Hoopla

Harris County Public Library used to offer Hoopla. Patrons tended to assume if they were accessing Hoopla using the link on the HPL website, they were checking out items using their Houston Public Library card. However, if the originally set up their Hoopla account with their Harris County Public Library card number the items were checked out using the HCPL card. (The unique identifier for a Hoopla account is the e-mail used to create the account, not the library card number.) HCPL no longer provides service to Hoopla. Patron accounts that were registered with a HCPL library card are getting error messages. There is a simple fix to this situation:

• Log into you Hoopla account using your e-mail and password
• Click on Settings in the upper right hand corner
• Click on Library Settings tab
• Use the drop down menu to chose Houston Public Library
• Enter library card number and click Save button

NBC Learn

We have recently added a new resource to the library's collection: NBC Learn. NBC Learn is primarily designed for K-12 students. It shows brief video clips that cover current news items and STEAM topics. Accessing this resource remotely can be tricky as it is not obvious how to log in for access using your library card number and pin. On the Research web page where the link to NBC Learn is located there is a sadly very long paragraph under the database's description explaining how to log in. Please be aware of the issue and, if possible, take a few minutes when outside of the library to access NBC Learn so that you can see how this works. Let Marianne Lorio know what questions you have.

Civics and Citizenship Toolkits

The check-in/checkout procedure is similar to FLIP kits, except there are 3 essential components that must be returned in order for the Toolkit to be considered complete. These 3 items are indicated with an asterisk (*) on a list pasted on the inside flap of each Toolkit.

If the 3 essential components are returned, the Toolkit remains in circulation. If any of the essential components are missing, the appropriate charges should be applied ($7 per missing item, or $21 + $10 processing fee if all three essential items are missing), and the Toolkit should be checked out to LOO-REFURB and sent to LMS, ATTN: Gary Lackey.

Every location will receive one reference copy, and 77 additional Toolkits will go into circulation.

Edits to LMS

For the time being, please hold off sending any edits to LMS except for:

1) Item-on-the-Fly material,
2) items specifically recalled by Gary Lackey,
3) items on wrong bibliographic records,
4) transfers to CEN Stacks,
5) items with barcodes not in the system.

This means holding onto call number change requests, label changes, and other problem items until further notice.

OverDrive, Hoopla, and Recorded Books

How to transfer existing OverDrive, Hoopla, and Recorded Books accounts onto a new device:

The first step to accessing all three services is to download the appropriate app to new devices. All three apps can be found in the App Store (for Apple devices) and Google Play (for Android devices). Be aware that the One Click Digital app is called RBdigital.

When opening the OverDrive app for the first time, the customer will most likely be asked to Sign In. If the customer uses the same sign in as they used previously, they will have access to their wish list, holds, and any titles checked out. They will have to download their checked out items onto their new device. If they receive a message that they have reached their download limit send Marianne Lorio an e-mail with the title, library card number, and patron name. She will reset their downloads. Please be aware that it is not technically possible to extend check out periods even with the best of reasons. If the library customer has to get a new library card number and already has an OverDrive account send Marianne an e-mail with the old (if possible) and the new library card numbers as well as customer name. Their accounts will be merged as soon as possible.

Similarly with Hoopla if the library customer signs in with the same user information they should have access to their previous account information. The customer should be able to download their items onto the new device unless they’ve reached the download limit. In that situation the best thing to do is to return the checked out item and check it out again. If the customer has a new library card number they will have to enter that into their account information:
• Click on the gear icon in upper right hand corner for Settings.
• Select Library Settings
• Enter the new number under Library Card
• Save Library Settings.

One Click Digital (Rbdigital app) should be the most straight forward situation. Customer accounts are created using a username and password so customers should be able to easily log in using the same information. If the customer has lost their username and password, please help the customer use the OneClickdigital website (linked from our Research webpage) to reset their accounts:
• On the OneClickdigital website click on Sign In in the upper right hand corner
• A pop up box will appear with the Forgot PASSWORD/ USERNAME link
• If that doesn’t work click on Help (also in the upper right hand corner)
• Then the SUPPORT tab for options to contact Rbdigital Support.

