January 2010
• Get more computers!!!
Two more internet stations will arrive in the next two months.
• Update.
Update what?
• More minutes at the computers; anime movies; jobs for kids.
At the moment, 30 minutes per session when the library is busy seems about right; when it is slow and no one is waiting, library staff can extend your access for another 30 minutes. We'll look into getting some anime movies. As to jobs for teenagers, those are usually limited to page duties, and that position is currently filled.
• Get more computers.
See answer #1
• Y'all need more computers, new books, more chairs [and tables], animes, black books (a.k.a. sex books), free DVDs. You guys close too early, ‘cause it's the chill spot for most ACHS students.
Computers – see #1. New books: we added over 5000 items in 2009, so maybe you could tell us which type you are looking for. We would love to have more chairs and tables, but that would require an addition, and money for that isn't available right now. Anime – see #3. Black books – we get lots, just look for the African American sticker on the spine. Sex books – hmmm. Free DVDs: probably not this year. Hours: we are open until 8 pm 4 nights each week, that seems sufficient for now, based on the data we collect.
• Dis library iz alright, y'all just need more stuff. Do not let people take the newspapers to bathroom.
Thanks for the compliment, but let us know what sort of stuff we are missing. People shouldn't be taking anything into the restrooms. If the stays become too long, we'll put a meter on them!
December 2009
• I believe that the library should be utilized by both adults and children to read, study, use the computer – all of which should be done QUIETLY with respect for others. It is very difficult to focus when there is commotion – usually brought on by youngsters.
Is there any way to provide the public with a quiet peaceful atmosphere, where those who want to [can] get work done and utilize knowledge gained from the wonderful resources this library provides?
Please help those who appreciate the library for the wisdom in here. [The library is] NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A HANGOUT!
The #1 complaint about this library is noise, and has been since before I arrived in 2000 – when we had only 1/3 the number of people using the library that we do today. In a nutshell: too many people and too many things are happening in too small a space.
We need to at least double the amount of space we have. That would provide separate spaces for children to talk about their homework, for adults to study in relative quiet, for staff to answer phones and questions, for computers and copiers to work, for programs to be held without interruption.
Roselle has the same issue as other public libraries around the country do: children stay here after school while waiting for a parent to pick them up. Would they be better off at a recreation center? Probably. But until borough officials address some of the program needs of our residents, both groups are going to have to co-exist in the same limited space.
November 2009
• I am a regular at my city's library. I wish to lodge a complaint about some of the noise – cell phones, kids running around. I know things have changed in the world but what happened to the library being a quiet place. I guess not here in Roselle 's Public Library. Sad but true!
Noise levels are a common complaint in all public libraries. The specific problem with Roselle 's library is that we have no way to separate the different functions which need to happen. Children's services, teens, the entrance, book check out, answering the phones – all of it happens in a space that measures 28' by 76', and has a plaster concave ceiling to bounce it back to our ears. It would be better if we had a separate space for children, for helping people, and for readers who want some quiet.
I'll remind the staff to ask patrons with cell phones not to use them inside. I'll also remind the security guard to stay on top of the rambunctious children.
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.
