Author: Eric Melton

On Sunday, May 21, we will begin lending Playaway Launchpads.  A Launchpad is a “pre-loaded learning tablet created just for children in a circulation environment.”  Megan purchased ten tablets for a variety of age groups.  Click here to read more about Launchpads.

Launchpads will be circulated like Learning Tools.  They’ll be located behind the Circ Desk.  Display cards will be in the YS area for adults to bring to the Circ Desk and trade for a Launchpad.  They’ll check out to adults for 1 week with 2 renewals.  Adult patrons will be able to place holds.

This is a reminder to please stick around at closing until all staff are ready to leave.

Effective Monday, May 15 we will no longer be using Doctors Now for our occupational medicine needs.  We will be switching to University of Iowa Health Care at 8605 Chambery Boulevard (in front of Gusto Pizza on NW 86^th Street).

The first, and probably most important change is that you will need to let Cyndee Rhames know BEFORE you go to the clinic, so she can call and authorize treatment. If she can’t be reached at the office, please call her on her cell (515-528-0055).

Whenever a workplace injury occurs, please complete a Workplace Injury Form, located under the Printable menu on the library intranet.

Library directors received notice today that the set of databases offered to libraries by the State Library will be changing July 1.

The current set of databases we offer patrons are EbscoHost products.

The new set of resources cover much of what we’ve received from EbscoHost in the past including:

• books & authors
• business
• health
• general academic research

In addition, we’ll receive resources on language learning and auto repair. 

For more details, introductory webinar information, and links to try the new products please see the complete message from the State Library included below.

———————————————————————————

These resources will be rolled out *July 1, 2017* to all public libraries.

Until that time EBSCOhost will still be available to all libraries that have it through the state contract now. This will not change our Learning Express Library statewide contract.

——————————

*State Library/Alliance Databases and Trial Information*

*Journal Database Category*

*Gale Gold package:*

Composed of these databases–

*Academic OneFile (with /InfoTrac Collections) *Books & Authors *Business Insights Essentials *Educator?s Reference Complete *General OneFile (with InfoTrac Collections) *Health & Wellness Resource Center with Alternative Health Module *Health Reference Center Academic *Informe Academico (Spanish-language) *InfoTrac NewsStand *InfoTrac Student Edition (High School) *Kids InfoBits (K-5) *Research in Context (Middle School)

*Our package does not include Opposing Viewpoints in Context and PowerSpeak Languages; the trial below includes these two*

For more information about the individual databases and a trial, go to ?

www.galesupport.com/trial/iowa2017

Password: goldfinch

——————————

*Auto Repair category*

*Chiltons Library (Gale)*:

For more information about this database and a trial, go to–

www.galesupport.com/trial/iowa2017

Password: goldfinch

——————————

*Reference category*

*Credo Reference:*

*Academic Core collection hosted on the CORS platform

For more information about this database and a trial, go to?

http://search.credoreference.com/auth/ip_unpw

User ID: iowalib

password: trial299

——————————

*Language & Learning category*

*Recorded Books*

*Transparent Language Onlne*:

For more information about this database, go to?

http://www.transparent.com/libraries/language-learning-online.html

To set up a trial, go to–

Transparent Language Online Trial

Please feel free to try all the resources now!

——————————

*Goal:*

The goal of this RFP process has been to get good value for good, usable products, and to enhance vendor competition in our State; we believe this package meets those goals. The contract for EBSCOhost ends June 30, 2017 and was not renewable. Per state rules, we had to go out for bid for a new statewide database contract for EBSCOhost to begin July 1, 2017.

*Pricing:*

The cost formula for public libraries will = $25 base fee + ( .06 Cents X Per capita per your libraries’ 2010 Census or Special Census) This is a one cent increase in the per capita fees.

*Example:*

So If your library has a reported Census 2010 of 1,000 people; you will pay

25 dollars + (.06 Cents X 2010 Census) = $85.00 *Q and A Sessions*

We will be holding two Q & A sessions this week in our Zoom online meeting room on these dates:

   1.

   *Tuesday May 16th* at 10-11 AM Room link: https://zoom.us/j/892445587

   2.

   *Wednesday May 17th* at 2-3 PM Room link: https://zoom.us/j/892445587

To access these meetings simply click on the link above and it will prompt you to download the Zoom client and then you will be directed to the Zoom room. We will open this room approximately 30 minutes before the meeting start time.

*Questions?*

If you have any concerns or questions regarding this change or the zoom meetings get in touch with Jay Peterson at the State Library of Iowa Toll Free: 1-800-248-4483 Email: jay.peterson@iowa.gov

Also feel free to contact your district office with any questions as well and we will make sure your question gets to the right person.

Thanks for your consideration.

*Jay Peterson* Library Consultant

*State Library of Iowa* | Des Moines Office

The new YS furniture is here and looks (and feels) amazing. It’s temporarily being stored in the west meeting room entryway. Check it out if you have time (and there’s not a meeting).

