Author: Eric Melton
Art Gallery
After several months hiatus, there is a new show in the art gallery. Several of the pieces are available for purchase. As with any show in the JPL gallery, interested buyers should contact the artist directly. Her email address is lawson.e.emily@gmail.com
Nice words from the new Urbandale Library Director
After a conversation on an unrelated topic, Nicholas, the newish director at Urbandale, sent these nice words. Keep up the good work!
We just completed our public survey as part of our strategic planning process. We received lots of comments from patrons telling us to “be more like the Johnston Library” and “take lessons from the Johnston Library.” You have set a high standard in Johnston!
Thanks!
Nicholas Janning, Library Director
City of Urbandale
Flu shot coupon for all staff and their families
If you need a flu-shot, the coupon linked below is good for a free shot for yourself and anyone in your family at the Johnston Hy-Vee Pharmacy. One coupon needed per family.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a5tUqeYAxsGEkJ4QBj8ci8duL-cXfMS8/view?usp=sharing
Pharmacy Hours:
8 a.m.-8p.m. Mon.-Fri.
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday
City of Johnston Employee Newsletter
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Large Meeting Room
We had our first big public meeting in the large meeting room yesterday. This is the first time in many months that such a large group has used the space. A couple reminders: Prior to these types of meetings, please make sure that the tables are clean, that the white boards are wiped and have markers and erasers, that the trash bins are not overflowing from a previous meeting that day, and that items from library programs are removed from the space. Thanks.
Blockbuster films now available ono Kanopy
Up to now, the collection of films available via Kanopy, the streaming video service we offer to cardholders who live in Johnston, has primarily included award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, and indie and classic films. They’ve recently “partnered with more major film studios like Warner Brothers, MGM, and Lionsgate…to provide…access to hundreds of blockbusters, box office hits, and must-see award-winning films.” You can browse the Kanopy collection here. Login with the email and password included below.
info@johnstonlibrary.com
123Johnston
Nice words from a patron
Eric,
Thank you for all the special summer programs that were enjoyed by everyone in our family. The grab and go kits for various ages were especially popular with our Kdgn. grandson and 14 month old granddaughter. We could tell others were hooked on those activities, too, because several times the kits were all gone quite early in the time block. What a good idea to have the children’s activities broken down into various age brackets. We also enjoyed the storywalk and hope to see more of those scheduled.
All winter/spring I looked forward to the monthly grab and go card kits. And this fall, I appreciate receiving the reminder notices and the ability to have a kit available on the hold shelf if I can’t make the scheduled Sunday afternoon card crafting group.
The library has been a lifesaver during the pandemic and we’ve certainly taken advantage of the curbside pickups. We were reading on skype each week with a grandson in Washington and always had lots of Johnston library books to share with him.
We appreciate the many opportunities you are providing to our community.
Louila and Alan Bjork and family
Scooter Locks
In addition to the bike locks we loan from the circulation desk (stored below the video games), we now have six zip-tie style locks for locking scooters. As with the bike locks, these new locks can be loaned by collecting a photo ID, library card, keys, or some other form of collateral that can be stored in the red basket next to the locks.
Iowa Living Magazine Award
JPL was voted “Favorite Northwest Polk County Library” by Iowa Living Magazine readers for the second year in a row! The award will be featured in the October issue of the Johnston Living magazine. Congrats everyone!
Project Iowa
A staff member from Project Iowa reached out to me last week. We had a brief conversation today about their job training services. Project Iowa is a nonprofit organization that currently offers free, 8-week job training courses that include individual evaluation of class member’s goals as well as resume, interview, and job search help. Classes are currently all virtual although they can loan laptops and hotspots to those without. (I mentioned that we, but maybe not all libraries, would be able to accommodate attendees with webcams, private rooms, and computer access.) We should be receiving some brochures soon.
I pointed out that many of the job seekers that we see are looking for employment sooner rather than later and may not have the luxury of attending an 8-week course before getting down to applying for a particular job. This did not come as a surprise to her. She brought up the idea of partnering on a workshop where attendees could get a sense of what the organization offers and could get hands-on help if needed. She is going to discuss it with other staff and get back to us.
In short, Project Iowa may be a good place to refer someone who doesn’t need a job right away, who has the time to attend a 90 minute course, 4-days/week, for 8 weeks and who could use help figuring out the type of job they want and how to get it.
You can learn more about Project Iowa via the link below.
https://www.projectiowa.org/programs
Timesheets due Thursday
Please have your timesheet completed with PARs attached and placed in the green folder outside Eric’s office by 8 pm Thursday.
