Seats at the express workstations and staplers

You wrote:

I wish you have bar stools for the l0 min computers. I am OLD and standing for 10 min hurts my legs.

Would you please chain a stabler to the leg of one of t he tables or chairs after the workers have left the library? Last night I had to submit my work to my professor. I found it inconvenient to leave my papers unstable in her mail box. She could mix up my papers.  Don’t expect me to carry a stable and other stationery around because they are too heavy and too expensive for a poor student.

Thank you.

Thank you for your email.  In the Webster Library, there are express workstations that are at a lower level and that have chairs.  If you have trouble standing for a certain period of time, please use them.  They are there for you.  At the Vanier Library, it is true that there are no seats available at the express workstations.  I have passed your suggestion to the Vanier Library Director.

As for the stapler….unfortunately, the stapler at the Webster Library has to be put away at the end of service hours because otherwise the stapler will be stolen or broken beyond repair.  This happens even when it is attached to the furniture. Nevertheless, I have passed your comment on to the Director of the Webster Library.

No PIN required for self-checkout machines

You wrote:

The removal of the passwords on the self-check-out is dangerous.

I have on two occasions found student ID cards. I gave them to security, but what if the policy had been in place, and someone else had found the cards?

Can you really say the student is responsible for stolen books on their card if you do this?

When a credit card is stolen the card company assumes the cost of the theft, is the library willing to do this?

and

I’m shocked to see that password is no longer required to borrow books using the self check-out machines. I would like the library to tell me what the policy will be regarding books checked out on a card that was lost or stolen. I understand that, in any case, students must always report a stolen ID card as soon as they notice the card is missing, but noticing that the card is missing is not instantaneous. I can honestly think of no other instances where a card can be used by a complete stranger like this. A debit card requires a pin, and a credit card holder is not liable for purchases made on a stolen card, even if these purchases were made before the card was reported stolen.

Everyone agrees that security must be improved with these kinds of devices, so what is the reasoning behind this unannounced change? And will students be held responsible for books “borrowed” on a stolen card? Will there be a maximum amount of money one must pay?

Thank you for your comments and questions. On March 19th, the Libraries announced that a PIN would no longer be required when using a library self-check machine. This is one of those tricky situations where the need for simplicity is measured against the need for security.

It is true that the present system of not requiring a PIN at the self-checkout machines is not as secure as it was in the past. However, abuse of the system can only happen at the self-checkout machines. Nowhere else. Therefore, if a student reports that items were checked out on his/her record without his/her knowledge, we can tell what terminal they were checked out from. If the item was loaned out at a self-checkout machine, staff will take this information into account when deciding how to handle lost book charges, etc.

So, since -

• there is a limited number of places where a problem can occur
• similar systems have been in place in other universities for over ten years
• we want to make it easier for students to use the self-checkout service, especially after regular service hours

PINs are no longer required for self-checkout. That said, if students notice that they have lost their id cards, they should report it asap.

Friendly reminder not to leave your belongings unattended

You wrote:

Please start a campaign similar to this:  http://i.imgur.com/fCGaaur.jpg

Particularly during exam period, I dozens of laptops unattended. It also baffles me when students ask complete strangers to watch their stuff. It’s unpleasant to lose a valuable. Maybe this would help.

Thank you very much for this reminder.  The Libraries do have signs that warn students not to leave their belongings unattended.  However it is always a good idea to be safe.  The University’s Security Department has a useful Tips page here.

Wooden chairs

You wrote:

Hello,
I know that this issue has been raised in the past but I would like to have updates on it: will there be anything happening regarding the wooden chairs of the blue zones downtown campus? It would be pointless to a certain extent to reinforce the silence policy here if nothing is done regarding the noise due to these chairs. Seriously, it is almost unbearable. These chairs make a lot of noise, despite little movement.  Can we please have updates on this matter? Is anything being done, if yes, for when will be the change?

