Homeless Resources

The other day, a gentleman was under the driveway on the side of the house. He looked as if he had spent the night there.   We; Becky, Mitch and I approached him, I said "Hello Sir, we need to ask you to not sleep on the property.  We have alerts listed with the police department, and we don't want you to get arrested for trespassing" Becky then said "we open at 10 and you are more than welcome to come inside".  He was kind and mentioned he was trying to get out of the cold. We then had a discussion about homelessness on the way back to the main library.

Mitch found an interesting story about homeless, and I found some links to resources.  Links to this information is below. 

I appreciate the fact that we all treat individuals with respect.  We all know that we can't just assume an individual is homeless.  If we engage someone and the person mentions they need help these links might give us an opportunity to provide information to the person.

There are a couple of the below sources printed out and placed on the clip board at the reference desk.

If you have any other resources that we should know about, please add them in the comments below.

Thanks!

Article:
Houston, we have a solution: How the city curbed homelessness

Help Links:
Homeless Shelter Directory
Coalition for the Homeless
Resource Guide
Help Information Including Drop In Centers, Clothing,Meals, etc.
Google Search: Shower Stations Houston
Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart - Helping the Homeless
Drop In Centers
Help Card

SK

Houston Chronicle (Houston, Texas), April 5, 1930

JO

Staff Meeting Notes - 05 November 2019

Meeting Lead: FS
Meeting Notes: SB
In Attendance: MH, SB, RG, JO, RS, FS, IW


Team Building (SB)
Fill in the Map (two teams) - states/capitals of the United States

5-Minute Resource Share (RG)
U.S. Special Census on Deaf Family Marriages and Hearing Relatives, 1888-1895 (see handout)

Book Sale Checks (MH)
CLF

Renovation Updates (MH)
new computers - I.T. still working on wiring issues - no timeline for installation

Health Assessment (MH)
deadlines coming up - Nov 15 to get $65, Dec 31 to get $35, Mar 13 = final deadline

Meeting Room Reservations
no longer putting "EF" in the Outlook Calendar; procedure reverting back to previous procedure; if patron is insistent about submitting reservation request electronically, pass call to SK/MH/IW

Field Trips (JO / MH)
JO - MFAH tour of their museum library Thurs. Nov. 14, sign up if interested
MH - submit suggestions to MH for possible field trip locations (Houston Vital Statistics, UH Spec. Coll., TSU Spec. Coll. were previously mentioned)

Section Reports
RS - no longer using standard bindery colors
FS - microfilm cabinets - difficulty opening (especially Virginia); help customers if needed

Voting Day
NEW - vote today at any Harris County polling location (just like in Early Voting)

STAFF MEETING NOTES OCTOBER 8 ( 9-10 AM)

SUMMARY

* TEAM BUILDING EXERCISE( MELISSA HAYES)
                  1) GUESSING OLD OCCUPATIONS

*MANAGER MEETING SUMMARY

                 2) CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS RECEIVED IN EMAIL AND HAS TO BE    COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE MONTH



*FIVE MINUTE RESOURCE (JOY ORIA)

                 3.) RECORDS OF THE MORAVIANS AMONG THE CHEROKEE  BOOK COLLECTION


*TXSGS ATTENDANCE


SCHEDULES OF ATTENDANCE AND OFF DAYS DECIDED BY STAFF


*EXTENDED HOURS STAFFING FOR THURSDAY

12-9 pm



*GENEALOGY AFTER DARK

    A) OPEN UNTIL 10 PM



*MEETING ROOM POLICY AND PROCEDURE(DRAFT)

        A) NO CHANGE IN BOOKING PROCEDURES
        B) CAN SEND ELECTRONIC BOOKING FORMS BY REQUEST ONLINE AND ROOM  CAN BE HELD 24 HOURS
       C) MEETING ROOM ONE REMOVED
       D) BOOKING WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL NOVEMBER 1ST 2020


RS

What is a Dit name?

A dit name is essentially an alias, or alternate name, tacked on to a family name or surname. Dit (pronounced "dee") is a French form of the word dire, which means "to say," and in the case of dit names is translated loosely as "that is to say," or "called." Therefore, the first name is the family's original surname, passed down to them by an ancestor, while the "dit" name is the name the person/family is actually "called" or known as.

Dit names are found primarily in New France (French-Canada, Louisiana, etc.), France, and sometimes Scotland. They are used by families, not specific individuals, and are usually passed down to future generations, either in place of the original surname, or in addition to it. After several generations, many families eventually settled on one surname or the other, although it isn't uncommon to see some siblings within the same family using the original surname, while others carried on the dit name. The use of dit names slowed dramatically during the mid- to late-1800s, although they could still be found used by some families into the early twentieth 

century.

Why a Dit Name?

