Suggestions Received
 Thank
you for your suggestions.
The mission of the River Forest Public Library Staff and Board of Trustees is
to develop, publicize and deliver a wide range of high-quality library services
to the community. We welcome patron suggestions, comments and ideas for
improvements.
Suggestions from:
January 2007
| February 2007 | March 2007 |
April 2007 | May 2007 |
June 2007 | July 2007 |
August 2007 | September 2007
| October 2007 | November 2007
| December 2007
January 2007 Suggestions
244. Flo Schultes, the library media specialist at Roosevelt reported on the
“Find a Good Book” program to the Roosevelt faculty at their meeting.
Thank you for
letting us know. It seems Word of Mouth Marketing is working.
245. I enjoyed
looking around the website last night with the handouts from the “Find a Good
Book” program. I was thinking that it might be useful to add a couple of your
recommended sites for locating out of print or rare books. That would be a nice
complement to the sites you suggested for things that are current.
Thank you for
your comments. We will look into adding these links.
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February 2007 Suggestions
246. The parking lot and entrance to the sidewalk is heavy with snow. I nearly
tripped on the snow.
We are sorry
for the inconvenience. We work with the school and the park district to keep the
sidewalks clear during the winter months.
247. Due to
the fact that there is a higher percentage of bicycle riders who are readers
than there are automobile drivers, the bicycle parking lot in front of the
building should be shoveled as well as the automobile parking lot is.
We are sorry
for the inconvenience. We will work to clear the snow from the bike rack areas
in the future.
248. I wonder
while at the checkout if this is a library. It was loud and there was much
activity.
The 1st floor
with the circulation desk, the meeting room and the children’s area and all the
activities that are occurring makes it at times a very active and noisy place.
We work to make the 2nd floor the quiet study floor.
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March 2007 Suggestions
249. Library courtesy notices are a GREAT service.
Thank you for your feedback. We are glad this library service is helpful to you.
250. One of your adult full time staff members is fabulous and gracious!
We appreciate your comments and will share them with staff.
251. You have such helpful staff, both on the 1st and 2nd floor.
Thanks for your positive feedback.
252. I attended a presentation in the meeting room. The presenter was tethered
to the PC and projector behind the audience. My attention was divided between
the presenter and the presentation. A remote control for the PC would enable the
speaker to control a presentation “from the front”. They are relatively
inexpensive.
Thank you for this observation. We will look into remote control options for
presentations.
253. I just want to take this opportunity to say what a pleasure it is to come
to our wonderful River Forest Public Library. The beautiful surroundings,
marvelous collection and gracious staff make the experience a real pleasure.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication!
We appreciate your comments and will share them with staff.
254. Can the library see if there is interest in forming a “Book Collectors”
group? Share books with others, for example. Learn about special collections.
We will look into this further for future programming ideas.
255. I think the self checkout is a good resource.
I am glad this technology is beneficial to you.
256. Please stop charging for DVDs. Most other libraries do NOT charge their
patrons for DVD use.
The money collected from DVDs allows us to purchase security cases to safeguard
the collection and allows us to maintain our DVD collection and replace damaged
DVDs.
257. Please update your BBC video collection to DVD - such as I Claudio.
We do have a copy of I Claudio in our DVD collection. It may have been checked
out when you were here. We are in the process of purchasing titles on DVD that
we currently offer in VHS, but it is a gradual process that is balanced with the
need for new titles within our current budget.
258. You need salt on the ice in front of the library.
We will do our best to make sure that all areas of library sidewalk are
appropriately salted and safe.
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April 2007 Suggestions
259. I think it would
be nice to have some World Music - Maybe Putamayo selections.
The Library makes a concerted effort to find multicultural print and non-print
resources for our patrons to enjoy. We do in fact have many Putumayo CD
recordings and some books with CDs in the Children’s Room. Our librarians would
be happy to help you find International recordings that you might like.
260. You should borrow some of the old computers from Roosevelt and add them
here so there wouldn’t be a lot of people waiting for computer use.
