Author: Eric Melton

A 2016 Pew report found that, nationwide, 48% of Americans 16 or older had visited their public library in the past year.  The recent community survey commissioned by the city found that 68% of Johnston adults had visited JPL in the past year and that amongst those who had, 95% were satisfied or very satisfied with their experience. I’ve included a few charts from the report below. The results reflect staff who work hard to provide excellent programs and services that reflect the community’s needs.

Full Report >> https://drive.google.com/open?id=1H-K4cHRGa9iAY4D-QDG3Nejd18NrzW9v

In November, the JPL Foundation approved funding for a quiet room for adults which would be enclosed with glass walls in the old public printer/copier area near the janitor closet. The “Whisper Room” will have two public computers, will be limited to adults only, and will be for silent studying, reading, or working. I shared a view of the outside of the room at the all-staff meeting in November that can be viewed here. A view of the of the inside of the room is included below. Everything should be completed by April.

The State Library’s contract for job- and school-readiness software was recently up for renewal/RFP. Up to this point, Learning Express, a website with dozens of school- and job-related practice tests and skill-building resources, has been the state-provided resource on these topics. Sometime in the next couple of weeks, libraries in Iowa will switch to Brainfuse. From what I understand, we will have access to four Brainfuse resources: 

1. JobNow which includes resume template and live resume help; job searching resources and live help; and help choosing and developing skills in a career. 
2. LearnNow which is very similar to Learning Express, with test-prep for school and job-related exams.
3. Adult Learning Center includes tutorials on basic math, basic reading, and basic writing, using Microsoft Office products, GED and citizenship practice tests, and live tutoring on basic skills
4. VetNow veterans and their families with locating eligible benefits, live online academic tutoring, employment transition assistance, and finding community resources.

These seem to offer information and assistance on a much broader range of topics than Learning Express and the live-help aspect sounds like it has the potential to be very helpful. 

Here are links and login information for trials of two of the resources:

JOBNOW LINK: http://iowajobnowtrial.jobnow3.jobnow.brainfuse.com

Username: Iowajobnowtrial
Password: trial

VETNOW LINK: http://iowavetnowtrial.vetnowtrialc.ny.brainfuse.com
Username: Iowavetnowtrial
Password: trial

This is the weather report for the weekend from the PD. I don’t like staff taking risks to get to work but I also like the library to be a refuge for the community on days when people would otherwise be stuck inside. I’ll keep an eye on things. Please feel free to text me at 515-250-5381 or contact Molly at 641-351-9874 if you can’t make it in.

• Information as of 17JAN19 1600hrs
• *Winter Storm Warning in effect from noon Friday to 6am Saturday
• *Significant impacts to Friday evening commute possible
• *Bitter cold by Saturday night into Sunday. Wind chills -10 to -20 by Sunday morning.Frostbite possible within 30 minutes or less
• *Widespread snow Friday beginning early afternoon through Saturday morning. 6-8 inchespossible. When snowfall begins it will likely transition from light to heavy very quickly.
• *Blustery 20-30mph north-northeast winds will cause blowing/drifting snow

That’s right, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets performed by the Des Moines Symphony with the film above at the Civic Center!  Friday January 25th at 7:30 PM, Saturday January 26th at 1:30 and 7:30 PM.  https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/2019-harry-potter-and-the-chamber-of-secrets/.  Get your tickets ASAP, should be adventurous! 

Please turn in your time sheets by 8 pm on Thursday night. Attach any PARs for PTO. There are no holidays this pay period.

As always double-check your time sheet against When to Work. I could tell everyone did that last week because there were almost 0 discrepancies. Thanks for the diligence, I appreciate it.

Peg

The Des Moines Symphony Family concert takes place on Saturday this week (the 12th) at 1 PM at the Civic Center downtown.  Tickets should still be available via Des Moines Performing Arts, and the number to call is 515-246-2300.  https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/1819-peter-and-the-wolf-symphony/.

Janet, the city’s Communications Specialist has put together a “year in review” video featuring several shots of Library activities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M1Z35mym-4&feature=youtu.be

DMARC’s Mobile Food Pantry will begin making bi-monthly stops in the Library’s lot on January 23rd. Stops will be the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 4pm-6pm. I’ve included some information below. Find more at https://www.dmarcunited.org/food/mobile/

WHAT CAN I RECEIVE?

• Once per calendar month, you may receive a 3-day supply of food, measured by family size.
• Our food follows a healthy food guideline.
• Select which food items you want with our choice pantry service model.
• Daily food items are available to anyone, any time the pantry is open.

HOW DO I GET HELP?

• There are no income requirements.
• Bring a photo ID for every adult member of your household, and some other form of ID for all children in the household.
• At the Mobile Food Pantry, you will go through a short intake process.

The Lions Club Book Sale will be held March 7-9.  The Lions Clubs donates a significant portion of proceeds from the sale to the JPL Foundation. 

Thursday    March  7                    5 PM  –  9 PM                     $3.00 [Kids are FREE]                                                                                                         

Friday        March   8                    8 AM  –  8 PM                     FREE admission

Saturday    March   9                    8 AM  – NOON                    FREE Admission 

Library-related results are here > https://drive.google.com/file/d/13joniTZxQkJwjbPJVzYqAd1Wehm7iFec/view?usp=sharing

Full results here > https://drive.google.com/file/d/15qghlayMZnXSkxYq88hiiZmqIceY3Fee/view?usp=sharing

Our volunteer, Polly Munck, fell and broke 4 vertebrae on December 23rd.  She was in Wisconsin,visiting family.  According to her son, Polly is “gradually getting stronger but still pretty weak.” Current estimates are that Polly will be at a rehab facility for 2 months. 

Cards and well wishes may be sent to Polly at the following address:

Polly Munck
Room 11
Portage County Health Care Center
825 Whiting Ave
Stevens Point, WI 54481

Herb Eichenseer asked if staff found a computer power cable and brick in SR #4 Friday afternoon around 4 pm. I’ve checked Lost and Found and other obvious spots, but I can’t find it. If you have any information, please contact him at 515-289-1716.

Thank you,

Peg

Herb Eichenseer asked if staff found a computer power cable and brick in SR #4 Friday afternoon around 4 pm. I’ve checked Lost and Found and other obvious spots, but I can’t find it. If you have any information, please contact him at 515-289-1716.

Thank you,

Peg

Pills found and will be kept in the safe.

01/15/2019: No way to contact owner. Medication was taken to Johnston PD for disposal. 

Megan has created the first blog post on the website’s new revamped blog page (linked below):

https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/blogs/

The blog will be used to:

1. make staff expertise more accessible–particularly in the areas of early literacy, research, and reading
2. highlight programs and introduce and, when applicable, provide instruction on services
3. add value to past programs–for attendees and those who couldn’t make it–by providing photos, craft instructions, recipes and the like

Intersted in sharing your expertise–in music, books, movies, literacy, or whatever? Let me know if you’d like to be involved in authoring posts.

Oh yeah, first pay period of the new year ends this week. 

Please make sure your completed time sheets and PARs are turned into the green folder outside of Eric’s off by Thursday, January 3 at 8 pm.

Please pay attention to holiday closings and altered schedules when completing your time sheet for this payperiod. Double-check (maybe even triple-check) your time sheet against When to Work to make sure each day matches. 

Thanks and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Peg

There is a cell phone that was left at station 4 right before close tonight. We have locked it in the cabinet in back. Thanks!