Author: Molly Guerra

Librarian in Charge

In the absence of the Director and Assistant Director, the Librarian in Charge is the staff member designated to direct the library’s response to emergencies, troubleshoot technology problems, handle building-related issues, and respond to patron complaints, policy questions, behavior issues, and other situations that cannot be managed by other staff.

Starting April 1, Librarian in Charge will be listed on When to Work and they will identify themselves on Slack when they are working as the Librarian in Charge. The Librarian in Charge will handle building maintenance issues, technology issues, escalated patron concerns and behavior management issues. They will be the manager.

It will be critical that you bring issues to the Librarian in Charge via Slack or in person. The Librarian in Charge will respond to your question as quickly as they can. These questions will be their first priority outside of working with patrons.

I will be directing questions to the Librarian in Charge in order to help those individuals get acclimated with all types of behavior, building, and Polaris information. If the Librarian in Charge needs assistance, Department Heads and I will be there to help out, but we do need to run things past the Librarian in Charge first.

My goal with this is to pass institutional knowledge about the building and policy implementation to more staff so that we have answers readily available and to keep things running if library administration is unavailable. I also want to respect that frontline staff have the most knowledge about day-to-day library work. Having Assistant Librarians be more involved with questions and concerns will keep our responses at the procedure and policy level more connected to the work that staff do on a daily basis.

Thanks in advance for your help with this. Please let me know if you have questions.

With the last Sunday of the month falling on a holiday weekend in May, we have moved the next All Staff Meeting to May 19.

Please let Molly and Peg know if you will not be able to attend.

Molly

Starting Monday, JPL will be automatically renew physical items that are eligible to renew. Patrons will get an email or text two days before their items are due telling them which items renewed and which items are due back in two days.

If they do not use text or email notifications, they will have to call or log into their account to see which items renewed.

We have little hand outs to give to people. Please let people know about the change as they checkout.

You can still renew items for patrons if they call or want to renew something earlier than two days before the due date.

Be prepared for questions initially, but this will be a popular service once people get used to it.

Auto-Renewal FAQ

What is Auto-Renewal?

Library items without holds will now auto-renew two days before the due date. Eligible items will renew up to 2 times.

Which Items are NOT eligible for automatic renewal?
Materials will not be auto-renewed if:

• There is a hold on the item
• The item has already been renewed 2 times
• Your account is blocked due to fines or fees
• Items are part of Hot Picks collection, book club books, or interlibrary loan items
• Library item is part of our Stream and Download content (eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, Kanopy Streaming Video, and ComicsPlus
• The item was already overdue prior to April 1, 2024

Does an automatic renewal give me less time to borrow an item?

No. Auto-renew calculates the new due date from the original due date so you will not lose any time.

Can I still renew library items manually?

Yes. If you wish to renew an item prior to its automatic renewal, simply renew it via your library account online give us a call at 515-278-5233, or stop by one of our service desks. Manual renewals will extend the borrowing period from the date of renewal.

How will I know if an item is automatically renewed?

Auto-renewal notices will be sent via text or email depending on how your account is set up. Library notices from our catalog will send you a list of items that need to be returned as well as those that have been renewed for you.

Can I opt out of auto-renewal?
No, not at this time.

I forgot this important part: Please email Molly and Peg if you are able to attend on April 1 at 7 pm so we can update when to work.

Please join me and your fellow co-workers on Monday, April 1 to be recognized by the Mayor and City Council at the City Council Meeting at City Hall at 7 p.m. Those attending will be paid for an hour. I anticipate the library portion will happen at the beginning of the meeting. You will be able to leave after the proclamation is presented by the Mayor. There will be a picture 🙂

If you are working that night, we will try to accommodate as many of you coming as possible.

Also, the library is about more than staff. Volunteers, library users, and library supporters are invited. I know Jessica mentioned inviting Teen Advisory Board and Let’s Talk may join the group that night.

This is an opportunity for us to show City Council and City Staff how proud we are of our work at the library. When we tell stakeholders the story of what we do at the library, it helps for them to have faces of actual people in their minds.

