Cheng. Evelyn

From: Sent: To:

Library Director Thursday, December 17, 2015 5:08 PM Pierre Uszynski; Library Director

From Library Director's Mailbox

D., Hlr. ,. MI. Cc: Subject:

Cheng, Evelyn; Garcia, RuthAnn; Dabiri Alaee, Valeh; Watson, Matt RE: Wrist hurt at Mitchel Park book drop

Dear Mr. Uszynski,

Thank you for contacting the library regarding your unfortunate experience at the library. I wanted to check in with the staff at Mitchell Park to be sure that everything is operating correctly, so please forgive the delay.

While the automated returns are low, they were designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The manual book drop is really intended for times with the automated return is not operational. We did have staff check it and everything seems to be working correctly. The next time that you are at Mitchell Park Library and it is open, can you please show the staff so that we can correct anything? That would be very helpful.

Again, thank you for letting us know.

Sincerely,

Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne I Library Director

270 Forest Avenue I Palo Alto, CA 94301

D: 650.329.2403 I E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Please think of the environment before printing this email- Thank you

What I'm Reading Now: Brown Sugar Kitchen: New-Style, Down-Home Recipes from Sweet West Oakland by Tanya Holland

-----Original Message-----From: Pierre Uszynski [mailto:pierre@rahul.net] Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 20154:47 PM To: Library Director Cc: pierre@rahul.net Subject: Wrist hurt at Mitchel Park book drop

Earlier today, while returning books at Mitchell Park, I hurt my wrist. Thanks for that.

The automated return machines have proven too low for use (as I sure hope you noticed, before you heard complaints about it, they are both at the same level - very low to the ground). So last time and this time, I used the book drop. I

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don't remember if it was like this last time but today a metal flap or shutter needed to be lifted - even then leaving barely the space to push a book upward under it. I hurt my left wrist by navigating my books and/through that nonsense. Let me guess: same designer as the return machines? Same management at any rate.

I suppose next time I'll need to bring the books to the front desk. Unfortunately, there is a decent chance I'll remember.

Not happy about this, Pierre Uszynski.

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Cheng, Evelyn

From: Sent: To: Cc:

Subject:

Dear Ms. Lee,

Library Director

Thursday, December 17, 2015 6:14 PM

Tara-Nalani Lee; Library Director

Garcia, RuthAnn; Dabiri Alaee, Valeh; Yang, Albert; Cheng, Evelyn; Shikada, Ed; Jordan,

Jenny

RE: Library turned Zoo; what next?

Thank you for writing to the library and letting us know about your recent experience at the Mitchell Park Library. All of the managers will review your comments and we will use them as we continue to train the staff and as we consider services for the community. Your description of the level of activity is one that we will look for ways to calm as we train, so that staff interact in appropriate ways to make the environment welcoming.

While your definition includes the library as a space to store books, it does not take into account today's modern library which supports learning, leisure activities, and creative exploration of all kinds, for all ages. Libraries are no longer just a stop to pick up books or copy the encyclopedia, but frequently a destination for library users who may spend full days utilizing the many resources available. As a public building, we do not limit who may use the library if they do so responsibly; however, "programs" in the library are welcomed by many in the community and serve a variety of purposes: to promote literacy and learning; to help those without access to technology; to offer educational opportunities to those who seek new areas of expertise. These activities are supported as part of the library's strategic plan and result in new library users who would not otherwise have come to the library. Once introduced, they return and develop a library habit, checking out books and using resources that are valuable to them.

Library hours are established for basic services and many programs, though some programs, again, for all ages, are often held when the library is closed to better use the space. This may include meetings for senior groups, family craft and movie nights, and class visits. You came during our joint Finals Cram Slam program, created to provide extra study time and space for high school students, as well as some stress relief, including yoga and roaming (though tethered and trained) therapy dogs. This was not promoting pet adoption. Last year, when we launched this program, school principals, teachers, elected officials, and parents came by and expressed their appreciation that the library could offer such an alternative for students away from a school setting. This program also includes the City's Community Services Department, who offers additional activities at the same time with the same admission criteria. It was a little noisier than usual in the evenings leading up to this event due to teen activity, but wasn't loud; there were just a lot of people in the building.

I conferred with the City Attorney's Office and have been assured that the library's programs comply with state and federal law. Collaborative programs with the schools and the Community Services Department are supported by the Library Advisory Commission, the City Manager, and the City Council. As you no doubt are aware, supporting teens and their well-being is a priority for the community; our programs support the school curriculum and the 41 Developmental Assets and provide alternatives that let teens know they valued by everyone in the community. The library has a newly-formed Teen Library Advisory Board and the youth services librarians will discuss with them ways they can help to make the library more welcoming and accessible to everyone who wants to use the library, and how to best regulate the use of the facility and technology.

I invite you to set up a meeting with RuthAnn Garcia, myself, and other library managers should you feel the need to. As you no doubt are aware, Eric Howard has moved on to a similar position with the Salinas Public Library, a job he earned largely because of the diverse programming the Palo Alto City Library offers to the community, particularly teens.

Again, thank you for your comments.

Sincerely,

fVlonique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne ! Library Director 270 Forest Avenue I Palo Alto, CA 94301

CITY 0f'

PALO ALTO

D: 6S0.329.2403 I E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Please think of the environment hefore printing this email ~ Thank you

PALO ALTO CITY

LI RARY What I'm Reading Now:

Sugar Kitchen: New-Style, Down-Home Recipes from Sweet West Oakland by Tanya Holland

From: Tara-Nalani Lee [mailto:2tnlee@gmail,com] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 4:25 PM To: Library Director Cc: Garcia, RuthAnn; Howard, Eric; Yang, Albert Subject: Fwd: Library turned Zoo; what next?

li·brar·y '11, br;:)fc,' Ilb( d )rc/ noun noun: library; plural noun: libraries a building or ro0111 containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes films and recorded music for people to read, borrow. or refer to. "a school library"

• a collection of books and periodicals held in a library.

"the Institute houses an outstanding library of 35,000 volumes on the fine arts"

• a collection of films, recorded music, genetic materiaL etc., organized systematically and kept for research or borrowing.

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"a record library"

Dear City of Palo Alto Library Director Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne,

I am a regular person in the community; I use the library regularly, especially when I get off of work in the evening. It has been a very long time since I had to do a reality check by referring to an English dictionary, but, after a few more visits to the Mitchell Park Library, I have to keep myself grounded in the true definition of a community library. Above is at least one valid online definition of "library". Every other time I visit this Mitchell Park Library, not only is my eardrums exploding, but there are all kinds of circus-like activity that seem to challenge and defy the definition of a "library" and turn this non-profit institution into a zoo where any noise and any conduct is allowed. Every other library employee seems unable to consistently enforce any and all rules to patrons who use this library. In a more recent visit, I also discovered some programs that the library "support" are also in violation of federal discrimination laws. I am emailing you to ask that you make an attempt to maintain the integrity of your own library rules and policies and to keep all activities within this public institution in compliance with state and federal law.

