JPL Intranet

As a thank you for all that you do as a City Employee the Menace has invited us to join in cheering the team this Friday for a home game at a discount rate of just $7 a ticket. Enjoy with family & friends! The first 500 will receive a FREE defend Des Moines t-shirt!! The game is Friday, July 21^st at 7 p.m. at the Valley Stadium located: 4440 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50265.

Order your tickets by clicking on the link: https://fevogm.com/event/CityjohnstonR32

At this time, the Purchase Request system is no longer automatically sending an email to patrons letting them know whether their requests have been approved or denied.

If a JPL collection selector decides to purchase a requested item, the patron will still be put on hold for the item. If a patron comes in to enquire about the status of a purchase request, you can still go to the Purchase/Ill request tab on the intranet, bring up the patron’s account, and see the status of a request: it will show either requested, ordered or denied.

When you are placing Purchase Requests for patrons, change up your script to no longer include info about how they will receive an email.

“Ok, your request has been placed. A purchase request does not guarantee that an item will be purchased, but if this item is a good fit for our collection and is ordered, the item will be placed on hold for you.”

1. Please make a copy of the time sheet template and save it to your individual folders on the P drive.
2. Most of the cells in the template are locked, meaning you can’t change them. That’s on purpose because many contain formulas.
3. If you encounter a cell that you should be able to use, but it’s locked, please let Peg know and I’ll correct the template.

To All Staff,

In an effort to make our time sheets as accurate as possible, I have added a section at the bottom of each template for you to manually enter the weekly total hours your WTW account says you worked.

This means that before turning in your time sheet, you must access your employee WTW account to find the hours it says you worked. If there are discrepancies, please speak to Molly or Peg prior to the end of the pay period.

The modified time sheets can be found on this staff intranet. Look at the top ribbon, click on PRINTABLES/MASTERS, scroll down to the T’s.

We have four primary employment levels, see below. Please make sure you use the correct time sheet. Although they look similar, the codes differ on each. If you do not know which time sheet to use, please ask your supervisor.

• Exempt Full time
• Regular/Non-Exempt Full time
• Regular/Non-Exempt Part time = working 20-30 hrs/wk (meaning you earn PTO)
• Part time = Working less than 20 hrs/wk (meaning you don’t earn PTO)

I just wanted to send out a quick reminder to everyone about Adventure Passes. This collaboration is a win for everyone involved – especially the community. Johnston PL users are some of the highest users, per capita, in the metro. The passes we purchase are similar in cost to the passes that individual families would purchase, yet our passes are used at least four to five times more than private passes are used.

It is vital that we very clearly communicate with library users how to use the Adventure Pass. Not specific to Johnston, there have been reports of people showing up at venues with just their library card in hand expecting to be admitted and families frustrated that a pass will only cover two of their three kids, etc. Those interactions are difficult for staff at the venues.

There will be times when the Adventure Pass isn’t a perfect fit for a family. I know I had someone very upset the other day because they have four kids. I tried to offer solutions such as going with another adult, but ultimately, that person was just upset. I simply pointed out that with the pass they (mom and four kids) would get in paying for three tickets less. I did my best to accept and process her disappointment here rather than place any blame on the venue.

When you mention Adventure Passes to new cardholders or help people reserve a pass, please do your best to clearly communicate the information below. While we cannot feel responsible for miscommunications, we do want to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep this partnership going for library users.

Thanks for your help!

• Passes are available for Johnston residents only on a first-come first-served basis and may be reserved up to 90 days in advance by cardholders 18 and older.
• The Library currently has membership with:
  • Science Center
  • Town Center Ice Rink
  • Brenton Skating Plaza
  • Blank Park Zoo
  • Des Moines Children’s Museum
  • Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
  • Reiman Gardens.
• A printed pass is required for entry
• Passes for Blank Park Zoo, Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines Children’s Museum, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Brenton Skating Plaza (including skate rental) are for 2 adults and 2 children. Reiman Gardens allows 2 adults and 4 children- children must be from the same household. Town Center passes are for one person each (including skate rental).
• Passes may be reserved one time per year for each location
• The institution may check your ID. The name on the printed pass should match the name on the ID of the adult using the pass
• To cancel a reservation please call the library (515-278-5233) prior to closing the day before your visit.

The Parks Department has begun to prepare the green space south of the West Patio for the installation of the musical instrument purchased in memory of Kinney Caranahan by the Library Foundation.

When the instruments have been installed and the landscaping has been completed, there will be a ribbon cutting and small reception. When a time and day have been established, I will let everyone know.

On Saturday we received a complaint about a gentleman watching explicit videos on a library computer. I do like to touch on freedom of speech when we talk about porn at the library.

This is from the Law Library at the State Library of Iowa:

It is important to remember that adults viewing adult pornography are not doing anything illegal, and general monitoring by staff of the content or use of library materials and resources in any format by patrons is inappropriate in all instances with the exception of observation for purposes of protecting library property. Therefore, it is best to intervene only in response to another patron’s complaints about what’s being viewed and then handle the situation according to the library’s conduct policy. 

I understand it can be embarrassing to discuss this with library patrons. If you are uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to get the Librarian in Charge to assist with the conversation.

Please review the information from “Responding to Patron Behavior and Complaints.”

