Press enter after choosing selection

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

Date Received: 2007-12-20
Type: other
Regarding: programs & events

Patron Comment: I am an Italian native-speaker and teacher of the Dante Alighieri Society Chapter of Michigan (www.dantemichigan.org). I was wondering if it would be possible to come at one of your branches and "read" some books for children in Italian. I remember you had a program like this with Chinese or Japanese, if I remember correctly. My children were too young then... Would it be a program you might be interested in? Let me know what you think and thank you for your great programs and staff! You are the BEST. Let me wish all the best to all of you for the upcoming holidays;-) Sincerely, Silvia Giorgini-Althoen

AADL Reply: Thank you for contacting us. We will take this information into consideration when planning our next season of youth programs. Also, thank you for your kind words! Sincerely, Sherlonya Augustine


Date Received: 2007-12-19
Type: other
Regarding: other

Patron Comment: Hello, I work at the Department of Comparative Literature at UM and we have a collection of books we would like to donate to your book store. What is the procedure for donating books? There are maybe 100 books in the collection and the topics include fiction and critical theory. Most of the books are published in English but we have French, Italian and German books as well. Thank you.

AADL Reply: Donations may be brought to the back of the Downtown Library during library business hours. Enter the Staff Parking lot off William Street, ring intercom buzzer at door and tell receptionist that you have books to donate. Donation bins are directly inside the door. The Friends of the Ann Arbor District Library will then process your donation. For more information visit http://www.faadl.org/ and follow the "How to Donate" link. Thank you.


Date Received: 2007-12-18
Type: other
Regarding: Interlibrary loan/MeLCat

Patron Comment: Greetings I recently used M@L (second time) to request two books. This is such an incredible service. I've tried to explain this system to friends overseas and they can't believe that i, an ordinary citizen, can check out a book from almost any library in the State. I was curious if its only Michigan Libraries or if libraries across the country/world are joining together into this idea of shared library resources. I also noticed that some libraries consider an item not transferable or "rare" while to other libraries the same item is available for checkout. What puts an item in this category if, for example, there are 7-8-9 of the same item spread out across the state?

AADL Reply: I am pleased to hear that the MeLCat service has proven itself to be a valuable resource to you. Tell your local friends about it, too! Each participating library determines which of its items are available for MeLCat loans based upon the needs of its local community, which is why you will see the same title available for loan from some libraries and not from others. Also, you cannot place a hold on a title that is checked out. It is a good idea to check back on titles of interest if they are out when you originally try to place your hold. You are correct in assuming that libraries band together to share resources to provide better access for all. In addition to the rich resources in Michigan libraries available to you via MeLCat, you can visit http://www.aadl.org/catalog/ill to search Worldcat, a worldwide online catalog of books. If you find items of interest on Worldcat not available via AADL or MelCat, you can place your hold request using the online form on that webpage. Best regards, Celeste Choate Manager of Access & User Services


Date Received: 2007-12-17
Type: programs and events
Regarding: other

Patron Comment: Due to the snow, I was unable to get to Malletts Creek yesterday for the opening reception of the colored pencil exhibit. I was wondering -- given the weather -- was the reception postponed to a later date? Or did it take place yesterday?

AADL Reply: I apologize for the delay in responding to you. I am the person who handles all rentals for the Library system. The event you are inquiring about was a rental. I have had no correspondence or inquires from the person who rented Malletts Creek on that day. The Library was open.


Date Received: 2007-12-14
Type: web site feedback
Regarding: inquiry from other institution

Patron Comment: Hi, Our library system is beginning work on redesigning the site using Drupal. Are the modules you are using for the catalog and barcode stuff available? (The hook into the catalog hasn't come up yet - but I'm sure it will shortly ;) Regards, Lou

AADL Reply: Hello, Lou, thanks for your interest! We do have some code available on our website at http://www.aadl.org/services/devblog/downloads . Our catalog wrapper module isn't up there because it's so heavily customized for our environment and requires some customization to your III server in order to work, but I'd be happy to talk with you on the phone about what we've done and give you some more code for sample purposes. Please let me know if you have other questions or if you'd like to schedule a call to discuss this further. Thanks again, and good luck with your project! Eli Neiburger Associate Director, IT and Product Development Ann Arbor District Library


Date Received: 2007-12-13
Type: compliment
Regarding: other

Patron Comment: Dear AADL Library Staff: As I just requested my sixth(?) item from home this mornig, I wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation for your services. Thank you for such a wonderful web tool to the collection and your programming. Thank you for getting the books on hold. I generally love to come and browse the library as you get a better search than just the database. However, my job is so busy this time of year, I would just end up not coming at all. It's difficult to express adequatley how grateful I am for the web tool, the human service of collecting the requested materials, and the counter service for checkout. I know AADL is moving more to a self-serve model in this regard (for pick-up), but, in the interim, please understand this less peronal, less inside the building model allows me to make full use of the library all seasons. Again, thank you so much for your service. Rainey

