West Allis Public Library — Attraction in West Allis

For the most part, I like this library. Pros: 1.) It has a nice selection of videos to choose from in the video section 2.) a help desk with very obliging staff who really go out of their way to answer questions 3.) lots of computers to do orders and such 4.) It's very peaceful, relaxing and cleanly. 5.) Love how you can order material from other libraries through here Cons: 1.) You all have a staff member who is particularly rude, hostile and crotchety and working the front desk of all places. She is the young woman with glasses who's always wearing the hat for whatever reason. Racially, she is mixed-looking. PS, I'm black so it's especially disappointing for me to have to admit that the only unfriendly staff member you all seem is the nonwhite, mixed-looking woman. The rest of the staff outside of this woman is extremely warm and gracious. This particular woman taps her fingers, roles her eyes and sighs repeatedly if I or whoever I'm with takes an extra moment to decide on something. This is the case when the place is not busy and there's no one waiting behind us, mind you. Every question my friend or I have is responded to with snippy remarks and tones of voice. While my friend was talking, I saw the lady standing their snarling because she had to listen to him. Ugh! Please terminate this employee. She clearly hates her job and wouldn't know customer service if it slapped her hat off her head. 2.) The videos in your DVD section are not organized by any sort of genre so you're just sort of randomly going through their videos until you see something you like or asking for assistance. How hard is it to take the extra time to sort the videos by genre so it's easier for library goers to find what they are looking for. Horror movies are mixed up with comedies and romantic movies with absolutely no consistency. 3.) This library's hours are a sloppy hot mess: it opens way at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, then at 9 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, then at 1 pm on Sundays. Closing is at 9 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Tuesdays and Thursday, 6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 5 pm on Sunday. 4.) This place lacks the homey, classy, updated feel of the New Berlin Wisconsin library. I would take cues from that library. That library has fire places, lots of places to sit and relax. That place makes you want to stay and read material. While this library is relaxing, it's a far cry from the New...

I have always liked this library! However in the last few years they seem to have changed the way they deal with the public. They no longer are quiet when giving advice either over the phone for to patrons. It becomes very distracting for those of us either reading or studying. I have spoken to them a couple of times about the loud talking, only to be told it is a community room and so we have to allow for it because we don't have quiet spaces. Which is ridiculous! Because years ago they still were quiet in that SAME setting!

Lately because of the cold weather, it seems more homeless are taking refuge during the days, which is fine and understandable. However when they are sitting distances from each other and talking loudly with cussing and swearing, that is totally inappropriate. And yet I have found in talking to any of the librarians, they mostly ignore the situation.

There was another patron who was being helped that asked if it was allowable to sleep in the library. (This was due to a man sleeping in the corner at one of the study desks and snoring as well as making noises while doing so). He was informed that "if we see it they will tap on the person's shoulder to wake them up, but we are also busy helping other patrons"

I knew at that point that if I go and mentioned to any of the librarians about the people cussing and swearing as well as making racial statements, it would probably be dismissed as well.

This is also ridiculous! When did we become less than a library? A library is for patrons who are studying, reading, or researching something and should still be utilized that way as a LIBRARY - a quiet place! And people who come in should be respectful of that or be asked to leave by the librarians. If that is a problem for them they should hire...

Says online that kids books do not incur over due fees. I was not aware of this and have paid overdo fees in the past. I was avoiding the library because I knew my kid lost a couple books when we moved and I couldn't afford to pay the fees. Went in and asked about this policy and they said they get over do fees. Next level up person came and talked to me, website is right childrens books aren't penalized with fees. I'm great full they took the fees off and I was able to pay the balance but wow, they wanted me to pay 40 dollars and I ended up paying 10. Thinking about all the money I used to blow here on over do fees for my kids books when I didn't really need to. On the way in there of course was some crazy dude yelling at nothing blocking the door, that reminded me of another reason we stopped coming to the library as much and switched to ebooks, they let addicts hang out outside smoking and swearing and yelling but then the people that actually come to the library to read are being charged fees they shouldn't be, while the addicts use their facilities for free and scare the children with their yelling and swearing at the sky outside. Guess they need to scam money from somewhere to...