Posted Comments and Responses from the Suggestion Box |
| Thank you for your suggestions and comments. Please find the responses below (Most Recent at Top) |
Comment:
‘To let Redcliff patrons pay their fees here.’ |
Response:
While the library does try to remove all barriers to access for library users, there are some restrictions imposed by the computer system that manages the circulation of library items. Library staff cannot modify a patron record from another library within the Shortgrass Library System. If they do modify another library’s patron record, the computer system renames the record as a ‘do not use’ record and the card will not work at any location. Other fees, such as fines or lost fees, can be paid at MHPL, however it does mean that the revenue from the fees stays here rather than benefitting your local library. |
Comment:
‘Stay open longer.’ ‘Stay open longer on weekends.’ |
Response:
Longer opening hours is a topic that comes up regularly in Library Board discussions. Unfortunately, the Library Board is not able to institute longer library opening hours at this time due to budgetary constraints. |
Comment:
‘Barbie DVDS; the ballets – Nutcracker, Swan Princess…’ ‘I think you should bring in more search and find books for children.’ |
Response:
Thank you for your interest in the library’s DVD collections. I will certainly pass your suggestions on to the selectors. |
Comment:
‘Get more Manga’ |
Response:
You will be happy to know that the library is continually adding to the Manga collection. Our Youth Services Coordinator is always on the lookout for more Manga books – it’s not that the library doesn’t have many, it is just that they are being used. Just do a general search under Manga in the library’s catalogue and see what comes up. We have just purchased some Manga DVDs to add to the collection as well. Keep your eye out for those! |
Comment:
‘Dixie cups for drinking fountain.’ ‘Put cups beside water fountain at entrance.’ |
Response:
Thank you for your suggestion. The library has had cups by the drinking fountain in the past. We will look into stocking them again.
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Comment:
‘Please offer tutoring specifically for reading.’
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Response:
Tutoring in reading is something that the library definitely supports! In Medicine Hat, there is an organization called ABLE, Adult Basic Literacy Education, that oversees literacy skills development for reading, writing, and math. ABLE will link learners with tutors who can help them enhance their skills. Many learners and their tutors meet at the library and the library does carry some materials to support that learning.
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Comment:
‘Post the wireless code for next day on door downstairs so that people can use it before you open from outside.’
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Response:
I am happy to hear that the library’s wireless network is beneficial to you! At this time the network connection is only available for use during library opening hours as we assess network use. Within the next month we hope to eliminate the daily changing wireless code, replacing it with access via your library card number.
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Comment
‘A sign [to] specify the library parking lot is only for people coming to the library during library hours. I have seen people park in the library parking lot and go somewhere else while I needed to come into the library and have no spot in the library parking lot.’
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Response
Library parking is an ongoing concern for the Library Board. The parking lot currently has signs saying ‘Library Parking Only’; the Board hires a security guard when there are downtown events that may significantly impact library parking. Additional signage for the lot is definitely a consideration and may help.
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Comment
‘Hand sanitizers.’
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Response
The library has installed hand sanitizers in four locations throughout the library – one outside the main floor public bathrooms, one outside the lower floor public bathrooms, one near the self-check terminal in the children’s department and one near the public internet computers on the lower level.
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Comment
‘Parking is treacherous. Spaces too close and not wide enough. Needs to be redesigned badly. Maybe an exit would help. Backing out if lot is full gets very dangerous.’
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Response
The design of the Library parking lot was reviewed in 2004 to determine possible ways to improve access to the lot and do what was possible to improve the lot itself. At that time the slope at the north end of the lot was significantly lessened, making it easier to park at that end. There was a discussion regarding the benefits of making one access point into the lot an entrance and the other an exit. It was determined that this would not improve the safety and flow within the lot. However, the sloped entrance/exit onto River Road was widened to improve access and the slope was lessened to increase safety. The lines for the stalls were repainted as well – stall size is within code. The overall lot size is not something that the Library is able to alter, unfortunately, but the Library Board continues to look at options regarding library parking.
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Comment
‘Make Internet cards smaller – perhaps so they would fit on a keychain.’
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Response
The library, as part of the Shortgrass Library System, has looked at the option of keychain library cards. They are definitely available! Unfortunately, at the time the cost per card was prohibitive, however, it does need to be reviewed as an option. Thank you for bringing it forward.
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Comment
‘I’ve seen at some libraries where they put barcodes on the book baskets so patrons can check them out. It would work better than flimsy plastic bags.’
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Response
Loaning the book baskets is not something that we have considered in the past – I will certainly bring it up with the library administration team. Thank you for the suggestion. At this time, we only have a limited number of baskets and these were donated by Canada Safeway. The bags that the library provides for free use by library patrons are donated by members of the public – in a sense the library, then, is acting as a recycle location. The library does sell canvas library bags if you are interested, or feel free to bring in your own cloth bag or basket to the library.
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Comment
‘The Cranbrook Public Library has a magazine recycling bin where people can freely exchange magazines (one year old or newer). Helps with recycling and is a much appreciated service for patrons.’
