NOTICE: Cyber Security Training / Axis360 Training

Hello,

Suzy Benton from HPL Training has reported that the issues with accessing the Cyber Security Level I training have not been resolved.

She is requesting that all staff complete EP 1-50: Workplace Discrimination and Harassment training by November 30th.

In the interim, I am asking that staff that have not done so view the Axis360 webinar. This is also a mandatory training that is required for all staff. This training is due December 18th, but we will start assigning this training in lieu of the Cyber Security training. Sign-in sheets have been placed on the manager's desk at Kashmere and Lakewood NL. Staff must sign the sign-in sheet after viewing the training to receive formal training hours.

The Axis360 webinar can be found here: http://training.houstonlibrary.org/Axis360

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

Sincerely,

MR

Training Notes: Open Carry Forum Notes

Hello,

I recently attended the open forum on the new Texas Open Carry legislation. The panel was compromised of HPD Chief Charles McClelland, Jr., Harris County DA Devon Anderson, and COH Attorney Donna Edmundson.

The new law will allow a licensed holder to "open carry" a handgun in a holster starting January 1, 2016. Public libraries are not exempt for this legislation.

A link to the panel discussion can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQGrM_vOH7w

In summary, the point of this forum was to make citizens aware of the new law and allow them a chance to ask questions to representatives from HPD, Harris County, and COH. The panelists really wanted citizens to understand that while HPD will respond to calls and investigate accordingly, citizens need to use their judgement when reporting that someone has a gun since with this new law it is legal for a person with a Concealed Handgun License to openly carry their handgun in a holster.

Policies and procedures are created by the Mayor and City Council.

Guidelines regarding the law, policies, and procedures will be distributed but it is unknown when.

Open Carry Notes

• Forum panel consisted of HPD Chief McClelland, Harris County DA Judge Anderson, and COH Attorney Edmundson.
• Reminded everyone that starting January 1, 2016, citizens can open carry their guns in a belt or shoulder holster.
• Open carry is not allowed everywhere (e.g., educational facilities)
• Police determine who is legal by stopping a citizen to ask if that person as a CHL
• Constitutional carry (def. constitutional carry is a neologism for the legal carrying of a handgun, either openly or concealed, without the requirement of a government permit) did not pass, so HPD (not citizens) have the right to ask a person to present their ID and/or CHL to determine if they are legally carrying their gun.
• Citizens do have to produce their ID or CHL when asked
• Failure to present CHL has consequences (e.g., arrest, loss of CHL)
• Citizens do not have the right to ask another citizen to produce their ID or CHL
• Reminded everyone that a citizen with a gun does not imply violation of the law
• Observe the person and see what he or she is doing
• If behavior is suspicious (e.g., wearing a heavy coat in summer, agitated behavior, etc.) call HPD and they will respond
• If a citizen displays a firearm to alarm (un-holsters gun) or displays firearm in a calculated way to alarm, HPD will investigate by talking to suspect, witnesses, and will call the DA if needed.
• Officers can have a reasonable suspicion to stop and ask citizen to comply
• Officers can detain a citizen to ask about ID, but once the citizen demonstrates that they are legally carrying, then the interaction becomes a consensual (voluntary) encounter
• HPD will be undergoing new training protocols
• If citizen needs to enter secure location in public facility, citizen has to detach holster and secure in vehicle or gun locker before proceeding into secure area
• Citizens allowed to carry in police facility (e.g., station) as long as he or she is restricted to public areas
• Schools are prohibited areas, but people can carry around school (e.g., public sidewalks)
• Zoos are not exempt at this point
• Citizens can carry in libraries, City Hall, community centers (any government building and/or institutions)
• Public libraries are not a restricted facility
• Some COH buildings will have gun lockers installed
• Possible talk of making some facilities at which students take field trips regularly educational zones (case-by-cases basis)
• Private businesses that want to prohibit open carry and concealed carry handguns must post two signs (306 and 307) at each entrance
• No concrete outline regarding the type of holster required (e.g., a bra holster is apparently okay, as well as a back holster and a holster at which the gun rests 6-inches below the waist)
• There are no requirements regarding retention on the holster
• Recommended advice for CHL persons:
• Get a holster with a level 2-3 holster
• get an umbrella insurance policy
• Some COH guidelines and policies and procedures will be provided (distribution of literature) to citizens
• It is a Class B Misdemeanor to file a false 911 report, but the determination of whether a report is "false" or "fake" depends on the situation.
• COH employees cannot carry a firearm on their person at a work location but can store their firearm in their car in the parking lot
• A "ghostbusters sign" is sufficient for a private business IF it is coupled with a verbal instruction to leave the premises.
• Law does not exempt anyone from any legal consequences from carrying

Harris County Public Library's Migration to Symphony

From IT Helpdesk:

Greetings HPL Team,

Harris County Public Library (HCPL) will be migrating from SirsiDynix Horizon system to SirsiDynix Symphony system beginning on Monday, November 9, 2015. What this means for HPL staff:

• Starting Monday, November 9, you can no longer check in HCPL items at HPL locations;
• Customers may return HCPL items at HPL but staff need to inform them that the items will stay on their account until they are discharged at HCPL;
• Staff are encouraged to place a Post-it note on the item with the date returned written on the note;
• Staff will continue to use the same procedure for labeling HCPL items and send them in delivery to Central.

