Thursday, November 21, 2019

11/20/2019 Meeting Notes

Good Afternoon!


  1. Great Job with Paging - Missing items number greatly reduced!
    1. HIL - 262 Missing - 26, CKD 7 - 1, RIN - 129 - 27, CKD 12 - 0
  2. CMC booth earned $96.50. Thanks for everyone who donated and helped!
  3. Monthly Reports - Those with Outreaches/Programs please send today for manager reports (holiday shortens report time)
  4. Programming and Outreaches
    1. Passive Programs (Weekly Assignments)
    2. Youth programs
    3. Adult programs
    4. Outreaches
  5. Time and Attendance (3-minute rule) - Please notify your manager and location when late or absent
  6. Customer service desks
    1. Report early to assist in transitions
    2. Library Cards provided until closing (finish cards after hours if started before doors locked)
    3. Never ask where patron is from
  7. Daily Stats - please mark as you go throughout the day - these reports are crucial!
  8. Next big event - December 5th Winter Reading Program kickoff and Community Celebration
    1. Winter Reading Program - December 1 - January 15
    2. 10 days of reading gets 1 book and a prize
    3. Only individual signups -  no groups
    4. Procedures same as SRP
  9. KRONOS - Thanksgiving Holiday ( Paid for 11/28-29) Saturday work schedules must be adjusted - work 20/40 hours following Monday-Friday or VAC.
  10. United Way 211 (phone help - 24/7) www.211texas.org online
  11. Fridge - Keep clean, eat only what is yours please.
  12. Avoid using personal devices at the front desk please - focus on the customers. 
  13. Laptop Check Outs
    1. New item - Laptop Computer Check outs starting November 18 (same procedure as HotSpots) Digital Strategies is launching a new device lending program on Monday, November 18th where customers will be able to check-out laptops from the library. This is an exciting new initiative for HPL and our customers. DS will introduce this program and answer questions at the manager's meeting on November 15th, but we've included a few details below. Please share with your teams so we an answer any questions prior to launch date.
    2. Customers
      1. Use the HPL catalog to place holds on a laptop (Houston Public Library Laptop)
      2. Check-out laptop for 3 weeks and return to lending location
      3. Library accounts must be in good standing: active library card and owe less than $10
    3. Circulation:
      1. 30 laptops will show active on November 18th
      2. Blue bins with large pieces of foam are used for transport - do not remove or throw away any pieces from bin
      3. Frontline staff receive circulating laptop in a blue bin though FINS and process as an item hold
      4. Blue bin stays at location until laptop is returned 
      5. Upon laptop return, staff checks out laptop to location XXX-REFURB account
      6. Laptop will be placed in blue bin & exterior labels updated for return to LMS
      7. FIDS will pick up blue bin as part of delivery service
    4. Digital Strategies:
      1. Bins are delivered to LMS
      2. LMS will transfer laptops to DS
      3. DS will virtually clean the laptop and remove any customer data
      4. DS will check in the laptop and send it out to the next customer's pick-up location
    5. Fines/Fees:
      1. Late fee $25/day (max $150)
      2. Damaged/Lost fee: $300 plus $30 processing fee
      3. Damaged Lost case/charging cables: $10 each

There we go!

- Staff



Thursday, April 25, 2019

04/25/2019 Staff Meeting

Good Morning!


  1. Procedures
    1. iPads/Android devices - Power On and Off
      1. Paging, Clear Holds, Missing, etc. should be using mobile devices.
        1. Hillendahl - Samsung Android Pad/iPad
        2. Ring - iPad
      2. GT/RM/RF should be using mobile devices
        1. Assisting customers, library cards, etc.
    2. Hotspots - Make sure ALL parts are returned/checked out.
    3. Always make notes in customer' accounts (fine waived, complaint, etc.)
  2. Tablets - Language assistance!!!
  3. Sick leave usage - over 64 hrs requires a doctor's note. 
  4. DDC
  5. NL Meeting Room Policy - must sign acknowledgment form.
  6. Shelve/check in floats/etc. at every opportunity.
  7. WPR #3!!!
  8. Staffing/schedules/programs
  9. Vacation requests.
That's all for now!

- Staff

Monday, March 25, 2019

02/28/2019 Staff Meeting

02/28/2019

Good Morning,

Here are the notes from the February Staff Meeting.

  1. Procedures
    1. Checked in books placed on proper cart/shelf.
      1. Board book/Picture Book etc.
      2. Make sure to check in all books.
      3. New/Float Books - Discharge Procedure 2X.
    2. Renewing checked out books
      1. Supposed to be brought in before renewal if limit is reached.
        1. Can be given a "courtesy" but make a note in account.
    3. Discards/Floats
    4. GT/RM/RF
      1. Should be assisting customers, greeting, or shelving/straightening.
        1. Jennifer has already removed the chair at Ring's service desk.
        2. Will remove GT/RM/RF chairs if staff not roving/assisting/shelve.
          1. This has already happened at several other locations.
    5. I-Pads/Android devices.
      1. Paging, Clear Holds, Missing, etc. should be using mobile devices.
        1. Hillendahl - Samsung Android Pad/iPad
        2. Ring - I-Pad
      2. GT/RM/RF should be using mobile devices
        1. Assisting customers, library cards, etc.
    6. Hotspots - Make sure ALL parts are returned/checked out
    7. Always make notes in customers' accounts (fines waved, complaint, etc.)
  2. Tablets - Language assistance!!!
  3. HPL Databases - see handout.
  4. Staff computer / desk use
  5. Staff bathroom / breakroom use - please keep clean, etc.
  6. Do not let patrons use their own paper! The only type of paper we can use is what is provided by coin copier. Other types of paper will mess with the printer's settings and can damage internal equipment. 
  7. Do not let patrons manually open the drawer to try and print on the back side of the paper!! They are welcome to make double-sided copies using the menu settings on the copier. They may not open the drawer to try and print on the backside of a piece of paper that's already been printed on. Why? It will mess with the printer's settings and can damage internal equipment. 
  8. Holly - Flip Kit Passes.
  9. Proper Phone Greetings.
  10. E.O. 1-50(7.1.13) PROHIBITED HARASSMENT: Impeding access by any employee or member of the public to a city restroom facility that is consistent with and appropriate to that person's expression of gender identity.
  11. Sick leave usage - over 64hrs requires a doctor's note.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

01/24/2019 Staff Meeting

Good Morning!