Below is the text of the Proclamation from the Mayor:

National Library Week
2024 Proclamation

WHEREAS, libraries offer the opportunity for everyone to connect with others, learn new skills, and pursue their passions, no matter where they are on life’s journey;

WHEREAS, libraries have long served as trusted institutions, striving to ensure equitable access to information and services for all members of the community regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic status;

WHEREAS, libraries adapt to the ever-changing needs of their communities, developing and expanding collections, programs, and services that are as diverse as the populations they serve;

WHEREAS, libraries are accessible and inclusive places that promote a sense of local connection, advancing understanding, civic engagement, and shared community goals;

WHEREAS, libraries play a pivotal role in economic development by providing resources and support for job seekers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses, thus contributing to local prosperity and growth;

WHEREAS, libraries make choices that are good for the environment and make sense economically, creating thriving communities for a better tomorrow;

WHEREAS, libraries are treasured institutions that preserve our collective heritage and knowledge, safeguarding both physical and digital resources for present and future generations;

WHEREAS, libraries are an essential public good and fundamental institutions in democratic societies, working to improve society, protect the right to education and literacy, and promote the free exchange of information and ideas for all;

WHEREAS, libraries, librarians, and library workers are joining library supporters and advocates across the nation to celebrate National Library Week;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Mayor Dierenfeld, proclaim National Library Week, April 7-13, 2024. During this week, I encourage all residents to visit their library and celebrate the adventures and opportunities they unlock for us every day. Ready, Set, Library!

Hi All,

I just wanted to follow up to Megan’s post about the removal our phone tree. Our end goal with the phones ringing everywhere is to relieve pressure from the three service desks during busy times and improve the library user experience by having desk staff as available as possible.

When the phone rings, available staff in back should answer if possible within the first two rings. Desk staff if you hear the phone ring more than twice, please answer it only if you are not currently helping a library user.

I am not exactly sure if we will like this change or not, so I appreciate you trying out the above for the next few weeks. I will circle back to staff after we have had some time to acclimate and see if we want to adjust anything.

Thank you! Let me know if you have questions.

I recently had a DMACC student email and ask if it would be okay to take some pictures of the inside and outside of the library for a project. I explained to him that he was welcome to take pictures at the library as long as his photography did not interfere with others using the library. It is always nice when people ask us about taking pictures or videos in the library, so we are expecting it.

I just wanted to send this out as a general reminder, that people are allowed to film in the library as long as their behavior does violate the conduct policy such as interfering with others using the library. So someone could come in with a camera on their shoulder and a mic on a boom, and they can film as long as it is isn’t preventing others from using the library.

As public employees, we can be videotaped or photographed doing our government work in public spaces without our consent. So if someone is taking your photo or videotaping you while you work at a desk, please just continue your work. If they ask you questions while videotaping you, please do your best to treat them as you would treat any other patron and answer them to the best of your ability.

People are not allowed to videotape in private spaces which includes the work room, so they cannot follow you back to the work room. People cannot harass you or interfere with your work.

I just wanted to put out that general reminder. Please ask me if you have questions.

I wanted to share with you that I have applied for the Library Director position, and I am honored to be one of the three finalists presenting and interviewing on April 11. 

This may come as a surprise as I initially was not interested in pursuing the Director position. My initial hesitation came from the same place that spurred my application. I am passionate about this library and I know first-hand how critical our work is for the community. I did not want to put my candidacy forward if I was not 101% confident that I could do an excellent job leading the library and be certain that I would be able to balance my personal and professional commitments. 

The last ten months have been eye-opening, inspiring, invigorating and, occasionally, exhausting. I cannot believe what we have accomplished together. It has left me assured and persuaded to put my name forth as a candidate for the Library Board to consider in their search for the Library Director. You all have stepped up in so many ways, and I am excited for the future path as a library regardless of the outcome of the director search.

I am excited to share with some of you on April 11, and I move forward knowing that JPL is a top-notch place to call my work-home in any capacity. Thanks for all that you do to support the community of Johnston.

The library is hiring a part-time Assistant Librarian. The position will support Administration functions for Public Services, Circulation, and Administration.

Hours will be 8:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. with the occasional evening or weekend shift required and some flexibility in the schedule required.

This position will be regularly scheduled to work all service desks and serve as Librarian in Charge.

A bachelors degree is required along with a minimum of two years of customer service experience.

Starting pay is $21.00.

