TFML Staff Exchange

Are we supposed to charge for these ready-made time extension tax forms that are sitting on the reference desk?

This is a copy of the email Rick sent to staff.

Everyone,
Here is an important note from Kathy Nicola at Eisenhower about Section 8 Housing in Cook County. The upshot is that there is no current application process.
Rick
----
Good morning, all.
Spring is in the air! Trees are budding, birds are singing, flowers are starting to poke their little heads up. And rumors about the availability of Housing Choice Voucher applications are flying thick and fast. We've received several calls this week from patrons claiming to have heard that libraries will be getting Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) applications on Friday.
Short version: It ain't so.
I've spoken this morning with service representatives at both the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) and the Chicago Housing Authority Corp. (CHAC), who assured me that the following -- and only the following -- is true:
- The waiting lists of both organizations remain closed.
- There is no evidence or expectation that either list will be opening anytime soon.
- Application forms are not being sent to libraries.
- Application forms are not being made available anywhere else, either, because they are not currently being accepted for consideration.
- It is also not true that you have to pay $8 (or any amount) to download an application form from the Housing Authority Web site (either organization).
The rep from CHAC did give me a phone number (312-786-3676) that patrons can call for automated information about future openings in the Chicago program. Note! -- and be sure to emphasize to patrons when you give them the number, that it pertains to the Chicago Housing Authority program *only*. Also, for your info, note that the phone number on the CHA's Web site has changed. The correct current number is 312-935-2600.
If patrons insist on a number for HACC, the main number is 312-663-5447. Be aware that they are receiving a virtual tsunami of calls; I spent a solid hour-and-a-half on hold. (On the plus side, their "hold" music is very pleasant to do paperwork by!)
There ya have it. Good luck!
Kathy

Reference Statistics for March 2008

After a very slow February, reference picked up again in March.

Adult Services Staff

Walk-Ins 562

Telephone 172

Instruction 40

Other help 453

Instant message reference 16
Email reference 15

Total adult reference 1258

Internet use in Reference area in March: 846

The Thursday, April 17 Chicago Tribune reports that until May 15 applications are again being taken by the Chicago Housing Authority for chapter 8 housing. All of the Chicago Public Library branches have copies. Also, the form is supposed to be online at www.rentbetter.org.

After discussing it with Rick and Shannon, we decided to move Adoptive Families magazine to Youth Services. It is now in the Parent/Teacher magazine collection.

Julie provided this list:

Nearby Libraries Open on Sunday During the Summer

Here are a few nearby libraries that are open to the public on Sundays in the summer. All libraries have different rules so if you have a question whether you can access a computer or order materials from them you should contact that library before visiting. If you have a Thomas Ford Memorial Library card you will be able to check out materials at these libraries.

Downers Grove Public Library
1050 Curtiss St.
Downers Grove, IL 60515,
(630) 960–1200
Sunday 1-5

Hinsdale Library
20 East Maple Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521
Phone: (630) 986-1976
Sunday 12:30 pm-5 pm

Indian Prairie Public Library
401 Plainfield Road
Darien, IL 60561
Phone: (630) 887-8760
Sunday 1-5

LaGrange Park Library
555 N. LaGrange Road
LaGrange Park, IL 60526
708-352-0100
Sunday 1-5

Westmont Public Library
428 N. Cass Avenue
Westmont, Illinois 60559
630-969-5625
Sunday 1-5

The magazine desk needs large, brown, paper grocery bags for our upcoming deletion of magazines. If you have any please drop them off at the magazine desk.
Thank you!

I have set up the new computer at the reference desk. I will try to get Sandy to load Millennium on Thursday or Friday. Otherwise, everyone who works the desk has an account with a desktop that can be customized.

I set up the old computer in back so you can find any fills that you have not yet backed up.

Microsoft Office looks like it does in the computer room. I have not added any other software yet.

Let me know any questions that you have.