Here are some examples of how the Mitchell Park Library and its employee are unwilling and unable to maintain expressed conduct rules and state and federal guidelines:

Last night, around 7:30pm, on the second floor of the library, there were two medium sized dogs dressed up in Christmas get-up as the handler was advertising "adopting a pet". The dogs were barking and, with each movement, the jingle bells were going off. Children and teenagers would see the dogs and start giggling, talking and screaming with laughter. These were not dogs for the disabled or for blind patrons; these were dogs used by the handler to advertise adopting a pet from the pound or whatever organization she represented. This is the 2nd floor of the library; why are you and the library supervisors and "program coordinator" allowing the library space to be used by animals and their handlers to advertise? Not only is the library a space for people from the community to sell their programs or products, but the noise and chaos caused by the dogs and the children and the jingling bells was also in violation of the noise policy. I am not a legal expert, but it is illegal to have recreational animals or pets to be inside the library. According to your library'S "prohibited activities", this event constitutes the library employees and library program coordinators engaging in the following "prohibited activities":

• Engaging in any activity prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Multiple pets are not allowed inside a library.

• Bringing pets (2 large dogs) inside the library also is "activities or behavior that may result in injury or harm to any library patron or staff members".

• This event also constitutes "defacing, damaging, or soiling library materials" because the dog can poop and pee on the library'S rug; they also leave their hair on the rug which could exacerbate allergies in patrons.

• The dogs and its handler was also "misusing, damaging, soiling or defacing library furniture, building, or equipment, including computer systems"

• The dogs, the handler and the children playing around, talk and laughing also constitute activities that is "disruptive to other patrons or staff'. This conduct rule includes also activity that is "noisy or distracting, running in the building, or speaking loudly".

• The handler also was "petitioning, soliciting or selling merchandise or services" [adopting dogs ... what does adopting pets have anything to do with a library?].

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• This activity also constitutes "monopolizing library space, seating, tables, or equipment to the exclusion of other patron or staff'. The dogs and the handler literally blocked the passage from the top of the staircase to the south end of the 2nd floor.

• When I asked the Latino girl at the "answers" desk to enforce the noise and peace in the library, she said she could not because her library supervisors allowed this and encouraged this program. So, the Mitchell Park Library employees felt helpless or unwilling to enforce the library's own code of conduct to make the library quieter and more equal in accessing as a community library space for ALL patrons.

• When this Mid-Eastern "supervisor" came to speak to me, she also said that this was outside of her control. She said she also believed there was too much disruption in the library but that she was not in charge of the different programs in the library. She told me I needed to complain to Ruth Ann Garcia. But I had complained to Ms. Garcia before (see email below) and she did nothing to rectify the extreme noise caused by one of her "program" participant.

Last night, there seemed to be many teenagers making a lot of noise and engaging in horseplay on the 2nd floor of the Mitchell Park Library. Again, they were pounding on the group use door 3 or 5 times and no library employee did anything. They were jumping around, hiking up the volume ofthe video they were watching on the library computer and, again, the library employee did nothing. Do the code of conduct for patrons only apply to people older than 18 years old? I thought patrons meant ALL people who use the library and not just "young people".

• The Latina girl as well as the library clerk downstairs said for the next few days, the library was going to be open to all high school students because they want to "support the community". This is a library; this is not a study hall.

• Students who attend the prestigious high schools in Palo Alto already have their own finals week activities and accommodations that their local high schools, ASB and school administrators. Why does the library need to be something that the city's high schools already provide for their students?

• In addition to turning the library into a loud, chaotic slumber party scene for "teenagers" which is not the definition of what a library is but this "support" is already satiated by the local high schools. Turning the library into a study hall is extremely disruptive to other patrons who is not a "teenager".

• When you have a library full of procrastinating students cramming for their high school finals, you and your library program coordinators have already open up the flood gate to turn the community library into a zoo where teenagers get to play to their hearts content while other library patrons suffer.

• And once you open the flood gate in this manner, you also make it impossible for the OTHER patrons who have just as much right to use the library as a library to be stripped of a library and library setting. Unequal treatment and segration based on age or what level of education a teenager is emolled has been illegal since Brown vs Board of Education in the history books.

I asked the downstairs clerk about what was happening because last night the library was so loud that I was not able to concentrate even a little on the letter I was composing on the computer. The lobby library clerk also said last night that the Mitchell Park Library -- in its effort to support only one segment of the patron population-­will be opened an additional half hour but for teenagers only to "study". He said all individuals remaining in the library past 9pm will be required to show identification that they are a teenager. So even though this is a community library, not only do teenagers get to turn this library into their personal play pen, but even after official closing hours, this library will exercise ageism (a federal violation and a form of unlawful discrimination) so as to bar other patrons from "studying" and "enjoying the library" beyond the regular posted

4

closing time. Again, this is not a study hall; this is a public community library that is supposed to exercise state and federal law, including equal opportunity.

• To force this age discrimination to take place, according to the library clerk, patrons were required to show their identification with their birthdates on it to remain the additional half hour. Even students who were from the local community college or university with valid STUDENT ID were also not allowed to remain in the additional half hour. So, as a policy, this library not only engages in age discrimination, but the definition of allowable teenagers that could remain also meant even more isolation of a very specific age and school level to stay.

• What next, do you also require them to also show a post-marked letter of some kind with their address as well to show that they live only within 1 mile radius of the Mitchell Park Library? At what point will this library, supervisors and administrators honor the fact that this is a community library and this is not their personal, private kingdom from which the employees can pick and choose what publish library or state or federal laws they can whimsically chose to abide by and obey in showing their "support" for the community?

• This was unequal and preferential treatment to a very small, selected part of the patron population. This is also using public funds and a public library to further unlawful and discriminatory and elitist "programming" by the Mitchell Public Library managers. Even high school freshmen would tell you that doing this is against the law. But this library breaks the law again and again.

Other programs that this Mitchell Library Park support is the delinquency of minors. Yes, the same young people the library espouse to "support". The back room on the 2nd floor of the library becomes a video game den after 3pm. Kids from the nearby elementary school are not doing homework in that room or researching for their school work or for their personal curiosity. No, what they do in that room is play often extremely violent and sexual video games for up to 3 hours. So their parents dump their kids that this library (now a make-shift daycare center) and irresponsibly expect the library's staff to be their ad-hoc babysitters.

• The library in its wisdom enable and promote this activity of kids staring at a computer screen, yelling out loud or exclaiming profanity as they rack up their video game points and desensitizing these youths to images that condition them to not do homework or constructive activities in the library and, instead, slowly conditioning them to embrace and praise violence, sex and killing on their video games that this library provides, allows and encourages.

