Category: All-Library News

Hello All,

All Desk Training for JPL Staff (mainly Circ staff as YS and PS people are already up to speed on this info) for Printing, Copying, Scanning, Faxing, and Public PC Training will happen on Tuesday, December 14th at 7:00pm for everyone who is available to make it.

Molly will cover the Circ Desk for those that are already scheduled to work on that evening.

Please RSVP here: https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/events/?event_page=registration&did=37455

Beth and Peg will attempt to schedule another time or meet with individuals on a one-on-one basis for those who are unable to make the December 14th date.

Thanks!

beth

From City Manager Jim Sanders:

Hello All,

I want to thank you all for your cooperation in following the mask guidelines we have had in place in city buildings and city vehicles. I truly believe that, through our efforts, we have done what we needed to do to keep ourselves, our families, friends and co-workers safe as we navigate through this pandemic.

We have been dealing with Covid for a long time and we all know the risks and what we can do to keep ourselves safe (get vaccinated, wash hands, wear masks and social distance). The big unknown is how the spread of Covid will be impacted when citizens in the colder climates begin to spend a majority of their time indoors during the winter months.

I have decided to rescind the face mask requirement for employees in common spaces in city buildings.

As you are aware, the CDC continues to recommend the use of masks when indoors. Even though we will no longer be required to wear masks in the common spaces in city buildings, I would encourage you to consider wearing a mask if you are in situations or in meetings when you are not able to maintain social distance.

I am continuing to require a mask when more than one employee are riding in a vehicle on city business.

We will continue to monitor issues related to Covid and provide updates and further guidance as they become available.

Thank you,

Jim

Headphone adapters for both iPhones and C-USB (most android phones) are now available for in-library use at the PS Desk and in the Teen Space.

Please use the “Phone Charger Sign-Out” form to check out the adapters to patrons.

If you have any questions, please let Beth or Megan know.

Be sure to purchase your access for this weekend’s concerts:  https://my.desmoinesperformingarts.org/0/6041?queueittoken=e_nov17onsale~q_9486eca7-0fd4-4166-93e3-7d3bb44c8947~ts_1637255705~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_9effe1d32a626c5200ea14000a20c42bba47f5e8be2e26b05c3be446dc019344.

We are playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Paul Huang as soloist, Sibelius’s Seventh Symphony, and Masquerade by Anna Clyne.  Hope you enjoy it!

Two new online research resources are now available on the Research page of our website. Both can be accessed remotely or in the library.

• Academic Search Premier

  A multi-disciplinary database of more than 4,600 magazines and journals, including full text for nearly 3,900 peer-reviewed titles. In addition to the full-text, this database offers indexing and abstracts for 8,470 journals.

• Masterfile Premier

  Contains full text for nearly 1,700 periodicals covering general reference, business, health, education, general science, multicultural issues and much more.

Just a reminder that we will close at 4pm next Wednesday and will be closed Thursday and Friday.

Congratulations to MEGAN for finding the Hidden Turkey and submitting an entry into the daily drawing. Turkey Tom is on the move again today – go on a turkey hunt to find him.

Here is a link to submit limericks for the Limerick Challenge if you aren’t on-site to post one on the corkboard in the Staff Break Room: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKPWtL7GW1v5n1Gb1OESO24KqZEcwzyNjAEQuboP1TNhtCWA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Visit the Staff Breakroom after 12:00 pm for more Gratitude, Gobbles & Giggles Week fun.

Greetings!

Get your gobble on everyone because today begins Day 1 of the Great JPL Turkey Scavenger Hunt!

Our turkey friend will be hiding in a new spot every day. (You’ll know him when you see him. He is on an orange piece of paper with the message “Gobble! Gobble! You found me!” written above his head.) When you find him, write down your name and his location on the prize slips provided in the break room for a chance to win a FABULOUS  GRATITUDE, GOBBLES, & GIGGLES WEEK PRIZE PACKAGE!

We will limit his location to staff-only areas, the Commons, and the book drop room. No need to run all over the library looking for him. 🙂

The turkey will be in a new location every day, so there are many chance to WIN! Feel free to give friends hints and clues to his location! (Hot and cold game, anyone?)

GOOD GOBBLE GOBBLE LUCK!

