JPL Intranet

The library is closing at 2pm today.

Molly, Beth, Megan, and I will soon begin sending out sign-ups for the all-desk services trainings discussed at the most recent staff meeting (see the complete list below).  There will be multiple opportunities to complete each training and we will work with staff to schedule trainings at times that work best for you. If you’d like to attend a training that’s scheduled during your regular shift, please consult your supervisor first to ensure coverage.

Next week, a shredding company will be bringing two bins similar to the one shown below. The documents inside will be picked up and shredded once each month. These will take the place of our shredder which will be put in storage.

From Polk County Emergency Management:

Snowfall returns Friday morning as a winter storm takes aim on the region. The snow may be heavy at times during the morning and afternoon hours before eventually transitioning into a period of light wintry mix or freezing rain. Strong northwest winds develop Saturday which could lead to areas of blowing snow, in addition to lingering light snowfall Saturday morning. Highest snowfall accumulations nearing 6 inches will reside in north central Iowa with lesser amounts of 3 to 4 inches further south.

2019 W2 forms have been placed in your mailboxes.

Hello All,

Tax season is upon us so I wanted to submit a friendly reminder about info and services we offer during this time, as well as info and services we do not offer.

Eric has made our tax link live on our website. It is under our Services tab. This is the most expedient way to link people to printable forms for Iowa and Federal tax forms. The link also has info about what government offices people need to go to if they want to pick up their tax forms in person.

JPL will be receiving basic printed federal tax forms, mainly the 1040 form, but we have no way of knowing the exact date they will arrive. It will most likely be around the end of January or early February. The tax link on our website also has information about free tax preparation people can take advantage of if they are interested. AARP offers free tax prep, as well as United Way. Links to those sites with location and date and time info is posted there.

During this time, it’s important to remember that we do not provide tax advice or information to people, in the same way we do not provide medical or legal information to people. Just a friendly reminder that we can connect people to services and organizations that do provide this information, but we are not the information ourselves.

Anime & Manga Club as well as Teen Tabletop Gaming have been cancelled today (Tuesday, January 14). Jessica is home with a sick kiddo and husband. If there are questions from patrons, please direct them to Youth Services.

Be sure to purchase your tickets for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban, February 21 at 7:30 PM, and February 22 at 1:30 PM at the Civic Center.  https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban/

Masterworks 4 also in February:  https://dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/2020-02-08/

The library’s current notaries are:

• Beth
• Peg
• Stephanie
• Erin
• Abbi

Lydia will be a notary by March. If none of these staff members are working, notary services are not available.

We all know about the weather expected this afternoon and into the weekend. I generally don’t like to close the library early or open late unless 1) it’s obvious to me that the weather is going to be bad enough that anyone driving will be unsafe or 2)  enough staff tell me they feel like it will be unsafe for them  to get to or from work. During a weather event, if you’re at work and feel like you should leave or if you’re at home and can’t make it in please let your supervisor or myself know—in-person or via phone or text.

Eric

515-250-5381

We were contacted by a representative from the Animal rescue Craft Guild to see if our Saturday Morning Knitting Group wanted to help knit mittens, pouches, nests and jumpers for animals who have been displaced in Australia due to the wild fire. I spoke to Erica, our crafting person, and she liked the idea. After Saturday Morning Knitting is over on 1/11, there will be a basket on the green cart behind the ref desk with the ARCCG logo in case anyone wants to drop off knitted items. These items will be collected by the group and shipped to animals in need. Should anyone want a copy of the patterns, the links are below. Thanks! Ask beth if you have questions.

Knit-ARCCG Micro pouches Knit-ARCCG nest kitten jumper knitted-four sizes (1) knitted joey pouches-revision 1 Loom Knitting-ARCCG Nests Sew-ARCCG Micropouch liners for knitted-crochet pouches What Yarn What Item copy

Exam Cram: After Hours, originally scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10 from 6:00 – 10:00 pm, has been cancelled due to impending bad weather. The online calendar has been updated and signs have been posted on the front doors.

I received the following information from the IRS:

Tax Forms Outlet Program (TFOP) Partners

“We expect the shipping of Form 1040 and Instruction 1040 will begin by January 21.  Once the shipping process begins, it will take up to three weeks to complete.  Products may arrive separately and not on the same day. “

-Peg

Ann is having some health issues again. If you’d like to feed her, sign up for a week via the link below. Food can be left in the staff fridge.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EzxGTWPhQgae3anS2dDjXRXNhqh5445PlUywcftHmj0/edit?usp=sharing

Living History Farms has dropped out of the Adventure Pass program. I believe they’re closed for the season so we may not get questions about it until the spring.

Update: The Polaris upgrade has been completed. Please use the icon for Polaris 6.3 to log in to your PC. If you do not yet have 6.3, please let Dreama or Lori F. know.

We’re upgrading from Polaris 5.6 to 6.3 this morning. Please do not use the Polaris client software until the upgrade is complete. Circ 1, Circ 2, YS Desk, and Ref Desk may use offline circ to check-out only. Do not check in materials until Polaris is back online.

Thank you.

Just a reminder, tomorrow is JPL’s Holiday Party. Feel free to bring a drink of your choice if hot chocolate (with optional alcohol add-ins) or water is not for you.

Please enter the building through the door that says “Community Room & Fitness Center”. The door does requires a code to enter and the code is #3114 I will try to have the door propped.

If the party needs to be postponed or cancelled I will update everyone via the Intranet & a group text message. If you have any questions between now and then feel free to call/text/email. Cell 651-999-9013.