Big(ger) Kindle News

Greetings all,

Really big news just came out that will undoubtedly impact libraries significantly.

Amazon announced today that they will be releasing a whole series of new Kindles. There will be a Kindle Fire tablet that will compete with iPad for $199. There will be three new e-Ink readers: 1) a Kindle non-touch version for $79; 2) Kindle Touch version for $99; and 3) Kindle Touch 3G for $149.

Here is some early information on this: http://is.gd/Hj3AnU

I assume there will be a lot more information out there on this shortly.

Given that we now have Kindle content via Overdrive (and it is very easy to use), this will mean a huge increase in customers asking questions about and wanting e-books. As such, I will be adding a 15-20 minute demonstration of accessing Kindle books via Overdrive at all of my Monday morning meetings with staff. Stay tuned for more information and locations of those meetings.

In the meantime, take a quick look at the basic information page at Overdrive:

http://is.gd/sGcb3d

Even if you do not have access to a Kindle, you can go through the process and send the book to the Kindle Cloud Reader, which is a web app that allows you to read Kindle books instantly online. It does require an Amazon.com account but does not require that it be attached to any form of payment.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this.

Thanks,

Mike VC

Online Survey (9/12 to 9/24)

From Monday, September 12^th through Saturday, September 24^th, HPL will be conducting an online survey to collect information about how our customers use the Library’s computers and internet connection, and how this service makes a difference in their lives. This information will help us evaluate our current services and to communicate the value of public access computing. We believe this information will be helpful as we continue to develop our virtual/digital services, as well as provide good information for our access and training efforts provided through WeCAN.

We need your help with getting the word out to our customers, and possibly answering questions about the survey.

· Customers will be encouraged to take the survey through buttons and other messages located on our website.

· The survey takes 10-15 minutes to complete, is completely anonymous, and is available in English and Spanish.

· The time to take the survey is part of the 1 hour that customers get through the computer reservation process.

· The survey can be taken from any computer, as long as customers access our website.

· Each location will receive flyers promoting the survey - 5 color flyers for posting, and black and white flyers for customers to take with them. We expect these to arrive at your locations beginning Friday.

o Managers – Please make sure one color flyer is posted at your Service Desk(s) using an 8 ½ x 11 acrylic holder

o Staff Members – at checkout, please ask customers if they have taken the survey, and provide them with a black and white flyer if they haven’t.

§ Let them know that we are looking for their input about how our electronic services make a difference in their lives.

For more information about the survey, and to access a copy of the survey questions, please visit the HPL intranet site at: https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/library-survey.html.

I apologize for the short notice. The opportunity to participate in the survey was made available to us about a week ago. To participate, we had to launch the survey no later than September 12^th.

Thank you for your help in making this survey as success! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kronos Quick Time Stamp

Message from the Kronos Team:

After you have logged in and familiarized yourself with Kronos’ functionality, you can use this separate link for Quick Punches. This link does not provide all of the capabilities of the self service, but it is a shortcut to perform simple punches quickly and easily. If you are experiencing slow response time from the regular link, you may find this link helpful. This is for your convenience only; it is not required.

https://coh.kronoshosting.com/wfc/applications/wtk/html/ess/quick-ts.jsp

Save this link to your favorites or desktop.

Shammi

KRONOS - Begins 8.20.11

HPL will begin using the Kronos timekeeping system tomorrow. This means that all non-exempt staff will need to clock in and out using the system in order to get paid.
In addition, non-exempt staff will also need to clock in and out for lunch breaks.

As a reminder, the address to log on to Kronos is: https://coh.kronoshosting.com/wfc/logon

We have placed resources, including a user guide, a training PowerPoint, and a cheat sheet for supervisors, here on the Neighborhood Libraries Blog. This information is at the top of the column on the right-hand side of the blog.

We will be sharing additional information as we learn more about questions and issues that emerge during our first week of Kronos. Please do not hesitate to contact me, your supervisor, or any team leader with any questions or issues you may encounter as we make this transition.

FY11 & FY12 Hours

Please click here to view a comparison of FY 11 and FY 12 hours.

Please click here to see a map of locations & new hours.

please click here for HPL location guide.

Kronos Training

From: Kronos Project Team
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2011 11:41 AM
Subject: Kronos Manager Training

Greetings, Supervisors and Managers:

Kronos training sessions for all Managers/Supervisors within the Health, Fleet, Housing, and Library Departments are being added to the training schedule. The first set of available sessions will be offered Monday, July 25, 2011 thru July 29, 2011, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. If your schedule allows, please sign up for this week's sessions and do not wait until the last minute to attend as classes fill up quickly and may not be available.

The following subjects will be covered:
• A.P. 2-4 Electronic Timekeeping Policies and Procedures
• Managing Timecards and Schedules
• Time Stamp Employee Course Guide
• Common Tasks for Clock Employees

This is a six (6) hour mandatory class with approximately 24 seats available each day. Training will be conducted at the E.B. Cape Center. Classes will begin promptly at 9:00 am.

Please use the LMS to register by logging in to the system at http://lms.coh.gov and search for "Kronos". Please be sure you are registering for the titled class "Kronos, Managing Timecards and Schedules."

**Attached are the registration instructions. If you are unable to attend a training class after you have registered, you must cancel that registration and re-register for another date.

Please note that you must access the LMS through a computer connected to the City of Houston network. It does not work from outside networks.

Sincerely,
The Kronos Team


Project Team
ATAS Kronos Project
Kronos@houstontx.gov

Time & Attendance SharePoint Site

Door Count 7/17/11 - 7/23/11

Hello Managers,

As we approach the busy summer season, I wanted to remind you of the July Door Count dates: Sunday, July 17th – Saturday, July 23rd.

I will be sending out reminder emails and notification that your Door Count templates are ready on the G drive closer to the date.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me!


Ann Otto
Planning and Evaluation Coordinator
Houston Public Library
(832) 393-1437