Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Hickory Dickory Dock

Today's post is a pictorial presentation of something I've always found a bit odd and disconcerting.


This is the sign outside the library branch here in Amarillo in which I most often frequent to check out books. And next we have a shot of the building's exterior as viewed from the parking lot.


Nothing to odd as of yet.



Above we have a sign pointing to the drive-up book deposit on the back side of the building. And below a shot of what that drive-up lane look like. Still no sign of anything peculiar.



And below we have the actual metal drawer which you can reach from your driver's window. All you gotta do is pull the handle and dump your books into the gaping metal mouth.



Notice anything odd?


Out of place?


Look close before you scroll down.


Remember this is a DRIVE-UP window on the back side of the building. Not one that anyone would ever walk up to. That chute is out front.




So why is there a braille plate at the bottom of the chute? I'm really hoping no one that needs to use that plate is driving up to that window. Yet it has been there for years. Riddle me this -- Why?

22 comments:

Jess said...

All of the drive thru ATMs I've ever seen also have braille.

I made a joke about it once to a blind friend and he told me that there was actually a good reason for it. I'll be damned if I can ever remember what it was.

Janet said...

I suspect that the book chutes are just produced that way, and the library can use it in either a walk-up or a drive-up context.

David said...

Could it be some sort of Federal law that doesn't make exceptions for libraries?

That's a nice-looking library.

The Anti-Wife said...

Perhaps they're being proactive and preparing for the day when we all have Jetson flying cars that don't require sight to maneuver.

Charles Gramlich said...

There you go again, trying to make sense. Dude, when will you ever learn? ;)

Bubblewench said...

I've noticed that in various areas where you would not expect a visually impaired (get PC dude!) person to be.

Anonymous said...

Jenn the wife says:

Why are you so mean. Maybe someone drove them there. Maybe they walked there after hours. Maybe you are just plain old mean.

Sorry had to go with the mean thing...the other one would have been funny, but not very nice. We all know what thumper says.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I've walked through drive-up ATMs, so maybe the braille is for those rebels like me? lol.

Unknown said...

You read in Amarillo?

Having a library in Amarillo is like having braille on a drive through book return.

SL

Carleen Brice said...

Ah, the mind of the writer. Forever curious.

Mr. Shife said...

I have never seen that before. Seen it at the drive thru ATMs but never at a book return. You should see if they have them at the Blockbuster movie return drawer. And thanks for your comments about my news. I certainly appreciate it.

Patti said...

what i want to know is did you reach out and run your fingers over it?

G. B. Miller said...

Political Correctness and Americans With Disabilities Act run amuck.

David Cranmer said...

Thanks Travis! I got home after a long day and had a good laugh at your post.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Is dis one'a dem Aggie Liberries? ;) (Gotta pick on someone else b/c I get tired of Cajun jokes.)

yellowdoggranny said...

what a great library..
im sure its some sort of federal law..i'll check ours out and see if it has it..of course it's not a drive thru.

preTzel said...

I don't think ours has braille but maybe it does. I always found it curious that the drive - up ATMS - in the middle of parking lots - have them. Strange.

Spy Scribbler said...

Isn't that bizarre? I wish suv mama could remember why. Fascinating!

Reminds me of the ham story.

Robin said...

Well you dumbbutt, I zoomed in on the photo and the written part said, IF THIS IS LOCKED, PLEASE RETURN BOOKS TO THE MAIN PART OF THE LIBRARY. I am assuming the translation, like most, say the same.

So the driver is probably illiterate, the blind must mover over, read the braille and translate.

Hmmmm, sorry, apparently I can't get away from politics!

Unknown said...

Now THAT is freaking funny. Maybe it was made long ago when people HAD to put brail (or however you spell it) on stuff? But yea, I find things like that hilarious.

Lana Gramlich said...

Could be an "fyi" for the blind. For example, a blind person is mugged. In stumbling around for help afterwards, they come upon this wall. The braille tells them that's the book drop, so at LEAST they know they're at the library. Just a guess...I suppose I could as someone here...

Hilary said...

Is there another after-hours book return elsewhere in the building? If it can be accessed by car, it can be accessed on foot. I know someone who refuses to drive through for a fast food pick-up but will walk up to the window instead. He's not blind though.. just weird. ;)