• Isn't these 3-hour long video game playing session a form of "activities or behavior that may result in injury or harm to any library patron or staff member"?

• These kids get so out of control with the gestures and noise they make in this room that the library employees are unable to consistently enforce the noise policies and this back room becomes un-usable by other library patrons who might want to use the computers in that room.

• And such mental conditioning on these lazy, sedentary and impressionable kids provided by the Mitchell Park Library a form of "threatening or harassing other patrons or staff including but not limited to assault, battery, verbal threats, stalking, offensive staring, or offensive touching"?

• Because of the nature of the video games and the fact that these kids are addicted to the images on the screen, this allowance by the library and its administrator also constitutes "engaging in or soliciting any sexual activities, including, but not limited to, unwanted or inappropriate touching, unwanted or inappropriate advances, harassment, or indecent exposure".

• How can this library and its managers, in good faith, continue to promote such delinquency and turning a blind eye to its own conduct policies to the harm and detriment of these latch-key kids? Again, the library space in the back room ceases to be a true library with any kind of semblance of propriety and order.

5

• And, again, the employees who work for the library are unable to or unwilling to enforce their employer's own library policies and procedures. Also in this regard, this library harms the minds and health of these kids while, at the same time, claiming to want to help and "support" the community.

One of the other communication I had with Ruth Ann Garcia, the manager ofthe Mitchell Park Library, several months ago was her choice of "program" that caused her to also tum a blind eye to her own library policies and procedures pertaining to conduct and noise level. (See below for the email communications.) She wants to help children with disabilities, including mental retardation, to be able to engage in the real world. This is very philanthropic of her.

• But, for her to execute her compassion, she recruit volunteers to work at the front desk of the library who lack the physical and mental comprehension to control their own volume and amount of noise they were making. So, in an email that I had sent her several months ago, there was a "volunteer" that Ms. Garcia recruited to "work" downstairs who was making all this rackous for over HALF AND HOUR.

• Other patrons complained but the Latina girl at the "answers" desk said there was nothing she could do about it; she said the volunteer had Down Syndrome and was unaware of how to conduct herself in a library and could not control the volume of her own voice in the library.

• I was not sure how much "work" this person did since I could also hear the other regular library clerk talking to her softly and telling her -- the whole time -- to lower her voice. What exactly is the point in recruiting volunteers to do free work for the library when this volunteer is so disruptive and spends almost the entire time causing so much noise that a regular library clerk who is required to work with her has to take time away from his own work to babysit this "volunteer" and ask her incesstantly to lower her voice for half and hour?

• The Latina girl sounded a little frustrated as I was the 4th or 5th patron complaining about all the noise downstairs. She said her library manager allowed this and even though there were many patrons complaining about the loud and long-term disruptive noise pollution this mentally retarded "volunteer" was causing the ENTIRE library, there was nothing she could do about it.

• Again, I thought the Mitchell Park Public Library was ... a library. This is not an institution to care for the mentally retarded or a special medical rehabilitation program; this is a library. At what point, in all this library management's discretion to save the community will these same administrators return to their attention to the actual patrons who are expecting and wanting to use this library as ... a .... library?

• So, in terms of Manager Garcia, as long as the end justifies her means, all is fine. In her professional capacity, she is willing to compromise the library experience of all other patrons and break her own library code of conduct rules so that she pursue her personal desire to help those with Down Syndrome and other forms of mental retardation in the community.

• If she is so personally committed to this (her intentions, I believe, is in a good place), why does not Ruth Ann Garcia open up her HOME to these individuals where she can do whatever she want. But, in her role as the library manager, Ms. Garcia, instead, make regular, innocent library patrons suffer and have their eardrums blown up for her "special" programs at a public, city, library.

• The "balance" she refers to in her email is very skewed to her personal preferences and not the library policies and not the rights of all patrons using this public facility.

When I mentioned my concerns about having my visit to the library be disrupted by so many blatant acts of disrespect by the library employees and programs that fosters and encourages these disruption and undermining of the library'S own code of conduct and federal and state requirement to honor Constitutional guidelines, I was told that they had no control over it. It was their manager and supervisors that allowed it which made their responsibility as library employees uncomfortable and, at times, difficult. One male (today, working at the front desk) also said I should go to a library much farther away if I wanted a "more quiet library" since this Mitchell

6

Park Library had a long-term noise problem that he and his coworkers could not fix. They could only ask patrons so many times and, after a certain point, they just stop asking. And then, these problematic kids, teenagers or belligerent patrons return the next day. Part of the problem was that the leadership at the library allow their pet programs to take place which fosters many ofthese problems that also confused and frustrated the library staff members. Even he and the other clerk admitted that the noise level at his level was unbelievably high and intrudes on the library experience of other patrons, but, what can they do?

• One clerk even tried to rationalize that the reason for all the chaos, noise and debauchery at the library was "due to the construction" and architectural design of the library. I looked at him and said, 'Really? Do you even believe what you just said?' He was silent.

• Some of the library staff are making up strange and weird fiction to justify and rationalize why the library has had the amount and frequency of problems that it has that make the Library Code of Conduct which was also approved by Albert S. Yang, Deputy City Attorney, so hard to enforce.

• I believe most of the library staff members do want to do their jobs but they are also exhausted from having some of these programs making them policemen of problems that they can no longer contain. In this way, I also believe some of the decisions and discretions exercised by salaried members of the library is subjecting the hourly employees to a great hardship and unfairness. They should not have to pay the price for poor leadership and personal liberties of their superiors.

Does this library have any boundaries at all? Should I be expected to see a strip joint set up in the middle ofthe lobby of the Mitchell Park Library (to "support" young girls who want to earn their living on their backs, perhaps)? Or maybe we can have a demonstration of how to use semi-automatic weapons in the back computer room on the second floor (to "support" young boys who want to mow down an entire campus because they are upset about one math instructor who gave them a bad grade)? Why not have Noah's Ark of animals parade through the first and second floor of the Mitchell Park Library to show that this library feels the need of having many, wild, uncontrollable animals in the library to make this library a true library.

• And this policy, "Leaving children unsupervised is in violation of the Children in the Library Policy" ... for real ... when has this library and its staff EVER enforced this. Children and teenagers are running around like feral children all over the library without an adult with them at all ever since I started frequenting any of the City of Palo Alto Library system. To publish a policy that the library has never enforced or tried to enforce is fraud and an egregious act of Bad Faith.

• It is not a community library anymore when the library's own staff and employees get frustrated andlor is unwilling andlor unable to enforce their own, written policies. Isn't this a public library first?

• To advertise this place as a library but treat it like a study hall, a day-care center for cheap and irresponsible parents, the county animal shelter and training center for the next terrorist kids to engage in mass killing is a form of willful false advertisement by the City of Palo Alto.

