Our recent posts with emails critical of the Park Slope Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library caught the attention of its Executive Director, Dionne Mack Harvin, who submitted a long comment yesterday. As we sometimes do when a comment merits special attention, we’re presenting it, in full, as a post:
I frequently read through the Brooklyn blogs to find out what the diverse communities in Brooklyn are talking about. In reading through the posts here, I wanted to reach out and address the discussion on the Park Slope Branch. Over the past year, we’ve taken several step to improve our library services, including customer service. I understand your concerns and have communicated to the managers at the Park Slope Branch the importance of making our libraries welcoming places for all to enjoy.
We are also in the initial stages of installing a ramp at the Park Slope branch. We recently presented a design to Community Board 6 as well as the Landmarks Commission and are working closely with the City to get this project going. As with all of our renovations, ADA compliance is a necessary component so that people in wheelchairs or with strollers can easily access their Library. We will continue to update our website as the ramp project at Park Slope takes shape. Please continue to support your library – they are wonderful community resources for all Brooklynities.
1 response so far ↓
1 Seth // May 2, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Dear Ms. Harvin,
I am a big fan of the Brooklyn Public Library and all its branches. Although I know it’s not perfect, I appreciate everything the libraries offer our communities.
That being said, as a patron, I often feel there is no one in the library that either has the authority or autonomy to change or fix or respond to anything. Filling out the comment forms seems like an exercise in futility – no one knows where they go and you never receive a reply.
An example: over the winter, one of the escalators in the main branch was broken. I kept suggesting to various staffers that since there was only one escalator working, it should be going UP and not down. Perhaps as someone with a disability, I was more prone to notice this. And although, yes, you could search out the elevator, it just seemed like a no brainer to have the one escalator working carrying people up.
Staffers I mentioned this to said, “Yeah, I know.” Then handed me a complaint form. I never got a reply and nothing changed.
I finally emailed the library, which suggested using the elevator. I couldn’t find or contact one person that simply said, “Yeah, you’re right.” Or even, “OK, why not.”
It sounds trivial, but it’s just an example of being a patron and feeling there’s “no one home.” Therefore, I can understand how issues with the Park Slope branch festered and grew. It is just very hard to find anyone that seems to be “in charge.”
Best,
Seth