We are doing our best to evaluate current space limitations as well as the
technology needs of our patrons. We thank you for your input and will do our
best to have adequate online resources for patron use.
261. There should be a food room or a stand for kids who come here after school
who don’t have money to go to Annie’s or brought their own snacks.
We currently do not have the space for a food room or concession stand in the
Library. You are welcome ton go to Annie’s or bring food with you and eat it in
front of the Library.
262. Make a bake sale so there can be an extension for Blue Max.
Thanks for this idea. We will forward this idea on to the Friends of the
Library.
263. In the meeting room make a coffee shop for snacks and other needs. Make
coffee and other items and after school snacks available for meetings and other
times! It would be helpful. Blue Max can support. Great!
We currently do not have the space for a coffee shop in the Library. You are
welcome ton go to Annie’s or bring food with you and eat it in front of the
Library.
264. Magazines I would like to see: Air & Space, Astronomy, Canoe
Thank you for these suggestions. They have been forwarded to our staff for
consideration.
265. Magazine section request: Aviation, Boating
Thank you for these suggestions. They have been forwarded to our staff for
consideration.
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May 2007 Suggestions
266. There should be food for kids that are hungry. There should be snacks for
kids in the ASK room after school. The food should be like fruit snacks, or
something else.
267. There should be snacks for the kids who come here after school because they
get hungry or forget to pack a lunch for school and they have to stay here for
hours before they get to eat. (P.S. I have to wait 3 hours before eating). I get
so hungry after school and so do my friends so we have to ask people who don’t
happen to have food and so I have to wait 3 hours on an empty stomach.
Children are welcome to bring in their own snacks either from home or from local
restaurants and eat in the meeting room after school in the ASK program. The
library provides the space and allows patrons to eat in the meeting room, but
patrons remain responsible for bringing in their own food.
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June 2007 Suggestions
268.
How about a plastic window/envelope on the outside of the canvas bags to put the
receipt/due date in?
Thank you for
that suggestion. When we order new bags in the future we will investigate if an
outside pocket is an option.
269. This is a complement for the library. I love the book Kolas.
We are glad
you are enjoying the books that are available at the library.
270. Purchase all 100 of the best films from the American Film Society list of
100 Best Films on DVD.
Thank you for
this suggestion. We will forward it to our librarian who purchases our DVDs.
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July 2007 Suggestions
271. Online Suggestion - I'd like to recommend the library procure any of the
following titles. Stuart McLean may not be that well known in the U.S., but his
stories are some of the funniest things ever put down on paper. He's like a
funnier and younger Garrison Keillor.
Thank you for your suggestion to purchase books by Stuart McLean. I have looked
into your suggestions and we will purchase Home from the Vinyl Café: A Year of
Stories. We will purchase the paperback edition of this book that is due out in
October. B. Dierks
272. Online
Suggestion - Dear Library, I thought you could get more Simpsons Comic Books.
Thank you very much and get back to me. P.S. I was hoping that you could do
summer reading again (Get A Clue) because it was really fun for me and for other
people.
We’re so glad you enjoyed our summer reading program! Thank you for your
suggestion that we purchase more Simpson’s comic books. We will see which
Simpson’s comic books are available that we don’t already have and considering
adding them to our collection. B. Dierks
273. Online Suggestion - Clarify policies, for patrons and librarians. As an
example, one librarian charged me a fine on a book that was returned after
closing time on the day it was due. But another librarian told me the library
allows a one day grace period, and that it was okay for me to return the book a
full day after it was due. It's a minor detail (a few cents in fines) but it's
the confusion that is annoying.
Our loan
rules state that materials must be returned before closing on the day that the
item is due. Anything returned in the book drop after we are closed will be
checked in the next day we are open. We do have a one day grace period for
books only. If you return a book in the book drop after closing on the day
it is due, a fine will not be tabulated by the computer when it is checked in
the next day. As stated before, this grace period applies to books only, not
audiobooks, videos, CDs, DVDs, or magazines. If a book is returned 2 days late,
then the grace period no longer applies and you will be assessed $.20 in late
fees ($.10/day). I hope I was able to clarify our policies and I apologize for
any confusion. Please feel free to call me if you wish to discuss this further.
