Showing posts with label equipment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label equipment. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Meeting Notes 3-6-13



Kendall Staff Meeting Agenda

March 6, 2013, 11:15 – 11:45 AM

Breakroom


Kendall Blog Easter Information Hunt
Each staff will take turns pulling a question which has an answer that can be found on the blog. The staff person that pulls the question will try to show everyone where to find the answer on the blog. If the staff person does not know where to find the answer all staff will be able to assist in helping their co-worker find the answer.


Feel free to ask any questions about the information being sought and suggest any input you may have to improve the blog.



Reminders/Updates:
-Programs for April must be in by March 13th.
-1040 Instruction Booklets are available.
-Extra IRS forms are stored in the 1st floor meeting room.
-Children DVD’s will begin to be stored in ALL-Circ Machines on second floor soon.


Questions:
Where can I find a list of the dates and books of upcoming adult book clubs?

Where can I find the phone number to coin copiers?

Where can I go to suggest a topic for the open discussion meeting?

Where is the link for the different logins/passwords for different equipment?

Where can I find information on how to send a laptop to IT?

Where can I find past daily schedules?

Where can I find information on the new ILL procedures?

Where can I find the meeting room reservation form the public needs to fill out?

Where can I find information on a patron refund request?

Where can I find the new TexShare application that needs to be sent downtown?

Where can I find instructions on sending in a sprocket?

Where can I find maps of the different floors?

Where can I find a performer evaluation form?


Answer Key

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Meeting Note, 12-12-12

11:15 – 11:45 AM, Break room

  1. Revised procedure for renewing Library Cards (Nina):

  • Effective 12-1-12, adult cards expired since 1-1-10 can be renewed with only address verification from an accepted source if the name, address, ptype and card number have not changed. Changes to these fields require a new application.
  • Verify the information with the customer's ID or picture ID and another acceptable document and add a note to the record: date, info ver w [document], initials/location.
  • Most juvenile cards will need updated responsible adult information from new application form.
  • Replacing lost cards requires a new application.

  1. Using library time/equipment for school/personal work (Karen):

  • Neighborhood Libraries administration asked managers to remind staff enrolled in school that we can work with you to accomodate class schedules where possible keeping the operational needs of Neighborhood Libraries in mind but that school/personal work should only be done during breaks or lunch time and not during work time.

  1. Emergency Evacuation routes in building (Karen)--see handouts of library floorplans.
  2. Meeting with Meller Langford, 11/16/12--discussed how library budget is developed, staff promotional opportunities, Saturday switch schedule.
  3. December Programs (see below)
  4. Holiday party: Wednesday, Dec 19, 11-1, Break room. Alisa and Pam are organizing.
  5. Announcements/ Dicsussion

  • Julie: Circ Admin said okay to renew books over phone for customers with items already checked out and at home, even if current fines over $10--be nice and help them out. But they can't check out more materials while card blocked.



Upcoming Staff Events
  • December 14, 11am-1pm, LMS training, Central (Pedro)
  • December 18, 8:30-4:30, HEAR Training, HPD SE Command Center (Pedro)
  • December 21: Close of pay period. 8:30-10:30 LMS Training, Central (Karen)
  • December 22-25: LIBRARY CLOSED (Christmas Holiday)
  • December 31: Close at 6pm (New Year’s Eve); Quarterly Change report due
  • January 1: LIBRARY CLOSED (New Year’s Day)
  • January 9, 11:15-11:45, Staff Meeting


December Programs
Kendall Neighborhood Library  - Adult  Computer Classes

Intro to MS PowerPoint 2007
Saturday, December 22 |10:30 AM-12:30PM
This course explains the basic functions of presentation program, how to create a presentation, and add graphics and multimedia to a presentation. Students will also learn to identify the various options available to print your presentation in different formats. 2nd Floor Conference Room

Internet Basics 2
Wednesday, December 12 | 12:30 PM-2:30 PM
This course explains what email is and how to use it. It also explains the features of online communities and how instant messaging works.  2nd Floor Conference Room

