Author: Eric Melton

Just a refresher that per library policy, library records are confidential. That means that we should not be releasing the specific titles from the circulation record to anyone but the cardholder. The cardholder is the person holding the card or the person showing a photo ID that matches the account. If man has his spouse’s card, he has access to the account.

The policy does allow us to release overdue titles to the parents or guardians of minors without the library card in hand. That means that we can release titles to the mother of a 16-year-old if the items in question are overdue and she is trying to find them or she wants to know what they are before she pays. Polaris will show the 16-year-old as an adult, but minor means anyone under 18.

The Confidentiality Policy is on the Intranet if you have any questions. I also have some “fun” links I can share if anyone is interested in more information on the subject.

The Library Board met last Thursday. I’ve highlighted some of what was discussed below.

• Revision to the Conduct In the Library Policy discussed at the most recent staff meeting was approved. More information regarding an effective date forthcoming.
• The openings to the staff area behind the checkout desk mean there is no way to completely block the staff area from the public area in the event of a physical threat or some other emergency. We received a quote last April for installing doors between the checkout desk and the staff area. The board gave the go-ahead on the project. The doors will be held open with magnetic latches. Staff will be able to close both doors with a push of one of the buttons that will be installed inside each entry. Work will begin sometime this fall or early winter.
• Walsh door recently serviced the Commons exit doors. The mechanism between the push-bar and the latch at the bottom tends to get dirty and cause the doors to stick open. Walsh did some adjustments and lubrication and things seems to be working well.
• We received another notice from Century Link, the Internet service provider for our public Internet, that our network was being used for illegal downloads and our service may be discontinued if further violations occur. In response, we’ve limited BitTorrent traffic to 250kbps. We’ll place signs on tables and in the PC carrels that summarize copyright law and that also say that we’ll work with (i.e. Remove bandwidth caps for) those with a legitimate use for BitTorrent.
• We recently received three 4G hotspots from Mobile Beacon, a nonprofit whose mission is to help others provide internet access. The hotspots cost $10 each. Each hotspot requires an annual contract that includes unlimited monthly data for $120 annually. We will soon begin checking out the hotspots from our Learning Tools collection to allow those without internet access at home or on the road to stay connected.

This Thursday, we will be upgrading to version 5.1, Service Pack 1 of Polaris.  We’ll start the upgrade around 7 a.m., and we hope to be finished by 11:00 a.m.

The changes will be minor and include:

• The number of linked items will appear in the bib header

• The patron registration block will be removed immediately after you update the expiration date.  Prior to the upgrade, staff either have to remove the block manually or wait for it to be cleared in overnight processing.
• When a missing part is checked in, the block will be cleared no matter the circulation status.  Prior to the upgrade, the missing part block remains if the status changes to On Hold.
• There is a new report that will help us identify ILL items on hold that were not picked up by patrons.  At present, ILL transactions are not included on the unclaimed holds report.  They still won’t be after the upgrade, but they will appear in a separate report that Technical Services will run.

Hey all, 

An impromptu gathering for JPL staff has spontaneously developed–much like a summer storm. 

All are welcome and invited to meet for dinner and/or drinks at Fletcher’s in Ankey this Thursday, August 18 at 6:30ish. 

Link to the restaurant is here: http://www.the-fletcher.com/ and the address is 1802 N Ankeny Blvd #100, Ankeny, IA 50023.

This is casual, come-if-you-can, but only if you want, thing. 

Hope to see you there. 

Also, for those with a refined palete, the link to the Register’s review is here: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2016/04/21/restaurant-dahls-ankeny-elwell/83356432/

Lisa Cooper, an active Friend of the library and a Foundation board member recently lost her mother. Karla has put a card in the break room for those who wish to sign it.

Eric

Materials that go out of the building on the book bike will be shown as available in the PAC but will have a location of “Book Bike”. This location is temporary and will be reset once the books return–either on the bike or via the patron who checked them out. 

The Commons exit doors are sticking and being blown open by the building’s air pressure. They will be serviced soon. Until then, please pull on the doors at close to ensure they’re latched. 

Julie and Rachel put everything away today! Thanks to everyone for the amazing shelving this summer!

A number of employees are receiving letters today from IPERS.  Here’s the information from Ann:

In July, there were 3 pay periods. IPERS was paid on the second pay period, and then again with an adjustment report on the third, totaling all employee’s wages for the month of July.

Anytime there is an adjustment made, IPERS is required to send out the letters to all employees that were reported. Our IPERS balance is at $0.00, so we do not owe anything further until August reporting.

Please tell all employees to disregard the letter that is sent to them from IPERS regarding contributions due. All employee contributions are paid up for the month of July.

Thanks,

Ann Wanders 

Payroll Accounting Clerk

Next week will be the last week for Kate and Michelle. They are both off to school around August 15th. Kate’s last day is Friday the 12th and Michelle’s last day will be Wednesday the 10th. We will miss them, but I know they are off to do great things! Wish them well if you get the chance!

Woot woot–Adult Summer Reading is O-V-E-R. 

Prizes have been drawn and winners have been called. The three grand prize winners’ gifts are in Beth’s office–their names are attached to the prizes and the smaller gift cards are locked up in the red folder behind the Reference desk in the drawer labeled Proctored Files. 

The key for this locked drawer is in the drawer to the right of the Ref computer labeled “Reference.” 

For any prize winners, please mark off their name on the sheet in the red folder when prizes are picked up.

Thanks! 

The trial/grace period for the Conduct in the Library Policy, which will be voted on by the Library Board in August, will begin today. Laminated copies are at the public services and youth services desks. Additional copies can be printed from the “Printables” menu on the intranet. 

During this trial/grace period, staff will provide a copy of the document to offenders and briefly explain the policy and the consequences that will follow, including caregiver notification if applicable.

Circulation staff: If you witness behavior that needs staff intervention, please notify public or youth services staff.

Sheila sent me this amazing video of older adults trying out the virtual reality headset we recently purchased that will soon be available for patrons to try inside the library. The participants’ reactions are great and the settings/games shown are truly unbelievable. I can’t wait for us to offer this to Johnston residents! 

Note: Some of the language is not safe for work (but is hilarious).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFsMYRsWglA

Art In the Barn tickets are now available for purchase from the black binder at the circ. desk or online at art.johnstonlibrary.com Tickets are $20 each. Art In the Barn is Friday, September 23rd, 5:30pm-8:30pm. Details at http://foundation.johnstonlibrary.com/?page=art-in-the-barn

We had too many exciting things to talk about at today’s all-staff meeting. The items listed below got squeezed out but please read through them and take a look at the links.

WHOTV will stop by the library this morning to film a story about the library’s new book bike that will air sometime tonight. 

Please do not get into the display cases and add items, move items etc. unless you have permission from the person who is displaying in the case.

The items in the cases are very valuable to the owners, and I always tell them that once the items are locked in the cases only the owner of the collection or I get inside the cases.

Thank you,

Karla

Question to all – would I really rock your world if I were to alphabetize the staff mailboxes?  If not, would you prefer by first name or last name?  Stop by the Ref Desk or send me an email to let me know your vote.

Thanks,

Peg