Please find the full job description here:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofjohnston/jobs/4428273/part-time-assistant-librarian?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

This position is open to internal and external applicants. Internal applicants may apply or ask further question by emailing Molly before March 26.

Hello Everyone,

After a fun and buzzing morning with the Bluey Playdate, I am thinking about our summer schedules.

In just a few short months, check-in will be increasing by an average of 250 items a day and daily visits  by 100+. We will be buzzing with action and need to prepare so we are fully staffed.

If you have travel plans May 15 – September 3, please enter them into When to Work no later than May 1. We cannot guarantee that all time off requests will be approved, but we will do our very best.

Thank you to everyone for all your willingness to pick up shifts! It is so amazing to see everyone step in and help out so we can take some time for our personal commitments while keeping the library moving forward and providing the best service to the community.

Thank you for all you do!

Cyndee Rhames is the temporary point of contact for payroll and benefits questions as Sammy Dickson is no longer employed with the city.

Cyndee’s email is: crhames@cityofjohnston.com

While I am normally more of a guidelines kind of girl, I need to clarify two hard and fast rules:

1. It is never – ever- acceptable to leave dirty dishes in the sink. If the dishwasher is full, running or needs to be emptied, you must wash your dishes by hand. I am okay with things drying in the drying rack, but we will not leave dirty dishes in the sink.
2. If you leave crumbs on the counter or table, you must wipe them up.

I am sorry to be so blunt, but the signs in the breakroom have not worked. Please help us keep the library clean.

Please see Molly if you have questions or concerns.

I will be out of town in Miami this weekend starting Friday evening  – Monday evening. If you need to call in for one of your shifts on Saturday or Sunday, please contact Peg directly at 515-991-0713.

For emergencies over the long weekend, Dreama has offered to the point of contact at 515-422-6791.

Remember we are closed on Monday for Washington’s Birthday. I will bring back some sunshine when I see everyone on Tuesday!

The Annual Lions Club Book Sale will be held May 2-4 (same as Kites on the Green Festival) this year rather than the first weekend in March. It will be at the Lions Club building.

They have information on their website:

https://johnstonlionsclub.com/?page_id=90

As we have discussed previously, our old website and online catalog had been extensively customized. Most of the changes made to our library records were simply lost when we moved to our new system.

Unfortunately, the ability display the cover images of our items in the PowerPAC was impacted by the customization of the records. We are working to rectify the issue and get images back on the PowerPAC, but it may take time as we work with our vendors to do so.

If patrons ask, please pass this message along. We will keep you posted as we make progress.

At peak of their usage, public PCs were being used over 2,000 times per month in 2018 & 2019. After the pandemic in 2020, usage never returned to peak levels and has actually been steadily declining since 2021.

Due to the lower usage and demand for public PCs, the five computer stations behind the Information Desk will be phased out over the coming weeks.

Let your supervisor know if you have questions.

Yesterday, the second paystub you received should have the correct amount of PTO.

Please keep a close eye on your PTO though. With the new system, it is very much appreciated if you can glance at your paystubs and PTO to make sure that things look correct. For instance, my PTO was not calculated correctly, even on the second paystub, so I emailed Sammy at sdickson@cityofjohnston.com and she was able to get it corrected.

On a side note, the city did send out an email letting us know that there is not a way to show the hourly pay on the new paystubs. In the past, it showed how much you made per hour. Now you will have to take the total amount paid and divide it by your hours to see your hourly pay.

Let me know if you have questions, or email sdickson@cityofjohnston.com

Molly

Your pay stub will look different this pay period as the city migrated to a new version of their payroll software. All the same information should be on the paystub though.

I am not sure why we got two pay stubs via email. I will let you know when I learn why.

Thank you.

W-2s are in your mailbox unless we made other arrangements for me to mail them to you.

Due to a software upgrade at the City, payroll emails will now come from a generic no-reply.tylerhost email address instead of sdickson@cityofjohnston.com. You will still login with the last four of your SSN.

Spring Break March 10 – 17 is looking to be thinly staffed this year. I know that Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 15 will be very tight. So please let me know ASAP if you are needing time off that week. It will also be all hands on deck with subs, so if you have availability please be prepared to fill in as you can.

Thank you!

Molly