October 2009
• Update this library – need more computers.
As you are probably aware, we are “space challenged” in this building. A typical library for a community of 21,000 would have many more seats for students and readers, more shelving for books and other materials, and certainly more computers (not to mention other useful services and spaces).
We have ordered two new computer tables, which should arrive in the first part of December. One of them will allow for wheelchair access. The tables, which will each hold two computers, will be placed on either side of the Circulation Desk, where the single seat computers are now. Once they are in place, we will add two more computers for public use, thanks to the Gates Foundation grant we received.
July 2009
• How come the books aren't for sale? I would always come in and look for a few.
We closed down the book sale shelf last December, to make room for new shelving for our growing collection, which is up to 60,000 items.
The Friends of the Library are planning to hold additional sales through the year, outside the Library entrance – the first one was on a June Saturday. While it won't be the same as browsing through all the shelves downstairs, it will offer the items we think casual readers are looking for, and easier to get to.
The next Friends meeting will be Monday September 14 at 7:30 pm . Do join them – they are always looking for helpers.
June 2009
• You should look into taking debit/credit cards.
Actually, we have looked into it. One problem is the “cut” which banks take when you use a charge card: the cost of a small transaction like renting two DVDs eats up a significant portion of what we would take in. Another problem is volume: we don't do a lot of cash transactions, making us too small to be of interest. However, as opportunities arise, we will investigate them. More and more, our society operates on plastic.
April 2009
• I would love to see you carry the following: Tea Magazine, Tea: a magazine.
When we pick subscriptions for magazines, we try to pick items that will have broad appeal, and also add balance to the collection. For example, we try to have some conservative titles to balance the liberal magazines. Libraries which carry Cat Fancy tend to subscribe also to Dog World .
With regard to food, we already subscribe to Gourmet , Bon Appetit , Vegetarian Times , and Wine Enthusiast , plus a few other magazines about making a house a home. Perhaps we need to balance WE with something for teetotalers (or tea totallers?).
• You all are nice, but I like to get on the computer to use the library.
Glad to hear you think we are nice, but feel free to use the library from home. You can reserve or renew books at any time from your home or laptop computer, access databases, and soon, we will have live homework helpers.
March 2009
• I think we should get more computers, and have a cooking class to help keep kids off the streets.
We plan to add to more Internet computers later this year, with the help of the Gates Foundation grant. Unfortunately, the grant does not cover furniture, so we may not be able to buy the new tables and chairs until the new budget starts in July
As for cooking classes, we only have a microwave on the premises, and no real cooking facilities. Besides, keeping kids off the streets with food will depend on how good the food is!
• Pleased be advised that I was very disappointed on my visit today. There were very loud children with no parental supervision. As the staff tried to correct them, they were dismissed and ignored. I noticed one child of the age of 6. Unacceptable.
The perennial problem of all public libraries is parents using us as free baby sitters. We do have a security guard after school to try to keep the noise down. We do tell disruptive children to leave, and we do call the police when they don't obey. We have also notified the police of small unattended children at closing time.
In addition, having one large room for all library activities (children, circulation, phone calls, etc.) contributes to the sense of confusion. When the library is expanded, “noisy” patrons will be sequestered in a separate room. A Roselle youth center would also help draw off the children who need to be rambunctious rather than studious.
And some days, it just feels like there's a full moon.
I'm not sure what we can do about the societal problem of parents using the public library as a baby sitter. For our part, we will try harder to enforce the rules, and tell the miscreants to depart more promptly.
February 2009
• I think we should have more time on the computers – 45 minutes instead of 30 minutes.
Due to the limited number of internet access computers at the moment (two for adults, two for children), we need to limit the time per person, especially at the busiest hours. If you are here in the morning, when computer use is less, you can ask the staff to extend your time.
We hope to add two more computers later this year, with the help of the Gates Foundation grant. That may allow us to extend the time – no promises, just something we'll reconsider.
Also, we are in the process of automating the computer sign-up process. Look for that to be set up in the next month.
• I was wondering when they will be selling or putting out books to be sold. I haven't seen any for sale in a long time.
We closed down the book sale shelf in December, to make room for new shelving for our growing collection. I'm not sure we are going to have room to put the daily sale shelves back.
However, the next Friends of the Library sale will be Saturday May 9 from 10 am to 2 pm . This year, there will be lots of books on tape and CD for sale, in addition to the usual assortment of paperbacks and hardcovers.
If we are unable to resume the daily book sale, the Friends may add a Fall sale to complement the Spring sale.
2008
• Please try and get more dvd documentaries (and if you would like title suggestions, feel free to ask me).
