Jessikah Lopez Review of Walker Memorial Library
I live a stones throw away from this Library, so i...
I live a stones throw away from this Library, so it is extremely convenient for me and my son, however... they are everything less than helpful. Small back story- when I first moved to town in 2010 I became a member of this library. At the time I did not have kids but I did enjoy the fact that I could rent DVDs that I otherwise would have to buy in order to watch. I borrow two DVDs from the library and I was excited to watch them. I could keep them out for 2 weeks! During all of this the apartment I was renting was occupied by a male roommate and a female roommate, the male room mate was packing his belongings and was about ready the move out. Some how the DVDs that I had borrowed had gotten shuffled in with the male roommates belongings and before I knew it, I couldn t find the books anywhere, and they soon became out of sight, out of Mind. Fast forward to 2013, at this point I was still in the same apartment, and I had a baby whom I was excited to raise to be an avid reader like myself. In 2015 when my son was almost 3 I decided it was time to make a trip to the library part of our weekly routine. One day with my son in tow, we walked to Walker Memorial Library. We were created by a friendly older lady who was more than happy to assist us in obtaining a NEW library card of our very own. The lady explained all the rules and regulations and since it had been 5 years since I stepped into the library; things had changed. I filled out a small application, provided a CMP bill to prove that I was a resident, and she began to process the application. She came back to me with unexpected news ma am our records show that you have 2 DVDS checked out from 2010 and until you either return the items, or pay 50.00 to replace them, I am unable to process your application for a new card. Ok... fair enough. I had completely forgotten about the DVDs. Since I didn t have 50.00 I opted to wait and search for the DVDs at home. I was irritated that after 5 years they were unable to forgive the debt, but they are running a business; I get it. After searching for what felt like weeks, I gave up and decided to use my mother s Address in a different town to start a library card there that my son and I could use. We were members of a different town s library when one day in 2018 my 5 year old son and I were going through some boxes that one of my old roommates had left behind YEARS before, and we found two pristine library DVDs, hiding at the bottom of the box. I was so excited that we had found this DVDs and I had no idea that they had been thrown in this box of the old roommates belongings that he had left behind. My son and I eagerly walked to the Walker Memorial Library and explained to the lady at the desk what had happened. She took the DVDs and looked them over and then said well, it s too late now, I can take the DVDs back, but you won t be able to get a library card until you pay the fee. We had to buy new copies of the DVD to replace these, so technically these are yours. I shook my head and said so you re telling me that you went out and bought new DVDs to replace the ones I couldn t find and you charged me for it, and now you want my money, not the DVD s? She nodded and haphazardly apologized. I was furious. I didn t have that money, but I had two WILDLY UNPOPULAR DVDs that no one would ever really think to rent, and she wouldn t take them back in lieu of the money- for a library card.
Here I was 8 years later- and still no forgiveness. I left the library with a devastated child and decided it wasn t worth the 50 bucks they wanted to fight for access when my son and I could go to the library in a different town or his school. Now... in 2020 my son asks me daily why he can t go to the library closest to our house . I figured I would try one last time- I am a single mom- I can t afford to pay even 50 bucks for a library card, especially when I have the items in my possession that they are charging me 50 bucks for! 10 years later- still denied a card without paying the fee.... BS! Thank God for Audible...
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