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.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
March 2010 Staff Meeting
Staff Picks
Ginny would like each staff member to take a turn selecting books for the "staff picks" display. It was suggested that the same person doing book of the month also do the display.
Program Helpers
Jan, Mary and Gin are able to help with the Live Clue program.
Cheryl and Myrna volunteered to be on the SRP committee with Sue and Katrina.
Katrina . . . Behind Closed Doors
Katrina asked that, if the door to her office is closed, we not disturb her. This includes cutting through to get to the TS or staff room.
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE PAYMENTS AT THE CHILDREN'S DESK.
Signage
The "no smoking" and "parking in marked stalls only" signs have been ordered. Until the no smoking sign is mounted we should tell people there is no smoking on the premises. If they don't comply, they can be banned from library property for 2 weeks and the Police called if trespass during that time period. Teens smoking on library premises will be banned for 2 weeks and a letter sent to parents.
Circulation Policy
We discussed what information should be included in the revised Circulation Policy:
How to register the homeless and WSD students
How to issue institution cards
What ID and proof of address is acceptable
Loan periods
Fines and fees,
Procedure for checking out without your library card
Renewals
ILL
Special programs for fine forgiveness
Release of information and patron privacy issues
Holds
Claimed returns
Overdues
New fax number is 262-728-5067
###
Ginny would like each staff member to take a turn selecting books for the "staff picks" display. It was suggested that the same person doing book of the month also do the display.
Program Helpers
Jan, Mary and Gin are able to help with the Live Clue program.
Cheryl and Myrna volunteered to be on the SRP committee with Sue and Katrina.
Katrina . . . Behind Closed Doors
Katrina asked that, if the door to her office is closed, we not disturb her. This includes cutting through to get to the TS or staff room.
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE PAYMENTS AT THE CHILDREN'S DESK.
Signage
The "no smoking" and "parking in marked stalls only" signs have been ordered. Until the no smoking sign is mounted we should tell people there is no smoking on the premises. If they don't comply, they can be banned from library property for 2 weeks and the Police called if trespass during that time period. Teens smoking on library premises will be banned for 2 weeks and a letter sent to parents.
Circulation Policy
We discussed what information should be included in the revised Circulation Policy:
How to register the homeless and WSD students
How to issue institution cards
What ID and proof of address is acceptable
Loan periods
Fines and fees,
Procedure for checking out without your library card
Renewals
ILL
Special programs for fine forgiveness
Release of information and patron privacy issues
Holds
Claimed returns
Overdues
New fax number is 262-728-5067
###
February 2010 Staff Meeting
Juvenile Books
Oversize books and juvenile graphic novels are shelved at the end of the nonfiction section. Juvenile large print books will be interfiled with other juvenile books.
Program Committees/Helpers
Katrina and Sue would like to have other staff help with programming -- from planning through execution. Katrina will post a sign-up sheet for help with upcoming programs and to help plan the summer library program.
Patron Fines
Remember to tell patrons when they have fines on their accounts and offer them the opportunity to read off their overdue fines. Be sure to review Read Off Your Fines forms before giving credit for them. (Rules are on the back of the form.)
Die Cut Machine
The public can use the die cut machines in Katrina's office, but they must bring their own dies and paper.
SHARE Problem Item Procedure
When an item belonging to another library is discovered to be damaged or missing parts, it should be returned to the owning library for repair before being given to a patron or sent on to another library. To do this, place a hold on the owning library's PROBLEM card. This card can be found by searching the word PROBLEM and limiting the search to the owning library. Make the hold 1st in the queue. Then trap the hold.
SHARE Item Pricing Policy
When a patron has lost an item belonging to another library or damaged it to the point where replacement is required, charge the patron (1) the price in the item record; (2) the price of another library's copy on the same record; or (3) the retail price found on Baker and Taylor or Amazon.com. Funds collected for damaged or lost items will continue to be sent to the owning library.
Smoking Outside the Building
There is no smoking allowed anywhere on city property, including the parking lot. Amber will order a sign stating NO SMOKING and NO LOITERING which will be mounted on the outside of the building.