Your Gratitude, Gobbles, & Giggles Committee (aka the GG&G Ladies)

Welcome to a week of GRATITUDE, GOBBLES AND GIGGLES at JPL.  We want to show our GRATITUDE for our amazing co-workers; GOBBLE up some fun treats, and enjoy a few GIGGLES with some games and contests!  And TURKEYS, RIGHT? Because, who doesn’t love a TURKEY? Stay tuned to the intranet for important TURKEY BULLETINS.  Because, you KNOW you DON’T WANT TO MISS IT!

We hope everyone has a great week!

Your Gratitude, Gobbles, & Giggles Committee Members

As I mentioned at the most recent staff meeting, we are restarting the “all-desk services” trainings that were paused throughout the pandemic. These trainings–for PS, YS, and Circulation staff–are intended to give everyone a better sense of the services and resources we offer to help staff provide better service. There will be multiple opportunities to complete each training and we will work with staff to schedule trainings at times that work best for you. Some of the trainings will be one-on-one while others will be done with a small group. Feel free to reach out to the staff member responsible for a given training to figure out a training time that works. If you’d like to attend a training during your regular shift, please consult your supervisor first to ensure coverage.

To view the trainings and to see which ones you’ve completed, click on the “All-Desk Services Trainings” link next to your name in the staff list (linked below).

Staff List

I reset the system clock, but it may take up to 24 hours for the building clocks to reflect the correct time.

The Library Foundation met Wednesday to discuss their 2022 budget which begins in January. In addition to continuing to fund LinkedIn Learning and our BookPage subscription, they have agreed to fund a collection of decodable books for the library’s Beginning Reader collection as well as a shade structure for the west patio (design shown below).  The shade structure will be installed sometime in the spring following replacement of the patio concrete.

The Johnston Public Library Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to enhance and improve the Johnston Public Library.” Foundation Board members work to generate community support for collection development, programs, and technology initiatives that are beyond the means of the Library’s operating budget.

The Parks Department has been levelling a spot east of the parking lot for installation of the temporary ice rink that’s been near the library the past couple of winters. The rink will not have a cooling mechanism so the condition of the ice will be dependent on the temperature. In addition to this rink, there will a rink at the Town Center with artificial ice opening November 27th. Skate rental will be available at the Town Center rink for $5. (I’m working with Venuworks, the company that manages activities at the Town Center, to add three skate passes to our Adventure Pass program.) More information on the Town Center rink is available on the City’s website.

Veterans Day is next Thursday. The library will be closed. I’ve included a summary of holiday pay for full- and part-time staff below.

• Part time staff not regularly scheduled more than twenty hours weekly will not receive holiday pay (even if you come to work on Christmas 🙂 )
• Part time staff who are regularly scheduled 20-30 hours per week and who are also scheduled to work on a paid holiday can take as paid the hours that they’re regularly scheduled to work. If Jim is scheduled to work 6 hours on Christmas, for example, he can take 6 hours of holiday pay.
• Full time staff may need to adjust their schedules (take days off some other day(s) that pay period- 11/7-11/20) to ensure that their paid holiday hours don’t push them into overtime.

Find more Holidays and Closings on the website.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

It looks like a crew has started work on the sidewalk that will connect the west parking lot with the playground that will be constructed behind the library sometime in the next several month. I’ve included a drawing of the plan below.

A few days ago I received a request for reconsideration for the book “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe. I’m currently reading it and will meet this week or next with the patron who submitted it. Since the request, two articles about local challenges to this particular title have appeared online–one of them about the challenge here at JPL and the other about a challenge at the Waukee School District. As you know, withdrawing materials based on these kinds of objections flies in the face of the fundamental principles of public librarianship outlined eloquently in ALA’s Freedom to Read Statement. Our Request for Reconsideration Policy states that “the library recognizes that any given item may offend some patrons but will not remove specific titles solely because individuals or groups find them objectionable.” Given the publicity about the challenge, patrons may ask about it. Listen to what they have to say but please don’t give an opinion on the challenge or the book. How librarians respond to these kinds of challenges should not be directed by personal taste. As “The Freedom to Read Statement” states, “Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea…they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what should be… circulated.” If a patron wants to discuss this particular title or our reconsideration policy, refer them to Molly or myself. I’ve included a link to the challenge below as well as one to an interesting article from the author on recent challenges to their book.

Request for Reconsideration – Gender Queer

Opinion: Schools are banning my book. But queer kids need queer stories.