Author: Dreama Deskins

Due to licensing restrictions, we cannot request eBooks and eAudio through interlibrary loan. When patrons ask about accessing an eBook or eAudio that is not available through Bridges, please submit a purchase request.

Patrons may also submit purchase requests through the Libby app or the OverDrive website.

The eBook and eAudio records were not displaying properly in the catalog, so I’ve hidden them from view. Please use the Libby app or the Overdrive web site to search for these titles.

You will still be able to see eBook and eAudio bib records in the Polaris staff client.

I reset the system clock, but it may take up to 24 hours for the building clocks to reflect the correct time.

We did not receive the Sunday Des Moines Register today.

Update: The upgrade is complete. You may resume your use of the Polaris client software. You should have a new Polaris 7.3 shortcut on your PC desktop.

Patrons can access remote databases.

Eric is working on resetting the configuration file for the catalog.

If you have any questions, please let me or Lori F. know.

Update: The upgrade is nearly complete. The software is installed, but Polaris staff have to run a few quality assurance tests before they’ll call the upgrade finished. Circ staff may check materials out on Circ1 and Circ2, but let’s hold off on other Polaris activities until we get the all clear. Our website is up, but the catalog will not work until Eric resets a configuration file. The connection between Polaris and remote databases (like Bridges) is not working yet.

The upgrade to Polaris 7.3 has begun. Please do not open the Polaris client until further notice.

Some or all of the www.johnstonlibrary.com website may not be working. Patrons will not be able to log into Bridges (Overdrive, Libby) or other resources that require a barcode and PIN.

We hope to be back online by 9 a.m.

I sent a message this afternoon to the Sunday Card Crafting Club participants regarding changes we’re making effective January 2023. Below is the text of the message in case you receive questions.

Beginning with the January 2023 card class we are dropping the to-go card kit option and returning to the in-person card class format we had prior to the pandemic. The to-go card kits served the community well when we weren’t able to gather in a meeting space, but we now want to return focus to crafting as a community. As those who have been attending classes this past year can attest, we have a great time together expressing our creativity.

We are also transitioning to a new event registration app. It will more clearly state that this is an adult crafting class for ages 18 or older. We have sharp tools and delicate embellishments that aren’t meant for little fingers. Children will not be allowed in the work space. There will be a make and take child craft in the Youth Services area while card class is in session.

In the spirit of an in-person card class, you must be present to receive a card kit. If you register and then learn you won’t be able to attend, you’ll have the option in the registration app to cancel your registration so that someone from the waitlist can attend in your place. We will no longer allow friends and relatives to pick up kits for you.

If you are still wary of sitting close to other people, we will have seating options for those who want to maintain social distancing.

We will experience some growing pains as we move to the new app. Registration for the January 8th card class will be taken manually. The new event calendar won’t be available until January 2^nd. You can send me a message or you can sign-up for the January session at the December card class.

Note that while we normally meet the first Sunday of each month, New Year’s Day is on Sunday this year, so we’re moving our gathering to the second Sunday – January 8^th. We’ll be back to the first Sunday in February. We’ll also still be meeting from 1:30-3:00 in the West Meeting Room.

The in-person only format will allow us to use class time to offer tips and to give you more opportunities to experiment with stamping, embossing, etc. I know that this change will be an adjustment for all of us, and I appreciate your enthusiastic support of the card crafting club. My team and I are grateful for your kind words and encouragement as we think of ways to inspire your creativity.

I reset the system clock, but it may take up to 24 hours for the building clocks to reflect the correct time.

We’ve been working on organizing supplies. Office and processing supplies will continue to be stored in the TS area, and the cabinets are labeled. Please ask anyone in TS if you need assistance finding something.

Janitorial supplies are stored in the maintenance room behind the Whisper Room.

Copier paper is stored at each copier. Surplus reams and rolls of receipt paper are stored in the staff kitchen.

You can find a list of core supplies at P:Office SuppliesCore Office Supplies.xlsx. This list is a work in progress. Suggestions are welcome.

Use the #Office-Supplies-Needed channel on Slack to report when you take the next to the last of something. The person who places the order will reply to the channel.