As always, double-check that the hours on your timesheet match When to Work. If they don’t, please speak with your supervisor. If there are last minute changes, you may always send me an email and tell me that your timesheet is correct or that WTW is correct or whatever.
New Research Links
Several new links related to Iowa history have been added to the website’s research page. Links and descriptions are included below.
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Annals of Iowa
The Annals of Iowa is published quarterly by the State Historical Society of Iowa, the Historical Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the State of Iowa.
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Iowa Digital Library
The Iowa Digital Library features more than a million digital objects created from the holdings of the University of Iowa Libraries and its campus partners. Included are illuminated manuscripts, historic maps, fine art, historic newspapers, scholarly works, and more.
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Iowa Digital Newspapers
A number of Iowa newspapers have been digitized from the microfilms in the State Historical Society of Iowa’s collection and made available by online.
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The Goldfinch
The Goldfinch : Iowa History for Young People was published quarterly by the State Historical Society of Iowa from 1975-2000. It is an Iowa history magazine for children, ages 8 to 13. Each issue focuses on a theme (ranging from Immigrants to Diaries, from Home and Family to Iowa’s Kid Heroes) and includes articles, games, photos, and fiction.
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The Palimpsest
The Palimpsest was a historical magazine published the State Historical Society of Iowa beginning in 1920 until it was renamed Iowa Heritage Illustrated in 1996. The last issue of The Palimpsest was vol.76 no.4, Winter 1995. It was published monthly from 1920-1972, bimonthly from 1973-1985, and quarterly after 1986.
Copier credit card transactions
We’ve had a couple of patrons complain recently about the $10 pre-authorization/hold placed on their accounts when using their credit card at the copier/printer. This hold disappears immediately when the transaction is completed–i.e. when the print job is paid for. The only time the hold will continue to show on their account for a period of time is when their card is declined, the machine times out, or the transaction is otherwise not completed. In those cases, the hold will remain on their account until a nightly process finalizes the days transactions. I’ve included some more information about pre-authorizations below.
An authorization or pre-authorization hold occurs when a merchant verifies that sufficient funds are available in your account for an electronic transaction. They put a temporary lock on a certain amount of your balance until you settle the payment. This appears as a pending charge on your account.
When you make a transaction with your credit or debit card, the funds are not transferred immediately. The transfer only occurs when the merchant submits a batch of transactions to the bank. This can take several days, meaning authorization holds are essential for merchants to protect against losses.
Preauthorizations are common with payments for hotel bookings, car rentals, and petrol purchases at self-pay pumps. The hold can sometimes be more expensive than the total amount due. Merchants can place multiple holds or hold a predetermined amount, which acts as a type of security deposit. For example, hotels may use them to cover potential damage or incidental costs like room service or mini-bar items.
-Source: https://www.brex.com/learn/corporate-card/what-is-credit-card-hold/
Food for Fines Starts Saturday
This morning, patrons with over $5 in fines will receive a message like the one shown below. You may receive calls from patrons with questions about their fines and about food-for-fines.
Eric Melton,
Pay your overdue fees with non-perishable food items September 11-19.
One food item pays $1 in fees. Fees for damaged or lost items cannot be paid with food and are not included in the amount listed below.
Your current fees eligible for payment via food for fines:
$126.70
Staff
Johnston Public Library
515-278-5233
Timesheets due
Please have your timesheet completed with PARs attached and placed in the green folder outside Eric’s office by 8 pm today.
As always, double-check that the hours on your timesheet match When to Work. If they don’t, please speak with your supervisor. If there are last minute changes, you may always send me an email and tell me that your timesheet is correct or that WTW is correct or whatever.
Library Annual Report to City Council
Per the city ordinance, the library must submit an annual report to the city council after the end of each fiscal year. Kelly McAlister, the current board president, presented the report at the city council work session last night. A link to the report is included below.
https://board.johnstonlibrary.com/2021-08/10%20FY21%20Annual%20Report%20to%20Council.pdf
Iowa vs Iowa State
Feel free to wear your Iowa or Iowa State shirts or colors this Friday & Saturday.
Meeting Room AV Controls Documentation
Documentation for the meeting room AV controls can be found via the path included below.
P:Public ServicesHow toHow to Control Large Meeting Room AV Controls.docx
Rolling cart
Kris from the Tiffin Public Library is coming today or tomorrow to pick up the cart shown below. It’s near the shredding bin outside my office.
City of Johnston Employee Newsletter
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