Category: All-Library News

I did post this info on the intranet a few weeks ago, but I thought I would re-post about the Des Moines Symphony Yankee Doodle Pops.  It’s on Monday, July 3rd, at 8:30 PM on the Iowa State Capitol grounds.  It’s free and please feel free to bring lawn chairs, food, and beverage.  There will be vendors there as well.  If you are unable to attend, it will be broadcast live on Iowa Public Radio Classical as well as Iowa PBS.  Iowa PBS will show a re-run at 8:30 PM on July 4th.  I hope you can tune in either via media or in person!

Rose has submitted her resignation which will be effective August 2nd.

As many, if not all of you, already know that she is expecting twins in September. She has decided to focus on her new job of being a mommy!

She will be greatly missed!

A full-time Assistant Youth Services Librarian position will be posted soon and my hope is to have someone hired and started close to her resignation date.

Happy Monday All,
A couple Adult Summer Reading items to pass on:

• If patrons have already grabbed a brochure for Adult Summer Reading but need additional tickets, please encourage them to take the extra printed paper tickets instead of another brochure. They already have the rules from their first brochure. They are welcome to take a big pile of extra tickets if they like. I’ll make sure extra tickets are available at every service desk. (pic 1)
• Every Monday, staff will draw a weekly winner who will receive a JPL Book Bag. When Ref staff have drawn the winner, they will call the patron. The bags will be labeled behind the ref desk with the person’s name. When the winner comes in, ask them if they would be willing to take a photo for library social media. They can absolutely say no, but it’s a nice way to promote the program if patron’s are willing. (pic 2)

  Thanks!

Please allow yourself some extra time this week to review your time sheet because you will be comparing it to the new When-to-Work schedule.

Hello All,
Thanks for your patience and willingness to learn a slightly new way of scheduling. I wanted to pass on a couple additional tips that might make your interaction with the new schedule better.

Accessing W2W via the Intranet and a Generic JPL Employee Login

1. I have switched out the old circ and ps desk schedules on the intranet with a link to the new W2W schedule (see pic 1).
2. When you’re starting your shift on a public desk, if it hasn’t already been done, click on the w2w link under the drop-down schedules menu on the intranet.
3. You will need to login with the general employee login, which is listed on the w2w link.
   Username is jpl-library. Password is 123Johnston.
4. Once logged in, click on Everyone’s Schedule. Change to Day instead of Week and filter to the appropriate department view: either Circulation Department or PS/YS Department.
   • Filtering with the new way we’re using W2W is the key to not being overwhelmed with information.
5.  The W2W link on the intranet is probably the fastest way to have access to the schedule when you’re on a public desk.

Accessing W2W via the Web and Your Specific Employee W2W login

1. If you’re logging in to your own W2W account rather than the generic library employee view available on the intranet, you’ll have a couple of different options that again help to not be overwhelmed with too much info when viewing the schedule.
2. If you’re logged in to your own W2W employee account and just looking at MY SCHEDULE versus EVERYONE’S SCHEDULE, I highly recommend using the Graphical View and then clicking the Change Layout link and selecting “By Employee” (see pic 2).

Accessing W2W at Home via the W2W App

9. The W2W app is probably the best way to check in on your schedule from home. When you log in with your employee login, it automatically filters out a lot of the extraneous information and focuses on your schedule.

If you’re still struggling with the new W2W schedule that includes when you’re on the desk during the day, please reach out to Beth, Megan, Molly or Dreama–or Peg once she’s back. Thanks!

If you are running more than five minutes late for an opening shift (845 or 9 M-Sa or 1245 Su), you are required to post to the #publicservices channel on Slack. This will help your coworkers know that you are coming and begin the process of reassigning opening duties as needed.

We all run late from time to time. Totally understandable, but communicating that to your coworkers is required so we can efficiently open the library. If you cannot safely post to Slack that you are going to be more than five minutes late, please let your coworkers know as soon as you possibly can or-at the very least- touch base with them upon arriving at the library.

Please let your supervisor know if you have questions.

Please share this information about free summer lunches for children up to age 18.

