Suggestion Box

184 Responses to "Suggestion Box"

• By Anonymous April 11, 2013 - 10:13 am

  What’s the story behind the Honda advertisement taped to the BLC steps earlier this week?

  Is this an innovative new way to fund the expensive BLC?

  Does the university have policies about commercial advertisements on campus like this?
  -Anonymous
  Dear Anonymous,
  The Sheridan Libraries and Homewood Design & Construction approved the request for the advertisement. It was not posted to receive funds for the BLC.
  Thanks for your question,
  Robin N Sinn
  Academic Liaison Dept.

• By Anonymous January 26, 2013 - 9:46 pm

  The email we got about Bloomberg’s donation said that he worked while a student to pay his tuition. How much was JHU’s tuition in 1964 (when he graduated)? Is there some online university archive where we can find this kind of thing?
  -Anonymous

  Dear Anonymous,
  According to the published Circular [University Catalog], tuition for the 1963-64 academic year was $1,600 for the year.
  While this information is not online, it is accessible in the printed catalogs found in the University Archives, part of Special Collections, located in the BLC on M-Level.
  Thank you!
  James Stimpert
  Senior Reference Archivist

• By BYOMarkers October 4, 2012 - 8:24 pm

  Hello,
  The awesome study rooms in the new BLC need to be more well-stocked with markers! I work at the circ desk and I hate having to tell my fellow classmates that we don’t have any to give out. It’s frustrating both as a student and employee of the library to not have this sorted out by now. I think Democrats and Republicans can agree on one thing this election season: more whiteboard markers in the BLC!!
  Sincerely,
  BYOMarkers
  Dear BYOMarkers,
  Markers are available from three different places in the library. I’ve listed the places and the hours they are open below. There is also discussion of an office supply vending machine offering markers in the BLC. The vending machine itself should show up within a month, in the BLC.
  Thanks for your question!
  Robin N Sinn
  Academic Liaison, The Sheridan Libraries

  Markers are generally available at the desks listed below. Hours listed are for the academic year and don’t take holidays into account.
  InfoDesk
  M level, MSEL
  Mon – Thur 9am – 10pm
  Fri 9am – 5pm
  Sat 11am – 8pm
  Sun 11am – 10pm

  Support Services
  A level, MSEL
  Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm

  Special Collections Reception Desk
  M level, BLC
  Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm
  Tuesday to 8pm

• By J. Bradshaw August 17, 2012 - 3:45 am

  Good morning. I found myself unable to gain entry to Eisenhower Library this past evening, 8.16, at around 11:35. As I’ve done for as long as I can remember, I presented my JHMI ID as I approached the security counter; but on this occasion it was met w/ a confused face. I was told that I would need to swipe my J-Card in order to gain entry. Not having been in Eisenhower for a few months, I assumed a new security policy had been adopted. I told the security guard that I didn’t have my J-Card on me. I was told that I could enter w/ my driver’s license. As I was headed out to retrieve my driver’s license from out of my car, the guard, registering the hour, told me that he can’t photocopy my license for the purposes of entry after 10PM, and pointed me to a sign displayed on the security counter (it reads: “General Public Hours | 8AM-10PM | JHU affiliates and those w/ academic ID from institutes [sic] of higher education will be allowed in the building at all times.”). It is around this sign — the security guard’s seeming inability to understand the sign and the gist of a policy he was charged to uphold — that left me quietly incensed (and unable to complete an urgent work duty). I read the sign to him, and sought to reason w/ him how it could be that I wouldn’t, at a minimum, be considered a “JHU affiliate”, and thereby permitted entry. There was no breakthrough — “you must scan your J-Card in order to enter” was his reply. I read to him the portion which made an entry allowance for “those w/ academic ID from institutes [sic] of higher education”, explaining that a Loyola University student, for instance, obviously wouldn’t have a J-Card to swipe, but would rather gain entry presenting their Loyola ID. “We can photocopy those IDs; we can’t photocopy a Hopkins ID” was the response. I asked if that seemed sensible to him. I received a stubborn “that’s our policy”. I contended that he may be misunderstanding the policy. It seemed to make a breakthrough w/ another guard on duty, but the guard w/ whom I held dialogue (the acquiescing guard’s superior, I presumed), married to his illogical pedantry, stood his ground. As a Hopkins student a few years ago, I had an unpleasant encounter w/ a rogue Eisenhower guard who rather rudely ushered my study group out of the library some 30 minutes prior to closing. He was reported, and his employment was terminated. Not anything I sought; but Hopkins and the Hopkins community deserve better than what I experienced then, and better than what I beheld last night. The guards identified themselves as part of a newly-hired security firm. I’d greatly appreciate if you might brief them on the particulars of Hopkins’ liberal culture; and that in moments of such contention, it’s best to err on the side of common sense, if not compassion. Thanks for your time.
  -J. Bradshaw

