Author: Eric Melton

Hi all,

I found a Samsung Tablet with a lime green cover over on the bench by the front door. It will be locked up in the grey cabinet.

Jessica now has a phone at her desk. Her extension is 618. I’ll update the phone list whenever I can find it.

Remember – timesheets and PARS are due to the green folder outside Eric’s office by 8 pm on Thursday night.

Thanks,

Peg

I printed quite a few self evaluations yesterday, and they are at the circ desk. 

Symphony weekend happens again with Elgar’s Enigma Variations.  It will be a Beyond the Score concert, which means there will be a presentation about the work during the first half, and a performance of the entire work the second half. April 28th at 7:30 and the 29th at 2:30.  Molly and possibly another plan to come on Sunday. 

Do NOT use the computers that are across from Eric’s office and near the shred machine, even if you see one that’s on. 

From the Johnston Partnership:

We had a grand total of 981 food items!!  I cannot thank you, Molly and the library staff enough for this awesome collection 🙂  That covers 1 full day’s services for our pantry…amazing!!

Andrea Cook

Program Director – Partnership Place

Shred Day is coming! Shred Day 2018 is this coming Saturday, April 28 from 9:00am to 12:00. For staff already working that day, you can park in the normal staff parking spots. 

We could still use two additional staff who want to “volunteer” to help on shred day. You would be helping either directing traffic or lifting boxes into the trucks and you WOULD get payed for your time. Last year’s post-shredding activities involved margaritias for interested parties–just sayin’. 

Let Beth or Eric know if you’re interested. 

The library now owns three laptops that are available for use by adult patrons when all desktop computers in the library are in use. Staff at the Reference Desk will use the guidelines below for loaning:

• Laptops are for use only inside the library. Laptops may not be checked out or taken outside of the library building.
• Individuals must be 18 years of age or older to use a laptop.
• We will not be advertising or promoting the availability of these laptops. Staff working at the Reference Desk may offer the use of a laptop when it comes to our attention that a person wants to use a computer but all computers are occupied at that time. This happens most often on weekdays after school and on Sundays.
• In special circumstances, staff may also offer use of a laptop if a patron is finding it hard to work in the main section of the library because of noise. This might happen if a lot of kids are using the main bank of computers and a computer in study room  1 or 2 is not available to offer as a more quiet alternative because the room is in use.
• If an individual is interested in using a laptop, they must leave a government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, etc.) in the ID sleeve that corresponds with the laptop number they are using. The ID sleeve is located behind the Reference Desk on the interior of the locked cabinet where loaner laptops are stored.
• Staff will provide the patron with a laptop bag containing:
  • A laptop
  • A mouse
  • A power cord
  • At this time, we have not set a time limit on the use of laptops other than the restriction that laptops need to be returned at the end of the day before the library closes. Again, laptops will only be offered to a patron if all desktop computers are in use.
  • When a computer is returned, please shut down the laptop and plug it in to the power strip in the locked cabinet. Shutting down the laptop will wipe the laptop of all information before the next user powers the computer on.

Printing from Loaner Laptops
Individuals using loaner laptops may print from the laptops using two possible methods:

1. Laptop users can send their documents to print using mobile printing.
2. Laptop users may also take their laptop to the Print Release Station when they are ready to print. Laptop users will connect the laptop to the green Ethernet cable mounted to the desk. This will connect the laptop to the library’s print network.
   1. Users can then send their document to the library printer. They will be asked to enter a User ID on the laptop computer. Laptop users can use anything for this: initials, name, etc. as long as they input the same thing in the User ID field on the Print Release Station.
   2. Laptop users will still pay for their print jobs through the Print Release Station Coin-op machine or credit card machine, regardless of if they are printing using mobile printing or the Ethernet connection.

When we borrow ILL materials for the blind or visually impaired, postage between us and the lending library is free.  If a patron is requesting large print books or CD books because of a visual impairment, please include this information in the Comments area of the request. Missy or I will contact the patron to confirm eligibility.

Read more about the Free Matter for Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired program.

It is National Volunteer Week! The library has over 30 active volunteers. In the last month, they have volunteered for over 160 hours. If you have time, please take a second to thank our volunteers this week for all that they do for our library and our community. 

Cliff replaced the locked drums on the Xerox printer in the workroom.  You may resume printing!

