MONDAY, OCT 29

Due to water shutoff we will open late on Monday, October 29th, at 10am. WE WILL OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND TO STAFF AT 10 AM. We believe that this will allow enough time for the utilities to be hooked up and operational, as required for a public building to be open. Children’s program attendees are being notified. Questions, please let me know. Sheree

EMERGENCY DRAWER

All of the items once contained in the emergency drawer located in the staff work room have been placed in a green container. The container is located on top of the file cabinet next to the Hinckley water. There is another emergency container located in the paper room between the laminator and duplicator.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - PARKING

Good news…. We are moving into Phase 2 of our construction!!!!!! One step closer to a gorgeous new building. Now for the down and dirty….. The new parking lot will be open for the staff and public on Monday morning Oct 22. Patti will change the outside sign in the morning with the simple phrase…. ENTER HERE. Our old east driveway will be open for construction traffic only. Signs will be posted DO NOT ENTER and yes, people will go in but they’ll be stopped with all the trucks in the way. The construction people will begin tearing up the old parking lot on Monday morning which means the front doors will be closed. These door are to remain locked. We are putting a huge sign across the inside doors telling people the doors are closed please use the west side door. Barricades will be up all over the site to prevent patrons from going where they shouldn’t. The west side door is now our entrance so that door has to be unlocked every morning. The east side door must be kept locked and there will be caution tape placed across it. NO ONE IS TO EXIT OR EVEN LOOK OUT THAT DOOR. There will be a deep trench…. 5 ft. or deeper right there. Lastly, staff is to park in the new parking lot, using the western most row that is adjacent to the township office. If you have any questions, please ask Sheree or Sara. This all may be a bit confusing at first but eat chocolate!!!!! As soon as we get this down pat, it’ll change. As always, thanks for your patience, your cooperation but most of all for your support…. Ultimately, we will have a bright and shiny place to work! You are going to love it! Thanks, Sara

IMPORTANT CHANGE WITH THE JUVENILE AWARD BOOKS

THE AWARD BOOKS THAT HAVE “NOMINEES” EACH YEAR WILL ONLY HAVE THE CURRENT YEAR OF NOMINEES KEPT ON THE AWARD SHELF.

THE OLD NOMINEE YEARS WILL STILL HAVE THE LABELS ON THEM BUT WILL GO ON THE REGULAR SHELVES.

THIS INCLUDES: MONARCH, CAUDILL AND BLUESTEM WHICH WOULD HAVE NOMINEES FOR 2013 AND THE WINNERS FOR THE PAST YEARS.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE 10-8-12

IMPORTANT UPDATE RE CONSTRUCTION ISSUES: 1. Wed thru Fri, Oct 10–12 trucks will be bringing in 150 loads of clay each day to fill the back construction area. The trucks will use the east entrance while patrons will be directed to use the west exit/entrance and use the south parking lot. This may get confusing - there will be a safety flagger directing traffic in addition to signs for safety. If you hear of ANY concerns/issues expressed please come directly to Sheree or Sara. 2. The new (striped) parking lot will be complete in mid-Oct. The west entrance will be permanently open for patron entry and parking. 3. STAFF PARKING WILL BE CHANGING SOON. We will notify you when you will no longer be required to park in Woodbine. As of this time, continue to use the Woodbine lot. 4. The full building permit has been received. 5. We will be relocating the mail box, the patron book drop and the postal box soon. They will be placed in permanent locations when the new addition is completed. 6. You will see color stickers being placed on desk tops, chairs, tables, etc. Please DO NOT remove these as they signify what is being reused, retained, etc. As decisions are made, we may have opportunities for staff to acquire items no longer in use. There will not be such a significant amount to proceed with an online auction. 7. We are still scheduled to be closed on Oct. 17. ComEd will start their work on the 16 with the power being shut off on the 17. Sara and Sheree will be the only staff in the building during part of that day for construction workers. 8. In reviewing some items with the architect we realized a savings of approx $20,000. While we would love to purchase everything new our reality is that we have to proceed conservatively and there are changes that can help the budget bottom line. 9. As of Oct. 17, phase 1 of the construction process will be complete! 10. Phase 2 includes the front excavation, demolition of front parking, basement dig-out, concrete walls, etc. to begin on Oct. 22 when ComEd finishes. As the new addition proceeds in phase 2, the walls and dust partitions will go up projected to be in place sometime in December. More details to follow.

