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SUGGESTION BOX

January, 2006

1. Story time and movies age 3 years old on weekends.	We will consider your suggestions when we plan for future programs for children. Thanks for your input!
2. Please purchase: More stand-up comedians and OX TV seasons, more Polish books and magazines, CD: Kids in the Way; DVD: Summer Stock.	These are being considered for purchase. Thanks for the suggestions!
3. Have you considered offering sign-ups for reading clubs on-line? It would be helpful for us working moms to be able to register and download a reading log anytime. For example: I would like to sign-up for the Family Reading Club: Reading in a Winter Wonderland as highlighted in the January Focus. I went to the library yesterday, Sunday, January 15th to sign-up for the club beginning today 1/16 thru 2/18. Unfortunately, I was told that they did not have access to the sign-up until tomorrow but I could call to sign up. I was also told that there are no specific books to be read so I did borrow books for our first week. On my lunch hour, I called to sign-up and was told that I could not sign up over the phone and would have to return to the library to sign-up and receive a reading log. Since I work full-time, there is not much more time in the evenings beyond dinner and bath time (let alone trying to spend a little quality time with my child) to go running around! As a single working mom with a very hectic schedule, and a determination to instill the love of reading in my 4 year old son, it would be a considerable help to make registration for this type of program available on-line.	As we plan for the future, we will certainly consider on-line registration for library programs as we would like to make that process as convenient as possible for all patrons. Thank you very much for your suggestion!
4. Your E-books and e-audiobooks need to be able to download onto an Apple computer.	MyMediaMall uses the secured WMA format for their audio books. This format is not supported on Apple iPods at this time. For a listing of devices that do support the secured WMA format visit www.playsforsure.com/FindPortableDevices.aspx.
5. I don’t think people should be allowed to leave coats on chairs for some computers.	By the end of February we plan to install an automated system for managing access to all the library’s public workstations. This new system has become a standard solution at many public libraries for ensuring optimal use of computer resources.
6. 1.) Cell phones must be turned off. 2.) No talking – oldest library rule. 3.) Only one person at a computer workstation. 4.) No games, chat, or non-research on computers.	Thank you for your comments. The library’s Patron Behavior Policy is reviewed periodically and your suggestions will be taken into consideration. Please be aware, though: 1) We are working on a cell phone policy 2) The outdated concept of no talking in libraries is no longer realistic. Anyone requiring a quiet room for study is encouraged to use the Quiet Study Room behind the Reference Desk upstairs. 3) Students often need to work together at computers. It is possible, however, that we may designate a set of computers where this is prohibited. 4) It is impossible to provide public computer services with free access to the Internet without providing some access to games, “chatting”, or non-research. Again, though, it may be possible to designate a set of computers where this is prohibited.
7. Thank you for all your wonderful Children’s programs! As a mother and teacher I have been very impressed. Before we moved to Wauconda I checked out the library and was quite impressed! Thanks!	Thank you for your kind comments!
8. Why do you buy so many “not popular” DVD’s and so few popular ones? I think there should be a DIRECT LINK on the library web site to the library Director – or whoever’s in charge of spending and purchasing for the library. A picture with an email address and a name so comments and suggestions can be sent to the Director should be there! It would be nice instead of paper forms at the library. Taxpayers (patrons) should be able to know who is making decisions with our tax dollars! A title request email address should also be available on the web site. Thank you!	Generally, the library’s DVD purchases are based on popularity. Unless a movie has gratuitous violence or sexual content with little or no redeeming artistic merit (as indicated by movie review collections such as rottentomatoes.com), DVD’s which have received critical acclaim or have had success at the box office will be purchased.
9. There must be mold in your carpet because that is the only thing I am allergic to. I’ve been tested. I couldn’t stay for more than five minutes with my kids before I couldn’t breathe.	The library is thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed on a daily basis, and periodically detailed in frequent-use areas. If you could be more specific about your allergy, it is possible we can investigate the presence of specific allergens. Unfortunately, though, it is not possible to guarantee at any given time that the library will be free of all such allergens.
10. Wouldn’t it be a great idea to sell or give away used display/program items that would normally get thrown away? I understand storage space is a concern but maybe on occasion Friends of the Library could sell these items as well.	Generally, if such items are not stored for future use, the library has several ways of disposing of them, including the Friends of the Library sale, giving them to local schools or other government agencies, etc.
11. It is very disappointing to see the library have a “Valentine” display up before a more appropriate theme of “freedom” to celebrate President’s Day, Martin Luther King’s birthday, and upcoming Black History Month. You need to educate about our country instead of a business/commercial holiday.	Thank you for your suggestion. Although the library provides countless resources for history research and enlightenment, and has often commemorated the great accomplishments of America’s founding fathers and civil rights leaders, there is no doubt that we should increase awareness whenever possible (not just during Martin Luther King Day or Black History Month). In fact, the library is very interested in promoting cultural diversity in a variety of ways and the public can expect to see examples of this during the coming months. Valentine’s Day, though, is an important part of our mainstream culture and it is not unreasonable that the public will expect to see some recognition of it during the weeks leading up to it.