Dit names were often adopted by families to distinguish them from another branch of the same family. The specific dit name may also have been chosen for many of the same reasons as the original surname - as a nickname based on trade or physical characteristics, or to identify the ancestral place of origin (e.g. Andre Jarret de Beauregard, where Beauregard refers to the ancestral home in the French province of Dauphine). The mother's surname, or even the father's first name, may also have been adopted as a dit name.

Interestingly, many dit names derived from military service, where early French military rules required a nom de guerre, or war name, for all regular soldiers. This practice was a precursor to identification numbers, allowing soldiers to be identified collectively by their given name, their family name, and their nom de guerre.

Example of a Dit Name

Gustave Eiffel, architect of the Eiffel Tower, was born Alexandre GustaveBonickhausen dit Eiffel in Dijon, France, on 15 December 1832. He was a descendant of Jean-René Bönickhausen, who emigrated to France from the German town of Marmagen in the early 18th century. The dit name Eiffel was adopted by descendants of Jean-René for the Eifel mountain region of Germany from which he had come. Gustave formally changed his name to Eiffel in 1880.

BG

Missouri State Archives

If you run into a brick wall helping customers with Missouri research direct the customer to the Missouri Start Archives digital collection.  Newspapers; World War I,II  collections; city directories, plat books and more!  Google:  Missouri State Archives.  



MH

Staff Meeting Notes 15 May 2019

Staff Meeting Notes 15 May 2019

In attendance: SK, MH, SB, BG, RS, FS, IW

Notes taken by:  SB

5 Minute Resource Share (SK) OmniGazetteer / Postmasters and Post Offices of Texas

• useful for locating small populated places or places that no longer exist

Overview of CE Managers Minutes

• Liz Sargent's last day - May 31
• hold pickups have been getting sent here accidentally (see email from Sue re: procedure for handling them)
• ILL is now part of LMS
• Stella Link has reopened
• Prop B update - no more layoffs expected
• talking points for questions from the public about hours changes (see email from Sue)

Evaluation of Core Services

• discussion about how to utilize programs/outreaches more effectively to get more people in the door while avoiding efforts that produce too little return on investment of time
• discussion about accounting for time taken by our different programming/services/administrative duties and looking at what could trimmed (or expanded) based on expected staffing levels and unit goals
• add any thoughts or ideas you have to the whiteboard in the breakroom
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park

Opened in 1990, Vermilionville is a living history museum and folklife park that promotes and propagates the cultural resources of the Acadian, Native American, and Creole people – from the time period 1765 to 1890. The park sits on a 23-acre site on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion with 19 attractions, including seven restored original homes with more than 13 local artisans that provide demonstrations on a variety of essential crafts performed by the early settlers. 

 

 

http://louisianadigitallibrary.org/vville

 

BG

 

Palaces for the People

 The podcast 99% Invisible is about the unseen things that make modern life, well, modern. The podcast recently released an episode about the evolution of libraries into an important, if not vital, part of our social environment.
The episode is well-produced, and a pleasant listen. I highly recommend "Palaces for the People," and the 99% Invisible podcast in general.

99% Invisible "Palaces for the People"

--MPC

Ancestry.com Texas

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission houses a vast collection of documents related to Texas government and history and provides a variety of reference services and materials for free public use at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building in Austin and the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty.

Free access to our records that have been digitized by Ancestry is available to Texas residents. This access requires you to create a free Ancestry.com Texasaccount.  Continue reading for further instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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All the records made available through the Ancestry.com Texas partnership are included in your Ancestry.com subscription. Your search results will include all of the records available on Ancestry.com.

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Some Ancestry.com searches may lead you to records outside the free Texas material, at which point you may be prompted to set up a paid account. If you choose not to do so, you may return to the results of your previous search.

Onsite researchers may access the entire Ancestry (Library edition) database while at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

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Most of the Texas data collections have been indexed, which means you can search by name, location, or other keywords. Records that have not been indexed can be browsed page by page to see what data is available.

What Texas materials are available?

The following data collections are included free to Texans via Ancestry.com:

• Alabama, Texas and Virginia, Confederate Pensions, 1884-1958
• Texas, Prison Employee Ledgers, 1861-1938
• Texas, Muster Roll Index Cards, 1838-1900
• Texas, Wills and Probate Records, 1833-1974
• Texas, Convict and Conduct Registers, 1875-1945
• Texas, Court of Criminal Appeal Indexes, 1892-1947
• Texas, Capitol Building Payroll, 1882-1888
• Texas, Memorials and Petitions, 1834-1929
• Texas, Bonds and Oaths of Office, 1846–1920
• Texas, Index Card Collections, 1800-1900
• Texas, Voter Registration Lists, 1867-1869
• Nacogdoches, Texas, Spanish and Mexican Government Records, 1729-1836
• Texas, Land Title Abstracts,1700-2008 (original records held by the Texas General Land Office)

Follow these steps to create free Ancestry.com Texas account:

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Note: once a zip code is entered, you cannot use the back button to review these instructions. Before entering a zip code, carefully read the instructions provided below.  These steps must be followed in the order given to reach the prompt to create a free account.

