Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Open Discussion Notes 5-20-15

Workroom, 11:15-11:55AM Recorder: Trish    Moderator: Alice


  1. Cleaning the Breakroom (Karen):
    1. GSD janitors not here to clean up after us.
    2. Dirty dishes in sink:  Please wash your dishes or put them in the dishwasher.  Dishes in the dishwasher will be washed; dishes in the sink will just sit there.
    3. Clean refrigerator:  We should take turns cleaning out the refrigerator.  She will set up a quarterly cleaning schedule to empty and clean the refrigerator.
  2. Applications (Albert):
    1. Use only blue or black ink and no other colors (forms are microfilmed and must be legible).  TDL or TID should always be on the application and in the customer’s record.
    2. Please put new address in the account when customers renew.
    3. Double-check to make sure no duplicate accounts in the system by checking both name and Alt ID.  When you find a duplicate account with fines on the old account, block the new one (and add a note) and let the customer know he/she has a balance; make sure the customer pays the old balance before unblocking the new card.
  3. Books between the cracks (Doug):
    1. Thanks to everyone for helping him learn things around the HPL system.
    2. He found 5 juvenile fiction books stuck in the gap between the shelving units, incluing one missing item and one dropped from the catalog.  Please check behind the lower shelf when shelf reading for any items stuck in this gap.
  4. Sorting Room (Temeka):
    1. Items being sorted onto wrong carts:
      1. Juvenile items going to Adult floor
      2. Adult classic paperbacks going to the juvenile floor
      3. Cataloged paperbacks shelved with uncataloged paperbacks.
    2. Please read the labels on the wall above the carts and bins if you’re not sure which one to use.
  5. Tagging (Karen):
    1. Please check all DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, and kits when returned and when checking out to make sure all disks are there.  If we consistently check, then customers will not need to say the disk was missing when they checked out the item.
    2. TechLogic is going to lend us a RFID wand to use to scan items on the shelves but it only will read tagged items.  We need to make sure all items being shelved are tagged.  Set untagged returns in the bin under the Lobby desk (to be tagged during slow periods), float to LMS, or discard (if the item is worn).  
  6. Orphan/County Items (Karen):
    1. Please log returns that don’t belong to us using the Orphan/County Items Received from on the Customer Service page of the blog.  Fill out a form for each item..  
    2. Send each item and send to ILL at CEN to be returned to the owning library.  
    3. The log makes it easier to help customers who are looking for books from other libraries they may have returned to us.
  7. Self-Check and Key Tag cards (Alice):
    1. The key tag cards don’t scan very well at the self-check stations.
    2. Alisa suggested holding the card flat before running it under the scanner.
  8. Customer coming behind the desk (Karen):
    1. How should we handle customers who come behind the service desks to get something, especially on the 2nd and 3rd floor?
      1. Offer to help customers find what they’re looking for.
      2. Ask them not to come behind the desk for their safety (carts, cords, and other trip hazards).
      3. Use tact and be helpful.
  9. Study Rooms on 2nd Floor:
    1. Reserve rooms only for 2 hours at a time, to give everyone a chance.
    2. Advance reservations are convenience for customers planning ahead and will be held for 15 minutes before we release them for other customers who are waiting.
  10. Adults on the 3rd Floor:
    1. Greet everyone when they come on the 3rd floor because:
      1. it makes everyone feel welcome.
      2. we ask let adults without children to cooperate with us in providing a safe environment for children by accompanying a child or looking for children’s materials on this floor.
      3. it lets everyone know we are paying attention and keeping an eye on what’s happening.
    2. Once an adult without a child is comfortably settled on the 3rd floor, it’s very difficult to make them leave.  Just let them know that we ask customers’ cooperation etc., so the next time they come they’ll be aware of our goal.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Staff Training Notes 5-13-15

2nd floor conference room, 11:15-11:55AM
1.  Teen Readers Advisory by Jasmine; handout
2.  Excel: Consolidating and Linking Spreadsheets by Pam; handout

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Staff Meeting Notes 5-6-15

11:15 – 11:45 AM, 2nd floor conference room

  1. Updates from Managers Meeting
  2. Opening/Closing Checklist (Lauren)
  3. Staff Development Day (Lauren)
  4. Training: SRP Registration for FY15 (Leona); handout

Quick Notes

  • HEAR Year Ending Soon: We have about 6 more weeks to collect statistics and documentation for this year’s reviews.  Karen and Lauren will start preparing year-end reviews in the beginning of June 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.    
  • Voids in Smart Money Manager: Once you begin to “Check Out” a transaction, you cannot void or reverse the process.  The TeleCheck machine (which processes checks and credit card payments) can void/reversel transactions (see attached handout) but once you submit the type of payment and amount in Smart Money, it cannot be reversed.  Handouts: Smart Money Manager and How it Works, TeleCheck-Payment Type Process.
  • Smart Money Training: Please sign up for one of the SMM trainings scheduled in June and let me know which date, location and time you would like to attend so I can add it to the calendar/schedule.  See emails from Laurie Covington and Lauren on May 2,
  • 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.  
  • Workroom Doors: Make sure workroom doors are closed before public opening hours.

Upcoming Staff Events

  • Friday, May 8: Last day of Pay Period
  • Saturday, May 9:  April Monthly Report due
  • Wednesday, May 13: Staff Training Meeting
  • Friday, May 15: Pay Day
  • Saturday, May 16: Children’s Book Celebration at Central (Leona)
  • Wednesday, May 20: Open Discussion Meeting (need moderator and recorder)
  • Friday, May 22: Last day of Pay Period
  • Monday, May 25: Memorial Day, library closed
  • Wednesday, May 27: Tech Training Meeting/ Management Team Meeting
  • Friday, May 29: CE Managers Meeting (Karen, Lauren)
  • Friday, May 29: Pay Day