Main Page

From PPL Comments

Jump to: navigation, search

Welcome!

Contents

This is the Prescott Public Library Suggestion Wiki. It will always be a work in progress, so please check back frequently. Meanwhile I invite you to submit your suggestions and comments, whether full of praise or complaint, via the "Ask a question" form, the Suggestion Box at the Main Level Check Out Desk or by email to toni.kaus@cityofprescott.net. Thank you! Library Director Toni Kaus

New

  • "Shouldn't the Café Libre (Meaning free café)...(it isn't.)... be Café Libro? (Book Cafe)?? A devoted patron...with a smattering of Spanish"

Here is the definitive stuff on this important word: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libre#Libre Wil Baril, Café Libre

  • “Is it possible to restrict “gaming” from public library computer use? So many times I’ve come to use the computers for research & have to wait while kids are playing computer games. Is this an unreasonable request? Thank you!”

Your request is neither unreasonable nor uncommon. Although the library’s filtering software would make it possible to block gaming sites, just as we don’t tell patrons what they should read, I would rather not get in the business of judging the quality of patrons’ computer use. Are adults using their internet time to send chain letters and jokes to everybody in their address book more important than kids playing games? How about patrons watching DVDs or listening to music? I’m happier giving all patrons the same amount of time and letting them decide how best to use their daily allowance.

FYI the American Library Association thinks “games give kids a chance to practice reading, writing, and computing in the library’s safe environment. Popular video games, the ones that kids really like to play, are immediately engaging and make them work hard to succeed and ‘level up’. While playing these games, kids are constantly developing new strategies, predicting possible outcomes, managing multiple resources, reading and deciphering maps, tracking complex statistics, and adapting to increasingly difficult levels within the game. They learn a range of media literacies beyond basic reading that give them models for navigating our information-rich world.”

  • "I love your downloadable books. After a year of frustration, all the bugs are worked out and I am completely satisfied. A very nice service!"
  • "Don’t change a thing. This is a wonderful place." A Visitor from the UK
  • "How are the exhibits in the Viewerie exhibit case scheduled? I looked for a link on the Web page. And how can I find out about the exhibits - they are a great community asset, and it would be great to find out what's coming up on your web page or even in some of the local media."

Exhibits are scheduled by our Lead Librarian for Adult Services, Sharon Seymour, 928-777-1509, sharon.seymour@cityofprescott.net. Two to three exhibits are scheduled each month with the assistance of a library volunteer. We'll take a look at putting an exhibit request link on the web page as it is re-designed, though we receive so many requests that the case is already reserved for about half of 2009! Upcoming exhibits are listed in each quarter's Roundup newsletter. As of next week, confirmed exhibits will be listed in the library's online events calendar. Exhibitors are encouraged to publicize their exhibit around town as well.

  • "Even though it is the Teen Zone, when I go after school to read or try to do my homework, everyone is far too loud and they scream and swear. It’s really horrible."

The Teen Zone can definitely get hectic, especially on Wednesday afternoons when it is crowded. Screaming and swearing are never appropriate in the library, but kids are allowed to talk and socialize. So even if no one is breaking any rules, it may be tough to concentrate on your homework. If you notice people screaming and swearing (or engaging in any horrible behavior), please mention it to a staff member. We will make every effort to enforce the rules without putting you on the spot. If you just want a quieter environment where you can focus on your work, check out the main computer lab or the reading room on the main level.

  • "I notice on the Friends of the Library Centennial Calendar that in 1917 books were sanitized between patrons. Do you know how they did this? I imagine it was due to the influenza epidemic in 1917-1918, but that is only a guess."

We're investigating!

  • “Thanks for having visitor passes for the computers! Maybe the keyboards and area could be cleaner?”
  • "Ugh – the computer area needs cleaning please."

The computer area was a little grungy. Thanks for letting us know. We’ve stepped up our attention to the computers and hope you will notice the difference!

  • "I have a large family Bible that needs a real repair job would you have an idea how I could get it repaired?"

Sorry, we no longer know of any local bookbinders. You could try contacting Roswell Bookbinding in Phoenix. Their phone number is 602.272.9338 or you could send email to roswellbookbind@qwest.net.

  • “I’m glad to know about your movie nights. Do we get an announcement ahead of which films will be shown?”