Here are the notes from the January Staff Meeting.

  1. Staying Healthy.
  2. Shelves - Please straighten during slow times, shelving, paging, etc.
  3. Clear Holds clarification. (printed removal list and any item older than 14 days)
  4. Sick / Vacation Leave and impact on schedules:
    1. Request leave in Kronos.
    2. Notify your direct report of submission.
    3. Notify Katie and non-direct report manager - after approval.
  5. Chain of command / direct reports.
    1. Chris (Alma, Holly, Alice, Mary, Rudy, Sara, Laura, Katie)
    2. Alma (Diana, Vilma, Kamal, Pete)
  6. Technology Assessment - started! Finish by 02/04/19.
    1. Shelve as we go.
  7. Spring Break Performers - Holly
  8. Work Progress Report #2 and Monthly Reports.
  9. Arrive and Leave as a group.

Friday, January 11, 2019

12/20/2018 Staff Meeting

Good Morning!

Here are the notes from the December Staff Meeting.


  1. Intermediate Computer Skills Assessment January 21 - February 29, 2019 (required)
  2. Social Services SharePoint Site Training - January staff Meeting (required)
  3. All PITS entries due within 24 hours of incident.
  4. Customer Comment forms now online (paper forms can still be made available)
  5. HIL/RIN email accounts:
    1. Holds list sent daily.
    2. Missing List sent every Saturday.
    3. Collection HQ information.
    4. Etc.
  6. Staff - Please check out your HOLDS.
  7. Kronos/ Time on the job
    1. Against policy to combine lunch with your break.
    2. Clocking in then leaving the building (going to car) against policy - Riding the clock.
    3. Please complete morning assignments/tasks before any socializing.
  8. Winter Reading Program.
  9. Movie License Renewal.
  10. FLIP KID guidelines.
  11. STATS for 2018
    1. Recording all stats critically important!
    2. State reports based on customer contacts/square footage of library.
      1. Hillendahl #6 at HPL
      2. Ring #10 at HPL
        1. Only 2 libraries grouping to have both libraries in the top ten!!!
      3. FY18 Results (43 libraries):
             Circ.     Comp Use  Visitors  Ref   Direct  Notary  Outreach  Attend.  Programs  Attend  Service  Sq. Ft.  Ser
HIL       7        20       11   12   17    8      18       8      26       21    12       6
RIN     17        23       21  16    18    0      34     32     30       19     19      10

Comb.   4        8          5    5       7    x      10      4      10       14       4       1

That's all for now!

- Staff
 

Thursday, November 8, 2018

11/09/2017 Staff Meeting

  1. Library Materials reminder and Senior Manager inspection this month
  2. Welcome Mary Wagoner - Youth Services Advocate
  3. Computer Skills Assessment coming soon
  4. Upcoming Events:
    1. Literacy In The Bag @ Open House - Saturday, December 8 @ Ring Library
      1. Volunteers hand out bags in community starting at 10 AM
      2. Promote Library Recovery and Friends of HPL
      3. Texas Tamale Company/Library Outreach Information Table/Ideas? Flyers in Bags?
    2. Literacy In The Bag Collection Pick Up - Saturday, December 15 @ Ring Library
      1. Volunteers pick up bags in community starting at 10 AM
      2. Books will be sorted and stored for later pickup 1-5 PM
    3. Santa @ Your Library & Open House @ Ring NL Planning Wednesday, December 19th
      1. Santa - 4-5 PM                                  
      2. Open House - 4-5:45 PM


Have a nice day!

- Staff

10/19/18 Staff Meeting

Good Afternoon!


  1. HEAR WPR (turn in monthly reports please)
  2. Hillendahl Halloween Happening & Ring STEM, Thursday, October 18, 5:50-7:45
    1. Texas Recovery, Girl Scouts, etc.
  3. CMC Update
    1. CMC Fall Festival Friday, October 26, 11:00 - 1:00 @ CEN
    2. All Libraries open @ 2:00 PM
  4. Holiday Closings 
    1. Paid Holiday TH/FR Nov. 22-23
    2. No Pay/Change schedule Saturday, Nov. 24
  5. HPL Staff Holiday Party Saturday, December 8, 7:00-11:00 PM
  6. Computer Use - InPrivate use, social media, etc. (Nothing is private!)
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Team Building and Discussion
  1. "I AM" POEM - Knowing each other better
  2. "common cold" Exercise
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvoWoMlwr-g
  4. Harvard Test results
  5. Uncomfortable Discussions
    1. Race
    2. Age
    3. Jokes
    4. Politics
    5. Religion
    6. Language - and not just foreign
    7. Work ethic
    8. Cliques
Trainings
  1. New Incident Report Format (PITS)
    1. https://houtx-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/dominick_spinelli_houstontx_gov/EUtHgjiO8KFJgilpbm_yLQMB3jrVgXts7fDJPUPz1CLPbQ?e=BG0XTh
    2. Online Library Card Applications
    3. Copier - Scan to USB
That's all for now!

-Staff