Story Time and Wigs&Gigs schedule change

Registration for Story Times and Wiggles & Giggles will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, October 8th. Due to construction, the first session of Story Time will be on Monday, October 22. Also, the Hedgehog Hannah show has been cancelled. Every attempt has been made to inform the community. Signs are up at Old Town Hall. We will be hosting a drop in craft at the Library from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 8th so there is still something for patrons to look forward to. Thanks for keeping our patrons up to date on a couple of changes coming up related to Youth Services! Any questions? Please ask!

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE/CLOSING

1. We will be closed the entire day of Oct 17 as we have confirmation that ComEd will be switching our electrical service. 2. Please plan on working your regular schedule that week except for the 17th. 3. Currently the new parking lot asphalt is being laid and within the next couple of weeks, when this is completed, we will be relocating the patron entrance door and parking lot to the west side. More details and solid dates will be forthcoming. We will have library entrance signs created to help direct patrons. 4. A construction meeting is being held next Monday and we will have a timeline and more details for the phasing process. 5. When Phase 2 construction begins, staff will no longer have to park in Woodbine as a construction fence will encompass the front area of the addition. 6. Please continue to use Woodbine until I send you an official email providing the exact date for the switch. Thanks for being a great team. After Monday’s meeting I hope to give you more details. Questions – come see me or Sara. Sheree

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Dear Staff, As part of the construction project ComEd has to undertake work that will require one or more days of no power to the library. This time period is projected to begin Tuesday, Oct. 16 possibly through Friday, Oct. 19. We hope that this means one day of being closed but it could be up to four days. Important points to note: 1. When ComEd shuts the power down, the library cannot be legally open to public or staff. 2. These closed days are unpaid although you have the option of using personal/vacation time if you choose. 3. Hours closed due to construction cannot be made up. 4. This will not affect the Bookmobile service, it will be up and running. As this forced shutdown is beyond our control and we cannot predetermine if it will be one day closed or more, we will institute the “on call” process. This means that if the work is completed in one day you will be called to reassume the next days scheduled hours. We thank you in advance for your flexibility as we know this will occur at various times in the construction process. We will of course post signs and adjust our phone message to reflect the closing is due to construction work. Thanks for your understanding, this is a challenging time for all of us. Again the targeted date to begin this work is a week from Tuesday, Oct. 16, however we will confirm the exact date via another email. Please cancel or adjust programs that may be affected during that week. Thanks so much, Sheree

Driveway Update

The driveway entrance/exit will switch from the west drive to the east sometime in the middle of next week. The east drive will be gravel and stones. If you'd like to alert the patrons who come in, please do. This change will be in effect for approximately three weeks. At that time, the new expanded main drive will be opened with the new parking lot. Patrons will use this new lot however staff will continue to use Woodbine until we get a better grasp of the lot size and construction machinery.

If you have any questions, please ask and we'll get you the best answer we can. As always, thanks for your support and patience.

MOVING/CHANGES

All medical supplies are now in the bathroom cabinet. Also, any items that were on top of the bathroom cabinet are inside the cabinet. Posterboard and frames are in the back paper room. The menu book and coffee supplies are in the cabinet above the water cooler. Supplies continue to be moved out of the work room. Freebies are located on the work room table. There is also a staff raffle for a Cold Stone gift card.

PENNY WISHING WELL

The Penny Wishing Well is here on loan through October. There are bookmarks in YS/AS/Circ with a penny attached and also jars of pennies. Please pass these out to patrons and encourage use of the Penny Wishing Well!

UPDATE: SCHOOL BOOKS DROPPED OFF HERE

THIS UPDATE IS FROM A MAY 2007 POST.

When a book is dropped here but belongs to a school, fill in the information on the form in the back of the “I.L.L. pulled” notebook.

I added sections to the form so more information can be noted. 

Look the form over.

 

There is a place to note that we received the book and then if it is picked up we must note that also.

NOW WE ALL JUST NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THE FORM IS THERE AND USE IT.




