Author: Molly Guerra

Thank you for all your time and efforts learning about our website and PowerPAC with library users. I am so grateful for your willingness to jump in and answer questions and receive feedback from the public.

Department Heads are gathering input and learning if requests are possible – and then weighing if requests should be implemented based on best practice, staff time available and the number of requests received. We don’t want to change the website daily, but we do want to be responsive. Here is a breakdown of how we would like to gather input on the website and a general timeframe for changes:

Slack channel – Use the Slack channel to report broken links or other things that are clearly not functioning as they should and no patron follow up is needed. You should expect a response to your slack within 24-48 hours. This is not the correct avenue for complaints or grumbles.

Messages to Molly via email or slack – Message Molly directly with patron complaints that require follow up. I will follow up with patrons. Also message me directly with general wish lists, complaints, observations, etc. that don’t require follow-up.  I will make a running list of feedback and that will help department heads prioritize projects.

Keep in mind that we will not plan on making changes – other than fixing broken functions – daily or weekly.

Below is feedback we have received and a response:

Feedback: The new catalog makes me sign in and before I didn’t have to sign in.

Response: The new online catalog will require you to sign in after more than 20 minutes of inactivity. That is to protect privacy and security, and that is not something that we can change.

Feedback: It would be nice if items that were available showed up in a different color than items that were not available.

Response: That is not an option in our new system. Availability shows on the record several times. Please guide patrons where they can see the availability.

Feedback: Patrons miss using the online catalog to browse for materials.

Response: This a function that will not be available exactly the way it was. The online catalog is designed to search using “access points” i.e. title, author, date of publication, subject heading, keyword, etc. There was some “magic” in the old catalog that allowed for a browsing experience that we just won’t be able to replicate. For instance we cannot sort books in the order that they were added to our system. What we can offer are lists of books and carousels or rivers or books that people can scroll through. We are working through some issues to get more of those lists available and easily discoverable to library users.

Feedback: Patrons miss the indicator that showed up on the catalog letting them know if an item was in their reading list or holds queue.

Response: Patrons can access their reading history (if it is turned on) or their holds on the PowerPAC, but it won’t up as they search for materials in the bibliographic record. They will have to cross reference those lists. Again, this is just a little bit of convenience that is no longer available.

Feedback: I am not sure how to request an ILL or Purchase Request. I just see request.

Response: We are just accepting requests for materials that we do not own. Then library staff are deciding what the best option is to get the patron connected with the materials. It isn’t always an easy choice between ILL and purchasing an item, and the ultimate goal is just to connect the patron with the item. We are going to take all the factors into consideration and decide if an ILL or purchase request is the best route. For instance, we might have seen two ILL requests for an older DVD in the last month. And we can buy it for $5. In that case, we might just go ahead and do a purchase request since the purchase price is less than postage and we have seen a high demand for that item…even if it is older. So there are many factors to consider with ILL vs. purchase requests, and we just wanted to simplify the process since most of the public is not aware of all the factors involved.

Between December 21 and January 18 there were 4,855 logins and 1,601 holds placed on PowerPAC so people are busy using it. Thank you again for all your help with the transition.

The first paystub that went out this morning from the city did not have accurate leave accruals. The city will be sending a second paystub with accurate leave accruals – but we only are getting paid once 😉

Due to the weather, the library will remain closed all day tomorrow, January 12.

Two staff will be here and the library will be open as a warming center only from 9 am – 530 pm, but all other library services will be unavailable.

I will work with Peg to get timesheets updated tomorrow.

Please stay safe!

The weather is not working well with our timesheet deadlines this week:

If the blizzard comes in as expected tonight, I will plan on opening the library at 12 pm.

I will let everyone know the plan for tomorrow no later than 7 am.

If you work today and the library opening late tomorrow will impact your timesheet, please prepare two timesheets – one for each scenario.

Again, if we open late tomorrow, those that earn PTO will need to take PTO. It will be unpaid for those that don’t earn PTO.

*I have four hours I am happy to give up on Saturday afternoon if anyone want to do that rather than take PTO*

When the library closes due to an emergency, like inclement weather, library staff that earn PTO are required to use PTO. If you do not earn PTO, it will be unpaid.

In some cases, staff may be able to work with their supervisor to adjust their schedules to make-up some of the hours.

If you do not want to use PTO,  I have four hours I am working on Saturday afternoon that I would be happy to give to someone not wanting to use PTO.

Please reach out to your supervisor if you have any questions or concerns.

I just want to keep you in the loop as to what is going on with low temperatures in the library. We seem to have a few problems happening simultaneously.

Currently I have walked around and moved the thermometer around the library. I am reading between 63 and 68 degrees. We normally are at 70-72 degrees.

Technicians continue to work on the system, and I will continue to follow up with them until we get back into the 70’s.  It sounds like this may be a bit of a process so things may not be at 100 percent for a few days. I would continue to dress in layers.

The minimum temperature for library operations would be less than 60 degrees for more then two hours in a staff or patron occupied space. If you notice temps dropping in your area, please let me know.

Thank you for your patience.

The library will remain closed today, January 9. Stay safe!

The library will remain closed today, January 9. Stay safe!

The library will open at 12 pm today.

Stay safe!

Today and tomorrow significant snowfall is expected. Please see report from Polk County Emergency Management linked below.

Library staff are not tasked with snow removal at the library. The Parks Department is in charge of clearing the library’s walkways and parking lot. They technically come out when there is two or more inches of snow, but they usually are out sooner than that.

