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July 6, 2011· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

Library feedback – Spreading the Library wealth around

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

A reader asks an interesting question on the new libraries:

I placed a hold for an item listed as available at the Valencia branch of the Santa Clarita Library. I am 10th in line with an item being checked out from another Inland Library Network branch. I would think as a citizen of the city I should be able to hold the item in my city-owned library. However, it looks like I am really just using the Valencia branch of the ILN and have to wait un line with everybody else as the item from Valencia may not be available to the network. Are we getting a local city library or three branches of the ILN library?

So, if I understand this correctly, our reader is saying that just because a book is physically in the Valencia library doesn’t mean it isn’t spoken for by another patron at some other ILN/LSSI library in the southland.

Worry about the availability of materials has been present since the day the changeover was approved. Usually the worry was that our tiny, three-branch library system wouldn’t have the capacity to stock all the materials patrons could want, like the massive County system did. The way the City and LSSI got around that worry was to, of course, join a larger network.

But I didn’t consider, and I don’t think a lot of people considered, that while that move opened up a huge collection to us, it also added considerable resources to the other branches of the ILN. For all the input resources we were getting, we’d be expected to ouput some resources as well.

In other words- the several hundred thousand dollars of materials just purchased by the City? Well, if what this reader is saying is correct, it’s not just for us.

I’m sure the City will chime in if the reader and I are mistaken (perhaps some materials are for ILN, some aren’t)  but if it’s true…the new library system feels like it could generate the same complaints as the old one (SCV resources & funds going to places outside of the SCV, which was one of the central arguments for seizing and outsourcing the library system in the first place).

Comments (85)

  1. Timothy Myers SR.July 6, 2011 at 3:56 pm
    Oh boy!! Chaos Theory raises its ugly head!
  2. Cheryl PhillipsJuly 6, 2011 at 10:33 pm
    When we were told at our Library Committee meeting that we would be a part of the Inland Valley Network for our online holds, my first question to LSSI was, “Will all of the San Bernardino County, Riverside County and Inyo County libraries be accessing our SCV library collections as well?” Answer was YES. If you see that Valencia Library has a copy on the shelf when you go online, You can physically go over to the library and get that copy, however, if you are putting a hold on it on the ILN website you will be put in line with all others waiting for that same title from all the above libraries. What the heck is KEEP? I checked KEEP on 2 books went back the next day and they were gone – no longer in my KEPT drop down menu. Can’t figure out what the purpose is……..
  3. Santa ClaritanJuly 7, 2011 at 5:48 am
    In other words, we are now three branches of the ILN. We are not the Santa Clarita Library from a collections standpoint. Are all the ILN branches run by LSSI?
  4. Cheryl PhillipsJuly 7, 2011 at 9:51 am
    San Bernardino County Library System (32 city branches) is a partner in our Inland Library Network, but they are not run by LSSI. Riverside County System, which includes 34 city branches, is entirely run by LSSI. Here are the rest of member libraries that we will be sharing books with through the Inland Library Network: Banning Library District Beaumont Library District Colton Public Library Corona Public Library Hemet Public Library Inyo County Free Library (6 branches) Moreno Valley Public Library Murrieta Public Library Ontario City Library Palm Springs Public Library Palo Verde Valley District Library Rancho Cucamonga Public Library Rancho Mirage Public Library Riverside County Library System (34 branches) Riverside Public Library San Bernardino County Library (32 branches) San Bernardino Public Library Upland Public Library Victorville City Library And, of course, now Santa Clarita City System (3 branches)
  5. Timothy Myers SR.July 7, 2011 at 10:47 am
    DESERT PEOPLE!!!!!
  6. PetzJuly 6, 2011 at 4:22 pm
    Petz was very impressed with opening day at the library. The staff was very cooperative and helpful. Steven Tyler’s new book , large print edition was in stock which I promptly checked out. Have been waiting over four weeks for it in the LA County system . So far, so good.
  7. SplashGuardJuly 6, 2011 at 5:35 pm
    I like research and critical thinking so I checked out both systems: Does the noise in my head bother you? [large print] : a rock ‘n’ roll memoir Author Tyler, Steven, 1948- Item info: No copies currently available. Place Hold (Estimated wait is 41 days) . Holdings Santa Clarita Valencia Library Santa Clarita New Large Print Book Checked out So I looks like you got the only copy in town. Good for you Petz. Please return it ASAP as everyone in this town is waiting for a large print book about rock and roll. Now if you have a County card: Does the noise in my head bother you? [large print] : a rock ‘n’ roll memoir 1 copies currently available. And 4 others are checked out. But consider: It came out at the end of May. COLA bought 5. Our library bought 1. And you got it. But if the City can’t work out the bug as mentioned above (if its really there), some guy in Indio may be next in line. So far so good for you. But for anyone else in this town, take three steps back grab your COLA card, take four steps forward, doesy doe, place your hold, your local branch has been sold, and pick it up in the Express facility in Stevenson Ranch. (Need to work on that a little…) Or maybe they’ll just buy 10 more copies, just in case.
