Business Card Labels

Question:  With constant changes in staff and the expense of purchasing new business cards, is it possible to purchase Avery 8 1/2 x 11 label sheets that will allow for staff to enter name/email and adhere label to general NL cards? This would be beneficial when conducting outreaches and interviews.

Name:  Marcos Martinez

Response:  NL Administration has some labels.  If you are interested in labels, please let Laurie know and she will send you some (while supplies last).

Positive Performance Training

Suggestion : Are there plans to provide trainings to HPL managers/supervisors on the positive improvement program? I think this would be beneficial for consistency and empowerment purposes, especially with upcoming internal promotions and/or external hiring to fill vacancies. This training could focus not only on the program--the steps, examples of what may account for x, y, z, and tips/strategies for documenting staff evaluation notes (praise, informal discussions, etc.), but on guidance/leadership and team building ideas/opportunities. Perhaps this is focused on in the HPL Leadership Academy, but I think a crash course for newbies and a refresher for existing staff would be beneficial for the system as a whole. -M

Name: Marcos Martinez

Response:  Great suggestion!  Our new Deputy Director, Michele Gorman, is working closing with the Learning and Development Center (AKA the Cape Center) to create a series of classes for managers on documentation, scheduling, and the positive performance program.

Managers Meetings

Q : What is your suggestion?
 I suggest that we have Neighborhood Library Manager's meetings, every other month because most of the information given during these meetings could be e-mailed to the Managers. Having fewer meetings means less mileage use (especially for Managers with more than one location) and more staff at the libraries during open hours. These meeting could even be cut down to two hours from 10-12 which means Managers would not have to travel downtown to Central during early morning traffic hours and could return to cover lunch hours at their locations.
Response:  We discussed this at a manager's meeting a few months ago.  We can revisit the discussion.  We would probably have team meetings the alternate months so that may not decrease the mileage requests.

Thanks,

Laurie Covington

Bonuses

Q : What is your suggestion?
 Give staff annual bonuses for HEAR scores above 3.5.
Response:  That is a department director decision.  We will pass it on to Administration.

Thanks,

Laurie Covington

Tent for Outreaches

Q : What is your suggestion?
Buy a tent/tarp for outreaches for each of the four regions (or library locations) within Neighborhood Libraries. Due to spacing at some locations the tents could be stored at Central and made available by request.
Response:   Thanks for the suggestion.  Community Engagement does have tents that they will let people borrow for outreaches. 

Thanks,

Laurie Covington

Notary Services at the Library

 What is your suggestion?
Customers often request Notary services at the library. Has the library considered offering notary services?

Sara Pope and Norola Morgan

 Response:  That is a great idea.  I am going to do some research on City and State restrictions to make sure it is something that we could do.  Thanks for the question.

Laurie Covington

Unscheduled Review & HEAR AP 3-20

Here is what I found out from Noel Pinnock, HEAR Project Manager, regarding changes in a staff's job duties and affecting SMART goal(s) in a current work plan.

If a staff member's job duties change and results in needing to update the work plan with another SMART goal, an "unscheduled review" can be conducted to close out the current work plan in order to proceed with a new work plan. The review period would remain the same--non-supervisors 07/01/13 - 06/30/14.

This question was raised as a result of a staff member going from PT to FT status and changing job duties (ex. primarily shelving to programming/outreach).

Also, to be in compliance with AP 3-20, supervisor should not sign review until he/she has met with employee to discuss review. This leaves opportunity for rating to be adjusted if employee disagrees and provides appropriate documentation. NOTE: Before meeting with employee, a copy (printed/PDF) should be sent to reviewing authority to be aware of ratings that will be discussed with employee.

Thank you,

Marcos Martinez, Lib II, Manager
Houston Public Library - Collier Regional
marcos.martinez@houstontx.gov
832.393.1749