  Dear J. Bradshaw,
  Please accept our sincere apologies for your encounter with our new security staff. This was a mistake. Your JHMI ID is appropriate identification for entry into the library. Your description of the encounter, and your ultimate inability to enter a Hopkins building with a Hopkins ID, has been forwarded to our facilities department for their review.

  If possible, let us buy you a coffee (or tea) at Cafe Q, and show you around the new Brody Learning Commons. You can contact me (heslip@jhu.edu) or Robin Sinn (rsinn@jhu.edu) to set up a time that works with your schedule.

  We want you to know that you are welcome at the Sheridan Libraries and Brody Learning Commons. Thank you for taking the time to let us know.
  Steven Heslip and Robin Sinn

• By frequent visitor July 9, 2012 - 3:11 pm

  I really don’t like the proposed new layout, it’s very unintuitive and difficult to find things.
  –Frequent Visitor
  Dear Frequent Visitor,
  I assume you are referring to the new design of the Sheridan Libraries homepage that is now available as a preview. I have forwarded your message to the designers using the red Feedback link on the new page.
  Please use that link to provide more detail about the difficulties you encountered using the new design. Reporting specifics will give the designers information they can use to evaluate and update the new design.
  Thank you,
  Robin N Sinn
  Academic Liaison

• By Brittany July 7, 2012 - 11:37 pm

  Today I went to the library to check out a book; I arrived a few minutes past 8 pm (stated closing time is 10pm). I was told that I could not check out the book since I had outstanding fines (I came prepared to pay these fines). Apparently, the register was already shut down and all the “real” librarians had gone home for the day so nothing could be done.
  I don’t usually use this library, so I am not familiar with all of its intricacies. It may be “common knowledge” that this library is not fully operational after a certain hour, but I could not find this anywhere on the website. This library is not convenient for me to come to and I wasted a good amount of time to get there, only to find out that I have to make the same trip tomorrow.
  Is it “standard procedure” to shut down services 2 hours before closing? If it is, this should be clearly stated somewhere to prevent similar mishaps. Alternatively, please stay fully operational until the stated closing hours.
  –Brittany
  Dear Brittany,
  We apologize for your inconvenience. Agnes Flannery-Denner, our Head of Circulation, has waived your fine and sent you an email. You should be able to pick up your book without any problem at this time.
  You are correct that we haven’t advertised the “reduced services” hours of circulation hours in enough places. Currently that information is posted at the Circulation Desk. We are looking into posting this information somewhere on the Circulation pages. If you have suggestions, please let us know!
  UPDATE: We found a web page with the information you needed, but it’s so buried even we had a hard time finding it. We’ll look for a better place for this info.
  Thank you,
  Robin N Sinn
  Academic Liaisons

• By Amy May 9, 2012 - 4:40 pm

  The power outlets to the cubicle desks on C level in the space between the printer room and the bathrooms don’t work. There are also several desk carrels in the back part of b level with power outlets that don’t work. Please fix this soon, it a huge problem during finals.
  Hi Amy,
  Thanks for reporting this issue. I’ve just submitted a ticket to our facilities office and will update as soon as I receive their response.
  Adriane Koenig
  Research Services
  UPDATE:
  Facilities & Support Services staff will look into this problem promptly Thursday morning. Thank you for letting us know.

