Author: Eric Melton

The IRS is only offering forms 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ. I have received notice that the 1040A & 1040EZ were mailed on 1/23/15 and we can expect to receive them no later than 2/9/15. We hope to receive the reproducible packet as well. Until these items arrive, please direct patrons to the IRS website www.irs.gov.

Your 2014 W2 form is now in your mailbox.

Today, Tech Services started pulling video game display cases and coordinating game disc cases for the relabeling project.  Plan is to move this forward as quickly as possible.

Thanks,

Jo

Just as a quick reminder, we do not host social events at the library.  Here is a short version that captures the main points – please let me know if you have questions.  Cheryl

We are currently withdrawing most 2013 magazines.  Withdrawn magazines are bundled and placed in The Commons for purchase at $2.00 a bundle.  Money collected from the sale of magazine bundles is then placed in the foundation bag.

Circ staff may at times find stacks of magazines on a red cart behind the circ desk that are ready to be withdrawn.  These magazines need to have a line drawn through both barcodes and “Withdrawn” stamped on the pink property label. Your help with this process is very appreciated!

Please note: we do not set aside or save magazine bundles for patrons.  This policy also applies to newspapers.

Thank you,

Sheryl

Hello,

Please turn in your timesheet today, Wednesday, January 21st.

Thank you,

Missy

National Read-A-Thon Day is this Saturday, January 24th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. National Read-A-Thon Day is intended to raise awareness about literacy and love of reading. The Read-a-thon is sponsored by the National Book Foundation, who’s mission is to expand the audience for literature in America and promote literacy. Here at the library, this will mean providing a space (the library) for people to read. 

http://nationalbook.org/2015_readathon.html#.VL7tH9LF98E

We have a poster for it up by the Reference Desk that mentions raising funds. The library will not be involved in fundraising, however, if an indivisual would like to get involved they can go to the website below or #TimeToRead on Twitter. 

I made a few changes to the cash register buttons to align better with reports we can obtain from Polaris.

• All Polaris charges (fines, replacement fees, damaged items, lost cards, ILL fees) are to be entered into the register using the new “POLARIS” button.  Polaris will keep track of the various categories so we do not need the register to do this for us.  While the register button is labeled “POLARIS,” the customer will see “LIBRARY CHARGE” on his receipt.
• Discontinue using the “Lost Cards” and “Replacement” buttons.  I have removed the labels from these buttons.
• The FAX button will now display as “FAX” on the customer receipt.  (It has been displaying “PHOTO COPIES.”)
• The “PRINTER COPIES,” “AV RENTALS,” and “OTHER” buttons are still available for you to use.

Dreama

If you ever see/hear of a family in need of assistance, here is a sheet full of information that can assist them in getting started with the Johnston Food Pantry. 

It lives below under “Community Resources.”

Here is a direct link

Please send me times (outside of your regular schedule but on the clock) over the next couple of weeks that you’d like to tour the Tech Lab. The tour will take about an hour.

Three Circ staff have new e-mail addresses:

Lori E. – elrick@johnstonlibrary.com

Lori F. – french@johnstonlibrary.com

Peg – rasmussen@johnstonlibrary.com

Please update your contacts and distribution lists.

Dreama

I installed a new Station 11 that uses the Windows 7 operating system. 

Station 7 experienced hard drive failure earlier this week, so I have temporarily moved old Station 11 (a Windows XP PC) to Station 7’s carrel while I repair Station 7.

This leaves us with Stations 12 and (temporary) 7 still using Windows XP.  All other public PCs (including YS PCs) use the Windows 7 operating system.

Dreama

Some staff have reported problems hanging up the handset on the new phones because the phone sits nearly upright.  You can change the angle of the phone by following Dave’s directions provided below.  You’ll have to unplug the two cables to put the base back on.

“While looking at the front push the gray base to the left … it will release.

Then spin the base upside down and move it up to a different set of four holes

The phone will lay back farther then.”

If you need any assistance, let me know.

Dreama

SirsiDynix was setup to block the placing of holds on expired patron accounts. Polaris is not configured with this restriction. If an expired patrons asks to have a hold placed for them (via phone, email, or whatever), place the hold but remind them that they will need to renew their account before being allowed to checkout materials.

Keep in mind, that this does not apply to ILL requests. Because of the time and expense involved in obtaining items from other libraries, patrons need to have active accounts before requesting an item via ILL.

To assist our patrons, we have put a “Tax Help” Navigation button on our website.  It is the last choice in the navigation.  Here is a direct link.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Cheryl

Most of the equipment and software in the Tech Lab is set up. The VCR and cassette deck were donated from Pioneer’s auditorium. I assumed they worked and (stupidly) never tested them -they don’t work. Replacements have been ordered and will be installed in the next 7-10 days. Once these pieces are in place, Tech Services, YS, and Circ. staff who are interested can schedule a time outside of their regular hours to try things out and ask questions. 

Hello!

Please turn in your timesheet today, Wednesday, January 7th.

Thank you,

Missy

We are shifting the YA Fiction.  The shelving will begin after the Adult/YA Biographies and scattered throughout the collection will be 6 display shelves.

Dreama

We had a little Christmas tree contest (made of book covers) going on this month. Today we drew the winner out. Maddie Martin will receive a Barnes & Noble gift card. Her father was notified today (12/31) and she was told to pick up her prize at the Youth Services desk.