Comments on: Attention Library Users! Please Read!

By: edehaan

edehaan — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:54:31 +0000

You will be able to return GR items to KDL and vice versa, although we encourage you to return GR items to a GR location and KDL items to a KDL location as fines may accrue while in transit from the drop-off point to the owning library system. While you may be charged a minimal "late" fee if you choose to do this, your materials won't be marked lost.

I hope that helps!

By: Lynda

Lynda — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:38:05 +0000

Will we be able to return GR items to KDL and vice versa? I’d hate to pay for a ‘lost” book if I returned to wrong branch. Thanks and sorry for confusion.

By: Jeff @ KDL

Jeff @ KDL — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:43:06 +0000

Hi Ellen,

If you place holds at the Plainfield library, you will still be able to pick them up at the Plainfield library. The only difference will be that your holds will be filled by books that belong to either KDL or to one of the other non-GRPL Lakeland libraries. You won’t have to travel to a GRPL branch unless you choose to do so.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:28:43 +0000

So let me see if I understand this correctly. I place a book on hold while I am actually INSIDE the Plainfield library, I now have to go to the MAIN library to pick it up???

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:11:31 +0000

I agree with Ann. My guess is that this will decrease the number of patrons using the GR system. I have no desire to have to schlep to another location. How inconvenient!!

By: edehaan

edehaan — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:36:44 +0000

Hi Terri,

Both the Kent District Library and the Grand Rapids Public Library offer free mail service to disabled and homebound patrons. You’ll have to work with the respective owner of the materials you wish to have delivered, but it would probably be the best solution in this instance. Here are the links to their respective resource pages:
KDL – http://www.kdl.org/about/go/mailbox_library
GRPL – http://www.grpl.org/bmm/booksbymail.php

I hope that helps!

By: terri ambrose

terri ambrose — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:37:55 +0000

I am a disabled adult. How will I and all my disabled friends get to a G.R. library to pick up anything we need? Many times its books about new illness or health issues. How will many senior citizens be able to abide by this new decision, it will hurt many of us. Please can anybody rethink this decision. Possibly a small charge by the patron to order materials from G.R.

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:43:46 +0000

Short of saving money for the GRPL, I don’t see that service will be improved for patrons at all…whether they are located within Grand Rapids or KDL. In fact, all I see is that this becomes more complicated and problematic for all involved…now there are going to be 2 systems that we’ll have to use and check instead of one. The bottom line should not always be a financial one. In this case, I’m strenuously opposed to the change just to “save money” for GRPL. Where’s customer service?

By: Tamara

Tamara — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:26:50 +0000

No. I think you are referring to East Grand Rapids library and it is a branch of KDL. The GRPL has eight branches (Main, Madison Square, Ottawa Hills, Seymour, Van Belkum, West Leonard, West Side, and Yankee Clipper). On the kdl.org home page, at the top of the page is an “ABOUT” section (just under the L in KDL at the far upper left). When you go to the “ABOUT” section, you’ll see a menu bar on the left of the screen. Under Popular Links is a link to “Other West MI Libraries” that lists most, if not all, of the public libraries in West Michigan. You can look at that to find out which GRPL might be closest or most convenient for you.

By: jaroorda

jaroorda — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:02:51 +0000

Yes, that library is Grand Rapids (East), and is part of the GRPL system