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.
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Filter Patron Comments
Type: complaint
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: I was dismayed when I was informed by library staff at Northeast branch that I will no longer be able to purchase Friends books by having the cost applied to my fines, and paying it with a credit card. I come to the library to pick up books and videos I've reserved when I am on my way to or from a relatively isolated park where I walk my dogs. I do not carry valuables like cash - only my drivers' license. Since the desk will not hold a Friends book to be picked up and paid for on a separate, special trip to the library, if the new policy is enforced, the Friends of the Library will lose my busines, since there will be no way for me to pay if I spy a book that I want to own on the Friends shelf. It was explained to me that the change may have been made because, even though it lists the friends as my payment online, there is no practical way to credit that payment to them. If that is in fact true, what an anomaly for a library system that has world-class online capabilities! I find it hard to believe. Can't you reconsider this policy? I'm sure I am not the only person that finds this to be unfair and inconvenient. An Otherwised Satified Patron,
AADL Reply: I am sorry that you have fallen victim to our mistakes. The proceeds from the sales of Friends material should not be have ever been added to your fines on your account. The library does not extend credit. The reason that was given concerning our accounting software is not correct and is not the reason that you will no longer be able to charge a purchase at the Library. The simple fact is that we don't allow anyone to charge a purchase. I'm sorry that this has happened and that it led you to be disappointed in our service. I am glad though that you are an otherwise satisfied patron, and I hope that we do our part to keep it that way. Sincerely, Josie Parker Director
Date Received: 2008-04-08
Type: other
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Did U have 8th grade science book.
AADL Reply: Thank you for your question. We have a variety of science books for all grade levels. If you are looking for a specific book, we would be happy to help you determine whether we own the book or whether we can get the book for you through Interlibrary Loan. With more information, we can address your question more fully. You may contact the Youth Department desk at 327-8301 to speak with staff that can help you find the best answer to your question. Sincerely, Sherlonya Augustine Youth Services Manager
Date Received: 2008-04-06
Type: other
Regarding: facility issue
Patron Comment: West Branch Library - would it be possible to add a drop off box (or wall chute) at the back of the library? It seems customary for patrons utilizing the front drop off boxes to park in the short term along the rounded corner between TJ Max and Nicolas Books. This frequently impedes vehicular traffic flow in an already congested parking lot at the Westgate shopping center. Maybe these boxes could be relocated to the back of the building where drive through traffic is better facilitated. Sun and Snow has an additional entrance there as well. If the layout permitted for these boxes to actually be driven up to, I'm certain they would be very popular and appreciated. If you could drop off books without having to get out of your car, people would go crazy! In my mind, a bicycle rack at the front of the library would make for a great swap. Thanks for your consideration.
AADL Reply: Thank you for contacting the Library. Both of the issues you have identified in your comment card are being proposed in next year’s budget, which begins July 1, 2008. Feel free to check back with me by email in early June on their status. Tim Minick Facilities Manager
Date Received: 2008-04-06
Type: other
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Greetings. I would like to begin tracking the books I have checked out, but I can't figure out how to set this up. Can you tell me how to do this? Thanks, Sandra Beals
AADL Reply: Hello! Thank you for contacting the Ann Arbor District Library. I am glad that you are exploring the options available to you in your online account with us. After you have logged in to your account, click on the "my account" tab on the left hand side. Click on "Record my check-outs". Scroll down the page just a little bit and put a check in the "Record Check-outs” check box. Information about how this service works is available there. Click on the “Submit” button at the bottom. While you are in the ‘my account’ tab, you might take a moment and check the settings for the other options. For example, I have set my “Maximum number of check-outs to display” to “Display All”. I hope this information answered your question. Please contact me if you have further questions or comments.
Date Received: 2008-04-06
Type: other
Regarding: storytimes
Patron Comment: Hello: I was searching online for a playgroup for my 10mth old and was happy to see that your program. I only have one problem, I am living in Ypsilanti and was wondering if there are any conditions surrounding us joining? Do I have to pay a fee? I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you
AADL Reply: I am very pleased that you found information about our playgroups. Our playgroups are free and not restricted to Ann Arbor residents or Ann Arbor District Library cardholders. You do not need to register. All you have to do is show up. We hope to see you there. Sincerely, Sherlonya Augustine Youth Services Manager
Date Received: 2008-04-05
Type: programs and events
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: On April 3 the City of Ann Arbor and a worker from the library came to Pioneer High School and showed my class about the AutoMARK and how to use it and talked about signing up for the election. The worker from the library said that the AutoMARK will be at Mallets at the end of April to learn how to use it. I looked at the events page on the website and it didn't show that the AutoMARK will be at Mallets. Do you know when or if the library will have it to show people to use it?