I was informed by the Communication Manager, Janet Wilwerding, that there has been some negative feedback in the community that free lunches cannot be provided at the library or The Ave (former Chapel Ridge). Unfortunately, the library does not qualify as a free lunch site per state guidelines. The Ave was unable to participate this year.

*As a side note – Storytimes will not be by JPL but by community members and school district staff.

Hello – just another friendly reminder to please fill out the Emergency Contact Form for the City. I know that many of you have – so thank you! If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so, we appreciate you doing so this week.

Here is a copy of the form if you wish to fill it out digitally and email it directly to Janet or print it and fill it with ink, scan it, and email it to Janet. I have printed copies in the breakroom. You can just fill it out and put it in my basket.

We appreciate your help. Janet is working on a comprehensive crisis communication plan which will allow the City to effectively contact employees in the event of an emergency.

If you are regularly scheduled for 2o+ hours per week or if you work an average of 2o+ hours per week over a 12-month period, you earn PTO.

Just a reminder that your PTO balance shows up on your paycheck. We also have a report outside my office – near the timesheets folder. It doesn’t hurt to look at one of these each pay period to make sure that the amount has increased or decreased appropriately.

The Employee Handbook covers PTO on pages 19-23 including how much should be accrued each pay period based on employee classification and years of service.

If you have questions regarding your paycheck, PTO, or benefits, please contact Sammy Dickson – sdickson@cityofjohnston.com Please let Sammy know as soon as possible if you have a question or see an error.

This sheet includes contacts for common types of information or questions from City Hall for city employees.

Andrew will be playing the cello in the Des Moines Symphony Yankee Doodle Pops on Monday, July 3rd at 8:30 PM on the Iowa State Capitol grounds.  It’s free, and please feel free to bring lawn chairs, blankets, food, and beverages.  It will also be broadcast live on Iowa PBS, and I will let you know if I hear anything about Iowa Public Radio broadcasts as well as re-runs.

https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/yankee-doodle-pops/

There is also a viewing party taking place at the State Historical building, and here is a link with info about that:  https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/viewing-party-for-yankee-doodle-pops/

If you are a great singer, there is an opportunity to audition to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the Yankee Doodle Pops.  Auditions will take place on Saturday, June 24th, and hopefully their website will have info about that soon.  It’s posted on Facebook however.

From time to time Sharm Siesler, Library Foundation Treasurer, or Justin Frerichs, Library Foundation President, will pop in to pick up items.

I will put those items in the folders on the black cart near my desk. There is a folder labeled Foundation Treasurer and a folder labeled Foundation President.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we hurriedly transition from one method of visual scheduling to another (blame the rush on Peg because she is leaving on vacation and we need to get it done before she leaves).

Currently, in the WTW application, shifts are input as employees’ start and stop times. In the new WTW account, shifts are entered by positions such as Circ Desk, PS Off Desk, YS Programming, etc. Following this approach, WTW will now be the go-to application for daily desk schedules, replacing the Google sheets used in the past. You may access WTW through a web browser as well as the WTW app. We encourage you to install the app on your cell phones and begin using it regularly.

On June 1 around 11:15am, each employee was sent an email from whentowork.com with a subject line “Your WhentoWork.com Login Information.” Please open this email and follow the instructions to create your personal employee account in the new WTW account. The WTW application itself has not changed so you shouldn’t notice any difference between the old and new.

For a short period of time (today through Saturday, June 3, at midnight) you will have access to both your old and new WTW accounts. On Sunday, all employee accounts in the old WTW will be deactivated and no longer be accessible.

Peg has printed everyone’s IN/OUT schedule from the old WTW account. The paper copies are stored in a bright pink file folder near the green time sheet folder. Please do not remove these printed copies from this area. This is our “backup” as to the current schedules published in the old WTW account.

What will you see in the new WTW account? You will now see where (meaning the location) you are supposed to be every hour of your scheduled shift. Position colors were based on the previous desk schedules and are only used as a visual tool. You can also see everyone’s IN/OUT schedule. In short, you are not losing any functionality, instead actually gaining more.

