Author: Eric Melton

Two new online research resources are now available on the Research page of our website. Both can be accessed remotely or in the library.

• Academic Search Premier

  A multi-disciplinary database of more than 4,600 magazines and journals, including full text for nearly 3,900 peer-reviewed titles. In addition to the full-text, this database offers indexing and abstracts for 8,470 journals.

• Masterfile Premier

  Contains full text for nearly 1,700 periodicals covering general reference, business, health, education, general science, multicultural issues and much more.

Just a reminder that we will close at 4pm next Wednesday and will be closed Thursday and Friday.

We have a new box of welcome brochures that need folded as you have time when working the checkout desk. The two ends fold inward toward the middle.

As I mentioned at the most recent staff meeting, we are restarting the “all-desk services” trainings that were paused throughout the pandemic. These trainings–for PS, YS, and Circulation staff–are intended to give everyone a better sense of the services and resources we offer to help staff provide better service. There will be multiple opportunities to complete each training and we will work with staff to schedule trainings at times that work best for you. Some of the trainings will be one-on-one while others will be done with a small group. Feel free to reach out to the staff member responsible for a given training to figure out a training time that works. If you’d like to attend a training during your regular shift, please consult your supervisor first to ensure coverage.

To view the trainings and to see which ones you’ve completed, click on the “All-Desk Services Trainings” link next to your name in the staff list (linked below).

Staff List

The Library Foundation met Wednesday to discuss their 2022 budget which begins in January. In addition to continuing to fund LinkedIn Learning and our BookPage subscription, they have agreed to fund a collection of decodable books for the library’s Beginning Reader collection as well as a shade structure for the west patio (design shown below).  The shade structure will be installed sometime in the spring following replacement of the patio concrete.

The Johnston Public Library Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to enhance and improve the Johnston Public Library.” Foundation Board members work to generate community support for collection development, programs, and technology initiatives that are beyond the means of the Library’s operating budget.

The Parks Department has been levelling a spot east of the parking lot for installation of the temporary ice rink that’s been near the library the past couple of winters. The rink will not have a cooling mechanism so the condition of the ice will be dependent on the temperature. In addition to this rink, there will a rink at the Town Center with artificial ice opening November 27th. Skate rental will be available at the Town Center rink for $5. (I’m working with Venuworks, the company that manages activities at the Town Center, to add three skate passes to our Adventure Pass program.) More information on the Town Center rink is available on the City’s website.

Veterans Day is next Thursday. The library will be closed. I’ve included a summary of holiday pay for full- and part-time staff below.

• Part time staff not regularly scheduled more than twenty hours weekly will not receive holiday pay (even if you come to work on Christmas 🙂 )
• Part time staff who are regularly scheduled 20-30 hours per week and who are also scheduled to work on a paid holiday can take as paid the hours that they’re regularly scheduled to work. If Jim is scheduled to work 6 hours on Christmas, for example, he can take 6 hours of holiday pay.
• Full time staff may need to adjust their schedules (take days off some other day(s) that pay period- 11/7-11/20) to ensure that their paid holiday hours don’t push them into overtime.

Find more Holidays and Closings on the website.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

It looks like a crew has started work on the sidewalk that will connect the west parking lot with the playground that will be constructed behind the library sometime in the next several month. I’ve included a drawing of the plan below.

A few days ago I received a request for reconsideration for the book “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe. I’m currently reading it and will meet this week or next with the patron who submitted it. Since the request, two articles about local challenges to this particular title have appeared online–one of them about the challenge here at JPL and the other about a challenge at the Waukee School District. As you know, withdrawing materials based on these kinds of objections flies in the face of the fundamental principles of public librarianship outlined eloquently in ALA’s Freedom to Read Statement. Our Request for Reconsideration Policy states that “the library recognizes that any given item may offend some patrons but will not remove specific titles solely because individuals or groups find them objectionable.” Given the publicity about the challenge, patrons may ask about it. Listen to what they have to say but please don’t give an opinion on the challenge or the book. How librarians respond to these kinds of challenges should not be directed by personal taste. As “The Freedom to Read Statement” states, “Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea…they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what should be… circulated.” If a patron wants to discuss this particular title or our reconsideration policy, refer them to Molly or myself. I’ve included a link to the challenge below as well as one to an interesting article from the author on recent challenges to their book.

Request for Reconsideration – Gender Queer

Opinion: Schools are banning my book. But queer kids need queer stories.

When creating an event that requires registration you’ll now see an option that allows patrons to indicate if they want to attend in-person or pickup the program’s supplies to go.

