More Free Library Follies

[dr_whom]

So the nearest branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia to where I live is the Walnut Street West branch. When I request a library book to be put on reserve for me, it's at that branch that they reserve it.

The Walnut Street West branch used to be closed on weekends. When this was the case, whenever I had a book on reserve, without fail I would always receive the e-mail notifying me my book was available for pickup... after library closing time on Friday.

The Walnut Street West branch is no longer closed on weekends. Since September, anyway, it's been open on Saturdays but closed on Fridays. Since then, all the e-mails notifying me I have a book available for pickup have come... after closing time on Thursday.

I just... I don't understand it.

Comments

[tiamat360.livejournal.com]

A case of a lazy librarian who doesn't want people coming in just before closing the day before his/her day off?

[dr_whom]

Sigh.

[sophiescat.livejournal.com]

I doubt this because both in my library system and my mother's the hold notifications are sent by an automated system. They generally send them out at 3am (or at least over night) to better regulate internet traffic.

Does the Free Library have an online way to check hold status? I have noticed that because of the way the emails go out (in batches in the middle of the night) I often find that if I check the online list it gets updated much earlier than the email gets sent out.

Are the holds you are requesting just transfers form other branches or books that have a waitlist? If the later its likely that the high number of books being available at the end of the week has more to do with when other patrons return them than anything on the staffs part. It would not surprise me that lots of people come in right before closing Friday or Sat.

[rford.livejournal.com]

This really sounds like some librarian going through and processing all the reserve books after they were done dealing with people for the day.

[dr_whom]

I wouldn't mind so much if it weren't always before a day when the library is closed.

[rford.livejournal.com]

Well, that's just because we're fucking with you.