  8. Gail OrtizJuly 7, 2011 at 10:05 am
    Large print?
  9. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 10:18 am
    Gail Ortiz Public Information Officer, City of Santa Clarita???? Not really I hope. Large print books are made for people with visual disabilities and for children. All books are not printed as large print books, and they are not purchased in as large of quantities as the regular editions. Thus they serve a smaller, but no less deserving group of readers. Audio books are even more important in this regard for very obvious reasons, (in that they also provide a resource who those who for cannot read or read well who do not have visual impairments.)
  10. MikeJuly 7, 2011 at 10:21 am
    I like what you have to say, and all that you “Guard” against, but I’m sure Petz can take the joke.
  11. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 10:57 am
    Petz wanted the large print book. Nothing derogatory intended.
  12. SplashGuardJuly 6, 2011 at 4:43 pm
    There were many concerns about access to inter-library loans. I heard many concerns from the other direction—that although we would see listings at other libraries, those libraries have the option to keep a book so that their local patrons could use it. (If a book is new and popular the Indio library does not have to give up their copy to the new Valencia Library.) I think we assumed the same rules applied to our own “new” library. But the problem may be with glitches in the setup, with preferences not made to our local users as other libraries have for their own, and, worse case, when our collection joined the network, and that the other users at other libraries that were in the queue for that book were assigned that book.) Remember, all the users at all those other libraries already have library cards, and we don’t. So they have first dibs, so to speak. But theories are like ——– everyone’s got one. So let’s hope for the best case. Best case: it is a new interface, and perhaps the writer is unclear about something. In any case, implementation of any such system will have glitches, but a longer unrushed startup might have given everyone a chance to workout the bugs. I am sure the City is watching and will do their best to avoid anymore bad press.
  13. Santa ClaritanJuly 6, 2011 at 8:42 pm
    I don’t think I am unclear on the interface. There is an audiobook I would like to check out. I can’t get to the Library for a few days, so I’d like place a hold on it. The ILN has two copies. One at Santa Clarita, one at “RCLS/MUR/MVA.” The latter is checked out. The former is available. It is in MY city library. The library I was promised would have oodles of items available for city residents. I should be able to place a hold on it. I suspect that it has been marked as not being available to the ILN system. I further suspect that from the point of view of the OPAC, we are all just ILN users and the three city libraries are just ILN branches. If that is the case, then for those of us that are used to placing holds and picking them up, we did not get a bright new city collection. We got moved from the LACO system to the ILN system — EXCEPT that we don’t seem to have the same access to the local resources as we did before (at least from the perspective of placing holds). Maybe I’m wrong and nine others from Santa Clarita got in ahead of me. If so, why is the local copy still on the shelf – shouldn’t one of those in line have it waiting for them? Either way, it is broken. Everything I see says I am searching, holding, etc. as part of the “Inland Library Network.” I think that’s what we really are now — branches in the ILN, NOT an independent three branch city library.
  14. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 11:14 am
    For the greater good I was hoping that perhaps it was your difficulty. Time. That was what was needed. Time for the public to comment, accept, reject, and sincerely be listened to. We heard repeatedly, “The decision has been made.” It seems that it was made long before the August 24 resolution was passed, and the rush to implementation was planned to thwart any “dissidents.” But more time would have been better for all around. This system should have been “bench tested” thoroughly before implementation, with all servers cloned and copied to a testing system. Then groups of volunteers, each group pretending to be from a different part of the, Riverside, Valencia, San Bernardino, should have “logged” in and literally try to break it, find all the bugs, bad pages, bad links. Any computer professional knows that there are going to be problems. The City should not have relied on the fantasy that it would all go okay, and that the testing could be done adequately by the public with the errors being too few and too small to bother with a professional approach beforehand. Those bugs could have been tested for and most of them remove, if more time and personnel were given to the project. The rush was political. We should have sympathy for any of the technical personnel who are probably scrambling to figure this thing out.
  15. momtwiceJuly 6, 2011 at 5:04 pm
    Whoops, I guess I could have posted here instead. I left my comments on today’s Valencia Library experience on the July 4th posting about Lori Rivas.
  16. SplashGuardJuly 6, 2011 at 5:56 pm
    Good post. Why not copy and paste here?
