Newspaper Relocation

In order to speed up efficiency when checking out newspapers to patrons and when checking them in in the mornings, newspapers at the front desk have been relocated to the drawer between the self-check and desk computers (where the dvds used to be stored).

The label for the drawer has also been moved to this drawer in order to catch your attention.

Thank you.

Security Officer On the Clock Phone

The security officer on duty will have a company provided phone while they are ON THE CLOCK.

They can be reached at 832-942-9718 if you cannot locate them for any reason.

Meeting Notes January 20, 2016

• Sirsi - no more "super" - use your Sirsi log-in instead

• Fill grey bins up completely. Let's maximize space in the bins.

• Record all shelf reading and weeding in Google Docs (HEAR stats).

• Make sure to write "weeded _#_ shelves" or "shelf read _x_ shelves" in the comments field.

• Notify and email Chris and Jenny of any absences / request for time off

• Tape should not be used to hang information / posters / etc. in the library

• Use poster putty instead. Can be found in the supply room.

• Any posting on the blog must have manager approval.

• If you're on Self-Check or D last hour, do not log-off of Sirsi until all customers have left the building.

• If you're on the floor (desks, roving, passport office, etc.), please do not use your cell phone in public view. 

• Bluebonnet books - only "2016" and "2015" should be on the BB display. All others should be shelved as normal

• Questions? Comments?

Posted by Jenny P. 

ROBINSON-WESTCHASE STAFF MEETING - DECEMBER 30,2015

• Welcome and introduction of Alief's new manager Marcia Cameron-Denton
• All Alief staff will get a 30 minute meet and greet with Marcia
• If passport are slow do other things
• While roving keep an eye on audio books
• Kronos: check your kronos twice a week. For Alief staff Monica has your Kronos now
• Answer phones ASAP and use proper greeting 
• While weeding make three piles. Discards/ Friends/ Floats
• Follow proper weeding process
• Don't forget to label shelf when done weeding
• Patron can pay fines at self check, if they don't have the library card print their barcode so they can pay fines @ self check
• When a patron pays with a credit card write their library card number and what it's for on our copy of the receipt
• Don't forget to do your monthly reports for your H.E.A.R
• Alief staff submit your monthly reports to Monica for H.E.A.R

         * Meeting minutes by Nagma Akbar

HOLDS ISSUES FOR ALIEF PATRONS

Alief patrons are having some issues with their new holds being sent to the HCPL-Freeman branch.

When IT or whomever went and removed Alief from the drop down menu on the HPL website, it defaulted everyone's "preferred pick up location" to the first one on the list.

When you see this happen, modify the holds in Sirsi and call the Freeman Branch (281-488-1906) to ask them to pull the items from their hold shelf and set them in transit to us.

Please be sure to also log into their account on the website and change their preferred pick up location to "Robinson-Westchase" so that all of their future holds will default to here.

"Autoclose failed" issues with the credit card machine

We've had a few issues with the credit card machine over the past few days where it won't let us run a sale... If we get the error message "Autoclose failed please manually close batch" the following video shows you exactly how to do this. I wanted to share it here in case it occurs again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_StSUT4EFMw

Another (longer) option is to accept a credit card payment via the HPL website by logging into their account - the upside is that we can still accept payments no matter what is happening with the card reader, but the downside to this is that it requires all of their billing information and does not provide a receipt.  - Crystal

Audiobooks with missing discs

As a reminder, if a patron returns an unabridged copy of an audiobook with missing discs, you do not need to charge them for the entire replacement - simply charge $7 per missing disc, and then send to LMS for replacement.

Also, if you have an item returned this way, please be sure to make a note on the account and include your initials. This helps prevent confusion when the patron returns in the future. Thank you.

Opening and Closing Duties

Just a quick copy of the opening and closing duties from the handout for the meeting on 2/19/15. A copy will also be kept in the Robinson Reference Binder - there are more details on other duties we are assigned on that document.

Opening Duties

- Turn on all equipment: Computers in work room, customer service desk, & public floor; copier, self-check machines and standalone kiosks.
- Walk the floor to ensure that there are no books on any table from the previous day.
- Stock supplies: pens, pencils, scrap paper, etc.
- Create new statistics & study room reservation sheets in Google docs.
- Re-stock new books display throughout the day.
- Check laptops to make sure they are charged & ready to circulate. Shred laptop forms from the previous day - retain any forms with problems (ie: laptops not returned on time, returned damaged, accrued fines, etc).
- Unlock building gates three to five minutes prior to opening time.
- Unlock public restroom doors prior to opening time.
- Take phone off call forwarding at opening time.
- Unlock front doors at opening time.
- Finish any pick up not completed the day before.
- Turn on case display lights, if applicable.

Closing Duties
Before the building is closed:

- The first closing announcement is made at 45 minutes prior to closing. They are then repeated at 30 and 15 minutes before closing. The suggested script is:
          - First announcements: "The library will be closing in (XX number of) minutes. Please take your items to the circulation desk now. If you need a new library card, please come to the desk to fill out an application. If you are under 18 and need a ride home, please come to the desk to call for your ride. Thank you."
          - Final announcement: "The library is now closed. We will reopen again at (time) o'clock. Thank you."

- One hour before closing, check the lounge to make sure the coffee pot is cleaned and unplugged, and all dishes, utensils are put away.
- Check meeting/study rooms and remind the customers that the library will be closing in (XX) minutes.
- Walk around the building to confirm that there are no customers who have not yet vacated the building.
- Lock the doors at closing time. A staff member should be stationed at or near the door to allow customers to exit and, if necessary, to ensure that customers do not re-enter after closing.

After the building is locked:
- Check the meeting room, computer lab, and study rooms to make sure they are empty.
- Check the restrooms to make sure they're clear.
- Double-check all exit doors, including fire exits, to make sure they are secure. Check the doors that may have been opened by workers during the day, including outer electrical room & mechanical room doors.
- Turn off all computer monitors.
- Count and ensure all laptops are returned and are securely locked away in a cabinet or closet. If possible, make sure they are recharging.
- Make sure the bin is out of the book drop so it will not jam.
- Lock internal gates.
- Leave the indoor building lights on. Secure and lock outside building gates.
- Set the alarm and all staff exits the building & parking lot together for safety reasons.



- Please remember that the public computers are automatically set to turn off 5 minutes prior to closing. We do not need to adjust these times manually.

Physical Copies of Tax Forms

I was looking up more information to provide to patrons about the tax forms, and I found this on another blog:


"If you are unable to provide a copy of a product to a taxpayer, please refer the taxpayer to the self-service options at www.irs.gov.  If a taxpayer is unable to use self-service options and still requires paper forms, instructions or publications, they can order copies, with the exception of Publication 17, from www.irs.gov/orderforms. While it is most efficient to place orders online, taxpayers can also call 1-800-829-3676 to order forms, instructions and publications."

- Crystal

Computer 10

An email has been sent in to the IT Help Desk concerning the blue screen of death for public computer 10.
It has been set to off and an out of order sign has been placed on it.

I hope to have a ticket number soon.

- Crystal

Reservation Issues on Public Computers

Jadwiga had an issue where two patrons were assigned to the same computer, we deleted one and moved them to another station, but then the second person was hung up in the system - even though the reservation wasn't active.
David Cleveland was called and gave the following instructions to solve this problem.

Click on Add/Edit User Record
Click Find.
Enter search parameter: search by user id.
Click reset reservation status.
Exit that screen.

This should remove the reservation that's hung up in the system and allow the patron to make a new reservation request.