and I will try to work on the schedule some while I am there.

--Jeff

FY 10 Stats

I have uploaded the full-year FY10 Stats workbook into our Google Docs account. I need all staff to have their stats input by the 3rd of each month so that I can have time to complete everything and copy the data to the Excel workbook on the G: drive by the deadline on the 5th.

Thank You,

--Jeff

Slide show out front

While I am on vacation, someone needs to make sure the slide show in the flat screen TV by the restrooms is running every day. Usually, I just turn off the TV when we close and turn it back on when we open the next day.

Here are the full instructions for how to start up the slide show if we lose power, etc.:

1. Make sure the power on the comptuer behind the TV is turned on.
2. Login using the same username and password we use for Staff machines.
3. Open the Power Point file named "Frank Loop MASTER-1" on the desktop.
4. Start the Slide show by either clicking on the small slide show icon in the lower right corner of the program window or from the Slide Show menu at the top of the screen.

Thank You,

--Jeff

Foerster Elementary

Heads up! The principal of Foerster Elementary has invited her entire school to meet her here on Saturday, 9/12/09, at 10:30 AM. She does not know how many kids will actually show up, but she guesses around 50.

Enjoy!
Megan

Sign In Sheets

All staff are required to sign in when reporting to work and sign out upon leaving. If you fail to complete this task your time and attendance will be adjusted according to the sign in log. It is your responsibility to document your attendance.

Edward Melton

Paperback Classics

Paperback classics should now be visible in the Catalog with a call number of "paperback classic." And they are holdable! This means that staff that does your daily title paging list may now find titles to pull that have a call number of "paperback classic." Please make sure that they are all aware of this change--and that they know where your paperback classics are shelved.

We have done our best to identify and unsuppress all of the appropriate bibliographic records for the paperback classics but it is certainly possible that we missed some. If you come across a paperback classic record that is still suppressed, please send the bib # and title to Erin Cody in COMS.

Staff Meeting with Edward on Sept. 1, 2009

Edward would like to meet with Frank Staff tomorrow morning at 9:30. Rachel from Mobile Express will cover the desk. Please provide any agenda items or concerns that need to be addressed.

Thanks.

--Jeff

Announcements Regarding Technology

Greetings fellow HPL Staff,

I want to update you on some issues so that you know what IT is doing to help with certain challenges we face daily.

First: in an effort to reduce cost, IT has enabled ALL PATRON machines for automatic shutdown after hours. You have probably noticed that when you come in – they have to be turned on. If we are missing any (you find them on) please let the helpdesk know. Our normal night for software updates is Thursday so if there is a long update there is a chance that they are not turned off on Thursday nights.

Soon we will do the same for STAFF PC’s. Until we are able to do that, please log off and then do a shutdown prior to your departure each day. If you have a desktop or laptop with a docking station, you may leave those in Log Off mode on Thursday Nights (do not shut down on Thursdays).

Second: I want to remind you again to be conservative with color printing. There are certain reports that would be meaningless or simply hard to understand if it were not for the use of color. Obviously those can and should be printed in color (if you have a color printer). The most obvious instance of where you do not need color is searching for something on the Internet and then printing. Color will be part of that web page and most generally, the color does not add any real value to the printed document – i.e. mapquest directions, Magazine article, safety tips, Information from medical sites such as Humana or the City of Houston’s Blue Cross, Blue Shield website. I of course cannot give every possible example but I think these should allow you to make a good choice. We have a very difficult time ahead of us and we must be very conscious of our expenditures.

Third: I am sure you are experiencing slow speed on your network. We are aware of this and had hoped that the Optical network project would be complete by now. Unfortunately there were some issues we were not aware of that has caused delay. This project is beginning with a pilot of 10 locations. Due to AT&T planning, an optical circuit can’t be ordered until the site is certified ready and then the lead time is as much as 120 days if your library is not in an area of the city where fiber already exists. I am not going to include the entire schedule at this time but the first locations based on their overall readiness in the network switch closet, are Central, Stella Link, Blue Ridge, Montrose, Johnson, Looscan, Pleasantville and Marston. Due to the Hub and Spoke nature of our Wide Area Network, Central had to be first. Then each line is a point to point connection from Central to that library. When the Fiber is installed, your speed will go from 1.5 million characters per second to 10 million characters per second. This should make a big difference in your Internet experience.

Fourth: LAPTOP’s and Batteries. We realize as our laptops age, that the batteries just do not hold long enough to keep checking a laptop out all day long. It is not recommended to checkout the power supply for two reasons – an outlet must be available near seating to accommodate plugging them in and second, cords stretched from the seat area to outlets become hazards for tripping and falling. We in IT have engaged Hewlett Packard experts to look at this problem with us. We have provided you the reconditioners but the fact remains – HP specification indicates that it takes 4 hours to get a 2 hour charge. We are purchasing new batteries for laptops that will not be replaced this year. We are providing HP with some of the batteries that will not hold a charge any longer so they can test them. We do hope to come up with a good solution to this annoying problem.

I hope this information helps to let you know we are aware of situations you face daily and are diligently working to make them better. I hope we can records some wins in these areas this year.

As always, I will answer your questions.

Best Regards

Ron

Ronald L Stauss
Assistant Director - CTO
Houston Public Library

New Internet Usage Policy - 4.8

There has been a change made to the policy governing Internet Usage here in the library. The change to the policy is as follows:

Change to Section 4.8 (B) 1:

· Old Policy – Current policy states that each user is limited to 2 hours per day.