….another thought: if there is a plan to change the wooden yellow chairs to help with the noise level, it would be beneficial to look into the blue color chairs
as students tend to sit for long periods of time and having comfortable chairs would help the focus and reduce pain. I myself have serious back pain when
sitting on high school kind chairs where there is little place for movement and the material on which we lay our weight it not the most comfortable, not
forgetting the discomfort in the legs and arms after a little while which requires from us distraction such as little walks in the library, snacks, watching a video
to forget the pain or virtual socialization.  Basically, the sofa/cushion type of material helps a lot! Thank you for considering my suggestion.

Thank you for your emails.  As you wrote, the subject of the wooden chairs has come up before.    You can read it all here.  The wooden chairs have been temporarily relocated to the Webster Library.  Once the library is renovated, in the next couple of years, the chairs will be gone.  No more squeaky chairs!

BTW, if you read all the comments that have been posted on this subject, you will see that some people like them!  Also, the Vanier Library had the chairs for many, many years and generally speaking, that library was always considered to be quiet, despite its chairs. 

High demand for lab space

You wrote:

I came to work in the small lab in Webster, and saw there was a sign saying there was a workshop to take place from 5:30-8:30. While that is normally fine, it was 6pm and there was a grand total of two students plus the librarian in the lab. This is really insane. This is wasting a potentially useful resource for those two. If at 6pm none other than two showed up how can you justify blocking it to the rest of us who need to work? It would be incredibly appreciated if there is found to be low attendance for workshops, to consider opening it to others, while  informing them of the potential distraction and to act responsibly and work quietly. Especially with it being a busy time of year, this seems selfish and incredibly frustrating.

Thank you for your comment.  Something similar was suggested earlier in the term.  You can see my response here.  In the plans for the Webster Library renovations, there are several small-group instruction rooms.

Elevator noise

You wrote:

Is there a way the sound on the elevators can be turned down? I understand it is probably needed for the differently baled, but it can be very distracting to anyone sitting on that side of e lib during busy times. Maybe the sound can be turned down just in busy times? Or maybe a more subtle and less jarring noise
could be used?

Thank you for your comment.  This has been addressed in previous posts.

Open layout

You wrote:

I really love the openness of the 3rd floor with the big section of wooden blue zone tables. I’m glad that type of space was added because the individual cubicle desks tended to induce sleeping but were often the only option in the blue zones. The wooden chairs are very comfortable for me, too.

Thank you for your comments.  You may have read that the changes that were made to the 3rd floor of the Webster Library are temporary.  I will pass your comments to the renovation planners.

LB 203 booked for instruction

You wrote:

As a Masters student, I tend to spend a good chunk of time researching in the library.  Unfortunately, a chunk of my time is also spent trying to actually find a computer to work on. This is absolutely ridiculous, and almost as infuriating as the new ‘printing’ system (but that’s another issue on its own ). 

Traditionally, my one haven in the (downtown) library has been the small lab near the reserve room.  It’s quiet, out of the way, and fantastic for working for hours on end. What has happened recently is that the lab is taken up by ‘library workshops’. While I realize this was the original intention of the lab, this is completely unjustified in light of the reality of the paucity of computers. I cannot begin to tell you how infuriating it is to run around trying to find a computer, and pass by the lab, barred to regular use while four and a half students rapturedly listen to the evolution of citation styles, in a room that has over 30 computers.
In what way is this justified? When a workshop is in session, we aren’t allowed in even if the room is three-quarters empty. If we are able to block out the noise and won’t disturb, this type of monopolization should not be allowed.

I was absolutely increduled to just come from seeing the lab completely empty but locked, with the time slot 10-4 blocked off. I was told that due to there being numerous workshops, it was locked “so that the librarians won’t have the unpleasant act of kicking students out”. So for that reason, perfectly functional computers are barred from use. I find this the unfortunately typical type of response in the library- I suppose it would not occur to anyone
to simply put up a sign saying, “please note that in 1.5hours, there will be a class and you will have to leave?” This would save the librarians the burden but enable people to at least get some work done. Whose interests is this intended to be for?

I’m actually counting my lucky stars that I actually found a computer, as this is a rare find
these days. Please take this (extremely frequent) concern/frustration/injustice into consideration- we have legitimate work to do, and the location that ought to be most conducive to encouraging it, is simply not.