Intro to MS Word 2007
Wednesday, December 12 |5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Tuesday, December 18 | 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Wednesday, December 19 |5:30 PM-7:30 PM
This course explains the basic tasks that you can perform by using a word processor. Students will learn to work with text, tables, and pictures. Students will also learn how to use language tools. 2nd Floor Conference Room

Social Networking
Thursday, December 13 I 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Let our experts show you how you can connect with friends and advertise your business using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networking websites. 2nd Floor Conference Room

Computer Security
Thursday, December 13 I 3:00 PM-5:00 PM
This course explains the need for protecting your computer hardware, software, and electronic data from damage, loss, and theft. Students will learn about the various solutions and devices that can be used to protect the data on computer. It also introduces some common best practices to protect the operating system, software, and data on the computer. 2nd
Floor Conference Room

Work Skills: Creating a Resume/ Resume help
Saturday, December 15 | 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
This session is a relaxed setting where you can create a resume with or without help from staff. If you have a resume, staff can help you update it. 2nd Floor Conference Room

Open Job Lab
Saturday, December 15 | 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

Intro to MS Access
Wednesday, December 19 | 12:30PM-2:30 PM
This course explains the basic tasks that you can perform by using a database program. Students will learn how to create and use a database. In addition, students will learn how to generate various types of reports by using queries. 2nd Floor Conference Room

Advanced MS Word 2007
Thursday, December 20| 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Move beyond the basics. Familiarity with MS Word is necessary.  2nd Floor Conference Room

Intro to MS Publisher
Thursday, December 20| 3:00PM-5:00 PM
This course explains the basic tasks that you can perform by using a desktop publishing application. Students will learn how to create brochures, flyers, invitations, etc. In addition, students will learn how to integrate with email. 2nd Floor Conference Room

Intro to MS Excel
Wednesday, December 26 |12:30 PM-2:30 PM
Introduction to basic spreadsheet tasks such as formulas tables and graphs.  2nd Floor Conference Room

Intermediate MS Excel 2007
Wednesday, December 26|5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Thursday, December 27| 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Move beyond the basics. Familiarity with MS Excel is necessary.  2nd Floor Conference Room

Advanced MS Excel 2007  
Thursday, December 27| 3:00 PM-5:00 PM
Saturday, December 29 | 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Move beyond the basics.  Familiarity with MS Excel is necessary.  2nd Floor Conference Room


Kendall Neighborhood Library – Teens

Teen Video Game Time
Thursday, December 13, & 27 • 3:30 PM-5:30 PM
Teens are invited to join in and have some fun with a variety of video games.  Check out your skills with your friends.  Games rated "T" are for teenagers only. Age: 11 and up.  3rd floor Teen Area.

Teen Movie Time
Thursday, December 20 • 3:30 PM-5:30 PM
Call your library for movie title.  Some movies showings may be restricted to teens 13 and older.  3rd floor Teen Area.


Kendall Neighborhood Library – Children

Toddler Story Time
Tuesdays • 10:30-11:00 AM
Tuesdays – 11:30-12:00
Stories, songs and rhymes for babies and children up to 3 years.  1st Floor Meeting Room.

Preschool Storytime
Wednesday December 19 – 12:30-1:15pm
Stories and songs plus an activity for children 3 years and up. 3rd floor meeting room

Para Los Ninos
Wednesday, December 12 – 12:30-1:15pm (during preschool storytime)
Bilingual program of stories, songs and activities for children and parents. 3rd floor meeting room)

Babytime
Thursdays, December 20, 27 • 11 AM – 12 PM
Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays. We will enhance your toddler’s enjoyment of books and increase their knowledge of letters, phonics, vocabulary and narrative skills. Socializing and playtime follow the program.  For parents and babies up to 18 months.  3rd floor meeting room
 
Babytime: Baby Yoga
Thursday, December 13 • 11 AM – 12 PM
Baby Yoga is about rich communication with your baby through touch, stretching, cradling, massage and movement.  It's a practice your can learn to do at home every day with your baby.  Participants please bring folding blanket, pillow or carrier for use during class.  This class is for pre-walkers and their caregivers.  Parent or caregiver must accompany child in class. 1st Floor Meeting Room

R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistance Dogs)
Saturday, December 15 – 2:00-3:00pm
Children will read a book of their choice to a trained therapy dog.  Please sign up in advance at the 3rd floor reference desk.