  17. LindaJuly 6, 2011 at 6:12 pm
    Here is the post by momtwice: momtwice says: July 6, 2011 at 3:45 pm I’m willing to myself out there as an emotional library user. I’m pretty darned ticked off about the library take over today. Let me start by saying we went yesterday to the Valencia Branch grand opening. We ran into friends along the paseo on the way so we arrived late and missed the speeches. But we were there on time for doughnuts and my kids were won over instantly. I was pleased to be handed a colorful glossy two sided page listing all the great upcoming events at all three libraries over the summer. We returned again today for the first of the libraries “Wacky Wednesday” event. Each week for 5 Wednesdays the library offers the wacky Wednesday program to go along with the summer reading programs global theme and today’s program was to highlight Australia. I couldn’t wait to see what my kids were going to do, play with Australian instruments? be read Australian folklore stories? Learn about Aboriginal culture? We arrived to a pile of markers and some coloring pages of Australian animals. Are you freaking kidding me? This is part of their new and expanded services? The woman who seemed to be running the show. She wasn’t wearing a volunteer shirt but nicely dressed and others asked her for direction etc. so I think it’s safe to say she’s the children’s library, but I’m not 100% sure of that. anyway my 3 year old wanted to know what kind of animal she was coloring. It looked like a rat. The volunteers helping us shrugged and said, “It looks like a rat.” finally when the children’s librarian making the rounds came by our table I prompted my daughter to ask *her* what the rat animal really was. She didn’t know either. Okay really? This is teaching my kids what? When my 3 year old was done with coloring her rat creature, she became bored while my 7 year old continued coloring his kangaroo coloring page. She wanted to play with the toys. Well i had to explain they didn’t have the toys in the children’s section any more. “no dinosaurs?” she asked, ‘no no dinosaurs.” She said that was okay she would just play with the legos. i had to tell her, “no, they don’t have the Lego’s anymore.” At this point the librarian over heard our conversation and piped in with, “No we don’t have Lego’s, but we do have lots of books. New books that you can check out that have never been read before!” My three year old gave her a blank stare because she’s three and she could care less if a book has nice clean new pages or if they are a little dog-eared. I began to feel sorry for the librarian and smiled and said, “Yep, there are some nice books. we checked out a bunch yesterday and we’re looking forward to reading them all, aren’t we?” to my little one. I miss Catherine, I miss Marci. They were librarians, they put together children’s programs that wree fun, exciting, educational and for the city to call throwing a bunch of markers and photo copies on a table “expanded services” is revolting. The city isn’t harming my kids but this action, no. But they sure did rip away a positive and enriching part of our lives. And they lied and said they weren’t going to do that. And they are still lying about it.
  18. Lori RivasJuly 6, 2011 at 7:27 pm
    What’s up with coloring pages? Wouldn’t the Valentines, with their wallaby, been a perfect program for Australia? Maybe next week will be better.
  19. LarMccJuly 6, 2011 at 8:00 pm
    Was the fancy rfid system working at Valencia? It was not at Newhall on Sunday.
  20. K. BehleJuly 8, 2011 at 8:12 am
    As Youth Services Coordinator for the city libraries, I am happy to personally speak with parents who have concerns about programming, materials, and general youth services. Now that we have an idea of expected attendance at Wacky Wednesdays, we are assessing possible changes for the remainder of the summer. The ‘coloring pages’ were actually templates for an Aboriginal Art project geared to school aged children, and instructions and samples were provided. Please feel free to email me at kbehle@santaclaritalibrary.com .
  21. Lori RivasJuly 8, 2011 at 11:59 am
    Just a small aside, if library patron usage had been assessed before the change, if the City had asked about summer program attendance (always crowded, Valencia library even had sign-ups because they could not facilitate the huge crowds, even with double-programs on the same day), if the City had asked about which programs patrons/children had liked, then this could have all been worked out well before the summer. These kinds of programs need to planned months and months in advance, in order to hire available presenters, to plan a cohesive and successful program. At this point, it will be difficult to find quality presenters that have scheduling openings. I *thought* I was told by the City that this program was already being worked out prior to the summer.
  22. RemStarJuly 8, 2011 at 10:18 pm
    Hi, Ms. Behle. I read that you have an MLS from UCLA and were a children’s librarian with the LA County Library here in the SCV. Please meet Lori Rivas. She doesn’t have an MLS and has never worked in a library, but that doesn’t matter because she thinks she’s an expert on everything (hence her arrogant and condescending response to your post). Just a small aside on my part.
  23. Lori RivasJuly 8, 2011 at 10:53 pm
    First of all, you know nothing about my education or work experience. Second of all, I was not directing my comment above to Ms. Behle, but rather pointing out that I *thought* the City had said all these details about the summer program were already worked out. I have nothing against Ms. Behle. I am sure that she is a lovely person, and quite competent in her job. In fact, I have nothing against anyone hired by LSSI in our local libraries, and have never said as much. I’ve never attacked anyone on this board, and I totally respect that everyone has a different POV. Argue my points, if you would like, but otherwise, get off my case. I am not a punching bag.
