Open Discussion Meeting Notes 2/25/15

Moderator: Jose 

Recorder: Lauren 

Jose: Yesterday’s computer help session went very well.  We can refer patrons who need basic computer help to their weekly class.  Dates should be on the Google calendar.

Leona: Today having zombie make-up for the book club meeting (4:30-5:30)

Jose: Alice will be helping with an informal genealogy open group workshop on 3/11 after the computer class.  Patrons will be able to use the computer lab to learn about genealogy resources.  Alice and Jose will be there to help and answer any questions.  Discussed getting some of the Clayton library staff to come out again to facilitate a workshop in the future.

Alice:  We now have the reproducible IRS forms for patrons to make copies from (2^nd floor).  The blue pamphlets can also give people the info if they want any materials mailed to their home.  We need to remind any patrons who may have questions or who are angry that the IRS had a budget cut and we have a limited supply of materials.

We thanked Temeka for cleaning up the lobby desk.  Reminded to clean up after yourselves when you leave a workstation.  If you have to leave materials at the desk, make sure there are notes on the items indicating what needs to be done.  We can only hold an item for a patron at a workstation for 24 hours.  It must then be put back on the shelf.

Trish is processing the A/V materials with missing discs or discs to be cleaned.  Please put items on her desk with very detailed notes indicating the issue, patron name or ID#, and your initials.  We need to be checking CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks every time we get our hands on them.  Especially upon checking items in!  Do not discharge an item if there is a piece missing or damaged.  Contact the patron or bill them if necessary.  DVDs can be sent to be cleaned as they come in.  Check the item out to KEN-Repair, note the item with your branch and initials, and send to:

Disc Repair/Inventory Control

Attention: Christopher Patrick

Chris’s extension is 31620

Do not alter hold expiration dates for patrons!  If they can’t make it in time to pick it up and only if there are no other holds, then the item can be placed back on hold for them.

Paging: Get completed holds downstairs as quickly as possible.  Be sure to finish the paging process by marking items you cannot find as MISSING in Sirsi.  We may need to move to doing ON SEARCH duty twice a week.

Staff Training 2-18-15

Topic: Handbook of Texas Online - Biographies                                                                                     Presented by Alice

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Overview:  The Handbook of Texas Online, a publication of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), offers a full-text searchable version of the print edition of the handbook, along with 400 articles not included in the print edition.  Learn about the early explorers of Texas, Indians, outlaws and lawmen, famous men and women, cities, towns, rural communities, and much more between the pages of the handbook.  Today, we are going to meet those individuals who had some impact on society and were either born in Texas, lived in Texas for a considerable period of time, or were out-of-staters who had a hand in shaping Texas.  NOTE:  Only deceased people are the subjects of biographical articles.

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How to access, Handbook of Texas Online, from the homepage

1.    Research Tab

2.    Alphabetical Listing click on the letter “H”  OR

3.    Resources by Category

·         Almanacs

·         Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

·         Biography

·         History and Social Sciences

·         Homework Resources

·         Houston and Texas

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Practice/Assignment (due in two weeks)

1. Lucille Fay LeSeur is the pseudonym for…?
2. Who was Thomas Edward Ketchum and what was his nickname?
3. Rufus Green, Sr. he was a founding member of what Black organization?
4. Why can’t I find biographical information about former Governor Rick Perry?
5. Who was Robert de La Salle?

Staff Meeting Notes, 2-11-15

1. Updates:
1. January Monthly Report, October & November Stats (Karen)
2. Manager Boot Camp/ FY 16 Customer Experience Goals (Karen)
3. IRS tax forms--what to say to customers (Alice)
2. Project:  Opening/Closing Guidelines--Review handout and bring comments/suggestions to March staff meeting.
3. Circulation Training: New Lost Cards Procedure; Use Workflows Password; Placing Holds in Enterprise (Alisa) (handouts)

Quick Notes

• Incidents in the Parking Lot:  If you see people engaging in criminal or sexual activity in the parking lot, don’t approach them directly but report it in an Incident Report (with as much detail as you can) within 24 hours.  Call 911 right away if a crime is being committed.

• Don’t recycle paper with confidential customer information:  Recently I was helping a customer who was confused about fines on his account.  It turns out his hold wrapper was printed on the back of a detailed printout from another customer’s account.  
• Don’t recycle to the printer any paper with customer information of any kind, including paging lists, holds transfer sheets, and clear holds lists.
• Check all sheets before reusing them.
• Verify deposits carefully and note any problems on the Cash Drawer Count Report.  The Business Office called me last month about a deposit that was $1.80 short.  The deposit envelope contained $45.40 instead of $47.20 on the Merchandise Category Report; there were no notes.  
• A note explaining the shortage would save the Business Office and your colleagues time spent trying to figure out what happened.
• If you’re not sure what happened or what to say, ask a colleague for help.
• Protect yourself from unnecessary scrutiny by documenting your actions.
• Open window blinds: The blinds in the children’s area have been repaired (mostly).  You may close or adjust them during the day to block sunlight.  At the end of the day, make sure the blinds are open (those that are working) so interior of the building can be seen from the street.  To open the blinds, turn them at an angle to the window first before pulling them closed.
• Kronos comments and punch rounding: Email timecard issues (missing or duplicate punches, reason for tardiness, unscheduled leave) to me not later than the last day of the pay period.  I approve timecards after you leave that day and won’t add any missing in or out punches unless I have the time of the missing punch from you in writing.  See the handout for Kronos comments and punch rounding times.

Upcoming Staff Events

• Thursday, February 12: Defensive Driving Training (Doug, Katherine, Lauren)
• Friday, February 13: Last day of Pay Period
• Wednesday, February 18: Staff Training Meeting (Alice & Shanti)
• Wednesday, February 18: 2nd TLA A to Z webinar series: “Dealing with Difficult Situations”
• Thursday, February 19: Defensive Driving Training (Jasmine, Leona, Temeka)
• Friday, February 20: Pay Day
• Wednesday, February 25: Open Discussion Meeting
• Friday, February 27: CE Managers Meeting (Karen, Lauren)
• Friday, February 27: Last day of Pay Period
• Wednesday, March 4: Tech Training Meeting/ Management Team Meeting
• Friday, March 6: Pay Day
• Wednesday, March 11: Staff Meeting