 

MOVING COLLECTIONS / AWARD WINNERS

The Berenstein Bears, Arthur, & Clifford series are all now on their regular shelves instead of on a shelf by the Award Books in the Children's room.

The Award Books should only have the past Winner and the Nominee for the next year.  (Caudill, Bluestem, Monarch
2013 Nominees currently.)

NOTE:  Stickers for past Nominees are still on the books that didn't win for their year.

MOVED STUFF TODAY

The paper cabinet is now next to the copiers.  All the paper is in there.

The table that was between the copiers is now next to the hold shelf.  Later the Circ Printer will be put up on it.

The fax machine is on a small typing table so it is lower but in the same spot.  The "receipt" paper is in the large drawer on the window wall at Circ.

LAST DAY FOR VOTER'S REGISTRATION

The last day to take registrations for voting in the November 6^th General Election is Tuesday, October 9^th.

 

All registrations you take on or before October 9^th must be returned to the County Clerk’s office NO LATER than Thursday, October 11^th, either by mail or in person.  Registration will re-open on Thursday, November 8^th.  

Incomplete registration applications will be returned to the registrar.  Please go over each application very carefully prior to submitting it to the County Clerk.  Applications missing birthdates, ID numbers, naturalization information or signatures cannot be processed.

If someone should fail to meet the registration deadline of October 9^th, they still have another option called Grace Period.  However, this will require them to vote on the same day you register.  Grace Period Voting runs from October 10^th through November 3^rd and is only available at the Will County Clerk’s Office.

 

COLD WATER ONLY

On Monday NICOR is to come and change the service for the gas. 
This ONLY means that there may not be hot water for a bit.

Wishing Well

Someone will be dropping off a wishing well for the library. Please have them place it in the meeting room.

RECEIPTS FOR BABYSITTING CLASSES

We have 2 babysitting classes coming up that have fees of $20.

One is in Sept. and one in Nov.

 

There is a receipt book in the drawer in the northwest corner of the circ desk.  

 

I put an example page of what needs to be filled out and what to do with the receipts.

 

The receipt book has three colors (3 copies)

1. white for patron
2. yellow to be put in the folder by the cash register
3. pink stays in the book.

 

Youth Services will pick up the yellow copy of the receipts from the folder by cash register.

The money collected goes into the cash register as PROGRAM. (cash or check)

 

 

Responding to Patrons

There have been several patrons asking about the log cabin and train table. Please feel free to note that the table and house were exciting additions that were added to the library several years ago and will be replaced with fun and exciting new things in the newly remodeled space. We appreciate them using the library and they will see many neat changes coming forward. 

Patron input is always appreciated so you can always offer them to write a comment card. Things will be shifted as space constraints occur, so we appreciate their patience. J

DVD ARE BEING LEFT IN THEIR CASES-- UPDATE

PROJECT IS DONE EXCEPT FOR DOUBLE CHECKING THE DRAWER.  SEE THE NOTE ABOVE THE DVD CABINET

SORRY ABOUT THE DELAYED POSTING--STARTED 8/16/12

DIRECTIONS are posted on the DVD cabinet in workroom.

READ THEM AND ASK IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION!

A Green card will be put in the White Envelope in the Cabinet in the Workroom to indicate that the item had been accounted for at the last Check In or Check Out 

There is also a check off sheet if you have time to work on sections from the Wood Display case.

Sunday Hours

The decision has been made to remain closed (during construction) and not resume Sunday hours. There were several immediate considerations. It is quite apparent that the front phase of construction will be more complicated than the current site-work. As Sundays are not typical days that residents would plan to use the library, we will remain closed. Regular library usage is dropping due to the confusion of the entry and drives that have to be changed to accommodate construction work, so given all that, the decision to remain closed is quite logical. We will post notice of neighboring library’s Sunday hours and that we plan to reopen Sundays next year in an expanded facility. I feel confident that our customers will understand this decision due to the ongoing construction upheaval. Staff will continue to work their summer schedule of hours. I wanted to alert staff to this change as soon as possible. Please see Sara or Sheree if you have any questions. Lastly, please remain positive to customers as we bring forward a bright and expanded new library space.