  24. momtwiceJuly 6, 2011 at 9:48 pm
    Thank you splashguard, thank you Linda for the copy and paste. Right now I’m still ticked off and I want to say no way am I going to waste my time next Wednesday and try again. Then again it’s supposed to cool down and it is a nice bike ride for the family so maybe we will try it again. It seems to me that LSSI has a program that they come up with and probably ship out the same printouts etc to all the libraries they control. But I do believe that the local librarians from each branch should supplement the program, find other stuff to use. Or dare I suggest *read* the materials they are putting out on the table with the markers so in case a kid asks you what sort of an animal it is they are coloring you can answer them. No, LarMcc the RDF thing was not working well at all on Tuesday’s opening day. That was the only bump in the day on Tuesday, we had a really great time Tuesday at the library. It took a while to check out because the person helping me (even though I hadn’t asked for help) was dead set on showing off the new system, but it wasn’t working and she wouldn’t let me just scan the bar codes and kept trying the RDF thing again and again. Finally she relented and let me check out my book using the way I was familiar by scanning bar codes. We checked out more than 5 books (kids are like that) so we had to finish after 5 books and start over again, because apparently the system only allows you to check out 5 books at once. You can have more than 5 materials on loan at a time, just the check out system only has room for 5 at a time.
  25. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 11:17 am
    Google “Stevenson Ranch Express Library”. It may satisfy some of your needs. But keep pointing out the problems until they get fixed. It’s the only way they will get corrected.
  26. ScvFanJuly 8, 2011 at 8:04 pm
    ARe you going to sue the City for the damage caused to your precious child? I think you should. It does seem totally worth getting all wadded up about.
  27. WalkerJuly 7, 2011 at 6:19 am
    Didn’t Hernandez say we weren’t going to have to worry about transfer books because, if it was available for purchase, our new amazing library service was going to just up and buy additional copies if there was a request that could not be immediately filled?????
  28. CCJuly 7, 2011 at 6:59 am
    I sure hope people remember this mess when election time rolls around.
  29. Timothy Myers SR.July 7, 2011 at 10:48 am
    They won’t. Besides, there is about a 50-50 shot right now that the two incumbents will NOT face any serious opposition. (For reference, Daniel Henriguez is not a serious candidate.)
  30. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 11:19 am
    We are stuck with this now. We must pressure them to make the best of this. But, “I sure hope people remember this mess when election time rolls around.”
  31. ScvFanJuly 7, 2011 at 7:03 am
    You all seriously need to get a hobby. It’s a LIBRARY system….not your child’s daycare. Not a hospital. It’s a building with books, magazines, cds and dvds to RENT. Why don’t you all collectively take a big, deep breath, throw in some yoga moves and consider Zolof. Most residents are thrilled with the new options, new technology and even MORE residents have no clue why you are all so pissed.
  32. JeffJuly 7, 2011 at 7:06 am
    “You all seriously need to get a hobby” The SCV is our hobby. “Most residents are thrilled with the new options, new technology and even MORE residents have no clue why you are all so pissed.” And the City has polling to back this assertion up?
  33. ScvFanJuly 7, 2011 at 8:03 am
    I don’t need a City poll, silly. Just talk to people outside your “The Library Conspiracy Theory Group”. Just because everyone in your “super involved” community is freaking out about the libraries doesn’t mean the other 98% of residents care. Most people don’t care.
  34. CCJuly 7, 2011 at 8:40 am
    Ahhh, so your friends who think like you don’t care about the library system. Well, that is excellent statistical support.
  35. ScvFanJuly 7, 2011 at 9:17 am
    They don’t “think” like me. They just don’t care about the details and/or see the crisis. I have plenty of friends who use the library system CONSTANTLY. Plenty of friends who don’t see the drama. Plenty of friends who haven’t been inside the library in years. Plenty of accquaintences who just use the library and leave. I saw dozens of posts from people on my facebook account who absoutely LOVED the grand opening. Someone even said earlier on this blog people looked like they were at “Disneyland” at the CC opening. You guys need to read your posts and think critically. The woman complaining about the type picture her child was coloring? Good GRIEF lady. It doesn’t matter if it was a fluffy bunny, holding a heart, surrounded by a rainbow….she still would have freaked out. The new system has been open ONE week. This is a transition. You guys are over the top.
  36. CCJuly 7, 2011 at 9:46 am
    While I agree that the system needs time to work the bugs out, much of this nonsense could have been avoided if the City Council didn’t jam this down our throats without thoughtful consideration and input from the citizenry BEFORE they pulled the trigger. They made their bed, now it is theirs to own. If it wasn’t well received, it isn’t because of the pretty balloons at the grand opening. It is because questions were never answered. I don’t plan to use the system, but it is my tax dollars at work; so yeah, I’m concerned. I would prefer that more citizens get involved and concerned and not leave it to a handful of clowns who don’t care what the citizenry want. Non-involvement by the citizenry is the primary flaw that led to the Bell scandal.
