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: exhibits/displays
Patron Comment: Please make the Sudan exhibit accessible. Move plants, tables, etc. Make exhibit prominent.
AADL Reply: Thank you for your interest in the Sudan exhibit at the Malletts Creek Branch. The exhibit spans the entire capacity of our exhibit space at the branch including the programming room, the cafe area and two walls extending to the far western side of the building. While we would agree that there are some areas that are more ideal than others in terms of exhibit space, please know that we do make every attempt to accommodate exhibits to the best of our ability while at the same time allowing for normal Library activities to take place. Thanks again for your interest and for letting us know how we may better serve you. Sincerely, Terry Soave soavet@aadl.org
Date Received: 2007-05-23
Type: complaint
Regarding: noise
Patron Comment: Hi, Maybe I'm showing my age (I'm 53), but my parents always taught me there were two places people should be quiet - church and libraries. Right now I'm at the computing center in the Main library and there's some clown next to me chatting loudly with his girlfriend. I'd ask him to be quiet, but I'm afraid I'd just say something like, "Hey, would you shut the h*** up?!" But I was taught it was common courtesy since other people were reading or studying. On the compliment side, the library is wonderful, as are all the people who work here. And I loved hearing Chuck Barris last night! Thanks for your time,
AADL Reply: Thank you for recent comments regarding noise in the library. Our Rules of Behavior, available at http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/policies/behavior and at every library location, specify in Rule #12 that noise louder than the general noise level of the area is prohibited. Should you find that your visits to any of our locations are disturbed by sustained noise, please let our staff know and we will enforce our Rules. You are correct that we would prefer that you not take matter in your own hands. Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Date Received: 2007-05-23
Type: complaint
Regarding: noise
Patron Comment: I have been here quite a few times with kids talking too loud at the computer. This is a library and it is distracting when they are loud. Suggestion: Could you put kids in one area an adults in another. Or could you monitor the kids more. Sometimes there are 2 kids using the same computer. Perhaps, just one kid to a computer would be better and closer monitoring so they follow this rule.
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.
Date Received: 2007-05-23
Type: complaint
Regarding: facility issue
Patron Comment: The reason I hate unisex bathrooms is what just happened. Some one pissed all over the seat and I had to wash it off to use the toilet. Maybe you need to put up a sign to have them practice hitting the toilet at home or learn to be respectful of others by lifting the cotton picking lid.
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.
Date Received: 2007-05-23
Type: my account problem
Regarding: website
Patron Comment: I looked at the "checkout history for mjy account and nothing was listed. Is there a way I can see what I have checked out over the past several months? If so, how far back can I check?
AADL Reply: Thanks for contacting us. The checkout history is an opt-in service to protect your privacy, so your checkouts are not recorded until you specifically turn the service on. You can turn on the recording of checkouts under my account > edit > preferences by checking the 'record my checkouts' box and clicking submit at the bottom of the page. From that point forward, your checkouts will be recorded and accessible under 'checkout history' for your reference. Again, to protect your privacy, your previous checkouts have not been recorded and can not be retrieved. I hope I've answered your question. Thanks for your patience, and please let us know if you have any further questions or trouble. Eli Neiburger AADL Tech Manager
Date Received: 2007-05-21
Type: programs and events
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: This is Chris Dallas. I am the artist rep for a Grammy Award winning artist ("Best Musical Performance for Children"), who has recorded 17 CDs, and last year did her second concert at The White House. Her name is Barbara Bailey Hutchison and you can get more information at BBHsings.com. I am interested in talking with you about having Ms. Hutchison do a concert either in your library, or in the elementary schools in your community as a gift from the library. Let me tell you about The youth concert. Its target audience is K-5. One presenter called it "a dance in your seat, clap your hands, sing-a-long, interactive, event". Along with the importance of reading and the fun of going to the library, Ms. Hutchison teaches the young students very important "life lessons." In "It's hard to brush your teeth with a cat in the sink," she touches on conflict resolution. In "La Mama," (La Bamba) it's listening to your elders. The opening poem talks about having confidence in yourself, and ends with the words "...anything is possible, anything can be." In "Grab a Book" and the "Library Song," she reminds the kids of all the wonderful adventures they can have through reading. "Won't You Be My Friend" encourages tolerance and the celebration of diversity. This theater event is very lighthearted, and there is willing and enthusiastic participation with almost every song. What other educators have said: "Excellent performance involving students and teachers." "Students were highly motivated and participation was outstanding." Eastover-Central School, Fayetteville,NC "Awesome active engagement of the students" Glendale Acres School, Fayetteville, NC "I have witnessed many arts programs, and hers was the finest." "Incredible musical talent and gifted rapport with the children." Principal, Black Fox Elementary, Cleveland TN "Wonderful performance...(Barbara) brought lots of smiles with her great entertainment." Laura Bush, First Lady, Washington,DC I can go into greater detail about the concerts, but first I wanted to find out if you were interested at all. Don't forget to ask me about the adult/community concert. I will gladly provide you with a DVD upon your request. Warm Regards, Chris Chris Dallas Chris@BBHsings.com (615) 799-0497 (615)202-0281 cell BBHsings.com Fairsprings Entertainment Group PO Box 22514 Nashville, TN 37202-2514
AADL Reply: Thank you for your interest. We will keep this the artist information on file for consideration for future programming.
