Patron Comments
Frederick County Public Libraries Snapshot Day 2011 Frederick County Public Libraries answered a wide range of information requests and had great conversations with patrons throughout Snapshot Day. Here are a few: - A young girl wanted books on edible wild plants. - A woman walked in with a Kindle and a laptop requesting help. We walked her through the steps so she was able to do it on her own. - Reference staff found a movie from 1931 for a patron. - One of our patrons said her granddaughter refers to the library as her school. Every time they drive by she excitedly states, "There's my school." She refers to the children's librarian as her teacher. - Staff showed patrons some books for children and then DVDs -- "can we rent this?" -- "no! But you can check it out for free!" - What schools in Maryland have degree programs for textiles? - A patron was upset that she had gotten a phone solicitation asking for money to be wired to the Caribbean, etc to help out someone who claimed to know her grandson. She was confused and seemed ready to believe that it was on the up-and-up. I directed her to various law enforcement agencies and the AG's office. She felt better afterward--she was actually concerned that she was supposed to do it; that she was responsible for helping the person who had phoned her. - After placing a hold for an elderly patron, she said, "Oh ... I don't know what I'd do without this library." - We had two really great sessions of Wiggle Giggle Storytime. After each session, the presenter was tackled to the ground as children ran up to give her a hug and high fives. - A child dressed as Superman zipped about the department after Wiggle Giggle Storytime.
Wild Start to Snapshot Day @ Allegany Co.'s South Cumberland Library The local St. Mary's Head Start group has walked down to their neighborhood library: the South Cumberland Branch of the Allegany County Library System. These 3 and 4 years olds had a lot of energy when they arrived! Doing the monster boogy, creating Jack-o-Lanterns, and making a big green monster go away got them in a Halloween Spirit; and the Parachute Play, I think, wore them out. But, they're already asking when they can come back again -Which they will.
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It's a Cinch for Pinch @ the Charles County Public Library! The Charles County Public Library had a celebrity guest stop by one of our branches on Snapshot day. Pinch, mascot to the Blue Crabs baseball team came in to sign up for his first library card and to check out some books on baseball. He met many new friends that day and learned how to use audio playaways, seek help from the reference librarians, use the self checkout machines, and even check out baseball scores via online from one of our computers. Snapshot Day at the Charles County Public library was a grand slam! Ruth Enlow Library System “I like the library because it has a great variety of good books!” Jazlyn T., 11 years old “I like the library because there are so many good books to read.” Tad R., 9 years old “It’s such a joy to drive or walk to my local library. There I know I can find a book of choice so I can increase my knowledge. Or if I just want to be lazy and choose their selection of music and DVDs. I love knowing if my computer is down I can go there.” Roxana T. “I have always loved to read and our library has the greatest selection of books.” Barbara D. “Living in a rural area, we think the library is a vital part of the community. I have four children 1½ - 14 years and we have utilized many of the library’s youth programs. We also have an excellent local history section, which is of interest to me. Generally, our family loves to read and the library provides the resources for us to learn and grow. They also provide necessary highspeed internet for a community that lacks this in many neighborhoods. Thanks.” Max D. “The Grantsville Library is a WONDERFUL place to come! It’s clean and well kept, and when you walk in the door you’re greeted with smiles!” Amanda Y. “The Grantsville Library is the best kept secret for this area. They have the best employees, always helpful and pleasant. They have helped me to use computers to expand my knowledge base. The range of media is great and easy to access.” Greg D. “The Grantsville Library is a wonderful resource. The staff are always friendly and willing to assist.” Ben S.