• By Anonymous April 30, 2012 - 11:54 am

  There seems to be persistent confusion as to whether or not the Hut is a quiet study space. Could there be some permanent, prominent signage settling this question? (Some students try to police other students’ noise levels, which has led to some rather uncomfortable interactions.)
  Could we also get more permanent, prominent signage (at the doors, on the carrells, and on the north wall) about the Writing Center’s days and hours, necessary noise level, and reservation of tables at the far end of the north wing of the Hut? This has also caused some frustration and tension, especially for those studying in the Hut for the first time who aren’t familiar with how the space usually works.
  These issues are only going to heat up as we reach the end of the semester.
  - Anonymous
  Dear Anonymous,
  Thank you for the suggestions! I’ve passed them on to the library unit that manages the Hut and I’ll let you know what they decide.
  Robin N Sinn
  Academic Liaison
  Update:
  Signs about hours during Reading Period and Final Exams will be posted in the Hut. Signs will also have this text about expected noise levels:
  Quiet Hours in Effect
  May 5 – May 17
  (quiet conversation during Learning Den & Writing Center hours)
  I hope this addresses some of your concerns. If you browse through the feedback on this page you’ll see that many of the suggestions are about asking fellow students and library patrons to behave appropriately. We encourage polite self-policing. These signs will at least give everyone a baseline expectation.
  Robin N Sinn
  Academic Liaison

• By Captain Diligent April 26, 2012 - 11:57 pm

  Sorry, I just found MSEL’s hours for reading period. Listing them out of chronological order and in a smaller font isn’t particularly helpful, though.
  -Captain Diligent
  Ah well. We’re working on this with the website redesign. Thanks for being so diligent!
  Robin N Sinn
  Academic Liaison

• By Captain Diligent April 26, 2012 - 9:05 pm

  Will there be extended open hours in MSEL in the coming weeks? The online schedule for MSEL’s hours says nothing about the time between Spring Break and the end of spring semester final exams.
  Also, is it possible for MSEL to extend its hours below M Level beyond 3am outside of the final exam period?
  -Captain Diligent
  Dear Captain Diligent,
  Yes, the hours page for MSEL is difficult to read. We are working on a redesign of our website, and a better display for our hours is included in the redesign. In the meantime, the extended hours for Reading Period and Finals is below.
  We tried keeping the entire building open 24/7 during the Gilman renovation. There were usually less than 15 or 20 students in the building during the early morning. Because of safety and staffing concerns, we decided to keep only Q and M levels open 24/7.
  Thanks for your question,
  Robin N Sinn
  Academia Liaison

• By Hungry April 24, 2012 - 1:39 am

  Dear MSE library,
  We undergrads love the library. We’re here all the time! And sometimes we’re here so late that Cafe Q, Gilman, and Charles Street Market are all closed but we are desperately hungry for good, healthy food. Would it be possible to look into having a healthy vending machine put in place on Q level to help students make better late night snack decisions? It’d be great if we could take a break and eat yogurt or fruit on Q level rather than old sketchy packaged cookies.
  Thanks!
  - Hungry
  Hi Hungry Undergrad,
  Thank you for the healthy suggestion! Your sentiments were well-received and we are already looking into seeing what is possible as far as offering healthy food options for our library night owls. We will follow up when we learn more.
  Best,
  Milton S. Eisenhower Library Administration

