Author: Eric Melton

I’ve put some handouts in an outdoor brochure holder attached to the front entry. The handout describes the services we’re currently offering and how to take advantage of them. Take a look via the link below. It’s also accessible from the printable menu. I’ll update it as things change.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MKaoAKrcEoGgPgbk2MrLJtVpfeJblJNF/view?usp=sharing

As you know, we offer a collection of digital magazines via RBDigital, the name of the app and website where Recorded Books offers digital content. I received notice today that the company that owns Recorded Books has purchased Overdrive. The notice I received says:

…over the coming months, all RBdigital library customers and RBdigital app users will be migrated to the OverDrive platform and Libby. We expect that the OverDrive platform will be enhanced with content that was unique to the RBdigital platform, including new Recorded Books audiobook releases, and we will be exploring additional content relationships such as digital magazines from ZINIO. After the customer and patron migration is complete, the RBdigital platform will be discontinued.

I’ll keep everyone posted as I hear more about these changes.

This morning, all staff should’ve received an email with their FY21 wages. If you didn’t receive yours or you think there’s an error, let me know.

Some of you may be curious how other libraries are reopening. Metro library directors have kept in touch over the past several months. I’ve included plans from some of them below.

• West Des Moines: We’re open, masks required, no more than 70 people at a time. Mid-day closing for deep cleaning. This is day two, so far no issues.
• Waukee: Curbside only
• Clive: Opening June 29th Limited hours 30 minute visits/30 minute by appointment computer times. MASKS are required No more than 10 patrons at a time in the library Curbside will continue for those not comfortable in the library
• Ankeny: Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library will reopen to the public on Monday, June 22. Capacity will be limited to 75 people and all visitors will be required to wear a face covering while in the library. Services will be limited to quick browsing and checkouts. Computer usage is limited to one hour. Play areas, seating areas, conference rooms, study rooms, teen room and Hatch Makerspace will remain closed.
• Des Moines: Curbside holds pickup. Beginning Monday, June 22, a limited number of public computers, plus printing services, will be available for public use BY APPOINTMENT ONLY at Central Library between 10 AM and 4 PM Monday through Friday.
• Grimes: Curbside Service and Limited Library Access
• Urbandale: We started Monday with a soft opening—no more than 20 people, just lobby service for holds pickup and limited browsing, 6 computers available for booking.  We’re hoping to move to the next phase (50 people in the full building) starting on 7/6.
• Altoona: Planning on next Monday, timers for 1 hour visits, half capacity, no drive up, shortened hours.

The video from this morning’s all-staff meeting is linked below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yvuT0swt2tf0r4N4BxdMSfMS0EMgbCpl/view?usp=sharing

I’ve completed drafts of everyone’s timesheets. Please follow the link below to verify and, if necessary, make changes to your sheet. Let me know if you have trouble.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1u09wOWlbxxSNwZKzUFlM9A-8nI07v8YH?usp=sharing

The all-staff meeting will be held tomorrow (Thursday) at 11am via Zoom.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82404316874

You may receive a call from someone wanting to make an appointment to use a PC. Use the “Create PC Appointment” in the Patron Assistance menu to create an appointment for them.

I’d like to have a brief all-staff meeting to provide on overview of the reopening plan and answer any questions you have. Please let me know when you’re available via the Doodle poll linked below.

https://doodle.com/poll/xsp3dnqmwhrz2uc4

What’s hot and what’s not in library materials purchasing.

https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=Materially-Different-A-New-Kind-of-Materials-Survey

As I’ve said, on June 22nd we’ll start allowing patrons in the building by appointment to use the computers. Unless cases spike in the next couple of weeks, the next step of letting a limited number of patrons browse by appointment will probably be a week or two after that. I have some plastic chain on order that we’ll use like theater ropes to guide patrons to the places on public desks protected by sneeze guards and to block off seating, play areas, and other spots that won’t be open yet. Once patrons are allowed back in, those at public desks (PS will be first) will be required to wear masks. Some of you may not mind the masks but for me wearing the masks I have for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time is a hot and nasty thing. If you don’t like the mask you have, there are several boxes of disposable masks on the ledge behind the circ. desk that you can try. If you like them, use as many as you like during your shift. If you don’t like the one you have and you don’t like the disposable ones, let me know and I’ll see if I can find something else.

I’ve completed drafts of everyone’s timesheets. Please follow the link below to verify and, if necessary, make changes to your sheet. Let me know if you have trouble.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UA49NACFbtfD0TiJub51wJeh3cnqB_HC?usp=sharing

Missy has asked me to announce that she is resigning from her position effective 6/12. Missy has been with JPL for 12 years–in Circulation and now TS. Her humor and smarts along with her passion for libraries and library patrons will leave a big void at JPL for the staff and for the community as whole. She has promised to visit us.

The following message was sent to patrons this afternoon:

To avoid a glut of returns as we prepare for curbside holds and printing pickup next week (learn more), we’re extending due dates to July 1^st. If you’re receiving this message but have already returned your items, don’t worry. We have them in quarantine and will check them in soon. Let me know if you have any questions.

We are planning to start phase 3 of the reopening plan the week of Monday, June 22nd. The only difference from Phase 2–curbside holds and printing pickup, which starts next week–is that we’ll allow 4 patrons at a time to make appointments for 45 minute computer sessions (see the procedure for details). Hours will be the same as curbside pickup, which will continue: Tuesday & Thursday 2-6 and Wednesday & Friday 10-2. We are not announcing the date or the services offered yet, just planning for staffing and promotion.

I’ve created a webpage that outlines for patrons how curbside holds and printing pickup will work. Please take a look and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. In addition, it probably wouldn’t hurt for all staff to look again at the procedure documents linked in the reopening plan as we prepare for starting curbside next week.

For those working today:

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, the City of Johnston will be sounding their Outdoor Warning Sirens. The testing should take approximately one hour. Notification will be provided on Polk County Emergency Management’s Facebook page once the testing is complete. Please do not call 9-1-1. This is only a test. Direct all testing questions to Polk County Emergency Management Agency’s 9-1-1 Coordinator. Please visit bit.ly/3cbMAtQ for additional information on Outdoor Warning Sirens and the Polk County-Wide Outdoor Warning Siren Activation Policy.

Deepa is leaving us at the end of June to relocate to Texas where Prithvi will be attending college. We will all miss the many talents she brings to JPL, her humor, and, of course, her wonderful cakes and Indian food.

The zoo is requiring its patrons to reserve time-slots for their visit. This setup isn’t possible with our current ticketing software and, with everything else going on, we are not going to try to work with the zoo to make timed reservations for library patrons. I’ve asked that the zoo be temporarily removed from our list of Adventure Passes.

Library board meeting documents from the past two months are available via Google Drive (follow the link below). Once I’m moved back into my office, I’ll move them to their normal home which is linked under Staff Resources on the intranet.

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1HX4Mprov1Eb7P5w0akNlPaIUTKHSe8Ho