YA Audiobooks

Team,

YA Audiobooks have been relocated to the Teen area to help create more space for the Adult Audiobooks.


-Edgar

Forwarding Phones

Team,

We need to all remember to make sure that at opening time we unforward the main phone line (the phone just next to the printer and laptop cart).

As a reminder, here's how to forward and unforward the phones:

(AT OPENING)

Unforwarding the phone in the morning

• Press the “soft key” CFwdALL
• Image above the primary phone number should disappear.
• Phone is now un-forwarded

(AT CLOSING)

Forwarding the Phone to Voice Mail

• On the phone with the main number as the top line, press the “soft key” CFwdALL and then Messages Button.
• Image will show up above the primary phone number
• Phone will not ring and will go immediately to voice mail.

Please note: there have been some issues lately with our phones, and it has been reported to IT. Customers who call sometimes will be automatically directed to our voicemail if we are using the main phone.

Overdrive Cleanup

Marianne Lorio's team is currently cleaning up our OverDrive collection. Over the years we have lost access to items that are no longer available for purchase. Unfortunately the record for the item stays on the OverDrive website. Nothing prevents customers from placing holds on these records. They have gone through and deleted the records for items that are no longer available, had no more access,  and were not on hold.

Now they are going through the list for items no longer available with holds. 

This will affect the customer experience. A patron may find that their hold has been dropped and they can no longer locate the title on the OverDrive website. This is because we can longer provide access to this title and it is no long available for purchase. Other patrons will find that their position on the wait list for a title has changed. Some might even notice that their hold is on a different version (edition) of the title than they originally placed. This will happen when one version of a title is no longer available and we have moved the holds to a version that is.

This involves thousands of titles with multiple holds so we cannot notify each customer directly. If you get questions about this or a specific title please direct them to our Mulitmedia Specialist, Marianne Lorio at marianne.lorio@houstontx.gov or 832-393-1514.

-Edgar

Holds for E-books on OverDrive

An email was sent out today regarding items in OverDrive that have holds but are not longer available for viewing. These holds are being shifted to other editions of the same title. This shift may cause some customers on the hold waiting list to be moved down the line. The items no longer available for view are being deleted and number in the thousands. If a customer calls, please advise them of this clean-up of OverDrive. Please refer to the email for Marianne Lorio on June 28, 2016 for more details.

Thanks, Tim S.

Needlework Club

Team,

As many of you know, the Needlework Club no longer has a volunteer to run it. We have a small group of ladies who meet every other Saturday at Stella Link.

We would like for the club to continue meeting, as they have been added to the seasonal Arts & Crafts programs flyer that is distributed across all HPL locations.

The group is pretty self-sufficient, so I hope we can still help them set up and provide any books that they might find useful. I don't think we need a staff member in the room for the duration of the program. The door to the room is usually propped open, and the nice ladies who meet can ask us if they need anything.

Please let me know what your thoughts are on this.

-Edgar

Tags on New Items

Team,

If you notice tag errors on brand new items out of the bluish Acquisitions bins, please notify Chris Patrick so he can follow up with our vendor, Baker & Taylor, since they tag our new materials before shipment to HPL. They have been doing so since last summer.

If there are tag errors on older stuff it is likely a bad tagging scan on our side, or the tag itself may be defective. We can correct that here at our location without needing to send it in or reporting it.

We now have all SRP Prizes!

All the SRP prizes arrived in delivery today...

Level 10- Dynamo or Dash Ticket (1 ticket per child) - the child will decide when they redeem the ticket which soccer team they want to see)

Level 20- Astros Ticket (2 tickets per child) - 1 ticket is for adult admission while the other one is a child admission. All the Astros tickets are the same so there is no need to separate into adult or child ticket)

Level 30- Star Trophy (1 per child) - we only received 12 in delivery today, but I have already requested more since they are going pretty quickly

All old and new SRP prizes will continue to be in the cabinet where it has been housed since the start of SRP.

Important Message from Liz Sargent

We are getting closer and closer to Jungman reaching substantial completion. Once Jungman reaches this milestone we will be able to get into Jungman to prepare it for opening. As we get closer to re-opening we need to pull together a staff that will enthusiastically welcome the community back to this location. This will require a lot of outreach and programming. Jungman was one of the highest circulating HPL locations until its closure in May 2014.