Thanks for your inquiry about the films. We generally know film titles one or two months ahead, and enter them in the library's online events calendar as soon as we have the information. October's Belly Laugh film is "Sleeper," with Woody Allen, and the Just for Grownups International Film October 7 will be "The Grocer's Son," directed by Eric Guirado, from France.

  • "It seems that there should be a direct web link from the WIKI comments site to allow patrons to ask a question instead of making them go back to another page to submit something. User friendly is good."

You're so right! Thanks to you, I learned to embed external links in text. Now users will find direct links to the "Ask a question" form and more.

  • "I have not used my library internet service for a while but that doesn't mean I don't need it. I don't want it to expire like happened last time. What must I do to keep this service?"

If you check something out once every couple of years, your card will never expire. Just pop in when you're in town, and check out a book or a magazine. That will make you an active patron, and you'll be able to use library computers and subscription databases for another two years.

  • "I really enjoyed many of the on-line movies that were once available from the library. Is there any possibility this service may return?"

You and I may have been the only two patrons to use the MyLibraryDV service. After an introductory year at $4,000, the price doubled to $8000, and I decided not to renew. When the City's budget picture improves, we may add movies to the recorded books already available via OverDrive.

  • "From a fiscal perspective I have to agree with you. However, your "classics" were well-chosen and films that you just don't often get the opportunity to see. When I finally win the Powerball (any day now), we will get together and I will donate whatever is required to get the program restarted. I have lived all over the world, and I just wanted to take the opportunity to tell you that for a town of its size, Prescott has a truly outstanding library system."

Best of luck with the Powerball!

  • "I live by Willow Lake and do not drive much. Is there a place closer than downtown to get large print books?"
  • "I love your great library. How about opening a branch on the north side up by the hospital?"

With the City struggling to maintain existing services, a branch isn't in our near future. When we do finally build a branch, I'm sure it will be in north Prescott. In the meantime, book drops at both Frys are the best I can offer. If the Community Center on Rosser is convenient for you, you can request library items for pickup in the book lockers next to the book drop. When you place a hold, choose Prescott Community Center as your pickup location. One nice thing about the book lockers - you can pick up your items anytime, day or night!

  • "Is there a special area where you shelve books by local authors? If not, I suggest that we have one. I noticed recently in Friends Book Sale a novel by a local author that had been taken out of circulation. I wonder if staff realized she was a local author. I think such books should remain on the shelves."

If we know a book is by a local author, we give it a "Local Author" sticker and subject heading. If you enter "local author" in the Library Catalog, you will find books by over 100 local authors. Although your library is always happy to accept donations from our many talented local authors, as with all books on our crowded shelves, if a book isn't checked out for several years, we remove it to make room for more popular titles.

  • "I love to read and probably read a book every week or two. As the years pass it becomes more and more difficult to remember which books I have read. It seems like it would be pretty easy to have the computer, upon checkout, flag a book if it has previously been checked out by that patron. It could then ask the question about continuing with checkout or not. Thanks!"

It's not something our current software can do. Maybe someday. Although I know there are hundreds of library patrons who would applaud this idea, an equal number would be aghast at the invasion of privacy represented by storing their reading habits in the library database. If we ever implement this, it will be a patron-selected option like email notification.

  • "Great library! One suggestion. I used the self checkout for the first time, but the book would not scan. After a few frustrating minutes, I had to check with the librarian. There are two bar codes and I was using the wrong one. Apparently one is the publisher's and one is the library's. A note at the checkout point would be helpful."

Thanks for using SelfCheck. You're not the only patron to make the mistake. As you noted, the barcode printed on the back of the book is the publisher's International Standard Book Number or ISBN. The other is a 14-digit library barcode unique to that particular copy of the book. At Prescott Public Library, we place our barcode on the front of the item in hopes patrons won't confuse it with the ISBN. We'll try to come up with a helpful graphic for the SelfCheck stations.

