Open Discussion Notes 9-21-16

Breakroom, 11:15-11:50

Moderator & Recorder: Melinda Campbell

• Volunteers: Please welcome our volunteers who are a great help to the Library. One volunteer loves to help with the children’s programs and likes to help with the craft projects for the children, so please direct her in this direction.
• Damaged/ Incomplete items: Please apply a note to the customer’s record if item is still on their account, with details of what is missing, when and how contacted. Check each item before checking in so we can catch items before taking item off account. Place incomplete items in basket in workroom. Through our diligence we can reduce the loss of items for HPL.
• Question: Do the volunteers go through a background check? [Yes, that's part of the application process. KL]
• Outreach: Middle School Outreach next Thursday 9/27 5:30-7:30P with two staff members attending.
• Supplies: Please place your supply needs on the sheet provided on the back of the supply cupboard to be ordered.
• Promotion: Janalyn will start in her new full-time position on Saturday!
• Collection: Picture book shelves are looking great! Please take done unfinished shelving carts to 1^st floor when unable to complete task in allotted time.
• Pre-School Storytime:  Any volunteers to help while Shanti is away.

Staff Meeting Notes 2-17-16

11:15 – 11:45 AM, 3rd floor conference room

1. News from Jan CE Managers Meeting and SW Managers Team Meeting
1. From SW Managers Team Meeting:
1. Self-check Percentages: target number is 85%; need to use expensive technology/equipment; express check is the new normal; will not cost us our jobs.
2. Sirsi override: Everyone should be using individual Sirsi password for overrides; do not use “s****”
3. Do not keep change in the drawer: if over, send extra money with deposit; if under, send deposit less shortage and provide an explanation; do not keep loose change in the drawer under any circumstances.
4. RFID Tags staggered: tags should be placed along the book spine at the top, middle, and bottom in a random fashion so the inventory scanners are not reading them all in the same place.
5. PIN numbers for Library Cards: let customers choose their own PINs; the 5-digit number is hard to remember; they’ll need a PIN to check out with Express Check; the more customers with random 5-digit PINs, the more who will forget it and the more times we’ll need to reset for them.
2. From CE Managers Meeting:
1. With new year comes new goals.  Mayor Turner has called for all City depts to participate in shared sacrifice facing budget shortfall coming in FY17.  He’s asked for slow-down in hiring but not a freeze; critical positions will be filled.  The mayor and Michele want transparency and will communicate any developments as they are confirmed.  View the City budget at www.houstontx.gov/budget.
2. HelpDesk phone calls are being recorded for quality management.  Extra customer service training will be provided for staff when needed.
3. Remember to slow down when using Telecheck and Smart Money.  Dimitri is seeing errors especially with staff putting transactions in Smart Money but not running the check or credit card through Telecheck.  This means the library doesn’t get the money but the fines or fees are cleared from the customer’s account.
2. Training: 2016 COH Summer Jobs Program and Application Process (Karen)
1. handout (memo from Ophelia Cespedes and copy of Summer Jobs Program flyer)
2. PowerPoint presentation: The 2016 Summer Jobs Application

Quick Notes

• Cleaning and GSD: See email from Pedro, below.
• Closing & Pick-Up--What does this  mean?: At the end of the day we want to reset the public spaces (and the workroom) back to their original setup--to move furniture back to its original position, open the blinds, and clear the service desks of clutter--so we’re ready to start the next day with a clean work space.  When you are assigned a closing duty, work with the other staff on the floor to make sure everything is neat and ready for tomorrow.  If you finish early, go see if your colleagues need help on the other floors.
• Lynda.com Training: Must be completed by Mar. 4.  When you complete the training, add your name and the date completed to the sign-in sheet on Karen’s door.
• Study Rooms and Multiple Reservations: At the top of each reservation page: “ONE reservation per customer at a time; finish one before booking the next”.  The change in meeting room policy does not apply to the individual study rooms, because our practice is specific to Kendall, not official HPL policy.
• Answering the Phone & Teamwork:  Everyone needs to make the effort to answer the public line during open hours, and the private line at all times.  Don’t expect someone else to do it.  If  you are trying to call in or are waiting for an important call, you would want someone to answer the phone.
• Dr. Lawson at the White House: See memo from Dr. Lawson about the ConnectED Library Challenge (handout).