You have the ability to update notification settings in your “My Info” section of your account.

Need more help? First, visit the Help feature of WTW (top ribbon, upper right hand), it has LOTS of videos to teach you how to use WTW to its fullest. Second, seek out your supervisor, they are happy to help you navigate this change.

Continue to use WTW to submit time off requests as you’ve done in the past.

In the future, we hope to introduce the Trade Board feature, but we aren’t ready for that step yet.

Hey everybody,
Beth and PS staff will be taking over scheduling the display cases and art gallery. Right now, we’re still trying to figure out what, if anything, has been scheduled with artists for future exhibits. The only known quantity right now is Justin Young, who has his artwork in the display case by the Ref Desk.
Should anyone besides Justin Young inquire about the art cases or art gallery right now please give them my email or transfer them to me if I’m here.
Should an artist stop by when I’m not here to drop off their artwork, you can go ahead and accept it and put it in the Director’s office  IF the following 2 things happen: 

• Artists cannot leave their work with us WITHOUT filling out an artists agreement. These forms are in 2 spots. They are labeled in the file organizer underneath the locked Foundation drawer behind Circ and in a labeled hanging file folder in the bottom left drawer that is marked as Signs – Docs – Forms behind the Ref Desk.
• In addition to a completed artist agreement, please let artists know that Beth is now scheduling and organizing artists and give them one of my business cards. My business cards are behind the ref desk where the master key is kept and on top of the folder behind Circ that contains the artist agreements.

Thanks!

Please find the Summer 2023 City of Johnston Employee Newsletter here.

At the bottom of your time sheet, please write the hours recorded in WTW and your initials before placing your time sheet in the green folder. Attach a completed PAR if you are using PTO. Remember, we have a holiday this pay period, Monday, May 29, was Memorial Day and the library was closed, update your time sheet accordingly.

Adult Summer Reading instructions are below. There is also a printed copy in the Adult Summer Reading drawer behind the ref desk and a printed copy at each service desk. Ask Beth or a ref person if you have questions.
Thanks!

2023Adult Summer Reading Instructions for Staff

Theme: Summer of Discovery

1. To sign up for Adult Summer Reading all a patron needs to do is take an adult summer reading brochure or download one from the library website (https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/events/adult-summer-reading/). Brochures are located at the Public Services desk and Youth Services desk. We have professionally printed 250 brochures from Canva. Extra printed copies are underneath the Brother printer behind the Ref Desk in a Canva box. Additional copies of the brochure can be printed from the PDFs in this file location:
   P Drive: Beth Stevens> Adult Summer Reading> 2023ASR> Adult Summer Reading Brochure 2023.pdf

2. ASR Brochures contain everything a patron needs to know for Adult Summer Reading, including instructions, summer adult event schedule, and prize entry tickets. Familiarize yourself with this brochure.

3. Each activity is good for one entry into the prize drawing of a patron’s choice (one activity per ticket please). Activities include:
   • Reading a book of their choice
   • Listening to a book of their choice
   • Attending an adult program
   • Completing a quiz/puzzle (tear off entry slip from returned quiz and place in prize bucket)

Note: Patrons may repeat the same activity over and over. Patrons are not required to do all of the activities. Patrons may return an unlimited number of prize entry tickets at any time.

4. When a patron brings back Summer Reading prize entry ticket/s, here’s your script:

• “Make sure you’ve completed all the info, on each prize entry ticket, including checking the box for the grand prize you’d like a chance at winning.
• Then, put all your prize entry tickets into this Weekly Prize Drawing bucket for a chance to win a weekly prize, a JPL Book Bag. Each Monday, we’ll draw one winner for the weekly prize and then we’ll put that prize entry ticket and all prize entry tickets into the respective grand prize buckets. That means, each week we’re drawing from a fresh supply of entries”

Note: It’s likely a patron may say they don’t want their prize entry ticket in the weekly prize buckets, so be it, just go ahead and put his/her prize entry ticket/s directly into the respective grand prize bucket.

