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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Search Patron Comments
Type: web site feedback
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Access to digital media? Is it true that libraries can not acquire new book ( recently published) digital media? Because of the purchase of most of the providers by Amazon ( Audible) libraries are now restricted to hard copy books, no audio or ebooks. I feel frustrated about this. I would like to bring this to the attention of the press so people know what has happened but I would like confirmation from my library. That this is correct. Thank you for your help.
AADL Reply: Hello, thanks for contacting us. Yes, it is correct that there are new items that the library cannot obtain in digital format; there are even digital-only items that the library cannot obtain in any format! Some publishers are still not licensing ebooks to libraries, and unfortunately, it's not even newsworthy anymore. However, we do have some ebooks, sold to us at prices far above retail, through systems that can be hard to use and unreliable. You can try them out at http://ebooks.mcls.org . We are also approaching iindependents and smaller publishers to make digital content deals that work for our patrons; one example is Magnatune, a collection of over 12,000 songs in many genres for immediate download, for you to keep! Check them out here: http://aadl.org/magnatune and some other deals in the works. So, while things look grim for the most popular commercial items, there's plenty of opportunity for libraries to stay in the game a bit for a while. Thanks again for your interest, and thanks for using your library! -eli Eli Neiburger Associate Director for IT and Production Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2013-04-10
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Was surprised and intrigued to learn just now that you loan out energy meters. What I'd really like to be able to borrow is one of these: http://www.scangauge.com/. It plugs into any car, and computes gas mileage and other driving data. I'd like to know how my driving habits affect my gas mileage, but wouldn't need to keep the device once I learned what to do to maximize mileage. Just a suggestion.
AADL Reply: Thank you for your suggestion and your interest in the library! We will consider this device for the collection. Best, Sherlonya Turner Youth & Adult : Services & Collections Manager
Date Received: 2013-04-10
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Do we have access to the online subscription??
AADL Reply: Thank you for your question. Currently we do not subscribe to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. However, we will keep in mind that we have had an inquiry about it when making future electronic resource selections. Best, Sherlonya Turner Youth & Adult : Services & Collections Manager
Date Received: 2013-04-10
Type: compliment
Regarding: customer service
Patron Comment: Please pass on my appreciation to librarians who go above and beyond answering questions and searching for items on the shelves and on line: (Main library, 2nd floor information desk) , (Mallett's Creek information desk), and (-Pittsfield branch). We are fortunate to have their help and expertise! thank you.
AADL Reply: Dear Ms. Price, Thank you for taking the time to contact us! I am glad to hear that you have been getting your needs met at the library! I have passed this compliment on to the staff you mentioned. Best, Sherlonya Turner Youth & Adult : Services & Collections Manager
Date Received: 2013-04-09
Type: web site feedback
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: I am wondering how to get to my "Saved Searches"? The only way I can find to navigate there currently is to actually save a new search. I'm assuming there is a different way to get there than that. I also have one suggestion- it would be really nice to have a "Favorite Author" option where we could receive a notification any time that author has a new item in the catalog. Thanks for your assistance.
AADL Reply: Hello, thanks for contacting us. We're sorry you've run into this trouble! When you're logged in, you can see your saved searches here: https://www.aadl.org/user/library/searches There is supposed to be a link to that, but it looks like it has disappeared! We will investigate. If you use RSS, you can subscribe right now to a feed of a saved search for your favorite author, which will show new items when they are added. However, we are working on an email version of this, that will notify you via email when new titles arrive. Stay tuned for that, and thanks for using your library! -eli Eli Neiburger Associate Director for IT and Production Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2013-04-07
Type: complaint
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: I visited the Traverwood Library this afternoon (Sunday 4/7, from 2-3:30 pm). As usual, the library is filled with people working on their laptops due to the free wi-fi. One young patron was lunching and working there. He's not discreetly munching a protein bar but had a partially eaten pizza (with box open) and drinks. I thought food and beverages are not allowed in the library and was surprised to see that he did it so openly. The librarians did not say anything to him. Please clarify the policy for me and let me know where I can find reference to this policy.
