New COH Policies

Hello,

There have been several new policies approved in the last few weeks.  All staff should have received emails about them.  Here are the links.

E.O. 1-12, Controlled Substance and Alcohol Abuse
A.P. 8-7, Open Data
A.P. 3-21, Violence in the Workplace

Thanks,

Laurie

Amnesty Ends Friday 9/26/2014

Hello all.

This is just a reminder that amnesty ends tomorrow (Friday, 09/26/14), and the system will resume assessing fines and fees on overdue materials on Saturday (09/27/14).  Items returned via the book drop on Friday evening can be checked in using Fine Free Discharge when the book drop is cleared on Saturday morning.  Each HPL location will have a special login set up just for this purpose (listed below).  Please follow the procedure outlined below to check in items from the book drop on the morning of Saturday, 09/27/14:

•  Clear the book drop of all items returned up to opening time on Saturday, 09/27/14.
• Using your unit login from the list in the email, log on to the Workflows client.
• Click on Fine Free Discharge under the Common Tasks wizard group.
• Discharge (check in) each item returned through the book drop before opening time 09/27/14.
• Close the Workflows session and log back in using your normal login credentials.

This process will ensure that any overdue items returned on the 26^th after closing are treated properly.  Fine Free Discharge should only be used for items received prior to opening on 09/27.  Items returned through the book drop following opening should be checked in using your usual procedure.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Circulation Administration at 832-393-2222 (choose option 3).

Thanks.

Fred Schumacher

Circulation Administration Manager

 

HPL Brand Initiative

Hi,
Please feel free to share Donna Jackson's presentation about HPL's Brand Initiative with staff. 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15473454/Brand%20Presentation_NL.pdf

Thanks!


Best regards,
Mary Wagoner

Guidelines for signs and flyers

Hi, Team,

Please see the following guidelines for creating a sign; or flyers.  Please send your requests to Elva Alvarez who will do a cursory check to see if the guidelines have been met.  Please designate if it is a sign for posting for a one-time event.  If it is a flyer meant for distribution, please attach the Print Shop request.  If your request is approved by your respective Team Leader, she will forward your Print Shop request to Print Shop and copy you.

Here are some basic guidelines:

• Myriad Pro is used for most headers, and body content of our brochures, flyers, and other materials. In cases where Myriad Pro is not available, Arial can be used as an alternate font for header and body of content.
•  Use correct library name - 
• For example, it’s not Acres Homes Library. 
• Correct name is Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library
•  It’s not Collier Neighborhood Library.
• Correct name is Collier Regional Library
• When adding dates to flyer, the format should be as follows:
• Friday, March 21, 2014
• Not – 3/21/14
•  When adding time, format should be as follows:
• 2 PM – 4 PM
• Not – 2:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.
• If you advertise a class, use the complete class name on the sign.
• Please do not add photos or graphics.

Best regards,
Mary Wagoner

Elevator Speech

Hi,

If anyone already has a great elevator speech, please share it at the Manager's meeting! If you are unfamiliar with elevator speeches, please review these sources for how-to tips:

http://www.ala.org/everyday-advocacy/speak-out/elevator-speech

http://www.ala.org/alsc/elevator-content

I look forward to hearing some great ones on Thursday!

Best regards,

Mary Wagoner, M.L.I.S.

Special Services Team Leader

Houston Public Library

New email: mary.wagoner@houstontx.gov

832-393-2711(office)

713-447-1545 (cell)

832-393-1462 (FAX)

Promoting Programs

Promotion

• Establish a promotional routine in which staff regularly closes all transactions (in person or on the phone) by informing customers of upcoming programs.
• Customer service – Be courteous, be available to “talk” about the program; smile and show enthusiasm.
• Recognize staff promoting programs with positive reinforcement.
• Hosting location has additional promotional responsibility for onsite programs or programs at nearby community sites.
• Staff assist interested customers in the registration process.
• Staff let customers know about for similar programs.
• Assure all staff provide additional program information for their neighborhood library and other locations for customers.
• Cross promote programs.  For example, at the beginning or end of storytime, staff person can promote a youth services program at a nearby neighborhood library.
• Distribute promotional materials to community contacts, *stakeholders, schools, churches and area businesses.
• Stakeholders include, but are not limited to, the following: library customers, employees, business leaders, educators and schools, cultural community, philanthropic community, virtual community, civic groups and associations, superneighborhoods, churches, recreation groups/clubs, health organizations, professional associations, social service organizations, politicians, media (community newspapers), city departments and government agencies.
• Contact well in advance of the program, and send reminders.
• Share information at community events.
• Partners promote us with presence on their website and distribution of print flyers.
• Create attractive and prominent displays with relevant materials.

