Peoria Public Library

LIke the other reviewer said, the only drop is outside. I brought my books inside because I had hoped to renew one book; unfortunately the librarian would not allow it since I had already renewed it to the limit (even though another librarian has done an override and allowed it before). The book was a christian romance novel on CD for my neighbor who recently underwent retina surgery. Same librarian told me to drop my books outside. She actually took them out for me as I tried to explain that they were due today and I wanted to try and renew one book (see above).
I also picked up a book on hold (also for my neighbor) and the librarian had to use the handheld scanner since the regular equipment (where you lay the book down) wouldn’t recognize it. So that was awkward. No one tells the patrons how to scan if the book isn’t recognized by the big flat scanner. Often no one is at the «self-​check» desk anyway.
While browsing in the library, one of the «card catalog» computers promptly gave me a blank screen. When I approached her, the 2^nd librarian said that she would have to reboot the machine. As I waited for her to come over, I tried a 2^nd «card catalog» computer and it was frozen. She eventually rebooted both while I waited. I think that patrons are scared off by these not-​very-​friendly librarians and do NOT approach them to ask for help. Hence, the 2^nd computer being frozen when I came to use it.
I also picked up a book for sale in the hallway. Even though it was a paperback, the 1^st librarian said it was $ 1. The sign clearly says that paperbacks are 25 cents and hardbacks are $ 1. She explained that it was not a small pocketbook. That’s why it was four times the price. Unfortunately, the sign does NOT state that «oversized» paperbacks are $ 1. I wanted to purchase this for my film students, but all I had was 75 cents in my wallet. Yes, I ended up writing a check for $ 1 because there is a difference in what the sign says and what the librarian says. The good news is that I will be able to save my film students $ 14 in book purchases, but still… it was not an optimum experience.
I’ve met some really nice librarians and staff here – they are the very young ladies who seem to know as much or more than the older staff. The man that is in his 40’s with lots of hair and the 2 other lady librarians (one with spiky blonde dyed hair and the one with graying hair) are not very friendly and seem to be marking time. I understand that they may be disappointed in the computerization of the library, but wouldn’t being unfriendly or unhelpful to patrons put their jobs at even more risk? Just thinking aloud here. BTW, if you’re thinking that I’m some young whippersnapper who is annoyed with middle-​aged people, I’m a middle-​aged college teacher…

Not a fan of what the city did to my previously favorite branch, Lakeview! The only return drop is now the same old ones OUTSIDE so you can stand in the rain or cold while dropping your books one at a time into the miniscule drop slot. They got rid of the human librarians and replaced them with self-​scanners that no one can use (which is why grocery stores are removing them but COP is just now thinking they are new technology). The wait to use one of these scanners is longer than the humans because the patrons can’t work them and get a 15 walk-​through/​training session instead!!!
All of the books are now crammed together along the right side of the main room so that the left side can just be hideously painted cinder blocks. PLAIN CONCRETE, no posters, no art, no photographs! It looks like they shoved everything over to paint that wall but forgot to move some books back over.
The New Releases and Holds bookcase is set so close to the wall now that two people can’t pass by each other while browsing. There is a huge box in the center of the room which must be an information desk although there is no sign indicating this. There are librarians sitting in there although I haven’t seen anyone requesting help. What was wrong with having them up front to help check out and letting people ask for help there?
Honestly, thank God I have a Kindle.