Summer Reading Program

At this time, students may register for the Summer Reading Program via HPL's web site. If anyone asks for help, please refer them to the reference desk for assistance.

Also, starting May 18th, we will start distributing SRP calendars. Please remember to encourage anyone who comes in to visit and participate in SRP activities this summer.

Thanks,

Richard

Fire Marshalls

I have named Vilma and Kathy as Ring's Fire Marshalls. Please know that while they are the official "Fire Marshalls", it is everyones duty to pitch in and to clear the building in the event of a fire drill or a real fire. Soon, I will be distributing the instructions to everyone that we must follow when either situation occurs. If you have any questions are concers, please ask.

Richard

Paper Jam log

It is no secret that Ring's printer/copier often jams. To combat this, I have created an Oce problem log. It is located in the reference binder on the adult reference desk. Please remember to record any paper jam incidents on this log. This way, we can report the problem with the goal of getting it permanently solved.

Door Count Week

All-

Door count begins this Monday, April 20th and runs through Saturday, April 25th.

Two counts will be taken:

1) Visitor count - Circulation staff will need to record the numbers on both gates at the top of every hour. It is very important that we remember to do this. We want the count to be as accurate as possible. Do everything possible to remember and to remind each other of the need to record the counts.

2) In-House materials count. Do not count items that you shelve or check-in or check-out. However, it is very important that any item you straighten (other than what you shelve) is counted. Also, it is imperative that any item you use to assist a customer is counted. I have prepared in-house materials count sheets for each service desk. As with the visitor count, it is very important you record each item that needs to be counted. This count will be used to determine how busy we are.

Thanks to all for your cooperation.

Richard

Welcome to Lois J

Lois Jerollemon will be temporarily assigned to Ring until the new Children's LSS is hired. Please welcome her as one of us. Her assistance and expertise are most welcome during this transition period.

Sarah - We will miss you!

Sarah Worthen, Children's Librarian, on her last day @Ring NL. She is promoted to LII @Alief NL We wish you all the best.

your local ringers...

DynamicDuo March '09

Kathy & Tony - during the Teen MacBook program

2009 WrestleMania Reading Challenge!

Congratuations Jose Castro! Our regional winner, a 6th grader at Spring Woods Middle School in Spring Branch ISD, loves reading, art, and MySpace! Jose's winning bookmark entitled, "Reading Will Get You Somewhere" illustrated Teens picking up books and discovering they just can't put them down!

Way to go, Jose! We are so proud of you!

Richard's Vacation

Hello all-

I will be on vacation from Sunday, February 16th and will return on February 23rd. I have a morning training to attend on the morning of the 23rd, but will be back after lunch. During my absence, Kathy will be in charge. I trust that everyone will give her their full cooperation and that everything will go well why I am away.

Thanks to all for your hard work!!

Richard

Spring Branch History Program

Ring had an outstanding adult program this past Saturday, January 24th. LSS Kathy Carmichael gave an excellent 35 minute presentation of the history of the Spring Branch area. Included in her presentation were 31 power point slides highlighting important people and events that contributed to this community's rich history. Following this, a 15 minute video, created by local resident Nelda Reynolds, was shown highlighting Houston life during various time periods. To supplement the presentation, several displays were featured providing additional historical information. Fifty-five adults attended this event and had a fabulous time!! Special thanks go to local Spring Branch residents Nelda Reynolds and Patsy Andrews for their significant contributions to the success of this program.

Circulation of Magazines

All circulating magazines will have barcodes placed on them upon arrival. However, please do not circulate the magazine until the letter "C" is placed next to it. This will ensure the most recent issue remains inside of the library for customers to view.

Spring Branch History Program

The Spring Branch History program will be held this coming Saturday, January 24th at 11 AM. Please encourage any customer that seems interested to attend. We have had a lot of community interest and we expect this event to be very successful. Fliers for the event will be placed at the adult and juvenile reference desks as well as the circulation counter.

Service Log

The service log sign in sheet is now located at the adult reference desk. Please remember that anyone servicing equipment or the building (HPL staff or outside vendors) must sign in upon arrival and sign out when leaving.

Transfering Telephone Calls

To better assist customers, please do not transfer calls to the reference desk. Instead, place the call on hold and ring the bell. Reference staff will then pick up the call from the public line. Doing this will allow staff to provide better customer service!!

Tax Forms

Ring now has the three basic tax forms (1040, 1040A and 1040 EZ). Please note that the 1040 EZ form is blue, not green as in past years. Also, many customers are asking library staff how to fill out the forms. Please remember that we are not tax experts. If a customers needs assistance, please tell them that volunteer tax help will be provided at various locations throughout Houston beginning in February. See prior post for locations near Ring.

Customer Service Survey

Please remember that we are encouraging all customers to fill out the customer service survey until January 31st. The more surveys we collect, the better data we have. Surveys are available in both Spanish and English and customers should place surveys in the black box when completed.

AARP Tax Assistance - Coming UP!

Please note the AARP Tax Assistance volunteers will begin on February 1st and continue to assist through April 15th. THEY WILL NOT BE HERE! Locations may be found by following the link.

https://locator.aarp.org/vmis/sites/tax_aide_locator.jsp


Locations closest to our library are:

SPRING BRANCH COMMUNITY CENTER
Thurs. 12pm - 4pm & Fri. 12pm - 4pm
1721 PECH RD HOUSTON, TX 77055 (713)932-9573

COLLIER LIBRARY
Tues. 10am - 2pm & Wed. 12pm - 4pm
6200 PINEMONT DR HOUSTON, TX 77092 (832)393-1740

HILLENDAHL LIBRARY
Wed. 11am - 3pm & Thur. 2pm - 7pm
2436 GESSNER DR HOUSTON, TX 77080 (832)393-1940

Scottish Dancing

Ring had a very successful holiday celebration featuring local Scottish Dancers. Check out the action!!

Holiday decorating at Ring!!!

SBISD's Cedar Brook Elementary

We Love Scary Stories!

Cedar Brook Elementary's Pre-K classes didn't get scared one bit. I asked them to cover their ears and close their eyes if the stories become too scary. They loved listening to In a Dark, Dark, Wood and Who Took My Hairy Toe?. When stories and songs of bats and pumpkins were through, we all got our pirate faces on...literally!