The Guestbook

1. VISITOR COMMENT (6/23/08 at 6:20 PM - Library Branch):

The late fee charge for non-feature film DVDs and VHS tapes of a $1.00 a day is draconian in nature. This policy should be changed to bring the late fee in line with the late fees on books and CDs.

STAFF REPLY:
Thank you for your suggestion. The $1.00 charge for overdue DVDs & Videos was instituted due to the higher cost, limited collection size and the popularity of all DVDs & Videos. We do continually review our policies and will take your suggestion under advisement when re-evaluating this policy.

Terry Ann Anderson (Director of Access Services)

2. VISITOR COMMENT (6/20/08 at 1:21 PM - Library Branch):

I recently attended the presentation about the old KC Athletics at the Truman Forum in the Plaza Branch. Because of a large turnout, I had to sit towards the back of the auditorium. And it was very difficult and at times impossible to hear what the participants were saying. I believe my hearing is still acute (at age 60), so I must fault the microphone or amplification system instead. Does anybody else have this problem? If so, could something be done about it? Thank you for your attention to my complaint.

STAFF REPLY:
One of our guests was very soft spoken. Because of a limitation of the facility's "automatic" microphone and speaker system, increased volume on the quieter panelist would have led to a detrimental failure of the remaining five microphones on the stage.

The facility is equiped with personal listening assist devices. The size of a large cellphone, these devices are outfitted with headphones that, when worn, allow an individual to control the volume of the overall production with a simple volume dial.

Michael Graebner (Audio/Visual Coordinator)

3. VISITOR COMMENT (6/18/08 at 3:38 PM - Library Branch):

1. OK! I am SO disappointed you took Rosetta Stone off your database!!! What a loss! Please put it back on the datatbase. 2. Please subscribe to: Yoga Journal and The Herb Companion

STAFF REPLY:
Central Library Subscribes to "Yoga Journal". It is available on the third floor in the periodical collection.

Please see below the response of Pat Mulsoff, Director of Collection Development, about Rosetta Stone.

"I wish the library could have continued offering Rosetta Stone. However, last fall we learned from Rosetta Stone's producers that their contracts with public libraries would no longer be renewed.

Language-learning books and media are available for checkout at the library. To find them in our catalog, do a subject search on "language self instruction."

You can also find links to online language-learning resources on our Web site by navigating to our "Travel" subject guide.

We will continue to evaluate and add other resources that will help people pursue their interest in learning languages."

Pat Mulsoff (Director of Collection Development)

Lillie Brack (Director of Central Library)

4. VISITOR COMMENT (6/13/08 at 12:28 PM - Library Branch):

From reading earlier comments, it's obvious I don't need to reiterate the problem with self-absorbed cell phone users who ignore the library's policy on cell phone use. The policy is clearly stated and posted for all to see but, again, some users are oblivious or just don't give a damn.

So, on to my other point: hey, why can't we fix some of those computers which are "out of order" for days and even weeks at a time? Isn't the library budgeted for computer maintenance? And when a computer goes "down" for whatever reason, it would be nice if staff put an "out of order" sign covering the terminal screen. When the screensaver function blanks out the "electronic" out-of-order sign, many users are inconvenienced by attempting to resurrect a computer which is out of commission. This is done at the Waldo Branch, but, for some reason, not at the Plaza location.

Thank you for considering my comments.

Other than the above, I think you all run an outstanding operation.

STAFF REPLY:
Thanks for your comments.

We have found the addition of posted signs for cell phone use is leading to usage that is more considerate and for self-policing by customers. It is, however, virtually impossible for our limited staff to ask every person using a cell phone to stop.

As for the computers, Plaza staff report computer issues to our Information Technology Services Department as they occur. The IT Department makes repairs as soon as possible. They do, however, have limited staff, and are responsible for maintaining and repairing hundreds of public and staff computers at nine branch locations and the Central Library.

I have asked the computer support department to see if they can turn off the screen saver option. This will allow the status of each computer to be visible at all times.

Joel Jones (Plaza Branch Director)

5. VISITOR COMMENT (6/3/08 at 2:11 PM - Central Library):

I recently visited the redesigned children's section of the library and I was quite pleased at the beautiful open space, but I was appalled that the it was achieved by HIDING ALL THE BOOKS! Was there no librarian on the design committee to point out that half the magic of going to the library is in sitting on the floor going through the stacks and discovering wonderful new books and authors?! Now you have to wait in line for one of the helpful librarians, and provide the full author's name and a title or an ISBN number in order for them to retrieve a book from the back. It seems more appropriate that the section be called the "Children's Book Storage Area" than the "Children's Library".

The new design will surely create much more work for the librarians - assuming, of course, that the children will actually ASK for help rather than being discouraged - and will ultimately greatly reduce circulation figures for any book that isn't the latest trend and is therefore not out on display.

This redesign was not an overall improvement...