• By Xeroxing April 19, 2012 - 6:40 pm

  Dear MSE,
  When photocopying from books, I try to save paper (and money) by opening the book horizontally and adjusting the copy ratio so that the two pages of an octavo or even quarto format fill a “landscape”-oriented 8 1/2 x 11″ sheet of paper. Many books will have bits missing if you try to copy both pages with the book turned to fit a vertically-oriented sheet. The copy machines in the library all have several paper trays, all turned to the “portrait” or vertical orientation, which prevents me from using my cunning strategy. Would it be possible to have at least one paper tray in each machine devoted to horizontally-oriented paper please?
  Thank you!
  - Xeroxing
  Dear Xeroxing,
  Great suggestion! Especially during Earth Week–we like to save money and paper too. I’ve passed this on to the Facilities and Support Services Department which manages the copiers and when I hear back, I’ll send you their response.
  Best,
  Ellen Keith
  Academic Liaison Department
  UPDATE: And here’s the reply from Facilities and Support Services:
  Dear User,
  Both machines on C-Level have paper in landscape orientation in tray 4. Paper is not put in all machines in landscape orientation because it increases the frequency of jamming.
  James Phillips
  Facilities and Support Services

• By A Hopkins Staff Person April 10, 2012 - 3:31 pm

  I know that Hopkins staff in general can check books out of the library.

  But I just learned that staff that works in the library but for sub-contractors, like the Cafe Q staff and the security staff (maybe custodial staff too?) — not only can they not check out books, but they aren’t even allowed to be in the library during “hopkins only hours”. I think Cafe Q is even open during some of those hours, so these folks sometimes aren’t even allowed to sit in a comfy chair and read a book after they get off shift.

  This seems to me disrespectful of them and them and the work they do for us. I think JHU as a whole has some kind of initiative to be more friendly to the community — seems to me that letting sub-contracted staff that work in the library BE in the library during all open hours would be a great step in that direction. Just a suggestion.
  -A Hopkins Staff Person

  Dear Hopkins Staff Person,
  Thank you for bringing this situation to our attention. Your suggestion and possible solutions are being investigated by the library administration.
  Thank you,
  Robin N Sinn
  Academic Liaison

• By Bothered on B March 9, 2012 - 1:55 pm

  I am a grad student with an assigned carrel on B level. Today after lunch I found an undergrad in my carrel, despite the availability of carrels elsewhere in the library. This happens frequently, I don’t mind waiting while they move. However, today he had his bare foot up on my desk, where he was changing bandages, leaving the dirty ones gauze side down on my desk. Can we put some kind of cage up around our grad carrels like most university libraries have to keep this sort of thing from happening? This is my desk, its where I keep my stuff, and I don’t like the fact that people can so easily trash it and turn it into a biohazard and I have to live with it. In a perfect world, we wouldnt need it, but these undergrads are far from it. In the past I’ve had to tolerate spilled sticky messes, chatty undergrads, and once even witnessing my desk having been turned into a makeshift tent during finals period. This all-around disrespectful selfish attitude from other unassigned patrons using these desks is driving me crazy.
  -Bothered on B
  Dear Bothered,
  A very unpleasant picture here! However, I don’t think we will be putting cages over these study desks any time soon. I certainly hope that when the BLC opens there will be enough study desks for everyone and the graduate work stations will be left alone. In the meantime, I suggest that you ask any inteloper to clean up before they leave. If that doesn’t work you can call 410-516-8338 (daytime) or request assistance at the guard’s desk (evenings or weekends).
  Kathleen Anderson
  Support Services

