Schimelpfenig Library — Attraction in Plano

I came in yesterday 12/11/24 and was sitting at one of the desks and a librarian came up to me and my little sister and told me that they've been "getting complaints" of a "strong odor" coming from me, and then said I'll be asked to leave if anyone else complains. Not only did I never see a single person get up and go to the desk, I'm OCD about cleanliness. Each day I've come, I've gotten a few compliments from patrons over the days I've been visiting, and I have smelled scalpy and musty smells from some individuals here - one being an employee - and I simply moved to another area of the library. I played the entire exchange off to not cause a scene and quietly wondered why I was the only person of the small group I came with who got singled out. I do walk to the library for health reasons, but by the time I was approached I had been up there studying for hours. The person handed me a list of resources as if a true homeless person could teleport or walk a few hours to get to any of the places on the list. I was offended and felt deceived. Towards the end of my stay, as I got up to meet with the rest of my group on the other side of the library, 3 staff workers were standing up chit chatting and staring at me. One walked up to my entire group handing me another printout unsure if I was even the same person the initial lady spoke to. I understand people's sentiments on the homeless/needy but I think there should have been a better way to address them and should think a bit more critically - especially considering the academic adjacent establishment this is - about the feasibility of what they even tell people. If someone is being kicked out of the place they receive wifi and educational resources due to a bad smell, are they to teleport to a laundromat, manifest quarters and then come back all clean? Do they snap their fingers hop into their BMW and cruise back to their home to change wardrobe? No. So they simply cannot access resources. It's very sad to think about and even sadder knowing this was the library I've been at since I moved here in 2006. I'm certain that library staff, especially in this city are not trained to deal with the intricacies of the circumstances that lead people to public libraries, and certainly not with any forethought. This is a Plano issue overall, I hope to see these matters resolved some day. At the end of my visit yesterday I did ask my group if I had a "strong odor" or smelled sweaty and they said no. I'm OCD about personal hygiene so now I feel paranoid and anxious and very distrustful...

The Plano Library system is AWESOME!

They have lots of books, ebooks, emagazines, movies, lots of STEM & Art boxes for different ages, kid friendly tablets for loan, etc.

They have a wonderfully easy on-line hold request system where they put your things out on shelves near the entrance. They auto-renew, and they’ve done away with any fines: you just can’t checkout more until you e got no late books.

The Schimelpfineg branch has a fun upstairs (entrance & kids/youth areas) and downstairs (adults, magazines, etc). Both have lots of computers and plentiful selections. There are lots of friendly & helpful staff on both floors. There’s a modest sized community meeting place with various library or community events almost everyday (pre-COVID). Also pre-COVID, they used to have a great preschool play area my kids and I would come visit every Saturday morning, and they had bean bags and video game console areas for teenagers—plus teenager shelves with things like illustrated novels, manga, youth fiction & nonfiction, etc.

The strength of the Plano library system is their dedication to making their libraries centers of interest and activity as well as consumption of all kinds of media. They just make it easy and interesting to learn and enjoy books, movies, online content, STEAM kits & in-person demonstrations (eg 3-D printing class)—and overall cater to all types of experiences of the mind.

They are always innovating and trying out new programs, technology, services, etc. And, they maintain a big enough budget to keep a friendly and active staff to help out in person and keep things well in tune with customers needs.

Just: wow!

PS It took me awhile to find and get into ebooks—thanks eventually to help from a librarian in person help appointment. If you’re into ebooks, checkout getting a library card at the Garland/Nicholson library, too--you might have to go in person once to get a library card--, to be able to search their ebook offerings, also. My kids & I love the ability to checkout, read, & not have to worry about returning/picking up ebooks at any time. Again, the hold system allows you to place a request at anytime 24/7, and they ship it to your local library, put a label of you initials on it, and leave it for days on the hold shelf. ...

I recently visited this library for an information session on an upcoming school, and I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. As I waited for the session to begin, I took the opportunity to explore the library, and I was immediately struck by its beauty and cleanliness. The staff were incredibly helpful and welcoming, making me feel right at home. Their willingness to assist patrons and answer questions added to the overall positive atmosphere of the library. One convenient feature of the library is its self-checkout services, which make borrowing books a breeze. This modern touch enhances the efficiency of the borrowing process and allows visitors to manage their library transactions independently. Exploring the downstairs area of the library revealed even more treasures in the form of an extensive collection of books. Whether you're a bookworm or simply enjoy browsing, there's something for everyone to discover in this well-stocked section. Overall, my experience at this library was exceptional. From its beautiful surroundings to its helpful staff and convenient services, it's a library that truly stands out. Whether you're attending an event or simply looking for a quiet place to read, I highly recommend paying a visit to...