Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Poor product placement - Let's get this fixed in ALL libraries!

If you are six years or so old then looking at tapes and books on the bottom shelves is just fine.  You might not be able to actually read them, but maybe you can look at the nice covers.

For the rest of the library patrons, particularly those past middle age, we wonder just what the thought process is for putting stuff on the bottom shelves?

Here is an example FYI and there is plenty of room to move those CD's from the bottom shelf higher up so people don't have to squat down to look at what is there:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsTai93vscHew8xfaC9ctkS_044J6bhazHGHua4ERdjxxuMDcHBCszutxPeZ1Bqum7c8n-7gviOZCdmlFht8uWnq3akvKLz19EZ4ohytx1yQS_06uO9oB0yuf633Y3qXcDYpJLuAQbimm/s1600/DSC06432.JPG

Not quite as bad but still silly is this setup with 16 books down where only children and midgets can easily see what is there.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2O9NTdSkRNrfEUTGhW8GXu4moe5zTAEReCWkkv1iG4cxQeej7mj1uB0BlV123H2SOEAGfv3Fk0b-bTj4nL1shkScgpl0CrKuPCITNDA8Pprq8ffdD8kHYZ-d3rqyiEq2o0bK5FJxanuwC/s1600/DSC06429.JPG

Just to help out a bit I moved those books higher up so people can see them.  

Note that there was plenty of room on those higher shelves and there is no need to put them so low.  Maybe it is more esthetically pleasing to distribute them like that, makes the shelf look pretty, but practically it is a pain in the ass to have to stoop down to see what is available.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uLaKvPXmXCY5DQb-gkhRZYX-e2Ony2KpzdzTILkSphtGUV9zgpVf9kWUl3pLY7fy6T5_w6b-AUPPXU-5Ur62BkgJq0J7APV_-lz6hH_G2OSCmVfJIEANo91QoFv7EbWp1Oner-R9kuOA/s1600/DSC06430.JPG


1/29/17

Minor Update:  Board of Trustees Will Keep Speed Bumps Despite Patrons Wanting Them Removed!

The library originally had 8-9 of these speed bumps.  Complaints by myself and many others had them reduce the number to 5.  The Trustees decided to keep those 5.  That leaves 3-4 of them removed to some unknown fate.

The library to date, including the Trustees, has yet to acknowledge that they simply screwed up when installing this stupid speed bumps.

Getting any governmental organization to actually admit they goofed is impossible.  They won't do it.  This 'facility director' should have to pay for those removed speed bumps, take it out of his pay check.

The 3 humps right in front of the library remain, in the 2 other locations the speed bumps were reduced to 1 in the middle of the road rather than 3 across.



The money wasted on these un-needed reverse pot holes should have gone into buying BOOKS!



1/20/17



Library trustees vote to keep speed bumps
Cherokee Tribune  Emily Selby 1/13/17


Members of the Sequoyah Regional Library Board of Trustees put safety at the top of their list at their meeting Thursday as they voted to keep speed bumps located at the Woodstock Public Library.

Bill Harris, a resident of Holly Springs, sent several emails to the board regarding his concerns over the speed bumps and documented his correspondence in a blog post.

“The addition of these useless speed bumps was a mistake,” he said in an email in December. “It is the equivalent of a car dropping into a pot hole every time you go over one. I have a relatively new 2016 Explorer and I object to having to go over three to four of these useless devices on each visit.”

Library Director Anita Summers said other measures had been tried at the library to prevent accidents, but the speed bumps were installed for the safety of patrons, especially at the pedestrian crosswalk at the front of the building.

“The ones in front of the building are the most critical,” she said. “Our facilities manager said he saw a little kid almost get hit one day.”

Summers also said in an email to Harris that additional handicap spaces had been added in the adjacent parking lot, which created concerns for patrons walking to and from the library.

After receiving some complaints from library-goers, several speed bumps were removed and other sections were reduced, depending on their location.

“(Our facilities manager) believes that this adjustment will satisfy the complainants while at the same time provide a level of safety for all patrons in the crosswalks,” Summers said in the email.

At Thursday’s meeting, Summers asked the trustees if they felt they went overboard in installing the speed bumps.

“I don’t think we went overboard at all,” said trustee Thomas Hill. “I think the current configuration is acceptable.”

In his email, Harris complained that the three speed bumps located at the front of the library near the front entrance and a U-turn were unnecessary.