1. Type in your zip code in the box found at the bottom of this page. This will take you the Ancestry.com Texas search page.
2. Type in your search parameters (name, birth year, location, etc.) and run your search. The search results will include matches from only the data collections.
3. Click on any of the items shown in the results list. You will be redirected to a "Create a Free Account" page.  Do not click on any “Start A Free Trial” button. If you have an existing Ancestry.com Texas or paid account you may proceed to the “Sign In” link in the upper right corner.
4. On the “Create a Free Account” web page, type in your name, email address, and create a password. Click on the “Continue” button.

View any of the data collections listed above at anytime by signing into your free account at Ancestry.com.

Texas State Zip Code: *

Enter your Texas zip code.

Staff Meeting Notes 12 March 2019

In attendance: SK, FS, RS, SB, JO, MH, IBW, RG

Ice Breaker: RS - Question: if you could travel back in time, what time would that be?

5 Minute Resource - SB - Genealogical and Local History Books in Print (c.1997)

• A 4 volume set helpful for finding what family histories, local histories, and other source material was available at the time of publication (1997).  Although not exhaustive, it is useful for supplementing source searches for customers.  
• We know not all materials are digitized, so utilizing print sources, even with lapse in time between publication and current date can be beneficial.  
• It is important to go beyond researching a title in WorldCat; FamilySearch books; Internet Archive; etc. when looking for a publication for a family or location.  This source is also great for collection development titles, also.

Discussion Notes:

1. Telephone Etiquette: Workplace Discrimination/Harassment and Flyer / Business Card Posting on Bulletin Boards.

• Please follow recommend text when answering the phone.  Sheet was handed out to all, and all signed the unit sheet marking that this was received.
• Workplace Discrimination/Harassment (EO 1-50 sec7) covers Prohibited Harassment which includes: Impeding access by any employee or member of the public to a city restroom facility that is consistent with and appropriate to that person' expression of gender identity.   A copy of EO1-50 is on the staff room table to view.
• Please note that commercial entities are not allowed to post notices on the bulletin board or leave handouts.  If a product is being sold, this information is not applicable for posting.  No one should be selling a product on property. If someone want to book a meeting room and will be selling a product, please refer that meeting room booking to special events.  

2. Safety Marshall: 

• Melissa is the Clayton Safety Marshall and will be contacting Gwen Reynolds for duties.

3. Green Time on Schedule: 

• Green time is no longer part of the schedule.  As we have 8 hours for concentrated work on Mondays, and 3 hours on Thursdays, and the general schedule includes blocks of time for concentrated work, Sue has removed the assigned concentrated time for work from the daily schedules.  Please let Irene or Sue know if you need a block of time for a project, and we will make arrangements on the schedule for you. 

4. Heritage Quest: 

• As of 1 April 2019, the library will no longer have access to Heritage Quest.  The contract with TexShare was not renewed.  Please direct people to MyHeritage or FamilySearch (remotely) or to Ancestry.com in house.  There is currently a remote access problem with MyHeritage.  Sara Karow in LMS is working on the issue, and will let us know when the issue is resolved.

5. International Collection Presentation Project:

• Sue is working on an presentation highlighting the International Collection (books and microprint) for the Clayton Library Friends meeting 11 May 2019.  She will be sending an email requesting from everyone one title from the international collection with 5 -7 sentences describing the source and what it can be used for.  Individual choice on what to pick to highlight.  Extra credit for one book and one microfilm  Extra credit prize will be supplied.  

6. Renovation / Rental Space Update

• Plans for the first floor renovation are still on SPACES radar.  The Texas State Genealogical Society is having their annual conference in Houston 11-13 OCT 2019.  There is going to be extended hours reception sponsored by CLF.  The SPACES renovation team is working on the renovation of the first floor with that in mind.  In the mean time, Thursday 14 MAR 2019, two ranges of additional shelving are going to be installed in the international/US section of books.  Irene and Melissa will be working on the shifting plan from that date.  
• Rental occupants January Advisors, a data science consulting company will be renting out the second floor processing area for a least 6 months, beginning on or around 15 March 2019. 
• We will close the house as usual, however, we will not set the alarm, only close and lock the front door.  January Advisors will have keys and codes and will arm the building when they leave.  Steven has let the volunteers know of the new residents.
• McCarthy construction, will be renting the Guest House probably through June.

7. Field Trip 18 March 2019

• The field trip will be rescheduled to April 2019.  TechLink is going through some renovations, the date of reopening has been pushed back to 30 March.  Additionally, our trip to HMRC to view the Memory Lab based on the Washington, DC public library model will also be postponed and will coincide with our trip to TechLink as in the original plan.

8. Team Updates

• Melissa mentioned that any help looking for materials to purchase up to 1950, and especially during the Dust Bowl days would be welcome.  

Please let Sue know of any additions, corrections, or changes.

Submitted by SK 12 March 2019