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: general suggestion
Regarding: Technical Enhancement
Patron Comment: Hi, I hope this isn't already in the site somewhere and I missed it. I was chatting with my wife, and she asked me to see if a certain book was in the library system. And it was. And it was available. But she didn't want to get it immediately, as she is deep into another book at the moment. So I could have put a hold on the other book, but then it would have been available immediately. And it struck me that what was (seemed to be) missing was a "wish list" type feature, where you could "bookmark" books that you were interested in reading, but not now, sometime later. Then you would need a way to see such books listed in your "My Account", and preferably to have them automatically disappear when you checked the book out. Well, it sounds useful to me. Thanks.
AADL Reply: Hello, thanks for contacting us with your suggestion! A wishlist is our most requested new feature and is currently in development. The new product will offer exactly what you describe and I think you and your wife will be very pleased with it! We plan to launch this enhancement over the summer, so stay tuned for this and other enhancements! Thanks again for your feedback, and thanks for using the library! Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2008-02-13
Type: other
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Hi, I'm a library science grad student at Simmons College and am including your website in an assignment. There is one question that I have not been able to figure out. If I search by "keyword" on your site, what fields are searched? Many thanks,
AADL Reply: Hello, thanks for your interest. Like most library catalogs, our keyword index includes the Author, title, subject, and note field (which is a small set of Marc fields to catch things like stars of films, etc). If you're asking if our patrons can search tags, the answer is no, not yet, but I'm just guessing as to your motive. =) I hope I've answered your questions; please let me know if you have other questions or would like to discuss this further. Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2008-02-13
Type: complaint
Regarding: customer service
Patron Comment: I liked the online search and request system, and especially being able to request from other libaries. I successfully used the MILE system multiple times, often waiting patiently some weeks before the book arrived. I was unpleasantly surprised to get a recent email from your new system that my request had been cancelled. When I asked the circulation clerk about it, she was very abrupt and did not want to hear my comments. She basically said tough, this is our new system and it is much better than the old. She originally claimed the old system required someone to call around to other libaries, which I corrected by explaining how I had used the MILE system in the past. She claimed the old system was limited to only a few libaries, which again was not my experience and I contradicted her. She did not at all get that I find nothing "better" about having my request automatically turned down, without the option of going on a waiting list. So I write to complain about this clerk, and the "improved" interlibrary loan system. In general, I find your clerks very friendly and helpful, so I was very put off by this woman.
AADL Reply: I am very sorry that you felt you received poor service at the Circulation Desk. I will make sure that all of the clerks understand how the MeL system works so that they can explain it more fully and, hopefully, more pleasantly. I suspect that this clerk was someone who does not remember the MiLE system; it ceased to exist before some of the staff began work here. I believe that the clerk you spoke with was referring to the traditional Interlibrary Loan system which does require staff calling or mailing other libraries to get materials for our patrons. During the time after MiLE ceased to exist and before we joined MeL (the Michigan eLibrary), traditional ILL was all we could offer. It was much more limiting for our patrons. She was, however, correct about the way MeL works. The system accepts requests on available items only. If the requested item is not found or the owning library has another reason for not lending it (rarity, condition, one of their patrons checked it out before they found it on the shelf for us), they begin the process that results in you receiving what we call a 'drop hold' notice. This notice is generated electronically and lets you know that the item you requested is not available any longer. At this point you are directed to check MeLCat again to see if there is another copy of the title available elsewhere and, if there is, to place your request again. The MeL system does not offer an automatic re-request or a hold list feature at this time. What it does offer is the ability to check a centralized state wide catalog and request items from any of the MeL participant libraries. It also tracks your requests electronically in your AADL record so that you can see when materials have arrived, renew online one time unless the owning library needs the item back, and tell what their due dates are when you have checked them out. In addition it gives us the capability of sending you email reminder notices before due dates just like we do for AADL materials and email overdue notices should you forget that due date. We would certainly be happy to help you request the title again if you let us know that you would like to do so. You can also do it yourself at http://elibrary.mel.org/. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain the MeL system and to apologize for less than pleasant treatment at the Circulation Desk. If you have further questions, please let me know. Diane Dahlem Circulation Manager
Date Received: 2008-02-11
Type: compliment
Regarding: catalog/searching
Patron Comment: Thank you for fixing my check out history. I am attempting to read every book and see every dvd and video in the library so this will help. One thing, is it possible to put on the search the vatalog a way to scroll through my clicking on a certain number rather than having to keep pressing the next botton. For example, I am searchin alphabettically and I have gotten as far as page 200, now when I want to search again, I have to start from one or kepp clicking the next button. Just an idea!
