Turning off monitors on public desktop computers at night

From HPL IT HelpDesk, 2:46pm:

Before closing please leave the public computers powered on but the monitors powered off.  It is important to keep the computers on so they can receive critical updates.  Turning the monitors off helps save on electricity costs and also prolongs the life of the screens.

We realize that some of our public computers are “all-in-one” units and thus the monitor can’t be turned off while leaving the computer on.  For these leave the entire unit powered on at night.

Thanks for your cooperation and if you have any questions contact the Help Desk.

Southwest Express Closed next Friday & Saturday

From Neighborhood Libraries, 1:08PM:

The Southwest Express Library will be temporarily closed on Friday, 11/10/17 and Saturday, 11/11/17 due to the Multi-Service Center closure for the Veteran’s Day holiday.  During that time, please refer customers to other area locations.

Walter Neighborhood Library

7660 Clarewood

Houston, Texas 77036

M 10-6; T 10-6; W 10-6; Th 12-8; F 10-5; Sa 10-5

Phone Number:  832-393-2500

Morris Frank Library a HPL Express Location

10103 Fondren, Brays Oaks Towers Building

Houston, Texas 77096

M 10-6; T 10-6; W 10-6; Th 12-8; F 10-5; Sa 10-5

Phone Number:  832-393-2410

This email has been approved by Elizabeth Sargent, Assistant Director of Customer Experience.

NOTE: Since the SW Multi-Service Center will be closed on Saturday, all WAL/SWX staff will work at Walter. Karen

Central Library Closed Friday due to Astros Parade

From Laurie Covington, 4:49PM:

As you have probably heard, the Central Library complex will be closed tomorrow.  This includes CE Administration.  We will have 3-2707 forwarded to Mary Wagoner so feel free to call if you need assistance.

Liz and I will also be available via cell phone and email.   The other Senior managers will also be available through email and phone.

•  Liz Sargent – 281-606-9632
• Laurie Covington – 832-577-7223
• Mary Wagoner – 713-447-1545

The IT Helpdesk is scheduled to operate as normal through remote access.  You can still call 3-1570.  Similarly, Telephone Reference will also be taken care of remotely.  Staff are going to be stationed at Alief with laptops to accept calls. 

Staff Meeting Notes 8-14-17

Monday, August 14,  2017, 9:15-10:30 AM, Meeting Room

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

 Staff Meeting Agenda

1. Updates - 30 min

1. FY18 Staff meeting schedule
2. SRP Wrap-Up (Ivy & Irene)
3. Summer Food Service Program Wrap-Up (Linda & Teresa)
4. Summer Volunteers Wrap-Up (Christy)
5. Fall Programs (Derrick & Ivy)

2. Notes from August SW Managers’ Meeting (Karen & Christy) - 45 min
1. When can we close building? 1) When temp is above 80 degrees, can consider re: programs scheduled, how long temp has been high, status of repair; 2) if no water and no signs of workers in area; 3) when no electricity, depending on circumstances (cooling center, amount of natural light)I
2. Resurfaced DVDs: LMS wants us to send loose DVDs individually wrapped, not together in a box.
3. Giving out free prints/copies: 1) When it’s Coin Copier’s fault (paper wrinkled, copy faded); 2) if customer doesn’t have any money, we should not make a habit of making  free copies; 3) Depending on the nature of the document, we could copy to flash drive and print at desk; 3) When we give free copies, they do not get the money owed them--taking payments as MISC goes to COH general fund.
4. Clearing hold shelf: 1)  items appear on list only once, so must print and check list for each day (including Sunday); 2) Also check regularly for older items--older than 15 days is a safe estimate.
5. Damaged Items: 1) charge customer’s account; 2) Keep item for 30 days as it belongs to the customer now; 3) make sure customer is notified to pick up item if they would like to.
6. Curfew: 9AM-2:30PM during school year for ages 17 and under--cannot be in library unless accompanied by parent or guardian. (COH ordinance?)
7. Service Animals: 1) applies to dogs and miniature horses only; 2) Can ask 2 questions only: “Is the animal required because of a disability?” and “What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?”.
8. Braille Keyboard: For use by customers needing adaptive equipment. [Where is it?]
9. Signs & Flyers:1)  Only calendar template is approved for handout with branch printing; 2) all other handouts must be printed by Print Show, 2-3 week turnaround; 3) Sign template for single signs only, not handout; 4) Request other signs from Print Shop, 3-4 week turnaround, including Bluebonnet & Lone Star signs, New Book signs, Book Sale signs--any sign that has been printed and posted by a staff member must be sent to the Print Shop unless done using approved template and fonts.
10. Kronos:  1) punching in a 9:20 is late, even if it’s not counted by the HEAR Attendance & Punctuality standard; 2) Punch rounding does not mean you can arrive 7 minutes late and leave 7 minutes early--the COH Electronic Timekeeping Policy states employees must work their scheduled shifts (listed on the daily scheduled).
11. TexShare Card: 1) Only issued by Circ Admin; 2) have customer fill out form and send to CEN; 3) Circ Admin will mail card to customer in a week of receipt of application.
12. De-Cluttering: We have done a good job of make the public space clutter free, so we should focus on the workroom now--everything in its place, everything on a shelf or in a closet somewhere.
13. Friends Book Sale: customers can drop off donations at the Friends Wareshouse; go to friendsofhpl.org/donate-books

