Ulrich's Database

From Marianne Lorio:

Hello:

We have dropped our subscription to Ulrich's database due to a high cost per use. Please let me know if you or anyone misses it.

MR

How to "Opt-In" to Reading History

From an original posting by Daniel Pillow. Link: "Opting in" to Reading History

Hello,

Several customers recently visited the library wanting to know if HPL kept a log of all their past checkouts. While we do not do that, customers do have the option of "opting in" to a service called My Checkout History (formerly known as Reading History). We cannot pull this information up in Sirsi; rather, customers can retrieve it by logging in to their account on HPL's website. Activating this function records all checkouts made under that card number. This is not a retroactive function, though: it will only log those checkouts that occurred when the function was activated, not before.

There are two ways to do this. 

1. The first way is through the My Account function on HPL's website. Have the customer log into their account and click on the My Info tab, as seen below:

Check the box that says "Record my checkout history." The checkout history list can be found on the Checkouts tab, and is the second option (Checkout History) under Library Checkouts. 

See below for screenshots on how it looks:

2. The second way is the what we do when they have activated this option online but the checkouts are not logging. This means that staff have to go into Sirsi and modify the user's record. First, open the user's account through the Modify User wizard. On the first page, there will be three drop-down boxes. Select the box for the Charge History Rule and change the selection from NOCHARGES to ALLCHARGES. See below for screenshots:

Default Charge History Rule.

Charge History Rule for documenting checkouts.

Again, this is not retroactive, so the customer's reading history is nonexistent, but when we make the alteration to the account, it should record from then forward. 

As always, please let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, and/or concerns.

Thanks,

MR

HOPE Pay Increases

Hello,

Just a brief overview regarding the HOPE pay increases:

• Base pay for employees will increase up to $0.55 based on their pay grade and if they are either below midpoint or at the midpoint of their classification.
• Increases will be annualized to and above midpoint.
• The amounts in the chart below are added to the annual salary, not biweekly salary.

So the way this would work is: 

• Locate your pay grade by looking at your classification (job title) at this link: http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/salary/job-classifications.html
• For easier accessibility, the pay grades for positions in our grouping are below:
• Customer Service Clerk - 10
• Librarian II - 21
• Librarian III - 23
• Library Assistant - 5
• Senior Customer Service Clerk - 12
• Senior Library Service Specialist - 16
• View the midpoint for your pay grade at this link: http://houstontx.gov/hr/compensation/pay_structure.html
• For easier accessibility, the midpoints for the above positions are below:
• Customer Service Clerk - 1461
• Librarian II - 2597
• Librarian III - 2884
• Library Assistant - 1181
• Senior Customer Service Clerk - 1622
• Senior Library Service Specialist - 2000

From there, you would look at the chart below to see if you fall into the top chart (if you biweekly pay falls below the midpoint) or into the bottom chart (if your biweekly pay falls at or above midpoint).

If you want to know how much of an increase that is hourly, take the amount that fits your pay grade and divide by 26 (because there are that may pay periods in the year), then divide by 80 (number of hours in one paycheck). 

• Example for pay grade 11-12: 
• 1040/26 = 40
• 40/80 = .50
• So someone in pay grade 11-12 that is getting the $1,040 because they are below midpoint would see a $0.50 increase in their hourly pay. 

Here is a link to HOPE's flyer about the raise, which contains more information: http://www.hopetx.org/2015/07/about-your-raise/

Here is a link to HOPE's 2015 Meet and Confer Agreement (the section on the increases and compensation can be found on page 37): http://www.hopetx.org/download/5047/

Thanks,

MR

The New Open Carry Law

From the Office of Director Rhea Lawson:

Regarding the new Open Carry Law....

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

The Open Carry Law is an extension to the current concealed handgun law. The concealed handgun law currently allows a license holder to carry a concealed handgun in most City-owned or leased properties. The Open Carry Law has extended for license holders to carry their handgun in the open (holstered) and not limited to being concealed only.

OPEN CARRY LAW

• The new Open Carry Law becomes effective Friday, January 1, 2016.
• The law allows for a citizen with a current concealed handgun license or new license to carry a handgun in most City-owned or leased property.
• The gun must be concealed or holstered in a belt or shoulder holster.
• The guns can be a handgun or a long handgun.  