___________

Viewing some types of explicit content online—child pornography, for example, and rape—is illegal and should be reported to the Johnston Police Department. Viewing other types of explicit content—like sex acts, nudity, and extreme violence—is not illegal for adults even in a public library. That said, we are committed to providing a safe, comfortable environment for all patrons.

So what should you do if you see someone viewing explicit content in the Library?

Evaluate the situation

• Is the patron viewing the content in an area out of view of other patrons—in a study room, for example?
  • As long as no one has complained, the patron is an adult, and the content does not appear to be illegal, monitor the situation.

• Have you received a complaint or is the patron viewing the content in an area within view of other patrons—on a public PC near the reference desk, for example?

Either approach the patron in-person or use PC Reservation to tell the patron that we’ve received a complaint about what they’re looking at. Generally, this will embarrass the patron into leaving or doing something else. If they continue viewing explicit content, either approach the patron in-person or use PC Reservation to tell the patron that, because they’ve continued viewing explicit content, you need to end their PC session.

Andrew will be playing with the Des Moines Symphony in their performance with Kelli O’Hara next Saturday the 22nd at 7:30 PM at the Civic Center.  Tickets can be purchased here:  https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/evening-with-kelli-ohara/.

This is your friendly reminder that you should be LOGGED OUT of the calendar system when registering patrons for programs or making study room or meeting room requests.

We have a couple patrons who are registered for programs before the programs are officially open. I don’t think this was intentional, but if you are logged in when registering you can bypass registration open dates, which will get messy for all of us when people ask why some people are registered when they are not yet able to be registered.

The only times you need to be logged in in our new calendar is if you’re cancelling a meeting or study room request or program registration or making a pending meeting room request for a room not available for the public. Thank you! Please ask beth or peg if you have questions.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/YG40jFL7aPsIKQjgF3OXvDZqCeU2oy9IOESbA6f1pIvSpbYg1nwZaCxB_TCBS-48.Gw9fmOaSdHl6z7tG

I’m going to add time for everyone today. If you couldn’t make it, please watch the staff meeting at home or before or after one of your shifts sometime this week or next.

Thank you!

Hello Circulation Department. It feels like a long time since we have chatted. I am so, so grateful for all the grace you have allowed me this summer and I try to wear more hats than usual.

I realize this is very, very short notice, but I will be on Zoom this Sunday, July 16 at 11:30 a.m. for an impromptu Circ Staff Meeting. I will completely understand if I am the only person in attendance because this is ridiculously short notice. I will record the meeting and post it so it can be watched at your convenience if you cannot come on Sunday.

Thank you all for all your hard work this summer.

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84788750038

Hi All,

This is for all employees. So please feel free share your ideas or even if it is “Please don’t put me in a spotlight!” (Which is my response) I will not be passing on any names or personal information when I compile the ideas to share with the committee.

I have recently been assigned to participate on the Employee Benefits and Social Planning committees. I was asked to gather input from my fellow library staff regarding employee recognition and social activities.

In particular:

• How would you most like to be recognized for the time you have spent as an employee?
• When do you think recognition should begin?
• How often should it occur?
• What social activities would appeal to you?

I appreciate any input you are willing to provide. Please feel free to email me or stop by my desk for a chat.

Here is a link to the obituary for Sandy’s dad, Larry. His services will be on August 5.

It seems no one had noticed, which is good, but we were short our spare key to the front automatic doors. I got a replacement. So while the key to the automatic doors remains on the keychain in the card catalog, if we are unable to find that key, in a pinch, we have an extra on the master keychain.

Tonight there will be a campaign event for Ron Desantis at the Simpson Barn. The First Lady of Florida and Governor Kim Reynolds will be speaking.  There will be children’s activities, provided by the Desantis Campaign, outside of the Simpson Barn.

Doors open at 5 p.m.

It is planned that there will be groups protesting the event. There will most likely be national media attention and a large crowd.

There will be security for the First Lady and the Governor. Johnston Police and State Troopers will be present also.

At the desks remember that we are not going to engage in debate about either group. Just sticks to facts and remain calm if you have questions or concerns from library users. Call or text me if you have any concerns.

This is a heads up from Nate O. at Parks and Rec. Tomorrow a Presidential candidate will be meeting the public at the Simpson Barn. A group is coming to protest also. They are allowed to protest but not block any entrances. If you have any questions or concerns, please check with Molly.

Circulation has been trained to open the Google Chrome shortcut when needing to access the Library Calendar events to view or modify reservations and not use the Firefox link.

When opening Google Chrome, the web browser used to open automatically to the Library Calendar URL.

Opening Google Chrome now will have one additional step. Users will see a screen asking “Who’s Using Chrome?” Please click on the Johnston Public Library option. The new web page to open will be the Library Calendar. Please do not modify the startup settings on this account.

If you open Google Chrome to access your personal Google accounts, please choose a user other than Johnston Public Library to sign in.

The Polk County Emergency Management extreme temperature plan will be activated today based on the forecasted temperatures exceeding 90 degrees today (7/3) and tomorrow (7/4).  This includes weather amnesty at area homeless shelters, activation of cooling centers at many public locations, and access to cooling centers via DART buses.

More detailed information and resources are available here: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/emergency-management/our-plans/extreme-temperature-and-sheltering-resources/

I’ve posted In/Out schedules for the weeks of July 2-8 and 9-15 in the staff kitchen. When you have time, please take a look. Highlight errors and send me an email. If everything is correct, you don’t need to do anything.