As a reminder, create a Static QR code for programs and a dynamic QR code for services and products. Dynamic QR codes are trackable and the codes can be changed. Also as a reminder, the instructions are saved on the Staff Intranet under Instructions.
Author: Michelle Filleul
Adult Book Club Books
Adult Book Clubs will return in September. Studio 64 is an RPL book group, and Fact or Fiction is patron-facilitated but we help them with getting books and promotion.
At Andrea’s direction, these will be displayed for patrons on the pedestals in front of the Borrower Services desk, next to other reader advisory items and Friends Speaker Series titles.
Please point patrons to this area, or send them to Reference if they have questions.
Thank you!
Library of Things Cabinets
The Library of Things collection have all been moved to the main floor. Whohooo! The majority of the collection has been added to the cabinets/shelving and the larger, more valuable items are still being stored behind Borrower Services. The updated location list hangs on the LoT tall cabinet door behind the desk.
Here are the directions for the public to borrow items from the LoT collection.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Newspaper Box by Printers
With the arrival of the new Library of Things storage, a few of us noticed that the newspaper and magazine bins for patrons were blocking easy access for people who use wheels to move around the library. We have moved one of the boxes in between the shelves for holds and turned the other one around so it doesn’t stick out so much. Please do not move the one between the shelves back!
Aspen vs. Evergreen
You’ve probably heard about our new public catalog interface, Aspen, which is in “soft launch” right now, and will go live in September. In a nutshell, it is a software layer that sits on top of our Evergreen database. Staff searching and other functions in Evergreen are not affected, it’s strictly on the public-facing (OPAC) side.
The benefits to the patrons are:
- better and more flexible searching
- the ability to search and checkout Libby and Hoopla items without leaving the catalog
- it’s much prettier!
Put it through its paces and let me know what you find–feel free to try and break it so we can report back to NOBLE! The list-making function is not enabled yet, but otherwise it should be fully operational.
What to do with your great program photos
If you take photos at your programs that can be used in future social media, newsletter, or for other promotion – you can upload them to a dedicated folder on our shared staff drive! The trail is: Reading Public Library Staff>Photos & Graphics for PR…
Folders are set up by year and month. When you upload your photos please label them with the program name. You can create a folder within the month to drop them in as well – that helps keep things organized. For example, in June’s folder Lucy set up a folder for Summer Sizzler photos (thank you!). It doesn’t matter if it’s a big program like Sizzlers, feel free to use this spot for just a few photos as well.
You’ll also see a folder called Staff & Museum Photos – if you’re out and about enjoying a museum pass and you’d like to share the experience – add the photos there (please label them). These can be used that’s for Librarians in the Wild posts or in the newsletter.
Any questions, suggestions? Let me know.
Communication Working Group: RPL Style Guide
A new RPL Style Guide is now available – linked under the Instructions tab>Communications. If you create print materials to promote our events, services, and operations please take some time to become familiar with it.
The Guide is a tool to help make our external (and internal) communication clear, concise, and accessible. You’ll find tips on
- logo use: RPL and external organizations
- accessbility: font, reading level, color contrast
- tone
- current social media post sizes/formats
Plus a handy A to Z list of recommended RPL-specific terms.
Thanks very much to staff on the Communications Working Group who worked on this: Keri, Kath, Meghan M., Rebecca, and Michelle. We’ll review the guide twice a year to keep it up-to-date and welcome suggestions for additions and questions.
Happy Communicating!
Tracking Outreach Events
Please complete the attached form for any outreach events that you have organized or participated in. These events can be big or small. It will be available on the staff intranet under forms.
For instance, Friends and Family Day, taking the Book Bike to Memorial Park, Arts Fest, the Reading Garden Club Sale, or even smaller events, such as visiting schools or the lemonade stands at Peter Sanborn, etc.
IT issues and new IT ticketing system
Town IT has a new ticketing system, please use this email: ITSupport@readingma.gov and CC Michelle on it.
Please make sure to inform Michelle about any of the following tech issues. If I don’t know about them, I won’t be able to address them.
TBS/Printing/Copying issues:
(weekday)-inform Michelle. (weekend/evenings) Call: 630-537-1370 or email: Helpdesk@tbsit360.com cc Michelle
App Issues: Send issues to: support@communico.co cc Michelle
Meeting Room AV issues: Inform Michelle/IT
Buildling Alarm Information
Opening or Closing the building? Here are instruction on how to use the four-digit code assigned to you by Facilities
OPENING
- Enter through the main entrance of the library and go straight ahead to the white alarm panel
- Enter your four digit code followed by “1” (e.g. 00001)
- The panel should say “Disarmed”
CLOSING
- Make sure all emergency doors, staff room doors (includng Administration) are shut. You cannot set the alarm if any of these are open.
- Go to the whit alarm box in the entryway vestibule
- Enter your four digit code folled by “2” (e.g. 00002)
- The panel should say “Away” or “System Armed”
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SET OFF THE ALARM
What happens if you accidentally set off the building alarm when you arrive in the morning?? First, don’t panic. The alarm automatically calls the police department and a custodian. Employees should just wait and explain the error to those who respond.
If you have/know your building code, try entering your code followed by “1” at either the the main security alarm keypad is in the entryway vestibule or at the secondary key pad is located at the Borrower Services Desk.
All alarms should be resolved by the police department and custodians. Even mistakes. They keep logs, stats, etc.
If you don’t know your building code, please reach out to your Department or Division Head.