This library system is funded by the City of Palo Alto. As such and because it gets public funding to be entrusted to be operated and managed a certain way to safeguard the welfare and well-being of the community, it is obligated to not breach this legal principal called fiduciary duty. Even though I am not an attorney and just a regular person, even I know that based on my limited visit to the library and what I had seen and experienced, this library system had already violated its own rules and fundamental Constitutional laws. When a library and its administrator lack the integrity and honesty to take ownership of its own policies, then fiduciary duty is also conveniently discarded.

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Other patrons had also vocalized about the same problems in these libraries, especially the Mitchell Park Library. So, I know I am not the only patron seeing this and am bothered by all this. Even some of your library staff members are exhausted from having to deal with all these programs that make their jobs so hard to do. Some of your own employees have simply given up doing their jobs because the programs undermine their ability to be an authority figure and enforce the library's own rules. This is really sad. These are not malicious or personal critisms about the library and its leadership; these are reasonable, practical and real problems that I and other patrons of this library must deal with almost every single time we visit this community library. If you and your executive team are respectful, rational and decent adults, then nothing contained in this email should offend or surprise you.

• As a regular working adult, I want this library to be a nice place for all patrons and not the zoo that it is. • I also would hope that people who are given the responsibility and the authority to manage and operate

this city library system to do so with honesty, integrity and professionalism that minimally require full compliance of all guidelines, rules and written laws.

• So far, and in such a flagrant way, I and many other adults who frequent the library are having our rights trampled on because of personal conflict of interest by library supervisors and managers and their "programs". Please end this.

• My tax dollars as well as those of other patrons that fund many city resources, including the libraries, are not to be exploited in this way.

You and Mr. Howard are the main leadership of this library system; you are paid to deal with problems like this. What are you going to do about my complaints? Please let me know if you are going to address these problems or if I need to take these complaints to a higher level of oversight. I would like a response from you by Friday Spm to the content of this email. Thank you.

Sincerely, Tara Lee

Again, this is one definition of a library:

li-brar-y '11, br;::n·e. 'lIbC J )re/ nOlln

noun: library; plural noun: libraries a building or room containing collections of books, periodicals, and sometimes ti1ms and recorded music for people to read, bOlTOW, or refer to. "a school library"

• a collection of books and periodicals held in a library_

"the Institute houses an outstanding library of 35,000 volumes on the fine arts"

• a collection of tilms, recorded music, genetic material, etc., organized systematically and kept for research or borrowing.

"a record library"

8

---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Garcia, RuthAnn <RuthAnn.Garcia@cityofpaloalto.org> Date: Thu, Oct 8, 2015 at 4:20 PM Subject: RE: Noise level extremely disruptive To: Tara-Nalani Lee <2tnlee@,gmail.com>

Hello Ms. Lee,

Thank you for your email. I wish that your experience with us had been better. We are always working to improve our services, so I will follow up with my staff and see if I can discover more about the situation you described. I would like to address some of the specific issues and concerns that you raised.

• Yes, we do have a Patron Code of Conduct and staff can ask customers to lower their voices and, if necessary, leave for the day.

• It is rare that we have a situation like you described, in fact, this is the first time that I have responded to an email concerning any problem with one of our volunteers.

• It is true that some of our volunteers have disabilities. We do a good job of striking a balance between their needs and the library'S. Since you have raised this issue with me, I will work to ensure that we make any necessary adjustments so that we can continue to find the right balance.

• I believe the entire community benefits from our collaboration with organizations that support individuals with disabilities, because:

1. the Library gets much needed help to maintain our operations

2. the Palo Alto community sees its values of compassion and empathy toward all in action, inspiring everyone to pursue their aspirations

3. and more importantly, our volunteers are provided an opportunity to learn new skills, socialize with others, grow and be empowered in a public setting outside of their home or school

I will follow up with staff addressing noise issues and will talk to our volunteers and our volunteer partners on how we can make sure that we are living up to our goals and aspirations for a compassionate Library that strives to meet everyone's needs.

Thank you,

9

RuthAnn Garcia I Library Services Manager

Mitchell Park Library

3700 Middlefield Rd.

Palo Alto, CA 94303

D: 650-329-2562 I E: ruthann.garcia@cityofpaloalto.org

PALO ALTO CiTY

LIBR.ARY

From: Tara-Nalani Lee [mailto:2tnlee@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, October OS, 2015 7:24 PM To: Garcia, RuthAnn Subject: Noise level extremely disruptive

Dear Ms. Garcia,

I am a patron of the several libraries that belong to the city of Palo Alto. This evening, I was at the 3700 Middlefield Road location. From 6pm until well past 7pm, there was a loud voice of a male/female person downstairs. This individual was talking very loudly, laughing loudly and creating more disruption in terms of the long-term, noise level for a library (and I have been to several libraries in California). The noise would not stop.

I understand there are policies on noise levels and if a person/patron is not willing to be respectful of other patrons or the library's policies, that person/patron could be asked to leave the library. I had no idea who this person was downstairs going on and on; all I could tell was that the volume undulated from high to very high and it was going on for over an hour! Other patrons trying to focus on our computer work was also bothered as we were looking around time and time again wondering why on earth would this library's employees do NOTHING to curb or stop the noise pollution in this library.

When I complained about this noise to the desk clerk by the computer at the top of the stairway, she said the person creating all this disruption was a "volunteer" with mental disabilities ("Connie"). So this library is retaining the volunteering services of such an individual and bending/breaking the library's own noise and disruption policy to accommodate this volunteer? This is clearly an act of unequal opportunity for all patrons to enjoy the library in reasonable peace and with the library's policies applied fairly and equally to all individuals involved -- especially someone that the library hired as a volunteer!

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• Why would you hire a volunteer who cannot or will not be able to respect and heed the library's policies that apply to everyone?

• Who exactly are you actually benefitting by hiring a volunteer who lack the capacity of an adult and who cannot follow the library's rules?

• By the time this email is sent, the noise disruption caused by "Connie" will have exceeded 2 hours in this Middlefield Library.

• This is ridiculous that I should even have to email you on this matter.

You are the library manager for this location; are you going to do anything to make sure your employees and volunteers follow the same rules that you require of patrons? Or will you, as the leading leadership representative for this library going to break all the rules yourself to allow those like "Connie" to remain a volunteer to the detriment of your own policies and the peace and quiet of all patrons?

Would you like me to file a formal EEOC complaint?

Truly disgusted with your disrespect and double standards,

Tara Lee

11

Cheng. Evelyn

From: Library Director Sent: To:

Wednesday, December 23, 2015 12:35 PM Cheng, Evelyn

Subject: FW: Laptop now at College T. Library

FYI - for LAC.

Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne I Library Director

270 Forest Avenue I Palo Alto, CA 94301 CITY OF

PALO ALTO

D: 650.329.2403 I E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Please think of the environment' before printing this email - Thank you

PALO ALTO CITY

LIBRARY What I'm Reading Now:

Sugar Kitchen: New-Style, Down-Home Recipes from Sweet West Oakland by Tanya Holland

From: robert emmet [mailto:robtemmet@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 11:24 AM To: Library Director Subject: Re: Laptop now at College T. Library

Hello Monique! Thank you for your reply. "Everybody

happy" Respectfully, Robert robtemmet@hotmail,com

From: Library Director <LibraryDirector@CityofPaloAlto .org> Sent: Monday, December 21,201512:18 PM To: robert emmet; Library Director Cc: Lai, Diane; Cheng, Evelyn Subject: RE: Laptop now at College T. Library

Thank you! I will look into what options are available in terms of check out. Because we are migrating to a new online system, we may need to wait to make changes. In any case, I know that we've adjusted the time for using public desktop computers recently, so we'll look into this service.

1

Sincerely.

fv10nique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne I Library Director 270 Forest {\Venue I Palo Alto, CA 94301

CITY Of

PALO Al.TO

D: 6S(),329.2403 I E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Piease think oj the environment before printing this email···· Thonk you

PALO ALTO CITY

LIBRARY What I'm Reading Now:

Sugar Kitchen: New-Style, Dawn-Home Recipes from Sweet West Oakland by Tanya Holland

From: robert emmet [mailto:robtemmet@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, December 19, 2015 1:22 PM To: Library Director Subject: Laptop now at College T. Library

Thank you for the new one Laptop that is at the College T. Library. It works great. The limit is 2 hours. I

would suggest a 4 hour limit.

Thanks again. Robert, robtemmet@hotmail,com

2

Cheng. Evelyn

From: Library Director Sent: To:

Monday, January 04, 2016 9:34 AM Jackie Biro; Library Director

Cc: nic gmail; Cheng, Evelyn Subject: RE: Thank you for great libraries!!

Thank you, very much, for letting us know that the library has made your stay a positive one! We hope to see you aga in - at least online - soon!

Sincerely,

Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhcnne I Library Director

270 Forest Avenue I Palo Alto, CA 94301 crrY 01'

PALO ALTO

D: 650.329.2403 I E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Please think of the environment before printing this email - Thank you

PALO ALTO CITY

LIBRARY What I'm Reading Now:

Sugar Kitchen: New-Style, Down-Home Recipes from Sweet West Oakland by Tanya Holland

From: Jackie Biro [mailto:birojackie@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, January 02, 2016 8:44 AM To: Library Director Cc: nic gmail Subject: Thank you for great libraries!!

Dear Monique,

Thank you!

Your great libraries at Mitchell Park and the Children's Library have played a huge role in our families' enjoyment of Palo Alto in our five month stay. The quality and ease-of-use of your facilities, services (like small thoughtful leaflets of recommended children's books e.g. biographies), huge DVD range, e-services, and the helpfulness of your staff, have been fantastic. We have borrowed books, DVDs, audio books, serials, adult fiction e.g. Lucky Day, CDs, and utilised your play areas. Please pass our gratitude onto your staff. Again, thank you.

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Regards,

Professor Rasmussen and Ms Jackie Biro Sydney, Australia Member no. 2118500461 5310

2

Cheng. Evelyn

From: Sent: To:

leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique Tuesday, January 19, 2016 5:41 PM Cheng, Evelyn

Subject:

For LAC.

FW; TLAB compliment

Monique Ie Conge ZiE'senhenne I Library Director

210 Forest Avenue I Palo Alto, C!\ 94301 CITY OF

PALO ALTO

D: 650.329.2403 I [: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Please think oj'the environment iJefore ptinting this email-" Thank you

PALO ALTO CITY

LIBRARY What I'm Reading Now:

-.Ji .... IiiiI.Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath by Ted Koppel

Fh~tl.s.·· .............. ,

_~~~(e_.~J

From: Jordan, Jenny Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2016 11:41 AM To: leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique Subject: FW: TLAB compliment

Hi Monique, Thought you might enjoy this TLAB compliment.

From: Martinez, Gina Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 12:26 PM To: Jordan, Jenny; Garcia, RuthAnn Subject: TLAB compliment

Hi Jenny & RuthAnn,

I received a compliment today about TLAB, where he is one of the parents of the teens ... see below. Makes me happy to hear, so I wanted to share! ",Gina

****

1

Hi Gina,

I have a 6th grader and a 8th grader and have been wanting to sign up for coding workshops. However, it seems like each time as I get the notifications (below), the workshop would have been full already. Can you suggest other tips for me to try for the next round? Thank you!

Jin P.s. tSy the way/,ku'(j6stfor the great job .'eading'{the T2f~lB~\}{'''efe my' dat.Jg~ter;XiLi n Choils6ne ofZtheiv()/ unteers !:/IittlW1W

, ~> '" ;, . ".C ,. !', ;:.:, "'. ~, . ". <:' '}":>'<'. '. : .. <.:,,,;, ' ._ ":"'9-' ~ "~" :.' ' .' '~'''''' .. ,-' f 5'~~; ", . ' ; ',,' '/J" "~,.'1'''>' . . ... :., ~§i-t;'L '> ',-!:. 'f " ' .. ,.",~

it's a'v:Jd,Merful opportuoitY for thein;Jg¥:grQwang, Ijappreci "RqL~ffortrncludilJg· workingi~be oddttg9rs;f:jri' supportiJig th~m! jinz@a-techusa.com

2

Cheng, Evelyn

From: Lai, Diane Sent: To:

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 9:46 AM 'Gretchen and Don'

Cc: Cheng, Evelyn Subject: RE: Local Author Donation

Good Morning, Mr. McPhail,

You are welcomed to drop off your donated copies at anyone of the Palo Alto City Library branches. Please ask the staff at the front desk to route them to me. At this point, if you could, please give us three copies.

As Monique mentioned, the Library has a special collection created to host publications written by local authors. Based on the description you provided, I am sure your work will be a nice, fitting addition to the collection. One of our librarians may further contact you to explore programming opportunities.

Thank you again for your support.

Best,

Diane

From: Gretchen and Don [mailto:mcphail3@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 8:54 PM To: Library Director Cc: Lai, Diane; Cheng, Evelyn Subject: Re: Local Author Donation

Thanks Monique. I appreciate your thoughtful response. I look forward to hearing from Diane, and hope that my book will be of interest. Best Regards, Don Donald McPhail www.dona/dmcphail.com

Look~or Donald McFhaills novel 11l--he Millionair-es C>uise: 5ailing l--oward 5lack l-uesda~t

at ,:JoLwlocal book store. Or bU~J it on-line

at booksinc.net: (http/ /www.booksinc.net:/book/9780692366jjo)orbookpassage.com (http

/ /www.bookpassage.com/book/9780692366 j j 0).

