Friday, September 12, 2008

Our Survey -- Blue Ray or not to Blue Ray

PLEASE TAKE OUR SURVEY!

The New City Library Audio Visual Department has designed a survey to help evaluate what customers expect and in the words of Ed Koch, "How we do'in?"

The survey is no longer available, but please post a comment.

Part of the survey asks about Blue-Ray disc and our customer's possible intention to purchase this new technology. Should we be purchasing films in this new format. Check back here for the results of our survey.

Customer Suggestion

A customer suggested:

Many of the library DVDs are scratched and freeze during use. Of the last 5 discs I borrowed, I was able to view only 1 to completion. When I return a damaged DVD, I report the problem. Clearly many customers return them without comment, and the damaged disc is returned to circulation without repair.

I have 2 suggestions:

1) When a CD or DVD is checked out, an easily removable label (eg, Post-It) is placed on the front of the case, saying
Please Check One

__ DVD/CD played well

__ DVD/CD needs repair

That would be effective for patrons who use the drop box as well as those who come into the library

2) Ask Technical Services to inspect/clean/repair any disc that has been borrowed a predetermined number of times.

Library Response.

In many ways VHS tapes were better than DVDs for their indestructibility although the quality does not compare. There is little more frustrating that investing an hour in watching a movie and then have it freeze. There are a few things our customers can do to avoid this situation.

Library property is your property as a taxpayer. Treat the disk as your own and don’t let the kids play Frisbee with them.

Using plain water (no cleaners or Windex please) clean the disk before you put it in the player. Dry and gently rub out any stains with a lint free cloth that can be found in most retail electronic stores.

Tell us when you return an item that it has a problem. We will not accuse you of wrong doing unless the dog ate it. We have equipment that can clean and resurface the disk, but we can’t fix it if we don’t know about it.

As for the future, library staff will begin asking customers if the video was working well when they are returned. We are also looking into equipment that will inspect and report on DVD and CD damage and playability.


Please enjoy our great collection of Films, music and games.