1. Staff may not access patron accounts to get addresses, telephone numbers, email, etc. other than for direct account maintenance.  This would be things like calling about a hold, a left item, a forgotten dvd, things like that.  It does not include looking up an address, telephone number, email, etc. to contact someone about library events, to ask about something, or other non-account information.
2. Only full and part-time staff may access the library’s network and/or patron database.

It is staff’s primary responsibility to safeguard patron information and the integrity of the library network. At times, this may mean telling another staff member “no”, or finding a more cumbersome way of getting information.   Always keep patrons first and this shouldn’t be a problem.

Policies, Personnel—2009

Section 10.3. Confidentiality

Library Business: Gathering and/or using personal information on staff or patrons, without written permission, is prohibited and subject to disciplinary actions.

Section 10.2. Computers, Email, Internet Use, and Library Network

Unauthorized Use: Under no circumstances is anyone other than a Boyd County Public Library employee permitted to use a staff computer.  Only regular full-time and part-time employees may access the library’s database and staff network.  This includes, but not limited to:

• Checking materials in/out, accessing patron information, accessing the internet, or checking email;
• By volunteers, Friends members, teen or family volunteers, interns, or any other non-library staff….

In addition, any employee who observes or allows another employee or patron to compromise the library network and does not inform the network administrator, department supervisor, or library director immediately will also be subjected to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Everyone who works this Saturday, at any location, can wear jeans as long as they wear their SRP T-Shirt.

Those actually working the kick-off event (not just desk) also have the option to wear appropriate length shorts (if you want to).

(Thank Natalie for asking me yesterday.)

Sandals are okay as long as they are secured and don’t have something between the toe(s): this includes decorative “flip-flops” and ones with a complete ring around the toe.  Yes, they are in style but no they are not safe in this environment.

Keep “spaghetti” strapped tops and other revealing clothing covered.  Shorts, including long shorts, are not acceptable.  Capri’s are acceptable but there is a fine line between them and long shorts.  If in doubt, don’t wear it to work.

Supervisors will be sending staff home to change if they violate the dress code.

Exceptions are announced by administration.  [For the complete dress code, see Personnel Polices--2009" in Internal Documents/Departments/Administration.]

The process, so far, has been:

1. Establishing Core Values, which we have implemented.
2. Asking staff to identify their core tasks and compiling all the responses into core competencies, which we did two years ago.
3. Updating all job descriptions based on Core Values and core competencies, which has been done over the last year.
4. Attending a conference session and being wowed by another library’s methods.  Then visiting that library and learning how they made it successful.
5. Bringing together a Team to develop the next step in the process for BCPL.  That Team includes Ben Nunley, circulation supervisor, Kristin Mastin, human resources officer, Amanda Clark, adult programming supervisor, Kellie Nunley, technical services supervisor, and me.
6. Now we are in the process of taking BCPL’s outline of core competencies and transforming them into written Performance Standards.

Over the next few weeks, you may be approached by your supervisor for input on these “performance standards”.  Once we get them compiled and a cohesive document developed for each position, staff will have an opportunity to review them, making suggestions and additions.

Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the end of the fiscal year.  We hope that by the end of June we have a plan in place and we will be ready to discuss it more comprehensively with staff.  Right now we are debating and discussing and changing the process every time we meet.  The Performance Team would really like to have a more consistent plan with details before we start putting out information.

I’m looking for a couple somebodies who would be willing to take on deciding between File Repository/Google Drive, organizing folders, and collecting everything together in one place.

You need to be organized, proficient at Google Docs or File Repository manipulation, and willing to tell me why “doing it this way is better then doing it that way”.  If you are ready to tackle this problem, make everyone happy by emailing me, texting me, calling me, or posting to this blog.   

As you will no doubt hear, Campbell County Circuit Court Judge Ward ruled against the Campbell County Public Library in the litigation over whether KRS173.790 (the statute the Library was formed under) or KRS132 (which lays out how special taxing districts can set tax rates) applied. This lawsuit was brought against CCPL claiming the library had been wrongly collecting taxes under KRS132 and should roll back their tax rate to the year they were formed (1978).

CCPL has a hearing on April 25 with the Campbell County Judge to begin sorting through the decisions that must be made subsequent to this decision. So…nothing has been decided at this point but it’s a given they plan to appeal this decision and will be seeking a stay on the execution of any decision.  (Kenton CPL was involved in the same litigation but in a different court. No decision has been made by the Kenton County Judge.)

As for the impact on the other 79 libraries that were formed under 173.790, like Boyd County Public Library, we can only speculate. It can range from as severe as roll back and pay back to as wonderful as being overthrown in Appeals Court. There’s still to much that can happen at this point. As JC put it, “It’s all far from over though. There’s still much to be done before we (or any other library) has to begin making decisions about shutting its doors. And so we fight on.”

Best thing we can do at Boyd County Public Library is to continue to provide Exemplary service to our community and go above and beyond our patrons expectations with every transaction and encounter. The more the community views the Library as a vital service and great resource, the more likely any impact on our library will be lessened.