AADL Reply: Thanks for your suggestion! I'm afraid there's not a way to make that change at this point, but it's an excellent suggestion and we'll keep it in mind as we continue to improve the system. Thanks again for your feedback, and thanks for using the library! Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2008-02-11
Type: complaint
Regarding: Technical Enhancement
Patron Comment: I am hoping you can tell me honestly why I am no longer able to listen to lectures on the library's computers. This is the only public library I've been to in several cities and states that doesn't allow patrons to use their own earplugs to listen to the computer. You certainly used to offer this very valuable service. If it's because in the "new" (now about two years old) systems the outlets for the earplugs are located way in back, then isn't there some way you can reverse the location or remake the computer tables so these plugs can be accessed? Why wasn't this considered before you got your new systems??? Please don't tell me that you were aware of this before you got the new systems, but decided not to offer this to the patrons as it would be too noisy or you constantly lost your old headphones. As long as patrons used their own headphones and kept the volumne low, this shouldn't be a negative for anyone! Indeed, about the same time the "new" systems came in, I've noticed a general increase in the noise level at all A2 public libraries, and much of that noise is coming from the staff! So please don't tell me that is the reason we can no longer use headphones on A2 library computers. If the reason is due to the logistics, then (1) why wasn't this considered before you purchased the new computers and (2) why don't you change the positioning of the computers such that the plugs can be accessed? Thanking you in advance for your prompt reply,
AADL Reply: Thanks for contacting us. We're sorry that you've had trouble using headphones at the library; some of our systems are better suited to this than others, but we've never officially supported sound on our internet stations because we cannot guarantee that even if you plug in your own headphones that you'll be able to hear the content you want to hear because of all the different sound technologies out there. However, this is an aspect of our system that we're actively working on. We are developing a new server platform that should provide more reliable sound support, as well as finding a product that will allow a headphone jack on a separate box near the front lip of the desk. These two forthcoming enhancements, scheduled to launch over the summer, should go a long way to providing a better audio experience for users of our internet stations. Thanks for your patience, and we appreciate your taking the time to give us your feedback. We hope you'll like the new system when it launches; in the meantime, please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2008-02-11
Type: web site feedback
Regarding: login/password
Patron Comment: When people are logged in their account on the website and have selected to have their check-outs recorded, could it be possible when running a search in the card catalog to have an option where all items they have already checked-out be ommitted from their search?
AADL Reply: Thanks for contacting us with your suggestion, this is a great idea! There's not currently a way to do this, but it is a possibility for the future and we will add it to the list of proposed enhancements. Thanks again for your feedback, and please let us know if you have any other ideas! Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2008-02-11
Type: Ann Arbor Cooks Feedback
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: I am deeply appalled to find a recipe for cooking squirrels on your website. NOBODY in this community needs to kill squirrels to survive. How sad that the AADL contributes to the suffering of these sweet creatures who somehow manage to live amongst us. Do you think that baby squirrels suffer -- and probably die -- when someone traps and kills their mother? Do you think that a mother squirrel suffers when her off-spring are killed? I pay considerable taxes that support the library, and I am sad to see that I have inadvertently helped the library to promote harmful behaviors displaying a profound lack of consciousness. I may write a letter to the Ann Arbor News about this, but I am concerned that I would give unintelligent, uncaring people a bad idea that they never would have thought of -- just as the AADL is doing. Shame on the AADL!
