NEW APL Logo Items!

Maureen has pulled together another set of clothing and accessory items that can be ordered with the APL Logo. Again, as always, you may also bring in your own items and have the APL logo applied to it for a charge of $5.00 per item. (additional personalization incurs a separate charge).

The catalog of available items is online here. There is also a catalog and order form available in the staff lounge. Please place your orders by copying the order form or printing it out, then marking your choices and returning the form with your payment to Maureen by Friday, August 22.

Staff Directory Photos and Content

At Section Head's last week, Terry announced that we were going to be working on the staff directory. That tool was created to give staff the ability to see photos of each other so that they could get to know each other easier. There are also Board members using the directory, and you can find photos of them on the directory. The entries in the staff directory are ONLY available to people who have a username and password on our system - they cannot be seen by the public. We also use the photographs as part of the administrative record of people who have worked here.

Over the years a couple of things have happened. Some of the photos were taken so long ago that people may want to have a new one taken that looks more like they look today. And a few creative individuals have substituted a gag photo or cartoon for their "real" photo. Also, a few have added logos and other embellishments that aren't part of the design of the staff directory.

All of this has been fun and we really don't want to put a damper on creativity, but a few things should be remembered about this directory. It is an official library directory, and others besides library staff (mainly board members) have access to it. Also, it doesn't seem fair that only a few people have the ability to make such changes on their page.

So - we are going to put back the "real" photos of all staff who have been a little too creative. And we will remove any logos, or other items that aren't part of the design of the directory. If anyone would like us to add a link to their blog, or their Facebook or MySpace page, we would be happy to do that, and will not inhibit creativity in those venues.

Also - If you would like to have a new picture taken, please make arrangements with Maureen to have that done. We will even let you look at the results and pick the one you want to have posted.

Microsoft Office 2007 Now Available for Library Staff

The City of Appleton offer for low cost copies of MS Office 2007 has been extended to APL staff with apl.org email addresses. According to Technology Services Director Scott Liske, you should be able to sign up using the codes provided on the City Intranet as well as your apl.org email address.

Access to City of Appleton Intranet added

Library staff can now access the City Intranet. The web address is http://cityintranet.apl.org/ and there is also a link on the Library Intranet to the City's. There may be some postings there that do not apply to Library staff. For instance, the current offering of software from Microsoft is not available to Library staff. The reason it is not available is that the Library purchases our Microsoft software at a substantial discount offered to educational institutions, paying much less per copy than the rest of the City does. This benefits our patrons, and saves tax dollars. But it also means that we are not eligible for these added incentives.

The link to the City Intranet only works if you are logged on to a computer here in the Library building. And many of the links there still will not work for Library employees. We will keep working with the City Technology Services department to try to make as much as possible available to Library staff. If you have any questions, please contact Library Administration.