Category: All-Library News

Now that most patron accounts that had their expiration dates extended due to the pandemic have been renewed, we’ve decided to do away with the online renewal option. Patrons with expiring accounts will receive the updated notice included below.

The library updates user accounts every two years. Your Johnston Public Library account will expire in 30 days. Either reply to this message, call us at 515-278-5233, or visit the library to verify or update the contact information listed above and renew your account.

What if a patron needs a book club set NOW and no one is available in Technical Services?

1. The Book Club Sets are located in Technical Services.  All book club sets are shelved by call numbers and or author’s last name. The adult non-fiction and Biography titles are shelved behind Lori E’s desk.  The adult fiction titles begin on the west all of Lori’s cubicle and continue around the corner. The sets are continued on the back wall of the TS area. The YA sets are shelved next to the YS workroom.
2. When a book club set is reserved, the Circulation Status is Unavailable. Books with a status of Unavailable cannot be checked out.
3. To determine which book club sets are available, go to the PAC.
   1. Hover over Browse and then choose book club sets.
   2. On the left side of the screen, click on Checked- In Titles Only.
   3. The patron may now select from the titles listed.
4. Patrons are also welcome to check out single copies of Book Club Sets as long as the Circulation Status is “In.”
   1. If you check out a single copy, you do not need to do anything further.
   2. If you check out two or more copies of a single title, leave a note for (or send an e-mail to) Lori E. letting her know which set or items you loaned.
5. If a patron wants a copy of the discussion questions, go to P:Book ClubMultiple Copies Discussion Questions.  Each book has its own document which you can print for the patron. Or print directly from the PAC Link found in the “Notes” section of the book club set description.
6. Book club sets check out for 6 weeks automatically.  There is no need to reset the due date.  There are no renewals on book club sets.
7. Bags for book club sets are available on the bottom shelf located at the end of the TS work counter.

When Book Club Sets are returned, check them in using the normal procedure, and place them on the TS shelf in circulation or on the Book Club cart in TS. If you check in a book with a blocking note, please follow those check- in instructions

Book Club Sets FAQs

1. Where can I find a list of all of JPL book club sets? On the INTRANET-left column under PATRON ASSISTANCE. Click to download and then print.
2. Where can I find a description of each book club title? On the INTRANET-left column under PATRON ASSISTANCE. This is a long document, so if possible send as an attachment to the patron’s email.
3. Where can I find discussion questions for a book club set? P:Book Club Copies Multiple Discussion Questions.  Select the title and print. Or from the PAC link, in the Notes section of each book club set description.
4. Where can I find a book bag for a book club set? If you need to prepare a book club set on the spot, book bags can be found on the back workroom shelves near the Technical Services work counter.
5. What if a patron asks for a SINGLE book club set book?
6. Check the bib. record to see if the title is available in our regular collection. Cataloging->Bib Records -> Search by: all keyword fields->For: title and author’s last name.
7. If a regular copy is available, assist patron in finding that item. If it is checked out or we do not own a regular copy, then look at the circulation status of the book club titles.
8. Check to see if the title is “In” or “Unavailable”.
9. If the title is ‘In”, call TS to bring the book out to you (Lori E. 619), or feel free to come back and get the book from the shelf. Note the ending numbers of the barcode to choose a book with a status of IN.
10. Check the book out to the patron. If a patron would like two or more copies, please leave Lori E. a note or an email letting me know what set or copies you checked out.
11. Should I just re-shelve Book club books after checking them in? Follow the check in screen prompt (for example, Well Red book club selection. Please place on shelf behind the circ desk.). If there is no check-in prompt, please place the books on either the TS shelf or the Book Club set cart.  TS checks every book that is returned for status updates.
12. What if a patron wants to renew a book club book? Book club sets and books are not renewable, but exceptions can be made. Please send the renewal request to Lori E. via email, phone message, or note.
13. Can a patron place their own hold on a book club set? From the PAC they are able to place a hold on a single or multiple copies.

JPL will be purchasing one t-shirt for each staff member for Summer Reading 2022. Please fill out the form below by Monday, November 15th, orders will be placed by December 1 and will arrive in Mid-March. Any questions? Ask Megan 🙂

https://forms.gle/BsanKsV6unxHupfeA

Click here for a link to this mornings On-The-Fly PowerPoint.

I’m aware of a couple of outside building lights that are out including the one outside the staff entrance. I’ve notified Doug, the guy from Public Works who changes our lights, about it but I believe he is still out from a surgery. Until it’s fixed, feel free to leave the workroom lights on when you leave for the night.