· New Policy – The new policy states that internet usage is provided in one hour session increments. There is no limit to the number of sessions per day.

This means that users can now use the computer all day if they want to as long it is done within the limits of the policy. Thus, if a patron requests more time on their card then they are to be given that extra time. Staff is empowered to terminate or extend a user session if appropriate. For more information on this particular policy please visit: link.

Opening and Closing the Library

Here are my expectations regarding opening and closing the library:

1. ALL STAFF are REQUIRED to learn how to count the money in the drawer at the end of the day and to to prepare the deposit in the morning. No exceptions. We are required to double-check our change fund and to prepare and bag the deposit daily even if we are not sending it downtown that day (Friday and Saturday’s deposits are sent to Marston on Monday).

2. The two staff assigned to the desk during the last hour the library is open are responsible for counting out the drawer and printing off two copies of the drawer count. Whoever counts the money should sign both copies of the report.

3. Everyone should take turns counting the money in the morning and preparing the deposit. I will put it on the schedule if necessary.

4. The two staff members assigned to the desk are primarily responsible for closing the main area of the library, but I strongly suggest that five to ten minutes before closing a few staff members from the back come out to help close the library, deal with customers, etc., so we can lock the doors as close to 6:00 PM as possible.

5. The bookdrop needs to be emptied within the last 15 minutes before closing and the cart labeled so that someone can check those books in properly the next day.

6. The staff members who do not help out front should prepare the staff work room for closing by making sure everything is off that needs to be off, etc. That way, once the money is locked up everybody can get their things and we can leave in a timely manner.

7. After the doors are locked, someone in the back should check the printer to make sure two copies of the drawer count have printed correctly and let the people at the desk know.

8. Do not count the money while customers are still in the building.

--Jeff

AV Items

Per an email from Technical Services, we are not to tell customers that they must put AV items in the bookdrop. According to policy and proceedure, those items must be checked in inside the library.

In accordance with this, we will check in DVD's and CD's at the front desk and put them on a cart there. We need to change the sign on the customer service desk to reflect this change.

--Jeff

Tomorrow

I have received word that GSD will come at 9:00 AM to work on the A/C. We are all supposed to report to work as normal and go from there.

--Jeff

Frank Express Closed

Due to the lack of Air Conditioning in half of the building, Frank Express closed to the public at 3:30 PM.

Please give me a call in the morning after 6:30 AM, or check the blog, to see when or if we are going to be open tomorrow and for any further instructions.

--Jeff

Supplies and Miscellaneous

From Donna Joy:

We want to continually refine how we do things. With that in mind, I would like a few staff members to send me a quick list of new items they ended up needing but did not have as well as having but it does not meet the need- such as black metal book carts, waste receptacles, slat wall and desk accessories, step stools, etc.

The lists do not need to look good- just something quick.

Thanks,
Donna Joy

Please email your responsed to Donna Joy and CC me.

--Jeff

Visitors from Arlington

A group from Arlington will be visiting HPL Express Libraries and Mobile Express on Friday, August 7 between 12noon and 4pm. Please make sure that all areas of the library including the workroom are clean and neat. Please make sure that the shelves are straightened and materials displayed.
Edward

closing procedures

The public terminals should not be turned completely off during the week. Only turn off the monitor Monday-Friday. Turn the computers completely off on Saturday.

Book Return and Self Check

If a customer prefers to return their items at the service desk, instead of the book drop, staff should return the items at the desk. If a customer prefers for their items to be checked out, instead of using self check, staff should accommodate the request. Book drop return and self check are priorities, but are not mandatory. We want to provide the customer with options.

Edward Melton

Circulating laptops

Hey Guys,
Please remember to check in All laptops when patrons return them. When a laptop is swapped because it is not working properly you must check in that laptop before you give out another one. Thank you, Naudia

Reminder

Patrons should not be using any of the staff computers. The only exception I can see for this is when you have a patron enter their password after you reserve a computer for them.

--Jeff

Staff Meeting Next Week

We are having a staff meeting at 9:30 AM next Wednesday, August 12, 2009. Please send me your agenda items by Noon next Tuesday (Aug. 11) so I can prepare the agenda.

--Jeff

[EDIT] When I first posted this, I had the wrong time. The correct time is 9:30 AM.

Study Room Reservations

Just a reminder since we've had some accidental double bookings of the study rooms lately.

Since we usually have the Study Room Reservation spreadsheet up on more than one computer at a time, please make sure that you reload the page before you make reserve a study room. This should keep you from accidentally reserving a Study Room for two people at the same time.

Changes that someone else makes to the spreadsheet do not automatically appear on every copy of the spreadsheet that is open on other computers.

--Jeff

cash drawer at closing

Now that we have figured out exactly what to do at closing with our new cash handling system, the rest of the staff should learn how to close out the cash register at the end of the day. Dolores or myself can teach you whenever we close. I would recommend that at least two staff on each weekend crew learn how to close and process the morning deposit reports.

The basic steps are as follows:

1-Log in with your ID and password. 2-Click on the Reports button
3-Select "Cash Drawer" from the list on the left of the screen
4-Make sure the change fund amount at the top of the screen is correct. Then, enter the number of bills and coins in the register by denomination in the spaces provided.
5-Click on the submit button. The drawer should balance.
6-Print two copies of the report screen.

