April 2010 Staff Meeting

Vacation Requests
Vacation requests must be submitted at least 2 months ahead of the start date. Vacation time requested after the schedules are finalized may still be approved if you can find someone to cover your time.

Door Clutter
Katrina asked that the posters and signs on the front and back doors be removed completely for one week per month. Patrons stop looking at the signs when the doors are cluttered.

Telephone Refresher
To transfer a call, press TRANSFER, press the button for that extension # or dial the extension number, press JOIN. The adult cordless phone cannot transfer calls. The children's cordless phone cannot pick up a call on hold, so calls for the children's desk must be transferred to 117.

Abusive Patrons on the Phone
The anonymous patron with whom we are having problems has also plagued other libraries. It is OK to hang up on a patron who becomes verbally abusive. Other strategies for dealing with her are: tell her the call is being recorded (we do have the capability of recording the call), or tell her the police are monitoring our calls.

Mail from City Hall
Anyone who picks up library mail from City Hall should pull any checks (other than paychecks) mixed in with other mail and put on Amber's computer. Amber will have the Treasurer put checks in a bright red envelope to make them readily identifiable.

Policy about Helping with Programs
Staff cannot help with library programs unless they are scheduled to work. Like vacation requests, the need for additional staff at programs must be submitted to Amber 2 months ahead of schedule. Katrina or Sue will put a sign-up sheet in the staff notebook and staff are asked to check it regularly to be sure staffing requests are submitted on time.

Summer Schedule
Amber will begin setting up the master schedule for summer staffing next week. There is a form at the Adult Desk for listing your summer work preferences.

"I Got My Library Card Today!"
Katrina is ordering stickers to be given to children (or adults, if they want one) when they get their first library card.

Book of the Month
A review of The Poker Bride by Christopher Corbett was presented by Ginny. This is a nonfiction book about Chinese immigration to the Western US, documenting the experiences of one woman in particular. She said this book should have been called "the first Chinese in the wild west." It is highly recommended for nonfiction and history readers.