“The sightline is quite reasonable to see vehicles coming around the 180 degree curve in the front of the library … so any reasonable handicapped person or children should see approaching vehicles well in advance and be sensible enough not to step in front of them just to see if they are going to yield the right of way,” he said.

Summers said in the meeting that the Woodstock library has a “very challenging parking lot, and it is the busiest facility.” She also noted that the driveway comes right up to the front entrance.

After discussion, the board decided to keep the current configuration of speed bumps.

“I am not surprised with the trustees’ decision as it is always easier for those folks higher up the food chain to support decisions, even wrong ones, made at a lower level, than to come forward and say that an error was made and will be corrected,” Harris said in an email.

Trustee Deborah Fincher said the board appreciated Harris’ concerns, but felt this was the best method of safety.

“We have done our due diligence in taking care of the safety of our patrons,” she said. “We found that this is the most effective method in keeping our patrons safe and we feel sure that were it (his) child, (he) would want that concern addressed.”

-----------------------------------------------------

From: eselby@cherokeetribune.com
To: Harris2016@aol.com
Sent: 1/13/2017 12:58:12 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

Subj: Cherokee Tribune - Library Speed Bumps

Hi Mr. Harris, 

My name is Emily Selby and I am a reporter at the Cherokee Tribune. We received your email and saw your blog post and I actually attended the Library Board of Trustees meeting yesterday. 

The board decided to keep the current configuration of speed bumps for the safety of library patrons. I was wondering if you have a response to that and do you still believe the speed bumps need to be removed? 

If there is anything else you would like to add, please feel free. 

Thank you,

Emily Selby 
Reporter, Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News 
770-479-1441 ext.225


REPLY

From: bloggercentral@aol.com
To: eselby@cherokeetribune.com
Sent: 1/13/2017 3:53:13 P.M. Eastern Standard TimeSubj: Subj: Library Speed Bumps

Sent: 1/13/2017 12:56:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

Subj: Library Speed Bumps

I was wondering if you have a response to that and do you still believe the speed bumps need to be removed? 
======================================== 

Yes, they should ALL be removed they are a foolish waste of scarce library resources costing about $135 each. 

I am not surprised with the Trustees decision as it is always easier for those folks higher up the food chain to support decisions, even wrong ones, made at a lower level, than to come forward and say that an error was made and will be corrected. 

Consider that, if those reverse potholes were really needed then the library was asleep for the last 10-12 years and only woke up to a problem in December last year. If they were needed last December then clearly they were always needed and the library management was asleep at the switch for a decade. 

You might note that the set of photos on my blog site (before and after) show that complaints by many people, not just me, resulted in about half the speed bumps being removed before the Board of Trustees meeting. So clearly the library thought that at least half of them were not needed at all. (wonder what happened to those removed?) 

As I pointed out in my various emails, with what seems to have been one unverified complaint about 'speeding' and several dozen complaints about the speed bumps suddenly appearing, it seems to me that we have a situation here where the tail is wagging the dog. 

You may have already seen the attached article "The Continuing Problem With Speed Humps", but it is appended FYI. 

If you would care to provide a copy of the article you write I will add it to my blog site. 

I appreciate your publications interest in reporting on this issue. 

Bill Harris 
Citizen Journalist 
http://removespeedbumps.blogspot.com/ 

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Exchange of Emails regarding removal of speed bumps:



Hopefully the Board of Trustees with exercise some oversight on the library administration on Jan. 12th and get these useless and unneeded speed bumps removed.  

It was a BAD idea to start with and it seems that this was acknowledged by the library as they removed some of them after getting many complaints.  

Now the Board should let them know that ALL of these reverse potholes should go.  Contact the Board via:  board@seqlib.org


Cherokee County Public Library Board | R.T. Jones

All Board of Trustees meetings are open to the public. Members of the audience may be allowed to speak at the end of the regular business session, if recognized by the Chairman. Visitors may not participate in board discussion of items on the agenda.

WhenThu Jan 12, 2017 4pm – 6pm Eastern Time
WhereRT Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, GA 30114, United States

-----------------------------------------------------------

From: summersa@seqlib.org
To: Harris2016@aol.com
Sent: 1/6/2017 10:58:35 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: RE: "However, due to complaints from patrons like yourself"



Mr. Harris,

Yes, your message has been relayed to the board, and your request will be discussed at the board’s next quarterly meeting on January 12, after which they will respond. As it is a public meeting, you of course are welcome to attend:  Thursday, January 12, 2016, 4:00 p.m., R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton GA.

