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: compliment
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: I want to thank and compliment the AADL for adding the Wall Street Journal to its list of available newspapers. Its a real service for those of us interested in news of the economy. Of course, in my wildest dreams I would like to have the Financial Times as well. However, I do understand the constraints of budgets on your services.
AADL Reply: We're glad to know you appreciate this new resource! Thanks for using your library! -Sara AADL
Date Received: 2021-04-14
Type: compliment
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Happy National Library Appreciation Day!! The Lynn family wants to let you all know how much everyone is appreciated at the AADL!! Thank you for all that you do! Have a great day! Jennifer Lynn
AADL Reply: Dear Jennifer and all of the Lynn family, Thank you so, so much for this note to the staff at AADL. I shared it with them this morning. We love what we do, and your family along with all others in the community are why. Have a lovely day, Josie
Date Received: 2021-04-01
Type: other
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Hello, Do you have any idea when the library will open? Or when story time will resume? What about an outdoor story time? Thanks!
AADL Reply: Hi there, thanks for asking. We're sorry for the continued service interruptions. We plan to reopen for browsing after Washtenaw County reaches the Low risk phase. We're still in Phase E and getting worse, so we're unable to estimate when reopening might be. We do hope to resume indoor programming in the fall, and we are working to plan some events outside this summer if conditions allow. Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to getting the library more open as soon as we safely can. -eli
Date Received: 2021-03-21
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Hi! While I’m appreciative all that the AA libraries have done during this time, I have witnessed pretty much all other areas and states libraries have been completely open for browsing safely with masks with no issues. We have been to many other large cities where adults, families and children with masks can drop in anytime (no appointment) to browse and checkout books as long as the building is not at capacity. It seems past due that this should be available given the scientific research as well as the amazing staff and resources we have to make this happen. I appreciate all you do but it is truly WELL beyond time that this should be implemented.
AADL Reply: Thank you for your email. While other libraries in different areas are making decisions for their community, the AADL has all along stated what our decisions regarding re-opening will be based on. Our discussions have been public at our monthly AADL Board meetings and are described on our website at aadl.org. We are following the guidance of the Washtenaw County Health Department and the MIstartmap.info. When the risk of spread of COVID is at LOW on the MIstartmap.info, we will be opening for browsing and public computing. Currently, the risk is at Level D. We appreciate your desire to be able to come into the buildings, and if things continue in a downward trend, it could be soon. Josie Parker
Date Received: 2021-03-17
Type: other
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Two questions: (1) Does AADL anticipate reconnecting with interlibrary loan service soon? (2) On the Requested Items list, there's a designation " 1 0f 1" or "4 of 5," and the like. Does this mean "Your request is fourth in line of five requests" or does it mean "Your request is the fourth for five books available on the shelf"? The difference in response time could be considerable, yes?
AADL Reply: Hi there, thanks for your interest! We did resume MeLCat interlibrary loan in January. Traditional Interlibrary Loan via Worldcat will resume sometime after we've reopened for browsing. Many of the partners on that network have not yet resumed sending out items so it's even more time-consuming than usual. Thanks for your patience on that. As for your question about your queue position, that is your place in line and the length of the line, and does not reflect number of copies in circulation. So 4 of 5 means that 5 people are waiting for that title and there are 3 others in line ahead of you. You can see the number of copies on the item page, but it does not affect your queue position. We've found that there is very little data that can allow an accurate prediction of wait time; it's too dependent on how long patrons keep the item, and how long patrons wait to pick it up when it's their turn. I hope that's helpful information. Let us know if you have any other questions, and thank you for your patience as we get back towards normal library operations. -eli Eli Neiburger (he/him) Deputy Director Ann Arbor District Library
Date Received: 2021-03-16
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: When can we expect the AADL to respond to the governor's current covid restrictions and reopen in a limited fashion? Why are books continuing to be 'quarantined' when this practice has been scientifically shown to be unnecessary?
AADL Reply: Ms. B, The AADL at its Board meetings has made its reopening plans public for some months. The AADL plans to reopen for browsing and public computing when the mistartmap.info indicates that the risk of COVID spread in Washtenaw County is at the LOW level. It is currently at the D Level. Our decisions are not based in any way on the quarantining of books or other media, but on the spread of the virus human to human. Thank you for your query and we wish you well during this difficult and sad time. Sincerely, Josie Parker Director
Date Received: 2021-03-10
Type: other
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Well, we're coming up on an important anniversary. In a city that hosts (and boasts!) a world-class public research university, it's hard to believe that library patrons have gone one full year without internet access (public computing)! 1989, anyone? Here's to timely restoration of this essential service.
AADL Reply: It has been a long and very hard year for everyone, and we join you in hoping that we are all able to be in the public library spaces soon. The AADL has stated in its Board meetings and on its website that we are following the guidance of public health officials and are monitoring the data on MIStartmap.info. When the risk of spread reaches the LOW level, we will begin opening for browsing and public computing. Thanks for your support, Josie Parker Director
Date Received: 2021-03-10
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: I have submitted the following question multiple times, and it has repeatedly been ignored. I cannot fathom why. Could you please address it? Is there some way that the person who suggests a title could be given priority when requests become available? If not, the suggester could end up far back in the queue. Thank you.
AADL Reply: Mr. D, I am so sorry that your question has been ignored. The complication is that often more than one person suggests a title. We take the suggestions, usually purchase the title, and make it available for request. This provides equal access to all our of users to all of our material. We do thank you for suggesting titles, and I hope that you can appreciate our position. Thank you for using and supporting the public library. Sincerely, Josie Parker Director
Date Received: 2021-02-27
Type: other
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: I'd like to make an in memoriam donation. I see that there is a form for that on the website. I wondered if there was any recognition made (a card or in the newletter)? Thanks
AADL Reply: Hello R, We do acknowledge donations with a letter and list donors in our Annual Report at the end of our fiscal year in June. If a gift is a memorial, we notify relatives if provided names and addresses and mark the gift as a memorial in the Annual Report. Thank you for your interest in a donation to the Library. We appreciate it. Sincerely, Josie Parker Director
Date Received: 2021-02-26
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: It is long overdue for the libraries to be open to the public. Tax dollars spent should give taxpayers the right to browse and enjoy fully the library experience. Activities for children should be available in person. Children should have access to their libraries for their continued literacy growth. Open the libraries in the am as they have always been in the past.
AADL Reply: Ms. S, Thank you for your comment. The AADL has publicly stated that we are adhering to the guidelines issued by the State of MI and the Washtenaw County Health Department in determining our service levels. We use data from the mistartmap.info which indicates the risk level for spread of COVID by County. While many counties around us have moved from E, which is the highest risk, to D, sadly, Washtenaw County remains at E. AADL has stated that when the risk level for the our county is at LOW on the MISTARTMap, we will open the buildings for browsing and computer use. The AADL is providing many levels of service short of in person browsing and in building programming right now. If there is something that you need please feel free to email me directly at josie@aadl.org, or call the Library at 327.4200. A person will answer the phone and will assist you. We also are hoping for normal days, but we can wait until it is safe for the staff and the public while in the public library. Sincerely, Josie Parker