(continued)

5. What we’re going to do each week:

• Each Monday morning before the library opens, Peg will draw one entry from the Weekly Prize bucket. Peg will notify winners by phone the same day, inviting the patron to come in as soon as possible to pick up the JPL Book Bag swag weekly prize. All prizes must be picked up before August 14.
• After the winner of the weekly prize is drawn, PS staff will place the winning prize entry ticket and all other prize entry tickets from the Weekly Prize bucket into the respective grand prize buckets as selected by the patron on the prize entry ticket. These entries will accumulate throughout the program until July 30.

6. When a patron brings back a quiz/puzzle, here’s your script:

• “Make sure you’ve completed all the info at the bottom of the puzzle, including checking the box for the grand prize you’d like a chance at winning. Now, tear off the prize entry ticket (or provide scissors to the patron) and place the prize entry ticket into the Weekly Prize Drawing bucket for a chance to win a weekly prize from our selection. Each Monday, Peg will draw one winner for a weekly prize and then PS staff will put that prize entry ticket and all prize entry tickets into the respective grand prize buckets. That means, each week we’re drawing from a fresh supply of entries”

Note: It’s likely a patron may say they don’t want their prize entry ticket in the weekly prize buckets, so be it, just go ahead and put his/her prize entry ticket/s directly into the respective grand prize bucket.

7. Extra prize entry tickets are available at the Reference Desk or can be downloaded from the library website (https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/events/adult-summer-reading/) or printed from this location “P:Beth StevensAdult Summer Reading2023ASR Extra SR Tickets 2023.pdf”.

8. Original copies and answer sheets for Puzzles are in the Adult Summer Reading drawer at the Ref Desk. Look for the white 3-ring binder with the summer logo cover. There are a total of nine puzzles, one for each week of summer reading. Each puzzle is labeled with a week # and a date range. Lolo has already printed 20 copies of each week’s puzzle. Each Monday morning, the corresponding week’s puzzle should be placed in the acrylic holder at the Ref Desk. Leftover copies from prior weeks can remain in the acrylic holder. Patron can turn in a max of 9 puzzle prize entry tickets, one for each week.

9. The prizes for Adult Summer Reading are behind the Circ Desk. There are 3 grand prizes:
   1. Portable Pickleball: Venux portable pickleball set with net, 4 paddles, 10 balls, 4 grips, and 1 carrying and paddle bag. Pickleball set is regulation size.
   2. Personalized Ideal Bookshelf Art Print (winner gets to choose their favorite books to be made into a print)
   3. Johnston Foodie: $25.00 Gift cards to Charlotte’s Kitchen, Blue Bean, Flame Cantina, Backpocket Brewery, Cork 50131

(continued)

Important Dates

Adult Summer Reading Program begins Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Adult Summer Reading Program ends Sunday, July 30^th  

• Monday drawings take place prior to opening on
  • June 5, 12, 19, 26
  • July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
  • All weekly prizes are assigned by week – patron gets what they get
• Grand prize winners are drawn on Monday, August 7 and winners will be notified by phone the same day.
• All prizes should be picked up by Monday, August 14.

Hi All:

Summer Reading is right around the corner! A copy of each log is available at each service desk if you would like to familiarize yourself with them J As always, if you have any questions, please let me know. 

Important Dates:

1^st day to pick up logs is Tuesday, May 30^th

1^st day to redeem prizes is Saturday, June 10^th  

Last day to redeem prizes in Sunday, July 30^th

Kids Summer Library Program Birth-Kids going into 5th Grade

Kids ages birth-going into 5^th grade are invited to participate in this program. Starting May 30^th, kids can come to the library to pick up all that they need for this year’s summer reading program.

Kids can pick up their activity log at any of the service desks.

Kids are asked to fill in a picture for every activity completed or for every 30 minutes of reading. 

When a level is complete (10 stars), kids can come in to pick up the prize for the completed levels. Please stamp the child’s log when a prize is redeemed.

Prizes:

LEARN:  Lanyard, Learn Badge & a Scratch-Off ticket

**Please do not pre-fill the plastic protector with the white “JPL Summer Discovery”. Have kids write their name on the tag before placing it in the plastic protector.**  

DISCOVER:  Goodie Bag & Discover Badge

The goodie bag is filled with a variety of coupons: Iowa Cubs ticket, Taco Johns Coupon, Blank Park Zoo pass, & more.