Harvey Damaged Items

·       All items damaged during Harvey should be checked out to LOO-HARVEY-DAMAGED. Do Not use LOO-DISCARD. The items do not need to be stamped. If customers call or come into the library and report their items have been lost in the flood waters, please also check out the items to LOO-HARVEY-DAMAGED.

August Meetings Recap

Collected from meetings held 8/8, 8/15 & 8/22:

Meeting Rooms
Please remember to have groups sign in/out in the binder at the desk. We use this data to track no-shows and for statistics.

Please remember to put in spacers in the meeting room calendar, so that we don't schedule groups back-to-back, since it is sometimes difficult transitioning between meetings.

Collection Maintenance
Make sure CEN items get sent back. We recently found a ton on our shelves! Some were still checked out to customers!

Pay attention to the screen when checking in items. If you overlook a pop-up message, the next item you scan will not get checked in.

ILLs need to go in a CEN bin when they are returned. Make sure to use envelopes/bubble wrap if the ILL is media.

Yellow hold labels need to come off books that are returned. If you leave the labels on, they will come back to us in delivery instead of where they really need to go.

We had to cut the periodicals budget by over $550, so customers may ask why we are missing a certain magazine.

If you suspend a hold that is already ready for pickup on the hold shelf and then promptly discharge the item to trigger the next hold in line, a glitch will occur. The glitch will make the item show up repeatedly on the clear holds list, and will trap the specific item so that it won't fulfill any more holds. The best thing to do if you suspend a hold that is ready for pickup is to just leave it alone until it appears on the clear holds list the next day.

If you come across a CEN item that is missing a part, please return it to CEN ATTN: LST. LST is responsible for matching up CEN items with missing parts.

We have a new processing flag. Use it.

Location Maintenance
There is a new required field when completing Sprocket requests. Out of the options, choose RO (Reactive Client Request).

The library has a new towing contract. If a car needs to be towed, call Belinda Cox and give her the make, model, color, and license plate of the car. Jason Stephens in the backup contact. We are getting new towing signs soon.

Programming
We are holding a Bilingual Art class on September 23rd for ages 3-10. We need 20 sign-ups, or the class will probably get canceled. http://houstonlibrary.org/learn-explore/kids/viva-art-bilingual-art-classes 

ESL is Mondays, 1-2 pm. Citizenship Class is Mondays, 3-4 pm.

Youth Services Updates
The Teen Summer Writing contest is currently taking place (July 1-September 30). It is for grades 6-12 and all schools can participate.

LibroFest is on September 30th at Carnegie.

Scream In is on October 21st at Central. It is for ages 10-15 and there is a limit of 50 participants.

There will be a winter reading program (December 18-January 8), "Read 10 for 10" (10 minutes/day for 10 days). Prizes will be awarded between January 3-16. This is not being promoted to schools. The prizes will be books and 5-inch lollipops.

Statistics
Please remember that we need to track when customers are asking questions about ESL, Citizenship or language learning.  For example, if a Spanish-speaking customer approaching staff to ask questions about available English classes across the system, staff would count the interaction on our statistics sheet as a reference question, Spanish language question, and an ESL question (so three marks for the same question).

Volunteer Program Request Form
Please keep in mind that this is an internal document.  If a customer is interested in volunteering to run a program, staff must fill out this form on the customer's behalf.  Do not give the form to the customer to take home.

Email
The default setting for replying to emails in Office 365 web version is "reply all." To change this, click on the gear icon at the top of the page. Search for "reply" and then click on "reply options." Choose "reply" and hit "save."

Security
River Oaks Patrol says we aren't within their service area. Call the HPD non-emergency number before trying to contact River Oaks Patrol. HPD's non-emergency number is 713-884-3131. Please use this number to report people sleeping on property overnight/in the morning.

First Aid
If a customer asks for a band aid, it is okay to give them one!

Wellness
Health Assessments are due by November 30th. There will be two screenings at CEN in October. Otherwise, you may use your numbers if your doctor visit occurred after February 1st of this year. Do not put 'I don't know' when you fill out your assessment, or you won't get credit for it.