Upcoming Staff Events

• Friday, February 19: Pay Day!
• Friday, February 26: CE Managers Meeting at CEN (Karen, Lauren)
• Friday, February 26: Last Day of Pay Period
• Tuesday, March 1: SE Managers Team Meeting (Karen)
• Wednesday, March 2: Programming Meeting
• Friday, March 4: Staff Training Meeting (Blue Group)
• Friday, March 4: Pay Day!
• Friday, March 4: Lynda.com Training deadline
• Wednesday, March 9: Open Discussion Meeting
• Friday, March 11:  Youth Services Meeting (Jasmine, Leona, Nina, Shanti)
• Friday, March 11: Last Day of Pay Period
• Wednesday, March 16: Staff Meeting
• Friday, February 26: CE Managers Meeting at CEN (Karen, Lauren)
• Friday, March 18: Pay Day!

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Email from Pedro 4-22-15

Please communicate with staff about cleaning up after themselves.  If there is an arts and craft that we provide, we need to clean up after ourselves.  GSD does not need to clean up after something that we did.  If there is a paint project and kids need to go clean up, the staff is responsible for making sure the kids are not making a mess and the staff should clean up if they do, since it is a craft they are doing.  Make sure tables are clean and if glitter is used, try and pick up as much as possible.

GSD is also not responsible for cleaning the microwaves, refrigerators, washing someone else’s dishes or wiping down our staff/public computers. If they do, then that is them being nice and providing that service on their own.  I suggest  you work a weekly or biweekly rotation among staff into your schedule to clean the refrigerator, microwave and wipe down the computers if you yourself do not want to be the only one responsible for it.  You are able to order air cans from Supplies to spray keyboards if need be.

Open Discussion Notes, 12/16/15

Staff Break Room, 11:15-11:45AM

Karen - Saturday, Dec. 26, will be a staff holiday.  The Library will be closed Dec. 24-Dec. 27 for Christmas and reopen Monday, Dec. 28.  Everyone will work a Mon-Friday schedule for the pay week Dec. 26-Jan 1.

Albert -- cleaning out the supply closet and cabinets at the lobby desk.  At the lobby desk, the right cabinet is for supplies (tags, tape, staples, etc.) and the left cabinet for cleaning materials (paper towels, etc.); please keep them in order.  Wipes are not a supply item--we must buy with our own money.  If you need a supply item, leave him a note.

Albert - all applications have been wonderful--everyone is doing a great job!  Info is correct and no duplicates.

Shanti - wet books in the book drop stick to the sorter belt.  We need towels to wipe them dry. Suggested keeping a role of paper towels or rags (from the janitor's  closet) in the sorter room.

Doug - one of the magazine display racks is missing a nut and the plex cover is coming off.  Karen suggested we can "borrow" another nut or cover from another magazine shelf (if you can't find the nut on the floor).

Leona - there is a plastic bag with dry erase markers and cleaner at the 3rd floor desk which groups using the 3rd floor conference room can check out to use during their meetings.  By providing the markers, we avoid having a problem with groups using permanent markers instead.  But we don't provide rugs or AV equipment for our meeting rooms: the rugs are dirty when we need them for a program: and the AV equipment needs a staff member present to set-up and monitor.  See the new Meeting Room Guidelines for details about what is provided/not provided.  The Guidelines are stapled in packets with the new meeting room reservation form and fee schedule.

Alisa - What are the holiday hours going to be?  In addition to above, HPL also closes at 6 PM on 12/31 for New Year's Eve.

Shanti - we need to use the empty paper boxes to store crafts supplies in the crafts storage room.

Doug - Is Santa going to be here tomorrow?  What are going to be the activities?  Photo ops?  Leona - Yes, Santa Lance here at 4 PM, not sure exact activities but Communications is bringing a newspaper reporter to take pictures, will have photo ops, need staff to help.  Alisa and Doug volunteered to help Leona and Temeka with the program.

Leona - program schedule during holiday period: next week -- 1 Holiday storytime at 10:30 on Tuesday for all ages; week after Christmas -- no storytimes, a movie on Tuesday at 2 and the New Year's celebration on Thursday at 11.

Staff Meeting 6-3-15

11:15 – 11:45 AM, Breakroom

1. Updates from Managers Meeting (Karen, Lauren)
2. HEAR Year End (Karen)
3. SRP Prep: parking, schedule changes, helping with programs (Karen, Leona)
4. Summer Volunteers (Pam)
5. First week of SRP: How’s it going so far (good and bad)?

