Another opportunity to "just say yes!"

Good afternoon everyone.  I have another exciting opportunity for HPL frontline and support staff to get involved with the Library Card Campaign! 

During the road show I heard the following message loud and clear – we need to do more advertising and really get the word out about all the great things the Library has to offer the community for free.  We should be on TV!

Well, we agree, and on Friday morning (9/12) Dr. Lawson will be a guest on “Great Day Houston” to talk about the new MY LINK Library Card Campaign!

OPPORTUNITY –> We need 30-40 staff members (still waiting to hear back exactly how many tickets we’ll have) decked out in their HPL red shirts to help fill the audience. You’d need to be in the studio from 8-10 am, and the goal is to have all staff back at work by 10:30/10:45 at the latest.  You can do this on work time, but only if you are already scheduled to work during that time.  Unfortunately we cannot offer overtime pay for this. So if you’re scheduled to work on Friday morning from 8-10 am and you want to be a part of this opportunity, you need to first get permission from your supervisor. Once you have secured permission please send me a reply to this email ASAP letting me know you’re ready, willing and able to be an enthusiastic audience member on Friday morning.  We are attempting to secure some vans from Fleet so we can do a few carpools, but you’ll need to be willing to use your own car if necessary.

Please note that I need to hear from you via email by the end of business today if you are interested!  If we have more than 30-40 staff who are interested we’ll do a random drawing and pick names.

Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you no later than the end of business today.

Michele

Michele Gorman

Deputy Director of Customer Experience

New Cards and Amnesty Information

Hello all.

Beginning tomorrow (September 10^th) and running through September 26^th , accounts not in collection are eligible to have up to $24.99 in overdue fines forgiven when the customer exchanges his/her current library card for the new My Link – Powered by HEB library card.  Additionally, from tomorrow through September 26^th, overdue fines will be automatically forgiven on all overdue items returned and checked in on the HPL Symphony system. 

To find out more about the amnesty, check out the Overdue Fines Tutorial Video (https://sites.google.com/site/hplstafftraining/amnesty) on the HPL Staff Training Portal.  The video will not only explain which fines/fees are eligible to be forgiven, it will also provide instruction regarding how to remove eligible charges from accounts when customers get the new My Link – Powered by HEB library card.  Additionally, an Amnesty Program FAQ is available on HPLnet at https://hplnet.hpl.lib.tx.us/images/staff-amnesty-faq.pdf.  The FAQ provides answers and direction for anticipated questions regarding eligible fines, fees and accounts.

Finally, remember that you will need to use the User Lost Card wizard under the Special wizard groups in Symphony Circulation to issue new cards, then assign a new expiration date (most easily done with the Renew Privilege wizard).  Only the User Lost Card wizard can accurately update the account with the new card number and block the previous card number from further use.  Refer to the tutorial video for replacing a lost card to review how to use the wizard (https://sites.google.com/site/hplstafftraining/learningresources/libraryfunctions/replace-a-card).

Of course, if you have any questions or concerns regarding how to apply the amnesty or replace a customer’s card, don’t hesitate to contact Circulation Administration at 832-393-2222 (choose option 3) or at circinfo@hpl.lib.tx.us.  We will be delighted to help you in any way we are able.

Thanks, and have a great day.

Fred Schumacher

Circulation Administration Manager

New Displays Advertising HPL Services 

at Scenic Woods

Completed by Kim Gibson

completed by Yvonne Hitchens & Chrishelle Gilford

Great job!

Central/Security Issues

Team –

Due to some security issues, we will limit access to the staff column elevator at the Central library.  The change will limit access to the 6^th floor to only those who specifically work in IT. All employees that need to access the 6^th floor will need to use the public elevators. Also, as an important reminder, please make sure not to swipe people up or give access to anyone that should not be on the 6^th floor or in the IT area. 

This 6^th floor access change will become effective starting on Monday, August 11.  If you have any issues or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email or by phone. Thank you for your understanding.

Regards

Roosevelt Weeks

Deputy Director of Library Administration

Dear HPL Team,

As a reminder, the Houston Employee Assessment and Review (HEAR) season is upon us. I want to thank everyone for their efforts and contributions in FY14. We had a successful year!

Looking ahead to FY15 I want to remind all of you that the HEAR Plans we prepare now are critically important to our future success. I want to share with you some reminders about establishing HEAR Plans.

