Director Briefing - September 23, 2024

Fall Support Staff Workshop - Thursday, October 10, 2024

On Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 9 AM - 3:30 PM the System will be hosting our annual Fall Support Staff Workshop. This event is in-person (with an option to watch virtually if your staff can't make it) at the System Headquarters in Canandaigua.

From the calendar description:

Join us at OWWLHQ or onlline for a full day of learning and activities designed for library support staff!

Outline of agenda:

• Welcoming all library users -- seeing things from different perspectives, communication and awareness
• Privacy -- a practical approach
• Evergreen profile and security -- what you need to know, what you need to do
• Lunch -- with networking activity
• Book challenges -- be prepared
• Tech tips with Kelsy -- develop your tech saavy

Lunch is included with registration -- details will be provided later.

Click here to register .

Bed Bug Prevention and Response

To prevent the spread of bed bugs within our System, it's crucial for all staff to remain vigilant when handling returned materials and preparing books for circulation.

Inspection and Quarantine:

• Regular Inspection: Inspect all materials for signs of bed bugs before shelving or circulating them.
• Immediate Quarantine: If signs of bed bugs are detected, immediately quarantine the affected items in Ziploc bags.
• Treatment: Request the System's Bed Bug Kit for specialized heat treatment of infested materials.

Member Library Responsibilities:

• Report Infestations: If a member library suspects a bed bug infestation, contact a pest control company and notify the System immediately.

Staff Education:

• Bed Bug Awareness: Educate staff on identifying bed bugs and recognizing potential signs of infestation.
• Policy Review: Share the System's Pest Management Policy with staff for reference.

Current Actions:

Last week, our pest control company inspected all the delivery vans, and there were no signs of bed bugs.

Please don't hesitate to contact Kelly if you have any questions regarding delivery.

Lunar New Year - School Districts Closed

I hadn't heard about this until recently, but I wanted to put it on your radar in case questions come up regarding your library holidays.

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed legislation to declare Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday across New York State. Legislation (A.7768/S.7573) would ensure schools are not in session on Lunar New Year, underscoring Governor Hochul’s commitment to supporting and protecting New York’s AAPI community.

“By designating Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, we are taking an important step in recognizing the importance of New York’s AAPI community and the rich diversity that makes New York so great,” Governor Hochul said. “It is not just a day off from school – it is an opportunity for our children to learn about and celebrate their own or different cultures and traditions.”

Source: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-signs-legislation-declare-lunar-new-year-school-holiday

I have not heard if libraries will have different hours on this day, but if your policies say you're closed on the same days as the School District, you may want to review this holiday.

RRLC Grant Opportunities Reminder

In case you missed it last week: This fall, RRLC will be offering the grant opportunities below. Some applications opened on Friday, and others will open mid-October, so it's a good idea to start brainstorming now.

• Action & Innovation
• Collections & Access
• Capacity Building
• Internships
• Special Projects

If you send a request and your application to Ron or Piety two weeks before the application deadlines, we would be happy to review it and offer suggestions.

Visit the RRLC Grant Opportunities page for more info including application due dates.

Annual Report Phishing Notice

Kelsy let us know about the below phishing email:

This email is not from anyone at OWWL, despite what it says in the "From" section and the mention of "Annual Report."

If you received a similar email, please mark it as spam.

HBR: Tip of the Day

Are You a Workaholic?

Workaholism isn’t about the number of hours you work—it’s about your ability to disconnect from your job. To help determine whether you might be a workaholic, read the following statements and rate the degree to which each one describes you, using the following scale: 1 = never true; 2 = seldom true; 3 = sometimes true; 4 = often true; 5 = always true.

1. I work because there is a part inside of me that feels compelled to work.

2. It is difficult for me to stop thinking about work when I stop working.

3. I feel upset if I have to miss a day of work for any reason.

4. I tend to work beyond my job’s requirements.

Add up your total score. If you rated any of these items a 4 or a 5, you have some workaholic tendencies. But if your total score is 15 or above, you’re displaying significant signs of workaholism.

How to Overcome Workaholism and Find More Balance

Redefine “urgent.” Workaholics often see every task as high priority, creating unnecessary stress. Step back, review past tasks, and see how many were truly urgent.

Reinvent your to-do list. Shift your focus from completing everything to prioritizing what's important. A tool like the Eisenhower Matrix (also known as the “urgent-versus-important matrix”) can help you decide how to spend your time.

Learn to say “no” and delegate. Practice declining tasks that don’t align with your priorities. You don’t have to do it all.

Fix your workaholic clock. Track how long tasks actually take, then adjust your expectations. Give yourself more time or ask for help.

Control rumination. Break the cycle of overthinking work by practicing mindfulness or using mantras to shift focus. You may also try scheduling a specific time to mentally revisit work concerns, limiting how much headspace they occupy during your off-hours.

Embrace rest. Incorporate intentional breaks, physical activity, and hobbies into your day. Recovery fuels better performance.

This tip is adapted from "A Workaholic's Guide to Reclaiming Your Life," by Malissa Clark.