Eltham Library

I used to enjoy coming here, as it had such a cosy country feel to it. It was a peaceful place to relax. After today's visit, I am sorely disappointed. Libraries are supposed to be a quiet place, for everyone's enjoyment. There was a loud group of people there, which was a big distraction. Not to mention the tacky plastic plants, that look ridiculous against the original decor. It's just not what it used to be.

I visit this library almost weekly and have done for many years, I always park my car wherever there is a vacant spot and if that means under the bridge then so be it. I have just received an $111 fine for parking in an area reserved for staff, I agree there should be an area for staff parking, I have a habit of always reversing into parking spots so as to make it safer coming out, I simply didn’t think and obviously missed seeing the sign as I parked my car, my wife a passenger (a book club member ) also didn’t see the sign however regardless we accept I parked illegally as I am not a staff member but that is not my issue.I also admit to knowing that space was there but totally forgot, it happens. I read in the library for a couple of hours and as I am a diabetic I went out to my car to get an apple to eat ( you can’t eat inside ) on the way to my car I passed two ladies on the path, on reflection I think they were staff members who probably watched me going to the car and reported such so as I got the fine, if they had said “excuse me but do you realise……. I would have thanked them and immediately moved my car. All the people that use the library services are customers, no customers no library, it is agreed the vehicle took up a staff parking spot, surely an announcement over their P.A. would have been good customer service, I have never ever parked illegally whilst visiting the library hundreds of times, NEVER…and wonder what motivated someone to contact a parking officer instead of simply announcing over a P.A…..what have we become, the GOTCHA generation, I appreciate the work within the library as whilst sitting there reading I observe how busy staff can be BUT…need I say more, people do make mistakes, I did $111 worth for Visiting the library that I as a rate payer pay for, sad really, I write so as either the signage improves and or anyone ignoring this by parking is at the very least given the opportunity to move their car as they are most likely a customer in the immediate area. My complaint is on the presumption that a parking officer never just happened to pass bye therefore a staff member of the library didn’t attempt to rectify the situation before ringing the council, if I am wrong then I apologise and if not then true customer service includes not presuming someone had the wrong intention especially as other vacant car spots were available at the time !