STAFF REPLY:
First and foremost please understand what we are trying to do at the Central Children’s Library. In the old space the primary daily use of the space by almost all patrons was for computers. Books were checked out of course but relatively speaking nobody stopped to read. Especially no younger children stopped to read. The space had almost no comfortable seating and was cluttered, without color and difficult to navigate. The desk was more of a barrier than a place of consultation.

Librarians were actively involved in all steps of the process and Jamie Mayo our Central Children’s librarian drew up the “vision statement”.

We believe we accomplished the goal of encouraging people to read AND we agree with you that we have taken too many books off the shelves and must return true browser’s collections to real accessibility. Please notice that was already under way in the reading space in the NW corner and that we have a deepened collection in the Teen area from the beginning.

I don’t believe I agree with you about waiting time for a librarian’s attention. I have been in the Library on average every other day since we reopened and I have yet to see that situation arise. Our librarians are trained to ask the children if they need help and I witness that happening everyday. I am told that our circulation is in fact up.

All that said, I agree with you about the need for much greater accessibility to a much larger number of books and you will see that happen over the next few weeks as we work through our shelving and space constraints.

Crosby Kemper III (Chief Executive)

Jamie Mayo: We continue to monitor the impact of the new model of service that has been implemented in the new Children’s Space at Central and appreciate your taking the time to offer your feedback on your experience here. We are still tweaking our approach to serving our role as a resource library in light of our shift in emphasis to providing an environment that promotes reading for pleasure. It is important to find a way to balance these two needs: offering as full and deep a collection as possible while still meeting the needs and expectations of many of today’s library customers who want to browse materials easily and quickly and make their choices without having to wade through stacks and stacks of materials that have less appeal to them.

Since opening the new space, we are aware that there is a need to make more books available and we are in the process of adjusting our shelving schema so that we can offer more materials to the public. It remains the Library’s intent that people have access to the materials they want in as efficient a manner as possible. We will continue to offer a variety of solutions for customers who want access to a larger collection.

Staff are working to ensure that customers are aware that more resources exist to meet their needs and if a customer needs a particular item, staff will assist them in locating it.

If customers want to explore a range of materials, staff stand ready to help them identify the subject areas that interest them, to pull resources to meet those needs, and to retrieve them so that customers are still able to browse the available selections of interest to them. Our increased staff interaction with customers will ensure that all customers are getting their needs met as efficiently and quickly as possible. Jamie Mayo, Central Youth Services Supervisor

Jamie Mayo (Central Youth Services Supervisor)

6. VISITOR COMMENT (5/30/08 at 10:42 AM - Central Library):

On several occasions now I have received the phone message that I have a "hold" that is in & ready to be picked up. I then drive to the library to be told at the desk that the item has not "made it down yet". This is inconvenient & expensive to drive to the library & have this happen. Could something be done so that when one is called that the item is actually there & ready to be picked up?

STAFF REPLY:
I apologize for the inconvenience you have experienced. Staff are examining our procedures to determine why this has happened. Staff put the "hold" items on the Express Pickup shelves multiple times each day once the items have been processed, and this should improve service. We will also investigate some technical solutions that will improve the service.

Lillie Brack (Director of Central Library)

7. VISITOR COMMENT (5/30/08 at 10:35 AM - Central Library):

Why? everyone "it seems" - talks loud; &/or continues on & on. What happen to SSHH quiet please. Library manager

STAFF REPLY:
The library staff works to maintain a pleasant and welcoming environment for all patrons, and the Library is a place to engage in discussions and the exchange of ideas. If a particular person or a group is excessively loud, please contact a staff member for assistance.

Lillie Brack (Director of Central Library)

8. VISITOR COMMENT (5/30/08 at 10:32 AM - Central Library):

We need a sleep over for adults in the library-- Read a book - then discuss it in the late hours

STAFF REPLY:
This is a very interesting programming idea. I will discuss this concept with the Library's Reader's Advisory Service Manager.

Lillie Brack (Directory of Central Library)

9. VISITOR COMMENT (5/30/08 at 10:31 AM - Central Library):

Plz. obtain a copy of Mid-Course Correction by Ray Anderson. He spoke at Unity recently & Chamber of Commerce.

STAFF REPLY:
Thank you for the request. We will add this title to our collection. For future requests, please use our "Recommend To Order" form for faster service.

http://kcmo.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/AX2g6OYOqr/KC-CENTRAL/309500582/63/1100/X

Lillie brack (Director of Central Library)

10. VISITOR COMMENT (5/30/08 at 10:28 AM - Central Library):

Security is harrissing me while I'm on the computer.

STAFF REPLY:
Security Staff have the responsibility of maintaining a welcoming and pleasant environment for all patrons. There are times they ask patrons to lower the volume of the sound on their PCs if others have complained. If this does not describe what happened in your situation, please call me at 816-701-3543 if you would like to discuss this further.

Lillie Brack (Directory of Central Library)