Eastlake Public Library... Eastlake, Ohio
I have to make a comment about my nearest public library. Something about the Eastlake Public library on Lakeshore Boulevard in Eastlake, Ohio sticks in my proverbial craw. Every time I have ever entered the abovementioned institution I feel as though I have stepped in to some other world. I cannot explain my feelings according to past experiences either.
Let me begin by saying I have not had a bad experience in a library, at least until now. As a kid, I used to constantly be in the school library. I always had books checked out from the time I was in grade school right through high school. Public libraries, though, are a different breed.
I was brought up to believe they were a place of some reverence. You were not to talk out loud, even sneezing was frowned upon. BUT, the librarian, however stern she was about noise patrol, never looked down her nose at you. In fact she was happy you were in there looking at and checking out books rather than being just another hoodlum on the street.
The Eastlake library does not seem that way. Every woman in that library has some type of attitude. The feeling I get is that I am taking up their precious time by asking for a book or checking out. They are constantly up front behind the main desk talking so loud one could here them in the next county. In fact, I have heard some gossip about other library patrons that I should NEVER have been able to hear. AND I heard it while I was looking at DVDs. (Should have been much too far for me to hear them clearly.)
I just went in there today, 5/20/2006 because I was called to let me know a book I put on hold was there. I had two DVDs and another book with me to return and was at the desk when I noticed that I did not have my card. (Mind you I am a 42 year-old white male and am in this library at least two times per week often more.) I asked for the book and was told it could not be given to me without my card. (I did have other ID.) I began to explain to the woman who made the comment, one I had not seen before, that the other woman knew me by face, but she did not want to hear it. It was almost as if she thought she had the right to almost chastise me. I was so embarrassed I left without comment, drove 5 miles round trip and brought back my card. I will never do that again.
It should have been generally OK to have gotten that book since I had just returned three items. It could have been easily determined who I was by looking up the returned books; I have seen it done before. There was no reason for the desk clerk to have treated me as if I was contemptible and not worth the time to listen to. This library needs a sensitivity overhaul. Quit talking about people behind the desk, talk to your children on your own time, treat ALL people with respect, and please just try to be a little more pleasant.
Let me begin by saying I have not had a bad experience in a library, at least until now. As a kid, I used to constantly be in the school library. I always had books checked out from the time I was in grade school right through high school. Public libraries, though, are a different breed.
I was brought up to believe they were a place of some reverence. You were not to talk out loud, even sneezing was frowned upon. BUT, the librarian, however stern she was about noise patrol, never looked down her nose at you. In fact she was happy you were in there looking at and checking out books rather than being just another hoodlum on the street.
The Eastlake library does not seem that way. Every woman in that library has some type of attitude. The feeling I get is that I am taking up their precious time by asking for a book or checking out. They are constantly up front behind the main desk talking so loud one could here them in the next county. In fact, I have heard some gossip about other library patrons that I should NEVER have been able to hear. AND I heard it while I was looking at DVDs. (Should have been much too far for me to hear them clearly.)
I just went in there today, 5/20/2006 because I was called to let me know a book I put on hold was there. I had two DVDs and another book with me to return and was at the desk when I noticed that I did not have my card. (Mind you I am a 42 year-old white male and am in this library at least two times per week often more.) I asked for the book and was told it could not be given to me without my card. (I did have other ID.) I began to explain to the woman who made the comment, one I had not seen before, that the other woman knew me by face, but she did not want to hear it. It was almost as if she thought she had the right to almost chastise me. I was so embarrassed I left without comment, drove 5 miles round trip and brought back my card. I will never do that again.
It should have been generally OK to have gotten that book since I had just returned three items. It could have been easily determined who I was by looking up the returned books; I have seen it done before. There was no reason for the desk clerk to have treated me as if I was contemptible and not worth the time to listen to. This library needs a sensitivity overhaul. Quit talking about people behind the desk, talk to your children on your own time, treat ALL people with respect, and please just try to be a little more pleasant.
posted by johnathan e at 4:12 PM
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