  37. ScvFanJuly 7, 2011 at 12:17 pm
    Yes, CC…. some of it could have been avoided. Yes. You are right. Feel better? But, you are again proving my point. You are so angry at the PAST you can’t see straight. I’m encouraging you to move on and see the system for what it is….. in transition. It very well could be better (like most my friends believe) but you just can’t see that. I also want (desire/beg/wish) more people are involved in everything with their local government. But … the “Bell” , we need more people involved, if only they would have, arguments are so damn old. Get your card. Get your book. Move on.
  38. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 12:59 pm
    “The Library Conspiracy Theory Group” Another straw man. We so bad. What was done was wrong. We have to things to do now: Make the best of what we are being given, and remember how the City did this, get more politically active, and throw the bums out. If you are a City employee or an elected official and you what people to forget to save your job. Sorry, not today. That is moving on…
  39. WalkerJuly 7, 2011 at 7:09 am
    Someone needs a nap. We were told services would be BETTER than our previous system. So far in this thread it seems that availability of materials, quality of programs and materials available in the children’s library are an issue under the new system. Hopefully these are just quirks that need to be worked out. Even if you aren’t a library patron I would think that the decline in services would be an issue for you. They have promised one thing and, as of yet, have failed to follow through. That should be a HUGE issue to every single one of us, patron or not.
  40. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 11:41 am
    We were promised as good or better, for less money. That’s their story and we are sticking them to it…
  41. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 11:21 am
    Fans support their teams even when they perform badly. Or, are you just part of the team?
  42. CCJuly 7, 2011 at 12:32 pm
    Sorry ScvFan. If you don’t like reading people’s opinion about the library, you should probably not open the thread. I’m here to stay and as long as my tax dollars are paying for it, I’m going to have an opinion. Deal with it.
  43. ScvFanJuly 7, 2011 at 1:01 pm
    Great! I like hearing people’s opinions. I am just encouraging you to gain some perspective and find some balance. Clearly….the anti-City/pro-County doesn’t have much of either.
  44. JeffJuly 7, 2011 at 1:10 pm
    “Great! I like hearing people’s opinions.” No you don’t. You like portraying detractors/doubters as cranks and out of the mainstream. When I asked you for evidence that “most” people are happy or don’t care, you called that request “silly.” Here’s the thing. SCV may be happy with the libraries. Or maybe they’re not. Your anecdotes about Facebook and real life friends and people at the openings does not necessarily equal reality anymore than the reviews/criticism here equal reality. Until you have, you know, evidence, one way or the other, you’re just speculating.
  45. ScvFanJuly 7, 2011 at 1:51 pm
    Agreed. I don’t have a scientific poll Jeff. Neither do you. You have your friends saying the system sucks and I was saying I have friends who say it doesn’t. So I’m assuming the same goes for you guys as well, right? People on this blog screaming about the library “does not necessarily equal reality anymore than the reviews/praise equal reality.”
  46. AngeloCandelabraJuly 7, 2011 at 7:29 am
    “(A)s an SCVer, I’m glad to see the libraries are opening on time. And as a blogger, I’m happy to move on from this subject.” Of course, that was six days and two library blog entries ago. C’mon, get happy! The comments above range from “it’s sucks because it’s different from COLA” to “it sucks because it’s the same as COLA.” I’m going to give it a chance because the library operation just started and there are always kinks to work out at startup. We all use the public library differently, and from my early perspective, so far so good. On Friday, July 1st I placed holds for two items not in our local collection from the Inland Library Network catalog. One is an audiobook held in Lake Elsinore and the other is a book held in Palm Desert. Both arrived yesterday and I already picked them up. That took only four days (excluding the July 4th holiday). Once I waited 10 days for COLA to deliver an in-stock book from Malibu. My typical wait times for available items from COLA was 7 to 9 days, even if the item was moving from Canyon Country to Valencia. I could see someone having a different perspective in terms of programming but, also, they are just starting up. Let’s not hold our collective breath waiting for city folks to answer questions on this site. They must know by now many people take those responses as opportunities to be downright rude to our “guests.”
  47. MikeJuly 7, 2011 at 9:52 am
    “City of Bell” is like the Goodwin’s Law of municipal chatter.
  48. CCJuly 7, 2011 at 10:25 am
    Tru dat
  49. Gail OrtizJuly 7, 2011 at 11:15 am
    All new Santa Clarita Public Library materials are blocked from being loaned to other libraries for 3 months from the date they are added to the catalog. So for that period, Santa Clarita Public Library patrons have exclusive access to our items and also access to the same items at other ILN libraries. It is likely the person Jeff mentions “saw” the item listed as on the shelf in the Valencia library, but another Santa Clarita Public Library patron had already placed a hold and the item had not yet been pulled, so rather than getting the item that was listed as available in Valencia they were placed in the queue for the item.
