Tagging DVDs

Please make sure when converting RFID tags for the DVDs that you use the CD/CD ROM setting on the conversion station.

If you use the video setting, it will tag them in a way that will make it difficult to be checked out on the automated checkout machines.

Dessert Party @ LOO!

Overdrive

Based on customer demand the number of OverDrive items that can be checked out at one time has been increased to 10. The holds limit has also been increased to 10 items.

Laptops

It is no longer necessary to give out power cords when checking out laptops. However, if a customer really wants a cord, we do have spare ones in the boxes on the bottom of the laptop cart (for PCs only). Please don't pull out the cords from the back of the cart! When a customer returns a laptop, please plug it back in so it will recharge.

New Stats Sheet

Please note that language stats should now be marked on the regular statistics sheet. Also, computer questions fall under directional.

LOO/MNT Thanksgiving

Catalog Search Tips

from Erin via Sandy via the Floating Blog:

If you want to search for new books on a subject and not use one of the canned lists available or we don't have one on that topic here is an example of the search:

"new-hou" and sports

This search will return all purchases for the last 60 days having to do with sports.

Lots and lots of books!

Checking out DVDs

Do not override the DVD limit. Customers may only check out five at a time! If you get a message block and you are scanning a DVD, please READ THE MESSAGE! If the message is telling you how many discs should be in the case or that there is a hold on the item, you may proceed with checking it out to the customer. If the message says that the customer has reached his checkout limit, then STOP and politely inform the customer of the limit.

Halloween 2014

Computer Use Only Cards

Computer Use Only Cards allow computer access, including Internet access and access to licensed databases. To obtain a Computer Use Only Card, the following is required:

Adults
Name
Photo I.D. that includes birth date

Children under 18
Name
Birth date
Name of school (or an indication that they are homeschooled)

Birth date is required to help prevent duplication of records.

Computer Use Only cards must be renewed every year. There is a $1 replacement fee for lost Computer Use Only cards.

Tutoring & Meeting Rooms

Please ask tutors who inquire about using the meeting room or conference room if their service is free or if they are charging. Line G. on the meeting room request form states: The sale of goods or services is not allowed in the library.  If someone is charging for tutoring services, then he or she cannot book our rooms.

ILL Media

Please use the yellow envelopes and bubble wrap if available when returning ILL media to CEN. ILL books can be returned with a transit slip or return note on the item.

Juvenile Shift Complete!

The final phase of the Children's Area Revamp is finished!  The juvenile uncatalogued paperback chapter books are now located immediately following the cataloged collection:

As before, the series books are first (alphabetical by series title), then books not in a series (alphabetical by author last name), followed by movie novelizations.  The best part?  All of the uncatalogued materials are together on one aisle!

All of the non-fiction moved over one aisle to accommodate this change.  And our holiday books are now located across from the reference section:

Thanks, Yolanda, for helping me finish this project!

Classics, Test Guides & Reference

Reference is now mostly on one side of the shelf. Classics have a little bit more room, and test guides are next to classics.  Check it out!

Classics

Test guides and the start of Reference

Reference

Children's Area

As you may have noticed, many items have been shifted in the children's area.  The beginning readers are now located along the final row of picture books:

The kits, juvenile music and audiobooks have migrated to the shelves beneath the bulletin boards:

And the manga/DC comics have simply hopped down off the counter onto the shelves below:

The encyclopedia set, state and country books are now passing time on the opposite side of the graphic novels (where the CD's used to be):

This allowed us to let the biographies breathe a little and eliminate books on the bottom shelf in that section, as well as move the juvenile world language books up.  The abundance of Spanish board books are now located beneath the foreign language materials:

KHOU Book Drive

KHOU 11, in partnership with the Houston Public Library, will be conducting a book drive across the system. This book drive will take place from the 13th to the 25th of October.

Here is a wish list, if customers ask for suggestions on what to donate.

Items on Repair Shelf

Please remember to check items out to LOO-REPAIR if they are missing parts or scratched. If you don't, the item will show as still being on the shelf, and if we look for it and can't find it, it will get marked missing.

Door Count

...is coming up: October 19-25.

Modifying Pick-up Dates for Holds

If someone calls to request an extension on an item currently on the hold shelf, please modify the date in the customer's account as well as on the holds wrapper.  If you do not change the pick-up date on the customer's account, then the item will appear on the clear holds list and may accidentally get pulled off the shelf.

Storytime A-Z

ILL ITEMS ON HOLD SHELF

Please note that if someone asks you to change the location of an ILL item already on the hold shelf at another branch, you MUST contact ILL or the item will not get transferred. Instead, it will sit on the hold shelf at that branch until the expiration date and the item will get stuck in limbo on the customer's list of pending holds. If you notice an item checked out to CEN DISCARDS, it is no longer on the hold shelf and probably has already been sent back to the owning institution.

