Author: Eric Melton

The Tech Services Assistant Librarian position has been posted on the bulletin board next to the mailboxes.

I am excited to announce that Molly Mauer has accepted the position of Assistant Director. Molly has been director of the Kling Public Library in Grundy Center since 2012 and has a background in English literature and Spanish Language. She will start July 20th. 

FYI – art and display items will be moving in and out of the library through June 1.

Saturday, May 23 Maurice Murenzi will pick up his art. It is gathered around my desk area.

Tuesday, May 26 or soon after, Mary Steinberg will be in to pickup her art. I will have it gathered and wrapped as she brought it into the library. She is older and uses a walker, so please offer assistance to her vehicle.

Next week Max Wiese and Richard Hoidahl will pick up their display items before May 29.

We’ll be upgrading to the latest version of Polaris on Thursday, September 24th.  I’ll share details about the changes we can expect to see when the date is closer and I’m more certain as to which version we’ll be installing.

Maddie Gregurek has brought in her winning history day project for display.  You will see it right away as it is 4 feet tall in our music/black chair sitting area.

It is on “Leadership and Legacy through History.” 

We will be also hosting a second display coming later this week.  There will be signs on top of both displays detailing who they are and what the project is about.

It will be with us until June 1^st.

Cheryl

Please turn in your timesheet today, Wednesday, May 13th.

Thank you!

Missy

Hello Super Nice, Super Intelligent Staff, 

I have a favor to ask. On Saturday, June 27th the library is going to host a tabletop board game program from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Youth Services has some games we are going to borrow, including Apples to Apples, Twister, Bingo, Picturesque, Trivial Pursuit, Chess, Jenga, Clue, Sorry and Uno. Sheila has also kindly agreed to let us use her copy of Settlers of Cattan. 

If you have board games that are intact, i.e. not missing pieces, that you would be willing to let us borrow for a day, please email beth back with a list of the games. I don’t actually need them here until the date gets closer, but I would like to start assembling a list of games that can be included in the program description. 

I will also copy this message in an email to everyone so that it is easier just to hit “reply.”

Thank you in advance for your generosity. 

Beth

Jo has asked me to announce that she’s accepted a job offer elsewhere and will be leaving us. Her last day here at the library will be June 1st. Her skills and dedication will be missed. News about a farewell event forthcoming.

Brunch is coming soon.  If you forget what you have agreed to bring, please let me know as I know have the list. 
Here is our list of volunteers that will be attending:

Polly Munck

Phylis McElrath

Andee Vocelka

Ann LeMaster

Sue Sellers

Rita Samuelson

Helen Robinson

Janene Parks

Dagmar Scheel

Houria Rebahi

Some last minute problems have delayed the firewall install scheduled for today. If all goes as planned it will be installed Friday morning.

As you could probably guess, I am in need of round oatmeal containers (empty) with their plastic lids.  The good people at DSM Astronomical Society will be doing a craft for us on July 16th called “Heroes of the Heavens.”  This program will be all about the constellations…so she will be using these containers for that.

Also – if you know where to find a long arm punch – please let me know.  Thanks – Cheryl

We have a box of various items that were lost during Kites on the Green.  There is not room out front with other lost and found items so I’m keeping the box in the 2nd office on the desk if people are wondering if we’ve found anything from that day.

Cheryl

Children under 14 can’t check out or place holds on Learning Tools.  We’ve had a couple of incidents where kids had holds on Learning Tools, and when I researched how this came to be, I found that they were holds placed by staff members.  So far we were able to check out the tools to the parent accompanying the child, but if the child doesn’t bring his parent with him, he’ll be disappointed to go home without his Learning Tool.

When the screen pops up to remind you that the child has exceeded his holds on Learning Tools (i.e., he’s not allowed to have any holds on Learning Tools), be sure to click No and place the hold on the parent’s card instead.

The Circ Dept. will now be creating the Staff Picks bookmark and display.  As you read, listen to or add adult and YA titles to your to-read list, please take a moment to add them to Staff Picks.  We’l compile the list from there.  Thanks!

Please turn in your timesheet today.

Thanks

Want to be sure everyone has seen information from West Des Moines Library about their new Driver’s License kiosk as we may be getting inquiries:

Fellow Central Iowa librarians – just a heads up.  Starting next week (DOT willing and the creek don’t rise…), WDM Library will be hosting a DOT License Renewal kiosk.  Info below.  I’ve also put it on our social media feeds. 

 Since our patrons seem to think we’re all the same library, I wanted to be sure you all got a heads up that this is at WDMPL.

Link for further details:  http://www.wdmlibrary.org/2015/04/license-renewal/

Some new benches have been installed outside the library. Within the next few weeks, new bike racks and planters will be put in place. Late summer or early fall, new tables with umbrellas will arrive. When complete, the layout will look similar to the design shown below.

Our new chip card reader has been installed at the Circ. desk. For all credit card transactions, continue to swipe the card, enter the amount, etc. on our older, larger reader. Use the chip reader only if prompted to insert the credit card into the chip reader. Leave the card in the reader until prompted to remove it. 

Early next week, Public Works will be removing a small panel of concrete outside the Commons exit to access a wire that needs repaired.  

Our new hours (M-Th: 9-8, F-Sat: 9-5:30, Sun: 1-5) will start Monday, June 29th.