JPL Intranet

The HVAC software/hardware update was completed a couple of weeks ago. Since then, the building (especially the west-half/YS) has felt clammy and warm.  The HVAC guy came back today and discovered the system was dumping too much of our cold air back outside. He was confident that this was what was causing the uncomfortable conditions and that things will better now. 

 Johnston residents will vote Tuesday, August 6th on instituting a 1 cent local option sales and services tax throughout the city. Here are some facts regarding how the tax would work:

• Anyone, including Johnston residents, who shops in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Waukee, Windsor Heights, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, or Norwalk is already paying this tax. 
• Money generated by the tax in these communities goes into a pot which is then divided up (according to an obscure formula) and given back to those communities. 
• Because Johnston has so little retail, residents do a lot of shopping in the communities mentioned above. If the tax is not instituted in Johnston, none of the revenue generated by the tax elsewhere will come back to Johnston. In other words, if the vote fails, like it did last time, Johnston residents will pay the tax nearly everywhere they shop in the metro but won’t benefit from increased funding for city services like the police, the fire department, roads, and the library–sales tax paid around the metro only goes to the communities who have instituted the tax.
• With the tax, Johnston residents as a whole will pay about $1.7 million more in taxes inside Johnston (they will likely pay much more outside Johnston) but, because of the formula mentioned above, $3.25 million is expected to come back to the city.

If approved, half of the revenue generated will go toward lowering resident’s property taxes. The other half will be used for city projects like a new security camera system for the library. More information can be found via the link below. 

https://johnstonlocaloption.com/

Update from Willona (7/15/19):

I sent a text to Maurine today and discovered that she went home from the hospital on Friday. She said home never looked so good. Her text sounded upbeat. :>)

Here is her address:

174 Bayberry Drive

Ozark, MO 65721

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Update from Willona (7/10/19): 

“Maurine moved out of ICU late yesterday afternoon. She is now in Room 210, Cox South Hospital, in Springfield, MO. It is good news that she is now in a regular room.”

Our former assistant director, Maurine Myers, is in the hospital in southern Missouri. She had a significant malignant mass removed from her pelvic region. She will be undergoing chemotherapy when she is strong enough. Current expectations are for her to remain in the ICU until Tuesday or Wednesday while they stabilize her blood pressure, which is currently too high. She is weak following the surgery, but she is making slow progress towards recovery.

Her husband, Hugh, has asked us to send healing wishes via text to Maurine’s cell phone (515-681-5511). Be sure to include your name in the text in case you’re not in her contacts.

Today the Simplex alarm started going off about every 5 minutes alerting us that the smoke detector in the storage room of the meeting room is dirty. Eric stopped in and cleaned it out. Hopefully that takes care of the problem.

Peg

Do you have a bunch of old neckties hanging out around your house. (Sure, we all do, right?) If you are looking to repurpose those old ties, Youth Services would love to have them! We will be using them Tuesday, July 10! Thanks!

Belin Quartet Moved Indoors due to HEAT

If Patrons ask, please let them know this new information.

Thanks!

A car key with a Honda key ring was left on the chairs by the newspapers on Friday evening around 5:00pm. It is locked up in the grey cabinet. 

 Marcia will be cleaning the library several days each week starting tonight as part of Shawn’s crew.

Our next fiscal year (FY20) starts July 1. Information about wage increases has been placed in your boxes.

I went to Your Library yesterday for the first time! Not only was I impressed with everything! You have such a great staff! They
helped me with everything you can think of! Just wanted too personally say Thanks! Rick Smith Des Moines Iowa

2019 Yankee Doodle Pops will take place on Wednesday, July 3rd, at 8:30 PM on the Iowa State Capitol grounds.  It’s free, and feel free to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and food.  https://dmsymphony.org/events/des-moines-symphonys-26th-annual-yankee-doodle-pops/.

We are starting a new summer series in July at Lauridsen Ampitheater at Waterworks Park in Des Moines, and we are performing on July 14th and 28th, each at 7:30 PM.  Those concerts are free too, so I hope you all can make it.  https://dmsymphony.org/events/renee-elise-goldsberry/.     https://dmsymphony.org/events/renee-elise-goldsberry/. 

Keegan Oppewall’s wallet with his ID & JPL card (no money) was found today near the self-check-out. The phone # on file didn’t work so I emailed the email address on file. It is locked up where we keep the money drawers. I asked him to bring another form of ID (if possible, since we have his).

The smoke detector closest to the staff entrance has gone bad. As we wait for a replacement, the fire panels by the staff door and the main entrance may beep (the guy said only once every 24 hours). Press the ACK button to silence the beeping.

I know it’s been hot and humid in the building. The work required to update the software that controls our HVAC will be complete by 7/1. This should make temps in the building much more consistent. 

Quick reminder to double-check the hours you enter on your time sheet with your hours scheduled in WTW. Bring any descrepancies to your supervisor’s attention. Thanks!

The air pressure in the building is making it hard to open the staff door. Our HVAC has been called and will be in soon.

Patrons have been asking about Maisy and when she will return from vacation. I have replaced the “Maisy is on vacation” sign with a sign that tells patrons that Maisy has passed away. 

Hey all, 

PS is looking for a current staff member to help with child care activities for children of adults attending ESL. The position would be every Thursday from 5:15pm to 8:15pm. No ESL experience is necessary. Peg has worked with YS to put together a schedule of activities to keep kids occupied and engaged for the two-hour class. Activities include short Kanopy movies, blocks, crafts, coloring, etc. The only requirements for this position include an age requirement of 21 or over,  a person who is not currently scheduled to work on Thursdays already, and the ability to have fun hanging out with kids. If you’re interested, please send Beth an email.