Sincerely,

Anita D. Summers
Library Director
Sequoyah Regional Library System
116 Brown Industrial Parkway
Canton, GA  30114
(770) 479-3090 x238

Sequoyah Regional Library
Cherokee * Gilmer * Pickens

-----------------------------------------------------

From: Harris2016@aol.com [mailto:Harris2016@aol.com]
Sent: 05 January, 2017 7:57 PM
To: board@seqlib.org
Subject: "However, due to complaints from patrons like yourself"

Jan. 5, 2017 

TO:  Cherokee Board of Trustees   board@seqlib.org
Dr. Kina Mallard
Thomas Hill
Jane Shelnutt
Elaine Hubbard/Woodstock
Janice J. Kane/County
Deborah Fincher/Canton
Steve Scott/County
Beth Hall/Ball Ground
Scott Rule, Chair/County
Donna Stewart/Holly Springs
Mary Helen Lamb/Waleska


RE:  Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street Woodstock, GA 30188


I have no idea if my complaints on the issue of 'speed bumps' or 'reverse potholes' as I term them, have actually reached anyone of the Board of Trustees, but in case my complaints have not been received I will both email this and provide a hard copy to the Board.

I am sorry to say that I have no faith in the current management of the library to see that an initial error will be corrected.

My complaint on this is not the only one and while the library management has made a minor tweek in removing a few of these needless speed bumps they have simply removed a few, probably with the hope that we will just go away and not bother them anymore.

Well I'm afraid that is WRONG.  These bumps need to be removed in their entirety and not by half measures.

Incorporated into this email you will find photos of these devices as they existed 12/23/16 and how they are now configured and I would like to draw your attention to those bumps directly in front of the library.  I have made this point before and perhaps it needs to be made again.

This set of 3 bumps is about 12 feet past a 180 degree U turn in the front of the library and I assure you that no one is taking that turn at any speed greater than 3-4 MPH and there is no need for these foolish devices to be on the driveway.  I park just past these in the Handicapped slots (when available) so I am quite familiar with them and how they jolt the car when you go over them.

Some input from the Board of Trustees seems to be needed as the paid library administration seems totally unwilling to admit that they made a mistake in putting ANY of these in the lots and also wasting scarce library funds doing it.

May I now actually have some input from the trustees in this matter.

Bill Harris
P O B 3
Holly Springs
Ga 30142





3 photos from 1/3/17 as these bumps appear now.





Above:  As these bumps appear now.




From: Harris2016@aol.com
To: summersa@seqlib.org
BCC: board@seqlib.org, glowcheskia@seqlib.org
Sent: 1/2/2017 12:51:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Re: Speed bumps at Woodstock Library

"However, due to complaints from patrons like yourself"
==========================================


As mentioned in my prior complain(s) about these needless speed bumps the tail should not be wagging the dog at this library.

Let's not get carried away on this 'handicapped' business, I have had a handicapped hanger tag since 2007 and although not using a wheelchair, when available, I park in the 2 slots closest to the library.

The sightline is quite reasonable to see vehicles coming around the 180 degree curve in the front of the library, same good visibility going to the farther handicapped slots, so any reasonable handicapped person or children should see approaching vehicles well in advance and be sensible enough not to step in front of them just to see if they are going to yield the right of way.

I see here a typical governmental knee jerk reaction here, one sorehead complains and the library jumps into action to show how concerned they are. 

You see this all over the place, one complaint and a Christmas display has to come down, one complaint and a book has to be removed from circulation.

I am quite familiar with the un-needed speed bumps or as I call them 'reverse potholes' and I hope to see these removed the next time I am at this library.

I have not been at this branch since Dec 27th but I hope to see that ALL of them are gone when I visit tomorrow.