Kendall Book Mania Club
Wednesday, December 19 – 4:45-5:45pm
A monthly book club for kids ages 9-12.  3rd floor meeting room.
Please sign up at the 3rd floor reference desk.

Karaoke 4 Kids
Thursday, December 27 – 4:00-5:30pm
Sing with your friends at the library with some karaoke fun! For all ages       

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Meeting Notes, 8-8-12


  1. New Staff:  Welcome
    1. Jane Hensley, LA Sup, Collier, who will be here 6 months while Collier is renovated.
    2. Angie Cruz, GSD, who will be here full-time providing janitorial services to the Library and Community Center.  Angie has 16 years of experience with the Cy-Fair school district.  Monday was her first day working for the City of Houston.

  1. Updates:
    1. Gaming Equipment:
      1. Check that gaming equipment is locked up at the close of business and return the keys to the workroom.  Monday morning the DSI games were under the printer, the gaming cabinet was unlocked and the keys were in the desk drawer.  See Staff Meeting notes, 6/13/12
      2. After changing a Wii game, make sure the wall cabinet is securely locked.  Last Thursday, a customer took the screen remote from the cabinet and changed the channel to a television station so he could watch TV.  
    2. Lost Cards:  Remember to
      1. block lost cards in the patron’s record
      2. add a note (including date and your initials) stating what was done with the card
      3. put a post-it note on the card with the customer’s last name and what should be done with the card (hold thru m/d, etc.)
      4. See Email-Lost Library Cards, 6/9/11 (attached)
    3. Smoking:  
      1. City of Houston Ordinance 2006-1054 prohibits smoking within 25 feet outside entrances, exits, or wheelchair ramps serving any entrance or exit to ensure smoke does not enter those areas (Section 21-241).  See Staff Meeting Notes, 4/11/12.
      2. Ordinance: http://www.houstontx.gov/health/Environmental/2007smoking.pdf
      3. A copy of the ordinance is posted on the bulletin board in the workroom.
  1. Houston Housing Authority: Online applications for the HHA housing vouchers waiting list will be accepted from August 20-26.  Please help customers get online to fill out applications, get a computer-use card, extend their time if they need it to fill out an application.  See FAQ sheet (attached).

  1. Holds Stats: Change to Stats workbook in FY13: Holds recorded as “pulled” (outgoing) and “processed” (incoming).  Pedro is revising weekly stats collection sheet to reflect changes.

  1. Discussion/Questions
    1. Repair shelf--how to find missing cases not at Kendall.  If disk returned without case, check repair shelf and floor.  If case not found:
      1. request new cover from Collection Development department to insert in new case (polyvinyl cases from Midwest Tapes)
      2. discard (polystyrene cases with labels on outside)
    2. If case returned without disk, do not check in item.
      1. add note to customer record and call customer to request return of disk.
      2. put case on Repair Shelf with note that customer has been called.
    3. Customer Use of Desk Phone
      1. If an adult customer asks to use desk phone to make a call, tell them we allow children to call home for a ride.  
      2. If the customer has an emergency, dial the number for the customer.
      3. If the customer is taking a long time or is discussing non-emergency matters, ask the customer to wrap up the call because the phone is needed for library business.
      4. If child asks to use the phone, verify that it’s to get a ride and dial the number.

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EMAIL - LOST LIBRARY CARDS
Sent:         Thursday, June 09, 2011 2:10 PM
Subject:    Lost Library Cards

Dear Kendall Staff:

I want to stress the importance of every staff member correctly blocking lost library cards.

