We love it when people take the time to send us comments about the services and programs of the Contra Costa County Library, including the virtual services available from our Web site. Below is a sample of comments we've received lately. If you have an opinion, question, or suggestion, please tell us about it or leave us a comment at OurLibrary in MySpace. Thanks!
...about the Library's Place in the Community
"I appreciate our library! It is one of the most important and valuable assets in our community. Access to all kinds of books, as well as films and music feeds our need for spiritual and intellectual nourishment. I believe that Libraries are as important as food and shelter and in a sense a more important use of our tax dollars than roads."
...about the Library's MySpace page
"Thanks for the add. Seriously glad I'm a friend. I practically live in the library and when it's time to leave I bring the library with me."
...about Rock the Shelves 2007! the Library Teen Concert
"Man, I totally went. Although I was hoping that there were more people, I was totally happy that I came. It took an hour to find the place since we got really lost but seriously, it was worth it. I especially loved the bands. They were awesome!."
"thanks for letting us play the benefit it was fun!"
...about the Library's Renewal Feature
"I really appreciate the changes that you have made to your renewal features recently. My family regularly uses the online Library Card options to review and renew our library items. Having the opportunity to get the maximum loan period when completing a renewal is wonderful. These changes show your recognition of how your customers use the Library. Thank you for your efforts to improve these services! Little things do make BIG differences."
...about the Library's e-Card Service
"I just tried the (e-Card) system and it is VERY EASY to use."
...about the Summer Reading Program
"I would like to thank you for inspiring my daughter to become an avid reader. She is a 6th grader who collects Manga comic books and reads an occasional fiction book. Ever since she enrolled in the summer reading program, she reads voraciously for hours each day. She completed both young and teen reading challenges in days. She enrolled for free prizes and found the world. I promised her a prize of my own upon completion of the teen reading program. She asked for a book..."
...about the Virtual Library
"As a retired couple, my wife and I want to tell you how much we enjoy the privilege of reserving books on line. It is a wonderful service to all of the comunity, but especially to people like us."
"I love the library Web site! It's so easy going online to find the books I'm looking for. I have found books that I would have never known about and I've been very lucky finding all books in series."
"I think placing online holds is the best thing since electricity. I began using the library services again last summer. I feel like I'm receiving a present every time I open my email and a book I had on hold is ready to check out. All that service and I never have to leave my home."
"I have had great service placing holds and getting the material at ____ branch."
...about the Business Calendar
"The Business Calendar is a great service to the community."
...about our email notification system
"I signed up for email reminders recently and they are great! I've always loved the library and now that it's on line it's better than ever!"
"Kudos to the designer of your Book Reservation notification email! It may seem trivial and simple, but I'm very impressed with the usability of the notification form. I appreciate the URL links that are included in the email that provide links to the library home page, the user's account, and the page to cancel the hold—if desired."
"I really like the email reminder service that sends me an email two days before my items are due! I have no reason to miss returns
any more, plus it's great seeing an inventory of all the items I have checked out. Thanks very much for being relevant to the times and
technology of the day."
...about TumbleBooks and our other online resources for kids
"As a grandfather of two, I find the TumbleBook Library delightful and I think it's a great help in keeping the kids entertained and educated without my losing my voice reading aloud to them. It is a definite keeper."
"The TumbleBooks online feature (where the books can be automatically read to the listener/reader) is done well, with an emphasis on helping the viewer read along. This is a great Internet resource for reading and playing educational games."
"Check out the Contra Costa County Library's Web site. It is incredible! The Kids link has lots of information. Explore the Kid's databases, especially Kids InfoBits. TumbleBook Library is so cool. You can listen to hundreds of ebooks! Have problems with homework? Go to Live Homework Help.
...about Auto Repair Reference Center
"I am particularly impressed with the Auto Repair database. Very comprehensive, easy to follow instructions and lots of photos. Thumbs up!"
"This includes Service Bulletins, a critical source for checking and evaluating a car’s performance. This is a very important source of auto information found nowhere else."
"My wife’s car was recently diagnosed with a faulty belt and tensioner that would require $350 to repair. I used the Auto repair database to research what would be involved in performing the repair myself. When I was researching the repair, I discovered that there was an existing recall from Toyota for the issue that her car was having. Using this information, I was able to convince the dealer to perform the repair under warranty. The Automotive repair database literally saved me $350. This is not the first time the database has helped me out for a repair. Several times I have used the diagrams and schematics to help a friend with his cars, or to perform repairs on my own. It is a really valuable resource, and I recommend it to everyone I know!"
...about NoveList and NoveList K-8
"I am a homeschooling parent in Walnut Creek and I tried NoveList. I liked it very much and would recommend it as a very useful resource to others."
"I used Novelist K-8 to search for books to suggest for my 10 year old son. The
Lexile is very helpful in finding books that will challenge him but not discourage him. Being able to compare books that he currently reads and likes with other books is tremendous."
If you have a library card you can access these resources. If you don't have a card, County residents can now get an e-card to use all the Contra Costa Databases.