Large Print display in the catalog - and the holds issue

From Sally Bates, 11:12 AM: 

You may have noticed that often the large print edition of a title displays first in the catalog.  This is because titles with later dates display before those with earlier ones, and the large print edition is published after the regular edition.

Sometimes this causes customers to put their holds on the large print edition.  There are always many fewer copies of large print, which means their hold will take longer to fill.  (And if we order a cataloged paperback it will be attached to the regular title.)  So when you are helping a customer place a hold, or if they wonder why their hold is taking a while, you may want to make sure it is on the entry with the most copies (and if the copies are dwindling, let us know so we can add some).

The Digital Strategies folks are aware of our concerns about this issue – but it is a tricky one to solve.  For instance, if we added the large print editions to the regular record, those who just wanted the large print would not be able to put a hold just on that format.

Thanks to Tula Gorden for asking us to share this information, especially in the case of Wonder by Palacios (soon to be a movie).

Don't Forget to Logout of Your Email Account on Shared Computers

Team,

Here's a good reminder from Rhonda when we're using shared computers . . .

Karen
-------------------------------------

From: Rhonda Harvey

Date: July 18, 2017

Team, today I inadvertently accessed an associate's  email.  

I informed this  staff associate of what happened. 

To avoid this happening to you, please log out of your email AND close  the browser (IE, Firefox, Google) the email was opened in.  This procedure should ensure that staff won't open/use your email account.

Thanks.

Using Processing Flags

Team,

Please read Felicia's email below about attaching a processing flag to individual items sent to LMS for corrections such as Item on the Fly, so they know what needs to be done to the item.  This has always been the standard procedure, but it's good to be reminded.

Karen

----------------------------------------------

Brisco, Felicia - HPL
Yesterday, 2:31 PM

I spoke with LMS and they are requesting that we attach a Processing Flag to individual items when sending 

material to them. They also asked me to convey to our team to make certain that we are noting the date, 
branch and staff name on the Processing Flag.

Beanstack Update

From Rebecca Denham, 7/12:

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about badges not unlocking when customers think they’ve reached a certain reading level.  What has often been the case is that customers are counting books logged in May toward their Summer Reading Program goals. 

Participants can back date reading, but since the program started June 1st, only books/minutes logged starting 6/1 will count toward completion.  It is a little confusing because there is a “Reading Summary” box on the right-hand side of the screen when a person is in their account.  This is a cumulative total of all reading, regardless of date logged.  To see the number of books/minutes that have been logged during the program itself please check the “Program Participation” box (located just under the green row of buttons).  That will show the programs that someone is participating in and how many books/minutes they’ve read for that program.  Please see pic attached picture.

Please make sure to check the books/minutes for Game On! Summer Reading Program 2017 when a customer thinks they’ve reached a level but the badge hasn’t unlocked.  If you run into any issues with an account, send us the customer’s name and email so we can investigate.

Staff Meeting Notes 7/10/17

SOUTHWEST EXPRESS / WALTER GROUP STAFF MEETING

FRIDAY, July 10,  2017, 9:15-10:45 AM, MEETING ROOM

Present: Karen, Christy, Alexandra, Derrick, Holly, Irene, Ivy, Linda, Martha, Patricia, Sonia, Kiki, Xavier. Absent: Araceli, Rhonda, Teresa

 Staff Meeting Agenda

1. Updates

1. Welcome new Summer Intern Farah (Karen)
2. Alexandra’s last day--Aug 11/ job posting (Karen)
3. New Staff meeting schedule (see below)
4. SRP Programs at SWX and WAL (Ivy & Irene)
5. Summer Food Service Program (Linda)
6. Volunteers (Christy)
7. Using Beanstack to award SRP prizes (Karen)
8. Updates from June Managers Meetings (Christy & Karen)
1. Other Updates
1. New Stats Categories
2. AC/ Building temp last weekend
3. Delivery/ Deposit Bag & FLIP Kits
4. Shifting/ No Bookends
5. Holds/ Hotspots
6. Safety/ Emergency Exits
7. June Outreach results

3. Issues to Discuss

Important Dates this Month

• Monday, July 10: Outreach SW WIC Clinic (Irene)
• Tuesday, July 11: SW Assistant Managers Meeting (Christy)
• Friday, July 14: Outreach at Fonteno Senior Center (Derrick); last day of pay period
• Wednesday, July 19: SWMSC Providers Meeting (Christy); Outreach: Kids Learning Center (Irene)
• Friday, July 21: Youth Services Meeting (Irene); pay day
• Monday, July 24: Outreach: SW WIC Clinic (Irene)
• Thursday, July 27: Outreach at Sharpstown Civic Association (Linda)
• Friday, July 28: CE Managers Meeting at CEN (Christy, Karen); last day of pay period
• Friday, August 4: Outreach: Lansdale Community Center (Ivy); pay day