In-Service Day
March 5 we will have a staff in-service day during which we will learn to use the new phone system, learn to clean computers, have our monthly staff meeting, and practice using Open Office. Lunch will be provided.
Movies - Juvenile or Adult?
Movies rated G or PG will be labeled juvenile (JDVD) and be kept in the Children's Library. All others will be kept upstairs.
DVD Check-in
Some problems with DVDs were discussed, "dot" procedure was reviewed, and we discussed server delays affecting WorkFlows.
Sue Stuff
Chairs were rearranged in the New Books and newspaper area to prevent "sitters" from blocking access to the books. The gold SHARE damage slip contains a block to be used for transmitting payments when we collect for lost or damaged items belonging to other libraries. When sorting mail, give things addressed to Youth Services or Children's Librarian to Katrina. Put bills and invoices in the two-tiered black & white tray on Amber's desk. Send LLS routed magazines on to the next library. Throw away magazine renewals for mags we get through Ebsco.
Payments may not be accepted at the Children's desk.
Book of the Month
Katrina presented The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. Caelum and Maureen Quirk move to Littleton, Colorado, to work at Columbine High School. In April 1999, while Caelum travels to Connecticut to be with his sick aunt, Maureen finds herself in the school library at Columbine, cowering in a cabinet and expecting to be killed. Miraculously she survives, but is unable to recover from the trauma. Caelum grapples with revelations from the past and struggles to fashion a future out of the ashes of tragedy. His personal quest for meaning and faith becomes a mythic journey that is at the same time quintessentially contemporary -- and American.
Circulation policy changes will be discussed at the next staff meeting.
###
Oversize books and juvenile graphic novels are shelved at the end of the nonfiction section. Juvenile large print books will be interfiled with other juvenile books.
Program Committees/Helpers
Katrina and Sue would like to have other staff help with programming -- from planning through execution. Katrina will post a sign-up sheet for help with upcoming programs and to help plan the summer library program.
Patron Fines
Remember to tell patrons when they have fines on their accounts and offer them the opportunity to read off their overdue fines. Be sure to review Read Off Your Fines forms before giving credit for them. (Rules are on the back of the form.)
Die Cut Machine
The public can use the die cut machines in Katrina's office, but they must bring their own dies and paper.
SHARE Problem Item Procedure
When an item belonging to another library is discovered to be damaged or missing parts, it should be returned to the owning library for repair before being given to a patron or sent on to another library. To do this, place a hold on the owning library's PROBLEM card. This card can be found by searching the word PROBLEM and limiting the search to the owning library. Make the hold 1st in the queue. Then trap the hold.
SHARE Item Pricing Policy
When a patron has lost an item belonging to another library or damaged it to the point where replacement is required, charge the patron (1) the price in the item record; (2) the price of another library's copy on the same record; or (3) the retail price found on Baker and Taylor or Amazon.com. Funds collected for damaged or lost items will continue to be sent to the owning library.
Smoking Outside the Building
There is no smoking allowed anywhere on city property, including the parking lot. Amber will order a sign stating NO SMOKING and NO LOITERING which will be mounted on the outside of the building.
In-Service Day
March 5 we will have a staff in-service day during which we will learn to use the new phone system, learn to clean computers, have our monthly staff meeting, and practice using Open Office. Lunch will be provided.
Movies - Juvenile or Adult?
Movies rated G or PG will be labeled juvenile (JDVD) and be kept in the Children's Library. All others will be kept upstairs.
DVD Check-in
Some problems with DVDs were discussed, "dot" procedure was reviewed, and we discussed server delays affecting WorkFlows.
Sue Stuff
Chairs were rearranged in the New Books and newspaper area to prevent "sitters" from blocking access to the books. The gold SHARE damage slip contains a block to be used for transmitting payments when we collect for lost or damaged items belonging to other libraries. When sorting mail, give things addressed to Youth Services or Children's Librarian to Katrina. Put bills and invoices in the two-tiered black & white tray on Amber's desk. Send LLS routed magazines on to the next library. Throw away magazine renewals for mags we get through Ebsco.
