The Guestbook

1. VISITOR COMMENT (8/17/08 at 2:57 PM - Outside the Library):

Has there been any discussion about adding Overdrive as a vendor for downloadable audiobooks, now that they are providing many of their titles as mp3s, which, unlike netLibrary's encrypted WMAs, CAN be transferred to and played on iPods?

Overdrive also currently has a Mac OS X version of its front-end software in development, meaning that once it's released, their mp3s will be directly downloadable to Macs.

Have you heard whether or not netLibrary is planning anything similar?

STAFF REPLY:
At this time, I have not heard of any plans for NetLibrary to incorporate these features. However, you will be happy to know that we are currently working with OverDrive and hope to have them up and running at our library in the next month.

If you have any other questions, I can help you with, please feel free to contact me.

Terry Ann Anderson (Director of Access Services)

2. VISITOR COMMENT (7/28/08 at 3:33 PM - Outside the Library):

I visited the Plaza branch on a Friday evening and was surprised at the flip and borderline rude comments from the person at the checkout desk when I was checking out my books and movies. Several times, the staff person made unnecessary and less-than-nice comments to me. I don't use the Plaza often because of the curtness and abruptness I've seen several times when I've been there. When I was there that evening, it was not busy; in fact, when I came up to the checkout desk, the two staff members were loudly discussing another staff person (in a negative way). Customer service really seems to be lacking.

STAFF REPLY:
Thanks for your comment.

What you describe is not consistent with the service the Plaza Branch should provide on Friday evenings or other times the library is open. I am concerned, so if you would contact me (816-701-3581 or joeljones@kclibrary.org) with more specifics, I would be willing to discuss this issue with you more.

Joel Jones (Plaza Branch Director)

3. VISITOR COMMENT (7/19/08 at 3:56 PM - Outside the Library):

Hello. I noticed that on this page of your website, http://kclibrary.org/guides/african-american/index.cfm?article=read&articleID=763, you list several website resources. I want to suggest that you include BlackMissouri.com to this listing. Thanks

STAFF REPLY:
Thanks for your suggestion. We will add this link to our African American resources in our new website, which launches on Labor Day. Please visit us again.

Kate Barsotti (Digital and Web Manager)

4. VISITOR COMMENT (7/17/08 at 4:42 PM - Central Library):

Thank you for hosting It's Over last night. What a blast to rock out on the library roof. My son (3) and my husband and I (much older than 3) loved it.

STAFF REPLY:
You are welcome. We are very pleased that you and your family enjoyed the evening. We hope you will join us for future events.

Lillie Brack (Director of Central Library)

5. VISITOR COMMENT (7/13/08 at 5:23 PM - Library Branch):

Every time I'm at the Waldo Branch, the new security guards don't seem to be up to the standards of the old guards. I've seen them sitting, reading, talking to each other (mostly this), and even checking their email at the computers. I've never seen them tell other patrons to turn off their cell phones or anything. What exactly are you paying them to do?

STAFF REPLY:
Thank you for your comments.

We pay contracted security officers to work with public services staff to create and maintain a welcoming and safe environment for the use of our libraries for their intended purposes.

Recently, we have greatly intensified our efforts to train officers to do this.

In the future, if you see any problems with contracted security officers (or public services staff, too, for that matter), please consult with the respective Branch Manager.

Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner (Deputy Executive Director for Operations)

6. VISITOR COMMENT (7/3/08 at 2:41 PM - Central Library):

Dear To Whom It May Concern: Complaint or suggestion, Please open the Library up at 6:00pm and have it close at 10:00 pm or 11pm. Reason: Some people have nothing to do but sit around and be lazy when our minds could be knowledgeable. I am talking in regards about people from the homeless shelters like "Restart". I would like to see it close at 10:00pm because nothing late is ever open late anymore. More studies more knowledge less laziness! Thank you, Sincerely, Linda, Jane, Elizabeth Gandara P.S. Have a nice day!

STAFF REPLY:
The operational hours of the Library are based on accommodating the needs of the greatest number of people. Central Library is open to all regardless of economic status. We hope you will continue to use the services of the Library during our current hours.

Lillie Brack (Director of Central Library)

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

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

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

Terry Ann Anderson (Director of Access Services)

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

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

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

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

Michael Graebner (Audio/Visual Coordinator)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pat Mulsoff (Director of Collection Development)

Lillie Brack (Director of Central Library)

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

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

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

Thank you for considering my comments.

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

STAFF REPLY:
Thanks for your comments.

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

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

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

Joel Jones (Plaza Branch Director)