When we first started buying videos back in the 80's, we did purchase documentaries and other non-fiction titles which we thought would go out The overwhelming majority of them languished on the shelves until we withdrew them from the collection.
So, when we started the DVD collection, we decided just to buy popular movies and TV series. That has worked well, but we would like to be more responsive to what our users want.
We are interested in knowing what documentaries and non-fiction DVDs our patrons would like to see. Anyone with suggestions for titles or subject areas should leave a note for Mark Hunter, our senior librarian, who handles the selection in that area, or ask to speak with him.
• I find [the library's computers and Internet access] to be very convenient and useful for me. However, I also find it to be too restrictive. I can only be logged on for the one 30 minute timeframe per day. If I want to review html code off a web page, I am not able to. If I want to print just one page, a 25 cent charge is asked. I think some of these restrictions and charges should be looked into and modified.
As I've said in the past, too few computers plus too many users = restrictions on time, in order to give our patrons equal shots at the service. Until we get more space, there is no way to address that issue.
Regarding being able to read html code, that may be related to the security we place on our computers, to keep a few mischievous individuals from downloading pornography or changing the settings in the equipment. There may not be anything we can do about that without opening Pandora's Box, but I will check with our network technician about it.
The price for a copy was set when we began offering computer access to the public about six years ago. It probably is time to review that, and I'll put it on my To-Do list.
• Throw that cheap fake tree in the trash.
Yes, it is ratty looking, isn't it? We'll make it disappear.
• It's sad that these computers are still not working.
This question was asked back in March, at which time I reported that we had not received any capital funds from the borough to upgrade our computers for three years, so we were pursuing grant opportunities instead. I'm pleased to report that we are receiving a two year grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which will allow us to replace the public computers, and maybe add one or two more. We hope to see the first check by early Fall. In the meantime, we'll try to keep what we have operational.
• I have noticed for the last couple of weeks there are no printers working. When will you get one?
The network printer for the Internet computers was having problems most of the winter, and was declared dead in early April. A new printer was ordered right after that, and will be installed by the time you read this.
I presume you mean the lights in the main room. They were paid for with a grant from the NJ Department of Community Affairs. They were installed in April 2007. They replace the old fluorescent lights from the 1950's, and are significantly more energy efficient. The new lights also closely resemble the original fixtures in the room.
• This library needs to invest some funds into its number and quality of computers. I see changes to the way things look in the library but no improvements to its functionality. For a library this size, serving this town's demographics, there should be more computers for adults and children. Shame on you!
For the past two years, the Library has requested capital funds from the borough to purchase new computers. Unfortunately, there has not been a capital improvements ordinance passed by the mayor and council since 2005. We are now pursuing a grant opportunity in lieu of borough funding.
However, due to our space limitations, we only foresee replacing the existing public access computers. When it comes to space, a community the size of Roselle should have at least three times more floor area, to allow for a collection big enough to serve 21,274 residents, more computers, and more space for groups to meet.
I hope you are taking advantage of all the new books and DVDs we add on a weekly basis. The Library is much more than computers.
• After using the Library for different paperwork, I could see a need for office supplies for us patrons. Paper clips, envelopes, file folders are items commonly needed but are not available. Surely these could be sold at a reduced price to Roselle Library patrons.
We are somewhat limited in storage space to be competing with Staples, let alone Walgreen's and CVS just three blocks away, in the office supply market However, we do want our patrons to get the most out of their visit to the Library. I'll bring the matter up at the next staff meeting and the next board meeting, and see what problems and possibilities our staff and trustees see in this idea .
• Please “sell” bricks to celebrate birthdays, deaths, births etc. The bricks could be used in the new building construction, or in a courtyard. Also “sell” park benches for the new building. And “sell” gift certificates!
Good ideas! We will be looking for contributions small and large to offset in some way the expenses of the expanded library. So far, the Board of Trustees has approved a “naming chart” for the major spaces; this will allow us to go to major donors and foundations for large contributions. Already, the Reading Room (currently the main room) will be the Elizabeth and Warren Brody Room, thanks to Beth's lead contribution to this project.
As we get closer to actual construction, the Library will have opportunities for people to “buy” (i.e., underwrite) furniture such as desks, tables, and shelving units.
We will look into doing something about gift certificates and a “buy-a-brick” program.
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The computers need to be fixed (two notes about this).
As of the end of September, we replaced one printer (for the word processors), and had a quote on new computers turned down. By the end of this month, we should have two new computers here, which will allow us to replace some existing equipment and install some missing software. We have also been waiting for some capital funds from the Borough to upgrade our computers, but that is taking longer than we expected.
