Westfall Branch Library

One of our most underutilized resources, as far as the city is concerned are our libraries. For me libraries can be a place to pursuit our literary endeavors. They can serve as a bridge for different socioeconomic groups to cross. Be it through books, DVDs, research, or as a place to study or special events. So when I recently upgraded my Kindle I decided to renew my library card, to check out E-​books.
The Westfall Library Branch is relatively small. There are but a few computers where patrons can sign in to use. The selection of books and movies is just as small as the building. They have self checkout shelves to forgo any lines. Librarians at the help desk will still check out books for you. While I do like this location and feel libraries are an important asset to any city my experience here left little to be desired.
I initially stood in line with the expectation that a librarian would help me renew my card. In front of me was a gentleman who was carrying on a conversation with the person at the desk. I stood there for a few minutes until the librarian finally acknowledged i was there. As i approached the counter she seemed irritated. I’m not sure if it was due to me interrupting her conversation or the fact that i infringed on the gentleman’s mack. Either way I feel that it influenced my service from that point onward.
Mind you it has been awhile since i have renewed my card. I usually buy books online or purchase them at discount locations. Rather than go through the hassle of getting a new card i was able to locate my old one. The goal was to have it reactivated. Along with it I brought my debit card in the event that i owed any fines. The whole time i was waiting the counterperson rolled her eyes, with my library card in her hand; whilst looking at her computer. Not even giving me the courtesy of looking at me directly she said stretching her words, slowly «Do…You …Live…At…This…Address.» I’m not sure if she was insinuating that I was dumb or was trying to be sarcastic but I did not care for her snarky/​snippy tone.
She deduced that the card was an old one and that it had been deactivated. In hindsight I’m sure i did provide some confusion on my part, I accept that. But the way that the situation was handled seemed unprofessional. For me the assumption was that i was trying to pull something over her. It’s not like i had the ten seasons of Downton Abbey, Train’s Greatest Hits on dvd and a litany of books to check out, that would never be returned. It was just one card, that I wanted to renew, in order to check out E-​books. When the situation was finally resolved my card was returned to me. No niceties, no basic staff to patron etiquette. More like «See ya, Deuce!» My experience felt more like a value judgement rather than someone seeking a resolution. Needless to say the service that was rendered that day was extremely poor.
The importance of libraries in our community cannot be understated. Students, individuals and families certainly benefit when they, utilize them. I would not dissuade anyone from coming to this branch. However, it is my belief that a regard for libraries seems to be a dying art form as well as good interpersonal skills.

This library has a great location, but not that great of a collection.
This library seems to be rather tilted for the children and teenagers. There’s a teen seating area. They have lots of Manga comics, and literature for teenagers.
But the other collections aren’t that great. Their nonfiction, books on tape and music collection could be stronger. I’m always a bit chagrined to see that they have multiple copies of some weird or off-​the-​wall book, but lack a single copy of a previous bestseller. Oh well, there’s always the hold shelf.
The librarians have been fairly nice, if not a little frosty.
However, the library is clean, picked up, and well lit. The restrooms leave some to be desired, but that’s alright, I suppose.
It can be a bit difficult getting in and out of this place because of the one-​way freeway access, so you have to go into that one-​way alley by the garage and the fire station.