Irvington Public Library — Attraction in Irvington

I visited this library on May 20, 2024. The last time I was there I was told by a security guard that there's parking in the back and I didn't have to park on the street so I said I would check it out the next time I visited. When I pulled into the parking lot I saw a sign at the entrance that says, "Parking for Library Staff" so I said oh I guess I can't park in here there. I also observed that some parking spots were reserved for Specific individuals. Like one spot said, "parking for Library administrator only." I turned my car to exit the parking lot but I had my three toddler daughters with me and they were saying they wanted to eat so I said let me park in one of the unmarked spots and feed them before we enter the library. While sitting in my car a gentleman pulled up in a white SUV and parked in the library administrator spot. He proceeded to speak to someone driving a benz and while he was standing there my bag accidentally touched my car horn so he walked over to the car and asked me, "what was that?" after I told him I didn't mean to do that, it was an accident. So I told him my bag accidentally hit the horn. After which he said, "ok but you can't park here you'll get a ticket" and I said ok and he said, "so you have to leave" and I said I am going to leave and he walked away. Not even 2 mins after he sent a female security officer to come tell me the same thing he just told me. At this point I felt harassed and bullied. I felt like I had no rights in my own city. That gentleman was nasty and doesn't deserve to be in a managing position. I had to strap the children back in their car seats hence the reason I was still sitting in the parking lot. To cut this shorter he came back out there and asked the security officer why she's still standing there talking to me and as she began to explain to him that I have to strap the children back in he said they shouldn't have been unstrapped in the first place. I left and went down the street to the Maplewood library where I was greeted by a sign that says "All are welcome" and though their parking lot is way smaller I was able to park my vehicle and safely enter the library without feeling like I don't belong. I haven't been back to Irvington library since that day and I am still a tax paying resident. Do better Irvington ...

I hadn’t been to this library consistently in a few years, but I recently went to renew my card. A man was being helped so I got behind him as he was wrapping up. I stood at the desk after the previous person finished, expecting to be acknowledged by the librarian. However, she only offered assistance after the security guard asked if I needed help after I was standing there for a few minutes.

When she finally addressed me, she implied that my sporadic glances at my phone were the reason she didn’t assist me sooner. I found this excuse unacceptable. Standing at the desk clearly indicates I’m waiting for help—it’s part of her responsibility in a customer-facing role to acknowledge and assist patrons.

This interaction was an extremely unpleasant and disappointing reintroduction to this library. Ignoring someone who is clearly waiting on assistance and then deflecting blame by citing phone usage reflects a lack of professionalism. I hope the library addresses this issue to ensure a better experience for others...

Here is some advice for the ladies behind the desk. If you see someone standing there waiting for service and your currently busy, you say something to the tune of "one moment please" or "someone will be right with you". You don't just ignore them and go about your business. There were 4 women standing/walking around behind the desk and none of them said a thing. Just kept ignoring me. I'm not made of glass so I know they saw me. The lady with the accent and glasses definitely saw me. It wasn't until the 5th woman came out (lightskin with glasses) and asked the lady with the accent what I was waiting for, that I recieved some help. The lady with the accent replied "I don't know". How stupid is that? Ehat I needed literally took 2 min to do. Learn some basic customer service skills ladies because...