  • "Not a question but an off the wall comment. Funds to run the library are always a problem. What if there were turnstiles at the entrance. Drop in a quarter and then you can get in. I love the library. I also particularly like the way in which I can find and then reserve a book over the internet. Then I am very pleased when i am notified. I "ordered" one and was 45 of 45. Eventually I got the book and read it."
  • "I wanted to tell you about the dialysis patients who use the library here in Prescott. My husband is one. First he used the CD's while doing 5 hours of dialysis three times a week. It was hard for him to change the CD's, with all the lines of blood going thru his system. Sometimes the CD player was pushed on the floor by the nurses so this wasnt a great situation for him. Now he uses the electronic system of downloading books to listen too and it works pretty good. I would like to ask for more books for dialysis patients to download. They need more popular books and good stories with substance. Although most dialysis patients are older, some of them are in their 30's and have a long haul ahead of them. More good books would be a real asset for all of them. There are a lot of dialysis patients at the center in Prescott, enough for three shifts a day. With the nation all overeating and overweight, there will be many more in the future. I'm sure you didnt know about this, but all this is true. My husband has been in dialysis for over two years and won't quit. He wants to live and enjoy his family and community. I thought you should know all this and be aware of the many dialysis patients who use the download system. So thank you if you can help the cause."

Thank you for sharing your husband's story with us. I'm so glad the OverDrive recorded book downloads help pass the time during dialysis. The library purchases new titles every month, and would be glad to receive requestsfrom your husband and other dialysis patients.

  • "We are summer residents. We rent a furnished apartment and chose it because it is so close to the library. We love your library. Most days I walk down to the square and then head for the library. My husband (age 82) drives down and we meet there. We are planning to move to Prescott and one of the main reasons is your wonderful library system."
  • "I am a causal user of the library but nonetheless value it highly. Let me know if you ever put on a serious/detailed session on how to use all the reference/research materials the library has access to."
  • "Our library is a real plus to our community. It was the first thing we checked out on our first visit to town. We compared it to our hometown library, hoping it would be its equal. I think it is far better!!"
  • "I am so impressed with our library, its programs, and most especially, its amazing staff."
  • "A town library has always been a big part of my life, and having the PPL is a wonderful resource."
  • "I love the My Account feature in the Yavapai Library Network catalog and use it all the time. I want to offer feedback on the Prescott Public library website. The organization of the information under each tab is difficult to follow, and it is too time consuming to find the hours of operation. Although the About The Library tab seems to be the logical location, it says nothing about hours. Hours have nothing to do with Location & contact info, yet that is where they are finally found. Please consider putting the hours on the Home page, even if you have to remove some of the information that is there now."

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. Staff are in the midst of revamping the PPL webpages, and you are not the only patron to suggest library hours should be easier to find. I've passed your comments on to the web design team. The Downtown Library is open Monday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Prescott Gateway Branch is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Miscellaneous

  • “I'd like to suggest a computer station for 15 minute segments (like what grocery stores have for quick checkouts - 15 items or less).”

We really like your idea, and just changed a bank of three computers to 15-minute use. We hope this setup lets folks who just need a short session move through more quickly and leaves the long-session machines to those who need them. Combined with our new, improved bandwidth, public computer users should be waiting less and computing more.

  • “It's great to see so many events at the library. I just registered for the memoir writing class. May I make a suggestion about the events part of the website? I am visually impaired and use a screen reader and other audio devices. The events page appears technically accessible, but it sure is hard to use. Does the event manager software support RSS feeds?"

Great suggestion! When we investigated, we learned about a new version of the events calendar software. We completed the upgrade August 13th, and you can now subscribe to an RSS feed. Look for “RSSFeed” towards the top of the page and next to the “Home” button.

  • “Suggest you have two or three computers separate from internet computers just for typing and printing documents etc. Then one wouldn’t have to wait in line for typing and printing. Thanks.”

We give all library users equal access to the public computers. Whether surfing the net, gaming, writing a resume or looking at photos of the grandkids, everybody gets the same amount of time.

  • “Just a suggestion - consider setting up a system to accept credit cards to pay fines on line. Thanks!”

We hope to eventually accept online payment of fines and other fees. Meanwhile we will soon take credit cards at the Check Out desks.

  • “How about a container by the copy machines to recycle paper?”

Good idea. We’re on it!

  • “Café Libre should be open all the time!!”

Library staff would love it, and business would need to pick up considerably for this to make financial sense. Meanwhile use this coupon for $0.50 off your next Café Libre purchase.

