Miscellaneous
From PPL Comments
- "Here is an idea for a library fund-raiser. How about making miniatures of the "Library Lizard" and selling them? It is such a delightful sculpture and makes me smile no matter how many times I see it."
I smile too! Sculptor Heather Johnson Beary sells limited edition maquettes of the Library Lizard. You can see more of her work on her website or at Van Gogh’s Ear.
- "I have been coming to the library my whole life, and I was very disappointed to see someone trying to collect names to legalize marijuana. This was the same day the mural was being dedicated, and many little kids were out there. The petition says it is for medicinal purposes, but all it will do is make marijuana more readily available for addicts. There is no reason to legalize this drug. I have always felt that the library was a safe place for kids to hang out, but today there might as well have been a drug dealer outside. I am very sad, because you have an awesome library, one of my favorite places on the planet. Don't ruin it."
- "On Saturday Sept. 26th I went to the Prescott Public Library with my daughter. Outside the bottom entrance a woman was soliciting signatures for the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes! This is outrageous! It happened on the grounds of our cherished public library, in front of the children’s section of the library! I witnessed several parents with their children signing this petition!! I know it is a 1st amendment right, and if it was for something other than an illegal substance, I could understand. What would have happened if I exercised my right to free speech by giving her a hard time about it?"
You are not the only library patrons who were upset to see someone collecting signatures to legalize marijuana. I hope you understand this was not a library-sanctioned event. As long as signature collectors do not block access to the library or harass library patrons, this is a legal activity protected by the First Amendment. All kinds of folks collect signatures for a wide variety of purposes, from getting on the ballot as a City Council candidate to ballot initiatives. The City's Legal Department advises us we are a "quasi-public forum" and all are welcome. See the library solicitation policy for details. You are of course welcome to exercise your free speech rights, as long as they fall within library standards of behavior.
- "I have been looking for a "map" of the library on the PPL website, so I can locate library meeting rooms by their names. Please add a map for those of us who don’t know where the Bump or Elsea Rooms are."
Great idea! You can now find floor plans under Locations and Reserve a Room.
- “I find it very unfortunate the library at Prescott Gateway Mall is reducing hours to 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. There are a lot of "us" looking for jobs, and mornings are a good time to respond to emails. There seems to always be a waiting line for computers at the downtown library, and minimal parking, which is why I use the Gateway Mall library.”
Although nobody wants to reduce hours at Gateway Mall, 80% of Prescott Public Library funding comes from sales tax revenues. Until people start buying more and buying locally, the City simply doesn't have the funds to keep Prescott Gateway Branch Library open more than 20 hours a week (1-5 p.m., Tuesday- Saturday). We expect to ramp back up with hours and staff when the City's economic situation allows. Meanwhile if you visit the Downtown Library in the morning or evening, you will rarely need to wait for an available computer. Another option is the “micro-branch” at the Rowle P. Simmons Community Center on Rosser. You will find four computers and a printer there.
- “When I went to the library for the first time and entered from the parking lot, there was no indication of where to go from there? No signs, no map, no brochures, no information. The entrance at that level is not user-friendly and less than welcoming. There is no signage telling where to find fiction books, magazines, computers, or anything else, and when I finally found someone who told me those things were upstairs, there was no sign leading to the elevator. I had to hunt for it, and believe me, it's not obvious. Just a few signs here and there would make a huge difference to newcomers.”
I'm sorry your first visit to the library was so frustrating. We took a closer look at the sign just inside the Lower Level entrance, and decided to replace a couple of the listings to make the sign more helpful for new patrons looking for basic library services like books, magazines and public computers. Sometime soon you should also see floor plans you can pick up and take with you. Although we do have signs directing folks to the Main Level, you're not the only one who doesn't see them. We do our best with signs, and it always helps to see things through a fresh pair of eyes.
- “I made a suggestion several weeks ago, and have never seen it on the Suggestion Wiki. How often is it updated?”
The wiki is updated at least once a month, and sometimes once a week. You can see the date of the last edit at the bottom of the wiki page. I don't include every comment. Sometimes I’ve already answered the same question. Sometimes I combine similar comments into one post. Some comments are very personal, while others are well beyond the bounds of good taste. If a patron has included an email address or phone number, I use it to respond.
- "My father was recently visiting from out of town and took my card to the library to check a book out for me. He couldn’t do it. Apparently my card hasn’t been used in so long, you have purged me from the system. I was very surprised, because I’ve been to the library multiple times this year. Then I realized I haven’t checked a book in a while. All of my trips to the library this year were either to buy books from the book sale or to donate books. I’d like to suggest that you set up a system to scan cards, if a person would like, when a person busy books or makes a donation, so that they can continue to be a part of the library community."