The purpose of this email is to see who might be interested in working at Jungman once it reopens.

Jungman will have tablets with a Bluetooth scanner and keyboard case for roving reference and circulation. Staff will not be tied to the desk and meeting the customer where they are will be encouraged. It will have Self-Check and will be one of the first locations getting the new credit card swipe hardware for self-check machines that is PCI compliant. Jungman will pilot the software Neatoscan for use with discards intended for the Friends of HPL. Neatoscan helps identify popular items that are selling well on Amazon to maximize the amount the Friends can make to benefit us. It will have a sorter and Vocera as well. Jungman will also be one of the first locations getting the new computer reservation system once all the kinks have been worked out at Central. Digital Strategies is also looking at getting Jungman a Digital Library Assistant (DLA) type wand where staff can go through the collection and find items that are in shipped status, etc.  

If you are interested in working at Jungman please send me an email indicating your interest and answer the following questions:

-          What is your job title?

-          How long have you been with HPL?

-          What location/grouping do you currently work at?

-          Why are you interested in working at Jungman?

-          What languages other than English, if any, do you speak?

-          What classes or programs, if any, do you currently provide or have provided to HPL customers?

-          What classes or programs, if any, would you be interested in providing to HPL customers?

-          What outreach experience do you have?

-          Do you consider yourself a tech person, youth person, or generalist?

-          Is there anything else you want me to know about you?

Please provide your response no later than 11:59 PM on Wednesday, 6/29/2016.

Once I have an idea of who all is interested in working at Jungman I will discuss it with Dominick Spinelli, Manager of Jungman, and Patrick Atkins. Patrick is the Senior Manager for the area Jungman is located in. It is very likely Dominick, Patrick, and I will be speaking personally with those interested in working at Jungman to determine the right staffing make-up. 

Customer Library Card

A customer by the name of Jeny Varghese applied for a library card a few weeks ago but unable to retrieve it due to a problem with her account. She was contacted and informed that her card is ready and available to be picked up. She will arrive this weekend (6/24-6/25) to pick it up. The application and card is pinned to the bulletin board outside of Edgar's office. Please give her the card and retain the application.

Thank you.

HISD Employee Sweater

An HISD Employee left their sweater in the computer lab this morning. The sweater will be on the safe. Someone will be picking up the sweater in the next few days.

-Edgar

Stella Link Team Meeting Notes 06/15/16

Present: Jose Zamora, Jacob Hornbeak, Alex Gabitto, Amy Stanley, Kayren Alexander, Amethyst Taylor, Carol Wu, Patricia Tucker, Ray Williams, Mark Hall, Frances Saldana, Nhu Le, Ade Odusanwo, and Tim Siegel

Absent: Jesse Farias

Leading: Edgar Fuentes

Thank you: Marjorie received two compliments this past week. She was praised for her good customer service on one and the other thanked Marjorie for assisting a customer print out a letter. Keep up the great work, Marjorie!

Our summer volunteers have been doing a fantastic job with shelving and helping keep the public floor neat. Please thank them at every chance.

Thank you to Amy for attending an outreach at the Friends Summer Book Festival last Saturday.

Thank you to Jacob for visiting Village of Meyerland to play his guitar for the senior citizens at the facility.

Floor Scratching: Please do not drag the delivery bins across the floor as it damages the finish.

Workflows Upgrade: Workflows will update tonight, Wednesday June 15. This update will require staff to install a new version in the morning.

It is very important that we leave all staff computers with Workflows on as you leave tonight in order for the update to happen.

KHOU Book Drive: The Houston Public Library is partnering with KHOU for their annual summer book drive, Turn the Page Literacy. The donated books will be given to Books Between Kids, a local non-profit organization started by two mothers to help people build home libraries for children in need. HPL will serve as the primary collection point for book donations now through the end of the month (Thursday, June 30).

Bikes: Please make sure we put out the bikes each morning and that they are stored in the manager’s office (or other locked area) at the end of the day. They are to be put away on July 1 and then displayed again the week of Friday, July 22, 2016 – Monday, August 1, 2016.