  • "We heard there has been consideration by the Prescott City Council of closure of the branch library at Gateway Mall. We believe that such an action would be a severe disservice to a great number of Prescott residents. We make extensive use of Prescott Gateway Branch Library, appreciate its convenient proximity to where we live, and have been impressed with the number of people who make use of its services. We refer not only to borrowing and returning of books, CDs, and DVDs, but also to use of computers. People are often waiting to use them and the convenient mall location is clearly of importance. We have also been impressed with special events offered at the library for children and families. These events reflect favorably on the initiative and imagination of the branch personnel. We don't know if such events occur at the main library because we no longer have to travel to it. Thank you for your consideration of our resounding votes for continuation of the branch's excellent performance for Prescott residents."

Thank you for your vote of confidence in Branch Manager Russell Miller and his staff. With City sales tax revenues (the source of 80% of the library's budget) shrinking, we were asked to come up with a plan to reduce the library's overall budget by 5-10%, and closing Prescott Gateway Branch was a possibility. Luckily the City Manager also appreciates the branch, and it will remain open at least through June 2009. If the local economy rebounds, the branch is safe. If not, closure may well be under discussion again next year.

  • “Enable library shareware for searches by Unique Identifiers and Call Numbers. This would be a low-cost or no-cost fix to enhance library functions and basic research.”

You can already do this. In the catalog, choose Advanced Search. The drop-down menus allow you to search by ISBN, by Dewey or LC Call Number, by Item Barcode, etc.

  • “The new library is beautiful and well organized. One complaint: It bothers me that returned books are tossed into a box. This is damaging to the books and disrespectful. I was taught in school to respect books. It would not be that difficult with all your staff and volunteers to stack those returns on a table until they can be put back in circulation. This is disgraceful and teaches young people bad habits! Nothing should be geared towards the convenience of the employees. These are tax dollars paying for this privilege.”

Although it may look like box, every library book return conceals a cart with a cushioned spring-loaded bottom. This floating bottom shortens the fall of materials into the cart, and prevents damage to library materials.

  • “Get a soda machine!”

The library food and drink concession is Café Libre. In addition to coffee and pastries, barista Wil Baril offers a selection of cold beverages, including a variety of sodas.

  • “It would be very helpful to job seekers, if you had a pay per fax service as many libraries do. Thanks.”

Good idea! We’re investigating.

  • “Could you set up a VHS and DVD with TV so that movies could be viewed for academic purposes? Thanks.”

Yavapai College Library has six viewing stations available for public use.

  • “Please put library card ID# and Prescott Library on keychain which is much more readily available when we come."

We will definitely take a look at keychain cards the next time we order. Some years ago we gave new patrons a full sized card and a keychain card. The keychain cards wouldn’t work with SelfCheck, and we stopped ordering them. The new SelfCheck units are much more flexible- for them keychain cards are a piece of cake.

  • "The Friends charge too much for items donated to the Book Sale.”

The Friends of the Prescott Public Library Used Book Sale benefits library programs and services. 39 wonderful volunteers come in every week to sort through to price your donations for quick sale. They must be doing something right – book sale revenues add up to over $5,000 a month.

To us the Used Book Sale seems like a win-win-win thing:

- Citizens of Prescott have someplace to bring magazines and books they no longer need

- Citizens and visitors to Prescott have an inexpensive source of reading material

- Prescott Public Library uses proceeds to offer the public a myriad of free programs for children and adults

If prices are too high for you, remember your library has over 150,000 items available for free checkout.

  • "Last year the Courier ran an article “Archive of Art,” about the library’s growing art collection. I have walked around trying to find the art mentioned, but it would be nice to have a pamphlet showing what you have and where it is.”

Great idea! We’re working on it.

  • "My suggestion is based on an idea I saw at a library I visited while traveling. This library had a place for people to donate the free shopping coupons that come in the newspapers. That way it helped less fortunate people on fixed incomes, etc. to make their money go farther."

Years ago the library had a coupon collection. For the time and space it took to keep the coupons neat and current, the collection got relatively little use. This might be a good idea for the Rowle P. Simmons Community Center, home of Meals on Wheels and the Prescott Adult Center.

  • “In another state and library, the librarians would turn a recommended book out, face first, at the end of its shelf. I found that these recommended books often became some favorites of mine! Could you consider this, please?”