AADL Reply: Thank you for contacting us. According to Rule 6 in the Library Rules of Behavior, "the Library prohibits foods in the Library except in designated areas." At the Traverwood Branch, the area near the front of the building (uncarpeted, and closest to the vending machines) is the area where eating is permitted. If a patron was eating outside of this area, then staff should have asked him to relocate to the area in the building where food is permissible. You also asked where you can find reference to this rule. You may find all of our rules here: http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/policies/behavior. Thank you for your interest in the library! Best, Sherlonya Turner Youth & Adult : Services & Collections Manager
Date Received: 2013-04-06
Type: other
Regarding: computers
Patron Comment: Computer problem: Some computer stations at West Branch let me sign in to Gmail and Hotmail from IE. Some don't. Today when I tried for Hotmail, station J gave me the message "Microsoft account requires JavaScript to sign in. This web browser either does not support JavaScript, or scripts are being blocked." And both stations I and J wouldn't let me download files sent to me through Gmail. This is a nuisance, since I'm really not very good at Firefox (and bewildered by Chrome), and they do work differently. Any chance this glitch can be fixed? Thanks.
AADL Reply: Hello, we're sorry that you're having this trouble. First, please understand that none of the errors you're running into are specific to individual machines. None of the software you use at the library is installed on the individual computers you use, it all runs from a set of servers downtown. So when you run into this IE javascript problem, moving stations may not help if a particular server's copy of IE is stuck in this rut. That said, this is exactly why we try to discourage use of IE. It cannot be trusted to retain our configurations. I think the route out of frustration goes through becoming more familiar with firefox or chrome; even though what's outside the browser window is a little different cosmetically, and some of the dialog boxes look different, the central function of firefox and chrome is the same as IE, and a little time spent getting comfortable with firefox would likely pay off in the long term. I'm afraid we're not getting other reports of the problems you're running into, but we will investigate again and see if there's anything we can do. Thanks again for your patience, and thanks for using your library! -eli
Date Received: 2013-04-03
Type: other
Regarding: customer service
Patron Comment: Thank you for all your wonderful services!
AADL Reply: Thank you for your interest in the library and for taking the time to comment! We are pleased that you are enjoying AADL services!! Best, Sherlonya Turner Youth & Adult : Services & Collections Manager
Date Received: 2013-04-03
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: noise
Patron Comment: 1. Please post "Quiet" signs or "Use your Library Quiet Voice please" 2. Address individuals who are talking, screaming, too loud and distracting others 3. If you will not address, please have 2 separate rooms for (1)those who want to work quietly on the computer and (2) those who want to socialize or game in their normal or loud voices (very distracting to those trying to concentrate on their tasks. I would really appreciate it. We all should be considered and accommodated. What ever happened to the quiet of a library!
AADL Reply: Thank you for your interest in the library. Our rule about noise does permit a certain amount of noise, but not conversation and other sounds in louder volume than the general noise level of the area. When there are sounds louder than the general noise level, which varies depending on library events at the time, then staff should address that situation. If you feel that a patron is noisy in excess of the general noise level, and staff is not intervening, please feel free to ask staff to do so. Staff will then assess and handle the situation. Thank you for taking the time to comment! Best, Sherlonya Turner Youth & Adult : Services & Collections Manager
Date Received: 2013-04-03
Type: complaint
Regarding: branch building
Patron Comment: not really a complaint but a concern. First- I love our library!! the staff, collection - I am writing to provide feedback on the physical structure of the West branch library. I seems dirty, the bathrooms are run down, not sure how clean they are. the carpeting is run down. It is in a strip mall which is not very pleasant. I know the millage did not pass, however there must be another location over in this area that is inviting. thanks. Kate Sweeney
AADL Reply: Dear Kate, Thank you very much for your support and use of the AADL. I am sorry that you find the Westgate to be dirty. The space is old and certainly has a very different appearance from the newer branches, but we do have a daily cleaning schedule there as we do at all of the buildings. If you could be a bit more specific, it would help me to address whatever cleaning issues there might be at that location. In the meantime, I have forwarded your comment to our Facilities department, and we will speak with the supervisor at that location as well. There is not currently any discussion by the Board of AADL to relocate the Westgate Branch. Regards, Josie Parker Director