Floating

Do not float items to DIX, DIS, FRA, LAK, MCH, PLE, SWC, TUT, YOU. These locations are space-challenged and should only receive those floats that are targeted to their perennial needs or sent from the Float Hubs.

These locations do not float at all: CEN, CMH, HMRC, CLA, and GRE.

Balloons!

MY Link is tasty!

I see MY link, do you see YOURS?

Red Shirts!

MY Link Card

This is a reminder that the new MY Link library card campaign kickoff starts tomorrow, Wednesday, September 10th.  Remember to wear your HPL red shirt, any white shirt, or any red shirt between September 10th-17th.

Things to know:

All customers who register for a new library card during the card campaign launch festivities on September 13th, or during the City Hall Farmers Market on September 17th, will be entered into a drawing to win one of five iPad Minis.  Winners will be notified the week of September 22nd and will be invited to join us as our special guest at Houston LibroFest on Saturday, September 27th.

From September 10th-26th, accounts not in collection are eligible to have up to $24.99 in overdue fines forgiven when the customer exchanges his/her current library card for the new My Link – Powered by HEB library card. Additionally, from tomorrow through September 26th, overdue fines will be automatically forgiven on all overdue items returned and checked in on the HPL Symphony system.

Employee Self Service (ESS)

Please visit the new Employee Self Service (ESS) portal (https://portal.houstontx.gov) and change your password before September 16. You must log-in before Tuesday, September 16, or the HITS help desk will have to walk you through the process to change your password.

Magazines in the Book Drop

Please pay attention to magazines found in the book drop.  Not all of them are new items!  Check them in if you see a barcode!

Coin Copier Paper

Just to keep us on our toes, Coin Copier's paper has changed again. The new paper is the blue Hammermill with the zebras on front. We still have some leftover A1 (orange) and a couple X9s, so use those up as well.

Our paper nowadays is also the green X9 paper.  Our cases are separate and usually marked with LOOSCAN in marker.

Language Stats

We are being asked to keep track of how often we provide customer service in a language other than English. Please use the form at the desk to track translations by phone or in person and using staff or referral to 311. Because we experience this so infrequently at LOO, the form is broken down by month. If you remember assisting a customer who didn't speak any English last month or earlier this month, please notate it on the form. Thanks!

Password Manager

Please take the time to enroll in Password Manager (this is required!).  See the instructions below:

To access the new Password Manager website from your work area or from home:
Go to: http://passwordreset.houstontx.gov
1. Enter your Username – six digit employee number with the “e” – use leading zeroes, if needed (i.e., e012345 or e123456).
2. Enter your Location – the location should default to ‘HOUTX’.
3. Enter the characters from the image, and ‘Click’ OK.
4. ‘Click’ the My Questions and Answers Profile link.
5. Enter your network password and choose ‘Next’.
6. Select a Question, and enter an Answer for each drop-down box and choose ‘Next’.
7. Questions and Answers Profile is successfully created.

Password Manager provides the ability to perform a self-service reset of your Windows network and Exchange passwords without having to contact the Help Desk.

HITS will add the ability to reset passwords for other applications at later dates (i.e. Kronos, HEAR, ESS, etc.).

Reminder about stamping discards

Uncataloged paperbacks should be stamped on the top edge of the book ONLY.

Cataloged books should be stamped in 2 places: top edge of the book and the back interior label/book pocket.

Please do not stamp “DISCARD” anywhere else as it detracts from the book’s appearance and is thus much less valuable.

IT Log

Because we occasionally get asked for data about computer issues like internet outages, I refreshed our old internet connectivity log (remember that??). It can still be found under Useful Links on the right hand menu on this blog.  The log has two tabs.  The one it opens to is for internet connectivity.  Please log any internet slowness/outages here.  The other tab is for any other problem.  Log whatever IT issues come up, like a computer that won't boot up or error messages on the screen.  Thanks!

Door Count: July 20-26

Sunday, July 20th begins our summer door count week, which will run through Saturday, July 26. Door count is a process where we count two things: 1. Visitors on an hourly basis and 2, All In-house reference and circulating materials use on a daily basis.  Make sure to accurately and regularly count pick-up items!

Overdrive Troubleshooting

If a person needs assistance with Overdrive and you don't have a solution for them, contact HPL Email Reference: http://www.houstonlibrary.org/emailref  

National Library Worker's Day @ LOO

Door Count

WHEN:            Door Count is taken three times each fiscal year, the third weeks in July, October, and April. The count begins on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday. This Door Count will run from Sunday, APRIL 20^th through Saturday, APRIL 26^th.

WHAT:            Door Count measures 2 things:

1.      Visitors by the hour, through gate counts

2.      In-House materials used, by the day

Gate counts are measured by recording the P number on your gate each hour. This way we get a general idea of what times of the day are busiest at your location.

In-House material counts are counted manually but we only need a daily total. This count is used by libraries nationally to measure use of print-based materials.

HOW:             Please review the Door Count template before Door Count begins.

