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 was at the downtown location saturday. It was very cold out. I needed gloves but I didn't have any. I asked 2 people (they were standing next to each other) if they knew where I can buy some. They made an effort to think of places where I could get some. Thank you for your kindness. By the way Sam's has gloves. I called about this but wasn't sure if the operators delivered the message.
AADL Reply: C, I am so glad that you found a place to purchase gloves! Thank you for making a point of complimenting the efforts of the staff, and we are so glad that you use the Library, too. All best and stay warm, Josie
Date Received: 2021-11-24
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: collections
Patron Comment: I am aware that AADL has OverDrive available. There are a number of additional streaming services available through local libraries, such as Hoopla, Kanopy, Acorn, Alexander Steet Press, Film Platform, Swank Digital Campus, IndieFlix, Infobase, DIS.art, medici.tv, among others. Several of these offer documentaries and niche films that are not available on most platforms. Does AADL offer any of these to Ann Arbor residents? If not, do you anticipate adding any of them?
AADL Reply: Hello, and thank you for asking about streaming services. The issue with many of these, especially Hoopla and Kanopy, is that they use a pay-per-view model that is very problematic for libraries. It subverts the library model of buying something once and sharing it many times by charging the library for use of each video that is even partially viewed by our users. We object to the pay-per-view model not just for the budget implications, but also because it penalizes the institution for having items that users want. The typical solution here is for the library to buy the service and then limit how much our users can access it. Creating artificial limitations for our users' access to digital files that we have licensed doesn't line up with our service goals. AADL does independently license content from creators for our users to access or download. Here are links to catalog searches filtered by format, in case it's helpful for browsing: Ebooks: https://aadl.org/search/catalog/*?mat_code=zb&page=0 Patterns: https://aadl.org/search/catalog/*?mat_code=zp&page=0 Audiobooks: https://aadl.org/search/catalog/*?mat_code=za&page=0 Streaming video: https://aadl.org/search/catalog/*?mat_code=zm&page=0 Music: https://aadl.org/search/catalog/*?mat_code=z&page=0 Some of the titles in our streaming video offerings are through Infobase - we were happy to see that they offer an unlimited use model. We are in the process of adding more titles through Proquest, which we were able to license in perpetuity, and those should be available in the catalog in the next few months. Thanks for asking and thanks for using your library, Sara AADL
Date Received: 2021-11-22
Type: compliment
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Good afternoon! Since it's the week of Thanksgiving, I just wanted to thank everyone who is part of the AADL for their time and their care. I'm so grateful the Ann Arbor library exists; I'm grateful for each of its branches. I'm delighted by how many resources you all provide, both virtual and concrete (sewing machines? a theremin? Book and movies and games! Beautiful artwork!!). I'm glad it's part of the MEL system, and glad the catalog has so many wondrous things, and just generally grateful to live here and have access to it. I'm thankful for all of you! Hope y'all have a restful holiday <3 Joy
AADL Reply: Dear Joy, We all thank YOU so very much for your kind words and appreciation of the AADL, the collections and services, and all of the people who work here. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Josie
Date Received: 2021-10-07
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: I have a complaint/suggestion to make. The other day I stopped by the main library downtown and used a computer on the second floor. As usual, quite a few "unfortunates" were there also using the computers. They have really had a bad effect on the library in recent years (or decades), driving away more normal and responsible people (I've heard this personally from friends). Anyway, a fellow sitting 2 or 3 computers away from me was coughing incessantly during the hour or so that I worked on my computer. At least once a minute he coughed. I didn't say anything, fearing he might get aggressive. From the looks of him, he seemed like the type who could easily go ballistic. At first he was not wearing his Covid mask, or rather, had it pulled down from his mouth, though still hooked around his ears. After I pointedly looked sideways in his direction a few times, he finally pulled his mask up, but continued coughing long thereafter. I would therefore like to suggestion two actions that the library might take: 1) Those librarians at the help desk for the computer section should regularly patrol the computer area, every ten minutes or so, checking to see that the patrons present there are all wearing masks and indeed wearing them properly (several of them on this occasion had their masks pulled down under their noses, which is bad form, especially because epidemiologists have determined that the nasal passages are where Covid incubates more rapidly (please look up this subject and you'll see); and 2) that any patron who repeatedly coughs should be asked to leave the building soon. Not immediately, but soon. Give them five or ten minutes, no more. They pose a danger to other, decent patrons there, most especially during pandemic times like these. I'd suggest that these rules even be written into any written library behavior rules list so that in case of need they can be referred to by the librarian. Please don't let the dysfunctionals completely take over the computer section. The situation is already bad enough. Thank you for listening. JL
AADL Reply: Thank you for letting us know of your concerns. We do appreciate your taking the time to comment. Sincerely, Josie Parker Director
Date Received: 2021-10-06
Type: programs and events
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Hello, I have a 3-year-old nephew who is on the autism spectrum and I'd love to try out the sensory storytime with him. Could you direct me where I can find out more information regarding times, dates, and locations of these storytimes? Thank you!