Cataloged Paperbacks: Paperbacks that had previously arrived as uncatalogued have already been arriving cataloged. If these items are a part of a series (most are romance) they need to be shelved with the corresponding series on the uncatalogued shelves. Cataloged items are to be placed alphabetically by call number at the end of the series. Please click on the images below to see a bigger view. All other uncatalogued items that are not part of a series get shelved with the rest of the adult fiction.

FLIP Kits: Thank you for ensuring all FLIP Kits are checked out to “STE-REFURB” before being sent off to CMH for replenishing.

Summer Food: Customer Experience provided small disposable trays that can be set out if customers want to use them during Summer Food.

If customers attend the Summer Food Program, they can also earn a program badge on their log book. If a customer says they attended one previously and did not get one, please take their word for it.

Summer Reading Program (SRP): Instructions on printing out an SRP certificate have been posted on the staff blog. There are Word document templates saved on both desk computers. The files are “SRP Certificate Template 2016.” When placing the certificate face up on the printer, make sure both trays are open and that the top of the certificate is toward the self-checkout machines. Then select Printer 3 and click “print.”

Nhu has placed a stack of blank SRP Registration Forms at the front desk along with a box of golf pencils. Once kids have filled out the form, please have them pick out a book from the cart. Their account should be online within 2-3 days for them to access. Please place completed registration forms on Nhu’s desk or on my chair. Nhu will award the registration prize in Summer Reader once she creates their account. Be sure to give the child a log booklet as well.

Group SRP Prize Pick-Up: If a daycare, school, organization, etc. sign up for SRP as a group, please do not distribute the SRP prizes we have. Group SRP prizes pickup are different since they can collect a large amount of prizes that we do not have available or if we do, will cause us to run out of prizes. There is an entirely different procedure I have to follow in order to distribute group prizes.

Get Nhu if you need assistance with explaining this issue to the customer (or get Edgar or Tim.) Otherwise, just get the group's name and phone number so that Nhu can contact them regarding the prizes and schedule a date where they can pick them up.

SRP Teen Sign-Up sheet at Front Desk: Amethyst has posted up flyers for two SRP Teen Programs on the easel by the Book Return (Bertha) and in the Teen Area. Both require registration.

Teen Iron Chef : June 15th 2:00pm-3:00pm
Cupcake Wars : July 6th 2:00pm-3:00pm

The sign-up sheets for these two programs are located at the front desk. Be sure to take down both the name and phone number in case we need to call the customer about the event.

Summer Reading Program for Grown-ups (SRG): Virtual Library Services has been made aware of the issue that when customers are awarded their registration prize, the banner showing their discount code for the UH Theater goes away. Until further notice, please award the MFAH pass and the slip of white paper (contains info on obtaining UH theater tickets) to adults who register for the SRG program. Do not forget to award their prize in the Summer Reader.

Library Cards: Customers who are unable to come to the library to get a library card can complete and sign the library card application and have a copy of their valid Texas driver’s license or ID with current address (and a copy of a document showing their correct address if their address is not current).

HPL has a “Registration by Mail” option on the library’s website that all customers have access to.
Customers complete the library card application and send it, along with a good quality photocopy of your photo I.D. with your current address, to:

Houston Public Library
System Circulation Department (Library Card)
500 McKinney
Houston, TX 77002

Customers can also email a scanned copy of the completed application form and photo I.D. to circinfo@hpl.lib.tx.us.

Please keep this in mind when customers ask, particularly for the elderly who may still want to have access to our library resources. The information on the HPL website is here: http://houstonlibrary.org/find-it/my-link

Posted: Tim Siegel

SRP Prize Update

From Sara Pope:

We are still waiting to receive the Dynamo and Dash tickets from the vendor. There was a delay in them getting the passes printed, and this is holding up us sending out the rest of the prizes.

Once the Dynamo and Dash tickets are received, we will be sending out the prizes for the 10, 20 and 30 level.

Thank you for your continued patience! I know that several customers have already reached the 10 book/hour level or beyond, and I myself have had to tell customers that we don’t yet have the prizes beyond the 5 level.

I will send out an update when we send the rest of the prizes out, so that you will know to look for them.

Thanks again for your patience!

June 30 Writing Workshop

Amethyst has organized a writing workshop featuring Adam Holt on June 30 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM.