AADL Reply: I'm pretty late in thanking you for your note and positive comments about the library, but here it is. Thank you! I hope that you are continuing to use the Library and find the AADL useful online and in person. Sincerely, Josie Parker Director


Date Received: 2007-12-12
Type: other
Regarding: inquiry from other institution

Patron Comment: I was delighted to meet Josie Parker at the Library Journal Design Institute in Chicago yesterday. She mentioned an architectural firm you used for one of your library remodeling projects and I neglected to write the name down. Please forward this to Josie and ask her to e-mail the names of the architects you used on your projects. Thanks. Marge Jeffers Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI 54912-2277 920-831-4397 jeffersm@fvtc.edu

AADL Reply: Thanks so much. I enjoyed meeting you, too. The firms who have worked with AADL are: Luckenbach|Ziegelman Architects PLLC 256 East Liberty Ann Arbor, MI 48104 734.997.9444 Carl Luckenbach was principal on two of our branch projects. InForm Studio 235 E. Main Street, Suite 102B Northville, MI 48167 Mike Guthrie is prinicpal on our current branch project. Hope this is helpful. Josie Josie Parker Director Ann Arbor District Library 248-449-3564


Date Received: 2007-12-12
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: programs & events

Patron Comment: Dear Eli, I have a question and my mom has a question. Here is my mom's question--can Hannah, Sarah and I enter in the next tournament? My mom was wondering because in the lookup on events in says Pokemondays is for the age group K-5. My question is--with the upcoming Pokemon tournament, you told us that there will be XD, but there is no mention of the GBA games in the lookup results. Me and Hannah suggest that the first two days ahould be XD, but that's up to you. Just please don't forget XD, and please don't eliminate the XD tournaments completely! Maybe in the summer it could be like this--XD 50's, BR 50's, XD 100's, BR 100's, and then just a day of open play for both games with some sort of tournament setup. Please think this over and reply! Susan P.S. I've been reading your book and it's really good.I think you could convince some other libray to host a videogame tournament with that book. I'm writing a book too! But it is about Elemental Dragons who have stars and diamonds, not videogames. P.P.S. Please don't elimenate XD!!!!!!!!! Susan

AADL Reply: Hello, Susan, nice to hear from you! Sorry for the confusing information in the event listings. These events are for all ages, so you guys can definitely come; and I'm currently planning on having both gba and DS qualifiers for both, and sticking with gba finals for now. XD isn't going anywhere soon; but I'll keep switching things up, so stay on your toes! I'm also very glad that you're enjoying my book. I've done a lot of traveling trying to teach other libraries how to have videogame events too; and we're hoping to have a new scoring system that all libraries can use starting next season! I'd like to read your book too. Thanks for your questions, and let me know if you have any others; and I'll see you soon! -eli


Date Received: 2007-12-11
Type: complaint
Regarding: computers

Patron Comment: I use the computers at the pittsfield branch and sometimes they are agonizingly slow. Is this a situation that is always going to be the case, or are "they" working on it to always provide the "normal" fast speed of the Internet / library server? Thanks

AADL Reply: Thanks for contacting us. Due to a quirk of the internet connection at Pittsfield, the entire branch is susceptible to slowdowns as a result of high demand from wireless users. However, we are working on a solution to add a second connection at Pittsfield reserved for wireless traffic to keep the internet stations there from being affected by the ebb and flow of wireless demand. We don't yet have a date for when this solution will be implemented, but we are working on providing faster, more reliable service at Pittsfield. Thanks for your patience, and please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns. Eli Neiburger AADL IT Manager


Date Received: 2007-12-11
Type: compliment
Regarding: branch building

Patron Comment: Greetings, I would like to introduce myself and let you know that a group of librarians from Adrian Public Library will be visiting your Mallets Creek and Pittsfield locations on Friday Dec. 14. We are undergoing a renovation project and are visiting libraries in your area. We will probably be visiting your locations later in the day on Friday. We look forward to seeing your locations. Our architects, Bona and Kolb, have raved about them. Carol Souchock Library Director Adrian Public Library

AADL Reply: Thanks for letting us know, and thank you for the compliment to our buildings. We are very proud of them. If you wish to have someone from AADL present for your tours, let me know and we will attempt to arrange for that. Sincerely, Josie Josie Parker Director