60 seconds with Sheree Aug 15

1. As we have construction work done there will be times that will require late openings or possibly some closings, as they work on electrical etc. We will not be able to be open to the public or staffed during certain times. They will give us as much notice as possible, and in turn, we will give staff as much notice as possible. You are able to use your personal or vacation time if you want to receive pay otherwise closed times will be without pay. We hope these times will be limited. 2. Soon they will begin the front phase of construction. All plantings are available to staff to remove AFTER HOURS not during any time the library is open. When construction begins plantings will be part of the demolition and are not able to be saved. When front construction begins there will be no opportunity for you to dig anything up due to safety issues. 3. Until further notice, staff may wear jeans with a nice top. 4. New nametags are here. You are required to wear one at all times when at work. If you have any questions, please see me or Sara. Thanks everyone! Stay positive for our patrons and each other. Sheree

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE AUG 14

NEW CHANGES - - - IMPORTANT! Due to the utility work being done at the EAST DRIVE any staff working the evening shift will be allowed to park in the library parking lot. Please park on the east end of the lot. We will notify you when you need to resume parking at Woodbine. THIS APPLIES TO EVENING SHIFT ONLY. Staff working during the day should continue to park at Woodbine. Continue to park north of the black fence - along the fence side only. Staff is permitted to wear neat, clean jeans to work August 13 - 17. We will update staff if this is extended. Also please wear closed-toe (no heel) shoes for your safety. There are some items on the staff work desk marked FREE if you are interested. There are 3 bins of costumes in front of Sara’s desk. These are FREE to staff – help yourself. After Saturday, August 18th they will be offered free to patrons. Alex won the log cabin. Use the FRONT MAIN DOOR for staff entry until further notice. Use your cell phone to call the library for entrance before 8:30 a.m. KEEP CHECKING FOR UPDATES!

Weird Voice Automated Calls

I have been sending notes about the "Weird Voice" on the Automated calls. but they have told me that they need the following information to check on this.    js

Need for each complaint:
Patron barcode
Day called
For a hold pickup or an overdue

THE CDs WILL BE LEFT IN THEIR PLASTIC CASES STARTING TODAY 7/20/2012

DIRECTIONS are posted on the CD cabinet in workroom.

READ THEM AND ASK IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION!

 A White card will be put in the White Envelope in the Cabinet in the Workroom to indicate that the item had been accounted for at the last check in. 

There is also a check off sheet if you have time to work on sections from the Wood Display case.

MOVING & SHIFTING

7/19/2012

• The Polish and Spanish books have been moved to the shelves before the Adult Non-Fiction.

• The Large Print Non-Fiction are at the end of the Adult Non-Fiction.

• The Large Print Fiction have been partially moved to the end of the Adult Non-Fiction and the rest of the Large Print Fiction should be moved by the end of the week.

7/20/2012

• The Adult Fiction Paperback books have been moved to the end of the Large Print Fiction.  (West of where they were.)

Winners-Coloring Contest-Root View Plant Project

The winners of the Root View Plant project coloring contest have been chosen, called and their prizes are on the DVD case in the workroom. The prizes have the winners names on a tag on each gift.

What's Sprouting prize has been won

The prize for "What's Sprouting" is on top of the DVD drawers. The winner, Jaiden, has been phoned. Thank you.

PARKING

We received a partial permit from the Village today, which means construction can start! In anticipation of the construction, staff will park in the Woodbine parking lot beginning Monday, July 9th. Staff should park in the (west facing) spaces along the Woodbine fence. Please do not park south of the fence. When walking over to the library, if you prefer not to cross over in the grass, walk along the Woodbine parking lot to the opening and walk up the library drive. Staff can (ring the bell) and enter through the east door or enter through the front door. The bookmobile can still access the library parking lot Monday. We will get further details regarding the rest of the week. We hope to have more details Monday, and a more definitive start date. If you have any questions, please see Sara. We will do our best to keep everyone posted.

Verifying Patrons

Until July 5th/6th, all patrons have an expiration date of July 31st. If a library calls to verify a patron please state that the patron is in good standing and will expire July 31st. We would like to continue to provide our patrons with excellent customer service and help them obtain their reading materials.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Check the info board in the kitchen and your email for an update from today's staff meeting.

