JPL Intranet

If you missed-out on any hours due to the recent weather and would like to make them up, talk to me about the nonfiction shifting project.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87481107075?pwd=TjRXdmUxdWY5OFNCTE80VEFET0dOQT09

To make some space on the shelves while circulation is down, several YA graphic novels have been moved to “storage” in the East Meeting Room. These can be circulated if requested by a patron.

We will close at 2pm today due to the predicted snow storm. If your shift starts at 2pm or later, stay home. If your shift starts earlier and you’re scheduled to work past 2pm, you are welcome (but not obligated) to stay to the end of your shift.

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

I realize that the subject line in this email probably made you think it was junk mail.  But it isn’t!  If you’re looking for a program to help you meet your health related goals, be sure to check this out! This is our second go round with this program, and those who participated in the first session had good things to say about it.

The City of Johnston is offering you the chance to lose weight and improve your health—at no cost to you—with a program called Naturally Slim^®.

Unlike diets, which rely on your willpower and “eat this and not that” advice, Naturally Slim teaches you simple, repeatable skills to help you lose weight, keep it off, and improve your health in the real world, without giving up the foods you love.

You can access the program via computer or mobile device so you can complete it at a time and place that is convenient for you.

To be considered*, you must complete the online application by February 5^th, 2021. Don’t wait. Space may be limited!

Visit www.naturallyslim.com/CityofJohnston to apply and learn more.

*Employees over age 18 are eligible to apply to the program.

Please let me know if you have questions.

Thanks!

Cyndee

I’ve blocked-off this afternoon’s remaining PC and browsing slots in case we need to close early. The day’s remaining holds pickup slots have been blocked off as well.

The sign outside the entryway is locked to the bench–there’s no need to bring it in at close.

I am working to update our documentation, but in the meantime, we have switched our process for calling patrons with holds.

We will no longer print the second hold slip with the patron’s contact information. Holds to be called will not be separated. They will be filed with other holds immediately.

The circ staff member assigned to call holds around 6 pm, will go to the Patron Assistance menu and select  Holds to Call. They will call the patrons listed. If you speak to the patron or leave a message for the patron, please check the box next to their name. When you are done, please delete the selected patron. We will call those you couldn’t reach tomorrow.

Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87481107075?pwd=TjRXdmUxdWY5OFNCTE80VEFET0dOQT09

• We will only checkout and bag items for curbside appointments.
  1. Circ will no longer pull and bag holds for PC and browsing appointments at the beginning of the day as patrons can easily grab their holds while they visit.
  2. If someone calls wanting to pick up their holds outside of curbside hours, please just let them know that the holds will be available near the entrance during our open hours. We won’t be bagging items to put by the bouncer desk any longer.
• Every chance you get, please remind patrons that they will need to check out their holds at the self-check kiosk or at one of the service desks.
  • Ways to borrow:
    • Present the library card
    • Present photo ID
    • Provide three pieces of information on the account

Since we are transitioning to self-serve holds, we will go back to putting ILLs, Learning Tools, Launchpads, and oversized items behind the Circ Desk. We will put an empty case with a copy of the hold slip on the holds shelves with a note to visit the Circ Desk.

Self-Serve Holds

Circ staff are in the process of moving holds back to the holds shelving near the entrance over the next day or two. As you point people to self-serve holds, please remind them that they will need to check out the items on the holds shelf at the self-check kiosk or at one of the service desks.

Library users that apply for a digital card will need to provide a photo ID and proof of address when they borrow for the first time in the library building – this does not apply to curbside. Some digital cards have a blocking note asking for a photo ID and proof of address. If the patron provides a photo ID and proof of address, please delete the blocking note and replace “digital” with the driver license number in the driver license field in the registration window. If they forgot their ID or proof of address, we can allow them to borrow but ask them to provide it at the next visit and do not delete the blocking note.

How to Delete a Blocking Note –

1)Get to the General View

2)Highlight the note you want to delete

3)Click Delete

Charles Koehler’s daughter just called, and he passed away. He only passed away two days ago, but she said the library was on her mind because he continued to talk so highly about our collection and staff until his last days.

I don’t see an obituary listed yet, but I thought I’d pass on the news and her kind words.

The JPL Winter Reading Challenge begins January 15. On the 15th, patrons will have the ability to check a box when they are scheduling curbside hold pickup to also receive kids, teen, or adult winter reading materials. We have had some patrons write in the note section of their appointments already they they want winter reading materials. Kids and Adult materials are ready to go and in the commons so if patrons request kid or adult materials now, you can go ahead and include it in their hold pickup. Teen winter reading material will be ready by Friday, which is the first actual day of Winter Reading. These packets do not have registration–no need to cross names off of a list or otherwise keep track of who packets are going to.
Thanks,
YS and PS

The annual Innovative Libraries Online Conference will be held next Thursday. Registration is not required. If you attend a session (or multiple sessions) from home, you can put that time on your timesheet. More information about the conference can be found via the link below.

https://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/c-d/continuing-ed/iloc/iloc2021/ilocschedule20?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

As we look forward to reopening, please take a look around your public desks and the public areas this week to ensure they’re tidy and presentable. YS & PS staff, when we reopen please be sure to turn on catalog PCs in your area each morning and ensure pencils and paper are available there. We will have 5 PCs be available starting Tuesday: 3, 7, 9, 16, and print express. Patrons can use the Tech Lab if they don’t need assistance. Browsing appointments are spaced every 20 minutes. We will allow walk-ins for all services if space allows. In short, we’re reopening with the same services we offered prior to reducing services/capacity before we closed. Let me know if you have any questions.

The library homepage has been updated with a link for patrons to create PC/Fax/Notary appointments for next week when we reopen. To prevent confusion, the link for notary-only appointment scheduling that we’ve been using while we’ve been closed has been removed. If you need to make a notary appointment for a date between now and when we reopen use this link > https://www.johnstonlibrary.com/notary-scheduling/

Tax forms are on order. Once they arrive, we’ll offer curbside pickup. Our Tax Form page, which is linked at the top of our homepage, will be updated when our forms arrive. The page also includes information about where else patrons can pickup forms and where they can find tax prep. assistance.