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.

HPL Fall Festival for CMC

The Fall Festival is tomorrow, Friday, October 26! The festival begins at 11AM till 1PM. To make the Fall Festival a successful fundraiser event, your division or library, CMC Coordinators will collaborate with their location staff to help sponsor tables and booths.

Dr. Lawson has approved a delayed opening for all library locations including Central this year to enable staff to attend the festival! All libraries will open at 2 PM.  

Annual HPL Fall Festival

Friday, October 26 | 11 AM - 1 PM

Barbara Bush Literacy Plaza

HPLQ

Per Carmen

As you may know, the Houston Public Library is hosting Walter Mosley as part of our quarterly author series, HPLQ.  

We are seeking a few enthusiastic HPL staffers to help out as ushers, greeters, and line managers. The event is to be held on Thursday, October 25, 2018, in the evening, at the Ballroom at Bayou Place located at 500 Texas Street. Please note that this is a less than 10-minute walk from the Central Library.

If you are interested and have supervisor permission to help, please contact me so that we can discuss potential shifts (a block of time between 5:30 PM — 9:30 PM) and your role at the event. 

We are expecting a few hundred attendees. Seating for volunteers to enjoy the program is very likely, although not guaranteed. Thanks so much for considering.

CMC Fall Festival

Per Liz and Laurie message about CMC Fall Festival:

 

• The CMC Fall Festival is scheduled for Friday, October 26^th from 11am - 1pm.  We will end the managers meeting a little bit early (around 10:45am) to allow managers to get down to the event. 

 

• Participation from staff is strongly encouraged but not mandatory.  Dr. Lawson has allowed us to delay opening until 2pm to allow staff to attend and enjoy the festival and then get back to the location to open.

 

• Staff should carpool to Central.  I believe that Lot H passes will be arranged.  Managers will also be asked to park at Lot H.

 

• If staff elect to not come to Central for the event, that is okay so long as safety factors are taken into consideration (2 staff in the building) and they are given tasks that the supervisor can ensure that work has been accomplished (shelving, paging, shifting, etc).

 

CE Admin plans to submit a pumpkin to the pumpkin contest so if you have any brilliant ideas, please get with Yolanda and Celeste.

 

HPL Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Week!

The Houston Public Library is designating October 15-21st as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Week!  During EDI week, staff at all levels will view TED talks, videos and webinars pertaining to topics of equity, diversity, inclusion, unconscious bias and privilege. Teams will also participate in dialogue during a team building exercise. Our goal is to provide HPL team members an opportunity to further develop their EDI knowledge professionally and personally. HPL recognizes that equity, diversity and inclusion is central to all aspects of our work and will provide continued learning opportunities to support our team and the diverse communities we serve!

Instructions and Dute Dates

All staff is required to view the training materials listed below and participate in a team building activity during EDI Week, October 15-21, 2018.

TED Talks/Videos (Choose 3 of 5)

1. Inclusion, Exclusion, Illusion and Collusion
2. Diversity is Being Invited to the Party: Inclusion is Being Asked to Dance
3. Your Privilege Is Showing
4. Humanize Diversity and Inclusion
5. Improving your diversity IQ

Webinars

1. Communicating about Culturally Sensitive Issues (You need to create an account with Lynda.com if you don't have one.)
   • How to access Lynda.com course 
2. Understanding Power, Identity, and Oppression in the Public Library

Assessment

1. Harvard Implicit Bias Test – Race IAT (Studies at Project Implicit examine your attitudes, preferences and memory. At the end of this study, we will give you personal feedback. This study will take 10-12 minutes to complete.)
   • How to access the Harvard Implicit Bias Test 

Team Building

1. Participation in a team building exercise during EDI week. Instructions provided to managers.

---

​Training Credit:

Each activity is required. A total of (4) hours of training credit earned for full participation. Sign-off forms with instructions provided to managers to be submitted to the Organizational Development Team at hpltraining@houstontx.gov by 5pm, Wednesday, October 24, 2018.

Note:  Requests for make-up time due to pre-approved absences will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by executive team members.

Upholstery Cleaning

Per Jason Stephens....

We are working on getting some upholstery cleaned around the system.  Rachelle Ewart and Kathy Baba from Coit Cleaning will be coming around to several locations over the next week or so to get counts for all the upholstered furniture at locations.  Please allow them access to the building, including storage rooms where upholstered furniture might be kept, to get a full assessment.  I don’t have a specific timeline for which locations on which dates.

Johnson NL Staff Meeting

September Minutes

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Agenda

Ice Breaker: Theme Songs

1. Consistency in Customer Service

·         Greet the Customers

·         Be Aware and Alert

·         Use Best Judgement

2. Kronos

·         Attendance Patterns

·          Making Up Time

·          Monitor Your Punches and Timecard

Vacation - Administrators said do not take advantage of the 7-minute Kronos Rule.

·         There will no making up of time if you arrive late. Must use Unscheduled Vacation time will be used. Lisa suggested request for time off in advance to schedule adequately.

