The concept of a public library in itself is WONDERFUL. We try to take full advantage, often visiting multiple times a week to check out new books. Of all the taxpayer funded city amenities, we are perhaps most thankful for the public library, and the access it allows us to endless information and learning.
That being said, the Bedford Library is a pretty average public library. There are some wonderful things about it, and some areas that leave room for improvement.
The staff: There is no middle ground here - the library staff is either incredibly helpful and friendly or completely inept and unpleasant. Is it the same person doing the hiring? I've had both the best customer service experiences and the worst at this library.
The availability of books: We moved from an area where the library offered unlimited, FREE, interlibrary loans from public libraries and universities all over the state, making nearly any and every book available to us. In comparison, the Bedford Library has a very limited selection. Interlibrary loans are not free, and from what I can tell, are only done within a few bordering libraries. In some ways I support this - mailing books back and forth within the state is probably an unnecessary expense and an unwise use of taxpayer funds. However, I can't help but be a little disappointed when half the books on my goodreads "to read" list are unavailable.
The holds process: I do like that holds can be placed online, but I do not like that the holds are limited to 10 books at a time. First of all, with 6 kids at different reading levels, I check out 20-30 books at a time. I could get library cards for each child and put 10 books on hold for each, but that just seems like a lot of extra work. My suggestion would be for the library to offer "family accounts" where more books could be put on hold at one time. Even when it comes to the individual, the 10 book hold limit can be a problem. Because of library's small size, many books have a wait list. If you're number 7 on the waitlist, that book is going to take up a hold spot for quite a long time, limiting your hold options to 9 books at a time. With all the books I'm on the waitlist for, I often only have the ability to put 2-3 books on hold at a time for pick up at the drive through.
The checkout process: Speaking of the drive through, I LOVE this feature! Until moving to Texas, I'd never heard of a library drive thru. What a huge help to be able to pick up books without unbuckling and buckling 6 kids from their car seats. If only they could fix the hold issue so we could pick up more than 5 books at a time!
The renewal process: This is another problem. Books automatically renew on the day they are due if no one else has put a hold on them. Great. But patrons should also have the option to self-renew books online. That way, if you've had a book checked out for 2 weeks and think it will take you 2 weeks to read, you can renew it yourself, instead of waiting a week, getting halfway through the book, and then finding out you have to return it. Also, the library ought to email you a notification when a book you have checked out is put on hold by another patron, so you have some sort of notice that you need to return it before the day it is due.
Fines: The library recently removed fines. Why? This was a terrible decision. What incentive to people have to return books on time now? Is there no accountability anymore?
Events: There have been no in person events, so far as I can tell, since last March when COVID hit, so I can't fully weigh in here, but I would mention that the Colleyville City Library held outdoor children's event throughout the summer, which were AWESOME. I'd like to see the Bedford Library do something similar.
Well, that was more than you wanted to know, I'm sure, so I'll stop here. We'll continue to use the Bedford Library as long as we live in Bedford (and we'll be grateful for the opportunity!) but until the aforementioned issues are addressed (ESPECIALLY the hit-or-miss customer service), the Bedford Library will remain an average library. read more