--Jeff

Cash Drawer

Jeff from IT, and Isis from Financial Services will be here this morning at around 9:30 AM (and again at closing) to finalize cash drawer setup. If all goes as planned, we will start accepting cash payment for fines today.

--Jef

My flash drive

If anyone knows where my black flash drive is that was in the top drawer of my desk, please let me know. It has all of my Writer's Workshop stuff on it.

Thanks,
Megan

Study Rooms

As a general rule, I do not want to let people have extra time in the study room if there are other people waiting to use the rooms.

This morning a customer said that a staff member told her she could have an extra 15 minutes in the room because the computer was slow to start up for her. Since there were already people waiting on the room, no staff member should have told her she could have more time because that would throw everybody else's reservations off.

--Jeff

Timers on computers

Try and check to make sure computers have timers a few times each day. The last couple of days there have been around 6 computers without timers at any given time. I've told kids that if they are caught again without a timer they are kicked out for a week. If they say the computer was like that when they got there (which they always do) then say that you still have to restart the computer in order to get a timer and that they need to make a reservation.

Megan

Desk Expectations

There are some things I think we could improve upon and some things I expect us all to be mindful of when we are assigned to work the Service Desk.

1-I expect staff to be mindful of the time during the day and to be at the Desk on time. The Desk should be our primary responsibility and virtually anything else we might be doing can wait if it is our turn to work at the Desk. You should not make your coworkers wait for you when it is time to switch off the desk.

2-When you are scheduled to work the Desk, you should stay around the Desk area unless you are helping a customer. This is not a good time to go to the back and print more program calendars. If you must do something in the back, you should tell whomever you are partnered at the desk with that hour where you are going and what you are doing, do not just dissappear. If we are busy and you must come to the back for a good reason, please see if someone in the back can cover for you.

We all need to work on being more accountable to each other so that in order to provide the best service that we can to our customers.

--Jeff

July Temporary Stats

I have uploaded our July 2009 Temporary Stats Workbook to our Google Docs site. Please see the following instructions.
--Jeff

From Ann Otto:

Please record your July statistics in this workbook while we finish preparing your FY10 statistical workbooks with the full FY09 numbers added to them.

A few things to do before you start:

1. Add the name of your library in the yellow box on the report page.

2. Please note the new categories of Visitors, Volunteers and Holds (pulled and processed). Hopefully having ALL your stats in a single workbook will be helpful! If you have questions about how to count Holds, please contact your District Manager. Questions about Visitors or Volunteers can be sent to me.

3. At the end of the month, transfer your July numbers from your temporary stat workbook to the July page of the FY10 Stat workbook. (More on this later in the month.) Once you have transferred this information, you may discard your temporary stat workbook.

Ann Otto
Planning and Evaluation Coordinator
Houston Public Library
(832) 393-1437

Computer Use Cards

You do not have to use the computer use card paper applications if you do not want to. You may either registar people for Computer Use cards using either the form on Intranet found here or enter their information directly into MilCirc. If you do use the paper slips, make sure that they are counted and shredded at the end of each business day.

Thank You,

--Jeff

Applications

Remember to check the date on all applications and please be sure to fill in all spaces (barcode and initials) on the form. Thanks

Please do not send customers to other libraries for SRP prizes

Please do not send customers to other libraries for SRP prizes. If a customer is registered at our library they can only get prizes at our library. Right now we have James Coney Island and Astros tickets. Central has called me saying that someone from Frank is telling customers to go to other libraries for prizes. However, if we give them Astros tickets then we must enter that they received their 20 level prize. When they get to another library that library will look them up and see that they already received their prizes. There is no way to know if a person is lying or not about receiving prizes. Therefore, Heidi has asked that we give them what we have and not send them anywhere else.

Thanks
Megan

DOOR COUNT

Sunday, July 19th is the start of another Door Count week, which will end on Saturday, July 26th.

The purpose of Door Count is to track the numbers of visitors who come to the library on an hourly basis. This helps managers make decisions about staffing levels and service hours. It also helps us to gain insight into how people are using the library (i.e. through In House Material Use). These are standard industry measures that all libraries record.

Please check your gates to make sure that they are operating correctly. If you have not already done so, this week would be a good time to clean your filter and make sure that your gate is in working order. You can refer to the exciting gate maintenance video if you need a refresher: https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/your-library.html

As a reminder, Door Count ONLY involves recording P numbers from your gate(s) on an hourly basis and recording your In-House materials use on an hourly basis. Record other statistics (such as Reference) as you normally do.

EDIT: Since the counter functions on our gates does not function properly, we will have to keep a manual count of customers. Dolores Orta has the forms for that. -- Jeff

A few items

Per Edward, we are not to keep the TDL or ID number in the spreadsheet we use for Study Room Reservations for security reasons. We can still hold their ID or TDL at the desk, but do not record the number.

Also, please start directing customers to use the outside book drop whenever possible. This should make things work more efficiently at the front desk. I will begin assigning someone to empty the bookdrop every hour and check the items in in the back, so please watch the schedule. If a customer requests a receipt then you should check the items in at the desk, otherwise we should reduce the amount of items we are checking in at the front desk.

