Author: Dreama Deskins

Just a reminder to re-use padded envelopes and boxes when returning materials via the AEA van. There is a blue basket of used padded envelopes near Lori E.’s cubicle (under the picture book labels) that you are free to take.

I encourage you to ask Lori E., Ann, or Lori F. if you need interlibrary mailing supplies. They’ll help you find materials you can re-use. We keep costs down and help the environment by re-using materials as much as possible before delving into our supply of new materials.

Lori F. and I are setting up teen laptops in the East Meeting Room. If our tables are in your way, please let us know.

Publishers Weekly magazine will be shelved with Adult Magazines beginning with the July 5th issue. Previously, this magazine had been routed to staff. Anyone who is still interested in reading the magazine is welcome to check it out.

The daily newspapers did not arrive this morning (Thursday, July 15). Ann is off today, so if the newspapers arrive late, please give them to me to check-in.

We haven’t received USA Today since May 12th. We’ve notified the publisher, and service will resume on May 24th.

We’re now receiving The New York Times daily. It’s arriving by mail, so there may be a one-week lag. I’m not sure yet whether the Sunday edition will arrive by carrier with the Des Moines Register or by mail.

Place any incoming issues of newspapers on the TS shelf in the Circ workroom.

With our re-opening next week, Hot Picks have been returned to their default status — they are not holdable, have a 2 week/1 week checkout, and are not renewable.

Molly has ordered several new items for the collection. Some of these new items went out with the “regular” collection values, but as patrons return them, the items will no longer fill holds requests.

Lori Elrick is our main contact for questions related to book club sets. When patrons (or other libraries) call with questions, please transfer the calls to x619. Lori works Monday-Friday 12-5, so you may want to inform the caller at other times to leave a voicemail. You can also transfer them to x716 if it’s a book club emergency!

Update: The Polaris upgrade is complete. You can use the Polaris staff client as soon as Lori French has installed version 6.7 on your PC.

We’re upgrading from Polaris 6.6 to 6.7 this morning. Please do not use Polaris until the upgrade is complete. However, Circ 1 and the Bouncer laptop are available for offline check-out.

Our estimated completion time is 10 a.m.

I’m pleased to announce that Lori Elrick has accepted the position of Library Associate (Processing). Lori E. used to work in Technical Services, and we are happy to be welcoming her back home. She brings with her a wealth of experience in all things TS and will be able to get off to a fast start.

Lori E. will begin her new job on Monday, April 5th.

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

The latest Windows 10 update caused problems with the Dymo label software. If your label printer is printing blank labels, let me know, and I’ll install a software fix on your PC.

Abbi Waugh has accepted a full-time position as cataloger for the Des Moines Public Library. We are sad to see her leave JPL, but we’re so happy for her. This is a long-time dream realized.

In light of Abbi’s departure on March 18th, we are reorganizing the job responsibilities in TS. We are looking for someone to work as a TS Library Associate (Processing). This person will work Monday-Friday from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. (25 hours).

If you are interested in being interviewed for or if you have questions about this opening, please send me an e-mail. I’ll set up a time for us to talk.

• Job description for Library Associates
• Job tasks for TS Library Associate (Processing)

The deadline for applying for this position is Wednesday, March 17th. Interviews will begin Thursday, March 11th.

Thanks to everyone for the vase of sunshine that just arrived on my doorstep. The flowers are lovely and just what Zig and I needed to brighten our day.

Our volunteer Helen is withdrawing the 2019 magazines. We will not be making them available to the public this year, but if there are any titles or issues that you want, let me know, and I’ll give them to you after we’ve finished removing them from Polaris.

Update: The Polaris update is complete. You can use Polaris once Lori has upgraded your PC to version 6.6.

We’re upgrading from Polaris 6.3 to 6.6 this morning. Please do not use Polaris until the upgrade is complete. Our estimated completion time is 9 a.m.

We in TS appreciate everyone’s help opening the staff door for deliveries and receiving packages at the main entrance. Everyone does a great job putting the packages on the workroom counter. Sometimes, though, we’re not aware that packages have been dropped off. If you direct a delivery person to the counter or put a package there yourself, please say something to Lori French or Dreama if Lori isn’t in. If neither of us is in, you can message us on Slack at #deliveries-from-ups-et-al. We’ll take it from there!

Ann LeMaster has returned to her birth name – Ann Brown.

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

The printer of John Grisham’s new book, A Time for Mercy, released the book with errors. Pages are repeated, missing, falling out of the binding, etc.

JPL has 3 copies — two of which are damaged and one which seems fine (although TS did not read it cover to cover). One of our patrons has one damaged copy and is aware it’s damaged; the other damaged copy is in TS.

Because of the massive nature of the problem, the publisher pushed back the release date to 12/13. We’re ordering replacement copies, but it will likely be around that date before they arrive.

We have two copies of the large print which are in cataloging. The CD book has not yet arrived.

The current issue of magazines and all newspapers can now be checked out. Magazines will continue to circulate for 3 weeks, and newspapers will check out for 1 week. Magazines can be renewed twice, but newspapers cannot be renewed. All issues are holdable.

Newspaper barcodes are on the last page of the first section of the newspaper – in the upper-right corner.

Ann will remove the plastic covers that distinguish the current issue of magazines. She’ll check the shelves periodically (no pun intended!) to make sure that an issue of each magazine is on display if the current issue is checked out.