Library Wants User Feedback

As the library trustees continue their campaign to spread the word about a , they are asking residents and library users to provide feedback.

In February, trustees to gain some feedback but the overwhelming theme was positive--making it difficult for board to generate a list of possible services to cut, trustee Jenny Nolan said. 

It's great to hear positive feedback, Nolan said, because it indicates users are enjoying what the libraries offer. However, the board and organization would like to re-extend its offer for feedback. 

Feedback doesn't have to be a rating of good or bad, but maybe the services you use the most or the least, for example. 

Eventually the board may have to make cuts--with or without feedback-- but having more input by users would give them a place to start, Nolan said. 

The libraries will have a millage increase before voters in November to help the organization pay off its debt from the construction of its buildings following the separation from Grosse Pointe Schools. 

During a recent presentation by trustee Brian Garves, he explained the increase would be a maximum of 0.7 in any given year. This means owners of homes valued at $100,000 for tax purposes would pay $70 additionally. 

Garves said the millage would be reevaluated annually through 2029, the date the bonds will be paid in full, so as to not overtax. The goal is to have the millage increase pay for the building debt only and nothing more, he said. 

To provide feedback now, email gplibr­aryservices@gmail.com. 

In mid-April, Nolan said the library will have a survey posted on the website for users to fill out.

Below is a list of services provided by Nolan: 

Collection

• Books
• Adult Fiction
• Non Fiction
• Biography
• Large Print
• Teen & Youth Books
• Fiction
• Non Fiction
• Reference
• Business
• Investment Advisory
• Adult
• Youth
• Children’s Books – story books and picture books
• Downloadable/E-Books
• Book Discusstion Kits
• Foreign Language books
•  
• Books on Tape
•             Fiction
•             Non-fiction
•             Great Courses on Tape, The Modern Scholar
• DVDs
•             Films
•             Television –commercial series
• PBS Series
• Discovery, Nat’l Geo, etc
• Music CDs
•             Jazz, Blues, Pop/Rock, Classical
• Periodicals (Magazines) and Newspapers
• Circulating Tool Collection
• Circulating Art Collection
• Historical Archives
•             Obituary Index
•             Oral History
•             Yearbooks, etc.
• Online Databases for research, consumer information, school assignments

         

Services                 

 Hours of Operation (total 166 hours/week)

• Central 9-9 M-Thur, 9-5 Sat, 1-5 Sun        60 hrs
• Woods 10-9 M-Th, 10-5 Sat, 1-5 Sun       55 hrs
• Ewald 10-9 M-Th, 10-5 Sat, Closed Sun  51 hrs

• Reference Desk Services-LIBRARIANS ON DESK:
• Reader’s Advisory,  Research, Assistance with research, finding information, Help with computers and Databases, public order, interlibrary loan help, telephone & in-person & online, direction to requested books, DVD’s, music, IRS materials
• Circulation Desk Services-STAFF ON DESK:
• Materials check in & out, issue library cards, collect fines, paperwork for overdue books, receive & distribute mail/periodicals/newspapers, count and balance cash, collect MelCat orders, notify patrons, material searches, telephone and in person.
• Off-desk duties performed by Librarians and Staff enable:

Computer services

• Access to Internet, Library catalog, Online databases, Wireless access
• Library Website with in-house and home access to catalogs of statewide libraries,
• databases, remote program registration, library information.
• Library information and programming information posted on online networking sites

Children’s Programming

•                   Story Times
•                   Reader Dog Program
•                   Summer Reading Program
•                   Author Visits
•                   Performers
•                   crafts
•                   Science and knowledge talks by visiting professionals

Teen programming

•                   Teen Advisory Board
•                   Poetry Slam
•                   Summer reading
•                   Anime Club

Gaming competition

Adult Programming

•                   Job Club
•                   Author, Speaker Visits/Talks
•                   Senior Symposium
•                   Movies
•                   Summer Reading Program

Common Interest Programs

• Jane Austen video series, Academy Award talk, etc…
• Homebound Services to elderly, Alzheimer’s patients, disabled (temporary or permanent)
• Interlibrary Loan through MelCat, other sources
• Books not available through the GPPL may be located and borrowed at almost every library statewide.
• Book Discussion groups for Adults, teens, children, families
• Delivery of materials between branches and school libraries
• Parenting Collection
• Online Homework Help
• Booking and setting up meeting rooms for outside and library groups
• Pre-School Guide