The librarians already maintain changing displays of recommended books on a variety of topics. Additional sources for recommendations are NoveList, the Library Ladies Book Reviews and NextRead, free annotated email newsletters highlighting the latest books in any of twenty areas of interest. Find all three in the "Find library books & more" section of the library web page. We like your idea, so don’t be surprised if we follow through on it one of these days.

  • “When I went to the library the other day I noticed a new computer check out. It asked me if I wanted my receipt in English or Spanish. WHY? Do we have a selection of Spanish written books or publications? If not, why the question of English or Spanish receipt? With all the controversy about Spanish speaking persons learning English why would our library encourage them to get a receipt in Spanish? If they want to learn English shouldn't they read English books & publications?”
  • "I tried to use the self check out. It would not let me continue without picking a language. American speaking people should not have to make this choice. It’s great that it has Spanish for those people, but the program should just go to English unless Spanish is chosen."

The library has a collection of books and other materials written in Spanish. It is mostly located in the southwest corner of the Main Level. Other materials, many of them bilingual, are located in KidSpace on the Lower Level. All these materials are well-used, both by students of Spanish and by Spanish speakers. Many of them are geared towards helping recent immigrants learn English and/or study for the citizenship exam.

Just as with ATM machines, he English or Spanish question has to do with the language of the transaction with the computer. If library patrons' English is not that good, instructions in Spanish will help them get through the check out of library materials. This is very helpful for library staff, as none of us are fluent in Spanish. Although the sofware currently won't work without the choose-your-language screen, perhaps we will eventually be able to implement an English language default.

Library Parking

  • "Something must be done about library parking. Perhaps there could be some 1-hour parking - not just 2-hour."
  • "Please change parking to a limit of ONE hour. Too often, there are no spaces available on either lot. Thanks"
  • "Today there were no parking places left - I had to wait for one to open up. Are there plans to increase parking in the future?"

I wish nobody had trouble finding parking downtown, and doubt that will ever be the case.

The library has over sixty parking spaces. That number includes six handicap spaces, two motorcycle spaces, and space for four cars in the 15-minute zone in directly in front of the Goodwin Street entrance. 22 all-day parking spaces were just added on Marina Street across from the library. Although library spaces have a 2-hour limit, there are over 150 parking spaces within one block of the library, most of them with no time limit.

If you find looking for downtown parking too aggravating, consider using Prescott Gateway Branch Library. Parking is virtually unlimited at the Gateway Mall.

If you’re returning library materials, there’s no need do park for the two drive-by book returns at the Downtown Library. Other book returns are conveniently located all over town, are suitable for all library materials, and are emptied every day except Sunday.

Our “micro-branch” at the Community Center on Rosser has four public computers, magazines and newspapers, a book return, 24/7 book pickup lockers and a “hotline” to the friendly staff at the Downtown Library.

One-hour parking is in interesting idea. Most library programs and community meetings last at least an hour, and computer users are allowed up to 90 minutes a day on library computers. My guess is one –hour parking would infuriate more people than it would please! And for folks with quick library needs – picking up an item from the Reserve shelves, picking up a child, etc. – the 15-minute zone almost always has space available.

City sales tax revenues account for most of your library’s budget. As you know, these numbers are down significantly from last year. If/when the local economy turns around, one way to increase parking availability would be to increase hours at the Downtown Library. Another way would be construction of a large Prescott Public Library branch in north Prescott. Although a north Prescott branch is in our five-year plan, it would need to be funded by library impact fees. With construction of new homes at a virtual standstill, these are not accumulating as they have in years past.

Although parking has been and may continue to be a problem to some degree in the future, we're lucky it does not keep people from using and enjoying the library. Over 1,000 people visit the Downtown Library every day.

Library Noise

  • “It would be nice if you’d get a handle on loud and distracting cell phone usage in the library. The library should be a quiet place, like in the “old days,” when the librarian had control. Now there are “rug rats” racing around, and a bunch of loud mouths' yackity yack!”
  • “Please ask parents to take their kids outside if they are loud and disturbing others.”
  • “We love the Tuesday movies (editor’s note -“Just for Grownups” International Film Series in the Founders Suite at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month), but do not care for people talking during them. These are older people, and it surprises us how impolite they are! They seem to be the first to criticize noise and children misbehaving, yet they are very disruptive during the films. Perhaps before starting the film, the host could ask people to be quiet during the film, and suggest viewers check out the film for home viewing if they want to chat while watching.”
  • "I would like to have more consideration for those of us reading in the library. It does not need to be absolutely quiet, but so many people talk loudly, it is very distracting."
  • "I'd love to see people behaving quietly @ computers, especially the kids playing games and talking on the phone. Thank you!"
  • "Please teach children and parents that a library is a quiet place. The lower level is so noisy it's uncomfortable."

