Category: All-Library News

Mary wanted to clean out her freezer, so she brought some treats that are on the break room table.  Please help yourself!

As you are all aware, COVID numbers in Polk County continue to decline.  While not out of the CDC’s high classification quite yet, we are moving in the right direction.

Jim asked me to send out an update on employee masking requirements now that we’re trending downward.  Masks will no longer be required EXCEPT when social distancing cannot be maintained.  (Such as in vehicles for business purposes, or meetings in groups where you can’t be 6’ apart, etc.)

Thank you and your teams for all your work, and all your patience while we navigate our way through this!

Cyndee

If you know anyone who is or might be attending the Magic Flute matinee at the Civic Center downtown on March 7, please let me know.  We are only performing act one for this performance.

Beth’s daughter Penelope is selling girl scout cookies, and her chart and money envelope is in the breakroom.  If you are wanting to write a check, Beth still needs to determine who to make it out to.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Des Moines Metro Opera, and this organization and the Des Moines Symphony are collaborating together and performing W.A. Mozart’s The Magic Flute.  Concerts at the Civic Center are Saturday March 5th at 7:30 PM, and Sunday March 6th at 2 PM at the Civic Center.  If you know any students in the DSM area, we are performing act one on Monday March 7th as a student matinee at 11 AM.

https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/dmmo-magic-flute/

There is no online viewing for this event unfortunately.

Hello all,

Here is a little additional information about tax season and how to respond to tax questions here at the library:

• As you have time, please take a look through the tax info page. There is a quick link on the home page of johnstonlibrary.com and under our Services menu with information about links to federal and state tax forms and free tax assistance.
• Right now we have received Federal 1040 instructional booklets. Federal 1040 and 1040SR (senior) forms are on the way. I have printed out Federal 1040 forms to tide us over until the forms arrive from the government.
• The State of Iowa no longer sends out paper copies of Iowa tax forms. I have printed out Iowa 1040 forms as well.
• All tax info that we have for patrons is at the Reference Desk
• We ask the people limit forms and booklets to one per household. If people want a practice form to fill out, they can take one of the printed forms that we have printed.
• Staff at the Ref Desk may print federal and state tax forms for individuals at no charge.
• We will not be printing tax instruction booklets for people—they are very long. 😉
• Please remember that library staff are not able to give tax information or help—our role is to direct people to resources like AARP  or United Way VITA tax assistance. Information about both of those free resources is on the tax info page on our website.

We put together this video a few years back. If you’re unsure about how materials are selected, processed, and cataloged, take a look when you have time.

Tax information has been added to our website. The page is accessible via the link under the header on the homepage and via the Services menu.

https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/services/tax-forms/

City hall snail-mailed W2s on Monday. If yours doesn’t arrive by the end of the week, let me know.

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

If anyone asks about picking up a craft kit from Saturday’s craft class, please direct them to the PS ( Info) desk.  The labeled bags are in a basket behind the desk.

Thank you!

The Staff Party is this Saturday night!

Brightside Aleworks in Altoona (480 Center Place)

6:30-10 PM

Forgot to RSVP and would still like to come? The more the merrier and we’ll have plenty of food!

We’ll order a variety of sandwiches from Jimmy John’s to meet everyone’s taste. Condiments will be separate. There is a water dispenser and glasses, if people prefer not to purchase a beverage. Brightside also offers non-beer beverage options such as Coke and Cream Soda!

Here’s what people are bringing: Chips, Pasta Salad,  Hummus & Veggies, Snickerdoodle Cookies, Mac Salad, Papas & Chorizo, “Devil” Eggs – guess who’s bringing that???? And a few more that are yet to be determined!

We’ll hang out, play games, and break out some awesome prizes!

See you all Saturday!

We’ve all heard about the increase in objections to books in schools and libraries over the past few months (including one at JPL). The following paragraphs describe how to respond to patrons who object to materials here at JPL.

It’s possible that the patron stumbled upon the item in question organically, through browsing or a recommendation. It’s also possible that the patron heard about the item online or in the news and came to the library to find it and object to it. Either way, listen to the patron without agreeing with them. If it seems appropriate–if the item in question is a sex-ed book, for example, and they were looking for a book written for a younger audience–offer to help them find something else. If they seem to want a more in-depth conversation about the item or library policy, find the Director or Assistant Director. If neither are available, get the patron’s contact information and tell them that the Director will contact them to discuss their objections.

Unless the patron asks for a Request for Reconsideration form (available via the Patron Assistance menu on the Intranet), do not provide them one. Most times, patrons just want their objections heard and aren’t interested in pursuing a formal challenge. If needed, a form will be provided to the patron following a conversation with the Assistant Director or the Director.

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.

Be sure to purchase your online access for this weekend’s concerts!

https://my.desmoinesperformingarts.org/0/6040

Some letters written by Beethoven to an unknown person will be read as part of the performance.  The pianist joining us for Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto is awesome!

Eric has purchased a new vac for staff use. Who doesn’t love a new VAC?!  It is located in the break room.  Feel free to use it, and out of courtesy, please empty the canister after each use.

Residential households in the U.S. can now order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com.

https://special.usps.com/testkits