This change will be in effect until further notice. We will implement a new procedure for checkign in HCPL items at HPL locations in the near future.

Thank you for your assistance with these changes. Contact the HelpDesk with any questions or concerns.

MR

League of Women Voters Guide

Hello,

We are being asked by Print Shop to keep the Voters Guides we have for public use until after the Houston Runoff Election is held, which will be on December 12, 2015.

If you discover while managing flyers that we are in need of additional guides, please let a supervisor know so that additional ones can be requested through Print Shop.

A new electronic version of the Voters Guide to the Runoff will be published on the League of Women Voters website (www.lwvhouston.org). The target date for the digital publication is November 23, 2015.

Please let met know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

MR

COH Wellness Options

From Gwen Walter:

Hello All,

Now that COH CIGNA Subscribers have completed their Health Assessment, it is time to move on and complete step two! Employees now have the option to complete one of four programs.

These four programs are available as follows:

• Option A: Preventive Care Activities (Available January 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016) 
• Completion of two preventive care activities. (Well Woman/Man, Mammogram, Colorectal Screening, Flu Shot, Medication Adherence Seminar, Dental/Vision Exam, etc.) 
• Option B: Telephonic Coaching (Available May 1, 2015 – March 12, 2016) 
• Service provided by Cigna and involves participants engaging in phone calls with a health coach to set and achieve specific health-related goals. 
• Option C: Onsite Health Education Programs (Available November 1, 2015 – March 12, 2016) 
• Similar to the health seminars held last year, but will be offered in the form of four-week sessions at varying locations throughout the city. 
• Employees MUST attend three out of the four sessions in order to receive credit. 
• Option D: My Health Assistant Online Programs (Available November 1, 2015 – March 12, 2016) Bundle of online programs administered by Cigna that includes several weeks of nutrition and physical activity tracking by the participant. 

Option C will be held at various sites across the city. HPL will host a session beginning this week for Option C. Everyone is welcomed to attend. The session is titled Learning More About The Chronic Disease; Diabetes. You can register for this four week program at 500 McKinney beginning November 3, 2015.

The class will be held at 500 McKinney, Concourse Level meeting room on the below dates:

Week 1: Tuesday, November 3, 2015; 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Week 2: Tuesday, November 10, 2015; 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Week 3: Tuesday, November 17, 2015; 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Week 4: Tuesday, December 1, 2015; 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Registration is encouraged but not required. Please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/diabetes-lifestyle-management-program-tickets-18757005709 to register. Please let the Wellness Team know if you have any questions: wconnection@houstontx.gov or 832-393-6000, Option 1 (Wellness). We are looking forward to helping you improve your health!

Wellness Connection
832-393-6000
wconnection@houstontx.gov

MR

Enterprise Upgrade

From HPL IT Helpdesk:

Greetings HPL Team,

Enterprise updated has been completed by SirsiDynix. Searching and My Account features are working.

Floating boxes (see below) show up on older browsers. We recommend that you clear the cache by pressing Control and F5 keys together.

We continue to test and fix minor display issues. At the moment, Author Alert, NoveList content and some mobile app features are having display issues.

We will keep you updated about the progress of the upgrade as it proceeds. Thank you for your patience as we work to keep the system current.

MR

Checking In Books

From Fred Schumacher:

Hello all.

A number of locations have reported a problem with the Library and Current Locations fields not updating properly when new items received in delivery are discharged.  This is an issue that HALAN and SirsiDynix are aware of.  Until this is fixed by SirsiDynix, please be aware that when you check in new books, you will need to scan each barcode twice to make the system update the current location and the item library in the records.  The first scan will update the Call Library field to your NL location; the second will update the current location to match the home location.  Failure to do so will result in items continuing to display “In Transit,” rather than on your shelf, and holds for those materials may be missed.

Thank you for our assistance with this issue.  HALAN will let you know as soon as it is resolved.

MR

Mandatory Trainings: Cyber Security I and Workplace Discrimination and Harassment

Hello,

Please be advised that all COH employees are required to complete two COH trainings - Cyber Security I and Workplace Discrimination and Harassment - every year. These trainings are accessible on TMS. HPL Training is requesting that staff conduct a keyword search to find each training, and all trainings should be completed by November 30, 2015. Below are images of the description of the trainings:

Because this is mandatory for all staff, the Violence in the Workplace training completion date has been pushed back to December 31, 2015. The above trainings take precedence over the other, and staff will be scheduled accordingly to take both trainings prior to the due date.

Please be advised that each trainings should take no more than an hour to complete.

If you need assistance registering for either training, please let a supervisor know

Thank you.

Sincerely,

MR