Author: Peg Rasmussen

Leah Johnson has won this week’s ASR prize, a $10 gift card to Big Acai. The gift card is located at the Ref Desk. Please direct Leah to a PS/YS staff person to pick up her prize.

The library has purchased a new keyboard that can be used by patrons in the library. A patron with macular degeneration explained that the larger font and the white on black contrast is helpful.

The keyboard is at the Ref Desk on a shelf under the Brother Printer. Power off the public PC the patron wants to use and unplug the existing keyboard. Plug in the EZSee keyboard USB cable and then power up the PC and the keyboard should be recognized.

FINAL 2022 Adult Summer Reading_Instructions

The adult summer reading program will run similarly to past years. We try to make it as simple and accessible as possible. Click on the link above for the detailed instructions.

In short, adults can pick up a brochure (and additional prize entry tickets) at the Ref Desk or download from the library website. They can read or listen to books, complete a puzzle or attend an adult program. Adults should turn in one prize entry ticket for each activity completed – there is a paint bucket to collect tickets at the Ref Desk.

Weekly prizes (gift cards) will be awarded and at the end of the summer, grand prizes will be awarded.

If you have questions, ask Beth or Peg.

I won’t be working Friday-Sunday, so I’ll need to work on time sheets on Thursday afternoon. Please have your completed time sheets in the green folder by noon. Thanks.

You may begin receiving inquires if JPL will be hosting a “shred day” as we have in the past. At the present time, the answer is no, although Beth is working with AARP to figure out if something could be offered.

In the meantime, you may refer patrons to Veridian Credit Union’s website: https://www.veridiancu.org/events/community-shred-day.

Veridian is offering two metro area shred days

May 14 at Maple Grove Elementary School in WDM and

May 21 at DMACC Campus in Ankeny.

Sorry for the short notice. I won’t be working Friday and need to work on time sheets Thursday afternoon. If this causes trouble just send me an email.

JPL is starting to receive inquiries regarding tax forms. Here’s what we know as of today:

1. Tax assistance is NOT available at JPL and has not been for approx. 7 years. If someone claims they saw something that says we do, please get as many details as possible and tell Beth so that the error can be corrected.
2. Federal 1040/1040SR tax FORMS have not yet been received. I will post when we receive them.
3. The instruction manual for 1040/1040SR has been received and is under the Ref Desk counter.
4. The State of Iowa does not provide us with tax forms. Here is a link to their website: https://tax.iowa.gov/forms. Note this sentence: “Unable to print/download? Call the Department for further assistance.” Here is the number: 515-281-3114 or 800-367-3388,  Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT

Lori and I tackled the staff kitchen today. We almost finished, still a little more to do. In the meantime, here’s what happened:

1. All items on the small table were deemed by us to be extra and not needed or potentially someone’s. Take a look, take what you want. What is left on Monday the 31st will be donated or tossed.
2. We moved the microwave above the dishwasher.
3. We moved staff baskets/food to the cabinet above the dishwasher.
4. We moved the beverage appliances next to the refrigerator.
5. We moved the coffee/tea and mugs above the beverage appliances. See what we did there? We created a “beverage center.” Yeah, you can thank us later. 🙂
6. The coffee urns and acrylic beverage dispenser have been moved to the cabinets in the Commons – it makes sense for them to live there because those cabinets were basically empty.
7. And as promised any perishable foods with expired dates were thrown away – the trash can was overflowing.
8. All surfaces in the top cupboards were cleaned.
9. All surfaces on and in the refrigerator were cleaned. Woo boy – the top of the refrig was nasty, as was the washer/dryer.

Give us grace if we messed up, nothing was done intentionally.

Public Services is kicking off an Adult Winter Reading Challenge. Please read these instructions for staff so you know what to expect. Winter Reading Challenge 2022 Intructions for Staff

Thanks!

You can also find a printed copy of each document in your library mailbox. We hope you can make it.

January Joy Committee: Riddhi, Lolo and Peg

Hey ho! Some of you may know that Lori Elrick and I are “organizers” and “cleaners”. And every so often we get an itch to clean up a space here at JPL. The Staff Kitchen is on our To-Do List.

On or after January 19, Lori and I will be deep cleaning the Staff Kitchen. We’re going to remove everything from the refrigerator, freezer, and cupboards and clean all the shelves and make decisions on what comes out of/off of those shelves. We also may tackle re-organizing the wall of paper.

This is your one week notice to take care of anything that belongs to you that you don’t want us to “mess with.” The best place for you to store personal items is: 1) put it and your name on one of the white baskets on top of the refrigerator and put in a cupboard, refrigerator or freezer, 2) put it in your locker or desk, or 3) take it home.

• Any items labeled with a staff person’s name will be put back where they came from.
• Any items relating to a department, such as Public Services, will be put back where they came from.
• Food, both perishable and non-perishable, that is past its expiration date will be discarded.
• Non-expired food, both-perishable and non-perishable, with no identifying information as to whom it belongs will be placed on the staff table and owners should label it or take it home.
• Extra mugs, glasses, flatware, serving utensils, etc. will be downsized and placed on a table for staff to claim. If not claimed within one week, items will be discarded or donated.

Don’t freak out. We’re not heartless and we won’t discard anything of value. 🙂

Happy New Year Everyone!