From: summersa@seqlib.org
To: harris2016@aol.com
CC: glowcheskia@seqlib.org, frankwork12@gmail.com, mitchellg@seqlib.org
Sent: 1/2/2017 11:46:28 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Speed bumps at Woodstock Library

In a message dated 1/2/2017 11:46:28 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, summersa@seqlib.org writes:
Dear Mr. Harris, 

I have been informed of your complaint regarding the speed bumps at the Woodstock Library.  The pedestrian crosswalk in front of the building has been an ongoing area of concern for the safety of patrons, especially children and the handicapped, and our facilities manager has tried a other strategies before this in an effort to get drivers to stop for pedestrians. Additional handicap accessible spaces recently were added in the adjacent parking area, which created additional concerns for patrons in walkers and wheelchairs who had to use the pedestrian crosswalk across the busy driveway.  These are the reasons for the speed bump installations.  However, due to complaints from patrons like yourself, our facilities manager has removed some of the bumps completely and has selectively reduced others, depending on their location. He believes that this adjustment will satisfy the complainants while at the same time provide a level of safety for all patrons in the crosswalks.

Thank you for informing us of your concerns.

Sincerely,

Anita Summers

Anita Summers
Library Director
Sequoyah Regional Library System
116 Brown Industrial Parkway
Canton, GA  30114
(770) 479-3090 x238

Sequoyah Regional Library
Cherokee * Gilmer * Pickens

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 From: summersa@seqlib.org
To: harris2016@aol.com
CC: glowcheskia@seqlib.org, frankwork12@gmail.com, mitchellg@seqlib.org
Sent: 1/2/2017 11:46:28 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Speed bumps at Woodstock Library

Dear Mr. Harris,

I have been informed of your complaint regarding the speed bumps at the Woodstock Library.  The pedestrian crosswalk in front of the building has been an ongoing area of concern for the safety of patrons, especially children and the handicapped, and our facilities manager has tried a other strategies before this in an effort to get drivers to stop for pedestrians. Additional handicap accessible spaces recently were added in the adjacent parking area, which created additional concerns for patrons in walkers and wheelchairs who had to use the pedestrian crosswalk across the busy driveway.  These are the reasons for the speed bump installations.  However, due to complaints from patrons like yourself, our facilities manager has removed some of the bumps completely and has selectively reduced others, depending on their location. He believes that this adjustment will satisfy the complainants while at the same time provide a level of safety for all patrons in the crosswalks.

Thank you for informing us of your concerns.

Sincerely,

Anita Summers

Anita Summers
Library Director
Sequoyah Regional Library System
116 Brown Industrial Parkway
Canton, GA  30114
(770) 479-3090 x238

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

From: glowcheskia@seqlib.org
To: harris2016@aol.com
Sent: 12/27/2016 12:38:18 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Woodstock Library Speedbumps - FW: Question From WordPress


Good Afternoon Mr. Harris,

Thank you for your comment. We are absolutely working on the speedbump situation at the Woodstock Public Library. You are not the only person who has expressed concern. They were put in because there were concerns about speeding in the parking lot from some patrons. But I feel pretty confident in saying that not all will stay – but I do not have specifics or a timeline at this moment. Your feedback is very helpful in getting this changed – so thank you for taking the time to send it in.

I will gladly follow up with you when I have more details. Please let me know if there is anything else I can in the meantime.

Angela Glowcheski / Public Services Director
glowcheskia@seqlib.org / 770-479-3090
Sequoyah Regional Library System
116 Brown Industrial Parkway Canton, GA  30114


From: Bill Harris [mailto:wordpress@sequoyahregionallibrary.org]
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2016 3:54 PM
To: hansonc@seqlib.org
Subject: Question From WordPress

Name: Bill Harris

Email: harris2016@aol.com

Library Card Number (if you have one):

Please select: Other

Comment: This was send via the generic contact email address
==================================

TO: Cherokee Board of Trustees board@seqlib.org
Dr. Kina Mallard
Thomas Hill
Jane Shelnutt
Elaine Hubbard/Woodstock
Janice J. Kane/County
Deborah Fincher/Canton
Steve Scott/County
Beth Hall/Ball Ground
Scott Rule, Chair/County
Donna Stewart/Holly Springs
Mary Helen Lamb/Waleska


RE: Woodstock Library, 7735 Main Street Woodstock, GA 30188

I have been a patron of the Woodstock library for about 15 months.

Recently 'speed bumps' have been added to the parking lot of this library.

During what is usually a weekly visit I have never noticed any issue of patrons driving to fast in the parking area of this library.

The addition of these useless speed bumps was a mistake. It is the equivalent of a car dropping into a pot hole every time you go over one.

