DVD Renewals

Starting (Tuesday, 11/20), HPL will be allowing staff and customers the ability to renew DVDs in the same way that they would be able to renew other eligible HPL items. Please keep in mind that the same eligibility rules apply: if the DVD has a hold or the DVD has already been renewed once, for example, the system will prevent the renewal from going through.

If you encounter any issues with DVD renewals, please contact the IT Helpdesk for assistance.
This is a great Thanksgiving treat for our staff and customers, so please spread the word.

Mobile Hotspots Available @ HCPL

Now that customers can place holds for mobile hotspots through the library’s website, please be aware that customers are able to choose the following HCPL libraries as their pickup location:

• Harris County Public Library Spring Branch
• Harris County Public Library West University
• Harris County Public Library Kingwood
• Harris County Public Library Freeman

Harris County Public Library will be training their staff on the proper procedures for checking out a hotspot to customers who have a valid MY Link card. If you check in a hotspot and there is a hold for one of these locations, starting Tuesday, November 6, 2018, you may put them in delivery so that they may be routed to the appropriate pick up library.

If you check in a hotspot with a hold for Ser-Niños Children’s Library or Bellaire City Library, please call the customer to let them know that we are currently not sending hotspots to those locations, and offer them an alternative pickup location. 

• The nearest pickup locations to Ser Niños is HPL Express Southwest or Jungman Neighborhood Library.
• The nearest pickup locations to Bellaire City Library is HPL Express Southwest, Mini Stella Link at Sheltering Arms, or Harris County’s West University Library.

30 Day Embargo On Hotspots Removed

Digital Strategies has removed the 30-day embargo since customers can place holds through Enterprise. There isn’t a way to block library cards that are less than 30 days old. As a result, a customer with a less than 30 days old card, can have a hotspot ready for pick up. It wouldn’t be prudent for us to stop them from checking out an item that was ready for pick up. Staff will still need to check the Photo ID and review the device checkout policy.

A Few Other Hotspot Reminders.

• Hotspots are automatically deactivated 3 days after the due date.  A charge of $80 is billed automatically at 30 days after the due date.  Staff should also manually add a $10 processing fee and a $10 fee for the case.
• Missing or damaged accessories (charger, cord, case) should be billed $10 each with staff adding the fee manually.   The maximum for missing accessories should be $20 ($10 for the case and $10 for any missing part of the charger)
• When customers check out a device, please check for a valid photo ID.
• There are still no fees for late hotspots, tablets, or notebooks.
• With the increase in hotspots, staff who would like to use a hotspot for personal use can place themselves on the list. Digital Strategies will have a limited number of hotspots available for library related business including attending conferences.  You can contact the Helpdesk to request one.

New Changes to PITS

There are New Changes that have been made in PITS:

First, please classify each incident as one infraction.  If there are multiple rule violations, pick the one that is most severe or caused the suspension.  If you choose more than one infraction, the statistics will be skewed because the system will interpret it as multiple occurrences.

Second, in Indefinite Suspension the following infractions were separated into different line items, so please be careful which one you choose:

• Physical Abuse, Assault, or Disorderly Conduct

• Public Lewdness, Sexual Activity, Masturbation, or Indecent Exposure

• Damaging, Destroying, or Theft of Library Property

• Theft or Damage of  Personal Property  (this includes damage to someone’s vehicle)

If you have questions, please contact Yolanda Anguiano.

Johnson Closed for Upholstery Cleaning: November 30, 2018

Per Jason Stephens

Contractors for Coit Cleaning and Restoration Services will be coming to your location on the morning of the date above.  They should arrive between 8am and 9am.

Please allow them access to all appropriate areas to clean all the upholstered furniture in the building.  They have already done a walkthrough of your location and have a scope of work for what is to be cleaned.  Please do not attempt to add furniture that is not in the scope of work because that would not be part of the contracted purchase order.

The scope of work will be to pre-spray and clean the furniture and then they will rinse and extract water and dirt.  Disinfectant, deodorizer and stain guard will also be applied.  Please understand that not all stains are guaranteed to be able to be removed – some imperfections might remain.  Please make sure to stay off the furniture and any rugs that are cleaned for 8 hours to allow the furniture to dry.

We will be submitting requests for signage to the Print Shop for your locations as soon as possible.  Please let me know if you have any questions and share this information as usual and necessary.

Mileage Reimbursement

Financial Services wants staff to wait to do mileage until they have accrued $30 worth of reimbursement. So, staff should either submit mileage every 3 months or when they have $30 or more to request. If you have any questions please contact Celeste Diaz.

Digital Strategies Hours & Contact Details Hours

Monday – Friday | 8am – 6pm
Saturday | 9am – 6pm
Sunday | 1pm – 5pm

Contact Details 
• Critical Issues: Call *31570 with specific information. Include G #s when applicable.
• Non-Critical Issues: E-mail the HelpDesk at HPL.HelpDesk@houstontx.gov with specific   information. Include G #s when applicable.
• Use the LogMeIn Rescue Calling Card available on staff computers.
• ServiceNow is not a preferred contact method as HITS is updating. Trainings are being developed for this program.

After Hours
If there is an after-hours emergency, please contact 713-742-3978.
Emergencies include the loss of WorkFlows, the building server is down, or an issue that affects location operations.