·       HEAR Plans must set clear expectations for employees

·       HEAR Plans must be prepared and discussed with employees for clear understanding

·       HEAR Plans must establish Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based (SMART)goals and objectives

·       HEAR Plan goals must align with HPL priorities

Most importantly, we need to understand the definitions of our HEAR rating system:

Exceptional (5):  The employee consistently achieves performance objectives above-and-beyond the standard. Their work performance is exemplary and provides major contributions to the work unit. The individual is seen as a role model or expert.

Meets Expectations (4):  The employee consistently exceeds performance expectations. Work performance surpasses standard expectations for others in the job.

Meets Expectations (3):  The employee meets and achieves performance expectations in a satisfactory manner. Overall performance reflects ongoing achievements and improvements.

Below Expectations (2):  The employee does not fully meet performance expectations. They show a need for improvement in training and additional effort.

Needs Improvement (1):  The employee does not meet performance expectations. Overall performance is unacceptable.

**In addition to these definitions I’m asking all managers to provide specific examples related to your area for each of the definitions above, so your team members will have a better understanding of their meaning.

I have asked the ELT member responsible for your areas to ensure all HPL Team members have a clear understanding of the HEAR process, the meanings of ratings 1-5 and expectations for performance.    

Please let me know if you have questions. Thank you for your cooperation and I look forward to another great year!

Sincerely,

Rhea Brown Lawson

Rhea Brown Lawson, PhD, Director
Houston Public Library
500 McKinney| Houston, Texas  77002

832-393-1300  

Hello, HPL!

Mayor Annise Parker announced today that smoking and the use of other tobacco products will be banned at all Houston Public Library and Houston Parks and Recreation Department properties.  This new policy will build upon existing City regulations banning smoking indoors, and is an expansion of action taken previously by the Houston Department of Health and Human Services.

For HPL, this is a move that continues our efforts to provide library spaces that are safe, healthy, family-friendly and welcoming environments in all communities and for all customers.

Currently, smoking is not permitted inside Library facilities and within 25 feet of any Library entrance. The establishment of No Smoking Zones extends the existing rule to include all HPL premises and mobile units including any plaza, walkway or green space around a Library building. Today’s announcement designates all HPL locations and mobile units as No Smoking Zones.

For HPL, the No Smoking Zone rule goes into effect on Thursday, July 24, 2014 at our downtown properties -  the Central Library and the Julia Ideson Building.  Signs will go up on the downtown properties tomorrow. All other HPL properties will become smoke and tobacco-free by Tuesday, September 2, 2014 (the day after Labor Day).  Signage announcing the change to our customers will be posted as required by City ordinance, during the month of August.

Customers and staff who wish to smoke should move to areas off of library premises, which in most cases is the sidewalk portion of the property.

HPL staff are asked to enforce this smoking ban in the same manner as any other rule – upon seeing someone smoking, the customer should be asked to extinguish the product or leave the property. If the customer refuses, he or she will be subject to suspension from HPL premises, following existing policies and procedures.  

Please note that I do not expect you to go outside the building and confront a customer or staff member who is in violation of this rule.  Instead, I would encourage you to mention the rule to the customer or staff member when they return to the building, so that they can abide by the rule in future visits. 

Additionally, the posting of signage on our properties will allow HPD to issue a citation if they see someone violating the no smoking ban. Your supervisors will be speaking with you about this new rule and will be available to answer questions you may have about this important change. 

Thank you for your continued commitment to help make our libraries safe, healthy, family friendly spaces. And thank you for providing services to our customers  with a smile,  respect, and professionalism. 

Best Regards,

Rhea Brown Lawson

Rhea Brown Lawson, PhD, Director
Houston Public Library
500 McKinney| Houston, Texas  77002

832-393-1300  

Rhea.Lawson@houstontx.gov 

The Houston Public Library is a vital member of a dynamic and diverse local, national, and global commun

Greetings,

Please note that the “Login To Your Account” link on the library’s website now links to a new page that allows customers to directly login to their library accounts:

This change is a direct result of staff and customer feedback. Please continue to send your suggestions to the Virtual Library team.

Sincerely,

Saima

Saima Kadir

Manager, Virtual Library Services

Information Technology

Houston Public Library

500 McKinney | Houston TX 7700

832.393.1698