Hi. I have a dilemma. I am new to area and have been searching the web for things to do with my kids this summer. My kids ages 3 and 6 love to read. Ientered a certain small town library recently after learning that they would be open between hours of 2 and 7 from Wed to Thursday and closed friday.
When I got there excitedly my kids went thru the door and I said hello to the librarian. I was greeted back with " I cannot help you today our systems are down". She then proceeded to continue her in depth conversation with a local patron. We ventured back to childrens area and kids looked around and not sure of where to begin on shelves. I luckily was able to navigate and look and find some books and even reshelve them. Lollipops and crafts were on the table but I was not sure if kids could take them. I did not want to ask librarian for help since her first words to me were that she "could not help me" What is a Librarian's job anyway? My son curiously asked her about the historical building and she barely conversed with him. Whatever she was discussing with this other patron was far too important to stop. It would have been nice for her to turn her attention to newcomers.
I decided to leave and knowingly (since I had checked internet) I said "we will come back tomorrow, you are open right?" She said "no, we are not open". I think she thought it was friday already... She even handed me a bookmark that showed me that they were open the next day and I stared at it in front of her waiting for her to say "oops, I made a mistake we are open tomorrow". Also, the person she was conversing with looked at me like I had two heads.
They continued their conversation and I left, just amazed at what had just occurred. I also was saddened that I had a yucky experience. I want to go back but just feel like an idiot. Any suggestions? I am not one to complain but really, it irks me that she did not even know her own library was open!!!

Assuming everything happened just as you say you have a valid complaint, IMO. One of our forum members, Momsapilot, is library savvy and can probably suggest the best way to register an official complaint. I'd think someone should be notified that this person is acting this way, which is a very poor customer-service attitude. I'll make sure Moms sees this message, so check back here later.

And, welcome aboard.

bobbie: Could you name the library? I'm all for using anonymity to protect the innocent, but it sounds like the librarian is guilty of providing lousy service, and some pressure should be put on her employer.

Hey, I'm all over this Snoopy!

Bobbie, PM me and let me know what day, time, and branch you were at. I will say the branches run in a far different fashion than downtown. There have been several computer upgrades happening, and many times people only come in to use the computers, so it is possible you were mistaken for someone who does that and the librarian was trying to give you a heads up. However, I would not excuse that as a reason to be short/rude with anyone as soon as they walked in the door.

If you happened to be at Smithsburg, I will tell you that you weren't dealing with normal staff, so that may be why you were told the wrong hours. Both those ladies are out on surgery and their hours are being filled by staff from other branches and roving substitutes.

I don't honestly know how branch complaints are handled. Downtown there is a form from the librarians that you fill out. Was the person wearing a nametag? They are supposed to have it on.

I'm sorry you had a bad first encounter with the library system. You might try downtown if you happen to be in that direction. Jeff Ridgeway, Donna Parks, and Laura Gross are the children's librarians and are great people. You can always check books out there, then return them at the branch. If you haven't gotten your library card, be sure to bring photo id with current address and a piece of mail (phone, light bill) or checkbook, car registration that comfirms that address. (There are a lot of people who have id but don't actually live at said address, so it's become necessary to to have back-up documentation of address, so reminders and bills can be sent to the person for late, lost, or damaged materials.)

Welcome to the boards and the area, Bobbie! Let me know if I can do anything to help!

I am pretty sure Jeff and Donna were both there when I was a kid browsing the children's section (if Jeff is the man in the children's section who's been there for 15+ years). Ah.... I have fond memories of those days....

In fact, I think Jeff was the one who recommended Bridge to Terabithia to me, which is one of my favorite childhood books.

Nothing really to add to the thread. Just wanted to comment in the great staff downtown.

Yep, same Jeff. He was recently given an Outstanding Educator award for all his work with children's literacy. My daughter read Bridge to Terabithia this past year for Battle of the Books.

Donna will be retiring in a couple of years .

Off topic...

Is this "Bridge to Terabithia" book good for pre-teens -- like an 8-year old reading at 5th grade level? Appropriate content, too?

From Amazon:

The story starts out simply enough: Jess Aarons wants to be the fastest boy in the fifth grade--he wants it so bad he can taste it. He's been practicing all summer, running in the fields around his farmhouse until he collapses in a sweat. Then a tomboy named Leslie Burke moves into the farmhouse next door and changes his life forever. Not only does Leslie not look or act like any girls Jess knows, but she also turns out to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. After getting over the shock and humiliation of being beaten by a girl, Jess begins to think Leslie might be okay.

Despite their superficial differences, it's clear that Jess and Leslie are soul mates. The two create a secret kingdom in the woods named Terabithia, where the only way to get into the castle is by swinging out over a gully on an enchanted rope. Here they reign as king and queen, fighting off imaginary giants and the walking dead, sharing stories and dreams, and plotting against the schoolmates who tease them. Jess and Leslie find solace in the sanctuary of Terabithia until a tragedy strikes and the two are separated forever. In a style that is both plain and powerful, Katherine Paterson's characters will stir your heart and put a lump in your throat.



Amazon reports it as ages 9 and up. I'd say it would be fine for an 8-year-old who can handle "tragedy." (Don't want to give away the ending... LOL)

My daughter prefers happy endings. But thanks!