All supervisors will continue to order supplies for programs, special projects, etc. If you need supplies that aren’t on the core list, check with your supervisor.

As we grieve the loss of Gloria, please remember that free counseling is available through the Employee Assistance Program. Call 800-327-4692 for confidential service.

Starting with the August card kits, we will be directing patrons to the Reference Desk for pick-up. The thinness of the card kit envelopes is causing the kits to get lost among the thicker books and media on the holds shelves. Patrons are already used to picking up craft kits at the Reference Desk, so this practice will be more consistent for adult craft kits.

I’ve already e-mailed the change to our card craft club mailing list, so there may be some confusion as to where to pick up the July card kits. They are on the holds shelves.

Kits are available for pick-up from noon the day after Sunday Card Crafting Club, and they will remain available for one week. After that, the kits are offered to people on the waiting list.

If you have questions, please see me or Lori French.

At this morning’s staff meeting, I talked about genre headings for picture books. Genre headings describe the form of the item as opposed to subject headings which describe the content.

See this handout for an example of how you can click on a genre heading and then limit the results to picture books. The handout also includes a list of genre headings commonly used for picture books.

People who registered for the Paper Flower craft class may pick up their kits at the Reference Desk.

When Amazon, FedEx, etc. deliver packages via the main entrance, you may place them on the bottom shelf of the Holds cart behind the Circ Desk. If they’re too large or too heavy to fit, you can place them on the floor beside the cart.

Lori Elrick will retrieve the packages once per day, Monday-Friday.

Technical Services has a process for checking in materials that staff order, so it’s important to allow TS to go through that process. Even if a package is addressed to a particular staff member, all packages need to go through TS.

If you are a staff member expecting a package, and you don’t want to wait for TS to check it in, it’s acceptable to take your package and send Lori E. a note that you’ve retrieved it yourself. You can send this message by e-mail or use the #Deliveries-from-UPS-et-al channel on Slack.

If you let a delivery person in through the staff entrance, continue to place items on the workroom counter. You’re also welcome to place any other packages on the workroom counter if that’s more convenient.

TS would still appreciate it if you’d post a quick message to #Deliveries-from-UPS-et-al channel on Slack when you receive a package regardless of whether you put it on the bottom shelf of the holds cart or on the workroom counter.

We appreciate all your help receiving packages!

Some libraries, like the Library of Congress, lend materials with the restriction that our patrons can only use them in our library. Our patrons can make copies of any relevant pages.

Unlike ILL materials that go home with patrons, these in-house use materials can be checked out / checked in an unlimited number of times to allow patrons to return to the library throughout the lending period to read the materials.

When a patron approaches the Circ Desk, please retrieve the item from behind the desk and check it out to the patron. There is a 4-hour limit on each check-out, but this time limit is not enforced. The patron can stay as long as the library remains open to read the material.

When the patron leaves, the patron is to return the item to the desk and let you know whether s/he is ready to have the item returned to the lender or if the patron intends to come back another day to continue reading the material. Either way, please check in the item. If the patron is finished, place the item on the TS shelf. If the patron plans to return, place the item back on the ILL shelf.

If you have any questions about in-house interlibrary loan, please ask Dreama or Lori Elrick.

The Des Moines Register is now being delivered in print only six days a week (Sunday-Friday). We will no longer receive a Saturday newspaper. Home subscribers will have digital access to the Saturday paper. See the full article here.

I reset the system clock, but it may take up to 24 hours for the building clocks to reflect the correct time

Due to recent changes in the U.S. Postal Service, the Wall Street Journal will begin arriving one day after publication effective March 13.

We’re getting ready to weed the 2020 magazines. If you’re interested in receiving any of the withdrawn issues, please let me know the titles, and we’ll set them aside for you.

Two titles have already been claimed: Martha Stewart Living and Sports Illustrated.

Let me know by Saturday, January 15.

Update: The Polaris upgrade to 7.0 has been completed. You should find a Polaris 7.0 shortcut on the desktop. If you have any problems, let Dreama or Lori F. know.

The upgrade to Polaris 7.0 has begun. Please do not open the Polaris client until further notice. We anticipate being back online by 9 a.m.

I reset the system clock, but it may take up to 24 hours for the building clocks to reflect the correct time.