TRAIN TABLE

FYI: The train table in YS has been temporarily removed. We felt that it was unsafe until it can get repaired.

Tuesday, June 26: Bookmobile Info

The last two Bookmobile stops have been cancelled for Tuesday, June 26th. These stops are Creekside & Carriage Manor Estates. The rest of the stops will happen tonight as scheduled.

WI-FI is back UP

The WI-FI has been replaced. 
The patrons can also choose a higher/faster setting if they have a device that is newer.
It would be best to view this on a laptop if you have questions.

PINNACLE LIBRARY ITEMS

Please check in all items belonging to Pinnacle Libraries and return them to the home library.

If we don’t then they won’t come off our Database.  The Pinnacle database may or may not have the information on the checkout.

PATRON EXPIRATION DATE

Lockport Library is giving their patrons a "Forever" due date (100 years) but they plan on checking the patron address each year.

When we have a Reciprocal patron here who needs to be updated just give them 3 years from the date given by Lockport.  We will continue to check their status every three years.

IMPORTANT DATES

NEW PATRONS:
As of Friday, June 29^th libraries should cease adding new patron records.

• We will use partial records for new patrons for this time.  One per family.

 HOLDS: 
From June 30^th to July 6^th holds will be turned off for patrons and staff; no picklist will be generated.  For part of this time the computers will actually be down.

DOWN TIME:

July 2-3 we will be checking out on Sierra’s Offline Circulation product.

• We will NOT be checking in because there is no way to catch holds, fines and other assorted possibilities.

Homer Community Fest & Independence Day Parade

The Township has been told that they can make use of the Libraries Grass area for overflow parking for the Fest that is coming up June 21st through June 24th.
When we are open the parking lot should only be for patron use.

Tutor Lists

We no longer have a tutor list posted. 

This could be a liability issue and indicates that we are endorsing these tutors. 

Patrons should contact their School District to get information on available tutors.

If a teacher wants to be added to "our" list, please direct them to the School districts in Homer Township too.

The School information is on the “Handy Phone Numbers” brochure created by Bonnie.

Homer Community Consolidated District 33C

15733 S. Bell RD    708-226-7600

www.spt02.homerschools.org

Gooding Grove School (K-4)

12914 W 143rd St   708-226-7650

Hadley School   (5-6)

15731 S. Bell Rd.  708-226-7725

Luther J.  Schilling School   (K-4)

708-226-7900

William J. Butler  ( K-4)

1900 Farrell     708-226-5155

Homer Junior High School  (7-8)

15711 S. Bell Rd.   708-226-7800

*******************************************************

Will County School District 92

708 N. State St.    815-838-8031

www.d92.org

Walsh Elementary School  (K-1)

514 MacGregor St.       815-838-7858

Reed Elementary School   (2-3)

14939 W 143rd St         708-301-0692

Ludwig School   (4-5)

701 N. State St             815-838-8020

Oak Prairie Junior High  (6-8)

15161 S. Gougar Rd.     815-836-2724

********************************************************

Lockport Township High School Dist. 205

1323 E. 7th Street   815-588-8100

www.lths.org

Lockport High School – Central Campus

1222 S. Jefferson   Lockport

815-588-8200

Lockport High School – East Campus

1333 E. 7th St. – Lockport

1-815-588-8300

********************************************************

Migration information

July 1 to July 6       

 For items that should be due July 1 to July 6 their due dates automatically be advanced to a week later.

This means that no items will be due those days, fines will not accrue, there will be no picklists. 

Ray Bradbury

Hi books are on display by the "books you may have missed" display.

JUNE 7 - PINNACLE MATERIALS

 IMPORTANT:

PrairieCat sent out a reminder:

Beginning at 8:00 am on Thursday, June 7, no PrairieCat library can perform any transactions on patron records OR item records that belong to Fountaindale, Joliet, Lemont, Plainfield, Shorewood or White Oak.

If someone brings in an item from these libraries, DO NOT check it in, just hold it to the side. If the book has fines, we can't remove the fines or pay them right now, we can do NOTHING with Pinnacle items or patrons. We can figure it out in the later when Jody gets back.

Please thank the patrons for their patience and understanding. Be courteous because they are even more confused than we are.

As always, thanks for all your support.