--Jeff

Volunteers for July 4th

The Mobile Express will be participating in the July 4, Freedom over Houston Event from 3:00pm to 10:00pm. We need staff to volunteer to provide coverage for this event. The shifts are 3:00-7:00pm or 6:00- 10:00pm. Please let Thuy know if you are able to work this event.

Edward

Staff Meeting

Let's have a staff meeting before we open tomorrow to discuss some important Circulation issues.

-- Jeff

Holiday Days Off

I called Gloria in Payroll with some questions I had about timesheets for the Fourho of July Holiday and she informed me that there was a policy change in the Spring and that now employees must work (or use a Vacation Day) both the day before the Holiday and the day after the Holiday in order to be receive Holiday Day.

In short, if you are working this coming Saturday (6/27) you cannot take off July 2 or July 6 (unless you want to use a Vacation Day) and still be paid for the Holiday. You must take either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of next week off

--Jeff

Paging Lists

If you are ever assigned to the paging list,
remind Sumitra to save the proper list format under your
MilCirc initials.

Bottom line: You will never ever have to do that
ITEM ITEM BIBLIO BIBLIO thing again!

Checked Out Items on Shelves

We continue to find items on the shelves that are checked out to customers, some of which are causing customers to unnecessarily accrue fines. This morning we had one customer who had five overdue items on her record that she proceeded to find on the shelf (the items in question were uncataloged paperbacks). This should not be happening.

When you are checking items in at the desk or in the back, watch the MilCirc screen to make sure the item appears in the list on the screen, otherwise it might not be getting checked in properly. The thumper will make a sound whether or not the item is actually checked in, so you cannot rely on that as a guide. You need to watch the screen and listen to the thumper.

--Jeff

New Tally Sheet for July

To help us cut down on clutter at the desk, and because the idea received encouragement, I've added a few more columns to the Circ question tally sheet.

• If you are assigned to the paging list for the day, please remember to add the total to the sheet.



• The CC and PC columns are to keep track of how many computer cards and Powercards have been created throughout each day. If you are closing up the desk, please count up the number of computer card forms in the drawer, record the number, and dispose of the information forms responsibly. Please don't let them crust up the drawers, our space is limited as it is.



• The questions section has also been divided further: please note that the computer/printer category includes procedural questions as well as some directional ones, and also questions about the reservation system.



• As a reminder, a "reference" question can be considered one that requires you to refer to the collection.



• Please help us make sure that the interns understand these categories and are accurately marking down the questions they address on the floor. You may need to remind them a few times so they get the hang of it.

=================================
The powerpoint rotation is growing thin, send me slides and/or current details for any upcoming programs you're excited about (er, Pink Ladies and Captain Underpants...?).

Also, if anyone would like to send me a few titles they've enjoyed recently, I can start putting out staff picks. Otherwise it will just be an endless rotation of English major favorites, courtesy of me and Megan.


(Side note: A big thanks to everyone who helped me cut out pizza toppings this week. Phew-- you guys are lifesavers)

Circulation Issues

There are several things we all need to work on in circulation.

1) All circulation policies are to be followed. If you are not sure about how something should be done, go here and review the "Circulation of Library Materials" Policy and the policy regarding "Fines and Fees." For example: any time you waive part of a fine, for any reason, you must put a note in the customer's record; and please try to remember to clear you initials whenever you leave a MilCirc station, I know we get busy out front, but this will prevent anyone from doing something on wrong using your initials and then you are responsible for what someone else did.

2) We have received a complaint from a customer about our self-check machines. Essentially, this customer claimed that they were forced to use self-check even though they did not want to and that staff would not check out items for them. The customer also stated that he would have to go to another location if they wanted their items checked out by staff.

While we should strongly encourage Self-Check usage, we should not force customers to use self-check machines. If a customer resists using self-check, or really wants you to check out their materials for them at the Service Desk, please do so -- it is good customer service. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should staff ever tell a customer to go to another location if they do not like the way something is done here.

Sunday Schedule

Here is the link for the Sunday Schedule information. Please note that not all Frank staff are going to the same library for their Sunday work.

--Jeff

Digital Literacy Certificate Test

All HPL Express staff that are involved in technology training are required to take and pass the Digital Literacy Certificate Test including managers. Please use the following link to complete the test by June 15, 2009. Please print and forward a copy of your certificate to Thuy at HPL Express SW.If you have any question please contact me.

http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/citizenship/giving/programs/up/digitalliteracy/eng/Curriculum.mspx#certificatetest

Edward Melton

Summer Youth Worker Program

(4)Interns will perform basic customer service duties such as assisting with technology training, programming, program preparation, collection maintenance and outreach. The following staff will serve as Summer Youth Worker On-site Supervisors at HPL Express Frank: Sumitra Chatterjee( Primary Supervisor) and Jeff Coyle( Secondary Supervisor)

Edward Melton

Wii-Sign Up

Hey Guys!

Just wanted to let you know that I (finally) created a spreadsheet on Google Docs for the Wii Sign Up.

Doing it on-line will make sure we have less clutter out there. I am going to make one for the Board Games too. The Wii Sign Up Sheet is for both the Wii and the Play Station b/c they have to play either one and we only have one television.

Let's start using it now :-)

Don't forget to let users know that We are having a GAMING TOURNAMENT on Friday at 4pm!!! I will have a manual sign up sheet out there b/c there are prizes involved!!