3. SE Manager’s Meeting Highlights

·         Djunia informed the managers and staff should keep a tidy breakroom (Ex. Microwaves and Refrigerators) – Set a schedule for cleaning every Friday

·         Djuina wants managers to meet with their asst. mangers regularly

4. CMC - Kiara is Coordinator for the Combined Municipal Campaign.

·         Staff will be able to order CMC T-Shirts order with Kiara.

·         Kiara asked each employee to donate at least one dollar to CMC.

5. Halloween Bash 10/31

·         Kiara asked for suggestions and ideas for the Halloween bash and that staff may dress up if they wanted too. Lisa suggested that we ask for volunteers.

6. Putting Your Schedule on Staff Scheduling Calendar

·         Once your vacation is approved please place dates on the Staff Calendar.

·         Meetings and trainings should be placed on the Staff Calendar.  * Training should be approved by Manager and/or Senior Manager.

Announcements and Reminders

• Please remember to logoff Sirsi at the End of the Night.

• Iona will move the supply list near the supply room and the supply order will going out on the 10th of every month and possibly more.

• Kiara reminder us that Hotspots check out the patron will need Library card and ID.

• Lisa asked that we check hotspots to see if they work and that the patron will return all the components. Staff will receive an email about the charges that can accrue with hotspots.

• Lisa also reminded staff to please send an email to Kiara concerning Friends and Discards Boxes.

• Lisa would also like to staff to keep their desk clean.

• Iona will be taking the minutes for the staff meetings and putting them on the blog.

Attendance: Lisa Swan, Iona Joseph, Kiara Hampton, and Sandra Cortez

Assistant Managers Meeting

Iona attended the Assistant Managers Meeting at Scenic Woods Library on 09/13/18.

 The managers gave a tour of the Library and the Tech Link Center.

The managers discussed the features and flaws printing system

Djunia handed out the Outreach Hotspots.

A Few Hotspot Reminders!

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.

Contact Saima Kadir if you have any questions.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Week!

To provide HPL team members on-going professional development, this year the Houston Public Library is designating October 15-21st as Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Week! During EDI Week, staff at all levels will view TED Talks, videos and webinars pertaining to topics of equity, diversity, inclusion, unconscious bias and privilege. In support of this week, HPL locations will be closed to the public on Friday, October 19^th. More details coming soon....

Ms. Joseph and Sandra read banned books

Banned Books Week

Banned Books Week 2018 is September 23-29. It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. 

The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted with removal or restricted in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.

Learn More!

In celebration of Banned Books Week at Johnson Neighborhood Library, staff are taking their mugshots after getting "Caught Reading a Banned Book". Take yours so we can share yours here. Encourage library patrons, adults and children alike, to take their own mugshot with their favorite banned book and share a "I Read Banned Books" button with them. Their are some in the green envelope in the drawer at the front desk.

Have them share on Instagram and Twitter, @houstonilbrary #BannedBooksWeek #joh 

CENTRAL LIBRARY DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGE MANAGEMENT TRANSITION BEGINNING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

NEW PARKING MANAGEMENT

The management of the Central Library parking garage will be transitioning to the City of Houston Administration and Regulatory Affairs (ARA) Department under its ParkHouston Division beginning Monday, September 24, 2018.

The FIDS Division will maintain management of the dock and will serve as the primary point of contact in regard to questions and concerns related to parking in the Central Library parking garage.

NEW PARKING PAY STATIONS

ARA has begun installation of public parking meters and three (3) new parking pay stations in the garage. The existing entrance and exit gates, cash-only pay station and the entrance and exit parking ticket dispensers (upon entrance and exit) will be removed. New signage will be replaced throughout the month of September.

The new pay stations will be activated and running starting Monday, September 24, 2018. The parking meters will provide customers with a parking zone number, which they will use to pay for parking. Customers will be required to pay for their parking before entering the library and have the option to pay by credit card, cash or smart phone through the ParkHouston App. *ANDROID  - *IOS

Customers who do not pre-pay for their parking will be issued a ticket by a COH Compliance Officer, who will be rotating throughout the garage.

ARA will have an ambassador on-site the week of September 24 to help guide customers through the new process.

PARKHOUSTON APP

Customers will be encouraged to download the ParkHouston App *ANDROID  - *IOS. The app allows customers to conveniently pay from their smart phone (or tablet) with a credit or debit card as well as add additional time if they extend their time at the library. Customers will receive text notifications, when their time limit is approaching.

PARKING AT NO CHARGE SITUATIONS

VETERANS MUST HAVE AN OFFICIAL LICENSE PLATE

Veterans will continue to receive free parking. They are required to have an official license plate to park in any public space for free. HPL will no longer be able to accept their military identification card to offer free parking.

TWENTY-MINUTES PARKING FOR HOLDS PICK-UP

Customers will be able to select a 20-minute time slot to park at no charge. This will enable them to quickly drop off books and/or pick up holds. In order to receive free parking, customers must enter their license plate at the meter to obtain a 20-MINUTE $0.00 permit. Customers who stay beyond their 20-minute time limit are subject to receive a parking ticket.