Thank you for contacting us and we appreciate your support and use of the
library. S. Cresswell
274. Online
Suggestion - Allow more than one renewal: I attempted to renew some books over
the phone but was told that can't be done. Instead I was told to bring the books
in, and they could be re-checked out as long as there were no holds on them. If
that can be done, why do the books need to be physically brought back to the
library? Why not allow that over the phone or internet?
Our loan
rules allow for one renewal (no renewals for videos, DVDs, magazines, or MP3
players). After a total of 6 weeks (2 three week checkout periods), we ask that
you bring the materials back to the library to check in so we may see if another
patron is waiting for the item. If there are no holds on the item, we will be
happy to check it out to you again. The circulation program doesn’t allow us
to do this over the phone or Internet. I hope I was able to clarify our policies
and I apologize for any confusion. Please feel free to call me if you wish to
discuss this further. Thank you for contacting us and we appreciate your
support and use of the library. S.Cresswell
275. Online Suggestion - I don't know if you take suggestions for getting new
books, but I just read a review of a novel called Better than Chocolate on the
Midwest Book Review website: It sounds like an interesting mix of science
fiction and satire. It’s written by a Bruce Golden.
Thank you for your inquiry. I have forwarded your request to our Adult Services
Department so that they can look into this purchase.
276. Online
Suggestion - Hi -Here's a suggestion for a book to add to the collection. I
don't see this newly published book in SWAN. Atlas of American Artisan Cheese
(Paperback) by Jeffrey Roberts (Author), Carlo Petrini (Foreword)ISBN-10:
1933392347 ISBN-13: 978-1933392349
Thank you for
your inquiry. I have forwarded your request to our Adult Services Department so
that they can look into this purchase.
277. Online
Suggestion - I'd like to suggest that the library purchase "The Political Brain:
The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation" by Drew Westen
Hardcover: 384 pages. Publisher: PublicAffairs (June 25, 2007)ISBN-10:
1586484257 ISBN-13: 978-1586484255
Thank you for
your inquiry. I have forwarded your request to our Adult Services Department so
that they can look into this purchase.
278. In-house
Suggestion - When Considering “areas that need attention,” the Children’s Room
upholstered bench should be cleaned.
Thank you for voicing your concern. The benches and carpeting are cleaned
regularly, but they are almost twenty years old. It is an area that we would
like to improve so that we have a more durable fabric or different seating
option to better serve families who use that area of the Children’s Room. S.
Hampson
279. In-house Suggestion - The library summer reading program was fabulous! My
daughter really enjoyed it and got so much out of it. The staff is doing an
incredible job considering being short staffed. My concern as a patron of the
library is the programs and activities that have been cut due to the ongoing
number of positions that have been left open for several months. My hope is that
at least the children’s director position can be filled by this fall. I think
this is most important to have filled with the start of school.
We are glad that your daughter enjoyed the summer reading program. Children of
all ages expressed that they liked the clues and mystery theme and we as staff
enjoyed their enthusiasm for leisure reading throughout the summer. Thank you
for your concerns regarding staffing in the Children’s Room. It will be one of
the first priorities once a new director has been selected. We are excited about
our fall programming for families and have worked to ensure that we have
programs for all ages.
280. In-house
Suggestion - We should be able to use our cell phones. The librarians do.
Our policy asks patrons to refrain from cell phone use in the Library so that
everyone can enjoy their time here and not be interrupted by cell phones ringing
or conversation conducted on them. The staff is not to use cell phones in the
library unless it is a personal emergency. We will remind all staff of this
policy. S. Hampson
281. In-house Suggestion - Paint your sign.
Thank you for your concern. We understand that our sign is not very visible from
the street and we are exploring our signage options as part of a larger exterior
and interior review of the Library space. If we decide to keep the sign we will
indeed paint it. S. Hampson
282. In-house
Suggestion - “Ms” on the top shelf too high. Can’t read if you are short. Put
stool there.