Thanks,

J-Thizzle
(its me Jennifer)

Bookdrop

Somebody needs to check the bookdrop the first thing every morning, and especially on Monday mornings. Someone also needs to check the bookdrop early in the afternoon, and right before closing (it would also be a good idea to check it late in the afternoon on Monday and Thursday).

When I checked the bookdrop this evening, it was clogged. There were several books, videos, and three newspapers in the chute and nothing in the cart below because someone had returned a book that was almost too large to fit through the slot at the bottom and it got stuck. The other day a customer returned several music CDs in a plastic grocery bag and it clogged the book drop also. This is something we need to watch out for.

It is not sufficient when checking the bookdrop to open the door and just look to see if anything is in the cart. You must put a hand up behind the rubber flaps and feel around to make sure the bookdrop isn't clogged. Large books, stacks of picture items put in the drop at the same time, newspapers, etc., can cause the bookdrop chute to clog making it impossible for anyone else to put anything in the bookdrop.

--Jeff

Meeting Room Rules

1. Current ID required – leave at desk.
2. Two hours, per customer, per day (we can make exceptions to this if the library is not busy).
3. On the “Study Room Reservation” spreadsheet, please record: Name, ID#, and time (especially if someone does not begin at the top of an hour, such as 1:15-3:15).
4. Reservations:
   a. Study Rooms: we will accept advance reservation, but will only hold the room for 10 minutes. After that, the reservation is cancelled. We need to tell customers this if they reserve the room in advance.
   b. Conference Room: will take advance reservation subject to availability; groups of 2-10 or so.
   a. Classroom/Big Meeting Room: reservation form required (per HPL Policy), only with advance reservation, and subject to availability with Library programs taking precedence.

WeCAN Works

Good Afternoon Team,

This email serves to inform you of some important updates regarding the WeCAN Works Track II training schedule. Phase II of training for Track II is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 6, 2009. Per the initial course schedule, sessions were to commence at nine additional sites: Stella Link, Family Road, HPL Express Frank, Scenic Wood, Flores, Park Place, Carnegie, Kashmere, and Blueridge; however, after conferring with our partners at HCC, we have decided to postpone implementation of the courses at these sites until the September session, scheduled to begin September 8thand resume training at HPL Central, HPL Express Southwest, and Burnett Bayland for July. This strategy will allow us to concentrate our efforts on recruitment for the three locations holding sessions in July to ensure maximum participation. Additionally, it will allow more time to engage in an aggressive recruitment strategy for the September sessions, at which time, the additional HPL locations and WeCAN Centers that can provide accommodations will begin offering the Adult Basic Education/GED courses. Thus, if you are one of the additional sites scheduled to begin classes in July, you may resume your normal training schedule and/or consider additional training opportunities presented as part of Track III for the months of June and July.

I will forward the recruitment flyer to you once it has been finalized so that you may distribute it to your patrons and persons who inquire about the program. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the updated course schedule, please do not hesitate to contact either myself at 832.832.3123 or Nicole at 832.393.1559.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility. We will follow up with you accordingly as recruitment begins for the September session.

Best regards,

Jolea T. Bryant
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of Digital Inclusion/HPL
Ph: 832.393.1623
Jolea.Bryant@cityofhouston.net
www.houstonwecan.org

Reader's Theater and Twilight Storytime

It's on like Donkey Kong!!! Yay yuh.

Book Club and Writer's Workshop

If anyone should come in and want to join Book Club or Writer's Workshop and I'm not here please get the child's name and phone number.

There is a Writer's Workshop flyer in the bottom drawer of my desk that you can give the kids. It says "Express Yourself." I am out of folders. When the kids have a piece written is when they come into the library on Monday nights. I will then help them edit and type up what they've written. They do not have to come in every Monday night.

If a parent or kid is coming in to get the book for book club, they are on my desk. The title is Al Capone Does My Shirts. They must check the book out on their card.

Summer Reading Program Prizes and log

The website address to log in books is summer.hpl.lib.tx.us/evanced/sr/programlist.asp

This website is a favorite on both reference computers in the library under SRP LOG.

The password is the same as all other staff logins.

Look up the child by last and first name, phone number, whatever. Then click on the clipboard icon to the right of their name to log in their books. You do not need to list the title of each book. You can put 20 under quantity and "various" under title.

A prize button should appear after at least 10 books are logged in. However, this feature is not yet working. So please keep a list of names, books read, and prizes awarded for the time being.

Prizes

5 books: SRP Certificate and circus bookmark

10 books: Whataburger coupon, Souper Salad certificate, 2 James Coney Island coupons (different ones)

20 books: Astros paper, Aquarium coupon, Circus ticket (sign the back)

Staff Meeting with Edward on Monday

Edward wants to meet with all Frank Staff on Monday Morning at 10:00 AM. I will work with staff to adjust the schedule for those who are working until 8:00 PM.

--Jeff

All Express Staff Meeting

At Edward's request, there will be an all Express Staff Meeting at Frank Express on Wednesday Morning at 8:00 AM. I will work adjust the schedule next week to make sure that everyone makes up the hour.

--Jeff

Megan's thoughts

Since I missed the meeting, here are some issues I see:

Wii - Yes, I think kids should be able to use their computer cards. Some kids do not have cards b/c their parents will not come to the library and get them one. These kids should be able to participate. We can enter an address and phone # into their computer card info if it is not in there already.