Payments may not be accepted at the Children's desk.
Book of the Month
Katrina presented The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb. Caelum and Maureen Quirk move to Littleton, Colorado, to work at Columbine High School. In April 1999, while Caelum travels to Connecticut to be with his sick aunt, Maureen finds herself in the school library at Columbine, cowering in a cabinet and expecting to be killed. Miraculously she survives, but is unable to recover from the trauma. Caelum grapples with revelations from the past and struggles to fashion a future out of the ashes of tragedy. His personal quest for meaning and faith becomes a mythic journey that is at the same time quintessentially contemporary -- and American.
Circulation policy changes will be discussed at the next staff meeting.
###
Monday, February 1, 2010
January 2010 Staff Meeting
Homeless Patrons
The procedure for issuing cards to homeless patrons was reviewed. Cards are good from October through May and should be made to expire on 5/31. Although these cards are intended to be used only at Aram and authorize checkout of only one item, they have been used at other libraries as well. Sue will check with Jim to see if we can have a restricted profile set up.
Recycling/Sorting
Janice reported that some items in our recycling bin were refused by Nieuwenhuis. They will provide a list of items that can be recycled and how they must be prepared. Everyone should clean cans/bottles and flatten cardboard boxes before putting them in recycling.
Van/Transit Items
There has been a change in the procedure for processing in-transit items for van delivery.
Transit slips will list only the TRANSIT TO library. Blue, white and yellow routing slips will not be used. The computer in the Circ Workroom and the sit-down computer upstairs are programmed to produce these transit slips.
Items for individual libraries will be bundled according to previous instructions -- like sized items together (no pyramids), stacks no taller than can be comfortable held in your hand.
Lakeshores libraries' items will be separated into:
#1 - Burlington, East Troy, Elkhorn, Rochester, Union Grove, Waterford
#2 - Darien, Fontana, Genoa city, Lake Geneva, Lakeshores, Sharon, Walworth, Williams Bay
#3 - Racine
Midwisconsin libraries' items will be grouped together into bins with lids.
Pink routing slips will still be used for items from other library systems and they will go into a separate bin.
Meeting Room Applications
Amber pointed out that the room capacity listed in the Meeting Room Policy is incorrect. This issue will be addressed by the policy committee. Until then, we should be sure applicants know the room holds 24 people with tables and chairs, 35 with just chairs.
Payments may not be taken at the Children's desk. Refer patrons with fines or who need to put money on their print accounts upstairs.
TDD
We discussed how much use the TDD gets and whether we need to have one available when our new phone system is installed. Mary will gather info from our deaf patrons.
Dots
Removing the color-coded dots from videos has created a backlog at the check out. We decided to leave the dots on until the item is returned. Then, upon discharge, the old dot can be removed or covered with the new.
Book of the Month
Sandi gave a book talk on The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This book is set during the civil rights movement in Mississippi, where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. "Skeeter" Phelan is just home from college in 1962 and anxious to become a writer. She is advised to write about what disturbs her. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of black women, enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams.
###
The procedure for issuing cards to homeless patrons was reviewed. Cards are good from October through May and should be made to expire on 5/31. Although these cards are intended to be used only at Aram and authorize checkout of only one item, they have been used at other libraries as well. Sue will check with Jim to see if we can have a restricted profile set up.
Recycling/Sorting
Janice reported that some items in our recycling bin were refused by Nieuwenhuis. They will provide a list of items that can be recycled and how they must be prepared. Everyone should clean cans/bottles and flatten cardboard boxes before putting them in recycling.
Van/Transit Items
There has been a change in the procedure for processing in-transit items for van delivery.
Transit slips will list only the TRANSIT TO library. Blue, white and yellow routing slips will not be used. The computer in the Circ Workroom and the sit-down computer upstairs are programmed to produce these transit slips.
Items for individual libraries will be bundled according to previous instructions -- like sized items together (no pyramids), stacks no taller than can be comfortable held in your hand.
