Talking Points - HPL Schedule changes – May 2019

HPL Schedule changes – May 2019 

Talking Points  

• Current staffing levels and funding have unfortunately required that we make some very difficult decisions in terms of service hours at our library locations.  
• We realize that our service hours will not meet the needs of every customer, but 
• we hope to provide service hours that can best meet the needs of our community and;  

• provide geographically dispersed access to library services across the city.   
• Twenty-two of our locations will be open on Saturday, with our larger locations such as the Central Library, Collier, Henington-Alief, McGovern-Stella Link and Park Place, being open for a full day on Saturdays.  
• Most locations will offer late hours at least once a week.   
• We are happy to hear from you because it is proof that people care about their library and benefit from the services it provides.   
• Your feedback is important to us as we actively monitor and assess the impact of these changes over the next upcoming months.   

  

Central Closed on Mondays - Why are we still answering the phone? 

• Telephone Reference provides service to the Houston Public Library System 
• The service is separate from operating hours of the Central library 
• It is available for our customers when locations are open. 

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AARP Tax Help is Full...No more appointments

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Lost Master KEY, Central Library

There’s a master key that’s lost/misplaced from a Security Guard at Central.  Please be on the lookout for a “BEST” key and to be aware of any non-employees in areas where they should not be…as they always. Reported by Quin Harris, from GSD Security Manager.

Best regards,

Maria

Maria G. Garcia

Houston Public Library

Chief of Central Services Office

500 McKinney St.

Houston, TX  77002

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National Library Workers Day 2019

Greetings!

In celebration of National Library Workers Day, we will be providing lunch boxes from Jason's Deli on Thursday, April 11, 2019. 

Unless noted, sandwiches are prepared with lettuce and tomato, and each box comes with chips (150 cal), pickle (5 cal) and a choice of a fresh baked cookie or a fudge-nut brownie. Napkin and condiments included.  There are vegetarian and gluten-free options. 

Make one sandwich selection with the choices provided:  https://forms.gle/S4Qq4gguY9VCL3eA9

 **RESPOND BY MONDAY, APRIL 8** THE ORDER WILL BE PLACED ON TUESDAY

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NEW PROCEDURES FOR CALL SLIP

New Procedures for Call Slips

·        Call Slips will be used for items on 5^th and 6^th floors ONLY

o   CLST will continue to process those requests as usual

·        All desks can place Call Slips for material requests on 5^th and 6^th floor

·        CREF will process requests for 3^rd and 4^th floors

o   The call slip system WILL NOT be used for these materials

o   Customers should be referred to 2^nd floor for assistance with 3^rd and 4^th floor materials

§  Materials will be pulled and handed directly to the customer.

·         Avoid placing holds, wraps, etc.

o   The customer will be directed to the Lobby to check out the materials      

·         KIDS & TEENS REQUESTS:

o    2^nd floor staff will Vocera CYOU staff on 4^th floor that is off desk so they can do the shelf checks and bring the materials down.

§  This process may require putting the customer on the phone with CYOU staff so they may conduct a reference interview

§  CYOU staff will not available all the time. Check the schedule – See next section

·         THIRD FLOOR REQUESTS:

o   2^nd floor staff will go to the 3^rd floor to pull materials for customers

§  Everyone scheduled on 2^nd floor will be expected to assist (one person at a time), including the balcony person

§  If the balcony person is the one pulling materials, upon arriving to 3^rd floor, warn the balcony person to also keep an eye on the stairs

o   If CYOU staff is not available, 2^nd floor staff will also have to go to 4^th floor to pull materials

§  You can ask the 4^th floor Hall Staff to find/select the materials for you if you are unsure of what to get (Subject or more complex requests)

§  You will then take their place as “Hall monitor”

·         1^st & 2^nd FLOOR REQUEST:

o   If customers need materials from 2^nd floor DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY send customers there. See below

§  Customers who are looking for items found on 1^st and 2^nd floor should be provided a call number and directed to the area

§  If you are able to walk to the area with the customer, do so

§  If you are not, let them know to go the nearest desk for assistance or flag a staff member on the floor

§  DO NOT PLACE A CALL SLIP FOR 1^ST AND 2^ND FLOOR ITEMS

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Tax Forms and AARP

**TAX FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY**

Hello all,

AARP tax help starts at Central on Saturday, February 2nd, 2019 and ends on Monday, April 15th, 2019.