Date Received: 2007-05-20
Type: other
Regarding: programs & events
Patron Comment: Hello. My name is Paul Hennessy. I'm writing in regards to a concert here on July 31st with Harry and the Potters. They are my good friends, and I was wondering if my band could possibly be on the bill as well. We would love to be a part of the events at this great library. The band's name is Shakespeare's Dead, and we take up about 20 minutes of time (or longer, depending on how long you'd like us to play). Well, thanks, and let me know. If you can contact me at this email (shakespearesdead@hotmail.com) or call me (517-522-8927) that would be appreciated. Thanks a lot! -paul
AADL Reply: Thanks you for contacting us. I'm glad to see that you are excited about the event. At this point, we have already arranged created all of our publicity for the event. Also, we have commited to two bands for this event and signed contract agreements with them. Unfortunately we will be unable to add your band to the bill. Thank you for your interest in performing at AADL. I will keep you band's information on file for the future.
Date Received: 2007-05-17
Type: complaint
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: URGENT! The construction vehicles in front of the library are just idling their engines. This type of idling is a major source of air pollution and is not necessary.
AADL Reply: Thanks for letting us know. I spoke with the owner of the company and the vehicles that are running are being used by the company to remove and replace the City sidewalks in front of the building. He assured me that with the cost of fuel the vehicles are turned off when not being used. Tim Minick Manager, Facilities
Date Received: 2007-05-17
Type: compliment
Regarding: branch building
Patron Comment: Hi I would like to know what company you hired to do the roof at the Mallets Creek library? What a great idea! I wish more buildings could be like yours! thank you! lorri
AADL Reply: Thanks for your inquiry. The company's name is Green Roof NA, Troy, Michigan. Phone (888) 305-7663. Tim Minick Manager, Facilities
Date Received: 2007-05-16
Type: programs and events
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Hi, I am the teen librarian in Tecumseh, MI. I saw your ad in the Ann Arbor news about making a poketo style wallet. I am not familiar with poketo and it sounded like a great program. Could you put me in contact with your teen librarian so I can find out more information about this exciting program. Thanks very much.
AADL Reply: Hello, Thanks for your interest in the Poketo wallet program--it was a lot of fun! The idea came from an issue of ReadyMade magazine (November 2006) featuring easy to make gifts for the holidays, including an adapted Poketo (www.poketo.com) wallet. You can access the article by clicking here: http://www.poketo.com/shop/press, scrolling past a ton of white space (!) to the second group of images, and clicking on the ReadyMade cover. This should bring up the instructions for the wallet. We modified it slightly--instead of self adhesive laminating paper, we used our table-top laminator. We cut out pieces of cardstock to sizes similar to those mentioned in the project, covered them with fun images, and laminated them in document size laminating pouches. This worked well, though the laminated pieces of paper didn't bend well--so we cut the pieces in half and laminated them with a little space between them to create a "spine" for the wallet. We then cut out the laminated rectangles, leaving a little border of laminated plastic around each one (failure to do this caused peeling, we discovered). Following the book-style modification theme, we also sewed the wallets together by hand, using book binding techniques, rather than using a sewing machine. We used awls, donated for the program by Hollander's, a local book arts and paper supply store, and punched holes along the pieces where we wanted to sew (it worked best to sew through all of the layers, rather than just the laminated plastic). We then sewed them together with nice, big needles and strong thread. We discovered that it's important to attach the small inside pockets to the interior of the wallet first, before sewing the rest of the wallet together. If you can get your hands on a sewing machine, the project will go much faster! The wallets we made measured 4 x 8 1/4 when open with a long interior pocket that measured 3 1/4 x 8 1/4, and two smaller pockets, one 2 x 3 3/4 to hold a library card, and another square pocket, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2, to hold a card vertically. Good luck! Please let me know if you have any questions, or if I can help in any way! Jamie Lausch Ann Arbor District Library