It's true we're not a quiet library. Fulfilling the reading, information & entertainment needs of the entire community often creates a noisy community living room. Like most successful public libraries, we are as much a community center as a place for study and research, and sometimes these two uses come in conflict.

Although we do our best to control noise or behavior which interferes with normal use of the library by others, our interpretation generally proves too strict for some, too lax for others.

We designed the “new” library to resolve some noise issues. The Children’s Library is now on the Lower Level, far from the reading areas of the Main Level. Even on the Main Level, large tables and comfortable reading chairs are in the northwest corner, far from the Teen Zone and coffee bar on the busy east side.

Still too noisy? Let us know. Staff try to maintain reasonable quiet in the library, and to be responsive to complaints from patrons who are disturbed by excessive noise. Soundproof study and meeting rooms on the Main Level are often available. We’re glad to ask a noisy group of teenagers working on a school project to move to the Bump or Elsea Rooms. Or we might offer you use of the Valentine Room. We can ask a patron on a loud extended cell phone call to take it outside, and ask disruptive children to settle down or leave the library.

Library Collections

  • “You are overloaded with fiction, and rarely order the newest non-fiction. Why all the stupid mysteries? As an ex-professor, I am amazed!”

Last year Prescott Public Library purchased twice as much new non-fiction as fiction. As almost 2/3 of titles checked out are fiction, the argument could be made we purchase too much non-fiction. We are very responsive to purchase requests from library patrons. If you read reviews of books you wish we had, please ask us to add them to our collection. Odds are we will! Prescott Public Library is part of the Yavapai Library Network, so you can also take advantage of the collections of the Yavapai College, Embry Riddle and Prescott College libraries.

  • “Please return to genre cataloging and shelving of books. The greater number of we readers dislike very much perusing hundreds of books to find something we already know we might enjoy. I know I use the library less and resort to book stores where I can find something easily. Therefore I read less. I know several others who agree with this.”
  • “Please have mysteries separated from the rest of the fiction.”
  • “It would be easier for patrons to find mysteries, science fiction, romances, etc. if there was a mystery section, a science fiction section, etc. A person would not have to search through all books to find their specialty.”
  • “It appears to me a lot of money was spent renovating the library, only to make it less user-friendly; for example, you no longer separate science fiction, mystery or western novels from general fiction, and never, ever, have I seen large print novels not in their own area.”

You are not the only patrons who prefer genre collections for fiction. The change was made after considerable discussion followed by a year of "field testing" while the downtown library was in temporary housing at Prescott Gateway Mall.

On balance we find combining genre collections (mysteries, science fiction and westerns) with other adult fiction has several positive results:

- Browsers are exposed to a wider range of fiction and are sometimes surprised to discover a favorite science fiction author had also written a thriller and western

- Most patrons have an easier time finding authors on the shelves when they don’t need to know if an author’s works are classified as mystery of fiction

- Less pre-sorting of is required, allowing for faster return of items to the shelves

We continue to put genre stickers on fiction, so patrons can easily identify mysteries, science fiction and westerns. Large print fiction still has its own section along the west wall of the main level.

You can locate the library’s latest acquisitions in many genres by going to the library web page. First click on “Catalog,” then on “Best Sellers.” You’ll find lists of new mysteries, new Christian fiction, new biographies, new romances, new graphic novels, new science fiction, new westerns, new DVDs and new books on CD.

  • “Before the remodel, your DVD’s and videos were more organized. Television shows etc. were segregated and DVD’s were in their own area. Please return to the old way or continue to categorize further. Thanks.”
  • “Video tapes and DVD’s should be shelved separately as they were before. If you are looking for DVD’s only, you have to sort through all of the tapes also. It is very time consuming to look for a DVD title of interest. Because of this, I no longer check out DVD’s. I do like all the other changes.”

