May 14th 2008
Comment:
While we are on a list of things we need, can we add staplers to the second and third floors for printouts?
Reply:
Well, due to heavy use and other factors, we can barely keep a manual stapler and an electric one in operation at the Reference Desk on the first floor. It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? We have had to resort to chaining the manual one to the desk as books were in days of yore. Of course, we will ask the User Services Team to review this suggestion, when they take up the question of placing automatic pencil sharpeners on additional floors.
Update:
Good news. User Services has decided that it would be impractical to add and to maintain staplers on every floor, but we hope to improve your access by adding a stapler to the Information Desk in the lobby, and we are also going to make information about the stapling function in printers A and B more readily available.
Category: Facilities
May 14th 2008
Comment:
Continuing our discussion about print-only stations….
Your idea seems to be a good one. I’m not sure if this is allowed under CALEA, but having this computer also have access to blackboard and AU e-mail would be a plus too.
Reply:
Thanks for maintaining the dialogue. We can ask library systems about limited access to Blackboard and e-mail, but they are on the net, so we’ll have to see. . . .
Category: Facilities & Services
May 14th 2008
Comment:
To library patrons:
I just read the comment about the patron who was upset because he/she had a late fee on a laptop. While I can appreciate the annoyance of having fines on one’s account, as a library employee, I’m really tired of patrons getting indignant or snippy with me because Im telling them that, based on a computer clock, they owe us fines. This is why (generally) we hand out receipts or, in the case of 24-hour lockers, give the exact time that we’re typing in. I don’t know how the Copy Center works, but this whole “shooting the messenger” thing is really, REALLY tiring. Finals week is stressful for us all, and it’s better not to snap at library employees when we’re just trying to a) do our jobs and b) help you. Yes, we have the power to remove fines from your account, but we can get in trouble for that.
ALSO. As an employee suggestion, we need a couple signs surrounding the circ desk area. One to point out the returns bin so people don’t come in in a huff, slap the books on the counter, then walk away before we know what to do with them (not to mention the countless people who don’t know what to do with returns).
And another to ask them to kindly, PLEASE and for the love of God, remove the sticky notes from the books before they return them! I can’t tell you how annoying it is to remove every single one of someone’s research notes when I’ve got a stack of about 60,000 books that need to be scanned and sorted. Along with pencils, pens, packs of sticky notes, paper clips, and basically every office supply ever sold in Staples.
I don’t know who responds to these…but I feel that patrons shouldn’t be the only people to suggest things here…
Reply:
Please be assured that your point of view counts too. You are one of about 250 students who are both students and library staff. Your message couldn’t be clearer, and we hope every student reader of the blog (the patrons) will hear it: be polite to the other students who are just doing their library jobs and trying to help you. Student staff follow procedures and policies designed to serve all students fairly. They are taking exams and writing papers too. (P.S. About the signs for bins and sticky note removal–please pass these along to KS, ok? Thank you and thank you for writing.).
Category: Services
May 14th 2008
Comment:
Throughout the semester, I needed a book in the “reserves” section. It had a 3-day loan period. It was frustrating to me because I needed it for longer periods of time, but it seemed like I was giving it back just to sit on the shelves. For 3-day books, it would be very convenient if the library could concoct a way so that a student could renew it if no one came requesting it. For example, if there was someone who requested the book, perhaps it would not allow renewal. But if no one comes for the book, the library could allow renewal. I live far off campus, so this was extra inconvenient, especially with the severe fines.
Reply:
Renewal for three-day books is available after 30 minutes. If no one else requests the book you’ve just returned, you can check it out again. That process probably works better than waitlisting which would probably result in chaos when person one arrives early, person two arrives late, persons three and four arrive at the same time, etc. etc. Thanks for thinking creatively about this process, and we hope the current process of having a brief wait (time to check your e-mail?) solves the problem for you.
Category: Policies & Services
May 5th 2008
Comment:
The fact that I can’t stay on the internet (wireless) for more than 5 minutes at a time in the library is totally unacceptable. How am I supposed to work if I can’t even research? Do something about [it], now. We pay you enough.
Reply:
Yes, we agree that the wireless performance is not up to the level of demand for it. The University’s Office of Information Technology provides and manages the wireless network. OIT is planning upgrades to the network. The library is very concerned and will keep making the case for you until it happens. You might also consider contacting OIT directly through the email or chat links here when you are using a non-wireless connection.
Category: Facilities & Services
May 5th 2008
Comment:
Clean computer screens if at all possible. I’m pretty sure mine has pen marks on it now.
Reply:
Who puts pen marks on a computer screen?! Sheesh. We have a cleaning day scheduled for May 28th, so it will be taken care of by then if not before. If you write back, please give us the number of the machine (on the front of the hard drive).
Category: Facilities