This program will tie in nicely with the teen writing contest HPL has going on right now. We hope this program will encourage participation and get some entries! There are flyers posted in the teen area advertising the event, but if you have customers who might be interested please spread the word!

Camp Wonderopolis

This year, as we have done in past years, a child/teen can do a Camp Wonderopolis program on their own computer at home, or in the library, and they can receive an activity badge sticker for it to place in their SRP log. Camp Wonderopolis is a free online summer-learning resource that offers 42 exciting units of STEM-based Wonders covering six topics ranging from health to sports and fitness.

In order to claim a sticker, they should either show you a printed out Wonder Card, or if they like, they can complete it on a computer in the library, and show you the card. If they completed one at home, and didn’t print it, they can access completed Wonder Cards on their Wonderopolis dashboard.

Important: When you give them the activity sticker, please go into the patron notes in Evanced and put the date and the word “Wonderopolis.” We want to keep statistics about how many kids are doing Camp Wonderopolis, and this is the way to make it happen. Kids/teens can do 1 Camp Wonderopolis activity for the sticker, but they can do more for fun.

Wonderopolis program information will be added to the SRP page on the library's website. If you have any questions, please ask any of the Stella Link Youth Services team members (Nhu, Frances, and Amethyst). 

Sirsi Workflows Update + ILL

OCLC is currently experiencing system issues with ILLiad , WorldCat, ContentDM and EZproxy services. Access to ILL services and databases has been affected. OCLC is actively working to correct these issues.

Sirsi is updating catalog records which has resulted in incorrect Enterprise search results. Once the update is done, search results should display correct records.

The two issues are unrelated. We appreciate your patience as you help our library customers.

Please contact the HelpDesk if you have any questions.

Cataloged Paperbacks

Paperbacks that had previously arrived as uncataloged have already been arriving cataloged. If these items are a part of a series (most are romance) they need to be shelved with the corresponding series on the uncataloged shelves. Cataloged items are to be placed alphabetically by call number at the end of the series. Please click on the images below to see a bigger view.

All other uncataloged items that are not part of a series get shelved with the rest of the adult fiction.

SRP Registration Update

Hi all,

You may have noticed that I have placed a stack of blank SRP Registration Forms at the front desk along with a box of golf pencils. Please use this form to sign up kids for the Summer Reading Program when needed. Once they have filled out the form, please have them pick out a book from the cart. Their account should be online within 2-3 days for them to access. Please place completed registration forms at my desk or on my chair. I will award the book prize in Summer Reader once I create their account. Also, don't forget to let the kids know about putting their names on the black star to be displayed in the children's area.

I hope this will help with traffic flow at the desk and with customers who need assistance with online SRP sign up.

Summer Reading for Grown-ups

Until further notice, please award the MFAH pass and the slip of white paper (contains info on obtaining UH theater tickets) to adults who register for the SRG program. Do not forget to award their prize in the Summer Reader.

Thanks again!

ESL Cancelled Tonight

Team,

Jose is out today, and therefore the ESL class scheduled tonight has been cancelled.

SRP Certificates

Children who come in to claim their level 5 prize for the Summer Reading Program receive either a children's or a teen Chipotle coupon AND a certificate (and their free book if they have not already claimed their registration prize).

To help with printing SRP Certificates, a template has been created and saved on both staff computers at the main desk. The file name is "SRP Certificate Template 2016."

Once you have opened the file, you can simply enter the child's name, click on the date and then click on the word "update." You can also add your name instead of Nhu's name, but you do not have to.

Be sure to open both the lower and the upper paper trays and place the certificate on the upper tray faced up and with the bottom of the certificate toward the laptop cart and the top toward the main phone.











Before you click "Print" be sure to choose the correct printer (Printer 3) so that it prints to the large laserjet printer by the laptop cart.

Now you can print the certificate, and congraulate the child for having read 5 hours/5 books!

SRP Reminders

1) Please keep the prizes in their designated manilla envelopes. (ie. Chipotle coupons in the "5 Hrs/Bks" manilla envelope) . This organizational system is to help us out, but it will not work if the prizes are left out of the manilla envelope or in the wrong one.

 2) Extra Log Books and Calendars are by my desk on top of the brown boxes. Please do grab them if we run out of them at the front.