Thank you for your email. I have forwarded it to the Director of the Webster Library.

I understand your frustration, however, I can tell you that LB 203 *is* heavily used for instruction sessions. That’s what it is there for. Until a few years ago, it was exclusively used for that purpose. Also, staff has told me that, unfortunately, *some* students are extremely unpleasant when they are told to leave the room when it is needed for a class.

As for your suggestion to allow people to use the room while it is in use for a lecture, I think that would be highly inappropriate. It would be very disruptive to the lecturer and to the students in the class to have outsiders there. Imagine such a thing in any of your own classes? How would you feel?

Unfortunately, until the Webster Library undergoes its major renovations, students will have to look at the room’s schedule, which is posted on its door. You can also call the Information Desk at 514-848-2424-7700 to find out that room’s availability, before leaving home.

New study space….. Really?

You wrote:

Collection Reconfiguration / Increased Study Space

I’ve been studying at  the Webster library for many years now and I was very enthusiastic when I first heard about the new study space project. However upon its completion now, I really couldn’t care less for it. This is because of the space being furnished with those old, elementary school-style chairs and tables.  Aside from the fact that the chairs are just uncomfortable overall – especially for a person of taller stature like myself – they make annoying rattling and cracking sounds which can honestly be very distracting, especially for a designated blue zone. Indeed if they are meant to be permanent, this fact alone makes it more conducive to it being an orange zone.

I’ve been a longtime fan of the cushioned chairs – they’ve ironically been the subject of conversions with other students over the years. The subtle ergonomics of the chairs really do help relieve strain as they have a flexible, bounce-back effect that helps to conform to your body’s movement. Also the commercial-grade laminate tables are great because aside from providing an ample work surface area, they feel more clean as the cleaning staff are able to wipe them down quickly and effectively. Unfortunately this definitely can’t be said for the surfaces of the wooden desks.

If this new area could be furnished with standard commercial-grade workplace furniture, it would definitely be an even greater addition to the library.  Indeed it perplexes me to think that such an elaborate project was undertaken just to produce such an unrefined end result.

Regardless of the actual furnishing though, will the tables also be outfitted with extension cords?

I have good news for you.  The “new study space project” is far from completed.  In fact it is just beginning!  The furniture that you refer to is old furniture that used to be housed at the Vanier Library.  (By the way, although you are not the first to complain about those wooden chairs, some people love them too!)  Since Webster has recently acquired some much needed study space on the third floor and Vanier no longer needed the furniture, we moved it to Webster temporarily.  Rest assured that this is not what the end-result will look like!

Thank you for taking the time to write.  If you have anymore suggestions for the “new” Libraries, please send them to the Suggestion Box.  I will gladly pass them on to the appropriate Library Directors.

Less garbage cans – more recycling bins

You wrote:

Regarding the Webster library, why did you remove the garbage cans from the study rooms especially from the areas both in and around graduate and regular study rooms? Recycling bins has also been removed. Until a week ago, we had garbage cans in the study rooms and recycling bins right next to the women’s washrooms. We want to keep a clean library therefore it seems strange to remove them from heavily concentrated areas.

Thank you for your question. We found that the small black garbage pails were often overflowing – litter, spilled coffee and pop on the floor, sometimes on the carpet, even under the stacks.  Custodial Services suggested that we remove these small catch-alls and replace them with “slims”, tall green bins.  They are usually in threes, one for empty containers, such as water bottles, one for paper, and one for garbage.   They are larger than the old garbage cans and make it easier for us to recycle, since there is no sorting involved.  Furthermore, nothing spills on to the floor, as these newer containers all have lids.  Staff has received comments on how much neater the Webster Library now looks.

Study rooms no longer have garbage pails because there should be no food in the rooms.  If students have paper to throw out, please use the closest recycling container when you leave the room.   Staff has been checking the study rooms early in the morning and so far, they appear to be neater than before.

This way of doing things lines up with the “modus operandi” of sustainability and getting away from the one “catch all” method.