MY Link Card

Hello Customers, come on in to your nearest Houston Public Library location

We have the power to link people to the world just by filling out an application

Just present a current Texas Driver’s License or even a valid photo ID

And once we have verified your address, then HPL will more than happily

Issue you one of our new HEB MY Link Cards to get you started real quick

It’s made in wallet-size with a key chain attachment size; convenience at your fingertips

And with it you can check out items and readily have access to our many online databases

That can open you up to a world of knowledge and opportunity that truly amazes

You can research your genealogy, job search, learn a new language and even access Brainfuse

You can download e-books, audio books, Freegal Music and videos

through Hoopla, you choose

And let’s not forget about Comics Plus for you graphic novel readers

also available, in the HPL app!

Wow! Can you believe all of the possibilities you have with just one library card? You can’t beat that!

So come on by and get linked up because HPL wants to support you in making your future totally awesome!

And none of this would be possible without our sponsor HEB and the Director of HPL, Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson.

The MY Link card is your vehicle to broaden your horizon as you explore

I have MY Link……….Do YOU have yours?

By: Debra S. Davis

Scenic Woods Regional Library

Checking in Floats and New Items

Please share these reminders with everyone it your unit who may not be on this email distribution list -

1) Every unit should be checking in all received Float items *daily* along with your other Delivery items so that the items' locations get updated in Sirsi.

This is important so that, in the event that those items have holds, they don't end up on the sending locations' paging lists getting marked missing when they do holds paging lists, causing the customers to wait longer to get their requests.

2) We’ve been noticing a spate of recently received new books still being 'shipped' status long after other system copies have been received and are circulating.  When we call units for shelfchecks to verify the items' arrival, they are being found on the shelf.  Please be careful to check in all new books as they arrive.  

 This is a particular issue as more and more items are being ordered as FLT copies - if they aren't checked in at the receiving units upon arrival there is NO WAY to tell what building they may be in.  They will also never show up on holds paging lists.

Thanks,

~Sara Karow on behalf of the whole Collection Development Team

Good news! The deadline for ordering CMC tote bags and T-shirts has been extended!

If you would like to place an order, please let Sara Pope know what size you would like, and how many. See attached form for prices. Money is now due to Sara Pope at Acres Homes by Thursday, September 18^th.

The t-shirts are white with the rocket logo on them

Scenic Woods' Staff in Red 

Promoting 

 My Link Card Sign -up 

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!