AADL Reply: Thank you for your question. We have not yet resumed indoor storytime events and do not currently have time, dates, and locations. Thank you for your interest in this event; we will keep it in mind as we resume regular indoor events. Best, Sherlonya Turner Associate Director, Public Experience and Desk Service
Date Received: 2021-09-26
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: holds
Patron Comment: Why do we once again have to check out books that we have placed on hold? I thought that the Covid procedures of just grabbing the book you have placed on hold was great! It saved me a few minutes of time and made it feel like the library was a place that trusted its customers! Were people stealing books?
AADL Reply: Hi there, thanks for asking about this! We're sorry, but we're not able to offer grab and go outside of vestibule service, which ended in July. It's not so much stealing books as the system losing track of many items for various reasons; but the main issue is the labor involved in checking out all the materials in advance. We may find a technical way to offer you grab and go for your checkouts at some point, but that's not coming soon. Feel free to book a locker appointment if you'd like your items checked out to you; locker appointments go from 6 PM until 2 PM the next day. We apologize for the inconvenience; we know this was one of the nice things about vestibule service. Thanks again for your feedback, and thanks for your patience! -eli
Date Received: 2021-09-25
Type: programs and events
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Hello -- Do you have an estimated month for resuming the monthly Sewing Lab event? Thank you.
AADL Reply: Thank you for your question. At this time, we do not have an estimated date for resuming sewing lab (or other regular, indoor programming). As soon as we do, however, we will be sure to announce it on our website, and also our newsletter. Thank you for your interest in in-person events. We look forward to bringing them back. Best, Sherlonya Turner Associate Director, Public Experience and Desk Service
Date Received: 2021-09-22
Type: compliment
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: A HUGE thank you to all Library staff involved in presenting Nikole Hannah-Jones. I was knocked out by her remarks - delivered with such poise and such force - and I reminded myself that I have chosen to live in a city where the library plays a critical role in the ways and means of being American in 2021. May your commitment to a better community and world never wane. I sing your praises wherever I go - and it is nights like tonight that sustain my loyalty and admiration.
AADL Reply: We are so very glad that you attended the Nicole Hannah-Jones event, and found it so compelling and meaningful. Thank you for recognizing the critical role public libraries play in maintaining a democracy and for taking the time to say so. Thank you very much. Josie
Date Received: 2021-09-22
Type: general suggestion
Regarding: other
Patron Comment: It seems that the library is now committed to an 8 hour day. While I miss the old hours, I understand that this may be a financial necessity. But having every library day start at noon isn't. Please consider having at least one day, perhaps a weekend day, where the library opens in the morning. One day where the library is open 9-5 would give patrons who aren't available 12-8 a chance to use the library as well.
AADL Reply: Thank you very much for commenting and using the AADL. We are coping with a staffing shortage like so many others, and we do appreciate that mornings are desired times to use the library. We hope to add hours in October and they will be morning hours. We appreciate your understanding and your patience. Josie
Date Received: 2021-09-14
Type: other
Regarding: - NONE SELECTED -
Patron Comment: Hi Can you tell me when full morning library hours will resume? I am almost always in town in the morning and have to come back a long drive (from Whitmore Lake) just to pick up a book, Pleeeaaase go back to former hours soon!
AADL Reply: Hi there, thanks for your interest. We are working on adding morning hours; stay tuned for an announcment later this month. However, are you aware of our pickup lockers? You can request a locker pickup when your items are ready, and they will be placed in an outdoor pickup locker for you to pick up anywhere between 6 PM and 2 PM the next day. Lockers are available at all locations except for Downtown. When you have an item ready for pickup at a location with lockers, look for the green bar at the top of your my account page to reserve one for the next day. Does that help? Stay tuned for earlier openings, and let us know if you have any other questions about this, and thanks for using your library! -eli