  50. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 11:25 am
    Hopefully, not just likely, but true.
  51. Santa ClaritanJuly 7, 2011 at 11:55 am
    Are there then multiple queues? A queue for city residents requesting city materials and a queue for ILN members requesting the same item? How does one know which queue they are in?
  52. Cheryl PhillipsJuly 7, 2011 at 12:56 pm
    Just one queue – if our new books are available only to SCV for the first 3 months, and let’s say someone from Temecula tries to put a hold on a title that only shows up in Valencia and at no other ILN library, they will get the response from ILN “Item not available” during that first 3 months. I’ve had this happen when getting books on that system for my grandkids with my Temecula card. An item I tried to hold that was shown at the Palm Springs Library came back with “Item not available.” My niece who visits PS library almost everyday found out for me that that particular title was brand new to their library and would only be available to their patrons for a certain time period.
  53. RemStarJuly 7, 2011 at 1:26 pm
    So it seems that people jumped to wrong conclusions and got themselves all worked up into a lather, hysterically (and joyfully) screaming about a problem that doesn’t exist. Then it turns out that the way it is set up under the new city library gives us an advantage for new books that didn’t exist with the county library system. Last year everyone screamed when they thought we’d lose direct access tona large library catalog, yet today those same people were complaining about being part of a large library catalog. I guess some people will take both sides of an issue just to position themselves to be a critic. How sad for Santa Clarita.
  54. SplashGuardJuly 7, 2011 at 1:46 pm
    “Then it turns out that the way it is set up under the new city library gives us an advantage for new books that didn’t exist with the county library system.” That was how it was suppose to work. It appeared to one patron that it did not work that way, and in fact it may not have. But Ortiz’s explanation, is “likely”, but we should watch to make sure it is the correct explanation. As far a new books, that we didn’t have access to before—where is the list? It is only a claim, not backed by evidence. That list, if produced should be compared to a list of books, also backed by evidence, that we no longer have access to. If the City had done its due diligence on the library takeover, it should be able to produce both lists and show that there are indeed new books on the former and few on the latter. Also, the City claimed that with its new collection, all those book brought in from the County would not need to be trucked in, they would already be right here in our own libraries. So based on that we shouldn’t need to be a part of any lending network.
  55. ScvFanJuly 7, 2011 at 2:07 pm
    I’m going to reccomend you be the one who goes through these lists. You seem to have enough time and passion to do a complete anaysis to get to the BOTTOM of this crisis.
  56. RemStarJuly 7, 2011 at 3:10 pm
    Exactly. This business about reserving new books for Santa Clarita users and coloring rats and missing dinosaurs and lost Legos is a friggin’ CRISIS that must straightened out IMMEDIATELY!!
  57. BrookJuly 8, 2011 at 1:18 pm
    @RemStar My favorite libary comment thus far! I enjoy reading these threads to see which incorrect assumption everyone jumps on. It reminds me of the scene in Beauty & the Beast with everyone and their torches… “Kill the Library!” I am going to be a part of the solution and think of improvements and suggestions and enjoy our new library system.
  58. ScvFanJuly 7, 2011 at 1:56 pm
    “Last year everyone screamed when they thought we’d lose direct access tona large library catalog, yet today those same people were complaining about being part of a large library catalog. ” RemStar your analysis is painfully brilliant. That sort of logic doesn’t belong here though. These people are too angry/emotional to be logical.
  59. RemStarJuly 7, 2011 at 1:26 pm
    So it seems that people jumped to wrong conclusions and got themselves all worked up into a lather, hysterically (and joyfully) screaming about a problem that doesn’t exist. Then it turns out that the way it is set up under the new city library gives us an advantage for new books that didn’t exist with the county library system. Last year everyone screamed when they thought we’d lose direct access tona large library catalog, yet today those same people were complaining about being part of a large library catalog. I guess some people will take both sides of an issue just to position themselves to be a critic. How sad for Santa Clarita.
  60. Gail OrtizJuly 8, 2011 at 7:41 am
    Regarding a list of new library materials…you may be interested to learn that new City of Santa Clarita Public library materials are noted with a city seal on the spine, so as you look through the stacks, you can see all of the new materials. Hope that helps…
  61. ScvFanJuly 8, 2011 at 8:57 am
    Really SCVTalk reader? Someone already gave this a “thumbs down”? She comes back to give you more details, answering a question asked above, and you says “thumbs down.” You guys are hilarious…..and slightly pathetic.
