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.

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.

Empty seats hard to find

You wrote:

This afternoon, after my class, it took me 40 minutes to find an empty spot to work. This is not me being selective. There were simply no empty spots in any
zone. I explored every corner of the library.

However, there were easily 50 spots (without exageration) that had peoples’ stuff, including unprotected laptops, coats, books and more, but nobody
there. When I asked people nearby, some were gone for well over 20-30 minutes.

The library NEEDS a policy on unwatched stuff.  Students are not learning based on the signage, and are only looking after themselves. I know it’s midterm time, but that’s all the more reason to have a policy so students can benefit from the only quiet space on this campus.

Please. I’m begging you as a Concordia student to stop with the signage, and start actually acting on rules. I need study space, and I’m so tired of everytime I come here having to put up with tons of noise, or simply nowhere to study. It’s seriously damaged my impression of Concordia and my ability to recommend the school as an excellent institution of higher learning.

Thank you for your comment.  This issue comes up often in the Suggestion Box (previous post), and it is one that we have struggled with for some time now.  It may be surprising to you to know that this is quite a complex issue and any kind of action on our part would be very difficult to implement.  First, there are literally thousands of people that use the Libraries on a daily basis.  To keep track of tables left unattended for a few minutes versus those that leave for hours would be a difficult task.  Then, there are challenging logistical questions such as: what are we to do with the stuff that is left behind?  How do we know that the person claiming it is the right person? 

People have asked for some kind of action.  What do you specifically suggest?  We would love to hear from you.

Unattended belongings left at study tables

You wrote:

Every single day of this week has been a nightmare finding a spot to study. Indeed people leave their belongings for hours on the tables, leaving them unatended and blocking the space.  I think it has more to do with people’s education rather than a lack of space in the SGW library. If all these people that block the spaces did not do so, there could be a flawless rotation of spots, making it EQUAL for all students.

Because of this lack of sense of community, education, or common sense (whatever you want to call it!), I suggest a rule warning students that by leaving their stuff unatended on tables,they aknowledge that anyone could take the seat and be free to use it as long as he or she is physically present.

If you think that you can educate these people and remind them that no matter how indidualistic our society is, we should all be aware that other people have the same needs as we do and that we should respect that, then you should really do so.  But please do something about this issue as it is a concern for the majority of students.

and

It seems to me that there is an epidemic of people forgetting their things in the library’s designated study areas, causing those desks to be utterly useless to individuals who are in need of them for to efficiently study. I would simply like to suggest that a security guard make the rounds of the study rooms, and upon seeing a study space which is obviously not being used by anyone and has forgotten book(s) upon it, to safely ensure that it gets placed in the lost-and-found. This would resolve two pressing issues: (i) the high volume of forgotten things accumulating in the study areas would be securely stored in the lost-and-found, and (ii) those desks would be returned to a state whereby individuals, whom are present in the study areas to study, could use them in the way they were intended.

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.  The Libraries’ Code of Conduct is very clear on this, “Users are asked not to occupy excessive space and not to leave personal effects unattended in the study areas, so that all can find a place to work in the library”.  If you will be leaving your table for more than a few minutes, please do not leave your belongings there.  We have limited space and it is not fair to others if you “reserve” a table.

More study space needed

You wrote:

(concerning webster library) It would be great if there could be more study spaces available. For a school of almost 46 000, there just aren’t an adequate amount of places to work, particularly in the blue zone and study rooms, which are always booked solid. I’ll often find myself wandering three levels of the library without success of finding a free spot. It’s a problem that rolls around twice a year to the exasperation of all.  Working in a library is really important for promoting academic excellence since it’s one of the few places without any distractions and a purely work-oriented attitude. I know we’re a downtown campus and space will always be an issue, and I will in all likelihood have graduated before any possible changes happen, but this is a serious problem that I feel has a detrimental effect on Concordia’s quality as a university.

Thank you for your comment.  We certainly agree with you that there is a serious space shortage in the Concordia Libraries.  The Libraries are currently working on a space plan to alleviate the problem.  We are expecting to create more study space in time for the Fall 2012 semester.

Viewing room in the Vanier Library

You wrote:

Hi,

I am disapointed with the recent transformation of the second floor media room (VL-203) into a group study room. I have used that room for study purposes for over 2 years now. It is a great room (quiet, large with access to computers) and it seems like a great waste to make it a group study room, when so many people like myself have relied on it for free study.  Please consider making it open to everyone again!

Thank you for your email.  I agree that it was nice to have that room as a computer lab.  However, the computers in VL 203 did not belong to the library but to IITS.  They were not being maintained and therefore users could not count on them to work well.  Since, generally speaking, the Vanier Library is quiet and spacious, it was felt that the room could be put to better use as a group study room.  We only have seven group study rooms at Loyola and students absolutely need more such spaces where they can discuss things.  In VL 203, with it’s large-screen TV,  they can also practice for presentations.  We have a similar room in the Webster Library and it is very well used.  You can see student response to that room here and here.

Eat and run

You wrote: 

It was a great idea to add ”dining tables” section at each floor of the Vanier library. It was annoying to have to leave the library only to eat a sandwich.  However, I noticed several students use those tables to do school related work (and stay there for long hours!), instead of just eating and then leave. Is it possible to a) Make it clear for everyone that the purpose of the tables is to have a quick lunch b) add a second table to every floor?

Thank you!

Thank you for your comment and suggestions.  It’s nice to know that students appreciate having that space.  There should be a sign at each table with a message that these tables are to be used for eating. Maybe the signs have disappeared or they do not convey the message clearly.  We will look into it. Also, the Director of the Vanier Library is looking to find some new furniture that will make the space comfortable enough to have a quick snack but not so comfortable for studying.  Hopefully these actions will make a difference.