As with genre collections, there are arguments pro and con for mixing movies in the DVD and VHS formats. The library no longer purchases movies in the VHS format, and already has almost 4,000 DVDs in circulation. Within the next few years, VHS will slowly disappear from our collection. Meanwhile most patrons looking for a particular movie will settle for the VHS format if the DVD has been checked out. This arrangement makes that easier.

  • “We really liked the book rental program from Friends and would like to see it back. You all do a great job. Thanks!!”

Not enough people liked the book rental program. Book purchases cost the Friends twice as much as the program generated in revenue.

  • “You may want to consider offering AV materials for a small charge and reducing the time out to 1 week. A library I was formerly a member of did this with GREAT RESULTS. They used the fees from the AV rentals to buy more and newer AV materials. The reduced timeout would provide a greater opportunity to other members who would like to view them.”

We took part of your suggestion and reduced the loan period for DVDs from 3 weeks to 10 days. As for charging a rental fee and purchasing new releases, this is something we leave to places like Show Business, Hastings and Netflix.

  • “I wonder why you have so few books on CD from good authors.”

Prescott Public Library’s Recorded Book collection includes 11,351 books, 6,053 of them on CD. Due to their popularity, shelves do often seem bare, particularly during the summer and winter holiday travel seasons. We're glad to locate titles and place them on hold for you at the Ask A Librarian desk on the Main Level. We're also happy to receive your requests for audio book titles and order them on the spot for you. Make suggestions in person, or via the "Request an item" form.

  • “I’m very distressed that your eLibrary services (audio books, mp3 players, etc.) are only available on the Windows platform. I am a Macintosh user. Are there any plans to make these services available to Mac Users?”

It is too bad OverDrive doesn't currently work for iPod and Mac users. As we understand it, iPod/Mac won't support the .wma files needed to make downloadable audio work within the library model (check it out/check it in).

The folks at OverDrive have been working on this issue. Later this year we should be able to purchase at least some titles in MP3 format. Read this press release to learn more.

While you wait, we still have thousands of recorded books on tape and compact disc.

Fines

  • I have a concern to express on the raise in overdue fine rates. I appreciate that the city needs to generate some more revenue, but I question if this is the most ecological means. In a sense, it seems that the City is trying to tap into the pool of library patrons for an amount of money that is not our responsibility to generate. I think my voice will probably speak for many families out there. As a homeschooling mother of four, I use the library in an aggressive way. Our family has five library cards, and I monitor most of them (while trying to teach the kids some accountability). One of the advantages of the rates being at 10 cents a day was that when we made mistakes or the kids had to learn a lesson in accountability (by paying late fines), the charge was a solid consequence, but it was manageable. Honestly, at 25 cents a day, the charges will not be manageable for our family. We will have to restrict library usage. If the City of Prescott had a goal to make us all more responsible (in our timeliness of returns), they wouldn't view the rate hike as a vessel for creating additional income for the City. They are counting on us operating at the same level of responsibility with library returns as we always have.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write about the increase to overdue fines. I always appreciate hearing from people. Whether they are happy or unhappy, I always learn something.

80% of Prescott Public Library's annual budget comes from sales tax revenues. Because these revenues are shrinking, we are unable to fill vacant positions and have had to cut back hours at Prescott Gateway Branch. And it could get worse.

Meanwhile the City Manager asked all departments to come up with new streams of revenue. That's tough for a public library whose services are by definition "free" (i.e. prepaid with your sales tax dollars). Library staff considered lots of options - charging for meeting room use, charging for inter-library loans, charging for parking - and weighed potential revenue against potential negative fallout.

Only one revenue generator stood up to the test - charges for overdue library materials. Overdue fines are generally avoidable. Books can be returned anytime to book drops all over town. Books can be renewed online anytime if nobody else is waiting for them. If the $0.25 per day fine means more books are returned on time, I'll be delighted. Last year we collected almost $23,000 in fines. That's a lot of overdue books!

I think it's wonderful you ask your kids to pay their fines, and hope this doesn't cut too much into their fun money. We always give patrons a checkout receipt. Perhaps you could have the kids post theirs on the refrigerator and mark their due dates on a calendar. They could also look online to see what they have checked out, when it is due, if it can be renewed, etc.