If we have more than an inch or two of snow on the ground that Parks staff have not yet come to remove – and patrons complain about ice- a staff member should carefully clear the walkway in front of the handicapped parking stalls as well as a path from the lot to the main entrance. While anyone can do this, the Librarian in Charge will take care of it if no one else volunteers. There is salt in a yellow bin by the staff entrance and a shovel by the staff lockers.

NWSDesMoines – DssPacket – Mon, Jan 8 452 AM

Timesheets will be submitted to City Hall earlier than usual this coming pay period because of a software migration, so can you pleases make sure that you get your timesheet in on time or early.

Peg will be reviewing timesheets on Thursday, January 11th and I will be turning them in to City Hall on January 12th for the pay period December 31 – January 13.

If there are changes after they are submitted on January 12, I will submit them individually to the city for updates before paychecks are cut.

Thanks for your help!

Part one of the library shirts have arrived. I put them in peoples lockers. If you have a locker mate, please make sure you grab the shirt and size you ordered. Ask me if you have questions about what you ordered.

After handing out what felt like a million grey cardigans, the mom in me is wondering if it wouldn’t be wise to write you name on the tag in sharpie.

The t-shirts have not been ordered yet. I hope to get those ordered this month.

Thanks for representing JPL 🙂

Molly

2024 State of Iowa Withholding Changes

The library is no longer subscribing to LinkedIn Learning due to a very low benefit (usage) to cost ratio. The link has been removed from the library’s website and PowerPAC.

Please let me know if you have questions. Thank you!

If patrons had lists in their account, not holds, but lists – these will not transfer over to the PowerPAC.

If patrons come in and would like access to their lists from the old website, please get their name, library card number and email (or phone). Send this info to Dreama via email deskins@johnstonlibrary.com

Dreama can export their list(s) and send it to them.

Thursday, December 21, 2023 we will go live with a new CivicPlus website and Polaris PowerPAC catalog. Previously, these two important features of our online presence have been integrated into one site. After tomorrow, they will be two separate sites that link back and forth to each other. This is the case for the vast majority of public libraries, so it should be something that most of our patrons are familiar with. We are considering tomorrow a soft opening for the new catalog and website and will not be doing a lot of publicizing for these new sites until after the holidays. This will give us a chance to refine items if needed.

Below are some talking points to use should you have patrons comment on the new catalog or website. In addition to these scripts, be aware that our own mindset is going to go a long way to helping patrons digest change. While assisting patrons as they figure out the new sites, we will project a relaxed and positive attitude and convey that we’re all learning the new system together.

When I’m working with patrons at a public desk, I always think of myself as a partner/guide helping a person get what they need out of a system (and as we all know, systems and bureaucracies can be confusing).

When you are attempting to show a patron how to navigate our new site or PowerPAC, turn your screen around and work through it together. Be upfront about the fact that we have just switched to new sites to better serve our patrons. We’re still learning the new system too, but together, we’ll figure it out.

Below are some talking points to use should you have patrons comment on the new catalog or website.

• The new website prioritizes ADA compliance, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can easily access and utilize the library’s services.
• The new catalog features improved search functionality, including quick access to new and on-order items and improved read-alike suggestions.
• Library services, resources and access to materials have not changed. All the same JPL services and materials you love are still available.

As you have time, please check out the following documents to familiarize yourself with our new website and PowerPAC Catalog.

How to Navigate Our New Civic Plus Website

How to Navigate the PowerPAC

Repost of Megan’s PowerPAC Training Doc:  https://tinyurl.com/2s3dw9vk

We have started a new channel on Slack called Website/PowerPAC feedback. Please feel encouraged to leave comments or feedback from patrons as well as things you notice that might need to be fixed or refined. Thanks!

Leave accrual was doubled for some employees this pay period. So your PTO totals on your paystub you received yesterday may not have been correct.

The City is working with the payroll software vendor to get the problem corrected. They will let us know when it has been addressed. At that time, we will get you accurate PTO totals.

Library Director Search Update

A timeline for for the library director search has been established.

January 2-February 11 –  The position will be posted and applications will be accepted.

March 5 & 6 – Semi-finalist interviews will be be conducted via Zoom with the Search Committee.

April 10 & 11 –  Final interviews will be conducted in person at the library. The library board will conduct the interviews and staff will have the opportunity to greet the candidates.

End of April/Beginning of May – The library board will announce the next director.

June 2024 –The library director will begin work at JPL.

Building Updates – Peterson Painting will have a crew here on December 22 and December 27-29 working on drywall repair and painting. I will put in meeting room / study room reservations where possible. They are willing to work around the reservations we have already. The crew will be back the middle of January to finish up the painting. So there will be a few weeks where we will have patches of drywall with mud but no paint.

New Website and PowerPAC

Thursday we are scheduled to move to our new website and PowerPAC. You should have all had the opportunity to look at the PowerPAC. If you haven’t, please do take a look. https://catalog.johnstonlibrary.com/polaris/

Here is the link to the website we will be transitioning to later this week. Feel free to take a look! https://www.cityofjohnston.com/1300/Johnston-Public-Library

Thanks to Beth, Megan, Dreama, Erik (our IT consultant) and Janet from the Communications Department for all their work on this project!

Someone just posted this to Slack, but I didn’t know it either so I thought it deserved a place on the Intranet. Johnston PL has an adventure pass to Brenton Skating Plaza. The Brenton Skating Plaza only allows visitors to use the passes after January 1 of each year through the end of the season in the spring. So passes are only good for January and February – not December skating.

This shows up on our calendar for availability.

Ann is retiring after this week! Please swing by the staff break room to enjoy a treat and to add an Ann JPL memory or two to the book so she won’t forget about us!