Campaign to Promote the MY LINK Library Card

From Dr. Lawson:

Hello HPL!

I am extremely excited to announce that we are now ready to promote our new MY LINK Library Card!  Several months ago we introduced the MY LINK Card with a soft launch, but we didn’t do much to let the community know we had a new card.

Thanks to our very generous corporate sponsor, H-E-B, all of that will change on Wednesday, September 10^th, when the Mayor will announce HPL’s official launch of a year-long Library Card Campaign to promote our new MY LINK Library Card!

We have established four main goals for the campaign:

1. To widely promote HPL’s resources, services and programs to every member of the community, taking every opportunity to share the advantages of this free card;
2. To get the MY Link Card into the hands of every student;
3. To replace existing HPL cards with the new MY LINK card with the H-E-B logo; and
4. To increase the number of cardholders to 1 million by the end of FY15.

We will accomplish these goals first, by all of us working together collectively and strategically to promote HPL services and programs and to get a new MyLink card in the hands of Houstonians of all ages. And, secondly, through the very substantial backing of our corporate sponsor, H-E-B, who is supporting this year-long campaign in a number of ways including providing funding for the new library cards and donating a tremendous amount of in-kind marketing and advertising.

Our campaign slogan will be “I have MY Link, do YOU have yours?”

I am designating the week of Wednesday, September 10^th through Wednesday, September 17^th, as an “HPL Red Shirt Week” as we kick off this exciting campaign.  I am expecting you to wear either an HPL shirt or white shirt each day this week, along with your MY LINK Library Card Campaign button that each staff member will receive in early September.

We want all of you to be an active part of this library card campaign, so stay tuned for ways you can “Say Yes!” as we roll out volunteer opportunities for you to get involved in your local library community and at the system level. Stay tuned to Inside HPL on the Intranet (https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/index.html) for regular updates and more information about the campaign coming soon.

Special Campaign Kick Off Activities, September 10^th-17^th:

• Press Conference with Mayor Parker and H-E-B, Wednesday, September 10^th

Formal Campaign announcement at a press conference in the City Hall Rotunda, immediately after the City Council meeting; attendees will include Mayor Parker, H-E-B Houston President Scott McClelland, H-E-B Vice President and Winell Herron.

• Official Launch of the Campaign,  Saturday, September 13^th

Fun and festivities to formally launch the campaign with the public based on the theme “Celebrating MY Link to the World”: 

• H-E-B Montrose Market at 1701 West Alabama, where we will join our H-E-B partners from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to tell customers about the value of having the MY LINK card.

Programs and activities will include story times, Laughter Yoga, “maker” activities, and more.  The HPL Mobile Express will be on hand to educate folks about our vast array of digital services.

• All HPL Libraries! Of course we want our neighborhood libraries and the Central Library to participate in the celebration as well so we will be providing all HPL locations with posters, balloons and cookies so you can help promote the new campaign and get the new card in the hands of as many customers as possible on the 13^th!

• City of Houston Farmers Market, Wednesday, September 17^th

First Farmers Market of the fall season on the Central Library Plaza, Wednesday, September 17^th

We’ll have booths and tables to conduct outreach, and H-E-B will have one of their local trucks wrapped with the MY LINK message on hand, along with our HPL Mobile Express. 

To make this even more fun, all customers who sign up for a new card on Saturday, September 13^th  at H-E-B Montrose or any of our locations  or at the Farmer’s Market on September 17^th will be entered into a drawing to WIN one of five iPad Minis!  Stay tuned for more information about this RAFFLE.

MR

Password Manager for ALL STAFF!

Hello,

HITS recently launched a great new tool, Password Manager. The Password Manager provides a simple, secure, self-service solution that enables end-users to reset forgotten passwords and unlock their accounts.  Please take a few minutes and follow the link below to set up Password Manager for your email account.

What does this mean for me?

Password Manager provides the ability to perform a self-service reset of your Windows network and Exchange passwords without having to contact the Help Desk.

HITS will add the ability to reset passwords for other applications at later dates (i.e. Kronos, HEAR, ESS, etc.).

What do I need to do?

Please complete Enrollment into Password Manager by accessing the following link to create your Questions and Answers Profile.

Enrolling is easy and takes less than 5 minutes!

To access the new Password Manager website from your work area or from home:

Go to: http://passwordreset.houstontx.gov

1.    Enter your Username – six digit employee number with the “e” – use leading zeroes, if needed (i.e., e012345 or e123456).