I think there needs to be a sign in sheet for the Wii. If there are more than 4 people who want to play, then we can enforce the 30 minute rule. Otherwise, I see no reason to make kids get off.

Shelving - Make sure to put Spanish juv uncat books with Spanish. There is no label. You must read the cover.

Megan

Volunteer Apps, Sign-in sheets, Logs, etc.

After today's meeting, and because I won't be in for a few days:

-Volunteer applications are now in a manila folder in the left-side cabinet of the front desk. Please let Jeff or me know about any responses we have gotten.

-The PowerPoint presentation we are currently running on the TV screens is the one called "FRANK LOOP Cut 1." It has the latest June programs on it.

-If you teach a class, sign-in sheets and extra handouts are available from/going in a big black binder on the staff room shelves (ask Dolores!).

-If you haven't been already, please don't forget that we now have a program statistics log in Google Docs in which you can keep track of class/program/outreach attendance- or at least save the sign-in sheets from these and I'll be happy to take care of it.

-I keep forgetting to do this too!- but if you are assigned to the paging list, there is a space on the front desk question-tally sheet for us to keep track of those numbers. It will help us report statistics at the end of each cycle.

-Also, for the record, I made a trip over to Southwest today and picked up a bundle of N-400 forms and a couple of citizenship tool kits and DVDs to have ready when citizenship class starts next week. We can get more kits as needed.

-Sumitra

Returns at the Front Desk

To reiterate, here is how we should be handling returned items at the front desk:

1- If you have time, check items in as they come in.
2- If you do not have time, put returned items on the top shelf of the big black cart behind the Service Desk.
3- DVD's that have been checked in, but not put in sleeves go on the middle shelf.
4- Holds, items in transit, and anything else that needs to come to the back go on the bottom shelf.
5- Items that are checked in go on the smaller black cart so staff can shelve them as soon as possible.

Thanks.

--Jeff

HCC @ HPL Frank Express

HCC will start classes the week of July 6 at Frank Express.

Classes are scheduled:
Mon-Thurs 10:00am-2:00 pm.

HCC manages the registration process.
*Residents must be 18 years or older to enroll in HCC classes. To obtain additional information and eligibility requirements residents can call the Adult Education Program main line at 713.718.5400 or visit the HCC website: www.hccs.edu/future-students

Exceptions are handled on a case-by-case basis. Residents can contact the Adult Education Program for additional information.

-Jennifer C

Game Rule & Equipment

Its Here, It's Here! Our Alarm for our Wii is now ready to go! The way it works is that the console is hooked up to a USB cable and any time that someone tries to disconnect it--the alarm will go off!

It's not as loud as the fire alarm so we will still need whomever is on the floor to walk around and make sure no one is pulling on it.

How to Turn it Off?
If you hear the alarm go off immedietly run to the console. The key to disactiviate will be in the front desk in the top left drawer. It is a small orange key.

Where are All the Extra Parts?
The antenna for the Wii along with the controllers will be kept in the cabinets under lock & key ofcourse, until someone checks them out with their Power Card.

Wii Rules:
1. Power Card Users Only! ( A Computer Card.....what do you guys think? Should they be able to use it with their computer use cards) VALUABLES are not accepted as a form of exchange.

2. Each user gets 30 minutes with the Wii remotes. No more, No Less....this way we give them enough time to play a game and others a chance to sign up.

3. One Controller per Card. Each person wanting to play must present you with their card.

BOARD GAMES:

Patrons are welcome to use our board games while they wait but just like the Wii they have to exchange it for their Power Card....not their computer use card, or other "valuable" items. They have to give you their Power Card. This prevents thefts.

The boxes for the games are out in the open but the pieces are locked up inside the cabinet. If they would like to check them out they will bring their card to the front desk and you will go inside the cabinet and get the items out for them. It is one game per card.

When they return the games make sure the items are all there.


Okay team lets keep our eyes and ears open while on the floor!!

-Jennifer C.

HCC Classes

HCC will start classes the week of July 6 at Frank Express.

Classes are scheduled:
Mon-Thurs 10:00am-2:00 pm.

HCC manages the registration process.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.

-Jennifer C.

Paging List, Shelving

To avoid overlooking paging items, I reset the
paging list to be sorted as follows:

BIBL Location
BIBL Title
ITEM Prefix
ITEM Call #
ITEM Barcode
PATRON Patron Name

This eliminates a lot of irrelevant/redundant information
and makes the list a lot more logical to follow.

And, I believe I've tried to mention this to everyone, but if you are shelving or straightening books, please try to remember that certain books belong in special sections: Large print, classics, test guides, new books (don't forget that the uncatalogued adult paperbacks are actually semi-catalogued).

Also, if you are retrieving paged items, please don't forget to check these sections if an item appears to be NFOS.

If any of this isn't making sense, please let me know and I'll be happy to show you what I mean (or thought I meant).

-Sumitra

Pharos Unlimited

This pertains to any staff who asist patrons with printing or copying.

The Pharos Remote icon which is still on many of our reference computers no longer works. There is a new service called Pharos UniPrint that performs the same functions and is accessible from any computer using Internet Explorer.

Please take a few moments to look at the online documentation on the HPL intranet.
https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/depts/it/pharos-uniprint.doc
Here is the URL for Pharos UniPrint:
https://192.168.132.21/Pharos/Logon.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fpharos%2fremote.aspx&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
It is fairly complex so you will want to add it to your IE Favorites.
If you have any questions please call the Help Desk.

