Staff Meeting Notes 5-14-14

11:15 – 11:45 AM, Breakroom

1. Updates from NL Managers Meeting  (Karen)
2. Training: Sprocket Work Orders (Meg & Karen)

Quick Notes

• Use the HPL 3-part greeting when answering all phone calls.  The greeting is “Thank you for calling the Houston Public Library system.  This is the Kendall Neighborhood Library.  How may I help you?”
• Don’t forget to stay on the line when you’re transferring a call to to make sure the call goes through.
• When you’re filling a bunch of holds at the same time, be very careful to wrap the item with the correct customer’s name.  We had 10 items last week wrapped with the wrong name and it’s almost impossible to fix.
• If a customer is checking out and the account is expiring within 3 weeks, please renew the account so the customer can enjoy the full checkout period.
• When a customer signs up online, use “Modify User” to add the card number and update the the temporary account.  Use “  “ to delete multiple online registrations for the same person.  Remember, 1 person = 1 library card account.
• Please do not turn off the 3M pad.  We tend to forget that we turned the pad off.  The RFID tags are more effective when the tag readers are turned on.
• When processing holds, use TRAP HOLDS to fill the request.  A patron arrived at the Drive-up window to pick up her 3 available holds and was surprised to discover she actually had 9 ready (but 6 had not been checked in correctly).     
• Please rinse dishes and food scraps into the right sink, where the garbage disposal is located.  Rinsing food scraps in the left sink will clog the drain.

Upcoming Staff Events

• Friday, May 16:  Last day for “Give ‘Em the Pickle” training
• Saturday, May 17:   Children’s Book Celebration, Central (LH)
• Thursday, May 22: NL Managers Meeting, Central (KL)
• Friday, May 23: Last day of pay period; timecards approved at close of business.
• Monday, May 26: Memorial Day, Library Closed
• Wednesday, May 28: Staff Meeting
• Friday, May 30: Payday
• Monday, June 2: First day of Summer Reading Program
• Monday, June 30: Deadline for completing Executive Order 1-50: Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Annual Training.

Open Discussion Notes 5-7-14

11:15-11:45, 3rd Floor Conference Room
Moderators/recorders: Karen, Meg

Discussion: Should we accept customer returns on all floors?

PRO

1. Reduce Tension between staff & costumers.
2. Older costumers or parents with kids don’t have to go downstairs to return library materials.
3. Encourage customers to return items by making it convenient.
4. More options/places to return when lobby busy.
5. Providing a service.

CON

1. Materials that require extra handling/space (like holds, transfers).
2. Materials are not brought down to the first floor on a regular basis.
3. Items are not sorted.
4. Increases level of activity at the desk.
5. Does not utilize sort machine (an expensive piece of equipment).
6. Mixes up pick-up materials with check-in /check-out items.
7. Limited space/carts.

Other Considerations

• Process Improvement (improve workflow, materials handling)  
• Designated area/ pickup trucks. 
• Greeter in lobby.
• Clear desks during the day.
• Educate customers.

Open Discussion Notes 4-23-14

Break Room, 11:15-11:50AM.  Moderator: Meg; Recorder: Jose

Today we discussed…

1.  Shelve reading:

      --Divide the library in different sections

      --Rotation of the sections too (sign up for shelve reading, whatever you prefer)

2. Any worker that comes to fix something  has to sig in: name- last name & ID # [notebook at Lobby desk. KL]

3. If you refer anyone on the 2nd floor to the 3rd floor for computer use, please remind patrons that 3rd floor it’s a kid friendly zone.

4.  Anyone is welcome to check out a laptop as long they don’t have any fines on their record and have had their library card for at least 30 days.

5. Don’t  turn off 3M pads, please.

6. During delivery time make sure you do it the right way (don’t get confuse with drive up and normal holds).

7. Meeting Room Reservations:           

     --Always fill out forms for reservations

     --No double booking

     --No adults sessions in 3rd floor

     --Always give spare time to groups to leave (don’t do back to back reservations) [30 minutes           between events. KL].

     --We don’t do reservations for birthday parties aka “child gatherings”, nor is food allowed either [meetings must be free and open to the public—no private parties. KL]

     --No multiple reservations

     --One reservation = one form (also check forms for correct information).

8. Keep the closet in the 3rd floor locked all times.

9. Assist Westside volunteers to keep their personal stuff, Tuesdays from 10am-12noon.

10. Monthly report of library apps would be excellent in the future to avoid any inconvenience at the time of evaluations.

Remember Lights Out Houston Thursday, April 24 - Sunday, April 27, turn off all not essential lights before we leave during those days