Category: Uncategorized

The front book display bin by Circulation features Missy’s annual “Blind Date with a Book” display. This bin has fiction books from various genres, wrapped in mystery paper, of course. All books are checked out to “on display.” Missy will restock as needed.

The display bin in the stacks by the cookbooks features “Sweet Treats,” i.e. desserts, cookies, pies, cupcakes, chocolates. All books are checked out to “on display.” Please feel free to help replensh as needed. 

The “Preview” option (accessible from a right click on a Bibliographic Record search results list) is a quick way to get from a Bib search to item information -like collection, call number, and availability.

Me again…

Just a friendly reminder about a couple aspects pertaining to library card registrations. 

1) I am seeing quite a few registrations where the patron chose “phone” as his/her preference of notification (and he/she provided an email address as well) and we seem to be leaving the default of email notification since an email was provided.  We want to make sure they are notified in the manner they prefer, so please take note as to what they circle and change the system accordingly.  If they don’t circle anything, ask and circle for them.   

2) We need driver’s license #’s or state id #’s typed into the system (it is another way that duplicate patrons stand out).  If the license is from another state, please type the entire number then the state’s initials afterwards, i.e. B13455SPL68 IL

Thank you very much!

Missy

Just to clarify, please place incomplete association applications in the yellow folder on the workdesk in the workroom (same place we always placed them) and completed applications can just lay on top of the yellow folder.  The white on top of the yellow should catch my eye from my desk!  Please make sure to initial the form at the bottom of the back side…just in case I have a question I know which staff member to ask.  Thank you for all your help!  We have had 3 new families sign up this week!

Missy

The Art Gallery will have artists picking up their art from the past exhibit and dropping off their art for the next showing.

The pickup art is in Eric’s office with the artist name on them.

For drop-off art please have the artist sign an artist waver (the form is located at the circ desk with other forms). They also need to fill the area on the form with title, medium and description of each piece of art that they leave. The art and completed forms will then go into Eric’s office until I can hang the art.

Also the display table between the circ desk and the reference desk will have items pertaining to the Olympics including biographies.

The display table by the new books will have fiction and nonfiction items related to valentines. I will switch that table out next week.

Thanks,

Karla

Update on Janet Stanton’s daughter.  Her daughter’s health condition continues to worsen. They will be taking her off of life support tomorrow. I told her that we are all thinking about her and her family during this sad time.

Karla

Polaris handles ‘Lost and billed’ items a bit differently than we have been used to with the previous system.   Once an item reaches 28 days overdue, the Polaris system automatically bills the customer for that item.

• Item status changes to ‘Lost’
• The borrower ID transfers from ‘Current Borrower’ to ‘Last borrower’
• Item is removed from the customer’s  ‘Items out’ screen
• Bills for replacement cost and processing fee are now listed on the customer’s ‘Account’ screen

If a ‘Lost’ item is returned and checked in:

• Polaris notes the item ‘Lost and found’ and assesses the appropriate overdue amount — this overdue charge is listed on the customer’s active ‘Account’ screen
• Details about the original bill for the lost item and the automatic waiving of that fee are then listed on the customer’s ‘transaction summary’ screen

Once an item goes beyond 60 days overdue, that customer’s bill may be referred on to a collection agency for further action:

• A $15.00 ‘Collection agency’ fee is added to the customer’s account
• A blocking note is added the customer’s record  “Patron account has been submitted to collection agency”.

See Maurine for further information.

A dry-erase board has been installed in conference room 1. Markers and an eraser are available at the reference desk. The other conference room will get a board later this week or next.

Eric

Due to a conflict with Grimes’ Governors Days, Green Days has been rescheduled for June 19-22. Assuming approval by the board, I’d like to shift the library’s closed dates for June from Father’s day weekend (June 14-15) to June 21-22 to keep us from being closed two Sundays in a row. If your work schedule for the 14th or 15th conflicts with plans you’ve made please let Maurine or I know.

Eric

SATURDAY, APRIL 19 FROM 1:00PM TO 3:00PM

It is a change from what was said at staff meeting.  It is cheaper for them to come out when they are already in town.  So, they have moved the date to Saturday, April 19 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM.  They will be in in our parking lot – at the front.  We will need a couple of volunteers to help out in lifting the boxes from the trunks, etc. and bringing them to the truck. 

The truck has cameras on it and all shredding will be done right then and there.  The shredded material then goes to a recycling facility.  For that purpose they can take items that do have staples, and paperclips, but nothing with plastic or binders.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Cheryl

Elijah is out of the library for a month. He will be welcome back at the library on 2/23/14.

Please read the incident reports for more details.

Cheryl

2013 W2 forms have been placed in staff mailboxes. 

Eric

Minutes from the January staff meeting are now available via the link below (this link is only accessible from within the library). If you were unable to attend, please be sure to take a look.

http://catalog.johnstonlibrary.com/staff/docs/staff-meeting-minutes/2014/

The First-Class Mail Letter Stamp rate increased from 46 cents to 49 cents on January 26, 2014. However, postage meters now provide the benefit of a new one-cent discount Metered category for First-Class letters only. The price becomes 48 cents with the discount.  The Library’s postage meter is preset for the discounted .48 rate for First Class mail.

Eric has informed Tyler’s mom of the different behavior incidents that he has been involved with here.  He told her we welcome him in here and are happy to have him here, however, we need to make it a welcoming environment for everyone.  If he has one more serious infraction then Eric will call the mother again to let her know that Tyler’s library use will be gone for one month.

I’m attempting to follow in Rita’s lovely footsteps and the daily circ schedules can be found in the top left drawer of my desk now.

Thank you,

Missy

I have started to withdraw the 2012 magazines.  Some will be bundled and placed in the commons area to be sold.  Each bundle will be sold for $2.00.  Money collected from the sale of magazine bundles should be placed in the foundation bag.

A link to a directory of staff meeting minutes has now been added in the Staff Resources & Training menu (to the left) of the intranet. 2013 minutes and all future minutes will be available there.

Eric

For those of you unable to attend yesterday’s staff meeting, the yellow notepads at the reference, youth services, and circulation desks are intended for any kind of patron comments you feel are worth noting. These could be compliments, complaints, or suggestions. I would also like to know when a patron was denied something because of an existing policy or procedure (you can exclude notes regarding requiring an ID for checkout or registering for a new card as those policies are not going to change). 

Eric

It’s hard to come up with a title to this little missive.  Where do I start?  It’s been such a pleasure and a privilege to work in such a very fine library like JPL for these past 7 1/2 years.  I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I was given, the wonderful people that I worked with, and the fine patrons that I was able to help in any small way.  Please know what a big part this job and place have played in my life, and how many treasured friendships I have developed.  Your deep commitment to your jobs, your patrons, and the community we serve is beyond measure.  Please continue to remember these two words–“care” and “communicate”.  They have been my guiding light and will continue to make this place the wonderful asset that it is today. 

A special thanks for your very wonderful and generous gifts from this morning.  I will treasure the wall hanging, and look forward to the opportunity to go to one of my favorite entertainment venues for some great theater or music.  The hard work on the entertainment at the staff meeting was so worth it, Ladies–I loved the skit!!  Great food, great entertainment–what more can you ask for?!

After my month in the sun (leaving January 31), I will be back and ready to volunteer–no dusting please!  In the meantime, thanks for all your kind words and thoughts. Feel free to call me on my cell, text me, be my friend on facebook, or email me at rita.samuelson@gmail.com.

With much gratitude,

Rita