David Cleveland
HALAN IT Help Desk
832-393-1570
e-mail: hpl.helpdesk@cityofhouston.net

Citizenship Courses

To those of you who are going to be teaching or assisting in the upcoming Citizenship Classes there is already a detailed outline on each module and handout on the Southwest Express Website--Thanks to James Chavez.

In this link you will also find information on FAQ or rules that students may inquire about. Take a look at the material and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. If I don’t know the answer I will find someone who does :-)

Remember:

· These classes are in English only
· Students must register the first Monday of every month.
· Classes are twice a week—Monday & Thursday from 6pm-8pm
· It is a 4 week long process
· Students will receive a certificate of completion afterwards--this does not give them any credit for the test or exempts them from anything; it is just our way of acknowledging our students efforts.
· We will try to have an immigration attorney or USCIS officer speak to the class each month or will give information on how they can contact one.

Thank you for you help & support!
-Jennifer

http://hplxcitizenship.blogspot.com/

Meeting Tomorrow - Tuesday

I want to have a Staff Meeting before we open tomorrow to try to start resolving our operational issues.

Sign In and Sign Out

Please remember to use the Sign-In and Sign-Out sheet so I can know who has worked when and who needs to make up time. This also affects the schedule because I have no way of knowing who worked on Saturday so I do not know who needs off this coming Friday.
--Jeff

Desk Schedule

Hi everyone, I just to let you all know that we all need to be mindful of the desk schedule. If we are scheduled to be on the desk at a specific time then we should be there or have someone else to cover for us.

Thanks,
Naudia

Information Desk

Hi Everyone, this is just a reminder of how we should organize items at the front desk. All items that need to be checked in should be placed on the big black cart and the items that have already been checked in should go on the smaller cart so that they may be shelved. All items that we run across that have holds or belong to another location should be placed on the second shelf of the big cart. We all should bring them to the back once they are labeled and place them in an outgoing bin.

~Naudia~

Work Room

There are a number of things we need to remember when we are working in the Staff Room.

1- Please limit the time you spend on your cell phone on personal calls. This can be distrating to your coworkers and affect your own work.

2- Please limit the time you spend on MySpace, Facebook, personal email to those times you are actually on break.

3- I think that whomever is working the back room should be the first ones to answer the telephone. It can get very busy out front and to have to answer the phone in the middle of everything else is a distraction.

Thanks,

Jeff

Study Room Reservations

I've added a link to the study room reservations spreadsheet in the Desk Information section on the right-hand side of the page. Remember to record the persons name, and library card number on the spreadsheet. Please keep the library card at the desk while the customer is using the study room also.

Thanks

-- Jeff

Processing Applications

Hi Everyone,
This is just a friendly reminder on how to process applications. First, check patrons name and DL or ID number to see if they have an account already. Make sure you get the patrons birthdate on the application and DL or ID number. When putting the information into the system please be sure to put LAST NAME first and FIRST NAME second and then MIDDLE NAME. IF you have any questions please ask myself or Dolores.

Thank you,
~Naudia~

Thank You!!!!!!!

A big THANK YOU and Congratulations to everyone!!!!!!!

I want to personally thank everyone for the hard work you've done to make today happen. I'm extremely proud of the work we did today, we worked as a real team and I think we did an excellent job at our Grand Opening.

See you all on Monday!

THANK YOU!!!

Jeff

GRAND OPENING IS FINALLY HERE!!!

We've finally made it to our Grand Opening! I'm extremely proud of all the hard work and dedication everyone has shown in the last few weeks as we've gotten ready to open!

I've created a schedule here (just click on the page called "Grand Opening Schedule") that we can use as a guideline to tell us where to be throughout the day so that we can provide the best service to our customers as possible! Let's have a great day and greet our customers with a smile as we re-open Frank!

--Jeff

Grand Opening Meeting

On Wednesday May 6 at 7:30 AM members of the Southwest Houston 2000, Brays Oaks Management District, and others, will be meeting at the Library to make the final preparations for the May 9th Grand Opening Celebration. Edward and I have been meeting with this group for several months now and I would like to invite any interested staff members to attend this meeting.

Thank you -- Jeff

KIPP Training

The Mobile Express will be conducting training at KIPP schools on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the month on May. The participants will consist of parents(adults). Three of the sites will require bilingual Spanish training, if you are scheduled for one of these sites, please be prepared with bilingual presentations. One of the Mobile Express staff will contact each location be training to determine the training topics. Please see the Mobile Express calendar and coordinate efforts with the lead trainer. The lead trainer initials are in parenthesis before the event. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Edward
832-393-1442

Schedule

Good Morning everyone!

I will be working on the schedule for May and June in the upcoming week. I need to know, in writing, what days you need off in those months so I can make the schedule and accomodate everybody that I can.

Thanks --- Jeff

Staff Meeting

There is a staff meeting for all Frank Express Staff at 9:00 AM tomorrow.

We made excellent progress on shelf-reading today! Let's finish that up and move on to the other projects we need to complete so that we can open as soon as we can!

Keep up the great work!

Take A Bow

Hello Team,

I just wanted to commend everyone today on a job well-done! We were able to finish our task in record time and all the while keeping each others spirits up.

