Los Angeles Public library
First off, it seems few Angelenos take advantage of the Library like they should. Everytime I am in there I see old people, homeless people, or Mom’s with kids. Very few working stiffs or business professionals like myself. Well I’ll tell you in this economy you’d be a fool not to take advantage of it….why buy books when you can reserve a library book online at lapl.org, they email you when it’s ready for pick-up, then you have 10 days to get over to pick it up. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me. Plus I commute 2 hours a day and they have a ton of books on tape you can reserve of go in and pick-up. Plus you can drop off your books at any library in LA. I am a huge supporter of the Library…I LOVE IT!
So here is my beef, they have now reduced the amount of time you can have a book checked out from 3 weeks to 2 weeks…which totally sucks as I have limited time to read the way it is and here is the kicker…if it is a popular book that has a waiting list…you CAN NOT renew it. Guess I’ll have to stop checking out new release books or just pay the late fine which is now 30 cents a day.
I emailed the Library via the web site to voice my compliant and here is what they emailed me back…
Dear Chad,
Thank you for writing to express your concerns regarding the change in the
loan period from 3 weeks to 2 weeks for most library materials, which went
into effect on July 13, 2008.
At the time the change was initiated, the city faced the largest budget
deficit in its history; a shortfall of over $400 million. Due to ongoing
budget constraints, the growth of the library’s book collection has not kept
pace with the rising demand. In fact, the library has only 1.6 books per
resident of the city. Shortening the loan period makes these library books
more readily available to more people. A shorter loan period will also
likely reduce your wait for a book on hold.
Although the loan period is shorter, you can renew books up to three times—a
total of six additional weeks—if another patron has not placed a hold on the
book. You can conveniently renew books at the library, on the telephone by
calling (888) 577-LAPL or on the Web at www.lapl.org.
Again, thank you for taking the time to write. The Los Angeles Public
Library strives to provide the best possible service, and we take your
comments very seriously. I sincerely hope that you will continue to enjoy
the services provided by the library.
Sincerely,
Giovanna Mannino
Assistant Director, Information Technologies & Collections
Los Angeles Public Library
gmannino@lapl.org
Phone: (213) 228-7563
FAX: (213) 228-7519