They will be here on:

Saturdays from 10:00 - 2:00 pm. 

Mondays & Thursdays from 2:00 - 6:00 pm.

The schedule for branches is not available yet. Here is the link to the Tax Help Resources site: http://houstonlibrary.org/find-it/tax-resources

Thank you.

RH

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3rd and 4th Floors to Remain Closed until the end of January (as of now)

The 3rd and 4th floors will remain closed for the next 3 weeks.  LMS is providing 20 book trucks by the end of this week so we may start putting the CYOU collection in order.  On Friday morning, instead of the meeting, we will rough sort books; then fine sort and then shelve on a temporary place.  We need to get the books off the floor in KIDS and Program Place.  As temporary shelves, Sylvia has suggested that we use the top of the short shelves, as well as the book trucks.  On Saturday morning, unless a duty is deemed essential, everyone is expected to assist with getting the collection in order.  I will work with schedulers to see how we can best accomplish this task next week, if needed.  In this manner not only can we can find materials and fill holds more efficiently, but also be ready when the room re-opens. Thanks! Paty

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3rd and 4th Floors to Remain Closed today

3rd and 4th Floors to Remain Closed today 1/9/2019 The 3rd and 4th floors will remain closed today.  This afternoon we should get more details as to when we will open the floors. Thanks! Paty

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Global Entry is affected by shutdown

While we have not been directly given any information, the notice provided on the Customs and Border Patrol website (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry) indicates that Global Entry is affected by the government shutdown. They are not processing transactions or responding to inquiries, so it seems safe to assume they will not be honoring appointments until the shutdown is over.

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3rd & 4th Floors CLOSED TO PUBLIC - Procedures

The 3rd and 4th Floors will remain closed through Tuesday, January 8, 2019.  On Tuesday afternoon, ELT will decide based on the remediation work done by Cotton, when the floors will re-open. 

We have instituted some changes to address access restrictions to the 3rd and 4th floors.  You will no longer have to ride the elevators, instead staff will be strategically stationed as follows:

-1 person on the 2nd Floor balcony to monitor the stairs leading to 3rd floor*

-1 person on the 3rd Floor balcony to  monitor the McKinney and Center elevators.  The person must be positioned strategically in order to see both elevators. Be vigilant and do not get distracted.*

-2 people on the 4th Floor hallways: 1 will be monitoring the McKinney side elevator; the other the Center elevator.  Please do not attempt to do this with one person as it is impossible to see both elevators from one vantage point.  Remember that doors to closets, Office spaces, and Program Place are wide open and would allow customers to roam.*

*DO NOT LEAVE YOUR POSTS UNTIL YOU ARE RELIEVED BY THE NEXT STAFF MEMBER!!   Maria will be in from 10 to 5 and she can help you strategize moving from post to post.

Customers that need to use a baby changing table do not need to be escorted to 4th floor, ask them to take the elevator to 4th floor and the hallway "monitors" will direct them further. Make sure to direct them back to the open floors once the baby is changed.  Supervisors, please make sure the bathrooms doors are unlocked (KIDS should have a key to unlock the women's restroom).

Monica Quintanilla has or will put Kids books on the Monthly Themed Book wedding cake display on first floor. She will also leave a cart with additional books for browsing. There is a story time scheduled for this morning. If customers come in for the program, please direct them to the 2nd floor, Monica will hold an activity for the kids there, if needed.

Please pass this information on to your co-workers or ask them to read their email.   Is someone could post this on the blogs, it would be highly appreciated.

Thank you for all the work you are doing, the excellent teamwork and willingness to think outside the box!

Paty  

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