Quick Notes

• HEAR Year Ending Soon: We have about 2 more weeks to collect statistics and documentation for this year’s reviews.  Karen and Lauren will start preparing year-end reviews June 15 and meet individually with everyone starting June 18.  All reviews must be completed, signed, and locked by the close of the fiscal year on June 30.  And it’s not too soon to start thinking about your FY16 SMART goals--the new review period begins Monday, July 1.    
• Smart Money Training: Please sign up for one of the SMM trainings scheduled in June and let Karen know which date, location and time you would like to attend so I can add it to the calendar/schedule.  
• Texting and Music in Public Service Areas: Texting and listening to music in public service areas is not appropriate because it distracts you from paying attention to customers’ needs.  Texting or listening to music when customers are around tells them you’re not available or interested in helping them.  These activities need to be done in non-public areas or during non-public hours with the volume turned down low enough so you can hear someone speaking to you.  

Upcoming Staff Events

• Friday, June 5: Last day of Pay Period
• Wednessday, June 10: May Monthly Report due
• Wednesday, June 10: Staff Training Meeting
• Friday, June 12: Pay Day
• Wednesday, June 17: Open Discussion Meeting (need recorder)
• Friday, June 19: Last day of Pay Period
• Friday, June 19: CE Managers Meeting (Karen, Lauren)
• Wednesday, June 24: Tech Training Meeting/ Management Team Meeting
• Friday, June 26: Pay Day

Open Discussion Notes 11/26/14

Workroom, 11:15-11:45AM         Recorder & Moderator: Leona

1. Obituary assignment- questions and comments were made about the assignment to Alice.
2. Delivery printer- discussion started by Julie.  
1. We don’t have to touch the printer to have it print.  It will give you a hold paper and a blank sheet after scanning the book on hold. Just collect the blank sheets to use again.
2. Also, the cartridge in the delivery computer is overfilled and extra ink is coming out, causing messy copies. Albert was made aware of this problem.
3. Star printer.  Someone is turning off  the star printer at various computers. When it comes back on it prints old jobs (many of them). It should not be turned off or the print jobs should be deleted.
4. Team leaders for the new structure of the library are: Theodora Muokebe, Pedro Fonseca, Patrick Atkins.  Note- They have not started these duties officially, since they are waiting for back-filling promotions that have been made. Shammi will be going working with the foreign language collection.
5. Karen will be gone for two weeks from Dec. 3-17. We are to contact Theodora with any problems.
6. Programs.  
1. Use the program tracker found in the G-drive to list all the programming.
1. The programs in this document do not need to be put in in order- they can be sorted.
2. The Winter Make-&-Take Craft was not in there for Dec.
2. Jennifer Schwartz had sent an email about MLK day, asking for ideas and what we are doing.
3. c. AARP Taxes will begin February through April 15
1. We will be getting less forms this coming year.
2. ii. Eventually the paper forms will be phased out and everything will be done online.
3. iii. The new JK Lasser Tax books have come in.
7. Holiday CD display will be on 2rd floor.
8. Box in the lobby is for the Mission of Yahweh. There is a sign above and on the side with what can be donated. These things are for the homeless and needy families.
9. Need programming meeting in the new year.  
1. Idea- Temeka says people are requesting more food programs like the ones done last summer. Maybe she can do one with Jasmine.
2. Idea- Need ideas for after school programs.