STAFF PARKING

Central Library staff with assigned parking and late-night staff will initially be issued a hang tag to have in their cars at all times while parked in the garage. Hang tags will be replaced with a permanent car window decal in the near future.

Staff must park in their assigned parking spots #101 - #138. Late-night staff must park in reserved spaces #139 - #163 Monday - Thursday and Saturday - Sunday, located along the back wall behind the staff elevator. Late night staff are to only park in spaces #139-#150 on Fridays.

FIDS Division will send a notice to all affected staff and distribute hang tags starting Monday, September 17 through Friday, September 28. Each hang tag will be connected to a license plate. Please ensure that your car information is up-to-date with FIDS. Staff with assigned spaces will be ticketed if not parked in their assigned space.

Staff will be required to sign a Library Parking Agreement when picking up their temporary hang tag.

PARKING VALIDATION

A request must be submitted to FIDS Division 5-days in advance for parking validations for meetings, events, and programs. The email request must include date, time, an expected number of attendees, and a list of staff and volunteers for validation. FIDS will provide you with a one-day validation code upon approval. This includes parking validation for monthly managers meetings, youth services team meetings, and special events. Parking will not be validated the same day.

Please feel free to send questions to hpl.communications@houstontx.gov.

Marjorie D. Gonzalez | Marketing & PR Manager
Communications Division
Hpl.communications@houstontx.gov

Belinda Cox | FIDS Manager
FIDS Division
belinda.cox@houstontx.gov


This message is on behalf of John Middleton,
Assistant Director of SPACES and Communications

HOPE Leave Pool Revocation and Donation Notice for 2018

               

 

                                                       

City of Houston and HOPE Joint Communication

HOPE Leave Pool Revocation and Donation Notice for 2018

                                                       

Article 9 of the 2018 Meet and Confer Agreement between the City of Houston and HOPE creates a HOPE Leave Pool (HLP).  The HLP is funded by a mandatory automatic deduction of one (1) hour of vacation time each contract year from all permanent, full time Bargaining Unit Members who have been employed with the City more than one year unless the member revokes the donation (opts out) pursuant to the provisions of this agreement. 

The agreement defines the Bargaining Unit as all municipal employees except department directors, elected officials, and classified members of the Police and Fire Departments subject to Chapter 143 TLGC. 

Permanent, full time Bargaining Unit members who have been employed with the City more than one-year (hired on or before November 2, 2017) will have one (1) hour of vacation time automatically deducted during the first full pay period in November 2018, unless the member revokes the donation (opts out) during the month of September 2018.

The Bargaining Unit Member also has the option to donate additional accrued vacation hours by filling out a HOPE Leave Pool donation request form.

The HLP is administered by the City and is available for designated HOPE representatives to use to participate in HOPE or Sole and Exclusive Bargaining Agent City-related activities such as:

• representation of employees in the employee concern resolution program (ECRP) and grievances;
• attendance at HOPE sponsored trainings, HOPE contract negotiation sessions, or new employee orientation sessions; 
• or limited special assignments.

Options for Employees in the Bargaining Unit
Donate an hour of your vacation time to the HLP by taking no action.  The one hour will automatically be deducted.

Revoke the donation (opt out) of an hour of your vacation time to the HLP by selecting the revoke the donation (opt out) option on the form online through ESS by September 30, 2018.  Please print a copy of the form for your records.

Donate additional vacation time by selecting the vacation leave donation option on the form online through ESS.  Please print a copy of the form for your records. 

For those employees who do not have computer access to make their election online, the election forms may be downloaded below:

HOPE Leave Pool 2018 Revocation Form
HOPE Leave Pool 2018 Donation Request Form

For those employees using the election form, complete the form and give the original form to your HR liaison no later than September 30, 2018 and retain a copy for your records. 

If you have additional questions about the HLP, refer to Frequently Asked Questions or contact your HR liaison or HOPE representative.

© 2018 All Rights Reserved. Proprietary and Confidential - For internal distribution only.

How to Volunteer for Scream-In

Our annual Scream-In is Saturday, October 27, 2018 and we need your help to make it a success!

What’s a Scream-In? It’s our Halloween-themed after-hours event for youth ages 10-15; it’s a blast and both the youth and staff have a great time!  The event runs officially from 7-10 PM with 30 minute check-in/check-out times before and after.

Date: Saturday, October 27, 2017

Staff needed from: 5:30-10:30 PM

If you are unable to commit to the entire 5 hours, the following 3 hour shifts are available – 5:30 to 8:30 PM & 7:30 to 10:30 PM.  We need staff to work the following activities: check-in/check-out, craft & STEM activities, the Haunted Maze, the Escape Room, and cleanup/room reset.  

If you are interested in working the Scream-In please receive approval from your manager then fill out the below survey:

https://goo.gl/forms/T0kprO0Wm644rra63

Have questions? Feel free to contact:

Rebecca Denham

Teen Services Coordinator

Houston Public Library | Customer Experience 

500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77002

Office: 832-393-1692 |  Email: Rebecca.Denham@houstontx.gov