The Clive Police Chief notified the Johnston PD yesterday of an interaction Clive officers had with a “First Amendment Auditor“. Some of these “auditors” choose public libraries as a setting for creating videos that try to capture staff reacting in a way that the “auditor’s” online audience perceives as violating first amendment rights. If it’s clear that a library visitor is attempting an “audit” and is trying to bait you into saying or doing something that they can use to paint the library in a bad light, ask a supervisor or the librarian in charge for assistance. As long as the “auditor” is in a public area, is not putting themselves or others in danger, and is not interfering with patrons or with library business they have a right to film, record, or photograph.  If they don’t approach you, the best thing to do is to ignore them.

The 2022 Holidays & Closings calendar was approved at last week’s board meeting. There are no changes from 2021. View the holidays and closings list via the link below.

An announcement from Overdrive:

At Digipalooza last week, we shared the plan and timeline for sunsetting the legacy OverDrive app. This will enable you to focus on Libby as the primary app for users to enjoy and engage with your digital library.

For the first step, we will remove the OverDrive app from the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Microsoft Store in February 2022.

How this initial change will impact users

• Current OverDrive app users can continue to use the app.
• New users looking for the OverDrive app will be directed to Libby.
• All users can continue to use, borrow, and open titles from your library’s OverDrive website via a browser.

What happens next

We recommend that all partners actively promote Libby and remove references to the OverDrive app from library websites and promotional materials.

In future phases, we will be actively encouraging OverDrive app users to switch to Libby, with a goal of moving most over by the end of 2022. We are committed to supporting a smooth transition for you and your users and will send you ongoing updates on the plans and timing for the eventual retirement of the OverDrive app.

Source:  https://company.overdrive.com/2021/08/09/important-update-regarding-libby-and-the-overdrive-app/

Craft kits ( bags), with names of those who registered to pick up, are behind the circ desk.  Thank you for your help in handing these out.

A few people will be picking up their Take and Make craft kits before Saturday’s craft class.  I left the bags behind the circ desk. Anyone else wishing to pick up kits can stop in at the west meeting room before or after the class. Thanks for your help!

Our maintenance crew found an iphone that was left in the evening of 10/21. The iphone has a mint green case and was found on the couch in the back of the library. I have locked it up in the gray cabinet.

Art walk artists have been notified that their paintings are available for pickup. The paintings are behind the circulation desk. The artists can be allowed behind the desk to find their work.

Early voting for all precincts is on October 26 at Crown Point from 9 am- 3 pm.

The City and Johnston Community school board election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To find your polling place, visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

Precincts 1 and 2 vote at city hall

Precinct 3 votes at Crown Point

Precincts 4 and 5 vote at Stoney Creek

Precinct 6 votes at the library

Polls are open from 7 am – 8pm.

There are ID requirements to vote.

For more information on requesting an absentee ballot, visit the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. Polk County voters who wish to vote by mail, in the November 2, 2021, City/School Election must have their request into the Polk County Election Office on or before October 18, 2021.

City election candidates:
Mayor (1 to be elected) 2-year term

• Paula Dierenfeld
  

City Council  (At Large – 2 to be elected) 4-year term

• James Evans
• Adam Haar
• Rhonda Martin

Johnston Community School District (At Large – 3 to be elected) 4-year term

• Tiara L. Mays
• Lya S. Williams
• Clint G. Evans
• Deb Davis
• Jeanie Kerber
• Justin Allen
• Derek Tidball

https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/tchaikovsky-s-fourth-2/

https://my.desmoinesperformingarts.org/0/6037

https://my.desmoinesperformingarts.org/overview/5609

The above links involve info on how to purchase tickets, online streaming, and concert info.  The concert is available for viewing for 30 days after the performance.  We are playing Lyric for Strings by George Walker, Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.  The concertmaster, principal cellist, and Drake piano professor will be the soloists in the Beethoven.

After several months hiatus, there is a new show in the art gallery. Several of the pieces are available for purchase. As with any show in the JPL gallery, interested buyers should contact the artist directly. Her email address is lawson.e.emily@gmail.com

After a conversation on an unrelated topic, Nicholas, the newish director at Urbandale, sent these nice words. Keep up the good work!

We just completed our public survey as part of our strategic planning process. We received lots of comments from patrons telling us to “be more like the Johnston Library” and “take lessons from the Johnston Library.” You have set a high standard in Johnston!

Thanks!

Nicholas Janning, Library Director

City of Urbandale

When you receive a phone call about our free notary services at JPL, please make sure you tell patrons the 3 bullet points below so they know what to expect.

As of right now, the only time we do not have multiple notaries on staff is Thursday evening after 5:00pm.

In a couple weeks, once Rose, Christine, and Lolo are ready to go as notaries, we should have multiple notaries on staff at all times. Appointments are not required for notarial acts.

• Anyone who needs to sign, will need to bring photo ID with a signature.
• If your document requires witnesses—most documents don’t–we ask that you bring your own witnesses with you to the library.
• If you need to have copies of documents notarized, Iowa Notarial Code requires that the copies be made here in the presence of the notary.