We apologize if that section of books was difficult for you to reach. We have
moved that section to lower shelves so that it is more accessible. Please ask
any of our librarians to show you where the Mystery section is now located, or
to help you find anything else that you might need. S. Hampson
283. In-house
Suggestion - The following DVDs should be purchased for adults. Please consider
for purchase: Crank; Mr. Brooks; Next; Breach; Entire 14 episodes of Sherlock
Holmes.
Thank you for
suggesting these DVD titles. We will look into purchasing them for the
collection. S.Hampson
284. In-house
Suggestion - Consider purchasing Inspector Alleyn Mysteries (3 sets)
Thank you for your suggestion. I
will forward this recommendation to our librarian responsible for DVD purchases.
In the interim, we would be happy to request a DVD from this series from another
library for you. A librarian will contact you to see if you would like any of
these DVDs through interlibrary loan. S. Hampson
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August 2007 Suggestions
285. Online Suggestion - I'd like to recommend the library procure any of
the following titles. Stuart McLean may not be that well known in the U.S., but
his stories are some of the funniest things ever put down on paper. He's like a
funnier and younger Garrison Keillor.
Thank you for your suggestion to purchase books by Stuart McLean. I have looked
into your suggestions and we will purchase Home from the Vinyl Café: A Year of
Stories. We will purchase the paperback edition of this book that is due out in
October. B. Dierks
286. Online Suggestion - I
request my books online. Before you changed to this particular update, one
could view the books being requested immediately after requesting them. In this
update you cannot see what you have requested, hence I've ordered the same books
multiple times at the same login because i can't see what I've ordered. Or,
missed what I thought I'd ordered but can't see. Would appreciate being able to
see what I've requested when I do it. Also, would like to be able to delete a
request (which i couldn't see originally) myself instead of asking the staff to
do it. Thanks.
Thank you for contacting us with your suggestion. You are
correct that navigating the new Webpac is different.
If you search for a title while logged into your account, after you have made
you request, click on Return to your Record at the top of the screen. Then
click on Requests (Holds) at the left and you will be able to see the titles you
placed on hold.
I agree that it is frustrating that patrons are unable to cancel their own
holds. I have made the suggestion to the system and hope it will be added to
the next enhancement. Until then, the Circulation staff will be happy to cancel
holds for you. You can call us or send me an email.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me for further assistance. Sam Cresswell
287. Online Suggestion - Hello, Your site is great.
Thank you
for your feedback. We are glad that you like our website. We continually add new
information and try to make improvements to better serve our patrons.
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September 2007 Suggestions
288. In-house Suggestion- Have a babysitting party. Parents meet babysitters in need of a sitter
come to the party.
We appreciate your ideas for library programs. Our Red Cross babysitting
certification is one of our most popular teen programs. We are not able to host
a babysitting open house at the Library because we cannot have minors giving out
their contact information to the public, but I will forward your comments on to
our teen librarians so that they are aware of the continued interest in
babysitting programs.
289. Online Suggestion-
Dear Sir/Madame: I am calling all public libraries to
support this uniquely important scientific revolution. Please give the public a
chance to read the most important science book offering the only real science of
physics and cosmology discovered by the collective R&D effort worldwide over the
past three-plus centuries. The new book “Real Physics and Cosmology” uniquely
offers the giant “quantum leap” from religious beliefs and mathematical
fantasies to the real science having a comprehensive scientific understanding of
both the universe and all universal phenomena…. Please… add it to your library
and sponsor programs for the public, teachers and students to read and to
discuss it.
Thank you
for your suggestion to purchase the book Real Physics and Cosmology. We will
consider your suggestion and see if it is a good fit for our collection. Thank
you. Blaise Dierks
290. Online Suggestion -
Here's a suggestion for a new book - I saw an article
by the author in this upcoming Sunday's New York Times magazine - it looks good.