Lakeshores libraries' items will be separated into:
#1 - Burlington, East Troy, Elkhorn, Rochester, Union Grove, Waterford
#2 - Darien, Fontana, Genoa city, Lake Geneva, Lakeshores, Sharon, Walworth, Williams Bay
#3 - Racine
Midwisconsin libraries' items will be grouped together into bins with lids.
Pink routing slips will still be used for items from other library systems and they will go into a separate bin.
Meeting Room Applications
Amber pointed out that the room capacity listed in the Meeting Room Policy is incorrect. This issue will be addressed by the policy committee. Until then, we should be sure applicants know the room holds 24 people with tables and chairs, 35 with just chairs.
Payments may not be taken at the Children's desk. Refer patrons with fines or who need to put money on their print accounts upstairs.
TDD
We discussed how much use the TDD gets and whether we need to have one available when our new phone system is installed. Mary will gather info from our deaf patrons.
Dots
Removing the color-coded dots from videos has created a backlog at the check out. We decided to leave the dots on until the item is returned. Then, upon discharge, the old dot can be removed or covered with the new.
Book of the Month
Sandi gave a book talk on The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This book is set during the civil rights movement in Mississippi, where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. "Skeeter" Phelan is just home from college in 1962 and anxious to become a writer. She is advised to write about what disturbs her. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of black women, enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams.
###
Friday, December 18, 2009
December 2009 Staff Meeting
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
October 2009 Staff Meeting
Helping Patrons on the Computer
Our computers are self-service. Staff may help a patron log on or find a program and may answer brief questions if it is not busy. Patrons who need extensive instruction should either bring someone with them to help them or sign up for a computer class. Our computer policy states:
Handouts will be created to answer frequently asked questions, such as how to cut and paste, print, or save to a flash drive.
Garbage and Recycling
This is a reminder that garbage should be put in the foyer on Tuesday nights and moved outside Wednesday morning. Recycling should be put in the foyer on Wednesday night and moved outside Thursday morning.
Summer Reading Program
Katrina discussed three options for offering summer reading prizes:
Our computers are self-service. Staff may help a patron log on or find a program and may answer brief questions if it is not busy. Patrons who need extensive instruction should either bring someone with them to help them or sign up for a computer class. Our computer policy states:
Computer use is provided with the understanding that it is primarily self-service and that most learning will occur through self-instruction instead of library staff intervention.
Handouts will be created to answer frequently asked questions, such as how to cut and paste, print, or save to a flash drive.
Garbage and Recycling
This is a reminder that garbage should be put in the foyer on Tuesday nights and moved outside Wednesday morning. Recycling should be put in the foyer on Wednesday night and moved outside Thursday morning.
Summer Reading Program
Katrina discussed three options for offering summer reading prizes:
- Letting children choose a prize each week when they turn in their reading hours.
- Offering prize drawings throughout the summer.
- Giving tokens for hours of reading which can then be spent on prizes in an SRP Store which would be open once or twice a week.
Staff favors trying the tokens/store option for 2010. Katrina also is planning a kick-off event the Saturday after school ends (June 12) and is gathering ideas for this event -- staff input is welcome.
Training for Staff
Katrina proposed that a system be created to offer regular training opportunities for staff, similar to the CE credits required for professional librarians. Amber agreed that each staff member should be required to attend one class or workshop each year beginning in 2010.
Web Page
Katrina spoke about maintenance of the web page since Beth's resignation. She stressed to Amber that in order to keep contenty up to date, all of us need to be able to add or change the page. Amber said she is experimenting with software that would make this possible.
Halloween
Candy will be handed out in the Children's Department Friday 10/30 and Saturday 10/31. We received a donation of candy to be used for trick-or-treat and Katrina will also purchase some. Halloween is on a Saturday and anyone who is working that day may wear a costume to work.
Next Week (10/19-23)
Amber and Katrina will both be gone to WLA next week. Kate will pick up the checks Friday. Katrina is expecting a volunteer (Kyle) on Saturday 10/24. He should be taught to clean disks and make photocopies and he should clean out the recycle room.
Other Comments
Katrina will begin making visits to the K4 classes at Wileman and Turtle Creek schools. Staff reviews will be done before the end of the year.
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