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Response
At this time the library does run a paperback exchange program during the summer months – a similar kind of service to the magazine service in Cranbrook. We have not considered running a program like this throughout the year, but it is something we can consider. I will bring the suggestion forward to the administration team. Thank you for the suggestion.
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Comment
‘Get more books in the young adult section. There are some books that people would want to get but aren’t here so if there’s more, more people would be satisfied.’ |
Response:
‘Great to see that you are interested in books and reading! We have budgeted over $12,000 this year specifically on young adult fiction and non-fiction books and have been able to dedicate more staff time towards the young adult collection since September of this year. Please suggest titles if there are specific ones you would like to see in the collection – all title suggestions go to our selectors for consideration. |
Comment
‘I think there should be a bigger area for teens and more Manga books. The benefit: more teens are attracted to the library.’ |
Response:
We certainly want to see more teens attracted to the library too! Our Youth Services Coordinator is always on the lookout for more Manga books – it’s not that the library doesn’t have many, it is just that they are being used. Just do a general search under Manga in the library’s catalogue and see what comes up. |
Comment
‘Some more rock music such as: Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Metallica. These are very popular bands and I find there is very little, if any, of their music in this library.’ |
Response:
The TIC-TAC group just did a large CD buy and I am happy to inform you that there was some new AC/DC and Metallica albums included in their purchases. Take a look on the catalogue! |
Comment
‘Be able to pay late fees online. I don’t always have money when I stop at the library.’ |
Response:
We are hopeful that the anticipated upgrade to our current integrated library system will include the options for e-commerce – we’ll keep you posted. Currently, we can take payments at the library by cash, cheques, debit and credit card. |
Comment
‘Staying open later on Friday evenings. We understand early closure one or two nights a week to allow staff evenings off, but three early closures is a lot in one week. The library already has programs on Friday evenings anyways. It would give people and families more time to spend together at the library. |
Response:
Opening Friday evenings has been discussed by Library Board numerous times over the last few years. Due to budget limitations, we cannot currently extend library opening hours. |
Comment
‘Allow food and drinks in a specific part of the library. In this area have recycle bins. The benefit: People can drink and eat while their kids get books and the recycle bins will reduce garbage. |
Response:
We currently do allow food and drinks in the library, with the exception of the theatre and at the computers. The recycle bins are a good idea, though! |
Comment
‘Have the whole series of a book. People can read the whole series of books, not just the 1st, 3rd, 4th, etc.’ |
Response:
When we do start to purchase a series, we always aim to purchase all books within that series. However, there are times when a book in a series is damaged or lost. At that point there are a number of considerations: are we able to purchase another copy of that book or is it out of print? Do other libraries in Shortgrass have that series too – in which case we may decide not to replace the missing copy? I appreciate your frustration, though, especially when you have found a great series. |
Comment
‘Could we have a mailbox in the library please?’ |
Response:
The placement of mailboxes is determined by Canada Post. Currently there is a mailbox directly across from the library on the corner of First Street and Fourth Avenue. |
Comment
Have a designtated section for Christmas books.
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Response:
There are special holiday picture book sections in the Children's department - the winter collection there includes Christmas books as well as ones about snow. In our music (CD) collection, we have a special section for Christmas music. Your suggestion will be passed on to our Adult Services librarian in regard to the adult fiction books; we can certainly put up seasonal or holiday displays of books. |
Comment:
‘Get more movie nights. More people would come.’ |
Response:
Over the last few years, the library has added additional movie showings – we now have two Saturday matinee films a month (on the second and fourth Saturday usually), two Thursday evening films (on the second and fourth Thursday usually), and one Thursday afternoon film on the first Thursday. Other programming will sometimes include a film as well. We are looking at the possibility of having a monthly documentary night and/or a book club where the film of a book is shown and a discussion comparing the book and film follows. |
Comment:
‘In St. Catherines, ON, the library sanitized the keyboards and internet area once a day. IDEA: to have the library sanitize the keyboards and internet once per day. This reduces the proliferation of bacterial growth, reduces the spread of infections throughout the community, makes the library safer.’ |
Response:
The library cleans the keyboards and internet area every day prior to the library opening to the public. |
Comment:
‘Please bring back the children’s checkout counter in the children’s area. This would result in smaller line ups at the main checkout and more time to deal with the needs of children.’ |
Response:
With the renovations, the Library Board decided to consolidate the checkout process to one desk (with self-checkout units in various departments including the lower floor). A major rationale for the change was to give the staff in children’s more opportunity to focus on the learning, reading, and information needs of children. No longer having to run back to the desk to check out items means that staff can provide higher quality and more in-depth reference and readers advisory services to the patrons in the children’s department. |
Comment:
‘Should be able to pick a computer when not in use. Why pile persons on top of each other – alternate positions.’ |
Response:
The program that we are using to manage the public internet computers – both for bookings and for length of time in use – does not allow for picking individual computers. The program randomly assigns an available computer that will provide the user with a full one-hour booking. Some of the empty computers are being held for a booking that may start in 10 or 20 minutes; those would not be selected because a one-hour booking would not be possible. |
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