I put myself on hold and there are already 12 holds on the 8 books in SWAN.
Thanks for your consideration - let me know if RFPL purchases the book. Good
Calories, Bad Calories: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom on Diet, Weight
Control and Disease
Thank you
for your suggestion. We will add the book Good Calories, Bad Calories to the
collection. If you have already placed a hold for the item, you will be
contacted when it has arrived. Thank you. Blaise Dierks
291. Online Suggestion - Thank you for the Library Courtesy Notices! I really
appreciate these!
We are glad that our online notifications are helpful. We will
continue to look for ways to use email and our website to offer more services
and convenience to our patrons. Sarah Hampson
292. Online Suggestion - Can I suggest a
new title to add to your collection? It's an ESL book that was reviewed and
recommended by FCPS, VA Superintendent Jack Dale. The Eight Ball Club: Ocean of
Fire 978-0-9793761-2-2 $15.95 An easy-reading, teen-interest multicultural
adventure novel for secondary school and adult ESL students and developing
readers. I know that www.BiblioDistribution.com carries the book. FYI: There is
also an Eight Ball Club activity book with 100 interdisciplinary lessons that
are aligned with each chapter of the novel. Thanks!
Thank you for your
suggestion. I have forwarded this information to our librarian responsible for
purchasing new materials for our teen section. She will look into this title
and order it if is appropriate for our collection. Sarah Hampson
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October 2007 Suggestions
293. In-house
Suggestion - I am so surprised that a community with the resources that River
Forest has does not insist on better lighting on the street. It is very
dangerous to park and try to cross the street.
Thank you for your concern about the lighting. The timer that turns the lights
on and off went out and so the lights that typically illuminate the path to and
from the street were out. We called an electrician to fix the problem. Sarah
Hampson
294. In-house Suggestion - A staff member walked me through the electronic
reference search - I am in awe! If there is a class or orientation on this, I
would take it. i.e. Consumer Report, Kids World Books, Educational references
available online. I would also try to get other parents in on it. Let me know if
you have a class again.
We are glad that you enjoyed learning about our online database They are a
wonderful resource. . I will forward your suggestion to our Head of Adult
Services so that we can possibly plan more tutorials on how to maximize the
online resources that we provide at the library and via our website at
www.riverforestlibrary.org Sarah Hampson
295. In-house Suggestion - I think that one of the women at the childrens desk
should be more nice to the older children and stop bossing them around to do
tasks for her like clean up while she is on the phone a lot. She should get off
her phone and do things herself. After watching her do that, I was very
displeased with her. Everyone else who is current working at the library is nice
and polite to patrons.
Everyone at the Library strives to provide excellent customer service to our
patrons. We do ask that patrons clean up the work stations/tables that they use
in the Children’s Room so that the Library is clean and accessible for all our
patrons. The Children’s Desk is very busy after school and we often get calls
from students and parents requesting information via the telephone. Thank you
for your concerns and I will share them with our staff so that we continually
provide good customer service. Sarah Hampson
296. In-house Suggestion - Will you be repeating the talk tomorrow night on how
to use eBay? I hope so! I cannot make the talk - I have a class to attend.
We are happy that the eBay class is of interest to you. Blaise Dierks, our
Interim Head of Adult Services is in the process of scheduling another eBay
class and will post the additional date/time on our website, in the program
brochure and local papers, and throughout the Library. Sarah Hampson
297. In-house Suggestion - Please buy the baby signs book with DVD by Dr.
Acredolo.
Thank you for the suggestion. We will purchase the materials and notify you when
it arrives. Sarah Hampson
298. Online Suggestion - I checked with Dominican's library and they suggested I
check with you about reserving a room so my daughter could meet with a tutor for
ACT practice. When I called I was told that the rooms could not be reserved but
are on a first come basis. A reservation system would be a great idea to ensure
availability.
