Library classrooms not computer labs

You wrote:

hello,
during exam period, why are there schedule classes in computer labs (in library) ?
already, there are not enough tables with plugs for laptops….
thanks

Thank you for your question.

It must be frustrating not to find an electrical outlet in the Libraries. However, LB 203, LB 211 and VL 122 are not computer labs; they are library classrooms, used by librarians for instruction sessions. They are primarily for that purpose. When we do not need them for teaching, we open them to students.

Both libraries are currently being re-wired to increase the number of electrical outlets available to students. This should help to alleviate the problem.

Your Suggestions Make a Difference

Though we can’t  always act on each question or comment we receive, here is a quick progress report on some of  recent library developments directly related to your Suggestion Box input: 

Electrical outlets
There have been many pleas for more electrical outlets in the libraries for all those students with laptops. Though we reported that the electrical system at Webster would be upgraded and that outlets would be installed throughout both libraries over the summer, work delays beyond our control have slowed this process down. We did want to let you know that this issue is still a top priority and that the renovation work will definitely be completed this semester. Special thanks go to the CSU Library Services Fund Committee for its support and funding of this improvement project, which will result in about 800 additional electrical outlets in the Libraries.

Keyboard Languages
Though there has been no blog post about this until now, we  received requests one-on-one  that additional keyboard languages be made available on the library computers so that students could more easily write their papers in languages other than English and French.  You might have noticed in our What’s New that almost all library workstations now make the following available, in accordance with the language programs offered at Concordia:  English (Canada & U.S.), French (Canada), Arabic, Chinese, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Russian, Spanish.

Dirty Keyboards
Also off the blog so far, we received comments about dirt and germs on keyboards at some of the computer workstations at Webster. We have now initiated a more regular cleaning program for the keyboards of all computers in the library,  and hope that this should improve the situation. Do note, however, that:  a) unusually dirty keyboards or work areas can always be reported to the nearest service desk, and b) computer keyboards in a public area like ours will never be germ-free, no matter how often they are cleaned, so be sure to take proper hygiene into your own hands.

Ask a Wizard
We received more than one plea to get rid of the Ask a Librarian “wizard” that popped up and flew around on public workstations at every login.  Now that the Ask a Librarian service is featured  more prominently through other avenues, we’ve decided to go with the flow and bid the wizard adieu.

What’s New With Noise
You very recently asked what new initiatives we have implemented regarding noise reduction in the library. We didn’t mention it in the post but would now like to highlight that last month, the rubber-like linoleum floor covering in the Webster library entrance area was completely replaced by carpet, which should be much better suited for the important task of noise absorption.

Thanks for your contributions! Let us know if you are curious about the status of any other items you’ve seen mentioned on the blog.

Electrical outlets

You wrote:

I graduated from Concordia several years ago and am currently perusing my graduate studies at another Canadian academic institution. Having come back to Montreal for the holidays I found myself back at Concordia’s Loyola campus library. One thing that I would like to suggest is that Concordia’s libraries are in dire need of plug installations for each cubicle.

Welcome back to Montreal! Thank you for your suggestion.  Indeed, the Vanier and Webster Libraries will be adding electrical outlets over the summer months.  Take a look at what others had to say about this.

Getting plugged in: good news

You wrote:

It is always SO DIFFICULT to find a plug. McGill makes it easy, having invested in tables with one plug per person on each tabletop—why can’t we? The extension plugs are messy and don’t reach to all tables, making it unfair for most who really do need battery power.

Thanks for your comment. We completely agree that the outlets currently available for students just won’t do, and that extension plugs are messy and hazardous.  The good news is that we will be adding one outlet per seat on all floors of the Webster Library,  and on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Vanier Library,  this summer. We can’t yet tell you exactly which month the project will take place since important renovations are involved.  The Webster Library building is not currently equipped to handle such a load and the electrical system will have to be upgraded before the outlets can be added. We appreciate the comments of all those who chimed in on this issue and are looking forward to the improvements almost as much as you.

Outlets for laptops and spaces without

You wrote:

Yes, I know that that I am far from the only person to suggest/complain about this, but we really do need more electrical outlets for use with laptops. The library is a truly excellent place to come and write papers, but as most (ie ALL) teachers want papers typewritten, students need their laptops to do this, and there are simply not enough outlets to accommodate all students, especially during exam time.

I fully support the idea of having laptop free zones (if I’m just here to read or take notes, the sound of keys can be extremely annoying) , but in any area that is not laptop free, there really ought to be a plug provided for every individual study nook, and of course, a couple available for the group study tables.

Thank you for your comments. It is true that you are not the first person to  request more electrical outlets for laptops nor to advocate for laptop-free zones, but it certainly never hurts to add your voice to the chorus. We are definitely still planning on adding electrical outlets throughout the library, at the latest in the summer of this year. It  also makes sense to keep the possibility of laptop-free silent areas  in mind when planning for the placement of these power outlets. Thanks again for the twin ideas.

Power for laptops

We received two recent comments about outlets for laptops.