Staff Meeting Notes 1-8-14

Kendall Staff Meeting, 1-8-14, 1:15 – 11:45 AM, Breakroom

1. Event Updates (Karen)
1. Friends of Houston Public Library Winter Book Sale, 1/23-1/25 at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in the Heights; see www.friendsofhpl.org for more information.
2. Hoopla streaming media service now available to HPL customers; see handout in mail box for more information.
2. Meeting Room Reservations (Karen)
1. Because our meeting rooms and study rooms are in high demand, we try to make them available to as many interested individuals/groups as possible:
1. One reservation per group at a time; groups can make next reservation when coming in for the current event.
2. Meetings must be open to the public (no birthday parties or private meetings) and no goods or services can be sold.
3. One study  room reservation at a time; individuals can make the next reservation when finished with the current one.
2. Advance reservations may be taken by phone.  
1. For the meeting rooms, the reservation is TENTATIVE until the group contact fills out the meeting room reservation form.  The form can be faxed or emailed to speed the process.
2. Please allow 30 minutes between reservations for group  turnover.
3. For study rooms, the reservation will be held until 15 minutes past the scheduled start time, then released for anyone else who wants to use it.
3. The rooms are equipped with tables and chairs.  The 3rd floor conference room has a dry-erase board. We do not provide audio/visual equipment or services or meeting supplies (like dry-erase markers).  
4. Only light refreshments are allowed.  See HPL Policy 1.2 Library Sponsored Programs and Library Meeting Rooms (April 2005), 18. Serving Refreshments: Food and Drink:  a. Groups using meetings rooms may provide their own light refreshment such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, cookies, mints and nuts. The group using the meeting room must provide their own cups, napkins and plates. The group must remove all evidence of food service at the close of the meeting. b. Food service beyond the light refreshment level and food service requiring any onsite preparation must have approval of the Library Director or designee. c. Alcoholic beverages may not be served or consumed in any Library facility.
5. See the complete Meeting Room Policy on the Intranet> Forms+Documents> Policies and Procedures> Admin.
3. Incident Report Training (Meg)
1. See handout for information and assignment details.
2. Email the completed assignment to Meg or Karen by Friday, Jan. 17.

Upcoming Staff Events

• Jan 8: February Programs due in Evanced
• Jan 17:  Pay Period Close
• Jan 20: Library Closed for MLK Holiday
• Jan 22: Open Discussion Meeting
• Jan 23: NL Managers Meeting
• Jan 31: Pay Period Close    
• Feb 1: AARP Tax Help starts (Wed 12-4, Sat 10-2, through Sat., Apr. 12)   

Staff Meeting Notes, 11-20-13

1.     Floating Updates (Alice)
o    Adult overflow has been cleared finally; Leona and Regina sending JUV and YA items too.
o    Mancuso staff is taking our overflow and distributing it to other branches
o    Overflow items—perfect condition; don’t change status to missing or repair shelf
o    Return overflow items sent by other locations and add a note that we don’t take overflow--we have enough already. 
o    If overflow items have been requested, ask that they be sent to your attention, or we will send them back.

 2.     SirsiDynix Updates (Nina)
o    Symhony continues to be super slow at different times of the day
o    When should we go offline?  How long should we wait before switching to offline mode?   Will the software automatically upload any offline work?  What’s our back-up plan if the system is down for an extended period of time?
o    New accounts: look up customer first by name (last, first only) and ID# in browse search; use child’s birthday instead of ID search.
o    Google docs (esp. schedule and room reservations) not accessible, esp. in Chrome, limited/sporadic access in IE.  Room reservations spreadsheet has been saved in Excel on 2R computer (left side); refer all reservation requests/questions to this desk.  Schedule is updated and paper copies distributed to each service desk and workroom as changes occur; check header for most current version.

3.     Program Deadlines Updates (Meg).  Copy of program deadlines for 2014 distributed to mailboxes.

4.     Incident Report Practice (Karen); Handout and practice report will be distributed to mailboxes.
 

Upcoming Staff Events

●      Nov 21:  NL Managers Meeting, 9:15-12 Noon (Karen, Meg)
●      Nov 28-29: Library Closed for Thanksgiving
●      Dec 5: Service Innovation Team Meeting, 9:15-11:15  (Karen)
●      Dec 19: NL Managers Meeting, 9:15-12 (Karen)
●      Dec 20: Youth Services Meeting, 8:15-10:15 (Leona, Regina)
●      Dec 20, HPL Staff Holiday Party, 11-1:30; RSVP to e-invite.
●      Dec 24-25: Library Closed for Christmas
●      Jan 1: Library Closed for New Year’s Day

Remaining November Programs

ADULT PROGRAMS
●      Intermediate MS Excel, Thursday, November 21, 10:30 AM – 12:30PM, 2^nd Floor Conference Room
●      Kendall Bee Quilters, Monday, November 26, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 1^st Floor Meeting Room.

