UPDATE: Learning Link Expiration Date

From Fred Schumacher:

The user privilege expiration dates for the Learning Link cards in the system have been extended to 08/31/2017. Every student with a Learning Link card now has access to our materials through the coming summer.

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

MR

Information Security Notification - Ransomware Alert Update

From HPL IT HelpDesk:

Greetings HPL Employees,

As you have undoubtedly heard in the news there is a major world-wide ransomware virus spreading throughout the Internet and computer systems. The COH team along with teams from the various departments departments including HPL have been working to mitigate any vulnerable systems around the city. We ask that you please be extra vigilant in accessing unknown links, unfamiliar websites and suspicious emails. This virus will quickly replicate itself across systems on the network from an infected computer. We ask that you immediately contact the HPL IT HelpDesk if you notice any unusual behavior with your computer or any computers in your work area or location. With respect to public facing computers, our filtering software is blocking the virus from being downloaded.

If you have any questions please call the HPL IT HelpDesk at 832-393-1570 for assistance.

MR

TRAINING: Online Library Card Applications

From Laurie Covington:

Hello,

There is a now a video available on the Training Portal to walk staff through validating and updating online registration to full MY Link Cards.

Online Library Card Application - WorkFlow Process (Video format)

There are also videos for completing the online registration form.

MY Link Online Library Card | Staff FAQ
Online Library Card Application - Outside the library locations (Video format)
Online Library Card Application - Inside the library locations (Video format)

You can find the materials on the Training Portal under Learning Resources, Library Functions and MY Link Online Library Card.

Let me know if you have any questions.

MR

(I will be scheduling off-desk time for staff to view these videos. They are pretty short, so it should not take long a tall. - MR)

Recycling Bins

From Mary Wagoner:

In the next few months, the green and yellow recycling bins/dumpsters will be removed from neighborhood library parking lots. Please see the attached photo. Please direct customers to Paper Retriever's website and they can search by zip code: http://paperretriever.com/binlocator/index.html

HPL is still recycling. We are keeping the blue and yellow recycling eco rewards bins. If these are not being emptied, please let us know. Thanks!

MR

Note: The link to the website has been added to the group blog under "Staff Resources".

UPDATE: Factiva

From Marianne Lorio:

Factiva did some tweaking to our account (they didn't specify what) and it seems to be working! Please be aware that there is a limit as to how many people can use Factiva at a time. If a patron is being asked by Factiva (after they have supplied their library card number and pin to access the database) for a user id and password, then the library has reached the maximum number of simultaneous users. Encourage the patron to wait a while and try again. If the problem persists or it seems to be happening often, please let the IT Helpdesk and me know.

Thanks,

MR

NOTICE: Online Library Card Application is LIVE

This post contains a lot of information, so be sure to read over the information carefully.

From Saima Kadir:

The online library card registration form is now live! The direct URL is http://houstonlibrary.org/library-card-registration (form as a link to the Spanish version). It is linked on the Get MY Link card page (here) and the main Enterprise page (catalog). It is also accessible on the catalog and database computers.

This is a soft launch to catch any errors or discrepancies with registration user records. You may continue to use the paper application however customers may come in with an ecard number. When that happens, simply check the user record in Workflows; check customer's photo ID; update the user record with user profile, user ID, and any other changes; proceed with giving them a library card. It is not necessary to ask customers to fill out a paper library card application form. Regarding the sticker with the library card barcode, you may either give it to the customer along with the library card and key fob or dispose of it yourself.

(An FAQ for this new process has been added to the Staff Training Portal. I am also linking to it in this post. - MR)

We are using two locations to pilot the project: Central and Jungman. Because our locations vary so much, we need to figure out a designated workstation (desktop or tablet) that will function as a library card registration spot. In most cases, it will be the catalog/database computer. Once we have gathered enough data and tweaked the form, we will have a better idea about a roll out plan. In the meantime, please continue to use the paper application form (except Central and Jungman). Of course, you are welcome to direct your customers to the online form. Already about 44 customers in Texas have registered online and the form's been live less than 2 days!

A few reminders that are necessary for staff to know:

• There is a built-in address verification however this may not always work so you may have to use the traditional method to verify address;
• Form will recognize a duplicate;
• Youth registrations will only take place on-site (i.e., online application are for adult cards only -- MR)
• Check if customer is already using Overdrive; if yes, then proceed to submit the Overdrive merge account request
• This is what staff will need to do to update the user record in Workflows:
• From the circulation tab, under the Users group, use the Modify User wizard to update the user record:
• User ID - replace it with the 77422... barcode number
• Library - change it from HOU-ONLINE to your location or customer's preferred location
• Profile Name - change it from PUBLIC to one that applies to the customer
• Change History Rule - ask the customer if they want to keep a checkout history; then change it from CIRCRULE to ALLCHANGES; remind them to opt in when they log into the library account at home. Not changing it will NOT prevent the customer from checking out items or placing them on hold
• If customer agrees with device checkout policy, then change USER CAT-2 to LAPTOP-YES under the Demographics tab.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I'll be adding a link to this blog post and the FAQ on the home page of the blog under "Staff Resources".

Thanks,

MR

HOLDS: Updating Pickup Location

Hello,

As you are all aware, Scenic Woods NL is now closed for renovations. Starting this weeks, customers holds will be routed to Lakewood NL for pickup by customers. There is a procedure involved in processing these holds. Please remember to follow the guidelines below before placing the routed holds on the hold shelf:

Updating Pickup Location for Holds

Holds for pickup at locations closed for renovation are routed to nearby locations to be placed on the Holds Shelf. When holds with pickup locations set for renovated locations arrive at their alternate pickup locations, staff members must assign the new pickup location using the Modify Holds wizard before discharging the item and placing it on the holds shelf.

To complete this process, staff should do the following:

1. Look up the item record by scanning the barcode number in the Item Search and Display wizard under the Common Tasks wizard group.
2. Select the Call Number/Item tab. The correct item should be highlighted. If it is not, highlight the barcode number for the correct item from the list on the side of the screen.
3. Click on the Holds tab for the selected item, and highlight the hold needing modification. The hold should automatically be highlighted, but you should confirm that it is the right hold using the customer name and barcode.
4. Click the Close button at the bottom of the Item Search and Display screen.
5. Click on the Modify Holds for User wizard under the Holds wizard group.
6. Click the quick link button for the user displayed beside Current: in the Identify User section.
7. Select the hold to be modified from the List of Holds for the user and click the Modify button at the bottom of the screen.
8. Select the new pickup location using the dropdown menu beside Pickup at: in the Modify Hold Fields screen.
9. Click the OK button at the bottom of the screen.
10. Click the Receive Transit wizard in the In-Transit wizard group, and click the quick link button displaying the item title and barcode or scan the barcode of the item with the modified pickup location.
11. Enter your override code to place the item on the Holds Shelf.
12. Repeat for each hold needing the pickup location updated.

If you need any assistance at all with this new process, please let me know. Be aware that this might extend the length of time it takes to check in delivery, so please be patient with one another as we adjust to this additional step in delivery processing. And as always, if you need additional time to work on delivery, please let me know.

Thanks,

MR