Thank you for contacting the River Forest Library with your suggestion. The
Library has 2 semi-private study rooms in the library. In order to make the
rooms as available as possible to members of the community, we do not reserve
them. In addition, these rooms do not have ceilings and are not soundproof. In
fact, because of the design, voices carry more in those rooms than in the main
Library. Patrons therefore utilize tables throughout the library for the
purpose of tutoring. When the study rooms are in use, we can still accommodate
your daughter and her tutor. We hope you continue to enjoy and use your library.
Sincerely, Samantha Cresswell
November 2007 Suggestions
299. Online Suggestion - If you are going to limit the number of children for
the storytimes, you should verify River Forest residency and provide priority to
the residents who pay for the funding of the library. In the past, we have been
turned away while people from Oak Park and Forest Park have been allowed to
stay. We cannot attend storytimes at their libraries. I think it is important
to serve your community.
Thank you for your concern about storytime attendance. We do give preference to
River Forest Patrons first. Most storytimes we are able to include anyone who is
interested in attending, but preference is given to RF patrons if we have a
limit on how many can attend. Sarah Hampson
300. Online Suggestion - I really enjoy your website and find that all of the
relevant information is available in an intuitive fashion. I would like to
recommend using a web validation tool to ensure proper display of the site in
most browsers. i'm using firefox and having trouble seeing some things
correctly. above all, your site looks great. Keep it up!
Thank you for your feedback. We forwarded your suggestion to the person
responsible for our technology. We are glad that you like our website. We
continually add new information and try to make improvements to better serve our
patrons. Sarah Hampson
301. Online Suggestion - I checked with Dominican's library and they suggested I
check with you about reserving a room so my daughter could meet with a tutor for
ACT practice. When I called I was told that the rooms could not be reserved but
are on a first come basis. A reservation system would be a great idea to ensure
availability.
Thank you for contacting the River Forest Library with your suggestion. The
Library has 2 semi-private study rooms in the library. In order to make the
rooms as available as possible to members of the community, we do not reserve
them. In addition, these rooms do not have ceilings and are not soundproof. In
fact, because of the design, voices carry more in those rooms than in the main
Library. Patrons therefore utilize tables throughout the library for the
purpose of tutoring. When the study rooms are in use, we can still accommodate
your daughter and her tutor. We hope you continue to enjoy and use your library.
Sam Cresswell
December 2007 Suggestions
302. Online Suggestion: Your messages about books that are due are erratic.
Today I got this message about a book due on the 6th, but I never got any
message about two RF Library books that were due yesterday. Based on the 6:04
a.m. time stamp, I assume that these are automated messages that should go out
three days before the due date, so the New Year's holidays shouldn't have
stopped them, and anyway, three days before Jan. 2 was December 30 when the
library was open. In general, I seem to get email reminders on about 2/3 of the
books I check out. Related note: it would be more pleasant and helpful if SWAN
permitted one to renew books that were 1-2 days overdue. Oak Park Library's
automated system *does* allow that. (Not especially relevant to me this time, as
I'm expecting to stop by today and return a bunch of books anyway.)
Thank you for
contacting the River Forest Library with your suggestion. Several patrons have
mentioned that they are not consistently receiving Courtesy Emails. In some
cases, the emails have ended up in patrons spam/bulk email folders. However, I
have contacted the Metropolitan Library System to make them aware of this
issue. I was informed that this problem will be investigated. Regarding the
issue of renewing overdue items online, I will add that to our list of
enhancement requests for 2008. Sam Cresswell
303. Online Suggestion: When your attendant telephones to tell me that a book I
requested has arrived, she does not say the title. I may not remember what book
I requested, or if I requested several, which one this is. To find this out I
must contact you by phone or email and ask what title you have for me. Why is
this information not given by your caller?
Thank you for
contacting the library with your comment. Because several people may have
access to an answering machine, we do not divulge the titles of items over the
phone in the interest of patron privacy. If it would be more convenient, we
could add your email address to your record then you would be informed of your
holds through email. The titles of the items are displayed in the email.
Please let me know if you would like us to contact you via email instead. Sam
Cresswell
Thank you for the Suggestions, if you have more please let us know.
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Revised: 1/15/07
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