2.    Enter your Location – the location should default to ‘HOUTX’.

3.    Enter the characters from the image, and ‘Click’ OK.

4.    ‘Click’ the My Questions and Answers Profile link.

5.    Enter your network password and choose ‘Next’.

6.    Select a Question, and enter an Answer for each drop-down box and choose ‘Next’.

7.    Questions and Answers Profile is successfully created.

Please contact the HITS Help Desk with any questions at 4-HITS or 832-394-HITS (Ext. 4487).

Thanks!

PF

Circulation Report

From Steve:

Circulation Report for June. The full system report is now available on the intra-net, Communications page, Planning and Evaluation tab. Or you may follow this link to it directly.

https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/pf_news/pf_documents/jun14_sysreport.pdf

Please let me know if you have any comments questions or concerns.

Thank you,

PF

Weeding

From Theodora:

Good day Team,

Please inform your teams that we are putting weeding on hold for now. This is because we are running out of room at the warehouse. You will be informed when to resume weeding and boxing of items for friends and discards. If the item is absolutely nasty  and unusable, please remove the item from your collection.

Thanks for your patience and understanding and have a wonderful day.

PF

Substitutes

From Yolanda:

Hello NL Staff,

We are seeking new Customer Service Substitute candidates in specific areas of need.  I’m sending signs in delivery to the following locations: ACR, BLU, COL, DIX, HEI, KAS, KEN, LAK, LOO, MCH, MNT, MOO, PLE, ROB, SCE, STE, VIN, and WAL. 

Please place your sign out for display in a visible space to attract applicants for two weeks beginning Monday, August 11^th.  I’ve blocked out the section of the sign that says “for more information…”  We can’t post this position on our HPL website because it’s only a contract one. 

If you have any inquiries regarding this, you can direct them to me at the email: hpl.substitutes@houstontx.gov.  Human Resources doesn’t handle this posting, and please do not give out my city email address.

Keep up with your sign and return it to me via delivery on August, the 25^th.  If you have questions, you can contact me via phone (x32705) or email.

Thank you for your cooperation,

PF

Collection HQ

From Sally:

Because of Collection HQ’s new release due next Monday (8/18), there may be some outages with the service as they implement it over the weekend.

If issues continue on Monday or beyond, I will let everyone know.

PF

Hold on Weeding

From Theodora:

Good day Team,

Please inform your teams that we are putting weeding on hold for now. This is because we are running out of room at the warehouse. You will be informed when to resume weeding and boxing of items for friends and discards. If the item is absolutely nasty and unusable, please remove the item from your collection.

Thanks for your patience and understanding and have a wonderful day.

MR

Biometric Screenings

Hello,

Staff can begin signing up online to attend one of the many free biometric screenings taking place around the Houston area. These screenings give you the numbers you need to complete your online health assessment.

You do not have to attend a biometric screening. Staff can use any biometric numbers that were taken recently (January 2014 or later). So if you've visited the doctor this year, or plan to use your wellness time this month, you can use numbers attained from those appointments.

If you do want to attend a biometric screening, you can enroll online at www.healthfair.com/houston or call 866-491-4502. (Please be sure to consult the monthly schedule to ensure that there is enough staff on the day you have selected. Let your manager know the appointment date and time so that it may be added to the monthly schedule.)

Once you have your numbers, staff can log on to mycigna.com to complete the health assessment. You have until October 31st.

As always, if you have any questions or need any assistance, please consult your supervisors.

Thank you,

MR

7/24/14 Manager's Meeting Notes

NL Managers Meeting Notes

July 24, 2014

Prepared by Yolanda Anguiano

In attendance: Cory Eckert, Richard Hurst, Patrick Atkins, Virginia Williams, Shirley Singletary, Brandon pope, Maggie Sepulveda, Edgar Fuentes, Suzanne Rickles, Beatriz DeAngulo, John Merullo, Karen Luik, Maria Powers, Djuina Hammett, Melissa Jarvis, Pedro Fonseca, Marcos Martinez, Kathrine Myers, Pat Jones, Tony Goodwyn; Guests: Nathan Stokes, Lin Swalley, Marianne Lorio, Sally Bates, Chris Hu, Mary Stanton, Donna Jackson, Larry Payne and Michele Gorman; NL Admin: Laurie Covington, Shammi Gill, Theodora Muokebe, Elva Alvarez, and Yolanda Anguiano

Collection Development:  The Materials Budget for FY15 hasn’t been finalized yet, but we expect it to be flat, the same as previous years.  The cost of materials has increased; therefore, we can’t afford as many items as before.  Due to Sirsi complications, some of the materials that were ordered for FY14 will be paid for with FY15 money.