• I think that the Library should have a typewriter.
The last typewriter we had died of loneliness. It was infrequently used, and took up space in our very cramped building. I don't see us adding a typewriter to our collection.
• I would like to suggest that the stuffed animals be replaced or removed. They carry a lot of germs.
The small animals get washed a couple of times a year, and the larger ones are wiped down and then put in a dryer with the same frequency. All of them get sprayed with Lysol regularly in between cleanings. As they get “loved to death”, we also replace them with new toys.
• It stinks in here. Very disturbing.
A few months ago, someone complained about the smell in the entrance, and we addressed that with some carpet freshener. We will be cleaning the carpets in the main room soon. If it's something else that offends your olfactory senses, let us know with a more specific note.
- Let people get a library card (that is, if they lose it) for a lower price.
The price was low, and unfortunately, some people abused that ability to replace their cards. They would toss a dollar on the desk and demand that we get them a new card, because they didn't feel like looking for their card. Every replacement card (just like every replacement book) takes up staff time and money that is not budgeted for. When we raised the cost of replacement, our replacement rate dropped by 2/3, because it became cheaper to actually look and find the missing item. The Library believes you should be as careful with your library card as if it were a credit card.
• Let kids over 11 work at the library.
State law restricts how many hours a week people under a certain age may work, as well as other restrictions. You may be better off mowing lawns and shoveling snow.
• Please identify the smell that hits your nose as soon as you walk through the front door. Could it be the carpets?
Could be. We'll get some carpet freshener to use there. All the carpets are due to be cleaned after the summer, anyway.
• There should be more gospel books for children and adults to read.
We actually buy more religion based books, including fiction, than most public libraries around here. We do try to get books that would have broad appeal, rather than those of scholarly interest. If you have specific titles you are interested in, please fill out a request form at the Circulation Desk and we'll either buy it or borrow it.
• Put more minutes on the computers.
Thirty minutes seems to be sufficient at busy times. If you are here at a slow period (like weekday mornings), and no one is waiting, ask the Circulation staff if you can get an extension.
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Open the library a little later.
I presume you mean keep the library open later. When we revised the hours in 2000, we cut back to 8 pm from 9 pm because there was no foot traffic in the evenings. Circulation has improved markedly since then, so maybe its time to reconsider those hours. Another idea we are thinking about is opening on Thursday nights until 8 pm . Sunday hours, alas, remain a dream.
- Have the staff] look more happy when customers come in.
Everyone has their good days and bad days – even good hours and bad hours. But that is a good point you make: public service should make customers feel welcome, not tolerated. I'll remind the staff to look less funereal when people come in (and also buy more happy pills for them).
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Why doesn't Roselle Library have CDs with updated music?
That reflects a conscious decision on our part to maximize our limited financial resources. So much of popular music today is downloaded from the Internet, that it seems a waste of money to try to keep up with the volume of new music, let alone compete with Napster, iTunes, and other sources. We do buy music CDs, but we are concentrating on genres that appeal to older tastes, such as classical music and show tunes.
Many public libraries have stopped buying music CDs altogether, because of the Internet. We continue to monitor the developments in technology to see whether we are being as effective as we can with what we offer.
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I propose that the Library set up a drop-off bin for DVDs and VHS tapes. There are very genuine reasons why one may not be able to return a DVD or VHSA tape on time.
We agree. In fact, in early 2006, we obtained a grant to purchase a drop box only for media. However, just before we were to spend the money, there was a discussion among local library directors about this exact subject. A few directors said they combined books and media, with no problems. The idea was discussed at a staff meeting and it was agreed to give it a try here in Roselle .
So, since last January, we have been allowing media to be returned to the outside drop box (we also keep that open 24/7 now, thanks to another patron suggestion). You will notice that the newer tapes and DVDs do not have the warning label on them, and we will try to remove those labels from the older items
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Suggestion: [order] DVDs or videos on exercise, Jazzercise, dancing lessons.
We did have some videos on exercise, which were gathering dust, so we removed them from the collection about two years ago. However, we will get a couple of DVDs in that area, and see if those get some attention. They will be available for you (and for others) before the end of April.
- You should allow 25 books out instead of 20.
But then we wouldn't see you as often.
Seriously, 20 books is a lot. We would consider letting more books go out per person, or even no limit, but we don't have enough books to go around. Normally we should have about 75-80,000 books for a community the size of Roselle , but actually we only have about 50,000. So, when we have more to check out, we'll let people take more home.
- This library is a great library. It helps me a lot. Thank you.
