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: catalog problem
Regarding: website
Patron Comment: I do not understand and find confusing and of only marginal value the arrangement of items in "my checkout history." What I would like to do is sort the titles alphabetically and the checkout date in descending order. A running count of results displayed, e.g., "61-80 of 312" would also be helpful.
AADL Reply: Thanks for contacting us. This is a problem for which we have a solution in development. The sorting, as you noticed, is not working as it should, and we plan to add sortable columns and a running count, just as you describe. Thanks for your feedback, and stay tuned for this and other enhancements over the next several months. Thanks again, Eli Neiburger AADL Tech Manager
Date Received: 2007-04-21
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: What do I love about the library? Why don't you amke that a site where people can submit their ideas? I love the dvd and cd collection. Thanks
AADL Reply: We do and you did! Thank you so much for letting us know what you love about the AADL. Sincerely, Josie Parker Director
Date Received: 2007-04-21
Type: employment
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Currently, I am a MLIS student (distant education) at the University of Pittsburgh and reside in Dexter, Michigan. I am interested in researching possible internships with the Ann Arbor District Library, ideally for the fall term. Do you offer internships? Whom should I contact for further questions? Thank you.
AADL Reply: Thank you for contacting us regarding our internship program. AADL has eight paid internship positions; we recently posted four open positions due to graduation, and are in the process of making offers. Based on the expected graduation dates of our current interns, I do not anticipate having another paid internship opening before December 2007. As with all of our job openings, internships are posted on our website under About Us --> Employment. We do, however, host unpaid practicums, which most students complete for credit with their institution. If you are interested in an unpaid internship for credit for Fall 2007, you may contact me and we can discuss projects. Thank you for taking the time to contact us.
Date Received: 2007-04-19
Type: other
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: We are interested in the 2 movable partitions. Could you describe the Quartz finish, and color? We are moving into our new library in a week, and they sounded like something that might be good to have. Let me know! Anne
AADL Reply: The partitions have a fabric covering on each side of the same color. Quartz is best described as a light to medium, gray/tan. Tim Minick Manager, Facilities
Date Received: 2007-04-18
Type: web site feedback
Regarding: website
Patron Comment: Hi, great website. I was wondering if maybe you it might be interesting to experiment with having links to the subscription databases from the catalog page. I think many users, including myself, probably head straight to the catalog button and then catalog page when they want to find something, and many of us maybe neglect to click the "Research" and so neglect many other research resources the AADL makes available such as the subscription databases. I personally didn't realise the number and extent of the databasess available until recently, especially since I have access to many of them through U of M, so I think maybe many other AADL patrons might also not realise the extent of databases available for use? So maybe on the catalog page, to the right of the catalog search forms, maybe you could have some text saying something like, "Also, be sure to try searching our electronic databases for access to full-text articles and abstracts and other research materials." You could have text reminding people to look at the "Services" and "Research" pages also, with links. I thought this might help. At the U of M Law School webpage for example, from the main page there is a big "electronic resources" link that is hard to miss--however on the AADL site, I think it's easier to overlook the existence of the subscription databases. Thanks, Stephen
AADL Reply: Stephen, thank you very much for your feedback. You make an excellent point, and we will keep this suggestion in mind as we continue to improve the site. Promoting subscription databases to a non-academic audience is always a challenge, and your suggestion may help raise awareness of the service. Thanks again for taking the time contact us with your idea, and thanks for using the library! Eli Neiburger AADL Tech Manager
Date Received: 2007-04-18
Type: other
Regarding: inquiry from other institution
Patron Comment: Hello, This question is for Eli Neiburger. I am in the process of trying to persuade our Friend's group to purchase DDR equipment for our library. They will consider it if I can relate it to books (which I can definitely do with book displays and annotated booklists). I am wondering if you have stories/information that you can share about how DDR has impacted reading/circulation at your library. Thank you! Meredith Geneva Public Library
AADL Reply: Hello, Meredith, thanks for contacting me! I have to say that using DDR as bait for books can backfire; Teens can smell a rat a mile away, and you don't want them to feel that they're only welcome in the library if they walk out with War and Peace. That said, getting them in the door WILL allow them to discover your other services on their own -- one of our players describes our tournaments as a gateway drug for libraries -- but that does not mean that you can measure it statistically. We have not observed any measurable collection impacts from our gaming services... but we see our gamers come in empty handed and walk out with things. We tend to scatter game magazines, manga, or other light fare around the room during our tournaments, but I wouldn't hand out a book list at a tournament for fear of losing the audience you're most trying to reach. I think the best angle to convince the unconvinced is to point out that potential teen customers will never take advantage of a library's traditional services if they feel uncomfortable or unwelcome at the library... or if they think the library is simply too lame to fit into their cool and exciting lives. The best way to change that impression is to offer them a recreational event that means something to them, that they can't get anywhere else. A DDR tournament gives them an opportunity to feel good about the library -- even be excited about going to the library -- and look at everything else in the building in a new way. Your mission statement says your library is "committed to serve each member of that community by providing access to the universe of information which contributes to the intellectual, social, cultural and recreational growth of the individual. Emphasis is on information which is of immediate relevance and interest to the community it serves." DDR at the library fosters the social, cultural, recreational and maybe even intellectual growth of members of your community who may not be using any other library services. If you're looking for information that is immediately relevant and interesting to the teens of your community, you're going to get the best results with social recreational activities; don't forget they're learning all day already! =) The audience you get at these events is a great audience to promote books to as your mission statement specifies as well; the catch is to do it gently, and not make the promotional opportunity the raison d'être of the program. So, sell it as a hook if you've got to, because it will work that way, but don't predicate it on measurable collection impact. If 15% of the teens at your event check out a book instead of the 5% that otherwise would have, that's not going to show up on any chart... but the fact is that you changed some very difficult-to-reach minds, and provided service to the underserved. I hope this is helpful, and I apologize if it was too soapboxy. =) Good luck with your project, and please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions I can answer. Eli Neiburger AADL Tech Manager (734)327-4245
Date Received: 2007-04-17
Type: other
Regarding: holds
Patron Comment: A copy of The Last Day the Dogbushes Bloomed has been available for a while now. My request is 1 of 1. Shouldn't that be on the way to me? I'd appreciate it if you'd move this along. Thanks!
AADL Reply: It certainly should! I found it on the shelf and it should be on its way to you momentarily. Thanks for letting us know and for your patience. Diane Dahlem Circulation Manager
Date Received: 2007-04-17
Type: complaint
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Bad smell on the second floor by the computer area.
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.
Date Received: 2007-04-17
Type: compliment
Regarding: compliment
Patron Comment: The Librarians are very helpful and if you can't find what you want they find you another graet book.
AADL Reply: Thank you for sending us your compliments on the service you've received at the Downtown library. It is always a pleasure to hear from happy patrons, and I thank you for taking the time to let us know that we are doing a good job. I have forwarded your compliments on to our librarians; thanks again!
Date Received: 2007-04-17
Type: other
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: HI!!
AADL Reply: This comment was submitted anonymously.