 CREATE: Activity Kit & Create Badge

This year’s activity kit is air dry clay with paint.

 READ: Prize Book & Read Badge

Each child will receive a book when they finish their log. They are free to choose from picture books, beginning reader, early chapter books, and chapter books. All of the titles are located on the shelving behind the YS desk.

 Readers are welcome to complete a bonus log and will earn a special badge and book sale coupon.   

Teen Summer Reading is for kids going into 6^th grade-12^th grade.

 Teens will be pick up their reading log and can earn points doing the following things:

Reading (points per page OR points per minute)

Reading aloud to someone (5 points per minute)

Listen to an audiobook (1 point per minute)

Watch a movie based on a book (20 pts each)

Attend a Library Program (100 pts each)

Write a book review (100 pts each)

Watch a TV series based on a book (10 pts/episode)

 When a teen comes in, have them add up their total points and write the total points they have on their sheet.  After giving them the prizes they’ve earned, date & initial where the total points are and check off the prizes that they’ve received. All prizes will be organized by point level and will be located behind the YS desk.

 Prize Levels:

300 points: Iowa Cubs Tickets

500 Points: Ticket to the Laser Tag Super Reward Party on August 4^th*

                If they make it a point to mention they will not be able to attend the party, feel free to offer them a coupon, book, or candy bar.

700 Points: Taco John’s OR Slim Chickens Coupon

900 Points: Free Book

1000 Points: Choice of Candy Bar & Entered into Grand Prize Drawing

1200+ Points: For every extra 200 pints earned, teens get an additional entry into the grand prize drawing.

 **When teens reach 500 points they receive a ticket to the Laser Tag Super Reward Party. There is a 3-ring binder containing the tickets. Please fill out the ticket-stub accordingly and give the ticket to the teen. Remind the teen that they must register and have the ticket in hand to attend the final party!

 Thank you for all of your help and hard work in preparing for summer reading!

The City of Johnston is working to develop an emergency communication plan. Every staff member should fill out the form linked below.

This can be returned to Janet Wilwerding via email or you can put it in my box and I’ll drop it off at City Hall for Janet.

Communications Contact Preference Form

Hello. Please double-check your timesheet against When to Work before you submit it. We have staff training on Friday, so I want to make sure that you have your hours in there to reflect your attendance. If the hours on your timesheet do not match the hours on When to Work, please let your supervisor know.

Molly

Hey all,

Beginning tomorrow morning, community members will be stopping in to the library to pick up 24″x24″ plywood boards to turn into paintings for the Terra Lake Art Walk. Thus far, we only have 14 individuals who have signed up to participate. I have printed a list of participating artists and left it on top of the pile of plywood boards in Eric’s office. When people come in to pick up a board, please cross their name off the list.

Molly brought it to my attention that last year there were a couple instances of people who mentioned that they had an acquaintance who had intended to sign up to participate, but for whatever reason, didn’t get it done. Should people want to pick up a board for another person who wasn’t able to sign-up, please take down that person’s name and contact information (preferably email) and then it is ok for you to send that person home with an extra board for another artist. Please only one board per participating artist. Here is the email that was sent out to participants, should you be asked for more info:

• Please come to Johnston Public Library to pick up your 24″x24″ piece of plywood beginning Wednesday, May 17th at 9:00am. The paintings MUST be painted on the provided plywood.
• Boards will be at the Circulation Desk at Johnston Public Library and can be picked up during open library hours.
• Acrylic paint is encouraged.
• All work must be original and the work of the registered artist.
• Completed paintings need to be turned in to the library NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, JUNE 11TH from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. If your painting is done earlier than June 11th, it can be dropped off to the Circulation Desk at Johnston Public Library during open library hours.
• Paintings will be displayed around Terra Lake for 6-8 weeks beginning in mid-June.
• Have questions? Email Beth at info@johnstonlibrary.org.