Thanks!

Mary

Children in the Workplace

Hi,

Many of our staff may be unfamiliar with the directive in regard to children in the workplace.  HPL Director Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson sent a memo on June 12, 2007, in regard to children in the workplace.  ALL staff must comply with the memo.

“Please note that children may not be brought to the workplace in lieu of day care.  They may participate in the Summer Reading Program and other library activities.  However, children will not be allowed in the parent’s or care giver’s work area, staff lounges, or left alone for long periods of time in the library.

Thanks for your cooperation.”

A Manager, Acting Manager; or staff member designated in charge of the building must require compliance with this written directive.   A parent or caregiver cannot divide their attention between doing their job and monitoring their children.  Our customers deserve 100% of staff’s attention at all times.

“Guests/friends/spouses” are not allowed in work areas.  If a “guest” were injured, he or she could sue the library.  “Guests” are not covered by Workmen’s Compensation.  All library staff is responsible for maintaining a professional work environment.   

Once again, we encourage all staff and their families to participate in library programs, such as the Summer Reading Program.  Thank you for understanding that customer service is our highest priority.

Thanks!

Mary Wagoner

Library Card Campaign--Dr. Lawson's Message

Good afternoon, HPL!

Our exciting MY Link Library Card campaign launch festivities is coming up next week starting on September 10^th with the Mayor’s press Conference and fun activities at H-E-B and all HPL locations on September13^th. 

I want to make you aware of three important items that will help you promote our new MY Link Library Card and the Campaign activities to our customers.

Raffle to win an iPad Mini

All customers who register for a new My Link Library Card during the card campaign launch festivities on September 13^th, or during the City Hall Farmers Market (held on the Central Library Plaza) on September 17^th,will be entered into a drawing to win one of five iPad Minis.

Winners will be notified the week of September 22^nd and will be invited to join us as our special guest at Houston LibroFest on Saturday, September 27^th. 

“I Have MY Link, Do YOU Have Yours?” Amnesty Program

In an effort to get the My Link Library Card into the hands of as many Houstonians as possible, HPL will waive fines under $25.00 for those who register for a new MY Link Library Card Wednesday, September 10^th through Friday, September 26^th, 2014.   Amnesty will apply to all accounts that are NOT in the collection process.  Accruing fines for overdue items returned during the amnesty period will also be waived.   

The Circulation Administration Team has created a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the program, which you can find under the FAQ’s tab on the MY Link intranet page:  https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/mylink.html.  

I am so proud to be able to offer an amnesty period to all Houstonians. This amnesty period, HPL’s first full amnesty offer since 1978, will run from Wednesday, September 10^th through Friday, September 26^th, 2014.  Mayor Parker and I will officially announce the program to the public during her press conference on Wednesday, September 10^th. 

Campaign Promotional Materials

All locations will receive an array of promotional materials beginning Monday, September 8^th.  Materials will include bookmarks, brochures, flyers, campaign buttons, posters, and Library Card FAQ’s.   

Location managers should be on the lookout for a more detailed message about these items from Greg Simpson later this week.

Here is a reminder of the four MY Link Campaign Goals:

1. To widely promote HPL’s resources, services and programs to every member of the community, taking every opportunity to share the advantages of this free card

2. To get the MY Link Card into the hands of every student

3. To replace existing HPL cards with the new MY LINK card with the H-E-B logo

4. To increase the number of cardholders to 1 million by the end of FY15.

It is going to take all of us working together make this campaign a success!  The campaign presents us with a great opportunity to make Houstonians aware of the wide array of resources, services and programs we offer our community!

I look forward to celebrating with you as we kick off next week!

I Have MY Link…Do You Have Yours?

Best Regards,

Dr. Lawson