Yesterday Fred Schumacher waived $1,255.86 ($905.86 item costs + $350.00 processing fees) for 37 items checked out to a card which had been reported lost at Kendall but not blocked in Millennium.  In our current budget situation, losing over $1,000 is not something to be taken lightly.  

Right now we also have lots of kids misplacing their cards, which may be found by staff or other customers.  These cards (and any HPL cards lying around the reference and circ desks) must be blocked immediately and stored properly following the directions outlined below.

Please review carefully the procedures outlined below—you are responsible for knowing this information.  If you don’t understand something or have any questions, please let me know.

I will schedule MilCirc refresher training as soon as we can fit it into the schedule.

Karen


LIBRARY CARDS

CUSTOMER REPORTS CARD LOST
1.   In the card holder’s account, select Edit, then click on the MBLock field and select l Lost card.  Click on Save/Close to exit. This prevents anyone from using the card—do this first!
2.   In the Edit mode, enter a note in the customer’s record.  The note must include:
a.  Date: 6/8/11
b.  The following text: CARD RPTD LOST BY CUSTOMER
c.   Your initials and location: KL/KEN
d.  Click on Save/Close to exit.
3.   Label the card with a Post-it note: last name and first initial at top, followed by date found. Keep the card with the completed applications until the close of business, then bring it down to the lobby circ desk and file in the blue lost cards file (alphabetical order by last name).

LOST CARD FOUND BY STAFF OR ANOTHER CUSTOMER:
1.   In the card holder’s account, select Edit, then click on the MBLock field and select l Lost card.  Click on Save/Close to exit. This prevents anyone from using the card—do this first!
2.   In the Edit mode, enter a note in the customer’s record.  The note must include:
a.  Date: 6/8/11
b.  The following text: LOST CARD FND AT KEN; AVAIL AT LOBBY DESK
c.   Your initials and location: KL/KEN
d.  Click on Save/Close to exit.
3.   Label the card with a Post-it note: last name and first initial at top, followed by date found. Keep the card with the completed applications until the close of business, then bring it down to the lobby circ desk and file in the blue lost cards file (alphabetical order by last name).

CUSTOMER USING PICTURE ID INSTEAD OF LIBRARY CARD:
1.   Look up account using name on identification.
2.   Verify that ID Number on card matches number in account
3.   Ask customer if they have lost their library card
a.   If they say yes, issue a replacement card (see procedure below).
b.  If they say no (they forgot it, never carry it), tell them if they don’t fine it, notify us immediately.
c.  If they’re not sure (it might be at home, in the car), offer to issue a replacement card (which deletes the old card number) or notify us immediately if they can’t find it and we’ll block the card.  Add note to record that customer is unsure if card is lost.

TO ISSUE A REPLACEMENT CARD:
1.   Have the customer fill out an application and verify the address with appropriate identification
2.   Change the old barcode field to X to deactivate the old number. After the number note: date, CARD RPTD LOST BY CUSTOMER, your initials, your location.
3.   In the customer’s account, select Edit, then click on Insert and select b P Barcode.  Scan the barcode of the new card.  Click on Save/Close to exit.
4.   Click on Save/Close to exit.

COMPUTER CARDS
Because customers cannot check out items with this card:
1.   Mark the card lost in the MBlock field
2.   Add a note--LOST CARD FND AT KEN; DESTROYED—with the date, your initials and location.
3.   Cut up the card and throw it out.
4.   Customers must provide a picture ID and pay $1 to get a replacement card.
5.   As a one-time courtesy, we will look up a computer card number with the customer’s id.
a.   Tell the customer this is a one-time courtesy; in the future identification and $1 for a replacement card will be needed.
b.  Note in the record the date, that the customer was told the lookup was a one-time courtesy and in the future $1 and id will be needed for a replacement card, plus your initials and location.

