Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our Library Service Questionnaire. Your thoughts, opinions, and views are greatly appreciated. Your input will help plan library services and influence goal development as we plan for the future. We found that there were several reoccurring themes among the responses we received. Below you will find a list of some of the most common of these and their answers.
If you have questions regarding the questionnaire or other library matters, please contact the library director at 585-657-6264 or via email at bloomfieldlibrarydirector@owwl.org.
How do I find what I’m looking for at the library? Where are the DVDs?
If you cannot find what you are looking for in our library please ask a staff member – we are here to help! During our recent interior renovation, a few areas of our collection, including Large Print and DVDs, were moved to new locations. Large Print materials are now near adult Non-Fiction, directly across from the entrance. Children’s and Family DVDs, rated G and PG, are located on the backside of the Children’s Non-Fiction shelf unit, at the end of Adult Fiction. All other DVDs are located where adult Fiction formerly began. New signage has been put up to identify the collection locations, and maps of the library layout can be found in convenient locations around the building.
To find items in our library or in the OWWL system, search our catalog by keyword, author, title, or subject. The catalog computer station in the library is located by the pillar leading into the Teen Area. From home you can access the catalog from our website or by going directly to Owwl.org A library card number and four-digit pin is needed to place items on hold or to see what you currently have checked out. If this system is unfamiliar to you, a staff member would be happy to walk you through it!
Why are eBook and digital audiobooks so limited?
OWWL2Go, our eBook and digital audiobook platform, is curated by the Pioneer Library System. The eBooks and audiobooks on OWWL2Go are purchased by and shared among the 42 libraries in the system. Without this cooperation, the Bloomfield Public Library would not be able to offer the quantity or variety of digital materials that we currently provide.
Unfortunately, for libraries eBooks and digital audiobooks tend to be more costly than their physical counterparts. Add this to publishers’ restrictive licensing terms, and it becomes very difficult to keep up with the increasing demand for content. In response to local demand, Bloomfield Public Library has increased our funding commitment toward digital content over the past several years. Plus during shutdown in 2020, the library reallocated funds from physical material purchasing to support additional digital content purchasing.
Do you offer contact-less pick up?
Yes! We offer contact-less pick up in our lobby. Go online or contact the library to place items you would like on hold. Once you receive notice that the items are ready, contact the library to schedule your pick up. When you come to collect your materials: pull up to the library’s main door, step into the lobby, collect your wrapped items from the table, and return to your vehicle. It’s as simple as that! If you are unable to come into the lobby, please contact the library, so that we may make alternate accommodations.
Do you have children’s story times?
Yes! Virtual story time videos are posted to our Facebook page on Thursday mornings. Past story time videos are also available to view at your leisure. You do not need a Facebook login to view our videos! Just go to our Facebook Videos‘ page. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 related restrictions, we are not holding in-person story time right now. We look forward to a time when we can safely welcome little ones and their families back to the library for story time again!
What about kits or virtual classes for teens and adults?
We are working to increase our virtual and take-home options for teens and adults. Various library material bundles are currently available for pick up (walk-in or lobby pick up). To see what’s going on at the Bloomfield Public Library, check out our online Event Calendar.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 related restrictions, our ability to offer in-person groups and meetings is severely limited. We look forward to a time when we can all be together safely again.
However, we would welcome your help putting together our future programming schedule. Are you a crafter or hobbyist? Do you have a talent or knowledge in a specific field? Would you be interested in teaching others or willing to share with your friends, neighbors, and community? Please contact the library director regarding the potential for adding your passion to our programming schedule.
