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