On Jan 19, 2016, at 6 :49 PM, Library Director wrote:

Thank you for your generous offer. The library has developed a "Locallnterest Collection" which features writing from Palo Alto authors. I'm copying Diane Lai, Division Manager in charge of materials, to be the point of contact for you and for your donation. She will be happy to discuss this donation with you further and will contact you soon!

Thanks again for your kind offer.

1

Sincerely,

<image001.jpg> Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne I Library Director 270 Forest [\Venue I Palo Alto, CA 94301

D: 650.329.2403 i E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Please think ot the envi(onment before printing this emoil-- Thank you

<image002.jpg> What I'm Reading Now:

<image003.jpg> Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath by Ted Koppel

<image004.jpg>

From: Gretchen and Don [mailto:mcphail3@comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2016 2:29 PM To: Library Director Subject: Local Author Donation

Dear Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne, After presenting my novel to a receptive crowd at Books Inc., just across the street from Paly High, my alma mater, I felt that my hometown library would be interested in canying my book, "The Millionaires Cruise: Sailing Toward Black Tuesday".

It is a travel adventure, a love story and historical fiction. The story begins in South Africa in 1901, and takes place primarily in 1929. It is based on an actual Pacific cruise aboard Matson's new SS MaIolo, that carried 325 millionaires to exotic destinations without realizing that their fortunes were seriously jeopardized. This sixty­day cruise departed on September 22nd, andjust over 30 days later, on Black Tuesday, the US stock market crashed. The South African cruise director, Duff Malone, is charged with communicating with his wealthy clients, and maintaining the elegant atmosphere as the market deteriorates.

Having read the on-line information about donating to your collection, I am still unsure where to send my book for your consideration. It is not intended for the fundraising sales, though I clearly understand that if not found suitable for your collection, this is where it will be placed.

My book is "The Millionaires Cruise: Sailing Toward Black Tuesday" (isbn-I 3 : 978-0-692-36611-0). It is carried by Books Inc. and Book Passage, and available through IngramSparkiLightning Source.

I'm a local author, having attended Addison Elementary, Jordan Junior High and Palo Alto High School (class of 1958). I also attended Menlo College, the United States Naval Academy and San Francisco State. Since 1984 I have been a published freelance writer, dealing primarily in travel articles for newspapers and travel industry magazines. "The Millionaires Cruise" is my first novel, and I have presented it to Northern California audiences through Book Passage in Corte Madera, and Books Inc. in both Palo Alto and San Francisco.

I will be pleased to donate copies to you or your designated reader(s), to determine whether it is appropriate for your collection. Naturally, I would be proud to be included in the community where I grew up. I also understand that your standards must be met.

2

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards, Donald McPhail

Donald McPhail www.donaldmcphail.com

Look For Donald Mcfhail!s novcl Il-r-hc Miliionaircs C.ruisc: Sailing -r oward Olack -rucsda,yll

at ~jour local book stO)-C. (Jr bu~ it on-linc

at booksinc.nct (http//www.booksinc.nct/book/9 7 806 92)66 j j 0) or bookpassagc.corTl (http

//www.bookpassagc.corTl/book/9780692766j j 0).

3

Cheng. Evelyn

From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject:

Thank you for your inquiry.

Library Director Tuesday, January 19, 2016 6:52 PM adena@au.thentiQ.com; Library Director Lai, Diane; Cheng, Evelyn RE: for Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne

I am copying Diane Lai, our Division Manager in charge of collections and technology, so that she can respond to you. I want to caution you, though, that she is currently managing a project to migrate to our new library system and may not reply immediately. She is, however, the best point of contact at the library.

Sincerely,

Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne I Library Director

270 Forest Avenue I Palo Alto, CA 94301

D: 650.329.2403 I E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Please think of the environment before printing this email- Thank you

What I'm Reading Now: Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath by Ted Koppel

-----Original Message-----From: adena.shao@googlemail.com [mailto:adena.shao@googlemail.com] On Behalf Of Adena Shao Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 12:49 PM To: Library Director Subject: Re: for Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne

Dear Monique,

Greetings from Silicon Valley and Happy New Year. An alumna of London Business School, I'm the founder-CEO of <authentiQ> - we're a software technology company in the Valley specialized in bridging physical objects to mobile devices. The company was borne out of LBS and has won a place in the Deloitte Institute of Innovation. We primarily cater to the FMCG and F&B sectors for their authenticity and contextual marketing needs, and have been featured in Packaging Digest.

1

I'm reaching out to explore using our technology for the Palo Alto Public Library, specifically to allow consumers to scan at home the barcodes of books they've borrowed to renew books or perhaps to find and borrow related books in the your system. The value adds to Palo Alto PL are convenience for the general public, and insights into your readership audience.

May I have a few minutes of your time this week to get your feedback on such a 'concept? I can suggest this Thurs/Fri, or early next week. Alternatively please suggest some times. I'm happy to give you a call, or we can speak over Skype video/Webex.

Thank you and best regards, Adena Shao Founder, CEO + 1415.770.3505 http://au.thentiq.com/1:1.html

authentiQ Ltd ~;Rj:ih~BNiHf.l

~JE ~~1'JE Le pouvoir de savoir. The power to know. A Deloitte Institute of Innovation Company

authentiQ creates a digital channel for brand communication through physical packaging. We bring brands marketplace intelligence data through this channel. Our contextual marketing product, 1:1, enables brands to deliver personalized brand communication from packaging to mobile devices. Our namesake flagship product provides product authentication through artificial intelligence. The latter just made the headlines in Packaging Digest.

2

Cheng. Evelyn

From: Sent: To: Cc:

Nigel Jones <nigelgj@gmail.com> Wednesday, January 20, 2016 8:07 PM leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique sashlund@gmail.com; Douglas L. Graham; Cheng, Evelyn; Janette Herceg Uherceg@fopal.org); Robert Moss; Luce, Gwen

Subject: Re: [bpa-mise: 6456] contact at FOPAL?

Hello Stacey,

FOP AL is always looking for people to join our volunteer team and we have many different roles for volunteers to play.

Our volunteer manager, Janette, has been on vacation and is back tomorrow. I have a meeting with her and will let her know about your son.

Thanks for your interest in FOP AL, I look forward to meeting your son.

Nigel

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 19,2016, at 10:28 AM, leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique <Monique.leConge@CityofPaloAlto.org> wrote:

Hi, Stacey!

Thanks for the opportunity to respond. When I look at the FOPAL website, I do see the Ilvo lunteer" box on the main page, then, the student volunteer information. You are correct that FOPAL offers this opportunity to assist them with their fundraising/booksale activities! The Library operates independently, however, with its own volunteers.

I am copying Nigel Jones, the current FOPAL President, and Janette Herceg, the booksale/volunteer manager, so that they can easily reply to you and help your son volunteer.