Although you rightly consider yourself an active library user, our system only sees your card as active when you actually check out library materials (a book, a magazine, headphones for computer use). Once a year we purge the records of patrons who have not checked out library materials within the last three years. This includes patrons who have been coming to the library to read magazines, to use library computers, or to purchase from or donate to the Friends Book Sale. Some may even be members of the Friends of the Library. We value your continued patronage and hope to keep you as a library user. To avoid the frustration of an expired card, just check out a book or movie at least once every three years. If you give us your email address when you re-register, we’ll send you a courtesy notice three months before we purge your record.
- "I recently made an ILL request for a book. Instead of getting the book from another library, Prescott Library ordered the book. I noticed in my account that it has recently been received. I was told by one of your staff it could take a while to process the book, because it probably came in with many other books, and all have to be processed. It would be nice if books that were originally requested as inter-library loans be given priority for processing. Other books you've ordered may not have someone immediately waiting for them, whereas an ordered book that came from an original ILL request does have someone waiting."
When you ask the library to purchase or inter-library loan a book, technical services staff determine the most expeditious and cost-effective way to obtain the item for you. If your request is for a recent publication, we almost always convert it to a purchase request, as inter-library loan protocol does not allow us to request materials less than one year old. When new books arrive, we process them in the order they are received. Next time you make an ILL request, look for the Not Needed After and Comments fields. If we can't get a book to you fast enough, we can let you know we are unable to meet your deadline.
- “I've been coming to the library for six years and have always enjoyed our wonderful, friendly and invariably helpful staff. We live in town and I usually walk to the library with my well-trained Golden Retrievers, then park them outside the library. Today I was asked to move my dogs because they were blocking the handicapped access. I know not everyone likes dogs but these dogs were snoozing in the sun, on leashes and there was room to get around them.”
Prescott City Code allows you to leave your dogs unattended outside the library for up to 15 minutes, as long as they do not block sidewalks, doors or ramps. Although we realize your dogs were well-behaved and not threatening anyone, some library users are scared of dogs, no matter how gentle they are. If you bring your dogs with you, we ask that you keep your visit brief and tie the dogs in such a way that other library patrons, including patrons using the handicap ramp, can enter the library without needing to closely approach them. For more specifics, please read the Unattended Dog Policy.
- "Some meeting room dates are reserved a year or more in advance. How can I book my club’s meetings for next year?"
Only the City of Prescott and Prescott Public Library can book in advance of the six-month window allowed community groups and clubs. Some library events and programs are already scheduled in 2012. From the Policy for Use of Library Meeting Rooms: Organizations/groups must submit one application per organization/group to the Meeting Room Coordinator at least two weeks, but not more than six months in advance of the dates requested. Meetings or programs sponsored by the Prescott Public Library or the City of Prescott will be given priority in the scheduling of the Meeting Room, after which all other requests will be considered on a first come, first served basis.
- “My wife and I enjoy reading and are continuously using the library. For a city the size of Prescott, we feel that we have an exceptional library. Over the past years we have occasionally found books that patrons have written comments in. We always erase these. In the past few days I have found extreme examples of this practice in the books of Jeff Shaara. I am currently reading To the Last Man and have found dozens of comments on the pages of the books. Thankfully, they are in pencil so I can erase them. This sort of thing just displays egotism and stupidity, and is harmful to the books. I thought that in your next library newsletter (which we both enjoy) you could make a statement about this defacement of books. Perhaps it would deter some people, although I doubt that it would affect the “genius” that has defaced the Shaara books. Once again, we are thankful to have such a great library. Keep up the good work.”
- "If you charged a small fee for renting DVD’s you’d have some cash to buy more. I don’t think we’d mind paying."
- “I saw the story in the paper about upgrading the computers at the library. I have been there many times for many purposes and have always noticed how busy those machines are...all the time you are open. My thought: that is such a wonderful service, people who just don't want to bother with computers, who cannot afford a computer, who just plain don't want to worry about them working, not working, printer problems, the list goes on and on. What would be wrong with charging a very small amount of money in return for this wonderful service and convenience? A buck for the ninety minutes would not be much, yet could add up to a significant amount to help with the costs of computers and other library-related activities. I realize this is not a normal procedure but, hey, these certainly are not normal times!!”
