Category: All-Library News

The plumbers have shut off the building’s water temporarily while they remove the restroom fixtures.

Repairs to the concrete along the front of the library and in the parking lot will begin next week. Each repair is relatively small so there shouldn’t be too much disruption of parking or foot traffic.

[UPDATE] Our email notifications don’t include the video so I’ve included a link below. Otherwise, you can watch it at work via the intranet.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iYvEneZVjXC5khKlCm6Dm6F3wwfdGZTd/view

The police chief forwarded this video on the coronavirus for me to share.

Sometime on Monday, March 2nd, a storage pod will be delivered near the dumpster. Please don’t park in the three spots west of the dumpster.

Please register here > https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/events/?event_page=registration&did=35066

Computer assistants, such as Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa, and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs are becoming commonplace. If you need directions, want to buy groceries, or are looking for suggestions for a new wardrobe, technological help is just a request away. There is no doubt that computerized assistants and Artificial Intelligence are impacting every facet of society, including our economies, cultures and public institutions such as schools and libraries, and that this impact will only grow stronger.

As we as a society try to manage this new technology, many people are calling on the library community to lead the way. Libraries are increasingly supporting patrons in understanding AI as well as implementing AI technology to improve processes and provide a better, more personalized patron experience.

Librarians will also be needed to educate people about AI, helping them understand how to use it in order to enhance daily life and develop their career, while learning of potential pitfalls and how to protect personal data online.

This webinar will discuss the use of AI in public libraries and provide advice on how your library can ensure it is not only prepared for the changes AI will bring, but that it is positioned to shape and then lead the world that AI is helping to create. Featuring presentations from the New Orleans Public Library, King County Library System and collectionHQ, the webinar will share specific examples of how AI is being used to inform the selection of pre-published titles based on predictive algorithms, and how voice-assisted technology can be used to connect patrons to library resources.

The skating rink is currently being disassembled for the season.

The West Des Moines Library will be closed all day on March 2nd for some reorganizing, and public computers will be unavailable there from then through the 6th.

If you know someone attending Des Moines Symphony Youth Concerts next week, please let me know.  We can’t wait to share music with them!

Next Masterworks set is March 14th at 7:30, and March 15th at 2:30 at the Civic Center.  Beethoven’s 8th Symphony, Wagner’s Sigfried Idyll, and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana will be presented.  https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/carmina-burana/

I’m a little late with this post, but I’d like to welcome Carolyn Wall and Laura Akers to the library. They both began earlier this month as library clerks, and we are so happy to have them!

I will be conducting a Behavior Management Training on Sunday, March 29 from 11am-12pm in the Archive Room. I will review behavior management best practices, de-escalation techniques, and  go over “scripts” for our most common interactions. If you would like to attend, please register so I have a rough idea of how many people will be there. This fulfills the Behavior Management Training for our All-Desk Training.

Registration Link:

https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/events/?event_page=registration&did=34982

The Tech Lab’s 8mm film scanner is out of order. I’ve contacted the company for advice and will keep you posted. Until we get it fixed, those reserving the Tech Lab for 8mm or Super 8 film scanning should be told that we’re working on a fix and that we’ll notify them when it’s available.

8 portable USB chargers are now available for checkout at the Public Services desk. Each charger comes with a cable for iPhones and Androids. They’re for in-library use only. Each one is barcoded and can be checked out via Polaris as you would any other item. The patron’s account must be in good standing and must be an account-type that allows checkouts–i.e. the chargers cannot be checked out to Computers Only or Provisional cardholders.

I ran across this in a social media post. Perhaps you’ve seen it already, if not, enjoy:

http://www.ilovelibraries.org/article/empathy-centers-chanel-miller-libraries

We’re getting new counters, stalls, and tile in the public restrooms. The project begins March 2nd. Here’s what to expect.

Restrooms will be closed beginning March 2nd.  Three portable toilets (one handicap accessible) will be delivered outside the Commons doors. Plumbers will remove the sinks and toilets. Two private diaper changing stations will be setup: one in the Commons and the other near the Youth Computer Lounge.

Tile tear-out and installation will begin the week of March 9th and extend to March 30th or April 6th.

Once the tile is done, toilets and sinks will be be put back, and new stall doors and counters will be installed.

Everything should be done by the second week of April.

The staff restroom will be open throughout.

UPDATE: This issue seems to be resolved at least for most email recipients. Hold notices have just been run so we’re all caught up.

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Some outgoing email messages from @johnstonlibrary.com email addresses are being blocked again due to a city virus issue. The process that sends hold notices has been turned off for now. Patrons whose holds notices were blocked this morning have been notified of their hold via a library gmail account.

For now, circulation staff can process holds as normal including placing holds on the pick-up shelf. Once the email issue is fixed, I’ll re-enable hold notices and extend patrons’ pick-up dates.

Staff is going around trying to clean up entrances and put salt down near doorways and along sidewalks leading to the entrance.  I have instructed them to not take off the thin layer of snow in the parking lots at this time.  There is a layer of ice below the snow and it will be polished up if we try to take the snow off.  It is currently too cold to get much salt activation going, so we would be stuck with ice rinks…I think the layer of snow is currently giving some traction.  We will evaluate throughout the day to see if conditions improve.  If they don’t improve today, we will take the layer off tomorrow morning and salt the entire lot at that point.  Tomorrow’s temperatures look much better than today.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

John

The second to last Commons exit door is stuck. Someone from Walsh will be coming to look at it. They typically don’t give us notice before they come. If Molly or I are not available, please point them to the Commons.

I will be doing a training session on the “Website” portion of our all-desk services trainings this Friday at 1pm in the West Meeting Room. It should take 30-45 minutes. No registration required.

Please register here > https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/events/?event_page=registration&did=34880

Do you have a go-to strategy for helping historical fiction readers? Whether your readers are fans of family sagas or shady ladies, let NoveList and LibraryReads break down the best historical fiction has to offer your readers — from Biblical fiction to World War II and everything in between.

Join us as they cover:

-Why readers love historical fiction and how libraries can ramp up their collections
-How historical fiction developed, including classics, newcomers, and awards to know
-Subgenres and trends
-NoveList insider information on genre headings, appeal terms, and more

The exterior cameras have been installed. They offer a much better view of parking lot, food pantry, and bike racks. Please take a look when you have time.