Sara

PINNACLE POLICY/PROCEDURE

We have clarification on Pinnacle Library Policy and Procedures for borrowers. Currently, none of Pinnacle libraries place any real restrictions on reciprocal borrowers. Obviously, individual library policies may change in the future. However, the Cooperative's goal is to share their materials and honor IL State reciprocal borrowing laws. As of their cooperative going live on Polaris on June 14th, our patrons can be registered as reciprocal borrowers. First, the Pinnacle Library Cooperative members WILL honor reciprocal borrowing for all non-Pinnacle patrons. At this time, there are NO restrictions for reciprocal borrowers at any of their libraries. Our patrons are welcome to make full use of their collections, including new materials. Our patrons should experience no trouble using our library cards at any of their libraries, once the card is registered at a Pinnacle library. Secondly, reciprocal borrowers are WELCOME to place holds in the Pinnacle Catalog. Borrowers will simply have to place their holds in one of their six libraries' catalogs. They may place their hold requests either at a library facility or at home. Individual Pinnacle libraries may request that our patrons pick up the holds only at their facility. Otherwise, our patrons will simply have to pick up their holds at a Pinnacle library. Holds will continue to function as they did in PrairieCat - requests can be placed on on-order records or on items that are checked out. Pinnacle libraries will participate in SHARE Illinois and will participate in OCLC borrowing. They want to be good library neighbors to the libraries that surround them and to all of the libraries in the state of IL. They are willing to lend their materials and hope for reciprocity for their patrons. Please understand that they will not be able to serve our patrons until June 14th, their "Go-Live" date, but then they hope to serve them well. Homer Library is treating Pinnacle patrons with the same respect as they are showing our patrons.

PinnacleLC Final Data Migration

All final PinnacleLC information will be copied out of PrairieCat for their new Polaris system.

On Thursday, June 7, 2012 (All Day)

Ø Do NOT Check In or OUT any items owned by a Pinnacle Library.

Ø Do NOT Check Out to any Pinnacle Library Patron.

Lockport, Romeoville &  Crest Hill / Lemont / Plainfield / Shorewood-Troy / Joliet Main & Black Road

Migration Dates

We know more details now about the key PrairieCat migration milestones for June and July. Our final migration to Innovative will be a rolling schedule, and here are the highlights:

June 1 - 25, 2012: PrairieCat library staff should refrain from adding any new bibliographic, item or authority records to the PrairieCat Symphony database because they will not be migrated to Innovative. Any records you do add, will also need to be added to the Innovative database once we go live for cataloging (double-entry in both Symphony and then Sierra).

June 25, 2012: PrairieCat libraries Go Live on Sierra for cataloging only.

June 22, 2012: PrairieCat libraries Go Live on Sierra for acquisitions (existing acquisitions libraries) and serials.

June 29, 2012: final extraction of the patron database from PrairieCat. Each library will be asked to have added sufficient "blank" user barcodes to Symphony before this date to be able to issue barcodes to new patrons over the few days of the circulation migration. Those user records will then be completed in Sierra after we go live.

July 1, 2012 (after libraries close): final extraction of circulation data from PrairieCat.

July 2 and 3, 2012: PrairieCat libraries on Sierra offline circulation. No holds will be allowed during this period.

Thursday, July 5, 2012: PrairieCat libraries Go Live on Sierra for circulation.

More details about each of these milestones will be shared as we get closer, but this gives you an overview of our final migration process.

MOVED

The Juvenile magazines will be moved to the west wall in the children's room.

There was a mandatory pre-bid meeting on Tuesday, May 15. The Architect provided information pertinent to our construction project. Some of the contractors will be sending sub-contractors i.e. electricians, plumbers, etc. through the building in order to get prepare an accurate bid.

There may be different people walking around and taking notes. Some of these sub-contractors may want to look at the back areas of the library. Please let me know if they ask to come back and if I'm not around please bring them to a manager. Someone will accompany this individual into the staff areas.

Also, we have hired two construction advisers, Norm and Dan Eallonardo. Some staff have been introduced but Norm and Dan are here sporadically so I'm sure most of you haven't met them.
Norm and Dan have free range of the building even the staff areas. I will try to point them out to you when they are here.

