ILL Damaged Items

Please check with Tunisia Powell (x31445 or x31447) in Central Services about any ILL damaged items.
Saima

Website Login Issues

If you’re trying to login to the website to enter your events and programs but can’t, please know that we have reported the issue with Captcha to our website vendor and hope to resolve it in a few days. If needed, let Virtual Library staff know if we can assist you with your program entries. 

Please share this with your staff if needed.

Sincerely,

Saima 

Niche Academy Tutorials

We have added Niche Academy Tutorials to the E-books & More page (http://houstonlibrary.org/find-it/e-books-more). Customers can click on the “View Tutorial” link directly below the image carousel to view. These are short, informative videos on various e-book platforms. Other videos are also accessible from Niche Academy by clicking on the "graduation cap" icon on the upper right side. These include Gale, Lynda, Value Line and other online resources. Customers can create their own account and add tutorials. 

Saima

Online Library Card Registration Form | Updates 6/16/17

Both English and Spanish forms now have the SSL certificate, making it secure. This caused a brief accessibility issue yesterday on the catalog/database computer which has been fixed.

Also, from now on  the form will only display for IP addresses inside the US. If someone tries to access it from overseas, they will receive an error message: Online Registration Unavailable - AIP (41.76.196.34) where the 41.76… will be the actual IP address detected. If you are contacted by a legitimate Houston/Texas resident who is overseas and wishes to get a library card, connect them to Circ Admin. This was done to control some nefarious activity that was detected coming from foreign IPs. 

Please contact me if you have any questions. Again, your feedback is much appreciated as it allows us to improve the user experience.
Saima 

KHOU Turn the Page Book Drive

HPL is partnering with KHOU Channel 11 for its annual Turn the Page Book Drive, starting Monday, June 12 – Friday, June 30, 2017.

KHOU has a partnership with Books Between Kids, a local non-profit organization who provides books to children of elementary to middle school age to help them start their own home library. Books Between Kids works with HISD to host book giveaways to 63 elementary schools throughout the school year. The Turn the Page book drive helps supply for the year-round book giveaway.

HPL as partner of this book drive will host a book collection box (campaign-branded with HPL and Star Furniture logos) at 15 locations (see below). The book collection boxes are scheduled to be delivered today, Friday, June 9, 2017.

KHOU has planned for a courier service to pick up the book collections weekly, last day being Friday, June 30, 2017. If your box overflows prior to your scheduled pick-up, please contact the KHOU Community Marketing & PR Specialist, Alexandria Williams.

PARTICIPATING LIBRARY LOCATIONS

Bracewell

Heights

Kendall

Jungman

Looscan

Stella Link

Park Place

Acres Homes

Oak Forest

Stanaker

Carnegie

Collier

Central

Vinson

Smith

Young

Alief

Online Library Card Registration | Update

Catalog/database computers now show a "Registration Location" dropdown menu. Customers can select the location where they are submitting the form. This will provide a better report of library card registrations by location. Note: this change only shows up on the catalog/database computers. All staff computers will still show the name of their location. Customers submitting the form outside the library will not see this change.

Please share with your staff.
Questions? Email me.
Saima

Mobile Hotspots

12 HPL locations have hotspots available for customers to check out! ACR, BLU, CAR, CEN, FLO, JOH, JUN, MAN, MOO, SMI, SWX and YOU. Checkout policies and procedures are available on the Training Portal on the Library Functions page under the Mobile Hotspot section.
Questions, please email Virtual Library Services.
Saima

Online Library Card Registration

Hello again,

Firstly, thank you for the feedback we received from your staff! We have already made some changes based on their questions.

Secondly, while we prepare staff training, an FAQ document has been added to the Training Portal (hover over Learning Resources tab then select Library Functions and look for MyLink Online Library Card): http://training.houstonlibrary.org/library-function

   

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 take place on-site (HPL location) only;

·         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:

o   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 allcharges; 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 cat2 to laptop-yes under the Demographics tab.

Please continue to send your questions and suggestions to Virtual Library Services (hplvirtuallibrary@houstontx.gov).

Please share this information with your staff.

Sincerely,

Saima

#letmelibrarianthatforyou

Looking for your best reference questions! F2F, email, TR, chat, walk up. We are interested in collecting these for a possible blogpost and/or social media use. Send them to Virtual Library.
Thanks,
Saima

Website Update

Web server needs to be restarted for a necessary update at 1:30 PM today. This will take 2-3 minutes. During this time, access to HPL website (houstonlibrary.org) may be slow.
Saima

Online Resources | Outstanding Issues

Digital Strategies staff is working towards resolving issues with Press Display accessibility and Overdrive and Lynda.com slowness. We appreciate your patience and assistance with library customers while we find a solution for these issues.
Saima

Change in IT Help Desk Hours

Hello, Digital Strategies is adjusting help desk hours to assist with providing coverage during peak hours.

