Check-in Errors
We are still having a problem with items not being discharged, AV items in the wrong case or empty cases being sent on the van or re-shelved. Beginning today, after DVDs and children’s books belonging to Delavan are inspected and discharged, the employee who handled the item will stick a colored dot inside the front cover (placed on tape or mylar cover in books). The dot should be removed the next time the item is checked out. Colors assigned are as follows:
Orange – Mary
Red - Janice
Dark Green – Oscar
Yellow – Myrna
Dark Blue – Jan
Lime Green – Kate
Light Blue – Cheryl
Hot Pink – Ginny
White – Sandi
Stars – Sue
Items Returned Incomplete
When an item is returned with missing pieces, do not check it in. Contact the patron and inform him or her of the problem. Put a note on the patron’s card documenting this contact. If unable to contact the patron by phone or email, send a letter.
Book of the Month
As a reader’s advisory tool, we are going to hold monthly book talks. Each staff member was assigned a month during which she or he will give a book talk at the staff meeting. Assignments are:
January – Sandi
February – Katrina
March – Mary
April - Ginny
May - Sue
June - Oscar
July - Janice
August - Amber
September - Kate
October - Cheryl
November - Jan
December - Myrna
Read Off Your Fines Policy
Two questions about the Read Off Your Fines program were answered. Patrons may read or listen to a book from any source – it doesn’t have to be a book from our library. Read Off Your Fines can be applied to overdue fines from other libraries.
Flyer Organization
The circulation desks are becoming cluttered with brochures and flyers about non-library events and services. We have asked the Friends to purchase a literature rack to hang on the wall to the left of the elevator. Non-library information would be kept in that location. We have also ordered some brochure display stands to hold 1/4-page library program handouts at the desk.
Web Calendar
Katrina asked if we could have a tool installed on the web page and the blog to count hits. Amber agreed. We will keep the program and meeting room calendars on Google updated and use them.
Emailing Newsletters
We discussed options for emailing the newsletter to patrons.
Credit Cards/On-line payment
City Hall has installed a credit card swipe system. Amber says when they work out the kinks, we will also be getting a swipe system. The LLS is still trying to get set up to accept payments through PayPal. We discussed accepting large bills as payment for fines. Amber instructed us not to accept anything over a $20 bill unless the patron’s fine is very large.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
November 2009 Staff Meeting
WLA
Amber and Katrina shared information on the WLA convention. Katrina got lots of good ideas for the summer library program. Amber attended sessions on strategic planning and fundraising.
Replacement Cost of Items
The replacement cost listed in Workflows in most cases is inaccurate due to a recent policy change. We now charge the patron the retail price (which can be looked up on Amazon, Borders or Barnes & Noble) rounded off to the nearest dollar plus a $5 processing fee. The SHARE system has decided that the processing fee should be included in the cost listed in Workflows and this will be done when items are cataloged. For older items, it would be a good idea to double check the replacement cost when removing items from the New shelf and make any changes necessary.
Patrons with More Than One Address
In the User Record, up to 3 addresses can be entered. Our procedure is to list the Wisconsin address first (to match the demographics). Other addresses, such as an out-of-state residence, should be listed in the additional spaces. Then, at the top of the address tab, designate the mailing address as Primary. This is the address the system uses for automated notices.
Meeting Room Reservations
Meeting room reservations should be recorded on both the desk and Google calendars. A new application must be completed each time an organization wants to use the meeting room. Approved applications are kept in the yellow folder on Amber’s desk.
ILL Renewals
Renewal of ILL items is not to be done by anyone other than ILL Staff. Patrons requesting renewal of ILL items should be told that we can request renewal, but it takes 2-3 days to get a response back and many times the response is negative.
Dispensing Medication
Library staff are allowed to dispense band-aids to patrons. No medications or other first-aid supplies, including antibiotic ointment or aspirin, may be given.
Circulation Procedure
The Circulation Procedure documentation is intended to be an overview and not a detailed step-by-step procedure. Cheryl is completing the revision of this document and the AM and PM checklists.
Coffee for Staff
Katrina suggested that staff use mugs or commuter cups for beverages from the Keurig machine and save the Styrofoam cups with lids for patrons.