  62. SplashGuardJuly 8, 2011 at 9:01 am
    No not really. Statistics cannot be subjective. The City authorized the purchase of about $900,000 to “enhance” the collection. Apparently LSSI got paid to make that selection and purchase. Why not provide us a link to that list of books? Did LSSI pay for those stickers?
  63. AngeloCandelabraJuly 8, 2011 at 11:18 am
    Please, Sir, stop whining. Is a list of the $900,000 dollars worth of books really all you need to calm and console yourself? Honestly, you are embarrassing yourself by acting in such a petulant manner. It is painfully obvious that you are like a little kitten randomly chasing every little piece of flickering yarn in your desperate attempts to pounce on fake “problems” with the new library service. Give it time and if it does not measure up we’ll all be complaining with you. But a week into the new city library is too soon for anyone to declare success or failure.
  64. ScvFanJuly 8, 2011 at 12:09 pm
    Yes. That’s it. We need to find who paid for the stickers. That will answer all the questions. StickerGate 2011. I can see it on Dateline with the dramatic music. Possible headlines and clifthangers suggestions….”Who paid for the stickers?” “Where IS the list of new books?” “One queue too much?” I can see a post in your future complaining about the following: * stickers not sticking on the new books *crayons for coloring pages not sharp enough * crayons for coloring pages too sharp injuring small children coloring rats * paper cuts from new books * RFID tags giving you cancer
  65. Phil EllisJuly 8, 2011 at 12:25 pm
    Maybe tin foil hats will stop the RFID rays.
  66. NateJuly 8, 2011 at 3:45 pm
    I hope they are scratch and sniff stickers! Pina Colada scent while I am reading Swiss Family Robinson would really enhance the reading experience.
  67. MikeJuly 9, 2011 at 6:48 am
    To me, a shameless City apologist, the aggressive posture from the city staff posting here is really disappointing. There’s so many of you piling on, and with the exception of Gail and Drake, it’s all combative. It reads like Yelp shill-reviews crossed with a freerepublic/DU board. Some free advice: focus on building and strengthening relationships with your constituents. It isn’t Disneyland, it never will be, but no one expects that anyway. Yes, I think it’s a little much to expect a stocked toy chest at a public library, but the local mother noting a few things lost in the switch isn’t on the same footing as paid city staff. Rise above it. Give us a positive message, but above all, listen. I haven’t seen a real concern acknowledged here, just a lot of irate defensiveness. It’s stomach turning, really, to see these public employees dragging citizens’ names through the mud. It’s classless, and the way some of you gang up and high-five one another, it really looks coordinated. It’s a shame, it really is. ‘Cmon City, you’re better than this.
  68. Lori RivasJuly 9, 2011 at 7:03 am
    Wait, these are seriously public employees? These are individuals hired to serve the public? RemStar, Scvfan, and who else works for the City? I think public servants who denigrate the public in such a manner should be out’ed. This makes me very sad.
  69. RemStarJuly 9, 2011 at 8:30 am
    Oh, please. Incorrectly dismissing me as a city staffer because I take a different perspective is as wrongheaded as saying everyone on the other side is an SEIU member. In one sentence you say we need to raise the level of our discourse, and then in the next sentence you engage in tabloid blogging. Also, where is your indignation when city staff is dragged through the mud or when questions on issues are posed in ways that include incorrect assumptions/conclusions while conceding a lack of information (with the initial post of this topic as a case in point)? That seems to be OK because that seems to be the purpose of this blog.
  70. Lori RivasJuly 9, 2011 at 8:43 am
    I do not dismiss you because you are a city staffer. I am saddened that city staff bullies the public with name calling and ridicule. I welcome different perspectives. I enjoy friendly debate. I learn from others’ experiences. But the snide remarks, and sidelining of opinion is not helpful to anyone. And I have said as much to both sides of the fence.
  71. ScvFanJuly 9, 2011 at 9:34 am
    Ha ha ha ha. When people don’t agree with you…try and paint them as evil City staff? This really is entertaining.
  72. Lori RivasJuly 9, 2011 at 10:29 am
    No, Mike said city staffers were making malcious posts, and so I asked if you and RemStar are city staffers. I have no knowledge of the fact, one way or another. I do think, however, that both of you are posting as bullies, not engaging in respectful discussion, and, so, if you are, in fact, employed by the City, and especially if you are making these posts on City time, I do think that is pertinent public information. Does the City have a policy about its employees denigrating citizens in a public forum? If you are city staffers, do your supervisors, or the City Council, know your pseudoyms? Does the City approve of your comments, or look the other way, to allow your comments? It’s one thing to feel a certain amount of frustration, or angst, against the public you serve – I get that. I’ve worked in the public sector. It is another thing all together to feel so comfortable with your angst that you openly and freely make denigrating statements on a public forum.