AADL Reply: The date we have planned for the public to try the AutoMark at Malletts Creek is closer to the fall election, Thursday, Sept. 18, 1-4 pm. The first half hour we'll hear from the City Clerk, Jackie Beaudry, about the groups that have had the chance to try the machine, such as the students at Pioneer and Huron. So please join us then and let others know about it. Feel free to contact me with any other questions. Sincerely, Ira Lax Outreach and Neighborhood Services
Date Received: 2008-04-04
Type: programs and events
Regarding: computer classes
Patron Comment: Dear Ann Arbor Public Library, I am a librarian at Houston Public Library and am preparing a program on digital music. I found your terrific "Ipod Fever" program and would like to incorporate it into our program. May we please have permission to borrow freely from your program if we acknowledge the source? You are trailblazers in programs on this subject! Many Thanks, Julia de Berardinis Julia.DeBerardinis@cityofhouston.net
AADL Reply: Thanks so much for contacting us regarding our “Ipod Fever” class! We are pleased to know of your interest and happy to extend permission for you to borrow whatever you’d like from our program/handouts. We view our handouts as public documents and don’t require acknowledgement. Best of luck with your program, and please don’t hesitate to let us know if we can be of any further assistance. Terry Soave Outreach & Neighborhood Services Manager
Date Received: 2008-04-04
Type: web site feedback
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Suggestion for an online function, sort of like netflix, only for books on a categorized list developed by library staff. This would be a service that patrons can "subscribe" to where you (the library) keep lists of different categories of recommended books, and when a patron subscribes to one of your lists, you put x number (a preference the user sets, within a min to max range?) of those books on request for that user so the books will be sent to the user's preferred location for pickup. The lists might cover categies such as "100 Classic books", or "Popular SciFi", or "Historical fiction", or whatever categories you have printed lists for. You might even get lists of required reading from the local middle or high schools, that parents can use to encourage their students to read those books before they are assigned in school. I thought of this because I have a couple high school daughters who love to read, but complain about no new books in the house, and then can't think of any good books to get from the library. With this "netbooks" option, they can work down a list of highly recommended books, and as they turn one in, another one moves to to request status and gets sent to our preferred location for pickup. And we keep our girls happy reading good books. I'm interested to know your thoughts on this idea. Thanks.
AADL Reply: Hello, thanks for your excellent suggestion! We have a wishlist feature in development that could be expanded in this direction, so this is very timely. One question: would you prefer to be able to choose which items off the lists are requested, or do you just want to subscribe to an entire list and know that you'll eventually get every single item on the list? Or both? Thanks again for your feedback; we'll keep it in mind as we continue to improve the system. Watch for this in the future! Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2008-04-03
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: customer service
Patron Comment: Hello, Many times, when I want to make use of the study rooms available at AA library, the same issue comes up, that we can't reserve the room. What if we show up there and the rooms are not available? It will be great to have an online system, where we could reserve these rooms for an hour or so. I am also a student at U of M. During the finals week, due to the huge number of group projects and reports due in the last week, we often find it very hard to get space for us to meet - we often resort to the church basement. Library study rooms would be perfect for this purpose. Unfortunately I can't ask my teammates who are coming all the way from Livonia to meet at the library, only to find the room is not available. I have used the study rooms on many other occasions, for impromptu meetings. It is a great feature that could be made better by adding a schedule. Regards, S.
AADL Reply: Thank you for contacting the Ann Arbor District Library with your question about reserving study rooms. As noted on http://www.aadl.org/services/publicspace/studyrooms, "Free study rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Downtown, Malletts Creek and Pittsfield locations. Internet access coverage extends throughout all three of these locations.” The study rooms are well-used year round but are especially in demand during the end of the school year. If you and your group arrive and there are no study rooms available, one option is to study at the large tables. Rule 12 of the AADL Rules of Behavior “Bans conversation and other sounds in louder volume than the general noise level of the area.” (http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/policies/behavior) It would depend, then, upon the general noise level of the area and how much discussion you group needs to have as to whether this is a good option for you. One other option is the aadlfreespace. Please read the information available at http://www.aadl.org/services/aadlfreespace to see if this space would work for you. I hope that this information answers your question. If not, or if you have other questions or concerns, please contact me. Best regards, Celeste Choate, Associate Director of Services, Collections & Access
Date Received: 2008-04-03
Type: other
Regarding: inquiry from other institution
Patron Comment: Hi, I'm doing a research study on libraries and innovative technologies used in providing information and services to library users. I'm trying to document the ways in which libraries are using new information technologies - some examples would be blogs, wikis, instant messaging, videos, podcasts, MySpace, Facebook and more. I wondered what sorts of innovative technologies and services are being used at your library, and if there's anyone I could talk with to find out more information. Thanks,
AADL Reply: Hello, Lorri, thanks for your interest! I'd be happy to talk with you about what we're doing here at AADL. A phone call would probably be best unless you have specific questions you'd like me to answer via email. I'm out of the office most of this week, but back next week if you'd like to schedule a call. Thanks again for your interest, and I look forward to talking with you! Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library