Category: Uncategorized

The bad news is that in working on our browse genres on the website I lost all of our staff picks. 

The good news is that you can now add staff picks via the website. If you’re logged in, you’ll see an “add to staff picks” link below each book (books only). Click the link to add your favorites to the staff picks page. Your first name will be recorded to be used on a coming feature where patrons can view a list of picks limited to a particular staff member. Plus, you will get rewarded with a small affirmation each time you choose a book. 

https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/pac/?pac_page=browse&item_type=book&genre[]=21

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/15/arts/design/chicago-public-housing.html

The staff printer got (another) new fuser is up and running again.

I’ve placed a service call, and a Premier technician will be in today to fix the problem. In the meantime, if you need assistance printing to the Youth Services printer, please let me know.

Update: The printer is back in service.

I’ve placed a service call, and a Premier technician will be in today to fix the problem. In the meantime, if you need assistance printing to the Youth Services printer, please let me know.

Article on the Des Moines Register web site about the Sensory Spaces program.

YS is now accepting your egg cartons. While we are grateful for any, we would especially appreciate the cardboard variety. Thanks!

Exciting news to announce–

Kathleen has accepted the Director position at Van Meter Public Library. Her last day will be May 23. Best of luck to Kathleen at her new gig!

David Wilwerding, Johnston’s Community Development Director, sent the report linked below ahead of a Comprehensize Plan meeting that will take place Monday. The report includes interseting data about who lives in Johnston–their race, education, income, etc.–and how that’s changing as well as the makeup of the city’s housing stock and other information. It even has a point about the Library!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kzbTV9oSsi_IsuYFqw3se_M2rTgQ4zLc

Megan B. has accepted a full-time position at the Hawkeye Community College Library. She’ll be moving to the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area in June. Her last day with us will be June 3rd. Congrats Megan!

Yep, I’m asking for you to get your time sheets turned in early AGAIN. My daughter is graduating college on Friday night the 10th and I’m taking Saturday off to celebrate with her.

Thank you for being diligent in getting your time sheets turned in – and proofing them before you do so. As always, send me an email if you need me to pay attention to something on your time sheet.

You may have heard already that our own Megan B. will be serving as our AmeriCorps member this summer. She’ll be doing a lot of outreach–at parks, free lunch sites, and community events–and helping with summer reading sign-ups and programs. Rachel Vaughan will fill Megan’s circulation hours during June and July.

For the fourth year, the JPL Foundation is organizing a 5k to raise funds for library projects. This year’s run/walk will be held at Terra Lake Park on Saturday, June 15th at 7am. Online registration and more information is available online via the link below. Paper registration forms are also on display above the inside book return–in-person registrants can pay by check, cash, or card via the book sale iPad. 

https://foundation.johnstonlibrary.com/?page=5k

We’ve purchased two Des Moines Children’s Museum passes to add to our Adventure Pass collection. They’ll be available for checkout sometime this week. The museum is located at Valley West Mall. See photos and get more details at https://dsmchildrensmuseum.com/

Clarification added in caps:

Theft of bikes, scooters, and other property–taken from patrons inside or outside the library–should be reported BY THE PATRON to the police department. If needed, Molly or I will work with PD to review surveillance video and help identify suspects.

Shades have been installed on the north windows of the Archive Room. They work via chain like those in the West.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl-DtKVONmU.

In this video is Sheila Olsen, former JPL children’s librarian, who is now the head of youth services at Altoona’s library.  She has red curly hair. 

To assist any users with mobility issues, we have a walker with a seat and basket stored behind the Circ Desk.

We will have two new clerks starting this May. Melodee Grefe will be starting next week. She comes to the library with experience as a teacher librarian for West Des Moines Schools. A former shelver, Rachel Vaughn, will be working this summer as a clerk to fill the hours vacated by Megan Blackford. Megan B. will be working at the library through the Americorps VISTA program this summer and plans to resume her circulation hours/duties this fall.

Please take a moment to welcome Melodee and Rachel as you see them around the library.