THINGS WE DO NOT DO
1.   Add a note to customers’ records requiring them to produce identification when checking out.  [Correct Procedure: Lost cards must be blocked.  Replacement cards are issued with proper identification.]
2.   Forget to add notes to records so our colleagues are left without any information about what you did.
3.   Forget to block a card reported lost by the customer or a card found in the library without a customer.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Meeting Notes 7-11-12


 11:15 – 11:45 AM, Break Room

Agenda

  1. Updates:
    1. FY13 Materials budget/spending plan due 7/13:  overall--flat budget, cutting standing orders 12-15%; ordering fewer copies of more titles; more ebooks, DVDs, databases.
    2. June Circulation: 64,192--top circulating branch! (see attached stats).
    3. NEW: Director’s Chat (see message from Dr. Lawson below).
  2. New Equipment demos
    1. 3rd floor: new jumbo toilet paper and workroom paper towel dispensers
    2. 2nd floor: new AllCirc machine.

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Director’s Office                               MEMORANDUM          

To:         All Staff
From:   Rhea Brown Lawson, Ph. D. Director
Date:   July 10, 2012
Subject:  Director’s Chats

We are in the beginning of a new fiscal year and I am happy to report that the state of the Houston Public Library is stable. Fiscal Year 2013 promises to be a better year than FY2012 in that, with a relatively flat general fund budget, we are able to maintain our current levels of staffing, services and programs, and hours of operation.

One of my primary goals (or new fiscal year resolutions) - is to create a new way to share with you and receive from you fresh new ideas, information, opinions, and suggestions to enhance both our work experiences and our customer’s experiences. To that end I have decided to host once a month “Director Chats.”   Here is how I see the chats working as I launch them - but I am always open for suggestions as the chats progress:

1. The Director Chats will be held for one hour in a variety of locations including my office, spaces in Central Library and/or the JIB, neighborhood libraries, and special collections.
2. Director’s Chats involve all levels of staff – full and part time
3. Staff members will be randomly selected - I actually have a jar containing folded slips with every full time and part time staff members name in my office. Each month, I will invite someone to reach in the jar to select the next group of chatters.
4. The times, locations of the chats, and size of the groups will vary – some small enough for my office but never more than 20 people.
5. If your name is selected (pulled from the jar) you will be notified well in advance to provide you with time to handle scheduling adjustments and to allow you time to think about questions or suggestions you would like to chat about.
Because the invitees to the Director Chats will be selected randomly, it allows for us to have a great mix of individuals with varied experiences, lengths of time with HPL, and job responsibilities which should make for very interesting, fun, informative and thought provoking conversations. I am also hopeful that you will find these chats a way of learning more about me and your colleagues. As the conversations flow I am hopeful that together we will identify ways to address any staff concerns and, perhaps, identify creative ideas for enhanced services and programs to improve the total customer experience with HPL. These will be power chats so come ready to jump right in.

The first in the series of Director Chats for this year will be held on July 24th.  Look out for your invite!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Meeting Notes 6-13-12

11:15-11:45 AM, Break Room


AGENDA
  1. Phone Facts:
    1. Please make all outside calls (customers, volunteers, presenters) from the 1880 (public) line.  Don’t use the internal extensions for outside calls, as those numbers are not consistently answered.  Friends and family may call the private line (1884) or the extension near your desk (as long as they’re aware that number may not be answered during public hours).
    2. Be considerate and announce calls being transferred internally, whether it’s a customer or personal call.     

