Category: All-Library News

Calls to the circ. phone will now be broadcast to PS, YS, myself, and Molly on the first ring.

Overdrive has implemented a temporary fix for patrons to login to Bridges. I sent the message below to Bridges patrons this morning:

We’ve implemented a temporary fix for logging into Bridges. You should now be able to login, place holds, and check items out. Let me know if you have any questions.

As you know, patrons cannot make their own appointments as the website is inaccessible from outside the library. To avoid confusion and frustration, I’ve temporarily turned off hold notices. I’ve also updated dues dates for all items due 8/10-8/15 to 8/22.

I sent the message below to all patrons active on Bridges in the past 90 days:

The recent storm damaged some of our internet provider’s infrastructure making our website inaccessible. Until it’s repaired, which may be several days, you’ll be unable to log-in to Bridges to access your holds and checkouts. I’m working with Overdrive, the company that manages our Bridges site, to see if they can institute a temporary fix for patrons to log-in and if they can give patrons a few extra days to checkout available holds. I apologize for the inconvenience. Let me know if you have any questions.

I just notified Shawn, our current cleaner, that we will be switching to a new cleaning service sometime in October.

Internet

Staff internet is back. To get it working, the city’s IT guy tapped into our public internet service through Mediacom. This means that our public internet is now down.  For PC appointments, I have disabled the Envisionware login screen on PCs 10 and 16 and connected them to our hotspot. Printing is working as usual.

Overdrive

Because our Polaris server is not connected to the Internet, patrons cannot log in to Overdrive. I’ve contacted Overdrive to inquire about a temporary workaround for authentication (like sending them a list of barcodes) and to see if patrons can be given a few extra days to checkout available holds.

Power is back. For those who don’t know, we closed early yesterday due to a power outage. I will email those who missed their browsing and PC appointments.

There is a new self-check in the YS area near the restroom.

When you have letters to mail that need postage, please place them in the brown basket in front of my cubicle (tagged “Mail). Only mail that has postage should go in the mail tub.

We’re having issues with the P.O. returning unstamped mail for postage due. Help us avoid the delivery delay by using the basket.

Thank you!

Creating Appointments for Curbside and Other Library Services

Take a look at the document above and let your supervisor know if you have any questions. I’ve highlighted the purpose statement from the above document:

 We will work as an interdepartmental team to:

• Serve every patron if they make an appointment or walk-up to the library
• Educate library users about our appointment system as the fastest, guaranteed service approach and  walk-in appointments cannot be guaranteed
  • Walk-in patrons may be asked to wait while we gather materials or if we have reached the maximum number of patrons in the building. That is OK.
• Facilitate communication between departments working the desks using Slack

I’m settling into a new schedule for the upcoming weeks. Please do your best to have your completed and signed time sheets in the green folder outside Eric’s office on or before Thursdays at 6:00 pm. Thanks!

Peg

I attended a meeting run by Parks Director John Schmitz yesterday afternoon about the development of park facilities in Johnston Commons, the green space around the library. Amenities being discussed include a playground, a large (70-80 person capacity) shelter with restrooms, a full basketball court, and a splash pad. The location of this development will be in the space between the pond and Merle Hay, not between the library and the barn. There’s a chance that some sort of shade structure over our west patio will be included in the project as well. Construction is planned for spring 2021. I’ll be attending additional meetings as plans develop and will keep you posted.

All summer symphony concerts have been cancelled, and I will update you on upcoming performances when I hear word about them.

Since the browsing traffic has been light, the Hot Picks have once again been switched to “regular” book and DVD status — they are holdable, have a 3 week/1 week checkout, and are renewable.

Please remember to print, sign and place your time sheet into the green folder outside Eric’s office by Friday evening. If you are not able to do this, please send me an email at rasmussen@johnstonlibrary.com.

ThanksPeg

Starting yesterday, the library is accepting payment for fines and fees if patrons wish to pay. We accept cash, check, or credit/debit card in person.

A few highlights:

• We can now accept credit card payment over the phone.
• We still are not blocking accounts due to fines or fees over $15.
• Patrons can mail checks.
• The minimum charge at the credit card terminal has been lowered to $1. 
• There is hand sanitizer near the cash register to use after each transaction.
• At this time, there is still no charge for printing.

Anyone trained to use the cash register is welcome to accept payment and clear fees from accounts. Let me know if you have any questions.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GUIDE FUTURE GROWTH OF JOHNSTON

The City of Johnston is a growing community, but community feedback is always needed to help guide businesses and residents’ wants and needs. City leaders and staff have been working on a draft comprehensive plan – the Thrive 2040 Plan. This plan will help shape the future growth, investment and reinvestment within our community.

We are making library cards for those with appointments to browse or for walk-in visitors.

Here is a quick overview of what documents and information people need to get a library card:

Standard card –

Those 18 and older need a government-issued photo ID and proof of address (address on the ID will work if it is current)

For those 14-17, if no government-issued photo ID is available, an official document (letter, report card, Infinite Campus) with their name and address can be used.

For those under 14, a government-issued photo ID of a parent/guardian is required and the parent/guardian and child must be present.

For a provisional card (single-use and max of two items):

Those 18 and older need a government-issued photo ID – they do not need proof of address.

For those 14-17, no identification or official document is necessary. They do need to be able to fill out the form completely.

For those under 14, must be able to fill out the form completely. No ID or proof of address is required.

For all the details on making library cards, refer to the cheat cards at the public services desks or the Circulation Policy.

We’ve received some calls about patrons wanting to use their personal computers or tablets in the library right now. Personal electronic devices will be treated like regular computer appointments. If patrons come in and want to use their own computers or devices, we will still direct them to a designated spot within the library and remind them that PC appointments are limited to an hour, whether they are using our computer or their own. At this time, the library is not open for meeting space or gathering with another person.

We are here for browsing by appointment or computer use by appointment (that includes faxing, notarizing, and copying) and walk-ins for both services as long as we can stay under our designated number in the building at one time.

I’ve adjusted the settings on our browsing and PC appointment scheduling to allow patrons to schedule an hour in advance. Those monitoring appointments should use the website rather than a printout for the latest info. Curbside and printing appointments still need to be made a day in advance.