          Marianne spoke about AV & electronic resources.  Databases are handled centrally system-wide.  Because of rising costs, LMS will have to drop some but need your feedback to evaluate which ones.  We continue to purchase CDs due to demand for that format but have decreased the purchase of multiples of each title.  If there are budget savings for these types of media, the money will be considered for the new digitized services, like Freegal.  We pay on a per use basis and customers would like the ability to checkout more than 4 a month. 

          Sally commented on the YA budget and standing orders.  To be able to order what your community needs, it is important to evaluate your collection through Collection HQ. There will be more training on the program in upcoming months. Sally added that the graphic novels and manga are very popular with juveniles and YA customers.  LMS wants you to recommend the new service Comics Plus to customers.  Even though the service doesn’t carry DC or Marvel comics, it still offers a variety of titles.  If you are in need of certain types of YA materials consult the floating hubs.  Let Sally know if you have very popular YA series or if you have series that just sit and you don’t want them anymore.

          Chris said that adult ordering will undergo budget cuts but not universally for every library.  He added that if you are receiving materials that aren’t popular feel free to drop the title.  We will be retaining some standing orders.  Chris advised the group to reach their target budget figure, so please add or drop what’s needed to achieve it. 

          Mary handled the juvenile budget and said because of the budget crunch, we need to float more.  She will make every effort to order what is circulating.  You can also suggest that an item transition from reference to a circulating title.  It’s important to get customers to place holds, so LMS knows what is needed. 

The budget worksheet is due on August 15 and the Standing Orders worksheet is due on August 29^th.  You can find handout instructions on how to complete them on our intranet page.

         

Michele:  Please educate your staff on the meaning of the HEAR ratings.  A 3 means you’re doing your job.  A 4 means you consistently exceed expectations, and a 5 means you’re exceptional.  Please keep this in mind when writing your SMART goals.

Communications & Library Card Campaign:  The Print Shop and Communications are working on templates for you to use, especially the calendar ones.  You will receive an email when they’re ready.  There will be video tutorials instructing you on how to use them. 

There is a new library card campaign launching in September.  HEB is sponsoring it.  Some of the goals are to update 100% of our current customers’ cards and increase our cardholder number by 300,000 by September 2015.  We want to raise awareness concerning the benefits of having the HPL card and how it allows you to access our services at anytime from anywhere. We also want to emphasize that our services are free. 

One interesting note is that the campaign will also feature photos of current staff members.  The slogan is “I have my Link, do you have yours?”  The Mayor will kick-off the campaign on September 10^th with a press conference. 

Civic Engagement:  Dr. Lawson has a vision of how the Library should become a place for civic engagement, so you were asked to provide a list of community leaders for each of your locations.  We will work with this list, narrow it down to three individuals, and invite them to participate in our initiative along with you as manager.  You will set up meetings with your community leaders and host a civic discourse on what is important in your community and what it will take to accomplish one goal. 

There will be four sessions in this process.  All meetings will take place in the JIB Auditorium.  On September 23^rd, you will meet with your leaders and explore the needs of your community and gain knowledge on the issues.  During the second meeting on January 26^th, the group will view a short film and have a panel discussion to talk about and research what needs to get done to accomplish the goal that will be selected. This event kicks of “Civic Engagement Week” which will take place in NLs Tuesday-Thursday of that week with local leaders. The third meeting will be on May 12^th, 2015 and focus on values and what resources and people we need to achieve the goal.  A separate room will have different people from the public and private sector that will offer their resources to help execute the group’s plan of action that will be created.  The fourth and last meeting will be on September 27^th, 2015 and will be a discussion on practice.  The participants will deliberate on what was accomplished and what lessons were learned in the process.

Sick Leave-Family Member Form

Hello team,

When you ask for sick time because of a family member, you must turn in a "Statement of Family Relationship-Sick Leave" form. The form has been added to the blog under staff links and it is named "Sick Leave-Family Member Form". Remember you may use sick leave to care for a spouse, child or parent with a bona-fide illness, disease or injury.

Thanks,
PF