Thank you so much for your suggestions. Although PPL library services aren't free, they are prepaid (City sales tax and Yavapai County Library District property tax). I'm glad we're able to provide public computers at no additional cost to library patrons, particularly during economic hard times. They are seeing really heavy use from job seekers and from residents who have cut back on internet access at home. By the way, due to heavy demand, library computer use is now limited to 60 minutes per day.
- “Why did you stop handing out plastic grocery bags? They were a wonderful service.”
The recycled bags have long been problematic for us. Patrons brought them in as a donation - most were just fine, some were truly gross. We looked into buying our own plastic bags to give out, and were shocked by the cost. Plus we have misgivings about adding more plastic bags to the world. Instead the Friends of the Library bought the black PPL book bags and we sell them at cost. We hope patrons will get in the habit of keeping a bag in their car or bicycle basket.
- “The grassy area would be better if it had a garden and more trees.”
- “Can you add swings? A lot of us like to swing and read at the same time.”
- “The grass would be awesome if it had a trampoline.”
- “We want swings!”
I love knowing the library is a vital part of pre-teen life in Prescott, and glad young people feel comfortable enough to ask for what they would like. Yes, the Library Lawn is a wonderful spot, used by people of all ages for a variety of reasons. Although adding playground equipment like swings and trampolines would make the lawn better for the girls who submitted these suggestions, swings would reduce the lawn's versatility. The same would be true of a garden and more trees.
- “Does the Friends of the Library Book Sale sell online as well? Are there any buyer restrictions at your book sale such as no scanners? What are the hours of your bookstore?”
The Friends of the Library do not at present list books on ABE, Amazon or on-line at all. In the future they might do so. The Friends welcome dealers and do not ban ISBN scanners. They do expect dealers to return books not purchased back to the shelf where they were originally found. The Friends of the Library Book Sale is open all the hours that the library is open.
- “I just read about a great idea from a librarian in New Jersey. For December they allowed people to pay off their library fines with canned food to be donated to a local Food Bank. I thought that was an incredible community idea.”
Food for Fines is an appealing idea, and when we ran it by the City's Legal Department we learned Arizona's constitution does not allow us to condition amnesty on a donation of any kind. This is called "gifting of public funds." However, once or twice a year we do collect food for the local food bank. Now through the end of December 2008, donations brought to any library service desk will go to the Prescott Community Cupboard.
- "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
- "The second floor conference rooms are very cold. This has to be a waste of energy. Please check the temperature throughout your facility."
Keeping the library a comfortable temperature is a definite challenge, and it took me a while to get the hang of fine-tuning the library’s new heating and cooling system. We have software that allows me to monitor conditions from my office (and even from home!), and to establish night-time setbacks. During the summer I try to keep library temperatures around 73 degrees when the library is open, with a setback to 76 degrees when the library was closed. In the winter I shoot for around 69 degrees when we're open and 66 degrees when we're closed. I’ve learned bigger nighttime setbacks, like you probably have at home, don’t work as well in a 38,000 square foot building.
- “Could you set up a VHS and DVD with TV so that movies could be viewed for academic purposes? Thanks.”
You can always use your daily computer time to watch DVDs on library computers. Meanwhile Yavapai College Library has six viewing stations available for public use.
- “I’m glad to know about your movie nights. Do we get an announcement ahead of which films will be shown?”
Our film nights have been a rousing success. We generally know film titles one or two months ahead, and you can find them in the library's online events calendar as soon as we have the information.
- “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. You can now subscribe to an RSS feed. Look for “RSSFeed” towards the top of the page and next to the “Home” button.
- "I have a large family Bible that needs a real repair job would you have an idea how I could get it repaired?"
Bookbinding is becoming a lost art. 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. Or the reference librarians can provide you with a list of businesses who still provide this service.
- "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 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!
- "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. 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.
- “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 if you owe more than $1.00 you can pay your fines at the Check Out desk with a Master Card or Visa.
- “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.
- “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.
- "The Friends charge too much for items donated to the Book Sale.”
Prices of books in the sale vary widely, just as they would at any bookstore. However, please know that most of the sale items are priced at less than a dollar and there are always books and magazines available that are as low as a dime. If prices are still too high for you, remember your library has over 150,000 items available for free checkout. 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.
- "How are the exhibits in the Viewerie exhibit case scheduled. 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, Margaret Espinoza, 928-777-1509, margaret.espinoza@prescott-az.gov. Two to three exhibits are scheduled each month with the assistance of a library volunteer. Upcoming exhibits are listed in the Roundup newsletter. Confirmed exhibits are also listed in the library's online events calendar. Exhibitors are encouraged to publicize their exhibit around town as well.
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