  1. Summer Volunteers:
    1. 22 summer volunteers working 2-hour shifts (plus a few 1-hour shifts Friday afternoon); 3 regular volunteers throughout the year; and 2 Chinese Community Center volunteers each working 30 hours/week (9:30-3, Monday-Saturday)
    2. Volunteer Duties:
      1. shelving carts and bins (1st priority)
      2. sorting, book drop
      3. shelving holds
      4. program and traffic assisting
      5. SRP sign-up
      6. assistance in boxing items
  1. Safety Walk Through.
    1. Fire Alarm response: location of emergency exits.  Also:
      1. Immediately clear your area of customers.  Direct them to the nearest emergency exit on your floor.  Check all areas, including restrooms, to confirm that all customers have evacuated.
      2. Elevators are programmed to drop immediately to the first floor and open their doors.  If not, staff on the first floor should notify the Fire Department when they arrive so they can check them.
      3. Staff meeting point is in front of the gate to the pumping station in the southeast corner of the parking lot.
    2. Emergency Door Alarms: how to turn off and reset
    3. Fire Alarm panel and override key: location of panels and keys
  1. Questions/ Discussion
    1. SRP Sign-up: if you need help with the sign-up process, see Pedro or Leona
    2. SRP Incentives: Circus tickets (30-level) have arrived.
    3. SRP Daily Drawings: Local prize-winners (from daily system-wide SRP drawing) will be posted on blog so we know where to find prize when the winner comes to pick it up.
    4. Gaming equipment: All gaming equipment must be locked up at night and cabinet key returned to workroom by the staff member closing that floor.  In the morning, the person opening should retrieve the key to unlock the cabinet (as part of “ready 2 open”).
    5. Closing Building Check: When closing, check all spaces on the floor, including restrooms and conference rooms.  A customer was locked in the building Friday night for over 2 hours and called 911 to find someone to let him out.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Meeting Notes 5/16/12




  1. Summer Volunteers (PO):
    1. 25 volunteers max., scheduled in 2-hours shifts (see attached sample schedule).
    2. Two volunteer orientations will be held: Wednesday, May 23, 5 pm plus one in early June tba.
    3. have problems with volunteers or need help?  Email Pam directly.
    4. will be able to help run book drop, retrieve paging list (but nothing involving customers’ names).
    5. schedule will be added to blog when ready.
    6. sign-in (on KEN blog) on 3rd floor desk computers; trying to add lap-top for sign-in (keep in gaming cabinet).
    7. direct students/parents interested in volunteering to the application process on the HPL website (click on donate or volunteer in the upper left or lower right corners of the home page).  The applications will be screened first by Andrea Lawrence.
    8. Potential volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
  1. Checking timecards from Quick Kronos (PF)
    1. Enter your user name and password, then click on Log On (instead of Record Time Stamp) to access your account (check timecard, request time off, view work & absence summary, access COH Employee Self-Serve page).
  1. Expanded Computer Class Schedule (PO)
    1. Classes added in May: Wednesday at 12:30 and 5:45, Thursday at 3.
    2. KEN now has 6 weekly classes.
  1. EPE Plans for FY13 (KL).  From Ophelia Cespedes, 4/2/12: The current performance management process has been on hold pending review by an City- Wide EPE task force per the Meet and Confer Agreement between HOPE and the City administration. Recently, the task force forwarded a recommendation to the Mayor for consideration, however, a new EPE process will not be in place until 2013. For this reason, Employee Performance Evaluations (EPE) will not be required for the current 2012 EPE cycle. In preparation for the new performance management process, employees must receive an EPE plan by the end of May. For HPL employees, the EPE plan deadlines are as follows:
    1. Supervisor EPE plans must be reviewed with the employee, signed and received in HR no later than, Friday, April 27th
    2. Non-supervisor EPE plans must be reviewed with the employee, signed and received in HR no later than, Friday, May 25th.
  1. Questions/Discussion
    1. KL: press release from Mayor’s Office about new FY budget: no job or service cuts planned.  Mayor’s 5 Priorities also posted in building lobby for the month.
    2. PF: Sorter set up to backdate until 1 pm (when we open at 10 am) or 2 pm (when we open at noon).  Please make sure to finish the first two book drops of the day (including exceptions) before this cutoff so all items returned before we open are properly back dated.
    3. NO: Be sure to use the Smart Money workaround saved on the desktop of the 1st floor computers when doing the deposit to generate the correct merchandise report.