3) The brown boxes by my desk contain giveaway books for SRP registration prize. You are welcomed to grab them to replenish the cart out front if there's no books left. I'm trying to be diligent in replenishing the cart before it gets depleted.

4) Prizes we currently have:

• Yellow CMH passes for completing the 5 program attendance and reading 5 books or hours. They should show you their Log Book with 5 "activity" star stickers. Once you have issue the CMH passes, please award the prize online using the Summer Reader. Instead of clicking on the present icon, you will click on the person icon which will take you to the page with the patron's information. 

• Level 5: Chipotle coupon - Juvenile version and Teen version / SRP certificate

• Adult Registration prize : MFAH pass 

Wireless Network

From Digital Strategies:

We are upgrading HPL’s public wireless network to provide our customers with faster connections, greater user capacity and more coverage.

Here’s what you need to know:

·         “Library Public” wireless network will change to “HPL Public”;

·         This is a prioritized upgrade:

o   Locations with most severe issues will get the upgrade first;

o   Digital Strategies staff will work with location managers during the upgrade;

o   Upgrade rollout list is in the process of being shared with Customer Experience Administration;

·         Library customers will connect to the new HPL Public wireless network the same way they did for Library Public; no username/password needed.

We appreciate your cooperation in assisting our customers as we work towards a better user experience.

[Edgar's note: Please remember that at some point the "no username/password needed" component mentioned in this message may change in the near future once the computer use only cards are phased out]

KHOU Book Drive

The Houston Public Library is partnering with KHOU for their annual summer book drive, Turn the Page Literacy.

The donated books will be given to Books Between Kids, a local non-profit organization started by two mothers (http://www.booksbetweenkids.org/) to help people build home libraries for children in need.

HPL will serve as the primary collection point for book donations starting Monday, June 13 through Thursday, June 30. KHOU will deliver their collection boxes starting tomorrow, June 10 and throughout next week to 15 HPL locations (listed below).

We will place the collection boxes in a prominent space to allow easy access for customers to donate once we receive them. 

Locations for collection boxes:

1.      Bracewell | 9002 Kingspoint Dr, 77075

2.      Heights | 1302 Heights Blvd, 77008

3.      Kendall | 609 N. Eldridge, 77079

4.      Stella Link | 7405 Stella Link, 77025

5.      Park Place | 8145 Park Place, 77017

6.      Looscan | 2510 Willowick, 77027

7.      Shepard-Acres Homes | 8501 West Montgomery, 77088

8.      Stanaker | 611 S/Sgt. Marcario Garcia, 77489

9.      Melcher | 7200 Keller, 77012

10.  Oak Forest | 1349 West 43^rd ST, 77018

11.  Carnegie | 1050 Quitman, 77009

12.  Collier | 6200 Pinemont, 77092

13.  Central | 500 McKinney, 77002

14.  Vinson | 3810 West Fuqua, 77045

15.  Smith | 3624 Scott ST, 77004

SRP Bicycles

The top two readers at each Library location will win a FREE bicycle donated by CYCLE and PON N.A. Both bikes MUST be put on display at this location.

It is highly suggested that the bikes are to be brought into the Manager’s Office (if applicable) each evening prior to closing. Bikes are to be on display for the following time periods. It is also strongly recommend that the bikes be stored in the Manager’s Office during the 4th of July weekend and remain in storage until the last week of SRP.

Dates for displaying the bikes:
- Wednesday, June 8, 2016 – Friday, July 1, 2016
- Friday, July 22, 2016 – Monday, August 1, 2016

STE Team Meeting Notes 06/08/2016

Present: Patricia Tucker, Carol Wu, Ray Williams, Amy Stanley, Kayren Alexander, Amethyst Taylor, Jose Zamora, Frances Saldana, Alex Gabitto, Marjorie Hackley, Jacob Hornbeak, Nhu Le, and Tim Siegel

Absent: Ade Odusanwo (Jury Duty)

Leading: Edgar Fuentes

Thank you: Thanks to the team members who gathered together for bowling last night. Last Saturday, the passport team processed 114 passports. This is not possible without the continued assistance and team work of the entire staff. The summertime is extremely busy and it shows dedication and commitment in the hard work everyone has displayed. Thank you.

FLIP Kits: Begin using the “STE-REFURB” account to check out FLIP Kits when they are returned and are being sent to CMH for replenishment.