I hope that this is helpful to you.

Good luck!

<image001.jpg> Monique Ie Conge Zicsenhenne I Library Director 270 Forest /\vcnlle I Palo /\Ito, C/\ 94301 D: 6S(U29.2403 I E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Please think of the environment before printing this email···· Thonk you

1

<image002.jpg> What I'm Reading Now:

<image003.jpg> Ughts Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath by Ted Koppel

<image004.jpg>

From: Robert Moss [mailto:bmoss33@att.net] Sent: Monday, January 18, 2016 7:27 PM To: luce, Gwen; sashlund@gmail.com Cc: Douglas L. Graham; leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique; Cheng, Evelyn Subject: Re: [bpa-misc: 6456] contact at FOPAl?

Glad your son is interested in library issues and wants to help. FOPAL doesn't perform any work at the library. We are an advisory body to the city council and library staff. We produce occasional reports to the city council and have an annual presentation and discussion with them on library-related issues and activities. We also interact with staff on library operations and functions.

I'm not familiar with the student volunteer orientation. FOPAL isn't involved with it.

Probably the best way to volunteer to help at the library would start with the library director or staff. The director is Monique Ie Conge Ziesenhenne and senior staff is Evelyn Cheng. I'm copying them on this reply so they may contact you or you can contact them yourself and see how your son can help in the library. Regards, Bob

From: "luce, Gwen" <gluce@cbnorcal.com> To: sashlund@gmail.com Cc: Douglas L. Graham <dgrahampaca@gmail.com>; Robert Moss <bmoss33@att.net> Sent: Monday, January 18, 20166:57 PM Subject: RE: [bpa-misc: 6456] contact at FOPAl?

Dear Stacey, Doug Graham and/or Bob Moss, copied above, should be able to help:-) Gwen Luce

-----Original Message-----From: bpa-misc@googlegroups.com [mailto:bpa-misc@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Stacey Ashlund Sent: Monday, January 18, 2016 6: 10 PM To: Barronpark misc <bpa-misc@googlegroups.com> Subject [bpa-misc: 6456] contact at FOPAL?

Hi all,

My son (a high school Junior at Gunn) would like to volunteer at the Friends

2

of the Palo Alto library (FOPAL). He sent email & left voice mail last week, but hasn't heard back. The "Contact us" form on the website does not work.

Is there anyone here in BPA that volunteers w/ FOPAL that can help out? we'd like to confirm when he can come to the next student volunteer orientation -from the website, it's probably Thurs. 1/28 at 3:30pm, but we'd love to confirm.

Thanks for any help! stacey

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3

Cheng, Evelyn

From: Garcia, RuthAnn Sent: To:

Wednesday, February 10, 2016 8:18 PM leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique

Cc: Cheng, Evelyn Subject: FW: Computer Use at the library

For LAC.

rg

From: Garcia, RuthAnn Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2016 8:02 PM To: 'Emily Basualdo' Cc: Jordan, Jenny; Dabiri Alaee, Valeh Subject: RE: Computer Use at the library

Hi Emily,

Please excuse my delayed response. As your email tonight mentioned, it has been a month and I'm sorry that I hadn't taken the time to properly reply. I do appreciate you spending the time to let us know how you feel about the computer usage and youth in our libraries. I've had similar emails and comments sent to me in the past about this issue.

As a public library we do not filte r or monitor the Internet usage of our library cardholders. We provide the access and expect that parents and caregivers will oversee how their children use our Internet services. We leave it to them to

. decide what's best for their children and if they should limit and/or restrict it and provide some tips in our policy for doing that. The best we could do is monitor their behavior in the library, as stated in our Patron Code of Conduct Policy, so we spend a lot of time watching noise levels, language and verbal content. I've kicked kids out of the Lab and Library for engaging in inappropriate behavior-hitting, foul language, etc., and they may agree not to do it again, but I sure have to repeat myself quite a bit. I understand that this isn't consistent from all staff and some of us are more tolerant than others, but please let us know if you hear or see anything that is inappropriate and we will address it. The conversation you described below could have definitely been addressed by staff.

We have 22 computers in the Lab and restrict it to two hours (three on Wednesday) for kids, Monday through Friday and only during the school year. I understand that there are adults who need or want to use the computers at their convenience, but we allow a short window of time for kids to have a space all to themselves afterschool, before going home to do homework and other structured activities. It wouldn't be fair to keep them from using other computers during this time, because we don't have very many in the library and they're only likely to be here afterschool, whereas adults can visit us any time during the day and even have the luxury of scheduling their visit/computer usage around the "Gaming Hours." We do our best to monitor the noise in front of the reference desk and down by the stairs, and hope to make this more of a consistent habit with staff.

We understand and welcome the idea that libraries have evolved into community centers and/or "indoor parks," with all types of activity and opportunities to learn and connect with each other. We fully support the 41 Developmental Assets and provide many programs and services (like "Teen Gaming Hours") with them in mind for youth to decompress and enjoy their library visits with their peers. Gaming may not be for everyone, but it is a very interactive social platform for many. The content may not be what we think is best for kids, but as I stated the library only provides the access to it and does not act in loco parentis. I'm glad that we have compassionate adults who care about the welfare of youth in our community and are concerned about their exposure to certain games in the library. Our hope is that caregivers have

1

these conversations with their kids and set up thei r expectations fo r them to follow. I've copied Jenny Jordan, head of Youth Services, if you'd like to discuss this further.

Best,

RuthAnn Garcia I Library Services Manager Mitchell Pa rk Library 3700 Middlefie ld Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94303 D: 650-329-2562 I E: ruthann.garcia@cityofpaloalto.org

f'AW ALTO CITY

UBR.ARY

From: Emily Basualdo [mailto:emilycarol.c@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 5:51 PM To: Garcia, RuthAnn Subject: Computer Use at the library

Hello Ruth Ann,

I'd like to discuss the situation with the elementary and middle school boys who come to the library in order to play video games. Personally, I find it greatly distressing that the library feels that they are filling a good role in providing a place for young boys to fine tune their killing skills. That is exactly and precisely what they are doing. They are doing Nothing else. I have been around them during these times enough to know that. I have heard their comments, and seen what is on their screens. When they arrive at the library ---- as fast as their bicycles, or feet, can possibly get them here, it is disturbing the intensity with which they approach the computers. The playing of those games is clearly like a drug to them.

I think that the library feels that it is providing a service which will strengthen the emotional wellness of the young children of Palo Alto. I have to strongly question that. I ask you to carefully ask yourself how feeding developing minds with Graphic Violence and Carnage ----- Which They Actively Participate In, is going to have positive results.