You wrote:

The power outlets scattered around the library are a major problem. First of all the number of these outlets is too few. Secondly, there are numerous systems that could be used to provide power outlets for every or at least every two study stations.  Right now there are plenty of free spots around the library but people only use the stations that are near the power outlets. This lack of power outlets not only makes the seats near them too noisy and crowded but also makes it almost impossible to find a seating spot near them.

….and:

At the library, I usually bring my own laptop as I enjoy writing papers here rather than in my noisy home. However, I usually have to stump my
“writing-flow” as my computer slowly runs out of battery (usually lasts three hours). The stations with outlets are always full (night and day). It would be wonderful to have at least one outlet for every four stations.

Thank you for your suggestions. Last year over one hundred 7-outlet power bars were added to all floors of the Webster and Vanier libraries in order to significantly increase the number of outlets available to students with laptops. It looks like there is still a need for more  in certain areas of Webster however.  We are planning on adding electrical outlets during this academic year and will keep you posted on the progress of these plans.

And a bit of related good news:  We have just renovated our library classroom LB 211. When it is not booked for classes the room  will offer seating  and laptops for up to 30 students.  This semester it should be available for general student use as of Novermber 30.

What is Quiet?

You wrote:

Thank you so much for becoming a 24-hour library! That is simply amazing. Also, thank you for dividing the library into silent and non-silent areas.

Here are my suggestions:

1. Better educate people on what “quiet” study is. Or perhaps suggest a limit as to how high can someone speak. I’ve been to both areas and I’ve found that security passes through the silent area more often than the quiet area. I think students have established that the silent area is really silent hence requiring less supervision. However, the quiet area, in my opinion requires more supervision.

2. Students can contribute in keeping it low through reporting other students if they are making noise, however, I’m not sure if there’s a fast and effective way of doing that, other than going through Concordia’s main security, then being transferred to that of the library (this suggestion is a follow up to the first).

3. Increase extension cables — equally. I do appreciate the extra black cables distributed, but I don’t think that’s enough. Just today, I had to go through the 3rd and 4th floor (in the silent area) to find an electric outlet (that took me around 8 minutes).

Other than that, coming to the library has been a great experience for me. Thank you.

Thank you for expressing your appreciation of the 24-hour access to the Libraries, the new study zones, and your library experience in general!

 Your comment about more supervision in the orange “quiet study” areas is not going unheard. The notion of just what “quiet” study means can be quite subjective, which is why we like to hear from you about these issues. Reaching a common understanding should become easier as the study zones become more entrenched in our library culture.

 You are welcome to come and see a library staff member, or to flag one of us down as we do our rounds, if you feel others are clearly violating the guidelines we have set out and posted for the orange zones.  Another option would be to choose a silent study area when you know you will be requiring a high degree of quiet, especially since the blue zones tend to fill up less quickly than the orange ones.

It’s good to know that you appreciate the extension cords we installed. We are certainly taking note of your suggestion for more. Thanks again for all your comments.

Powerbars at Vanier

You wrote:

I noticed at the Webster library that extension power bars are available in the large study areas, allowing for more access for people with laptops. And yet, Vanier doesn’t have this? It’s frustrating for those of us who spend most of our time at Vanier, and who often have to search more than one floor to find a plug in the right zone, whereas it’s just automatically offered at Webster.

Thank for your comment about this issue. Your suggestion is well-timed:  extension powerbars will be installed on all three floors of the Vanier library by next week.  This should greatly improve the number of electrical outlets available to students with laptops.

Study Zones and Sockets

We have begun to receive feedback about the new Study Zones (and the increased number of sockets for plugging in your laptops) . One person wrote:

I love the new colour coded zones, exactly what the library needed! now lets make sure that it gets enforced!
and i see that you have added power bars to the sockets, AMAZING, hunting for available sockets used to be a huge pain. great stuff!

And, another person wrote:

I wanted to give my warmest thanks to those responsible for the new quiet zones in the library. For the past three years I’ve been frustrated and disturbed with the amount of noise in the library. I anticipate that the quiet zones will be monitored to ensure that there will be a quite area where students can study productively.  Thank you, this initiative is muchly appreciated and is long overdue!

Thanks for your positive feedback! We are very happy that you appreciate this initiative. Library staff will be visiting the study areas regularly to raise awareness of the new silent and quiet zones. Have a good term.

Computers, Scanners, Sockets…

You wrote:

Very frustrated! While a university student need the computer most for study and writing assignment, the library isn’t the most friendly place to go anymore. The workstations (the only group that had the soundcard) on the 3rd floor SGW library 50% were marked out of order. One of the only two scanners was out of order. Most of the electric sockets do not work even if I bring in my own laptop.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Several of our workstations are in the process of being re-imaged for the coming Fall semester. We hope that this work will soon be complete and that you are no longer inconvenienced. We are sorry that the scanner has been out of order; it should be fixed soon. We are interested to know which electrical sockets do not work. Can you get back in touch with us (via the Suggestion Box is fine) and let us know which floor and approximately where on that floor you found the electrical sockets that don’t work? We can have them looked at by an electrician. Thanks for writing.