International Services Leadership at HPL - Exciting Updates

From Liz Sargent, 3/7:

I am excited to update everybody on the growth of International Services Leadership at HPL, including the formation of the International Services Advisory Team and the International Services Corps, and the opening of 2 upcoming leadership positions.

The International Services Advisory Team has been established with our first 7 Advisory Team members, who will serve a 2-year term as a lead team to develop and innovate the scope of International Services provided by HPL. This team represents a powerful combination of expertise and experience, from Youth Services to Collection Development to partnership and team management. Please join me in congratulating our International Services Advisory Team!

Ana Frade	Jungman Neighborhood Library
Analisa Falcon	Vinson Neighborhood Library
Caitlin Campbell	Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library
Marcia Cameron-Denton	Henington-Alief Regional Library
Mikaela Selley	HMRC - Hispanic Collections and Oral History Archives
Pedro Fonseca	North and Northeast Regions
Teresa Lopez	Park Place Regional Library

Also thanks are in order for everyone who are offering to volunteer their creativity and time to the International Services Corps: combined with our Citizenship and English instructors, we now have an International Services Team of over 70 uniquely talented HPL staff that will be multiplying HPL’s impact to Houston’s international communities!

Finally, I am proud to announce the opening of two Library Service Supervisor positions that will be posted for International Services in the coming weeks:

• Library Service Supervisor – International Services Engagement and Outreach CoordinatorThis position will take a leading role in engaging Houston’s international communities through coordination of programs, partnerships, and services for immigrants and refugees, including the newly launched ‘The Living Room @HPL’ series. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and four years of experience in library, information services, or education.
• Library Service Supervisor – International Services Education CoordinatorThis position will lead the development and coordination of education services for international communities, immigrants and refugees, such as Citizenship, English and Language Learning classes. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and four years of experience in library, information services, or education, with a preference for teaching and curriculum development experience.

New Community Engagement Literacy Mini-Bookmobile

From Sara Karow, 2/28:

The new Community Engagement Literacy Mobile (a mini-bookmobile) is a also new HPL library location!

The van has its own Sirsi  Workflows “Home Library” code, which is CELM. The LMS Float Team is excited to be working with Community Engagement Team to manage its stock so it will be filled with materials appropriate to the venues it will visit.

The CELM collection does float, so after customers check out items from there, they can return them anywhere. Those returns will simply float into any regular floating HPL location, but if they are returned at non-floating locations like CEN & CMH, they will go intransit back to the Literacy Mobile.  CEN & CMH staff should print and attach the regular yellow intransit labels when they are triggered during discharge. CEN staff should then put the items on the booktruck outside Sylvia’s office in LST, alongside items intransit to closed NLs and mini-branches. CMH staff should also attach the intransit labels then put the material in delivery. The LMS Float Team will collect the intransit items from LST and the FIDS Mailroom and find new homes for those intransit items.

The CELM collection does show up in the online public catalog, but the items are not holdable, they don’t do holds paging, and they are not a holds pickup location.

RELATED:  If a customer asks about scheduling an event with either the Literacy Mobile or CE’s Mobile Express bus, they have the option to submit their request online via the CET’s webpage, http://houstonlibrary.org/our-partners/community-engagement, or you may refer them directly to the Community Engagement Team, 832-393-1533.

Cigna Sunday Streets is Coming to Our Neighborhood Nov. 5!

From COH News, 9/29:

Cigna Sunday Streets Kicks Off on Washington Ave.

The fall series of Cigna Sunday Streets returns this Sunday, October 1, 2017. Cigna Sunday Streets, a project of the Mayor's Office of Special Events and the Health and Human Services Department, provides a family-friendly opportunity to be physically active. For four hours one Sunday a month during the fall months, selected Houston streets are closed to motorized traffic, allowing Houstonians to cycle, walk, run, dance, and socialize in the street. Stores and restaurants along the routes will be open for business.

Cigna Sunday Streets will be in the following neighborhoods:

• October 1: Washington Avenue -- Heights Blvd. to Westcott
• November 5: Gulfton (Bellaire Blvd.) -- Hillcroft to Chimney Rock
• December 3: Energy Corridor -- Briar Forest to Enclave Pkwy

All events during the fall season will take place from 12 - 4pm. Cigna Sunday Streets is modeled after other events around the world. The concept originated 30 years ago in Bogota, Colombia. U.S. cities with similar events include San Francisco, Portland, St. Louis, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York and Minneapolis.  