TEEN PROGRAMS

●      Teen Video Game Time, Wednesday, November 20, 27, 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
●      Teen Movie Time, Tuesday, November 26, 3:30 PM-5:30 PM

KIDS PROGRAMS

●      Babytime, Thursday, November 21, 11 AM – 12 PM
●      Babytime: Baby Yoga, Friday, November 22, 2:30-3:00 PM

Staff Meeting Notes, 10-16-13

1. Kronos Updates (Karen)
1. See email about password (in mailboxes too)
2. Please review your timecard regularly and email me before the end of the pay period any comments or missed punches before the end of the pay period.
3. The pay period ends every two weeks (see Upcoming Staff Events below).  They’re also posted on the in the cubicle on the end where the Vocera battery recharging stations are plugged in.
4. When swapping Saturdays with another staff member, email  me who is swapping and the changes for the dates worked and days off (or not) the following week, so I can update the Staff Schedule calendar.   
5. Overtime must be approved in advance.  Please pay attention to the schedule and punch out on time.  
6. The Library does not have a budget to pay out comp time so you need to use an accumulated comp time within 120 days.  If you request vacation leave, Kronos will automatically substitute any available comp time.     
2. Combined Municipal Campaign (Sharon)
1. Access from Kronos by going to My Links > CIty of Houston ESS Portal > login and click on CMC Sign Up.
2. Giving options: biweekly payroll deduction or one-time contribution.
3. Campaign runs Oct. 1-31.
4. Check out the online auction on the CMC page at http://cohemployeenews.com/home-cmc, See Library fundraising events at https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/cmc-2014.html.
3. Application Review Process (Nina)
1. Applications go to CEN to be indexed on the 15th of the following month.
2. Don’t forget to:
1. change library location to HOU-KEN
2. enter both phone numbers
3. ask customers if they want a custom PIN
3. Renewals and Lost Cards: enter updates from applications, esp. address and birthdate.
4. Add notes when making any  changes to a customer’s card.
5. Lost Cards: change status, add note to account and destroy card--it can’t be reinstated.  Use current expiration date.
6. New Registrations: check for duplicate accounts first and update online applications in existing record.
7. Address Change:  paste old address into a note with date changed (and your initials.

Upcoming Staff Events

• Oct 18:  Youth Services Meeting, 8:15-10:15AM (Leona, Regina)-CANCELLED
• Oct. 20-26: Fall Door Count
• Oct. 21: Childrens’ Book Festival Meeting, 4:30-6PM (Leona, Regina)
• Oct. 24: NL Managers’ Meeting, 9:15-12 (Karen)
• Oct. 24: Outreach--Budewig Intermediate School, 5-7PM (Karen, Nina)
• Oct. 25: Last Day of Pay Period
• Oct. 30: Open Discussion Meeting
• Nov. 5: Stats due
• Nov. 7: Service Innovation Meeting, 9:15-11:15 (Karen)
• Nov. 8: Last Day of Pay Period

     

Remaining October Programs

ADULT PROGRAMS

• Kendall Bee Quilters, Mondays, October 21, 26, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 1st Floor Meeting Room.
• Kendall Book Club, Tuesday, October 22 • 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM, 1st Floor Meeting Room.
• Intermediate to MS Excel, Thursday, October 31, 10:30 AM – 12:30PM, 2nd Floor Conference Room
• The Affordable Care Act Open Lab, Wednesday, October 30, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Computer Basics I &II (Bilingual), Wednesday, October 23, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
• Social Networking, Wednesday, October 16, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
• Intro to MS Word, Thursday, October 17, 10:30 AM – 12:30PM, 2nd Floor Conference Room
• Getting to Know Your Gadgets: eBook Open House, Tuesday, October 22 & 29, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Advanced MS Word, Thursday, October 24, 10:30 AM – 12:30PM
• Computer Help Session, Wednesday, October 30, 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM

TEEN PROGRAMS

• Teen Video Game Time, Wednesday, October 16, 23 & 30, 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
• Advanced Origami, Tuesday, October 22, 4:00 PM-5:00 PM

KIDS PROGRAMS

• Toddler Story Time, Tuesdays Oct 22, 29 at 10:30-11:00 AM and at 11:30-12:00
• Preschool Storytime, Wednesdays Oct. 16, 23, 30 at 12:30-1:15PM
• Babytime, Thursdays, October 17, 24, 31 at 11 AM – 12 PM
• Babytime: Baby Yoga, Fridays, October 18, 25 at 2:30-3:00 PM
• R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistance Dogs), Saturday, October 19 – 2:00-3:00pm
• Kendall Book Mania Club, Wednesday, October 23 – 4:45-5:45pm
• Halloween Book Celebration, Thursday, October 31 – 4:00-5:00pm