JPL Intranet

Just a reminder that on July 1st our access to several State Library provided online resources will expire. The resources, which are linked on the Research page of our website, that are going away include all Gale resources (including Opposing Viewpoints), Transparent Language, and Credo Reference. We’ve already replaced Transparent Language with Mango Languages. The State Library will begin accepting bids for replacement resources, including a general reference resource to replace the Gale offerings, soon. I’ll keep everyone posted.

Please have your timesheet completed with PARs attached and placed in the green folder outside Eric’s office by Thursday evening at 8 pm.

As always, double-check that the hours on your timesheet match When to Work. If they don’t, please speak with your supervisor. If there are last minute changes, you may always send me an email and tell me that your timesheet is correct or that WTW is correct or whatever.

For those who missed it, a link to the recording of yesterday’s all-staff Zoom meeting is linked below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10EkJqIaqTo-idDkbrTcUoBm8m2_pWQet/view?usp=sharing

Just a reminder that the fitness room at the Public Safety Building is available to all city employees. If you’re interested in having access please let me know.

There have recently been several cases around the state of a man calling libraries and being verbally abusive and making vulgar noises. Any time that you feel a caller is acting in a harassing manner–using profanity, being vulgar, etc.–you are free to hang up. I’ve included some helpful guidelines from a library in Wisconsin below.

What is the requester’s intent? Is it for true research, or an attempt towards the requester’s self gratification? Or perhaps an attempt to waste time, or is it to cause embarrassment to the
librarian? A general rule of thumb is when a patron makes a request that becomes personal, and is outside the scope of your employment, is when the “line” becomes crossed.
• You do not have to answer personal questions, unless you have granted your consent.
o In example: a patron asking about your sexual preferences as compared to a
survey on library services. It is okay to hang up or tell a person no.
• You do not have to provide personal identifying information to a patron.
o Think identity theft. It is appropriate to give a person your first name or contact
information for your particular library.
• A patron has no right to sexualize, harass, or intimidate a librarian.
o If a librarian is uncomfortable with a phone call or an in-person patron contact
they do not have to engage in a conversation with them. It is okay to tell them to
stop. It is okay to hang up or tell a person no. It is okay to report criminal
behavior to law enforcement.
• A librarian can tell a patron that the librarian is busy or unavailable to help them (given
your own library policies). It is okay to hang up or tell a person no.
• A librarian can advise a patron that if they have been assisted you don’t have to continue
to provide the same information day after day.
o In example: calling a librarian asking for sexual references day after day with the
same questions.
• A librarian doesn’t have to listen to a person heavy breath over a phone or make
sexualized noises. It is okay to hang up or tell a person no.

Parts to repair the 8mm film scanner are on the way. They should arrive tomorrow.

The 8mm film scanner is currently out of commission. I believe it’s something I can fix. I’ll keep everyone posted.

From city hall:

Johnston employees,

With the construction of the new city hall we included a stage/entertainment area on the southwest corner of the building. On Thursday, July 1 around 8:45 p.m. we will be testing the movie screen set up at the stage. We would like to invite Johnston employees and their families to the first show.

For the test screening we plan to show Pixar Short Films which will give us an opportunity to test the screen, projector and sound system. These short films are geared toward younger audiences (rated G). Sample titles include: The adventures of André & Wally B. — Luxo Jr. — Red’s dream — Tin toy — Knick knack — Geri’s game — For the birds — Mike’s new car — Boundin’ — Jack-Jack attack — One man band — Mater and the ghostlight.

Bring your children/grandchildren, a blanket, lawn chairs, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy the show.

hope you are able to join us.

Thank you,

Jim

We will offer a Zoom option for tomorrow’s all-staff meeting for those who can’t make it in-person. The link is included below.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85866636091?pwd=cnh5MEhjUEtXYmpoNHRtZUJETUdRZz09

Book Sale Reminders:

The most important thing is to put book sale money in the Foundation cash register.

• Don’t stress about what to charge for books. If you aren’t sure if the book is a junior/young adult item or an adult item, you can just charge the lower price.
• The prices are listed on the iPad for you to reference.
• Don’t worry if you get the free books mixed up with the book sale books.

__________________________

Opening and Closing :

Opening – Please remember to turn on the lights in The Commons. There is a separate light switch.