For more information visit http://www.houstontx.gov/specialevents/sundaystreets.html.
Follow us on Facebook!  https://www.facebook.com/sundaystreetshtx  #SSHTX

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!!

Updated 2017 Outreach List

Team,

Here's the list of outreaches we've done so far this year: Southwest & Walter Outreaches 2017.

Please check to  make sure it includes the outreaches you've done this year, in case we have missed any and let me know. We want the record to be as complete.

If you have a Programming SMART Goal, please include the outreaches you did in your monthly program count.

Karen

Staff Meeting Notes 6/2/17

9AM-11:45 AM, MEETING ROOM

Staff Meeting Agenda (9-10:20 AM)

1. SRP Update/Preview (40 min):

1. Programs at SWX and WAL (Ivy & Irene)
2. Summer Food Service Program (Linda & Teresa)
3. Volunteers (Christy)
4. Freaky Friday ticket winners
5. Using Beanstack
1. Updates from May Managers Meetings (Christy & Karen) (10 min)
2. Other Updates (10 min)
1. Branch Meeting Room Calendar in Outlook
2. CEN and Float items found on shelves
3. Cleaning Restrooms
4. Coin Copier refunds
5. May Outreach results
6. Walgreens’ Flu Shots
3. Issues to Discuss (20 min)
4. Break (10 min)

Important Dates this Month

• Monday, June 5: Monday hours begin; Summer Food Service Program begins; Outreach at SWMSC Summer Kickoff (Christy)
• Tuesday, June 6: SW Managers Meeting at Frank (Karen); Volunteer Orientation (Christy)
• Wednesday, June 7: COH New Employee Orientation (Araceli); Outreach at Alliance for Multi-Cultural Services (Christy)
• Friday, June 9: Youth Services Meeting (Irene, Ivy); Outreach at Chinese Community Center (Christy); Outreach at Lansdale Community Center (Ivy); Pay day!
• Tuesday, June 13: Outreach at Clarewood House (Derrick)
• Friday, June 16: Outreach at Fonteno Senior Center (Derrick); last day of pay period
• Saturday, June 17: Education Expo at SWMSC (Christy)
• Monday, June 19: SLAMS Committee meeting (Alexandra)
• Thursday, June 22: Outreach at Sharpstown Civic Association (Karen, Linda)
• Friday, June 23: Outreach at Fonteno Senior Center (Derrick); Pay Day!
• Friday, June 30: CE Managers Meeting at CEN (Christy, Karen); last day of pay period;  last day of FY17; end of FY17 HEAR review period

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Staff Training Agenda (10:30-11:30):  Your Pay (Karen) & Time Off (Christy)

1. Interlibrary Loan Things to Know (handout)
2. Your Pay: Electronic Timekeeping Policy (handout); find online at www.houstontx.gov >Administrative Policies >General Government >2-4 Electronic Timekeeping Policy 2.22.2012;  see also Municipal Employee Guidebook >Section IV - Your Pay

3. Your TIme Off: Employee Leave Benefits (handout); see also Municipal Employee Guidebook >Section VI - Time Off; and Paid Time Off.

Staff Meeting & Training Notes 5-5-17

SOUTHWEST EXPRESS / WALTER GROUP STAFF MEETING & TRAINING

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2017, 9AM-11:45 AM, MEETING ROOM

STAFF MEETING AGENDA

1. Mayor Turner’s Absenteeism Monitoring (excess sick leave use and patterns of abuse)
2. Cash Handling Policy (A.P. No. 4-8 Revised, and upcoming F & A audits)
3. Statistics Recording
4. Updates from April CE Managers Meeting and May SW Managers Team Meeting
5. Issues to Discuss