·         Count any item that is removed from the shelf or stacks, by staff or the public. All formats are counted and each physical item is counted as one. 

Flip Kits

Just some friendly FLIP reminders/requests:

1.       Please email Kallie Benes – kbenes@cmhouston.org when you are running low on museum passes (for completed surveys).  Surveys should be sent in to Kallie @ CMH by courier at the end of each month.

2.       ALL kits must be returned to CMH once they are checked out & returned to you (so we can refill them). Then we will send them back to you.

3.       Please try not to cover the barcode on the hangtag with location slips. Tape on other side of hang tag.

4.       If a kit is to be transferred to another location or sent somewhere to fulfill a hold, please HIGHLIGHT the location to be sent to (for the couriers & the refurbishing staff to easily see).

*We have EXTRA kits from FRA closure & DIS lack of space.  Does any location need additional kits?  If so, please respond asap.  If you are ever running low on kits (not enough to fill all the hooks on your kiosk or to represent all age groups), please email me for more.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Kallie Benes (FLIP & CMH library manager):

713-535-7254, kbenes@cmhouston.org

Coin Copier Paper

When the X-9 paper (in the green box) runs out, use the A1 paper (in the orange and purple box) in the copy machine and public printer. This is Coin Copier paper.  Continue using the Office Max paper in staff printers.  Thanks!

Flyers

Hi, Team,

Please see the following guidelines for creating a sign; or flyers. Please send your requests to me or Leonore. We will check to see if the guidelines have been met. Then it will be forwarded on to Elva Alverez for a cursory check. Please designate if it is a sign for posting for a one-time event. If it is a flyer meant for distribution, please attach the Print Shop request. If your request is approved by your respective Team Leader, they will forward your Print Shop request to Print Shop and copy you.

Here are some basic guidelines:

1. Myriad Pro is used for most headers, and body content of our brochures, flyers, and other materials. In cases where Myriad Pro is not available, Arial can be used as an alternate font for header and body of content.

2. Use correct library name -
For example:

Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library
Looscan Neighborhood Library

3. When adding dates to flyer, the format should be as follows:

Friday, March 21, 2014

4. When adding time, format should be as follows:

2 PM – 4 PM

5. If you advertise a class, use the complete class name on the sign.

6. Please do not add photos or graphics.

Thanks!~ Originally from Mary Wagoner

Sirsi IP Address

A message from Fred about Sirsi:

This is just a reminder to everyone to make sure that the IP Address in the Configuration box is set to halan.sirsi.net every time you log in to do business.

If you find that the setting has been changed to something else, simply type halan.sirsi.net into the IP Address box, and click OK. That will change the setting back to what it needs to be.

If you not already in the habit of checking this setting every time you log in, please make that a part of your regular routine.

Homeless Help

SEARCH is an organization that deals with the homeless in Houston.  Its objectives are to engage, stabilize, educate, employ and house their clients.  They have a mobile outreach program that seeks out homeless clients and connects them with their services.  SEARCH also has a day shelter called the Resource Center where they provide case management and coordinate services.  The organization also provides intensive case management to those that are chronically homeless and have extra challenges.  The chronically homeless have been homeless for over a year and include many veterans and those out of jail. 

SEARCH focuses their educational programs on children, primarily early childhood.  Classes on job skills, resume writing, and the like help get their clients ready for the workplace.  It also has several housing programs.  Two main ones are Scattered Site Housing and Housing Plus.  Scattered Sites deal with the chronically homeless and have permanent case managers on site, and the Housing Plus has case managers working off site.  The organization believes in being client centered, having authentic communication (active listening) with their clients, and following through with promises.

Customers can access www.homelesshouston.org and find information about all shelters in the area and the Help Card.

HPD also has a department that deals specifically with the homeless.  The Homeless Outreach Team consists of one sergeant, two officers, and a case manager.  They mainly patrol the downtown area.  If you have customers that appear intoxicated, you can also call 311 instead of the police.  They will be picked up and taken to a sobering center instead of jail.

If you have a customer in crisis, you can also call the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team or MCOT of MHMRA of Harris County.  They will come and meet with them and connect them to their services.  MCOT’s phone number is 713-970-7520. 

Replacing Library Cards

Here is some helpful information from Fred and Sarah, from their visit with Montrose:

If a customer has a fine on their account can we replace the library card?

Yes. If the customer’s account is not expired. Please inform the customer of the balance and replace the card, but DO NOT renew the account until the balance is paid to zero.

HGO: First Songs

Next Tuesday, January 14th at 2:30pm, the Houston Grand Opera is coming to Looscan!  The program is called "First Songs" and it is designed for infants and toddlers and their caregivers.  The presenter will teach parents how to model effective reading techniques for young children, making the connection between music and literacy.

There are fliers on the front desk with the specifics of the workshop, and the long version of the description is on the online events calendar for our branch. When you check out books to patrons with kiddos in this age group, please mention this program and offer them a handout!