Closing – Please throw away the unused computer passes at the end of the day. They will not work the next day and often get mixed in with the newly printed passes in the morning.

Please initial the copies of the procedres at the desk and reference them at opening and closing.

The new video conferencing system has been added as an option for the public when reserving the Archive Room. There’s nothing you need to do to prep for a group that has requested it–more just a heads up that the group may need some help getting it going.

I’ve ordered a new card reader for the iPad where we accept payment for Foundation Book Sale items. In addition to swiping cards, the reader also allows payment via chip and tap. Please take a look at the video linked below sometime in the next week or so to become familiar with how it works.

This is another reminder about the Yankee Doodle Pops being broadcasted instead of having a live audience this year.  It will be broadcasted at the following times:

July 2nd at 8:30 PM on Iowa PBS

July 4th at Noon on Iowa Public Radio

July 4th at 6 PM on Iowa PBS

July 5th at 11 AM on Iowa Public Radio

https://dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/yankee-doodle-pops/

All times are CDT, and both the PBS video and Iowa Public Radio apps are free to download from the app store.  Will also be available for viewing or listening online.  Repertoire includes Ya Got Trouble from the Music Man, 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes Forever, and much more!

Due to Covid, the Lions Club didn’t hold their annual book sale last year and their storage space is now full of donated books. To get rid of some the boxes of donations in our East Meeting Room (which would typically go to the Lions storage unit) we’re going to start giving them away. The free books will be offered from the Book Bike which will be parked in front of the Archive Room.  We will still charge for books from the book sale in the Commons.

The July 4th holiday is approaching. I’ve included a summary of holiday pay for full- and part-time staff below.

• Part time staff not regularly scheduled more than twenty hours weekly will not receive holiday pay (even if you come to work on Christmas 🙂 )
• Part time staff who are regularly scheduled 20-30 hours per week and who are also scheduled to work on a paid holiday can take as paid the hours that they’re regularly scheduled to work. If Jim is scheduled to work 6 hours on Christmas, for example, he can take 6 hours of holiday pay.
• Full time staff may need to adjust their schedules (take days off some other day(s) that pay period- 7/4-7/17) to ensure that their paid holiday hours don’t push them into overtime.

Find more Holidays and Closings on the website or under the Staff Resources menu on the Intranet

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Since we no longer have the bouncer desk, I have updated the opening and closing procedures. I have printed for the Circ Desk. *Please initial the copies at the Circ Desk after you have reviewed them*

Key points:

• Circ staff will  open the front doors when we open
• Circ staff will  lock the front doors (both sliding glass doors) when we close
• Please put out the curbside sign when we open
• Please take in the curbside sign when we close
• At close, circ staff will gather material from tables and carts in the east half (adult services) of the library that need to be marked in-house use.

The procedures are also located at P:\Circulation\Procedures\Opening and Closing

Our bi-monthly all-staff meeting will be held next Thursday at 8:30am IN PERSON in the West Meeting Room.

Thanks for all your hard work over the last few weeks as our traffic in the building has increased and items are flowing into the book returns.

To help alleviate stress, this is a gentle reminder that we do not need to have all the items on the red carts checked in before we close. Our goal is to get items checked in within 24 hours, but it is even okay if we don’t meet that goal when it is busy. Just make sure you are backdating at check-in.

I would strongly suggest checking in your last item about thirty minutes before you leave. This will allow you time to get items pre-shelved, empty the book return, and do the closing checklist (if applicable).

Hello all,

This Saturday there is an online Zoom program for adults called Life Tools for Managing Stress. The Zoom link has been/will be sent when people register, along with some documents the  presenter wanted people to have. Registrants are also able to stop by the library to pick up a printed packet of the handouts. The printed paper-clipped handout packets are behind the Reference Desk on the green paper cutter. Packets can be given out to anyone who asks for one. If anyone needs the Zoom link resent to them, please take their email and give it to beth.
Thanks!

The following notice was just sent to patrons who have used curbside pick up in the last two months.

Johnston Public Library Patron,

Beginning Monday, June 14^th we will no longer require appointments for curbside pick-up of library holds. To pick-up your holds curbside, simply come to the library any time that we’re open and call 515-779-3315. You are also welcome to come into the library to pick-up and checkout your holds. We are currently open Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday and  Saturday 10am-5:30pm, and Sunday 1pm-5pm. Let me know if you have any questions.