DPrint woes

You wrote:

I would just like to make a quick comment on the new printing system that has seen set-up a few weeks now. Yesterday, I wanted to print documents but I was
unable to because the system was down. Furthermore, I could not print anything at any of the other printing machines because I was told that when the whole system is down, one cannot print anything!  Now, I know that this new system is suppose to be  an improvement from the previous system. However, I believe that it would be reasonable to have kept one or two of the older systems as a back-up if the new system should shut-down. I hope that this issue does not occur during finals!

and

The D-Print system is extremely flawed. Today was not the first problem that I had with it, but it certainly was the most frustrating. During the time when term papers are due and finals are just around the corner, there is absolutely no reason to have added stress because of printing malfunctions/ difficulties. Today while trying to print a significant term paper, my account balance was not replenished, even though I had literally just loaded money onto my ID. ….
Now because of this mishap, I not only lost 10% on my paper because I could not print it in time, but I also lost way too much money for something that
only would have cost less than a dollar. As I am sure I am not the first or only person to have this issue I would like to suggest the idea that instead of having
these problematic “D-print loaders” that the printing system be reformed to just CHARGING to each student’s account when the ID is swiped on the printer itself.  This would ensure that people are not losing money to these flawed machines as well as stil guaranteeing that the service is paid for. McGill University, intelligently, has already implemented this type of system for years. I sincerely hope that someone actually reads these comments/ suggestions/ reports because I know for a fact that I am not the only person to come across this problem.

Thank you both for taking the time to write to the Suggestion Box.  I have shared your concerns with the Library Systems Team who in turn will share them with the University’s DPrint Team.  In the meantime, anytime you are having difficulty with one of the DPrint machines, please see one of the DPrint specialists that are available to help you during regular working hours at both libraries.   In my experience, they are very helpful and can resolve most issues that students have.

Cell phone noise

You wrote:

Is it possible to do something about the students going to speak on their phones in the staircases? it’s like when they get there they just don’t care that they are
still technically in the library and talk for good 20 minutes on their phones with their outside voices.  Also some seem to think that the last staircase on the
3rd floor that goes no where is a new type of cafeteria and they sit there just talking amongst each other, taking a break from their studies, which I totally
understand, just go do it somewhere we won’t hear you.  If there could be more security on the 3rd floor it would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

and

I’m happy that the library is doing more to enforce silence in the blue zone but maybe post signs up that say even if your phone is on vibrate it still makes
noise and everyone in the surrounding area can hear it buzz or vibrate on the table. So far that seems to be the most annoying thing, people can easily put their phone on silent and have it on the table and they’ll see it light up and answer the message or whatever.

Thank you for your emails.  They are good reminders for all of us to exercise proper cell phone etiquette.  Emily Post was considered the ultimate expert on good manners and the Emily Post Institute has a page on the top ten cell phone manners.  Number 7 on the list reads,

Don’t make calls in a library, theater, church or from your table in a restaurant. Without exception, turn your device off in a house of worship, restaurant, or theater; during a meeting or presentation; or any time its use is likely to disturb others.

You can see the entire list 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. 

Security rounds needed later in the day

You wrote:

I don’t understand why security/library personal are checking the blue zone at 11 in the morning when there is no one talking and there is like 3 people. There
should be someone who can actually do something after that time because from 12 pm to 8 pm the new blue zone is impossible to study in: people are talking in groups and when you try to tell them to be more quiet(not even talking about the fact there should not even be talkings in that area) they look at you like you are the one disturbing them. It annoying and please do something as soon as possible for that.
PLEASE!!!

Thank you for your message.  As of Monday March 18, there is an additional security guard patrolling the Webster Library between 11:00 and 20:00.  Other comments regarding this initiative have been positive.  You can read them here.

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.

SPSS on Libraries’ laptops

You wrote:

….Computers and group work are both rising in university requirements. Instead of trying to stop the flow, we need to address the issue productively and find a way of funneling the students who need to work together on a terminal into an area where it does not bother other students.

for example, I am currently at one of the few terminals where the software SPSS can be accessed at the university, but it is on the LB’s 2nd floor (near the question desk). Shortly I will be joined by my “team mate” with whom I will be completing a joint assignment. I am one of those people who HATES it when
people talk (even the question desk irks me! -although I realize that is its function, and would not complain.) That said, I need to do this, I need my
team mate’s input, and this is the terminal with the software. I cannot install it onto a library laptop, and neither he, nor I have a laptop….

All the library laptops have the SPSS software installed.  A complete list of the software available on the Libraries’ desktops and laptops is available here.  If you borrow a library laptop and you stay on the University’s wifi system, you can use SPSS. If you need to talk with a classmate, you can move to any of the University’s public areas available to you.  Thank you for your question.

Java on library laptops

You wrote:

Can you put java back on the laptops because to do our
labs for our classes, we need it.

Thank you for your note.  Java is temporarily unavailable on our laptops due to a software update problem.  The Libraries’ Systems Department plans to update the software over the summer, before the start of the fall semester.

For the time being, if you need Java, please use one of the Libraries’ desktop workstations.