I hope we continue to see you and your family at Prescott Public Library.

Raves

  • "I believe that the mural project is one of the greatest ideas. Developing community dialogue through art is fulfilling and reciprocal. My kids are big fans of the mice. Please make sure they are congratulated for their efforts. Cheers.”

We too are big fans of the mural and the mice. If you and your kids would like to pick up a brush and be a part of this community art endeavor, sign up at one of the service desks at Prescott Downtown Library, or contact project director R. E. Wall at 928-713-2296 or muralswork@gmail.com. For some spontaneous painting fun, drop by on the Community Painting Days, Saturdays in August from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

  • “It's a great thing you're doing by contacting so many residents and updating us about the goings on in our lovely town. I'll bet, like me, most of us didn't even know that most of these activities even existed! If any of the listed functions aren't handicap accessible, please let me know, as I am in a wheelchair. Thank you.”

All library activities are wheelchair accessible. We hope to see you soon!

  • “We are Florida residents visiting family in Prescott. The Friends of the Library bookstore is the best we have ever seen.”
  • “Thanks for considering electrical sensitivity issues when purchasing new computer monitors. I am so glad the library uses the Swedish TCO certified lower radiation screens!”
  • “My fear, when I saws construction taking place at our library was that the atmosphere would be lost, however, on the contrary, I have in the past, spent much time in the old library and to my joy the renovation has even improved that wonderful atmosphere.”
  • "Great library – best I’ve seen in my travels."
  • “Thank you all so much for the job y’all do at the library! I LOVE this place!!!!!!!”
  • “Keep up the good work for all library users...can't tell you what it means to me to have such a great library in a "small town"....you do good work.”
  • “Speaking for my family, three cheers for the new book drop box at Fry's! Thank you!”
  • “Such a sophisticated and energetic library! You should be very proud of the team you have put together and the enthusiasm that shows through.
  • "I have been all over the world, and this library system is hands down the best I have ever seen."
  • "I love this library. It's the service, and I know that takes a tremendous amount of work. I've never been in a library like this."
  • “I just finished reading the latest issue of the Roundup. It is, indeed, a first-class publication, packed with terrific information about our library. . . PPL is the finest library I have every visited/used, and I use libraries wherever I am---all over the country.”
  • “You and the PPL staff, its Friends and volunteers, and our community have set a new standard for the prototypical public library.”
  • “I LOVE the Prescott Library - always have - but LOVE the new library even more - congratulations on a great building, great books, and especially a great staff.”
  • “I wanted to tell you how impressed I am with the library. For several years now I have been listening to the books on tapes and CD’s, but in the last several months I have been taking advantage of the Hold system when searching for a book that I cannot find. I love the fact that there is access to books from libraries all over Arizona. In the last couple of months I have been checking out the DVD’s and Videos from the library too and it is great because you have so many movies that the movie rental places don’t even have. Then today, I went to pick up some books that I had on hold and found one that I have been waiting quite awhile for. But the really amazing thing is that it came from Harris County, Texas. Now that is really impressive! I had just been told that the only copy had been lost so they would keep looking, but I didn’t realize that you could look in Texas too. I am just amazed with how the library keeps getting better and better and so user friendly.”
  • “A library cafe and outdoor reading area? Wow, I can hardly believe the luxury. You all at the library are making the users feel so pampered. “
  • “Dear Prescott Public Library, I love you. I know these are bold words but they are true. I have loved you through your whole transition. It was difficult to see you at the mall. It depressed me to see your parts disjointed your books in storage and your true exoskeleton dismantled. But these exterior components are not what formulate my love for you. I won't lie though, your Bonnie Raitt Cd's and books containing glossy images of dinosaurs and mammals make this love multiply. At times when I stand in the glory of your new books section I am amazed that may small human heart can hold so much love. You are my one true desire and I am so proud of all you have accomplished. I will be there on your opening day in your brand new building. I'll be the one in the green jumpsuit. Your One True Love”
  • “You are offering the two great things I have been hoping for. Coffee and downloads. Hurrah for the Prescott Library. Keep up the good work. You are already my favorite place to go in all of Prescott. A Very Faithful Patron”
Retrieved from "http://comments.prescottlibrary.info/index.php/Main_Page"
Personal tools