  73. MikeJuly 9, 2011 at 12:26 pm
    Odd, I didn’t mention your name, but while I have you, would you mind telling us what your affiliation with the City of Santa Clarita is?
  74. TaTonkaJuly 9, 2011 at 11:07 am
    Mike, I have a very serious question. You seem very sure that these are city employees. How did you obtain this information? I mean you seem very sure (To Sure for my liking) So please tell us all how you are 100% sure that these people work for the city? Did you get a phone call telling you where the IP address came from? Do you have a super power that enables you to correctly guess where people work? Have some integrity and tell us where you got your information. We all need a laugh
  75. TaTonkaJuly 9, 2011 at 12:50 pm
    I guess you are just going to ignore my question. Good Call! LOL Nate & Mike birds of a feather
  76. TaTonkaJuly 9, 2011 at 1:47 pm
    Oh yeah I forgot about mike not coming up with anything that time either. Now is this the way all democrats do it or just the SCVer’s? I am pretty sure Mike was just born with a superpower because there is NO WAY jeff would ever let anyone else know personal information without their permission. Nobody is that classless. So that leaves only 1 explanation for mike being so confident. HE HAS A SUPERPOWER!!!! AWESOME IN AWESOMTOWN.. To bad that power couldn’t figure out an inexperienced community organizer would never make a good president (A fact 45% of the people saw with no power at all)
  77. TaTonkaJuly 9, 2011 at 1:57 pm
    LOL glad I am not your husband. Waiting for what? What is the question that you believe is so important (this is going to be great folks) Go ahead and give it to me. I will answer 19 seconds after reading. LOL This guy is funny. (betting my answer will not be ” World Peace”)
  78. MikeJuly 9, 2011 at 2:03 pm
    You’ll be waiting for a while, but I know I’m right. I haven’t named names, but there are City people posting here, and they are being hostile. And so we’re clear, Jeff didn’t give me the information. If you’d like to believe in my superpowers, then feel free.
  79. TaTonkaJuly 9, 2011 at 2:06 pm
    Yeah OK SuperDev!!!
  80. TaTonkaJuly 9, 2011 at 2:27 pm
    Het Carnac Ooops I mean SuperDev!!! Can you use your powers to tell us how much time Holder is going to spend behind bars? (I know I know you believe him. But just for kicks use your power and let us know what you see) http://biggovernment.com/tag/gunrunner/
  81. mystery1July 9, 2011 at 8:44 am
    I am an avid reader and long time user of the Valencia library. When I first heard of the break away from the county system (which worked just fine, thank you), I was very unhappy. Then I realized it was definitely going to happen and decided to take a more positive attitude and hope it WAS a better system. So far I haven’t seen any evidence of that. * On July 5 I attempted to log in to the library system using my card # and the password I set up when I applied for the card. I got an invalid user error message. I called the library and was told “Oh, you use the last 4 digits of your phone number as the password.” I asked where it indicated THAT, and was told that if I had come into the library I would have been informed of this change. (So much for technology). * I then checked the availability of 3 books on the website. None of them were at our 3 libraries but at another location. When I attempted to put them on hold, I got the message “Hold Not Allowed”. * I went into the library yesterday and asked the woman at the “information” (that’s a laugh”) desk about why I couldn’t place them on hold. She checked them and said “hmmm, I don’t know why you can’t and I don’t know what “Standard Shelving” means. I asked her if anyone else could help, and she said “well, no not really”. This whole debacle is mind boggling. The system is NOT working, and the people working there don’t have a clue about anything. I’ve decided to continue using the county system and pick the books up in Castaic.
  82. AngeloCandelabraJuly 9, 2011 at 11:02 am
    Yesterday I had the same exact thing happen, except at the end the woman spat a tooth at me. In all seriousness, it seems I recognize most of the people I see working in the library. When asked several have told me they got raises or increased hours. By the way, I placed a hold on Monday, July 4th for a book at the La Quinta library. It arrived yesterday and I picked it up. Only three days. Amazing. From my experience the system seems to be working well.
  83. RemStarJuly 9, 2011 at 11:24 am
    Angelo, any statement that the city library system is meeting your needs must be validated through independent research, analysis, survey results and lists. Please provide such or you must withdraw your comment. On the other hand, any statements that the system sucks, however anecdotal or unsubstantiated, will be accepted as fact until proven otherwise. That’s just the way we roll here.
  84. mystery1July 9, 2011 at 12:35 pm
    Another comment I forgot to mention: Why do most of the fiction books still have the old “County of Los Angeles Public Library” stickers on them? I thought the city was spending all this money on NEW books? And to those here who continually state “we are not giving the city enough time to get things right, they just opened,” they have had months (probably years for all we, the public know) to get their act together.
  85. MikeJuly 9, 2011 at 12:41 pm
    The city purchased the books along with the libraries in the transition. They also spent a lot of money of new books.

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