Gail Seidenfrau's blog

You've checked out some material and now you have time to read that book or magazine, listen to an audio book or watch a DVD.  What should you do if you notice a damage, perhaps a disc doesn't play or pages are missing, stained or torn?  We suggest you call Circulation Services (845)634-4997, ext. 124 and tell us about the problem you encountered.  You should also mention it to a staff member at the desk when the item is returned.  It benefits all our members when repairs are done promptly, or if need be the item is reordered.

Curious about what happens when you hand your browse cards to a Circulation staff member working at the AV desk?  You set in motion a very precise and organized system.  Picture being able to survey a maze from above and you'll see how we work.  With browse cards in hand staff starts walking up and down the various pathways searching for your material.  The first few aisles hold adult DVD's, shelved by genre; entertainment, nonfiction and biography or collection, for example, Blue ray.  Continue up and down the next few aisles for Juvenile material; DVD's, music and VHS.  Keep going to find games and CD-ROMS.  The newspaper collection is shelved down another aisle and includes The New York Times, Post, Daily News, Journal News, Wall Street Journal and financial and local papers as well.  Present your library card and read them in the library.  The music collection is shelved along the entire perimeter of the maze.  When you return your material we get to do this in reverse.  Our maze is amazing and so is the staff.

Like many of us you might not recall the title of a book or movie you checked out.  Maybe you didn't get to read the book or view the movie, or you want to recommend it to a friend, but the title proves elusive.  Now a new service is available that will keep a list of everything you check out.  You'll need to access your online account to sign up for this service.  Log in to your account and under 'personal information' select 'preferences.'   Read the disclaimer then check the box next to 'keep my checkout history' and press update.  Lists are subject to subpeona should the government have reason to to review your borrowing history.  The list will start from the date you sign up.  To view your list go into checkouts and select 'my checkout history.'  Scroll down to find that title; the list is historical that means it goes by checkout date.  It is not searchable; it can't be sorted but it is easy to scroll through.  So give it a try if this seems enticing.

The first phase for reserve notification is in place.  New City card holders are receiving pickup dates either by email or an automated phone message.  You will notice that wrappers are printed in a new format; the first 3 letters of your last name and the last four digits of your library barcode.  Having your library card in hand will facilitate finding your reserve.  Last names can start with the same three letters, so it wil be faster and more accurate to identify your material by the last 4 digits of your barcode. Names are shelved in alphabetical order, then we'll shelve according to numerical order.  For example, MAR 2486 will be shelved before MAR 9128.  If picking up items for family members it will be helpful to have their cards.  The self-checkout machines prevent errors by only allowing checkouts on the account that placed the reserve.  Your library card is the safest and most accurate way to protect your account and we encourage you to bring it with you every visit.

A popular online social network site allows one to express a thought as well as display pictures on a 'wall.'  Friends can add their comments to the wall or choose to 'like' what they see.  The dialogue below between three friends is fueled by a composite of various situations one might encounter working at a library, real or imagined.

Friend 1:  I'm going to the library today

Friend 2:  Like

Friend 3:  I go to the library often and browse the fiction shelves and look through the DVD collection.  There is something special I'm trying to find.

#2:  Like

#1:  Today I want to renew a DVD.  It has a whole year of episodes of a TV show my mom watched when she was a teenager.  I have one more disc to see, but I've renewed it 2 times already.

#3:  Isn't that the limit?

#1:  Yes, but maybe if no one else wants it I can get it again.

#3:  What's the name of the show?

#1:  'Dallas'

#3:  Hey, that's the one I"m trying to find.

#1:  I didn't think anyone else wanted it.  I'll return it tonight.

#2:  Like!