ALERT: Cyber Security Alert

From David LaPlante in HITS:

The CyberSecurity Division has been made aware of a scam that affected one of our City employees yesterday. A message was displayed on the user system with a visual warning and repeating audio message that the system was infected. The notification provided a phone number to contact for assistance. The user was unable to perform any activity on the system until a call was placed to the provided telephone number and a code was entered. Investigation into the incident continues.

If you experience a similar event, immediately disconnect your computer from the network and POWER OFF the system (DO NOT perform a normal shutdown) and contact the HITS Customer Service Center at 832-394-4487 (HITS) for further instruction.

MR

NOTICE: Blue Ridge Closing for Renovations

Hello,

Stimley Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library will be closed starting Monday, April 1, 2016, for renovation. We expect to reopen in late Winter 2016 or early 2017. The renovated facility will have a WIC Clinic and will be a TSLAC Family Place Library.

Holds may be picked up at the following location:

Vinson Neighborhood Library

3810 Fuqua

Houston, TX 77045

832-393-2120

MR

Second Chance Job Fair - May 9, 2016

Hello,

HPL will be participating in the Second Chance Job Fair. This event is open to non-violent ex-felons and will help to bridge the gap between the unemployed, underemployed, and potential employers and provide job training and employment opportunities and skills development.

This event is sponsored by District D, and at this time we do not know if there will be flyers from the event coordinators.

In the interim, staff should share this event with customers during Open Job Labs, technology classes, or any situation in which the conveying of this information is necessary and needed. Information for the event is below:

Second Chance Job Fair

Date: May 9, 2016

Time: 9am-1pm

Location: George R. Brown Convention Center

MR

2016 Open Enrollment Information

Hello,

The City of Houston has updated the Open Enrollment website. The website can be found here: http://cohemployeenews.com/openenrollment.

Open Enrollment takes place from March 16 - April 13.

Please be sure to review the information posted on the website. Some pertinent information includes:

1. There are new rates and plan modifications to the medical plan.
2. There is a new dental plan provide, Delta Dental, for DHMO.
3. There are new supplemental insurance providers.

Please remember as well that Open Enrollment is an active enrollment, which means that you have to enroll each year, even if there are no changes to your plan.

Thank you, and please let me know if you have any questions.

MR

Open Carry: Recognized and Registered Schools

Hello,

As discussed in last Friday's staff meeting, the open carry signs are to be used during school-sponsored events that take place at the library. Please remember that the only schools covered under this exemption are those that are officially recognized and/or registered with the Texas Education Agency or the Texas Private School Association.

I have added links to both websites on the staff blog under "Staff Resources" so that everyone has ready access to searching those databases:

Private Schools: Texas Private Schools Association
School Search: Private Schools

Public Schools: Texas Education Agency
School Search: Public Schools

• Click on "Search by"
• Then click on one of the options (e.g., Search by School)
• Type in the name of the school
• You can also click on "Pick from List" for a more comprehensive selection

Thank you, and please let a supervisor know if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

MR

Public WiFi Issues

From HPL IT HelpDesk:

Greetings HPL Team,

Customers using our Library Public WiFi are currently not able to access the internet. Customers using the circulating laptops are not affected. It is only affecting users with their own devices such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.

The Digital Strategies team is working to resolve this issue. We will let you know when we receive status updates.

MR

2016 HPL Academic and Continuing Education (ACE) Scholarship Program

From Ophelia Cespedes:

Greetings HPL Team,

Announcing the 2016

HPL Academic and Continuing Education (ACE) Scholarship Program

The HPL ACE Scholarship Program provides financial support for Houston Public Library employees to further their education.

Scholarships are available for continuing education workshops or for regular course work as part of a degree plan. Eligible applicants are full-time and part-time employees, in good standing, with one or more years of continuous employment with the library.

Full-time employees may be awarded up to $1000.00.
Part-time employees may be awarded up to $500.00.

Applications are available on the intranet at 

https://hplnet.houstonlibrary.org/personal.html

Application Deadline: 

Friday, May 6, 2016

How to Submit Your Application:

1. Click on Open Form. Save the electronic form to your computer.
2. Fill out the form electronically.
3. Attach completed form to an email and send to:

HPL ACE Scholarship Program Administrator

andrea.lawrence@houstontx.gov

MR