ARE LICENSED GUN HOLDERS ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR HOLSTERED WEAPONS ON LIBRARY GROUNDS?

• The Houston Public Library is a public government entity and is not exempted under the law. · HPL may not prohibit licensed individuals from bringing (holstered) handguns into the library beginning on January 1, 2016.
• Individuals cannot bring in a handgun during: ­ 
• School-sponsored events (more details on handling this situation will come at a later time) ­ 
• An election when HPL is serving as a polling site ­ 
• An on-going closed-door meeting inside the meeting room. 

ARE HPL PERSONNEL ALLOWED TO REQUEST TO SEE A PERSON’S HANDGUN LICENSE?

• NO!
• Only a law enforcement official is able to request for a person to show their handgun license.
• Contact HPD if you feel concerned and would like to have the request made to an individual. 

ARE HPL PERSONNEL ALLOWED TO BRING A HANDGUN ON LIBRARY GROUNDS?

• The Open Carry Law does not allow ANY City employee to bring a handgun on government property during working hours. 
• HPL Personnel are allowed to have their concealed handgun locked in their vehicle during these hours.
• It is recommended that the handgun is locked and hidden away from public viewing in the vehicle. *If any HPL personnel makes a verbal statement threatening violence of any type (with or without a weapon), you are to report this incident immediately to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), per Executive Order 1-50.* 

HOW TO RESPOND TO A CONCERNED CUSTOMER OVER THE NEW LAW

• Please use the below statement when addressing a concerned customer regarding the new law: 
• The Houston Public Library is a public entity and is not exempt from the Open Carry Law. Therefore, individuals are allowed to enter the building with their handgun, but it must be holstered in their belt or shoulder holster as per the law. We do take all of our customers’ concerns seriously. If you are ever concerned, please feel free to contact us and we will contact a law enforcement official. 

HOW TO RESPOND TO THE MEDIA OVER THE NEW LAW 

• Please use the below statement if the media calls a location regarding the new law: 
• Please contact our Communications Office for an official statement from the Houston Public Library. 
• If they persist: The Houston Public Library is a public entity and is not exempt from the Open Carry Law. Please contact our Communications Office for an official statement. 

Please click on the following links for more information:

• Information on Inside HPL: https://hplnet.houstonlibrary.org/open-carry-law.html
• Information on COH Website (from HPD): http://www.houstontx.gov/police/open_carry/

Holds due to expire from the Holds Shelf during holiday extended to 12/29

From Fred Schumacher:

Hello all.

This is just a quick note to let you know that available holds with Pick up by dates of 12/26-28 will be extended to 12/29 to offset the additional days closed for the holiday.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks.

MR

Due Date Extension

From HPL IT HelpDesk:

Greetings HPL Team,

Due dates were extended for all checked out items to January 11, 2016, to adjust for holiday closures. Customers who have placed holds on these checked out items may have questions about the extension. You may use this explanation to answer customer inquiries.

MR

2015 Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement; Form 1095-C Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage

From COH Payroll Services:

Please be aware that the 2015 Form W-2 (Wage and Tax Statements) will be provided to all employees in paper hard-copy. An electronic (online) W-2  will also be provided to all current employees via the Employee Self-Service (ESS) website at https://portal.houstontx.gov/irg/portal.

It is anticipated that for the calendar year 2016 (which means in January 2017), employees that select to "opt-in" to receiving electronic-only copies of Form W-2 will not receive a hard-copy.

Finally, please be aware that all employees will also be receiving a Form 1095-C (Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage). This report reflects your City of Houston-provided health benefits coverage for calendar year 2015 for you, the employee, and any dependents on your plan. It is required in order for you to complete your 2015 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. A paper hard-copy of this report will be provided to each employee via US MAIL. No electronic access to this report will be available for calendar year 2015. The Human Resources Department will provide details regarding interpreting the Health Benefits participation information included in the report. It is imperative that all City employees verify their current mailing address in ESS and update it, if needed, before January 1, 2016, in order to avoid any delays in receiving your Form 1095-C.

The statutory deadline for distributing or postmarking Form W-2 and Form 1095-C to employees is February 1, 2016. Payroll Services will strive to beat this deadline by at least a week. Additional communications will be sent as more definitive distribution and online access dates are determined.

MR