A special thanks goes out to Megan for stepping up and arranging our collection. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that you are truly inspiring and an ideal team leader.

Ladies you all did an excellent job today and I appreciate all of your hard work, positive attitude, and of course your willingness to go "above and beyond" for our branch, our team and the Houston Public Library.

Your actions today speak volumes of the cohesiveness and appreciation that this team has for each other.

I would also like to thank you for welcoming both Sumitra & I with open arms to the Frank Family.

Sincerely,

Jennifer C.

Rise & Shine

Hey Team,

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday, April 20th, 2009 is
our "BIG MOVE" into our brand new location. Yaayyyyy!!!

We are all going to meet bright & early at old Frank at 7:45am

If any of you are interested, I was thinking of ordering pizza for lunch
& having it delivered so that we can do a 30 minute lunch and continue to work
and of course, save on the cost of gas.

Any takers?

Please let me know tomorrow if you'd like to participate.
I know that we have some veggie lovers but are there are any
MEAT-ATARIANS such as myself?!!

See you all tomorrow bright & early....(bring STARBUCKS!)

Jennifer C.

Reporting on Monday

On Monday Morning, please report to work at Old Red Frank on West Bellfort. We will be working at both the Old and New Frank locations on Monday to prepare for the move on Tuesday.

Jeff

Update on New Frank

We finally have a general timetable for moving in to our new building.

Please do not work Saturday April 18, 2009 so that you can work at the new Frank location
during the entire week of April 20-24th.

We do not have a hard and fast date for the book move just yet, but once I have it I will let you know. Once we have the library ready, we will do a soft opening with our grand opening scheduled for May 9, 2009. All staff should be prepared to work Saturday May 9! I will work out the off time for those who would not otherwise be working on that Saturday at a later date.

I will have the staff schedule posted on the Google Calendar either later today or early next week, so please check that to find out your hours starting with May 9. Once we determine a date for a soft opening, I will create that part of the schedule then.

--Jeff

Reminder MCAS and MAC Training

If you are interested in taking MCAS training, please complete the Travel Authorization form found on the intranet (https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/forms/travel-authorization.doc). After completing the form, please complete the Pre-Registration form on the U of H website. Send both documents to me for signatures and approval. If you have any question please contact me. Thuy can answer questions regarding pre-registration. All request should be submitted to me by Thursday, April 9. Request after Friday, April 10 will NOT be funded.If you need Mac training please follow the same steps. I will handle the registration for MAC training. I need the hard copy with original signature in blue ink.

Edward

Monthly Reports

As of April, all HPL Express staff are required to provide a monthly report of activities, projects, duties, training, professional development, and any other area of interest to their supervisor. In the case in which you do not have a manager your monthly report should be sent to me, all monthly reports submitted to your manager should also be cc to me. March monthly reports are due by April 5th. All monthly reports are due by the 5th of each month.

If you have not been submitting monthly reports, please forward me a detailed summary of your work since your employment with HPL. Please submit all summaries by Monday, March 23.


These reports are used in your Employee Performance Evaluation. Thanks for cooperation.
Edward Melton

Telephone Etiquette

Hellow,

From now on, we all have to have to use the HPL Guidelines to answer Public Service Telephones. Please use the following answer public lines at our location:

Thank you for calling the Houston Public Library System. This is the Morris Frank Express Library. How may I help you?


Cheers,

Jeff

ELT Presentation

HPL Express is scheduled to provide a presentation for ELT on Monday, March 30. If you are interested in being part of this presentation please let me know ASAP.

Edward

Outreach

We have been asked by the Southwest Houston 2000 group (the group helping with the Grand Opening of the New Frank) to have a table at their annual band concert on Sunday March 1 at Welch Middle School on 11544 S. Gessner. We would need to have somethere there at around 1:30 PM to setup and the concert will be over by 5:00 PM. Let me know who is interested so I can forward that information along.

Jeff

Trip to the new building

I just wanted to remind everyone to wear thick-soled shoes tomorrow (like tennis shoes, or something like that) for our trip to see the new building. We need to have everybody here by 9:30 AM so we can ride over there as a group. We need to be there at 10:00 AM!

--Jeff

Staff Meeting

We will have a staff meeting on Friday Jan. 23 at around 9:00 AM to discuss where we are in the moving process.

Jeff

Happy Birthday, LaQuinta!

I would like to wish you a Happy Birthday and many more. ~Naudia~

Schedule

First, I'd like to thank you for the congratulations you have given me on Jessica's birth. I really appreciate it. Everyone here is doing well and enjoying our new addition to the family!

Second, I have updated the schedule for the month of January given what I could remember and what notes I had with me for what days people would be out. Please review the schedule and send me an email if you need to be out on a given day because I know I've forgotten some things that people have told me about. Please make sure you check the schedule every week and let me know when you need to be out and I'll see what I can work out. I'm trying to think of a way for you all to let me know when you need time off ahead of time. This isn't as crucial now, but it will be extremely important once we open to the public because I will use the Schedule page to schedule desk coverage for the hours we are open. 

I'm thinking I'll either be back tomorrow or more likely Thursday. I have a Manager's Meeting on Thursday morning, so I would come to Frank after that. I'll call and let you know for certain what I decide to do.

Jeff

Baby Jessica is here!

Jessica Lynn was born at 7:00 AM this morning. She weighed 9 lbs. 12 oz. and was 22 inches long.