As of the last week of April, my divorce was final. I would like to thank everyone that has taken the time to ask me if I’m okay or share a kind word/note/gift. The last few years (and months in particular) have been difficult for my family. I’m sure Brad, Daisy, Mary Ellen and I have somethings to figure out, but I am confident that things are changing for the better at home. As for work: I’m looking forward to less crying in my office and more Promoting creativity. Inspiring Creativity. Engaging Community. I am so grateful to work with such and understanding group. Thanks again for everything. 

Please send this out to all of your staff and make sure they are very alert and aware of suspicious emails today/this week.  Do NOT click on any links in any emails that look suspicious.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/blockbuster-wannacry-malware-could-just-be-getting-started-experts-n759356

Mark Kacmarynski

Kadeth, Inc.

mark@kadeth.com

Please turn in your completed time sheets on or before Thursday, May 11, if possible. Make sure to double-check your hours against your scheduled hours in When to Work. 

Thanks,

Peg

The copier’s credit card reader is now active. The machine has a minimum charge of 25 cents. Patrons with a single 15 cent copy or print job can use their card but will be charged 25 cents.

Per Jo, the crazy beagle was returned to her owner this morning.

A message from the city’s IT contractor:

Attention,

If you would send out an email to everyone ASAP in your Office to warn them to NOT open any Google Doc files from anyone unless you know 100 percent it is legit. There is virus spreading via email today and I wanted to warn you of this. Could be from anyone, but currently seems to be going around the public schools in Iowa and also state agencies.

Thanks!

Mark

Mark Kacmarynski

Kadeth, Inc.

mark@kadeth.com

The Des Moines Symphony is holding an open rehearsal next Friday May 12th at 7 PM at the Civic Center in downtown Des Moines.  If you and others would like to attend, I need to know the name of each person attending so I can sign them up.  The deadline for signing guests up is in the evening on the 11th.  Repertoire is Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1, Bolero by Ravel, Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis, and American Gothic by Michael Daugherty. 

The library has purchased three bike locks. They will be kept behind the Circulation Desk. Locks will be loaned by collecting a photo ID or library card. There is a basket to store the library cards or photo IDs near the locks. Please ask if you have questions.

Hey all, 

Printing directly from the USB port on the Public Printer has been disabled. From here on out, if patrons want to print from a USB, they will need to sign on to one of our public computers. 

Patrons ARE still able to scan directly to their USB from our public printer. 

Thanks. Please ask Beth if you have questions. 

Not everyone likes to run or even jog – ugh, think of your knees people!.  Some prefer the benefits of walking and the ability to carry on a conversation at the same time.

Therefore, Missy, Jessica and Peg are inviting any and all walkers to join us in the 5K for Karen Run/Walk on Friday June 16th.

Missy and Jess plan to come up with a clever t-shirt to identify us walking librarians. We’ll start as a group and finish as a group – Walkers Unite! Unless, of course, you prefer to walk faster than us and therefore you’ll finish before us.

Let one of know you’re interested and we’ll include you in the details.

Registration for the race is $25 prior to race day and $30 on race day.  

Peg

The first pot light in the art gallery was leaking today during the rain. Looking at this weekend’s weather, It may leak more. If it does, place a bucket under it along with the wet floor sign. I’ll call about it Monday.

If you are free the weekend of May 13-14, the Des Moines Symphony is presenting their final concert set of the season then.  We will be playing American Gothic by Michael Daugherty, Symphonic Metamorphosis by Carl Maria Von Weber, Saint-Seans Cello Concerto No. 1, and Ravel’s Bolero.  Matt Haimovitz will be the soloist.  Concerts are at 7:30 on the 13th, and 2:30 on the 14th. 

The schedule for next season is now available online, and one program that wasn’t on the website the last time I looked is the Harry Potter program. 

Due to some of the recent behavior incidents at the library, I’ve asked the police chief to provide extra police presence in and around the building. If you haven’t already, you’ll likely notice more police walk-throughs and drive-throughs over the next few weeks. Kenny Egan, the sergeant in charge of the officers patrolling the library, has given his cell number for library staff to use whenever there’s an incident. (He says a direct call will make their response time quicker.) Feel free to call Kenny, the PD’s non-emergency number, or 911 when you need to report an incident.

Kenny Egan                     515-720-8874

PD Non-Emergency            515-278-2345

Dell is sending a technician this morning/early afternoon to replace a faulty tape drive.  This will probably require shutting down the Polaris server for fifteen minutes or so.  Lori F. and I will work with Circ staff to use offline mode at the Circ Desk.  The library’s web site and the Polaris client will be unavailable during the maintenance window.

We’ll let you know when the technician arrives.

Update: The tape drive has been replaced. Thanks to everyone for your cooperation and patience during the downtime.

I attended a meeting this morning to hear about changes to the summer lunch program that has been offered at the library the past few summers. 

The Johnston Schools have signed up for a USDA program that provides funding for summer lunches. The USDA requires that the lunches be served in a location near the homes of kids that receive free and reduced lunch. The library does not meet this requirement. This summer, the lunch will be located across the street at Chapel Ridge (exact location to be determined). 

More details forthcoming.