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Talbot County Free Library Vignette Mid-afternoon, and there’s a little girl, perhaps four or five years old, and her mother standing at the Circulation Desk. As the Circulation clerk checks out her books, Mom is simultaneously trying to load them into her book bag and respond to her daughter’s demands that she be taught how to snap her fingers. Distractedly, mother illustrates the method she prefers, and the little girl ineffectually and inaudibly rubs one tiny finger against another. Remembering my own first attempts at learning this difficult art, I stop and offer my assistance. A passing patron—a Ph.D. historian whom I happen to know—also stops, sets aside his battered briefcase, and demonstrates the way he snaps his fingers. The little girl watches the three of us earnestly. When she and her mother finally leave, she is still trying to make with her fingers produce a snapping sound. The historian and I share a smile and then part as well. Where else but a public library could a young mother, her four year-old, and two 60-somethings come together over a practice as simple and complex as snapping one’s fingers? [Story submitted by Bill Peak]
Comments from our beloved library customers -Charles County Public Libraries “Satisfies kids’ reading desires without killing my bank account.” -Karen S. “We love the library. We are in our 80’s and enjoy reading. The personnel are so helpful and pleasant.” -Kathleen L. “…because it provides me with a safe convenient place when doing my homework.” -Kareem B. “… It is where I accomplish the bulk of my research and assignments for college. I actually pay a nanny so I can come and study for 2 hours a day. I love this library!” -Jessica S. “I can access books without purchasing. I read constantly, so purchasing would be expensive and take up too much room…It is definitely worth my tax dollars.” -Wanda P. “… use the library to provide free tutoring and counseling services to 31 K-12 and [college] student.”-Thomas B. “The library is vital to the community. It connects us to each other, to learning and the world. I use the library professionally to supplement how I use books with the preschool children I serve as a speech-language pathologist.” -Linda S. “As an English teacher, I live for books! I’m always telling my students how lucky we are to have access to public libraries! Thank you!!” -Kathleen S. “Library books reduce stress. Permit me to travel around the world and through time. They stimulate my imagination. The library has more than books; the Blueray collection is pretty large for Southern Maryland. Their website has a lot to offer too!” -David R.
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“This is the information age and the library is the best and most reliable source of information.” Jessica W. “My children love the interaction and other kids…it created a love for story time every night before bed. Even my one year old pretends to read his books before bed!” -Eddymie W. “We are homeschooling and love using the library for all kinds of research, learning, and reading for pleasure!” -Kerry A. “…it provides me with a nice place to study and read. It’s also very calm and a place to escape the noise and constant motion of life.” -Lee B.
Charles County Public Library Is this a children’s book cart? I love it! The black lab looks so real! Love the porcupine craft-very clever! Love the costumes! [Cat-in-the- Hat & Things 1 & 2] I just love your online survey! We had a paper survey that also served as a raffle gift card giveaway. Will look into creating an online survey for the Charles Co Public Library. Great job MSM.
Milton M. Somers Middle School What does a typical day in a school library look like??? Well... I wouldn't call October 5th typical, but I would say it illustrates just how well a library staff and its devoted patrons can roll with the punches. First of all it was an early dismissal day, so we knew coming in that we would see quite the amount of business that we see on a regular day. Couple that with the library server completely crashing and being declared unrepairable... and you get the hint. We threw together some reference books and laptops and brought the library to the science class that was supposed to be coming in for research while the techs installed a new server. Laptops were set up in the media center so that our patrons could access the catalog and check out materials, but we had to turn a lot of students away. About halfway through the half day, things were up and running and back to normal- thank goodness! Also, in the rush of the morning, I never checked to make sure that the date and time stamp on the camera was correct. Surprise-- when I downloaded the pictures I found that they were incorrect. The pictures were actually taken on October 5, 2011. Par for the course!
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Allegany Co. -After School Photos from the Allegany County After School Program held every Monday and Wednesday afternoon, from 3-5 when school is in session. Allegany County -South Cumberland St. Mary's Head Start visit their neighborhood library, Allegany County's South Cumberland Branch. The young children enjoyed Miss Tammy's reading, making Jack O' Lanterns, and Parachute Play; plus they all joined in to clean up! They are all ready to come back again, which they will! Kent County Public Library Patron Comments "The library is the one spot all five of my children love to visit, and all of these visits have given them a love of reading and a sense of community. The library builds community as well as minds!" When asked what she loves about Kent County Public Library, a patron responded: "Great staff that is always helpful, and they always find the book we need!"
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