Now that most patron accounts that had their expiration dates extended due to the pandemic have been renewed, we’ve decided to do away with the online renewal option. Patrons with expiring accounts will receive the updated notice included below.

The library updates user accounts every two years. Your Johnston Public Library account will expire in 30 days. Either reply to this message, call us at 515-278-5233, or visit the library to verify or update the contact information listed above and renew your account.

I’m aware of a couple of outside building lights that are out including the one outside the staff entrance. I’ve notified Doug, the guy from Public Works who changes our lights, about it but I believe he is still out from a surgery. Until it’s fixed, feel free to leave the workroom lights on when you leave for the night.

The Clive Police Chief notified the Johnston PD yesterday of an interaction Clive officers had with a “First Amendment Auditor“. Some of these “auditors” choose public libraries as a setting for creating videos that try to capture staff reacting in a way that the “auditor’s” online audience perceives as violating first amendment rights. If it’s clear that a library visitor is attempting an “audit” and is trying to bait you into saying or doing something that they can use to paint the library in a bad light, ask a supervisor or the librarian in charge for assistance. As long as the “auditor” is in a public area, is not putting themselves or others in danger, and is not interfering with patrons or with library business they have a right to film, record, or photograph.  If they don’t approach you, the best thing to do is to ignore them.

Yesterday, Megan, Beth, and I met with Vickie Merrifield Coordinator of the DMACC’s Adult Literacy Center. I’ve included a description of their services below.

The ALC at DMACC is available for adults who need to improve their reading, writing, and/or speaking skills, as long as an appropriate volunteer is available. We serve adults with dyslexia and/or learning disabilities and new Iowans who can speak English but need to learn to read and write English. Our students enroll because they want to complete high school education, enroll in community college, read to their children, find a job – or a better job, and be more independent. New literacy coaches will receive 2 hours of in-class training and additional online and in-person support in our office on Urban
campus. Volunteer literacy coaches provide one-on-one tutoring for 1 to 1 ½ hours once or twice a week. Coaches are asked to make a one year commitment. Computer-based instruction facilitates learning for both adult students and their volunteer literacy coach. Our literacy coaches meet with their student on any DMACC Campus, at area libraries or other convenient public locations.

Sign up today
Call Vickie Merrifield at 515-248-7517
Or email vlmerrifield@dmacc.edu

The 2022 Holidays & Closings calendar was approved at last week’s board meeting. There are no changes from 2021. View the holidays and closings list via the link below.

An announcement from Overdrive:

At Digipalooza last week, we shared the plan and timeline for sunsetting the legacy OverDrive app. This will enable you to focus on Libby as the primary app for users to enjoy and engage with your digital library.

For the first step, we will remove the OverDrive app from the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Microsoft Store in February 2022.

How this initial change will impact users

• Current OverDrive app users can continue to use the app.
• New users looking for the OverDrive app will be directed to Libby.
• All users can continue to use, borrow, and open titles from your library’s OverDrive website via a browser.

What happens next

We recommend that all partners actively promote Libby and remove references to the OverDrive app from library websites and promotional materials.

In future phases, we will be actively encouraging OverDrive app users to switch to Libby, with a goal of moving most over by the end of 2022. We are committed to supporting a smooth transition for you and your users and will send you ongoing updates on the plans and timing for the eventual retirement of the OverDrive app.

Source:  https://company.overdrive.com/2021/08/09/important-update-regarding-libby-and-the-overdrive-app/

Art walk artists have been notified that their paintings are available for pickup. The paintings are behind the circulation desk. The artists can be allowed behind the desk to find their work.

Early voting for all precincts is on October 26 at Crown Point from 9 am- 3 pm.

The City and Johnston Community school board election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To find your polling place, visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

Precincts 1 and 2 vote at city hall

Precinct 3 votes at Crown Point

Precincts 4 and 5 vote at Stoney Creek

Precinct 6 votes at the library

Polls are open from 7 am – 8pm.

There are ID requirements to vote.

For more information on requesting an absentee ballot, visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. Polk County voters who wish to vote by mail, in the November 2, 2021, City/School Election must have their request into the Polk County Election Office on or before October 18, 2021.

City election candidates:
Mayor (1 to be elected) 2-year term

• Paula Dierenfeld
  

City Council  (At Large – 2 to be elected) 4-year term

• James Evans
• Adam Haar
• Rhonda Martin

Johnston Community School District (At Large – 3 to be elected) 4-year term

• Tiara L. Mays
• Lya S. Williams
• Clint G. Evans
• Deb Davis
• Jeanie Kerber
• Justin Allen
• Derek Tidball