I have a relatively new 2016 Explorer and I object to having to go over 3-4 of these useless devices on each visit. I would also note that one of these bumps is a few feet past a sharp curve just in front of the library. How someone came up with the idea to put one a few feet past a sharp curve is unknown. Just how fast do you think someone is going when they are negotiating a 180 degree turn!

These foolish speed bumps should be removed and whoever came up with the stupid idea to waste taxpayer funds on them should have to pay for the project.

Let's get these removed ASAP.

Bill Harris
P O B 3
Holly Springs

Time: December 23, 2016 at 3:54 pm
IP Address: 98.251.5.110
Contact Form URL: http://sequoyahregionallibrary.org/contact/
Sent by an unverified visitor to your site. 

The Woodstock library is part of the Sequoyah Library System

Sequoyah Regional Library System administrative offices are located at the
R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy, Canton, GA 30114
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Phone: 770-479-3090





TRUSTEES


The Sequoyah Regional Library System is overseen by the Regional Library Board of Trustees that is composed of nine members from the local county boards. Appointments to the Regional Board includes five members from the Cherokee Board, two members from the Pickens Board and two members from the Gilmer Board.
The County Boards oversee the operations of the local library or libraries and reports to the Regional Board.
The Regional Board is responsible for overseeing the establishment, management, and maintenance of public libraries in the counties of Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer. The Regional Board also appoints the Director, who administers and coordinates the operation of the library within the basic goals, objectives, policies, and principles approved by the Regional Library Board.
You may contact a board member by clicking here.









You can access the 2016-2017 Board Meeting schedule here (.pdf), and anaccessible version here.




Need to contact the board?E-mail your library board byclicking here.



*Representatives to Regional Board

REGIONAL BOARD

Name/Appointing Agency
W. Scott Rule, Chair/Cherokee
Deborah Fincher /Cherokee
Mary Helen Lamb/Cherokee
Steve Scott/Cherokee
Vacant/Cherokee
Patrick McVey/Gilmer
Franci Cipullo, Secretary/Gilmer
Ann Dobson, Vice Chair/Pickens
Mary Ellen Johnson/Pickens

CHEROKEE BOARD

Name/Appointing Agency
Dr. Kina Mallard
Thomas Hill
Jane Shelnutt
Vacant/Woodstock
Janice J. Kane/County
(Vacant)/County
Deborah Fincher/Canton
*Steve Scott/County
Beth Hall/Ball Ground
*Scott Rule, Chair/County
Donna Stewart/Holly Springs
*Mary Helen Lamb/Waleska

PICKENS BOARD

Name/Appointing Agency
Winship Durrett/County
LeeAnna Spiva/County
Valerie Peel/County
Audrey Kristen/Talking Rock
Nancy Unzicker/Jasper
Bill Miller/County
*Ann Dobson, Chair/Jasper
*Mary Ellen Johnson, Vice Chair/County
Susan White, Secretary/County

GILMER BOARD

Name/Appointing Agency
MyKey Cook, Secretary/East Ellijay
Jody Holmes Henry/Board of Education
Paul Nealey/County
Lynne Pritchett/Board of Education
*Dr. Francis Cipullo, Vice-Chair/County
Linda Wright /East Ellijay
*Patrick McVey, Chairman/County
Kent Sanford/Ellijay
Lynelle Stewart/Ellijay

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

This is similar to the Speed Bumps used at the library


6' Recycled Rubber Speed Bump





  • $133.95 each
    Save
    7%
    $123.95 each
    Save
    18%
    $109.95 each
    Quantity 1-14
    Quantity 15-49
    Quantity 50+
  • IN STOCK - SHIPS IMMEDIATELY

  • Quick Facts:
    • 6' long x 12" wide x 2 1/4" tall
    • Mounting Hardware Included
    • 60lbs.





  • Choose Included Hardware:

  • Volume Pricing:
    Quantity 1-14
    Quantity 15-49
    Quantity 50+
    $133.95 each
    $123.95 each
    $109.95 each




Description


The 6-foot rubber speed bump safely slows car speeds to 2 to 5 mph. Helps calm traffic in shopping mall parking lots, condominium complexes, and residential roads. Recessed bolt holes in the six foot rubber speed bump make it easy to install and remove. Made from 100 percent post-consumer tires, the toughest rubber available, so there's no internal hardware – an added safety benefit. 

Reflective yellow ‘cats-eye’ stripes are highly visible at night. Includes mounting hardware. 

Meets Standards: ITE; FHWA


======================================