• By frustrated February 18, 2012 - 4:19 pm

  As we all know, the lower levels of the library can get a bit stuffy during prime study hours. But having an underground library is cool, and this is not the subject of my complaint.
  I can dress in layers in anticipation of differing temperatures, and I carry ear plugs in case there is any bothersome noise. But i never would have thought to bring a noseplug. I was wondering if you could post a reminder to students that some of us are very sensitive (borderline allergic) to perfume and cologne, and in small, enclosed, underground spaces with no windows, the perfume doesn’t have anywhere to go but around and around. Right now on C level there is a person with such strong perfume that I’m having trouble focusing. moving somewhere else is an option a lot of the time, but it’s very busy now and there were few options – also, I’ve found that this is a recurring problem.
  I’m not sure exactly how to remind other patrons of this concern but if you could post about it on your Facebook page or with some signage somewhere, I would very dearly appreciate it. Thanks!
  -Frustrated
  Dear Frustrated,
  A colleague of mine called this a “civility problem” and I think she’s right. Other examples would be be the person who taps their pencil while he reads, hums while she writes, or lets his phone ring in a quiet area.
  I understand that this person’s perfume makes a section of the library intolerable to you. And I empathize. But if we posted signs about every possible “civility problem”, you wouldn’t be able to see the books any longer.
  I believe your options are to change your study space when she arrives or
  politely tell her of your discomfort. The second option will probably help several people.
  Good luck,
  Robin N Sinn
  Research Services

• By David January 3, 2012 - 3:04 pm

  Hi-
  So it is not unusual for me to have a DOI for an article that is not within our subscription. FindIt is great, but we don’t have everything, of course. The problem is that if FindIt fails, I have to go to an ILL request form (or Eisenhower express if it is something we have on a shelf but not in electronic form) and there I have to enter all that tedious info (Title, volume, year, etc). I want to suggest a couple of things to help smooth this process:

  1. A DOI box on the ILL and Eisenhower Express forms would be great.
  2. A link on FindIt that would populate the ILL/EE forms or maybe just do them for you and submit them would be great.

  Seems to me that if all the requisite info is in the DOI already, it would be nice to not have to manually enter it.

  And… if I am a dope and am just missing implementations of these features already… well… sorry, and… never mind…
  Thanks,
  David

  Dear David,
  Those are great suggestions!
  I’ve forwarded your comments to both our Systems and ILL/EE departments, along with your name and email. They will contact you if they have questions about your suggestions. If they have comments that other readers might be interested in, we’ll post them here.
  Thank you for taking the time to make these suggestions. We welcome this kind of feedback!
  Robin
  Update: Thank you for asking this question, because I’ve learned something. FindIt CAN use the DOI to prepopulate an ILL form with the article or book chapter information. When you paste the DOI into the box on our FindIt page, you have to be sure not to include http or dx.doi.org. You need to use just the number; here’s an example: 10.1016/S0065-3519(99)80009-3. Once you get the FindIt page that says we don’t have the online version, just click on MSE Borrowers, login to the ILL system, and you’ll see the form is already filled out. Look it over and hit submit.
  Thanks,
  Robin N Sinn
  Research Services

• By caddy December 27, 2011 - 12:59 pm

  The mouse at computer M09 is almost unusable and needs to be replaced. Thanks!
  Caddy
  Dear Caddy,
  I’ve passed your request to our Systems Dept.
  Update: Did you mean a different computer? M09 is marked out of order and hasn’t worked for awhile.
  Thanks,
  Robin N Sinn
  Research Services

• By GM December 21, 2011 - 4:10 pm

  When exporting a reference from the catalog directly to Refworks, would it be possible to have refworks open in a new window? At the moment it doesn’t, and the back button on the browser (Internet Explorer) doesn’t allow a return to the library catalog.
  -Anonymous
  I’ve passed your comments on to our Systems Dept. and will let you know their reply. If you move more than one item to RefWorks, then a second tab or browser does open – in both Internet Explorer and Firefox.
  Thanks,
  Robin N Sinn
  Research Services
  Update:
  Our Systems Dept. thanks you for the input. They are compiling a list of suggestions from users, and yours has been added to the list.
  If you have other suggestions about Catalyst, you can send them directly to the Systems Department using the red Feedback button in the upper right corner of every Catalyst page.
  Thank you.

