New fax/scanner service at ACR

A new copy machine was installed today at ACR that has fax and scanning capabilities. 

Scanning is free; however, the customer must have a USB drive in order to save the document.  They cannot email it to themselves.  In order to scan, the customer puts the USB into the same computer where you type your job name to get a print job.  They wait about 30 seconds for the computer to read the USB, then they press the “scanner” button on the control panel of the copy machine.  Documents can be scanned by putting it on the glass (like you’re making a copy) or by putting it face up in the document feeder.  Press start.  After they’ve finished, the only way they can tell if their document got saved to their USB drive is for them to sign into a public computer and see if it is on their USB.

Faxing costs $1.00 per page.  Faxing is only available for local numbers and 800, 877, (free) numbers.  They can pay using their print card or by putting cash in the machine.  In order to fax, documents must be placed face up in the top document feeder.  They cannot be put on the glass.  You will need to press the “facsimile” button.  You will be prompted to put in a fax number.  Press 9, then the fax number.  Press start.  If the fax does not go through, they will not be charged.  Customers will not receive a confirmation sheet.  

Carol

Hoopla

When you get a chance, please look at this page about Hoopla.

Make certain you know it well enough to answer customer questions.

Hoopla



Thanks,
Brandon

AARP @ OAK

Starting last Saturday, we will have the AARP doing tax assistance Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until April 15th.

On Tuesday, I had several people claim that they were told that they could make appointments with the AARP and they wanted a direct phone number to call them.  Also, when the AARP had left for the day, I had one person demand their contact numbers so she could call them at home directly.

I spoke with their rep today and found out the following.

1) There are no scheduled appointments.  Everyone who wants to use the service needs to come to the library and wait.

2) While they have no phone in the Conference room or meeting room, they are willing to talk to people on the phone.  However, this is not their main focus.  If someone calls and wants to talk to 'the tax people', check to see if they have someone who can come to the phone.  However, they cannot guarantee that they will be able to return calls.

3) Under no circumstances should we give out any contact numbers for individuals with the AARP.  If someone is insistent that they want to talk to someone, we can look up the AARP's website and give them whatever contact information you can find there.

Let me know if you have any other questions,
Brandon

Movie Licenses for specific locations

Hello,

Programming has been able to purchase movie licenses for 2014 for 24 Libraries:

·         Acres Homes, Alief, Blue Ridge, Carnegie, Central, Collier, Dixon,Flores, Johnson, Kashmere Gardens, Kendall, Mancuso, Oak Forest,Park Place, Pleasantville,  Scenic Woods, Smith, Southwest Express,Stanaker, Stella Link, Tuttle, Vinson, Walter, & Young

Here are the rules governing use:

With your annual public performance site license you can show anunlimited amount of films for any aspect of programming inside the library.  You can show any DVD or VHS tape that is in your library, home or local video store as long as our license covers it.  Renting, borrowing or buying legal copies to use is acceptable.  You do not need to let MLUSA know which movies are being shown inside your library; we just ask that you check the movie search tool before showing a movie.  http://library.movlic.com/search

The exclusive studio coverage for this license includes: http://library.movlic.com/studios

Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, NBC/Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema, Lionsgate Films, MGM, Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Summit Entertainment, Focus Features, Miramax, Warner Independent Pictures, Fine Line Features, United Artists and Picturehouse.

Only Movie Licensing USA is able to offer your library this license for these Hollywood studios. No other licensing source can provide this exclusive, comprehensive coverage.

SERVICES: 

• ONLINE MOVIE SEARCH TOOL:  To check if a film you wish to show is covered, go to our online movie search tool.  If the film comes up, you are free to show it.  It is best to enter just one word of the title to search as our program is not sensitive to alternative spellings, etc.  Most movies will have a link to a brief description and still photo.  The movie is still covered under the annual license if the title does not have this link. http://library.movlic.com/search

• ONLINE PROGRAMMING IDEAS & TOOLS: Our Advanced Movie Search tool allows your library to search by title, actor, director, rating or genre.  We also have regularly updated lists of movie ideas for the Summer Reading Program, Teen Read Week, Holidays, Month-by-Month events and more.  Disney Fun and Games Activity Sheets are also available. http://library.movlic.com/programming. 

If you have questions about movie licenses, please contact Programming. 

Jennifer Schwartz:  832-393-1652

Congrats from Mary

Hi Brandon,

Despite staffing challenges and changes, your team increased programming!  Please thank your staff for their teamwork and dedication that made that happen for me.

Best regards,

Mary Wagoner, M.L.I.S.

Special Services Team Leader

Discards and Friends

Good day Team,

Elva has created a spreadsheet for tracking the number of boxes for Discards and Friends in the G drive:\FIDS\FIDS - NL FY14 Box Count. Please use this spread sheet to record the number of boxes you have for Discards and Friends. Belinda will look at this spreadsheet periodically and arrange for pick-up of boxes.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need more information.

Take care and have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,

Theodora.

SD Bills Sent

Greetings all.

We have recently resumed sending bills to customers with long overdue items.  The process causes the long overdue item to be removed from the checked out items list and billed to the user record as Lost-Assumed.  Lost-Assumed items cannot be renewed.

If a customer who received a bill contacts you and claims that the item was returned, you will need to check your shelves for it.  If the item is found on the shelf, check it in, and the bill should be removed and replaced with the overdue fine for the item.  You should then waive the fine and enter using the Payment Type ONSHELF. 

Bills will continue to be sent on a daily basis for items that are 30 days or more overdue.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Circulation Administration Department at 832-393-2222 (option 3).  We will be happy to assist you in whatever way we are able.

Fred Schumacher

Circulation Administration Manager