Item Location
When removing items from the New shelf, be sure to change to the proper home location. Use the spine label as a guide: LP – Large Print, FIC – Fiction, W – Western, M – Mystery, SF – Sci-Fi, T – Young Adult. Home location for all nonfiction books is Non-Fic.
Items Not Checked/Discharged
Again . . . SLOW DOWN. Take your time and thoroughly examine all items, look at the screen when discharging to be sure the bar code registered and no messages popped up.
From Amber
Staff performance reviews will be completed this month. Amber will put out a sign-up sheet next week.
Oscar Nicia will be starting as a Library Assistant on 11/30.
The library budget was not challenged at the budget hearings.
Occasionally, children have been left at the library for long periods of time without a parent or caregiver. Excerpts from the Child Safety Policy will be posted in conspicuous areas and staff will follow this policy when dealing with unattended children. As a general rule, the appropriate length of a library visit by an unaccompanied 9-12 year old is 2 hours.
Something to Think About
Adopt a Shelf – public volunteers sign up to be responsible for shelf-reading and keeping in order a portion of the collection.
Disc Repair Machine
Katrina demonstrated how to operate the new disc repair machine. Instructions for regular maintenance are posted on the side of the machine. The User’s Manual is in the drawer below the machine.
Amber and Katrina shared information on the WLA convention. Katrina got lots of good ideas for the summer library program. Amber attended sessions on strategic planning and fundraising.
Replacement Cost of Items
The replacement cost listed in Workflows in most cases is inaccurate due to a recent policy change. We now charge the patron the retail price (which can be looked up on Amazon, Borders or Barnes & Noble) rounded off to the nearest dollar plus a $5 processing fee. The SHARE system has decided that the processing fee should be included in the cost listed in Workflows and this will be done when items are cataloged. For older items, it would be a good idea to double check the replacement cost when removing items from the New shelf and make any changes necessary.
Patrons with More Than One Address
In the User Record, up to 3 addresses can be entered. Our procedure is to list the Wisconsin address first (to match the demographics). Other addresses, such as an out-of-state residence, should be listed in the additional spaces. Then, at the top of the address tab, designate the mailing address as Primary. This is the address the system uses for automated notices.
Meeting Room Reservations
Meeting room reservations should be recorded on both the desk and Google calendars. A new application must be completed each time an organization wants to use the meeting room. Approved applications are kept in the yellow folder on Amber’s desk.
ILL Renewals
Renewal of ILL items is not to be done by anyone other than ILL Staff. Patrons requesting renewal of ILL items should be told that we can request renewal, but it takes 2-3 days to get a response back and many times the response is negative.
Dispensing Medication
Library staff are allowed to dispense band-aids to patrons. No medications or other first-aid supplies, including antibiotic ointment or aspirin, may be given.
Circulation Procedure
The Circulation Procedure documentation is intended to be an overview and not a detailed step-by-step procedure. Cheryl is completing the revision of this document and the AM and PM checklists.
Coffee for Staff
Katrina suggested that staff use mugs or commuter cups for beverages from the Keurig machine and save the Styrofoam cups with lids for patrons.
Item Location
When removing items from the New shelf, be sure to change to the proper home location. Use the spine label as a guide: LP – Large Print, FIC – Fiction, W – Western, M – Mystery, SF – Sci-Fi, T – Young Adult. Home location for all nonfiction books is Non-Fic.
Items Not Checked/Discharged
Again . . . SLOW DOWN. Take your time and thoroughly examine all items, look at the screen when discharging to be sure the bar code registered and no messages popped up.
From Amber
Staff performance reviews will be completed this month. Amber will put out a sign-up sheet next week.
Oscar Nicia will be starting as a Library Assistant on 11/30.
The library budget was not challenged at the budget hearings.
Occasionally, children have been left at the library for long periods of time without a parent or caregiver. Excerpts from the Child Safety Policy will be posted in conspicuous areas and staff will follow this policy when dealing with unattended children. As a general rule, the appropriate length of a library visit by an unaccompanied 9-12 year old is 2 hours.
Something to Think About
Adopt a Shelf – public volunteers sign up to be responsible for shelf-reading and keeping in order a portion of the collection.
Disc Repair Machine
Katrina demonstrated how to operate the new disc repair machine. Instructions for regular maintenance are posted on the side of the machine. The User’s Manual is in the drawer below the machine.
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