• By perturbed December 7, 2011 - 5:43 pm

  Can you please identify the librarian who recommended a book by Thomas Sowell, for an “honest” discussion of race, on MSE’s twitter account? I’d like to avoid him or her.

  Dear Perturbed,

  We’re sorry about the nature of this tweet and have taken it down. We will review our guidelines with our staff, which do specifically state that “University policies on anti-harrassment and discrimination extend to all forms of communication, including social media, both inside and outside the workplace.”

  Sincerely,
  Margaret Burri
  Head of Research Services

• By Grad student November 28, 2011 - 9:09 pm

  At night, the lighting in the Hut is a little dim. It’s hard to read for extended periods. The areas under the “sky lights” along the glass walls are much better. Could we get brighter, full-spectrum lighting in the rest of the Hut?
  - Grad Student
  Dear Grad Student,
  I have forwarded your request to Support Services. They are taking it under consideration. When a decision is made, I’ll share it here.
  Thank you!
  Robin N Sinn
  Research Services
  Update! Support Services has requested that the lighting in the Hut be upgraded as you suggested. We hope the work will be completed in the next week or so.
  Robin
  Update #2 The electricians examined the lighting in the Hut and have verified that it is functioning properly. They also acknowledge that, in parts of the room, the ambient light is not suitable for long periods of reading at night. Unfortunately, the lighting will not be changed at this time.
  I’m sure you have already considered any alternate study places I could suggest. I hope you find a comfortable and well-lit alternative.
  Robin

• By Bothered on B September 28, 2011 - 8:54 am

  I have an assigned carrel on B-level, and despite the signs proclaiming otherwise, it is often in use by someone other than the assignee.
  I don’t have a problem with that, except every once in a while when someone leaves me a nice sticky mess on my desk. I know that security already patrols on the lookout for food, but its been my observation that there is a very high level of food consumption in the library. Is there any way to enforce this mor strictly so that my desk doesn’t get all gummed up?
  It would otherwise seem a little too much to make the janitorial staff check all the desks every day for messes, and as there are no paper towels in the bathrooms anymore, its impossible for me to clean it up myself.
  Thanks.
  -Bothered on B

  Dear Bothered,
  Though the security guards are on the look out for food, it is easily hidden when they are walking through the building. We will remind the custodians to be on the alert to wiping down sticky study tables.
  If you encounter the problem in the 8:30-5:00 PM time slot during the week, come to the Support Services office on A-level and we will gladly make sure that your desk is cleaned and ready for use.
  Kathleen Anderson
  Support Services

• By Sniffing September 26, 2011 - 11:11 pm

  Is it possible for their to be Kleenex available to library goers, on all levels? Nothing is more distracting than the sniffing of clogged noses when sitting on C level… I would know, I’m getting angry looks.
  Thank you!
  Sniffing
  Dear Sniffing,
  When we set out tissue boxes, the entire box is usually taken away by a cold sufferer. So we don’t do that any longer. We will be asking our vending supplier to place small packets of tissues in the M level vending machine. (They aren’t there yet.) That leaves bringing your own (a pain, I know), or using toilet paper (uncomfortable, to say the least).
  Sorry!
  Robin N Sinn
  Research Services

• By Bothered on B September 22, 2011 - 11:00 am

  Would it be possible to vacuum during the hours when the lower levels are closed to patrons? It seems a much more opportune time to make a lot of noise, as it will not disturb anyone.
  Dear Bothered on B,
  Our apologies for the delay in reply. We’ve determined from the date, time, and location of your query that this happened because someone had broken a glass and our custodial staff was cleaning it up. So, thankfully, this was an unusual occurrence.
  Best regards,
  Ellen Keith
  Research Services