3. Issues to Discuss (20 min)

Important Dates this Month

• Friday, August 18: Youth Services Meeting (Irene); pay day
• Monday, August 21: Outreach SW WIC Clinic (Irene)
• Thursday, August 24: Floating training at CAR (Holly, Ivy); Office 365 at LDC (Karen)
• Friday, August 25: Outreach at Fonteno Senior Center (Derrick); CE Managers Meeting at CEN (Christy, Karen); last day of pay period
• Wednesday, August 30: Baker-Ripley Providers Meeting (Christy)
• Thursday, August 31: Tech Talk with Rick Peralez @ CEN (Derrick)
• Friday, September 1: December programs due in Event Module; pay day
• Tuesday, September 5: SW Assistant Managers Meeting (Karen)
• Friday, September 8: Last day of pay period
• Monday, September 11: September Staff Meeting

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

Tuttle Closing for Roof Repairs 5/13

From Yolanda Anguiano, 10:33AM: 
Tuttle Neighborhood Library will be closed for roof repairs as of Saturday, May 13, 2017.  Customers will be able to pick up their holds at McCrane-Kashmere Gardens Neighborhood Library.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Update from Yolanda, 5/12: In the interim, Tuttle staff will be offering the Summer Reading Program beginning on June 1^st through July 31^st  at the Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, located at 6402 Market Street.  Robust programs and limited library services will be available Monday through Friday from 10AM to 5PM in Suite 629B (2^nd floor).

CEN Closed March 24 & 25

From Maria Garcia, 11:59AM:

The Central Library and the Julia Ideson Building (JIB)  will be closed Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26, 2017, for annual HVAC work.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  We will reopen on Monday, March 27 at 10 a.m.

February 2017 Staff Training & Meeting

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017, 9AM-11AM, MEETING ROOM

STAFF MEETING AGENDA

1. Staff Changes
2. Outreaches in February
3. Tax Help Services
4. Updates from January CE Managers Meeting
5. Procedure for Laptops Needing Repair
6. Issues to Discuss
7. Authentic Chinese Refreshments to celebrate the Lunar New Year!

IMPORTANT DATES THIS MONTH

• Friday, Feb. 3: Pay Day!
• Sunday, Feb. 5: Super Bowl
• Tuesday, Feb. 7: SW Managers Team Meeting @ FRA (Karen)
• Wednesday, Feb. 8: Summer Food Service  Training @ Denver Harbor MSC (Christy, Karen, Linda, Teresa)
• Thursday, Feb. 9: Weeding Training @ ACR (Karen, Linda)
• Friday, Feb. 10: Youth Services Meeting @  (Irene, Ivy, Kayren); last day of pay period
• Tuesday, Feb. 17: SW Assistant Managers Team Meeting @ FRA (Christy); Outreach @ Clarewood House (Karen)
• Thursday, Feb. 16: Outreach @ Sylvan Rodriguez ES (Christy, Karen)
• Friday, Feb. 17: Pay Day!
• Thursday, Feb. 23: Floating Workshop @ ACR (Irene, Rhonda, Teresa, Araceli); Outreach at Ed White ES Literacy Night (Christy + 1 staff); Outreach at Sharpstown Civic Association (Karen)
• Friday, Feb. 24: Customer Experience Managers Meeting (Christy, Karen); last day of pay period
• Thursday, Mar. 2: Read Across America Day!
• Friday, Mar. 3: Staff Meeting & Training; Pay Day!

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STAFF TRAINING AGENDA

Opening and Closing Procedures--What Gets Done When

Overview: Identify and prioritize tasks that need to be completed before and after public hours to ensure efficient operations and smooth teamwork.

1. Group Activity: Prioritize key tasks
2. Discussion: What gets done when--AM or PM?
3. Group Activity: Building walk through