AADL Reply: Thank you for contacting the Ann Arbor District Library. I am pleased that you have discovered one of our new treasures, the Ann Arbor Cooks historical recipes database and am glad to have this opportunity to tell you more about it. In so doing, I hope to alleviate the concerns you expressed in your email. The Ann Arbor District Library, the Washtenaw County Historical Society, the Culinary Historians of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Hadassah entered into a partnership to create Ann Arbor Cooks, which is an online collection of digitized heirloom cookbooks published by Ann Arbor churches and organizations. The website also highlights local growers, local food clubs and classes and special events for everyday cooks, aspiring chefs and food lovers. The squirrel recipe to which you refer was taken from the Ann Arbor Cookbook, 2nd edition, published in 1904. The Ann Arbor District Library does not promote one recipe over another but provides access to collections of historical recipes that would be otherwise unavailable. We blogged about the historical nature of the recipes, knowing that some of the practices listed in the recipes may no longer be standard practice (watch out for those jellies & jams recipes!) I encourage you go to the “Squirrels” recipe located at http://www.aadl.org/cooks/6206, click on the “add a new comment” link and share your thoughts on this recipe. You can "reply" to the comments of others, as well. I hope I have alleviated your concerns and answered your questions. Thank you for taking the time to contact AADL. Please let me know if you have any other questions or suggestions. Best regards, Celeste Choate Associate Director of Services, Access & Collections
Date Received: 2008-02-11
Type: web site feedback
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: For about 1 week now when I type in a web address and click the arrow I am given the AADL webpage and therefore cannot reach other sites. What is going on? Why now?
AADL Reply: Thanks for contacting us. Is this problem occurring when using a computer at the library? If so, it sounds like you might be clicking on the home button or another navigation tool instead of going to your typed address. Try hitting the enter key when you finish typing the address you want to go to, and please let me know if you have other questions or trouble. Thanks for your patience, Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2008-02-10
Type: complaint
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Hi, I'm writing to complain about the content of a book I recently checked-out, entitled "Extreme Design" (barcode 31621012219156). On two successive pages, the following images are displayed: A) a PORNOGRAPHIC image of a man (with Tina Turner's face overlaid) having sex with another naked man whom appears to be fondling himself - it is a black and white photograph; and, B) pictures of South Park cartoon characters intertwined with images of men's genitals (including a design of an ADULT character (known as "Chef") postured presumably in a sexual position with a CHILD character ("Cartman"). I believe that this is highly inappropriate material for a public library to openly have accessible, particularly without safeguards against children reviewing or checking-out such material. I would hope that you concur with this conclusion, and have the item either removed entirely or located separately and securely away from children. Having witnessed such disturbing material, it was returned to the Plymouth Road library drop box today. Thank you.
AADL Reply: Thank you for the email. The library has a formal policy with procedures that we follow if reconsideration is requested for any title. In order to start that process, a Request for Reconsideration form must be completed and turned into the Library. The forms are available at all library locations, or you can request one by sending us a mailing address. Thank you for caring enough about the Library to express your concerns. Sincerely, Josie Parker Director parkerj@aadl.org
Date Received: 2008-02-07
Type: compliment
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: I love that I can see my account information online! It is very convenient. As a suggestion, could you create an additional category for people to put books in that they are not ready to read yet? It would be nice to have something like that in addition to the "Checked Out" and "Hold" categories. Also, do you accept donated books in good condition? My shelf is quite crowded at home! Thanks!
AADL Reply: Thanks for contacting us. We're very glad that you like aadl.org! You'll also be pleased to hear to that we have a wishlist feature in development that should be exactly what you're looking for; it's our most-requested feature. So stay tuned for that this summer! As for donating books, you can donate books to the Friends of the Library at the loading dock off William Street at the Downtown library. There's a doorbell there and the attendant will help you out. Thanks again for your feedback, and thanks for using the library! Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library