FY18 Southwest Express/ Walter Group Staff Meeting (2nd Monday of the month)

2017: August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13 (Thanksgiving potluck), December 11 (Christmas party)

2018: January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11

When Delivery Arrives

From Patrick, 7/5:
Please let staff know about the reminders from FIDS below. Look them over carefully as there may be a few procedures that we are not all doing currently.

From: Covington, Laurie - HPL

Sent: Wednesday, July 5, 2017 2:53 PM

Subject: FIDS reminders

Hello,

I met with Belinda this morning and she asked that we remind staff of a few things.  

1.       When the driver arrives, and rings the doorbell, it would be good if the person who answers the door can also get the money bag ready for the driver.  If they don’t have access to the safe, they should try to find someone.  The drivers are reporting that they get let into the building but then staff disappear and they have to chase someone down to get the money bag.  No specific locations were mentioned but several drivers passed the information on to Belinda.

2.       Not all locations are using the delivery log as part of the procedures for checking out the money bags. This is the log that can be found on the Intranet in the forms section under Business.   https://hplnet.houstonlibrary.org/forms/delivery-log.xls.  Most locations keep a clipboard with the carbon receipt book and fill it out for the drivers.  According to Belinda, a copy of the log should be kept in the branch and a copy sent to FIDS at the end of each month.

3.       Laptops:  When laptops are being sent to IT for repair, Belinda asks that staff hand the padded envelope/laptop to the driver rather than just putting it in a bin.  Staff should use the Laptop Delivery Slip (https://hplnet.houstonlibrary.org/depts/it/laptop-delivery-slip.doc) to route computer.  The form and guidelines can be found on the Digital Strategies Department page on the Intranet.https://hplnet.houstonlibrary.org/depts-ds.html

4.       Hotspots:  When Hotspots need to be sent to IT, they should also be handed to the drivers rather than just put in a bin.  If we need to get additional padded envelopes for transportation, let Belinda know and we can try that.

Happy FY2018 and Thanks for Your Hard Work in FY2017!!

From Liz Sargent, 7/3:

I just wanted to take the time to thank each one of you for the excellent FY2017 we just finished (June 30). Your dedication and devotion to serving Houstonians is appreciated and to be celebrated. I know this Summer is ALREADY bustling at all Libraries! You all are doing an amazing job keeping up!

Here is to an excellent FY2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018) that we just started. I wanted each person in Customer Experience to know what we are working towards in FY2018. Please find the Customer Experience FY2018 Goals below and attached to this email.

1.      After School Zones (ASZ): Expand ASZ locations from 16 to 18, regularly use kits to increase the STEM/STEAM focus of ASZs, and evaluate current structure and format of ASZs internally and through YPQI.

2.      International Services: Continue evaluating and expanding International Services programs (Citizenship, ESOL, Living Room @ HPL, etc.).

3.      Linking to Us: Continue collecting customer videos to help tell Houston Public Library’s story.

4.      Managers/Supervisors Bootcamp: Hold a second Managers Bootcamp during FY2018 with all Customer Experience Managers and Assistant Managers including a component applicable to all Customer Experience Supervisors.

5.      Notary: Expand locations from 13 to 15 and continue evaluating the program during FY2018.

6.      Outreach: Continue providing outreach to area schools in support of Learning Link and connect and partner with other area organizations as appropriate. 

7.      Programming: Evaluate current programming offered at each location with support from Systemwide Programming.

8.      QLess: Launch the QLess software to manage the waitlist for Passports with continuous monitoring and evaluation of the service.

9.      Very Ready Reading: Continue providing story time in the Very Ready Reading format and utilize the story time kits regularly. 

10.   Workforce Literacy: Expand Open Job Labs to 25 locations and continue evaluating and expanding Workforce Literacy Classes (Computer Classes, ESOL, Citizenship, Job Readiness Seminars, Small Business Workshops, Workforce Solutions, etc.)

These goals are aligned with HPL’s FY2018 system goals as well as Mayor Sylvester Turner’s goals specificallyComplete Communities.

Please keep these all in mind during FY2018. Here’s to an excellent FY2018!!