As always, if you have questions, please ask me.

Construction Bids

The bid packets are now available for General Contractors. If anyone calls to pick up a packet, please tell them it's available at

Midwest Digital Blueprint
215 East 9th Street, Lockport.
The company phone number is 815-588-0943.

Please do NOT say anything else about the project, give no further information as the State of Illinois considers that "providing insiders information".... very bad in the eyes of the State.

Youth Service EZ Readers Changes

The EZ Readers in the Youth Service department have been tweaked. All reading levels are now interfiled. Popular CHARACTERS have been filed together. Some of the new catagories for easier browsing and shelving are: Super Heroes, Starwars, Barbie, Peanuts, Strawberry Shortcake, Scooby Doo, Lego, Thomas the Tank Engine, the various holidays, Disney, Eloise, Curious George, and Blue's Clues. We hope these changes will make it easier for everyone to find what they want. Also, please keep an eye out for any EZ books with these characters so they may be recataloged/spine labled.

MOVED BOT

All the Adult Audio Books are along the back wall again.

Geek t-shirts and green bags

We will be selling geek t-shirts and a green bag together for $4. The t-shirts are located in the workroom next to the disc cleaner with a tally sheet for sizes on top. Please mark off the size you take so we can keep an inventory of the sizes. The t-shirts in the basket is all that we have. Money collected should go under SALE ITEMS on the cash register.

Amnesty on Fines

APRIL 9-21, 2011

 To celebrate National Library Week the Homer Township Library will offer Amnesty on Fines. 

Our Amnesty will be for 2 weeks so the Bookmobile waive fines too. 

• Fines will be waived on all overdue items belonging to the Homer Township Public Library returned during these weeks. 
• Patrons can discreetly return items in the book drops outside even when the library is closed.
• Late fees up to $20.00 will be forgiven during these weeks.

Amnesty does not apply to lost or damaged items or previously incurred fines.

Kill-A-Watt Meters

We now have 2 Meters for patrons to check out.  They can be used to measure how much electricity home appliances are using.  There are instructions in the "bag".  The meters will be kept at the Circ-Desk and are marked with "Circ-Desk" as the location in the computer.  They are also available for local holds only.
The check out period is 7 days and the fine should be $0.15 per day.  The fine would also max out at $5.00 and they cannot be renewed.

UPDATE ON PINNACLE INFORMATION

Add the previous information:
Our patrons can still request holds of items that belong to a Pinnacle library, but they need to go through our ILL dept.  (Adult Services)

Since there will be an increase the number of items requested outside of PrairieCat (our system) please follow the following procedure:

1. (Instead of sending directly to reference) Have patron fill out a request form
2. Tell patron we will only call if we are unable to place the hold
3. Give the form to Adult Services

CHANGES IN THE LIBRARY WORLD—

PATRONS MAY HAVE ALREADY READ ABOUT CHANGES IN THE NEWSPAPER
A HANDOUT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PATRONS TOO

A new group of libraries has been formed and is named Pinnacle Library Cooperative. 

The libraries are Fountaindale Public Library (Bolingbrook), Joliet Public Library (Downtown and Black Road), Lemont Public Library, Plainfield Public Library, Shorewood-Troy Public Library and White Oak Public Library (Crest Hill, Lockport, and Romeoville).

What this means for our patrons?
·         At Homer Twp. Library we will no longer find these libraries’ items in our catalog.
·         Patrons will still be able to check materials out at Pinnacle libraries.
·         A Homer patron can go into a Pinnacle Library with their Homer card, and be added to the  Pinnacle database.
·         Homer patrons will be able to place holds and check out their materials as long as they go into a Pinnacle Library to get their materials, use their computers, etc. 

 We are sorry to see these libraries leave our consortium and wish them the best of luck.

 

Note:

We will continue to accept returns from the Pinnacle Libraries just as we do for Orland Library items.  Stress that the item will not be checked in until it is received at its home library and if fines are incurred we are not responsible.

Bookmobile Driver/Clerk Position Available

This position has been posted in several locations. If anyone asks for a job application, please give them one from the file. Thanks, Sara

Under the direct supervision of the Bookmobile Manager, this position will assist with the day-to-day operation of the Library Bookmobile services, including circulation of materials, promotion of services, coordinating vehicle maintenance, and other duties as needed. This position of approximately 15-hours a week requires two years of relevant experience. Some evening and
weekend work required. Position is available beginning immediately.