Starting Monday, February 20th the Help Desk hours (832-393-1570) will be:
Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-7:00pm (after 7pm, call 713-742-3978)
Friday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, 1pm-5pm

Thanks,

Laurie

JOB SEARCH SEMINARS

To book a seminar for your location(s), please email Celeste Diaz and copy Mary Wagoner.

• CREATING A RESUME/COMPLETING THE APPLICATION: You may have the skills the employer is looking for and never get to the interview if your résumé does not highlight those skills. Develop a professional résumé that will match your skills and experience to the job and employer you are looking for. Most employers will ask you to complete an employment application, even if you have a great résumé. Learn how to complete an application for employment thoroughly, accurately, and neatly.
• CREATING REFERENCES, COVER AND THANK YOU LETTERS: Learn how to create a job reference page, a professional cover letter to accompany your résumé, and to write a thank you letter to employers with whom you’ve interviewed. 
• INTERVIEWING: Get advice on effective interviewing techniques, respond appropriately to common interview questions, and negotiate salary and benefits for your new job. The interview is where jobs are won or lost. Ensure that your chances of getting the job offer are high! 
• EVALUATE YOUR SKILLS and DEVELOP A PLAN: Over 80% of job applicants can’t describe their skills! Can you? This seminar will help you determine your marketable skills, learn to effectively communicate your skills and identify your employment priorities. What is your plan to find your next job? Are you getting the results you want? This seminar will help you identify effective ways to look for a job, create a daily job search schedule, and develop goals for your job search. 
• NETWORKING: Networking is not limited to who you know, it’s learning how to find out about jobs that are not advertised and how to get your foot in the door. Learn to develop a list of contacts that can help you and create a marketing profile to promote your skills and abilities. 
• USING THE INTERNET: Many job seekers spend time on the Internet. Is there really an employer on the other side of the screen? Learn how to use the Internet effectively in your job search and research labor market information to identify occupations that are growing and have openings.
• LANDING THAT FIRST JOB: Many youth will find a first job this year and some will also find their future careers. This workshop is designed to help youth find a first job and learn how to build experience that will launch their careers. 
• REBRANDING YOUR SKILLS: Expand your job search prospects by rebranding your skills. This workshop will teach you to identify the skills you have gained in the past and present them in a way that catches the attention of employers that can move you to a new job or even a new industry. 

Best regards, Mary Wagoner x32711  

On Call Investigator/GSD Security Number: 832-393-8478

Hi, If an employee forgets his or her alarm code; or re-enters the building after setting the alarm, please call the On Call Investigator immediately at 832-393-8478. The employee may be unaware that a false alarm has been activated. Please share this number with staff. Thanks. Mary x32711

iPads for Kids Crayola Kiosk

Standard Operating Procedures:

6.28.16

 

Opening Procedures

1.     Unplug the Kiosk and stow the extension cord. Extension cords are not to be used on the public floor while the library is open since it poses a safety hazard (tripping)

2.     Check to make sure all iPads are on and that the screw at the base of each bracket is in place and stable.

3.     Check against inventory list – GTAG numbers

Closing Procedures

1.     Retrieve extension cord for the iPads for Kids Crayola Kiosk and plug the station in.

2.     Ensure that all iPads are charging properly. The battery life of an iPad Air 2 in constant use is 10 hours.

3.     Check for open apps by pressing the home button twice; close open apps by swiping upwards across the screen.

4.     Wipe iPads with soft microfiber cloth.

5.     Check against inventory list – GTAG numbers

 

When to call the IT Helpdesk

1.     If an iPad is loose in the bracket, please remove it and place it in secured storage. Contact the Helpdesk.

2.     Notifications or updates pop up on the screen.

3.     Customer resets a password.

4.     If an iPad is missing or stolen, please provide the GTAG number.  Immediately, call the police and report the loss/theft.  Provide a description of the iPad and GTAG number.  Call the IT Helpdesk immediately and provide the GTAG number so the tracking device gets triggered. File an incident report.

 

Priority Age Range: As replacements for the Early Literacy Stations, iPads for Kids are intended for Youth users from ages 2 - 8. Priority should be given to customers within this age range. However, if an iPad is not in use, others may use it and should be allowed to do so.

 

Please note: We are encouraging parents/caregivers to remain with their child(ren) and share an iPad.

 If a customer is not a child is between ages 2 and 8 and a child within the age range wishes to use the device, please do the following:

Explain to the youth, teen or adult customer that the intended audience for these devices is between ages 2 - 8.

Please ask the customer to allow the child to play.

Please ask the parent or caregiver to share an iPad with their child(ren) so that other children may play.

 Multiple Users: Please follow the same guidelines that are in place for public computer usage which is the following:

            Explain safety and ADA compliance guidelines.

Explain that two customers may share an iPad and ask the rest of the group to voluntarily step away and redirect them to another iPad, if available.

You may also suggest that they take turns in teams of two.

If no other iPad is available and no one voluntarily steps away, reinforce what was just stated.

If no one will step away, inform the group that they will lose their privilege to play on the iPad for the remainder of the day.

 

Please note: The Notice to All Users already states damaging/ destroying/stealing library property is prohibited.