What you have told us
Here you can search through numerous patron comments and the corresponding AADL replies. Search by the type of comment, in general by what the comment is regarding, or by a particular issue.
We care about what you have to say, and do our best to address each and every concern.
Please let us know how we're doing by submitting a comment or suggestion.
Filter Patron Comments
Type: complaint
Regarding: facility issue
Patron Comment: The coffee machine is terrible, ask Bloomfield Library where did they get their nice coffee machine
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.
Date Received: 2023-11-28
Type: complaint
Regarding: facility issue
Patron Comment: 1- Please get a new coffee machine. 2- Please put up shades for the south 2 study rooms
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.
Date Received: 2023-11-20
Type: compliment
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: To the AADL, I just noticed the trans flag flying outside Pittsfield and it made me really happy. A2 pride! Best,
AADL Reply: Hi there, thank you so much for taking the time to contact us. We're so glad to have made you so happy. =) Best wishes, and thank you for using your library! -eli Eli Neiburger (he/him) Director Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2023-11-09
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: compliment
Patron Comment: The new directory cards by the elevators are very helpful. The information at the end of the book racks are up a bit too high for me, but it is always possible to use the call numbers to orient oneself. Call numbers are king. Newspapers seem not not stay by the "read/snack" area. Sometimes they are carried to third floor. What do do about this? Individual (or for 2) tables on 2nd floor also unique!
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.
Date Received: 2023-11-06
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Hi AADL employee! Thank you for all that you do -- my family and I appreciate and enjoy the library so much. My comment is part complaint, part suggestion. My complaint is about how long the wait is for so many books, including ebooks and audiobooks. I'm surprised that there aren't more copies available and the wait times can be several months long with dozens or even hundreds of people waiting for a few copies of the some books. I have waited months and months for several books and then multiple holds become available at the same time. I can't read that many books in the given amount of time, but I don't want to let my hold lapse and have to go to the back of the waitlist and wait for another six months. I can't extend my due date because there are so many people waiting for the book after me. So I either keep the books beyond the due date or I return them without reading. My suggestion is something that happens when checking out an ebook or audiobook through Libby. When my hold becomes available I am given the option to check it out or to defer my hold. If I choose to defer, the book goes to the person after me in line but I stay at the front of the line and will be offered the book again when the next copy is available. Is there a way you can institute this policy with print books? It will help solve the problem of what to do when multiple holds become available at the same time after waiting for so long. Thanks
AADL Reply: Hello! Thank you very much for passing along your comment and suggestion - it is appreciated. I understand the frustration with long wait times for ebooks and audiobooks. We participate in OverDrive (parent of the Libby app) as part of a consortium of libraries, which significantly increases the size of the collection available, but unfortunately, also increases the number of potential users. The public library ebook market is, unfortunately, a pretty problematic one, where publishers make their materials available at higher than retail prices and with access limitations that often require pay-per-use, annual repurchase, and almost always, a single user per license. These conditions make it exceptionally challenging to balance availability and demand with responsible use of public funds, but this is our best option to offer materials from mainstream publishers digitally. As for physical books, we do try to keep up with demand in a reasonable way, but you are certainly right that there are instances when users encounter extensive waits as part of using their public library. The good news is that we do have a solution to address the problem of too many holds becoming available simultaneously! It's the option to "freeze" and "unfreeze" holds, and you'll find it under My Account on aadl.org. When you scroll down to Requests, each item has a drop-down option that says "modify" and you can select "freeze" to pause your hold, but continue to move up through the queue. When you're ready for new additions to your to-read pile, just go to "modify" and select "unfreeze" and those holds become active again. You can monitor your list this way to freeze and unfreeze as many items as you need as often as you need. I hope this tool will really help your holds experience and help you space out those loans to better accommodate your reading life! Thanks for asking and thanks for using your library! Sara Wedell Collections Manager | AADL wedells@aadl.org
Date Received: 2023-11-06
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Bring Narcan back- restock it. Very important to save lives; especially friend who is fighting addiction. Fighting for his life!!
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.
Date Received: 2023-11-05
Type: complaint
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Noticed that you've opened up the "Muskrat Room" at the Piittsfield Branch for group sessions. These can get quite loud and boisterous and disturb those working on the public computers, right next door. Perhaps some type of accommodation can be made , such as better sound insulation or, at least, restricting hours that events can be scheduled?
AADL Reply: Hi there, thanks for contacting us. We're sorry that you've been disturbed by other patrons using the library. We are limited by ventilation and fire suppression as to how much soundproofing we can do when retrofitting meeting rooms. We do not plan to limit the hours that the room can be booked, but if you feel that the use of the room is disturbing you, please let the desk staff know and they will address it if appropriate. Thank you for your patience, and thank you for using your library. -eli Eli Neiburger Director Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2023-11-02
Type: branch expansion comments
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: The interior design a teal change from West and Mellicks. Too dang noisy. Conference room presenration heard throughout the library. Individual rooms are not “ sealed “. Means you hear every loud conversation throughout . Redesign !!
AADL Reply: Hi there, thanks for contacting us. The ventilation and fire suppression requirements preclude these meeting rooms that were added long after the buildings were completed from being sealed off from noise. We're sorry for the disruption, but our branches are often too busy for us to be able to guarantee quiet throughout the building. You might try the reading room at Westgate or the Downtown Library if you're looking for a very quiet space. Thank you for your patience, and thanks for using your library. -eli Eli Neiburger Director Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2023-10-31
Type: compliment
Regarding: customer service
Patron Comment: Love you, the library, please never leave us for digital...you are just the best of so much life has to offer. Lovely staff, so helpful. So patient. Please bring back MelCat dvd/audio borrowing. We love you.
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.
Date Received: 2023-10-31
Type: compliment
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Thank you!! for the great picnic tables. We mask and don't eat inside so we are very appreciative of accommodating us - even in the winter! So please continue this fabulous gift. Sweetwaters & a great checkout is bliss. No answer necessary.
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.