• By Freezing September 7, 2011 - 7:15 pm

  Dear MSEL,
  While I do understand that different people will have dissenting views as to thermostat settings, may I suggest that these be raised somewhat? The ecologically disastrous implications of the AC usage at Johns Hopkins are compounded by the extraordinary discomfort and frustration of catching colds all summer and being too cold year-round. The AC is particularly unreasonable in the Gilman atrium/cafe/whatever space with the giant lampshades shaped like pottery. I will be even more grateful than mother nature.
  - Freezing
  Dear Freezing,
  I can only address the conditions in this building. The Hopkins Office of Sustainability has the people you need to talk to about A/C settings and energy use across the campus.
  I checked in with our Support Services office about our own A/C settings. In this building we have to balance keeping people comfortable (which is a wide range, as you acknowledge) with preserving our books, journals, tapes, and film. It’s a tough balance and we appreciate your awareness of that.
  Thank you!
  Robin N Sinn
  Research Services

• By D-Level Resident June 30, 2011 - 6:32 pm

  Dear MSEL,

  I work in an office on D-Level and noticed there’s been a seemingly significant change of temperature recently. (It feels significantly warmer). Is this a temporary change (perhaps due to the construction) or something more long-term?

  Sincerely,
  D-Level Resident

  Dear D-Level Resident,
  We have been closely monitoring the temps on all the levels and do not have a record of a steady rise on D-level. Please let me know which study room (which end of the building are you in ?) and the time of day when the temperature is rising. I can request some HVAC service if needed. Thank you for alerting me to this problem.

  Kathleen Anderson
  Support Services

• By Amy June 23, 2011 - 2:19 am

  Dear Staff,
  Why is it that the Hut isn’t open 24 hours? It seems like a terrible waste that it isn’t since I’ve spent many late night and early morning hours squinting in the dim light of the Gilman main hall working after the library’s closed when a locked Hut is just a few meters away with all the lights on. If the lights are on 24 hours a day anyway–why not let students work then instead of trying to crouch in halls for better light or stilling in the dim light of the main hall because they need a “desk”? I would also feel much safer in there than in the dark open hall.
  Sincerely,
  Sleepy and Squinting
  Dear Sleepy and Squinting,
  Reasoning that went into the Hut not being open 24 hours during the summer included:

  previously, the Hut was closed in the summers (before the Gilman renovation),
  added costs of cleaning and security,
  lower use in the summer during the night and early morning.

  I will pass your comments directly to our Associate Director. She is very interested in feedback about the Hut from our students.
  Thank you for your observation about wasting the energy to light an unused room. We will look into motion-activated lighting for the Hut.
  Thank you,
  Robin N Sinn
  Research Services

• By amy June 3, 2011 - 2:44 am

  hey, sorry i know this isn’t your department but i’m not sure who to tell–so could you please tell someone to vacum the carpets in the Gilman Memorial Hall? They are absolutely disgusting and look like they’ve never been vacuumed before.
  p.s.
  several of your D-level power outlets aren’t working in the study clusters in the back–it’s been like that for a few months now–like maybe 2 or 3…
  Dear Amy,
  We’ve requested vacuum attention in Gilman, and staff members in Support Services will investigate the power outlets on D-Level. This is the first we’ve heard of this problem; thank you for letting us know.
  Kathleen Anderson
  Support Services

• By Anonymous May 22, 2011 - 3:23 pm

  There are ants crawling around on the desks on M-level! Is there any way these can be sprayed for?
  -Anonymous
  Dear Anonymous,
  The custodian wiped down every table on M-level to remove any sticky residue from spilled coffee and food odors from the area. When the exterminator visits on Wednesday I will request ant traps be placed on M-level. These are effective and safe ways to deal with ant incursions.
  Thank you for reporting this.
  Kathleen Anderson
  Support Services