From Digital Public Library of America

Before public libraries spread across the United States after the Revolutionary War, people were looking for outlets to access and discuss literature. During the Enlightenment, these came in the form of literary salons, which gained popularity in France and Italy. Salons were spaces for conversations about art, politics, and literature. They were particularly empowering for women, who had been barred from formal learning spaces and now had a place to exchange ideas, read and share their writing, and debate. Decades later, libraries offered a similar opportunity for women to enter the workforce and academia in new ways, too.

More >>

The playground at Terra Park is nearing completion. Check out the awesome photos linked below.

https://www.facebook.com/cityofjohnstoniowa/photos/pcb.2555018654524430/2555013934524902/?type=3&theater

There will be two free lunch sites in Johnston this summer: Chapel Ridge, 12pm-12:30pm, and Sterling Pointe, 12:30pm-1pm.

Free lunches are for those 18 and younger and will begin June 11th and run through August 17th. (There will be no lunches the week of July 2nd.)

The Library, Community Ed, and the Parks Department will each be taking a day of the week to take a simple activity to attendees at the Chapel Ridge site.

Stay tuned for more details.

Because of the travel difficulties of many conference registrants, PLA is providing access to recordings of the “virtual conference” which includes several conference sessions. Listening/watching requires Adobe Connect–let Dreama or I know if you need to install it on a staff PC.  

username: melton@johnstonlibrary.com

password:/fENfwx6

https://pla2018.learningtimes.net/program/

Good Morning,

 Construction season will be in full swing starting next week in Johnston.  Below is an update on City and private projects which will impact travel in Johnston.

 Public Projects

• NW 70^th Ave. (Phase 2) – The section of NW 70^th Ave from 86^th St. to Peckham will be closed Monday the 16^th at 9am.  The project started with utility relocation last fall and has continued this spring.  Water main relocation and storm sewer improvements will start Monday. 
• NW 57^th Ave (E. MHR Phase 2) – Will close Monday at 9am from NW 50^th St to NW 52^nd St this is the final phase of the project to be completed.  (storm sewer and pavement replacement in this segment)
• NW Beaver Drive Overlay/Trail – The contractor will be on-site Monday April 16^th to begin the third phase of the project (Teresa Drive to Merle Hay Road).  There are no scheduled closures at this time.  However, delays should be expected in the corridor with construction activities occurring.  (tree removal and storm sewer improvements to occur first)
• NW 54^th Ct (E. MHR Phase 3) – The contractor has installed the water main on the project and has pulled off the job while MidAmerican gas crews are placing new gas mains on the project for the next three weeks.  The road will remain open until the gas mains are complete and the contractor resumes construction.  (NW 57^th Ave to NW 60^th Ave)

Private Project

• Bricktowne Apartments – The underground contractor will be removing the old water main service and valve which is connected to the water main under Merle Hay Road.  Merle Hay Road will be down to one lane in each direction at the intersection of 64^th Place and Merle Hay.  The lane closure is to begin Tuesday April 17^th and last approximately one week.

Please feel free to contact me if you need further information.

 Thank you.

LAURA CALLED. SHE WILL BE IN AT LUNCH TO PICK UP HER PHONE

An iPhone was found at closing yesterday.  I believe it belongs to Laura Sinnard. I have emailed her. It is on the black cart at the Circ Desk.

AutoCad, a professional-grade 3D AND 2D design application, is now available in the Tech Lab. 

The city has hired a company called “Company Nurse”.

In case of a workplace injury:

1. Notify a supervisor if possible
2. Call the injury hotline: 1-888-770-0928
3. Receive guidance from Company Nurse on what to do next 

When calling Company Nurse, they will need the following code: IA731

This information is posted on the bulletin board in the staff breakroom.

From Cyndee (City Clerk):

Just thought I would share a scam related to social engineering and, in this instance, gmail passwords.  As I am sure you are all aware, it has become profitable to steal or ransom personal information.  And as such, the level of deception criminals use to attempt to fool you in to giving them access to your information continues to escalate. 

Please remmber to be cautious of anything you receive – email or text – especially where there are attachments, or someone asks you to click a link or send a code, or it just seems like an odd email, or whatever the case may be.  As we have learned in the past few weeks even emails from people we know can turn out to be attempts to infect our computers and networks, or glean personal details.

If you suspect that you have opened something that may be malicious, please disconnect your computer from the network and contact the appropriate staff member to look at the computer.  It’s always better to err on the side of caution!

Thanks everyone!

Details: http://catalog.johnstonlibrary.com/share/Scam Of The Week_ Fiendishly Clever Gmail Phishing Scam You Need To Know About.pdf

Happy National Library Workers Day! There are salty, spicy, and sweet snacks in the breakroom for a salty, spicy, and sweet crew.