Author: Eric Melton

We have some new library magnets for giving out to new card applicants or whomever. I’ve placed piles by the new cards under the circ. desk and on the reference desk. Staff are welcome to take one too.

I’m looking for someone willing to loan me their ID. If you have a new Iowa ID with a gold star in the upper-right corner I’d like to scan it to help me reconfigure our ID-scanner-setup to recognize the information. 

REMINDER! If you live in the Des Moines area, you are invited to join us for the Banned Books Week Trivia Night at 515 Brewery on Tuesday, September 25th! Doors open at 5:30, event starts at 6:00. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at door. Each ticket includes one free beer! Up to four people per team. For more information and to purchase tickets, please check out our Facebook event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/426703667737743/

Samantha C. Helmick, MLIS

Public Services Librarian

Burlington Public Library

There will be a mandatory training for all Circulation, Public Services and Youth Services staff on Sunday, October 14^th from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. If you cannot attend, please inform your supervisor as soon as possible.

We will be reviewing and discussing a three-hour training by Ryan Dowd called, The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness:  Fewer problems.  Greater confidence. (And a more inclusive library!)

This training is available on Niche Academy. It is a requirement that you all watch the three-hour training before October 8^th.

Please work with your supervisor to determine when you will watch the training. It is broken up into three to ten minute segments. If you and your supervisor cannot find a time for you to watch it during your regularly scheduled hours, you can make a plan to watch it before or after your shifts or from home. If you watch it from home or come in before or after your regular schedule, please discuss it with your supervisor first. You will need to add that time to your timesheet and your supervisor will need to add it to When to Work.

The training focuses on serving those experiencing homelessness, but most of the practices mentioned are applicable when serving any library patron. While you are watching the training please think of four things that you would like to discuss with the group on October 14^th. Please email those four discussion questions to your supervisor before October 8^th.

Look for three emails from Niche academy about how to get logged-in to the training.

If you have questions or trouble accessing the training, please visit with your supervisor.

YS is looking for empty plastic jars (peanut butter, mayo, etc) and empty spice containers (any size) for an upcoming Imagination Station theme. 

Thanks in advance!

Hip hip hooray

Another payday!

Please turn in your completed timesheets and PARs by Thursday 8 pm, September 13. Remember to double-check the hours on your timesheet with the hours on When to Work. If there are discrepanices, check with your supervisor. If you do this, it saves lots of questions when I’m double-checking.

Thanks!

Peg

Maker Day, and event scheduled to take place later this month at Summit, has been cancelled. If you have no idea what Maker Day is, ignore this message.

The Little Free Pantry has been very popular. At times, the pantry will inevitably be empty or low on food. I’d like to thank staff who refill it occasionally from the donation bin. Staff should not feel obligated, however, to refill the pantry at the request of someone looking for an after-school snack or for some kind of food that’s not there. This is not an expectation we want to set or, given the changing nature of what’s in the bin at a given time, that we can consistently meet. When we do refill the pantry, it may be best to do so in the morning or during the school day.

For the time being, the food donation bin has been moved behind the circ. desk. Food donations can be collected by circ. staff and placed in the bin.

As you probably know, the Des Moines Symphony 2018-19 season will be starting later this month.  On Friday the 21st, there will be a Re-Mix event at the Civic Center at 5:30.  This is only for people 21 and over, and you can come and enjoy free pizza and beverages followed by an open rehearsal.  No reservations are required, and we are playing Bernstein’s Candide Overture, Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 (Titan). 

PAINTING IS COMPLETE

Painting of several areas will begin next week. Please take a look at the document linked below for details.

http://catalog.johnstonlibrary.com/share/06%20painting%20plan%20Johnston%20Library%20July%202018.pdf

September 7, 2018 at 11:30 a.m.

Public Safety Community Room

Main Entrée Provided – Bring your favorite side dish or dessert!

Be sure to represent by sporting your team colors!

[UPDATE] Rather than calling the police yourselves, please let Molly or I know if you think you see this patron. I would rather not call the police on the wrong guy.

A bike was stolen at the Library last week. The security camera footage shows a man in a white t-shirt riding off on the bike. The quality is terrible but I think I recognize him. PD has asked staff to call the non-emergency number if we spot him in the library. Obviously, you don’t need to confront or retain him. 

Please place your completed timesheets and PARS in the green folder outside Eric’s desk by Thursday, August 30 at 8pm.

Make sure to confirm that the hours on your timesheet match the hours recorded in When to Work and that any paid time off is reflected in WTW.

Thanks,

Peg

A Samsung Galaxy 5 was found in the YS area today. It has been locked up in back if someone comes looking for it.

Thanks!

As happens with daily use, the staff refrigerator and freezer need a little TLC. Lori Elrick and I plan to clean the fridge/freezer on Monday, September 10.

Between now and then, if you could take a look inside the fridge/freezer for any items that might be yours and do these two things:

1. Discard any old/out of date items and

2. Place items you want to keep in a basket OR mark them somehow – with a sharpie, piece of tape with your name on it, etc.

We will not discard any item that is marked.

If you have any questions, ask Lori. 

Thanks,

Peg

The Raygun shirts have arrived. The women’s sizes are cut pretty small so check the fit–we can exchange if needed.

Until the old cash register key decides to turn up, I’ve replaced it on a tree-of-life and turquoise keychain. Hopefully, this will stay put.

I am collecting the following materials for upcoming Kurious Kids programs and b.y.o.b(ook) Each program is in November. 

Empty Kleenex Boxes (the bigger the better)

Lids from copy paper boxes (at least 15)

Feel free to place them on Megan’s desk!

Thank you!