• By Gilman habitue May 12, 2011 - 3:54 pm

  The climate control in the Hut isn’t working. It routinely feels like a greenhouse in there. As much fun as it is, watching everyone slowly get sleepy and slouch in their seats, is there a way the AC could be cranked up in there?
  -Gilman Habitue
  Dear Gilman Habitue,
  Thank you for reporting this problem in the Hut. We have talked with Plant Operations and reminded them that the Hut is heavily used during finals. They will fix the problem as soon as possible.
  Thank you,
  Kathleen Anderson
  Support Services

• By C level dweller March 12, 2011 - 6:19 pm

  Would it be possible to have fans available to the study rooms on the C level? With the doors shut, the rooms get pretty hot and stuffy, and the chalk dust doesn’t help.
  Thanks!
  Hi C-Level Dweller!
  We know the temperature in the library has been fairly unbearable lately. Support Services, which handles all things building related, has been calling Plant Ops daily to work on the heat. I’ve passed on your request for fans.
  Ellen Keith
  Research Services

• By Anonymous February 27, 2011 - 8:38 pm

  The C level women’s bathroom has not had soap for the past 3-4 days. Could some soap be placed in the bathrooms?
  Thanks!
  Anonymous
  Dear Anonymous,
  Support Services is aware of this and waiting for the proper folks to come and fix it. I spoke with them again and they’re going to put a container of hand sanitizer in the bathroom until this can be fixed. When I’ve had to use the bathroom (my office is on C), I’ve used the hand sanitizer on the column near the central stairwell.
  Thanks!
  Robin N Sinn
  Research Services

• By Keith February 8, 2011 - 12:50 am

  Hello,
  I would just like to suggest lowering the volume of the loudspeaker that announces when the circulation desk closes; it is actually quite deafening which is superfluous in a silent library.
  Thanks!
  Keith
  Dear Keith,
  Thank you for writing about your concern. We have investigated this problem in the past and discovered that what sounds very loud in one location is too quiet to be heard in other areas. Some students have missed the last call and claimed to hear nothing at all! For general safety purposes, we need the PA system loud enough to be heard in every part of the library.
  Kathy Anderson
  Support Services

• By Grad on D-level January 29, 2011 - 4:14 pm

  Hi,

  I was wondering if by any chance a self check out machine would be installed on the other levels besides the main one. A lot of grad students have books in lockers and we have to go upstairs to check out and then go back down stairs to store them. If we had a self check out on each level, especially the D-level it would reduce the inconvenience and the number of grads putting books in their lockers illegally and it would be more convenient for everyone.

  Kindly,
  Grad student on the D-level
  Thanks for your comments regarding the Self-Check machine. I’m pleased to hear that you find it useful. Having additional self-check units on other floors would definitely be a convenience for in-house carrel and locker check-out. I’ll add your request to my wish list of items I would like to purchase should unanticipated funds become available. Unfortunately, the cost of each self-check unit is about $17,000. 00. At the moment our plans for self-check expansion are as follows:
  - Add two new units for each entrance to the Brody Learning Commons — under construction.
  - Upgrade the current self-check unit at the circulation desk for check-out of the DVD collection.
  Thanks again for your suggestion!
  Jim Gillispie
  Head, Access Services and Government Publications, Maps, and Law

• By scanner (un)friendly January 26, 2011 - 8:22 pm

  Hi there MSEL!
  I thought you should know that someone left relics on A-level. I found there by the computers the first scanners that man designed– the prototypes for the modern pieces of technology that you and I have today.
  We are an impressive research university library with resources and technology available to patrons– but could we do something about these antediluvian scanners here?

  Speaking more seriously, it truly is difficult to scan anything on what we currently have. Scanning one or two page documents is very confusing– and takes a long time to figure out. What do you think about this?
  Thank you for your comment. When the scanners on A level were installed, they were meant as a temporary solution to provide patrons with ability to scan, while we implemented more robust devices. Unfortunately, our technology vendors were not able to deliver. At this point, we are reviewing our options; we are well aware that our current machines are not fully adequate for the task anymore. We expect the decision to be made in the near future.
  Oleg Tsygan
  Systems Department

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