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.
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Filter Patron Comments
Type: programs and events
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Is there a 2021 preschool expo?
AADL Reply: Thank you for your question! Currently, we are not planning a 2021 Preschool Expo. We have suspended this event until we are able to host on site events again. Best, Sherlonya Turner Associate Director, Public Experience and Desk Service
Date Received: 2021-01-13
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: holds
Patron Comment: It would be great if you could continue the policy of grab and go for books, dvd, requests on the hold shelf by having items already checked out to patrons. The current system is great especially if you are running to catch a bus! :). Thank you!
AADL Reply: Thank you for your email. And thank you for your suggestion. We will keep this in mind as we consider future services. Best, Sherlonya Turner Associate Director, Public Experience and Desk Service
Date Received: 2021-01-13
Type: web site feedback
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Hi, I have a question in regards to https://aadl.org/node/575387 . What is the thought process in assigning the codes MYOHMYY and YOUKANDOIT ? It's questionable in regards to the seriousness of Japanese internment and also what is the change from C to K in reference to? Why is George Takei's fun catch phrase used for his graphic novel depicting Japanese internment?
AADL Reply: Hello! Very good to hear from you, and see that you're still playing our game. Thank you so much for your comment and followup email. When I saw your comment this morning I passed it immediately on to the badge maker to revise and that was already in-process when you sent this. You're absolutely right that the levity was not appropriate for this material and we will be changing the game codes. This will take a little time today as we have to revise the ledger for people who already found the codes too so it all still works, but your feedback is completely valid and very much appreciated. We are very sorry for making this mistake, and I will be sending some guidance around to the badge making group about it. To answer your question, the badge maker used "YOUKANDOIT" because the Author of the Play's middle name is Kan. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any other feedback, and thank you again for calling us out on this and prompting some discussion about how it happened and should be prevented in the future. -eli
Date Received: 2021-01-13
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: There simply MUST BE a better way to manage getting books pulled and out to patrons. I do realize that this is a difficult time. I am trying to be patient and understanding but the lack of any real answer is frustrating. I am told that I am the "first in cue" for the book I requested. However, no one seems to be able to give me any real information on when I will get the book. Need it for a book group. I can't purchase it as it seems to be unavailable. I just keep getting told the library is working with a "skeleton crew" and there are "11,000 books to pull". If there is that kind of demand, then I don't understand why more staff are not pulling books. The staff are not dealing with browsing patrons, computer help, printing, etc. Seems like staff should be able to pull books faster..............
AADL Reply: Dear D, I understand your frustration, and while I do hope that we can get your book to you before you need it, we aren't able to make any assurances. Our goal is to keep those working together in library buildings safe while they are fulfilling requests. In order to do that, we have fewer people working at any point in time in specific groups. This slows down the process, but it doesn't stop it. We are pleased to be able to accomplish this for the community. We are glad that you use your public library, and appreciate your support during this sad and difficult time. Sincerely, Josie Parker
Date Received: 2021-01-07
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: Could you expand your staff by having some people work nights? That would create social distancing. It would be an easy to get more work done. It would also give more people a work check. There are people who are more productive at night.
AADL Reply: Thank you for your suggestion. Currently, staff at AADL are working every evening, and have been for several months. We are maintaining social distance, wearing masks, and making sure that our surfaces are cleaned regularly. In addition, almost all of the staff at AADL have been working throughout the pandemic and for the past several months all of the staff are working. Thanks for using your public library, and take good care. Sincerely, Josie
Date Received: 2021-01-04
Type: other
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Apparently, Christian helped me today by text regarding my requests and check-outs. Just wanted the staff to know that it was very helpful and very much appreciated. Thank you again to Christian and to the library.
AADL Reply: Thank you very much for taking the time to email us. We're pleased that you found Christian's service helpful, and I have passed along your compliment to him. Best, Sherlonya Turner Associate Director, Public Experience and Desk Service
Date Received: 2021-01-01
Type: compliment
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Please let Allison know we adore her story time and have been watching weekly since COVID hit in March. My twins are almost three and it’s one of the highlights of our week. She does a great job engaging the kids, we appreciate its the same format/outline every week and my twins love the song choices and stories. Thank you AADL for producing high quality content for the community.
AADL Reply: Hello!! Thank you for taking the time to email us!! We are pleased that your twins are enjoying Allison's storytimes and I have passed along your feedback to her! Best, Sherlonya Turner Associate Director, Public Experience and Desk Service
Date Received: 2020-12-28
Type: other
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Noticed some library services are open. Just curious if you have plans to open up public computing in the foreseeable future?
AADL Reply: Hello, thanks for asking. Our current plan is to resume public computing when we open for browsing. That will happen once new case levels in the community have reached the Low threshhold as determined by the County and State health authorities. We can't speculate as to when that might be as it depends on how the numbers change over time. Hopefully it will be this spring. In the meantime, our Outreach team is available through our no computer help line when people need to do essential online tasks, and printout service has resumed. We've also improved the parking lot wifi at all branches. We hope that is helpful; thank you for your patience, and we look forward to resuming this service as soon as we safely can. -eli
Date Received: 2020-12-27
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: It's frustrating that I can go into shopping centers, grocery stores and books stores (among other businesses which have been banned) but cannot go into a library of which tax dollars support or for the month of December not be able to use MelCat. This makes no sense. At this point I feel like you could be doing things differently. I am disappointed that your operations have not adapted along with our knowledge. For example why does MelCat have to be down? I have books currently and many other libraries are still operating with this wonderful service in place. Also you could create time slots for people to be able to go in to look for books and to use the rooms and spaces that are already partitioned off. There is no reason why these things cannot be done at this time safely. The people who are in the buildings that can greet folks when they come in. They don't have to ignore people. I am hopeful that you will begin opening the libraries back up for people to go in along with maintaining MelCat usage.
AADL Reply: Ms. M, I appreciate your frustration. At some level, we all feel frustration right now with the circumstances during the pandemic. You will be pleased to know that MelCAt service will resume in January. The date will be announced soon after January 1, 2021. I realize that other libraries are currently offering the service. We stopped it temporarily in order to reconfigure our staffing to reduce the number of people working together at any one time. MelCat is a very labor intensive service, so we took time to get people organized more safely to do the work. The AADL has followed local health department recommendations for access. We are not able to safely allow people into the buildings at this point in time. When cases decline, then we hope to open for browsing. In the meantime, if you will let us know what you want from the collection, we can get it for you to a Vestibule of your choice for pickup. If you don't know a particular title, give us some parameters, and we will choose several for you to take. I hope that we are all back in the Library very soon, and we thank you very much for using the public library, and for your support. Sincerely, Josie Parker
Date Received: 2020-12-23
Type: compliment
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: THANK YOU thank you for installing lockers at west branch. The indoor pick up was way too crowded for comfort and the lockers now allow me to feel safe. Thank you!
AADL Reply: Thank you for letting us know that you are using the lockers, and that it is more comfortable for you. We are pleased to be able to make that happen for you and many others, too. Take care. Josie