Returning books a problem at the T.O. Library

For our family, one of the truly important and well-run amenities of the area has always been the Thousand Oaks Library, and the recent opening of the new children's section shows that the organization is up to the challenge of keeping up with change and with getting children involved.

I hope, however, that recent updates to the library book return system have not been fully completed.

Eleven book bins have been replaced by two return slots in the east wall of the children's extension of the library, and these two slots do not seem to be cleared on a regular enough basis to service the volume of books being returned.

The slots are jammed with books as early as 11 a.m. and no more books can be deposited.

These two slots appear to be situated conveniently for patrons in SUVs or large trucks, but are too high off the ground and too set back for convenience of a patron in a compact or mid-sized car.

There's a TV camera located near the book return slots, so I assume that the library staff must be aware of the large volume of usage of the book return slots and can see the difficulties encountered in trying to return books. The curb has already become scuffed with tire marks as patrons attempt to move their vehicles close enough to the slots to use the book deposit.

Hopefully these design flaws can be addressed soon and the book return system revised to enhance the usually fine service to the community that this library has given throughout the years. Don Ballantyne Thousand Oaks