Summer Food Tips: Please count all snacks and lunches prior to the delivery driver leaving the building. Please do not accept extras and point out any shortages. Please notate a shortage of the delivery slip and call the Summer Food office immediately.

Please put the snacks in a cardboard box and tape it up when they are being stored in the fridge after being counted or left over. This will help keep the items secure once they have been counted.

Please assist in spreading the word about the Summer Food Program while lunches and snacks are being passed out. This will help have more meals passed out and less waste. Please check with the team member serving as to the number of meals left as to not to run out on too many children. Lunch is served 12-1PM and snacks are served 3-4PM.

Please keep the fridge closed so the meals will stay cool. The temperature should be at 41 degrees. A Community Relations Specialist will inspect the thermometer in the fridge to ensure the meals are kept at the proper temperature.

SRP: Jennifer Schwartz in Programming sent an update regarding the UH incentive that is being offered for registering for the Summer Reading for Grownups.

The offer is a BOGO ticket offer for the 2016-2017 Season. A code is required to redeem the offer and the system is set up to display the page once a customer registers. The message directs them to visit their neighborhood Library to redeem the MFAH offer. So that you have the information in case customers have questions, the info is as follows.

“Congratulations! You have successfully signed up for the Summer Reading Program for Grownups. Please visit your neighborhood library to collect your registration prize, a voucher for free admission for two to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH).

Additionally, The University of Houston School of Theater and Dance is offering a special buy one, get one free ticket offer that can be used for any one show in the 2016-2017 season.  Both tickets must both be used for the same show. To redeem, please call 713-743-2929 and use offer code HPLRENEW2016.   Please note that tickets are based on availability and can sell out quickly.”

You may have noticed that the 5 book/hour prize has changed slightly-it is now a certificate instead of a ribbon. The envelopes reflect the actual prizes (certificate and Chipotle free meal coupon). Also, there are 2 envelopes inside the 5 book/hour prize envelope. 1 is for the Teens (ages 12+) and one is for children (11 and under). Please make sure to distribute the correct coupon depending on the age of the child, and make sure all frontline staff realize there is a difference. It is on the prize sheet as well.

Another note for Family Registration:
When registering an adult customer, clicking on the “yes” button on the Family Participation line doesn’t automatically sign up the family as participating in the family program. You must also sign up a child or teen, and then click on the “Add Member” button to add an adult, select the Summer Reading for Grownups program, and add the adult’s information there.

Kids get a book for registering. And adults get the Museum pass for registering. Be sure to award prizes for both once they have received their registration prize. We will need to do the same when awarding prizes at all other levels.

Spanish Class: We have a volunteer who conducts Spanish Classes every Saturday at 1pm.

Workflows Upgrade

Symphony Workflows software will be upgraded on the evening of Wednesday, June 15. This upgrade will require staff to install a new version of Workflows on the morning of June 16. 

Here’s what you need to know:

      ·      Further instructions will be emailed next week;

      ·      Workflows’ new version tested successfully on select workstations;

      ·      3 Hold Wrapper is being tested this week;

      ·       Leave all computers with Workflows on as you leave on June 15;

      ·      Make sure to put this upgrade on your calendar (s) and share with your staff.

We will send you additional information as we get closer to the day. Thank you for your assistance regarding this matter as we improve your user experience. 

Group SRP Prize Pick-Up

If a daycare, school, organization, etc. sign up for SRP as a group, please do not distribute the SRP prizes we have. Group SRP prizes pickup are different since they can collect a large amount of prizes that we do not have available or if we do, will cause us to run out of prizes. There is an entirely different procedure I have to follow in order to distribute group prizes.

Please come get me so I can speak with the person wanting to collect the group prizes. If I'm unavailable, please get Edgar or Tim. If none of us are available, please take the group's name and phone number so I can contact them.

Thanks,

Nhu

SRP Teen Sign-Up sheet at Front Desk

Amethyst has posted up flyers for two SRP Teen Programs on the easel by the Book Return (Bertha) and in the Teen Area.

Teen Iron Chef : June 15th 2:00pm-3:00pm
Cupcake Wars : July 6th 2:00pm-3:00pm

The sign-up sheets for these two programs are located at the front desk. Be sure to take down both the name and phone number in case we need to call the customer about the event.

