Ann Arbor District Library branches should have drive-through, drop-off boxes
Not one of the several Ann Arbor District libraries - including the recently rebuilt main library - offers a drive-through drop-off box for the convenience of library patrons, handicapped or otherwise. For a community that likes to consider itself as being considerate of its handicapped residents, this is inexcusable.
A library official has offered several excuses, but none of them are very persuasive. The need is known: an automobile drop-off box, convenient for handicapped as well as other patrons, was indeed once put in place at the Traverwood Library, but an “incident” is said to have resulted in its removal, and no other drop-off box has been provided, or appears to be contemplated - for anywhere in the city.
This failure, of course, forces every user of the library who wishes to return a book to park their car and enter the library building. It also requires handicapped patrons to deploy and make use of their crutches, walker or wheelchairs. One wonders whether the library simply does not want to have an employee go to the effort of stepping outside daily to bring in from a drop-box the books that have been recently deposited.
The U.S. Post Office manages to provide automobile-accessible drop-boxes in shopping centers and small towns and villages throughout the country. I am informed that the nearby Dexter Library provides a drive-through drop-box for its patrons. Isn’t that what the publicly supported Ann Arbor District Library should be doing? Perhaps with a little leadership effort the Ann Arbor District Library can catch up with the Village of Dexter.
Ross W. Campbell Ann Arbor
Comments
EasyArray
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 11:28 a.m.
I agree that an automotive drop box would be convenient, but the tone of this letter is overly belligerent. I wonder how the author knows what would be best for the handicapped community... is he handicapped or has he heard from handicapped people regarding this issue? What about a volunteer delivery/pickup service for homebound residents? How about a books-by-mail program a la Netflix? These might be better solutions if the goal is actually to help the handicapped community and could have been included in your letter. If, on the other hand, the goal is to use the handicapped issue to shame a public institution like the library system into providing a simply convenient but not necessary service for the non-handicapped, then your letter strikes precisely the right tone.
chakro bagton-meyers
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 2:43 a.m.
god no wonder we're so lazy. ross campbell? dude should just get a kindle yo!
AfterDark
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 11:10 p.m.
At a time when use of public libraries is heavy and increasing due to the down economy, while at the same time many library systems are having their budgets cut to the bone (or they are closed altogether), I find a complaint about lack of a drive-thru drop box beyond superfluous. I'm grateful we still have the fine library system we do.
JuliaAnnArb
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 9:08 p.m.
I feel for people who have difficulty getting out of their cars to return items. Having a disability isn't laziness! Another group of people for whom this is a hassle is parents of young children. It is a huge pain to park, unbuckle one or more kids from carseats, drop off the items, buckle them back in, and go. At Pittsfield and Mallet's Creek branches I can leave the car close enough (a few steps) to the drop box that I feel comfortable leaving the kids in the car. No way would I do it in downtown traffic, and at Westgate the drop box is way back in a corner, too far for me.
Sadgasm
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 8:27 p.m.
People are so lazy. I believe that is a person is too tired to get out of their car, they shouldn't even drive to the library.
kathryn
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 7:17 p.m.
I have to admit that there are times when I wish it were possible to drop books in a drive-up window, but when I think about what incredible service we're getting from the library these days, I don't think I should complain. Have you noticed that almost nobody goes into the library and gets their own books from the shelf? We order up the book online, then someone is paid to pull the book from the shelf, label it with our name, and reshelve it alpha by our last name...so all we have to do it go into the library and grab the item, scan it, and walk out. So, for most of us, parking and going into the building to pick up or drop off our books (or rent-free DVDs) is not too much to ask. But I agree that those who have trouble getting out of their cars, a drive-by dropbox would be a very nice thing.
jcj
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 4:03 p.m.
and9801 "I have had doors shut in my face on purpose when pushing a wheelchair, or people deliberately leave carts or strollers in the middle of an aisle and then berate me for moving or touching "their" stuff." Hard to believe or prove! There certainly are plenty of people in this town that are inconsiderate. And there are too many that were never taught any kind of manors. But I don't believe that many would do these things deliberately. They just happen to think the world revolves around them and never consider others.
David Cahill
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 1:05 p.m.
There is another error in this letter by former judge Campbell. The Traverwood Library was not designed with an auto drop-off box. I was on the Library Board at the time, so I should know. It may have been retrofitted with one after it opened, but I don't think so. The only possible place for it would have been in the underground parking area.
genericreg
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 12:06 p.m.
Recently rebuilt? When did happen? Excuses not persuasive, but actual incident also not? Beside, that box never drive through. As close as box in side of building. No branch make you go inside to return. All have outside box. This letter only published because claims to care about handicapped. Wish we worry about real problems. Even library have but this not one.
David
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 11:18 a.m.
A2 pet peeve #1: When drivers idle their cars on S. 5th Ave. in front of the main library to return books--sometimes leaving children in the car. Always a disaster in waiting.
bruceae
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 9:20 a.m.
You had to get out of your car and go in to the library to get the book. You can get out of your car and at least make it to the side of the building to return it. Are people really that lazy that we have to build special drive through drop boxes?
ChrisW
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 9:14 a.m.
I agree completely with the writer. I could never tell if it was just for the convenience of employees over customers or just a distrust of bad drivers, but drive-up drop boxes would be very convenient.
a2karen
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 8:02 a.m.
There is a drop box at Pittsfield and even a pick up box too! It is a great service to many. I will have to see how the drive works for a wheelchair, but it allows you to reserve the item from your computer and then they put it in a locked box and provide a number and you can pick up without going into the library. It is necessary to get out of your car, but I believe it is next to a ramp. You might want to check out this service.
Brad
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 7:18 a.m.
At the Mallet's Creek branch there is a drop box on the outside of the building about six steps from short-term and handicapped parking. It isn't drive-thru, but it's the next best thing. And even if they put a "drive thru" box at the main library, it'll be a year before you could do the "drive" part again. A small matter of a huge, expensive and unnecessary hole next door has "forced" them to close the street in front.
and9801
Sun, Aug 29, 2010 : 6:33 a.m.
Just because a community likes to consider itself considerate of handicapped people doesn't mean that community actually is. Everyone in Ann Arbor may like to believe that they are friendly to others, but as someone who cares for someone with special needs I have to say that I find other communities much friendlier than Ann Arbor. I have had doors shut in my face on purpose when pushing a wheelchair, or people deliberately leave carts or strollers in the middle of an aisle and then berate me for moving or touching "their" stuff. It's pretty common in A2, especially downtown, that a wheelchair can't even get into the building because that particular building is grandfathered out of being required to provide wheelchair access. It's also common for doors to be so heavy that I can't hold them open and push the wheelchair through at the same time-even going through the door backwards and using my body to push the door. There are also stores in Ann Arbor where the checkout lanes aren't wide enough for the wheelchair requiring me to either leave my sister (in her wheelchair) and pay or not frequent those stores. I choose to give my business to someone who provides adequate room for her wheelchair.