Yes, I know, your first response is to say that the library does not select the material with which they engage --- and that the library is not in the business of censoring. Yet, it is true that you actively encourage this activity for this age group. You know they like it. You think that is all that matters --- so you facilitate it. You are aware that the games are extraordinarily violent. Once when I spoke with Gina, and she gave me your card, I didn't get around to emailing you right away. Then, I decided it was a lost cause because a couple days after I spoke with her, large signs were placed on the doors of the computer room, extending the days and times during which the room was reserved for this sanctified activity.

It is true that adults do not wish to be in the room with those kids, doing that activity. I have heard horrible comments when I have been near them. Every single thing they say is about their effOlis to kill more effectively and efficiently. The other day, one said, " Help, I need advice on which gun kills the best". He was in the minority, because the rest of them could write a book on that. The boy on my other side rushed to his assistance. I was not in that room, these kids were overflow --- which I will address in a moment. So that comment was just par for the course. I will now regretfully relay the comment I once heard that made me sick to my stomach.

2

Once, on a weekend, I went into the room, and there were three young boys and a couple adults in it. While I was trying to type a research paper, one of the boys started to talk about how he wanted to rape one of the male characters in the game they were playing. He went into some graphic detail, but I don't remember it, because sometimes memory is merciful.

One of the thoughts that went through my head is that maybe he would get satisfaction from getting a reaction from me, so I didn't say anything. A short time later, I re-thought that. I told myself that adults must show children that society does have some standards which they must adhere to if they are to be accepted as members of it. It does "take a village". We cannot let the common culture continue to be dragged into the gutter. I said something mild yet forceful, about how I shuddered to think what kind of adult he was going to grow up to be.

There are actually two things at issue here. If you insist that the library is serving a positive role in this regard, I ask you to at least consider the second:

There are approximately 30 computers in the computer room which is designated for the special, exclusive, use of children 8-13 for three hours on weekday afternoons. Okay, let's accept that for a moment. The problem is that it goes beyond that, because 30 computers are not enough. During those times, there are more boys that want to play games, than there are computers in that room. They hungrily grab up all the computers they can get their hands on in the library. Part of the reason they like it there is because so many of them can be on computers at the same time, in the same room, and they can talk about what they are doing. And believe me, They Talk! Yes, the librarians come around once in a while and ask them to be quiet. They quiet down. They know that all they have to do is quiet down for a few minutes, and then start up again, because no one has the energy to talk to them about it over and over again. And no one is going to follow through on the threat of taking them off the computer.

So: It is my contention that since adults are not to be in the computer room during those times, you should amend the arrangement to include not allowing children playing video games to occupy the computers out on the main floor. There are often six or seven of them out there. I spoke to a boy downstairs the other day, and he said that the reason the room is no longer enough is because the word has been spreading, and kids have been telling their friends about the great set-up that the library has. Adults deserve to have a quiet, sane section in which to use computers, every bit as much as children deserve a domain in which to do their killing.

In my dreams, large numbers of children this age would flock to the library for ..... Books :-) That would be great. And books where the characters treat others with kindness.

I thank you for considering this matter, Emily Basualdo

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Cheng. Evelyn

From: Library Director Sent: To:

Thursday, February 18, 2016 12:31 PM rwm275

Cc: Subject:

Dear Mr. McGilvray,

Lai, Diane; Cheng, Evelyn RE: Link Plus

Thank you for asking and for your patience as we transition to the Sierra online system. LlNK+ information is as follows:

• LlNK+ service will return Thurs. Feb. 25

• PACL will both borrow and lend as of Feb. 25

• LlNK+ service will now include media in addition to books

• LlNK+ service (pick up) will now be offered at Rinconada Library instead of Mitchell Park Library

• LlNK+ items may be returned to any branch AT THE SERVICE DESK

• LlNK+ checkouts and holds will now be integrated into customers' accounts on our web-based catalog

• Length of LlNK+ lending period for media will be 21 days (same as books)

A press release is forthcoming and additional information will be available on the library's web site as we resume this

popular service. Please let me know if you need more information.

Sincerely,

Cll'Y tlf' PALO ALTO

Monique Ie Conge Zie~)cnhenne I Library Director 270 Forest Avenue I Palo Alto, CA 94301 D: 650.329.2403 I E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

Please think of the environment before printinq this email- Thank you

PALO ALTO CiTY

LIB:RARY What I'm Reading Now:

Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath by Ted Koppel

rFind I,Ison I Faceboo~

1

From: rwm275 [mailto:rwm275@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, February 18, 20169:41 AM To: Library Director Subject: Link Plus

Good morning:

Could you give me the status of Link Plus?

Thank you, R.W. McGilvray

2

Cheng. Evelyn

From: Goodman, Jessica Sent: Friday, February 19, 2016 1:33 PM To: leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique; Nat Fisher Cc: Subject:

Delaney, Anita; Lai, Diane; Cheng, Evelyn; Augustine, Marleah; Garcia, RuthAnn RE: new online system

Hello Ms. Fisher,

Thanks for the feedback.

We are actively working on creating FAQs on the website to answer the kinds of questions most likely to come up for customers and staff. We are also gauging how much customer interest there is for holding demo classes at the library. Thank you for your comments-they are very helpful for both of these purposes.

Best,

Jessica Goodman Library Services Manager, Digital Initiatives Palo Alto City Library 650.838.2950 http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/library

From: leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique Sent: Friday, February 19, 2016 1:06 PM To: Nat Fisher Cc: Delaney, Anita; Lai, Diane; Goodman, Jessica; Cheng, Evelyn; Augustine, Marleah; Garcia, RuthAnn Subject: RE: new online system

Dear Ms. Fisher,

Thank you for your comments. Please have patience, we are ALL learning together and I appreciate your suggestions and help. Librarians do not always know more than the customers for any aspect of library service. The staff have had all the training sessions from the vendors and have been practicing, and we will continue to improve.

I've copied appropriate staff so that they can respond if needed.

Thank you for your comments.

CITY OF

PALO Al.TO

Monique It! Conge Ziesenhenne I Librarv Director

270 Forest Avenue I Palo /\Ito, CA 94301

D: 650.329.2403 I E: monique.ziesenhenne@cityofpaloalto.org

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PALO ALTO CITY

LIBRARY What I'm Reading Now:

ights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath by Ted Koppel

From: Nat Fisher [mailto:sukiroo@hotmail.com] Sent: Friday, February 19, 2016 12:49 PM To: leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique Cc: Delaney, Anita Subject: new online system

I was at the MP library yesterday using the new system in the catalogue. The librarians were not well trained!!! We three had to work things out together as a team! They didn't know any more than I did and even less in one case.

I suggest you have more training and practice sessions for everyone.

Also, on the home page, you could add a section with directions for placing a hold, suspending a hold, and placing books in the new "my list".

The librarians didn't even know what was on the home page regarding "my cart" directions. I had to tell them about that and it was useful. Similar instructions on using hold and my list would be useful.

Natalie Fisher

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