· Must have the stamina to climb steps, and the ability to
stand for extended periods of time, and be able to walk, sit, reach, bend and stoop.
· May be required to lift book bags weighing approximately fifty (50) pounds and/or push book carts weighing approximately one hundred (100) pounds.

Requires good interpersonal and customer service skills to communicate effectively and relate well with a diverse population to include children, teens, adults, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.

Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license with a safe driving record and a Commercial Driver’s License B (with air brake endorsement or willing to certify) to drive the bookmobile on a regular basis. Hourly salary range begins at $13 and is commensurate with experience. Applications accepted until position is filled. EEOC employer

Please send resume with cover letter to:

Sheree Kozel-La Ha, Director
Homer Township Public Library
14320 West 151 Street
Homer Glen,
IL 60491
skozel@homerlibrary.org

NO Book Sale this year

Due to construction, we will NOT be hosting the annual book sale.

Please let inquiring patrons know that we hope to host a book sale in the summer of 2013.

We will still take small donations, but will only take the amount needed to fill the sale shelf - we will not be storing any overflow donations. Please thank patrons for thinking of us.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES LOWER PRICE!

The Golden Opportunities Coupon books are now on sale at the lower price of $15.
The price has increased from last year due to the company's final cost increasing.

Thanks and keep selling!

Bookmobile: Library Lovers Prize

Samantha N. has won the Bookmobile Library Lovers prize. The prize is at the Bookmobile department desk...there are several prizes there...this one has her name on it. It is a little teddy bear which is sitting on the restaurant gift certificate.

Please take care to hand out the correct prize. Thank you so much.

Coloring Contest

Coloring Contest forms are at the Circ desk. The winners will be announced at the Victorian Village Easter Egg Hunt. All details are on the back of the entry form. If you need more, a master copy is on the cabinet above the workroom sink.

We Need Your Opinion!

The architect had several different style of chairs brought over that we can sit on and give an opinion. The first set is made of wood and will be used at the patron tables throughout the library. The second group are task chairs for the computer area. Some of these task chairs lean back so try them out.

Please sit on them and give us your opinions. There is a sheet of paper behind each chair for your comments. The chairs should be here about a week. The wooden ones are in the workroom near the coffee pot, while the task chairs are in the meeting room.

Thanks for your help.

YS Director

I am pleased to announce that on May 17th Jody Olivieri will leave the bookmobile position and assume the role of YS Director. There will be a new type of synergy that we can look forward to.

Thank you for being a great team to work with during this exciting time of change!

Sheree

Winter Reading

Winter Reading "Skate Into Reading" begins today January 30th. Patrons (all ages) can register at YS. Prizes are on display. Prize eligibility is as follows:
Harris prize - patrons get 1 ticket for this prize when they register
Five prizes - patrons get 1 ticket/week to put in the prize can of their choice
Wolves bonus - patrons who complete the required reading get 1 ticket for this prize
The bookmobile is also running Winter Reading under the same title and their patrons are eligible for the same prizes. Therefore, patrons CAN NOT REGISTER FOR BOTH.

Raffles

February is Library Lovers Month and once again we will be doing a weekly drawing for a Lettuce Entertain You Gift card. (No staff entries please). There are PINK tickets at Circ and the can is at Circ.
There is also a peppermint moose jar in YS. This is a drawing to guess how many candies are in the jar. Entries and the can are in YS. The winner will be notified after February 25th.
Lastly, Heather won the staff raffle for Wolves tickets. Congrats to Heather! :)

The new section has be re-organized.

The DVD collection starts on the wall on the where the Spanish books were and signage is being added.
There is a new section called "Recently Returned" that we will fill as needed and more guidelines will be coming.
The Spanish collection has been moved to the tall shelves at the end of the paperbacks.  The Polish collection will be moved over there soon.

STAFF RAFFLE

We have 4 tickets to an upcoming Chicago Wolves game to raffle off for staff. If you are interested put your name in the can on the staff work counter. We will pull 1 winner Friday, January 27th.