I've gone twice to Gordon ave with young children ages 6-1yr. Won't ever go back just to visit because both times the staff were somewhat blunt and not kind in their approach to ask my kids to keep quieter. The kids weren't screaming or even raising their voices or running, they were playing. The Gordon ave librarians seem uptight and rigid about the toys. Northside librarians are much more kid friendly. I'm sure it might have something to do with the space as Gordon ave is pretty small. Nonetheless kindness and a gentle approach goes a long way. That said, it's unfortunate because they have a lot of puzzles and fun games/toys.
Up to this point, I still don't know if the place that I stopped is handicap parking. Obviously there are non-handicapped people parking there without being yelled, and there is a sign pointing at a real handicap parking. Even if it is handicap parking, the old woman could say it in a much polite way, and I would be happy to move. Instead., she just directly went to threat and yelling. Comparing to the guy who actually parked there, I can't stopped wondering if I got this special treatment purely because I am not white. And the library staff, who could at least asked me about my side of the story, just chose to believe what they want to believe.
I went to the library to pickup my wife and my five-year old son. There was no place to park, so I stopped right behind the last parking lot on the street. I stayed in my car, with my engine running, ready to move if I was in anyone's way. And it usually takes less than one minute for my family to came out. I didn't know this time they would be a bit slower, because they stayed to clean up the toys after the story time.
BTW, the library staff like chatting and are always noisy.
She could asked me if knew this was a handicapped parking (and I still don't know if it is or not), she could just tell me that I am in a wrong place. And she ignored the fact that my engine is still running, and the fact that I told her I was just waiting for my five-year old son, and I would be on my way in less than five minutes. NO, she chose to yell at me in an EXTREMELY EXTREMELY RUDE manner. I am pretty sure she did it that way because I have a dark skin, as after I left, I saw a young guy parked (I mean fully parked, engine stopped) right at where I was, and no one came out to yell at him.
In the end, I had to park far away, and I had to go back into the library to find my wife and my son, so they know where our car was. I told my wife what happened while we were leaving the library. The old white woman even swiftly chased me out (and yes, she is supposed to be handicapped) to yell at me and my family. And she clearly did nothing to the car that was really parked there.
There was a handicap parking sign besides me, pointing at an empty handicap parking right next to the drive-in return. I stayed besides the sign, but far away from that handicap parking.
The place I stayed is frequently used by other families (of any races) to drop off and pick up children for story time. Because this library has very few parking lots, people has to drop off/pick up all the time.
The MOST RACIST experience I ever had in Charlottesville. Here are the key points: RACIST CUSTOMER, RUDE STAFF, HORRIBLE PARKING and CONFUSING SIGNS.
This is our favorite library in the area. Small but fantastic selection and the nicest librarians in town. Always make us feel welcome and have a huge knowledge about their selection.
An old white woman drove by and parked at that handicap parking. After the woman parked and got out of her car, she saw me and ran straight to me (yet she's supposed to be handicapped). She yelled at me that I wason a handicap parking, and I must leave or she would call police.
We tried to go to the book sale but couldn't because of the parking.
I talked to library staff, and they didn't even ask where I was and whether my engine was stopped. The staff took the words form the old racist woman and went straight to accuse me of parking at handicapped parking lot.
What a library should be: cozy and quiet. Anne is an awesome librarian by the way! The only downfall is parking but only if go midday.
Gordon Avenue Library is a US Library based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Gordon Avenue Library is located at 1500 Gordon Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
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