Thanks!

Lost Samsung Phone in Purple Case

If anyone comes across this missing phone, please call Raeley Guess @ 817-312-3596.

Thanks

Team Meeting Notes June 1, 2016

Present: Jacob Hornbeak, Carol Wu, Kayren Alexander, Alex Gabitto, Nhu Le, Jose Zamora, Marjorie Hackley, Amy Stanley, Frances Saldana, Amethyst Taylor, Mark Hall, Jesse Farias, Patricia Tucker, Craig Bertuglia, Ade Odusanwo, Ray Williams, and Tim Siegel.

Leading: Edgar Fuentes

Thank you: Thank you to the team members who adjusted their schedule to accommodate early delivery of supplies for the Summer Food Program.

Thank you to Tim for assisting in the Jungman shelving project.

Thank you to Craig for his help the past couple of weeks. Craig will be deployed to Park Place to supervise while the manager is out on maternity leave.

TechLINK: Dr. Lawson sent an email with a very exciting announcement-
“TechLink will be a new and innovative technology service platform offering technology enriched digital creatives spaces for our customers.  TechLink will provide the spaces, technology, instruction and tools and equipment for music and video production, digital animation, graphic design, photo editing, multimedia presentations, coding and game development.  TechLink will be crafted as a learning environment with a focus on creativity, self-expression, and collaboration offering technology-based programs, classes and workshops based on current library and technology trends and community needs.  TechLink will also serve as a testing venue for professional certifications.  TechLink will give HPL the Platform to bring emerging technologies to our customers well into future.”

https://hplnet.houstonlibrary.org/depts-ds-techlink.html

Led by the Digital Strategies team, our first TechLink will be launched in the Scenic Woods Neighborhood Library. As our world is changing so are our libraries. Stay tuned for updates on the progress and an opening event for HPL’s future forward new service.

FLIP Kits: When a FLIP Kit is returned, please immediately check the item out to the STE-REFURB account before sending to CMH for replenishment. Override any holds when using this checkout account. The item will be shadowed from the catalog while the item is being replenished.

Phones: Team members assigned to desk or roving duties have the first responsibility to answer an incoming phone call if not assisting another customer. If the phone rings more than three times, any team member in the work room needs to answer the phone. This is especially important during the summer as we will be extremely busy when at the desk.

Summer Reading Program Incentives: Prizes will be sent out once received by our vendors/partners. Customers may still log hours, but may be unable to receive all the prizes. If only part of a prize is unavailable please make a note in the Evanced SRP account as to the prize that was not received.

Nhu will be our point person if we need more books for registration (She will contact Sara Pope, Rebecca Denham and Michelle Johnson).

Staff Bowling Night: Tuesday June 7 at 6:30-8:30 PM at Palace Bowling Lanes (now called “Bowl on Bellaire”) on 4191 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77025 (713) 667-6554


Manager Meeting Highlights: The Roadshows will continue with Mary, Liz, and Laurie. The next one will be at Stella on June 16. Ade, Kayren, and Alex have been chosen to attend.

HPL Team Members will soon have access to HPL Rescue, which allows staff to chat/text with an IT representative to fix a computer issue without have having to email the helpdesk.

The August 12 Youth Services Meeting is mandatory and all youth services team members are expected to attend.

Anytime there is a shortage or overage in our money, please make sure you include an explanation, even if it’s “We could not determine why the money is over/short.”

If the temperature reaches over 76 degrees, please let Edgar or Tim know so that we can put in a Sprocket.

IT is working on a wireless authentication system which will require a library card to log in to the wireless network. More info will be coming as the launch date nears. This will make our network more secure so that no one is able to create a fake network and customers think they’re connecting to ours, putting their private information at risk.

Summer Food Training
(Staff were given a 30 minute demo on Summer Food Program rules and procedures)

Posted: Tim Siegel

Adult Prize for Registration

When an adult signs up for the Grown-Up Summer Reading Program, their prize for registration is a pass to the Houston Fine Arts Museum. The pass will be in a yellow envelope in front of the security camera computer by the laptop cabinet.

Thanks.

SRP Kickoff!

Pictures from the event are up on the Youth Blog! Tab over! Remember to check the YB daily. :)