IMPORTANT DATES THIS MONTH

• Friday, May 5: Outreach at Fonteno Senior Center (Derrick); Outreach at Lansdale Community Center (Ivy); Outreach at Alliance for Multi-Cultural Services (Christy)
• Monday, May 8: Outreach at SW WIC Center (Irene)
• Tuesday, May 9: SW Assistant Managers Meeting at Frank (Christy); Outreach at Alliance for Multi-Cultural Services (Christy); Outreach at Clarewood House (Derrick)
• Wednesday, May 10: Outreach at SW WIC Center (Irene)
• Thursday, May 11: Floating Workshop at Smith (Christy, Linda, Sonia)
• Friday, May 12: Youth Services Meeting (Irene); Turnaround Houston event at SW Multi-Service Center (Alexandra, Derrick, Karen); Pay day!
• Saturday, May 13: Stimley-Blue Ridge reopening (Martha)
• Wednesday, May 17: Outreach at Gulfton Promise Head Start (VRR Storytime); Outreach at SW WIC Center (Irene);
• Friday, May 19: Outreach at New Horizon Head Start (Ivy, Irene); last day of pay period
• Monday, May 22: Outreach at SW WIC Center (Irene)
• Wednesday, May 24: Outlook 365 Training at Central (Rhonda, Teresa); Outreach at SW WIC Center (Irene)
• Thursday, May 25: Outreach at Sharpstown Civic Association monthly meeting (Karen)
• Friday, May 26: CE Managers Meeting at Central (Christy, Karen); Pay day!
• Monday, May 29: Memorial Day, Library closed
• Friday, June 2: Monthly Staff Meeting & Training

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STAFF TRAINING AGENDA: Beanstack, Learning Link and Online Card Registration with Karen and Irene

1. Beanstack: the new SRP registration software; PowerPoint linked on blog under “Desk Information and at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bzlda2kw8l4Da0IzVVYyNGtXa0U/view. SRP page at http://houstonlibrary.org/summer.  Early registration for teachers/students begins May 1; individual registration begins June 1.

2. Learning Link card: the HISD student (and staff) card; FAQs linked on blog under “Desk Information.

Staff Meeting Notes 3-31-17

9AM-11:30 AM, MEETING ROOM

STAFF MEETING AGENDA

1. HEAR Training Plans & Training Options (see below)
2. Outreach Update
3. Updates from March CE Managers Meeting
4. Issues to Discuss

IMPORTANT DATES THIS MONTH

• Friday, March 30: Staff Training & Meeting; Pay Day!
• Tuesday, April 4: SW Managers Team Meeting @ FRA (Karen)
• Friday, April 7: Tech Specialists Meeting @ YOU (Derrick, Karen); Outreach at Lansdale Community Center (Ivy); Last day of pay period
• Monday, April 10-Friday, April 14: New Employee Orientation @ CEN (Patricia)
• Tuesday, April 11: Outreach @ Clarewood House (Derrick)
• Friday, April 14: Youth Services Meeting @ Carnegie (Irene, Ivy, Kayren); Pay day!
• Monday, April 17: SLAMS Meeting @ CEN (Alexandra)
• Tuesday, April 18-Thursday, April 20: Supervisor Basics Training @ CEN (Christy)
• Friday, April 21: Last day of pay period
• Wednesday, April 26: Service Providers Meeting @ Baker-RIpley Center (Christy); Volunteer Appreciation Party @ JIB (Christy)
• Thursday, April 27: Collection Management: Weeding Training @ SMI (Christy, Holly, Ivy, Sonia)
• Friday, April 28: Customer Experience Managers Meeting @ Fifth Ward MSC (Christy, Karen); Pay day!
• Friday, May 5: Staff Meeting & Training

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STAFF TRAINING AGENDA

Google Drive with Derrick

NOTES:

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OTHER TRAINING OPTIONS:

1. Tech Training:  Thuy has updated all of the materials on the training portal for the new Overdrive interface;  Her tech training classes have a fairly small audience size, but the portal has a wealth of information on tech topics.  She has added a page called Technology Training and Resources (under Learning Resources or Technology) that has Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Publisher, Mac/Windows, Internet and more.  The links include free resources to just learn skills as well as courses where staff can get training credit (Lynda and Gale Course—soon to add web-based courses on TMS).  Employees should always discuss what they want to take with their supervisor before taking a class for credit.
2. TMS (Talent Management System) has also added “soft skills” web based training to the catalog.  These 1 to 2 hour courses are similar to the in-person classes but they are free for anyone to take.  Some of the included topics are:  Anger management, stress management, business writing, effective telephone skills, communication strategies, creative problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, time management (and more!).  
3. New Employees Onboarding Series: HPL Training holds this series every other month; managers register their new employees for the 5 half day sessions through the training calendar on the Training Portal.

When employees are doing training they will only get credit for training that is 30 minutes or more.  If someone is taking Lynda.com classes, they should submit the certificate for the entire course and not all of the individual video