April 2005 Archives

I think it is really tacky when people talk on their cellphones while in the bathroom (this happens frequently)!! What is the cell phone policy in the library?

Interim Associate University Librarian for Public Services Barbara Anderson replies...

No cell phones in the bathroom?! But where else can you get those special sound effects? Seriously, you have plenty of company - there are lots of folks who would just as soon flush those cell phones right down the toilets! We have received many comments about VCU Libraries' regulations on cell phone use (see our Use of Library Buildings regulations and Cabell Library's Quiet Building Guidelines). For every complaint that we're too strict, there are at least four others who urge us to be MORE restrictive.

A national survey conducted by the student market research group, Student Monitor, indicated that nearly 90 percent of college students owned cell phones in fall 2004, up from 33 percent in 2002. And according to a study reported in the April 18, 2005 issue of the University of Utah's Daily Utah Chronicle, 97 percent of college students have a cell phone! Now that's a lot of students discussing their research projects, and there's just no way library staff can keep track of that many cell phone users in the building!

There will always be a handful of cell phone users who can't understand why anyone would NOT want to hear their very fascinating half of a personal conversation or why others might NOT be impressed by their clever choice of ringer. But if 97 percent of students own cell phones, probably 95 percent DO understand that there are good reasons why cell phone use is discouraged:
- while driving
- in theaters
- in concert halls
- in classrooms
- in public restrooms (!)
- wherever others are trying to study or concentrate - like, for example, in
libraries!

We have no wish to ban cell phones or cell phone use in Cabell Library. We only ask that cell phone users turn off their audible ringers while in the building and that they conduct their phone conversations in areas where they are least likely to disturb others. In Cabell Library these include outer stairwells (we have lots of those!), the 2nd floor public pay phone area, and the 1st floor outer lobby. They do NOT include the restrooms! With text messaging and inaudible signals, nobody should ever have to miss an important communication while in Cabell Library, and nobody who is not participating in a phone conversation should ever have to listen to one!

Need to provide the text book relevant with the course. All of books here are too old and can not use as references for our class. Example: I am taking chemistry class and biology class when I come here to find the text book which relevant to my class but I could not find it. Only the old text book in the shelf. I do beleive all of these book was standing here for quite long time and nobody borrow it because it can not be used. I know if the library put alot of new books will cost too much money but my suggestion is put one or two new text book relevant with the class in the references area so the student can rotate borrow within 2 hours.

Karen Cary, Head of Collection Management for VCU Libraries, replies...
One way to interpret this question is as a request for the library to provide a copy of the textbook that is being used for the course. The Libraries has a long-standing policy of not purchasing course textbooks for the following reasons:

1. It would take a sizable amount of money to provide a copy of textbooks used in all the courses taught.
2. Textbooks change every semester.
3. It would be very difficult to identify textbooks used in courses in time to get a copy for a course.
4. Textbooks usually do not provide the best instructional and research support for the curriculum.

Another way to interpret this question is as a request for more current supporting texts (as opposed to textbooks) for a discipline. If this is the case, we would need additional information as to the discipline in question, etc., in order to evaluate the complaint.

Please let me know if you need additional information.
Karen Cary

Actually have a quiet floor. Enforce cell phone use. Have a quiet
place to study!

Walter Sampson, Assistant University Librarian for Policy Development, replies...
VCU Libraries regulations, Use of Library Buildings, Revised April 1, 2005 explains the Libraries' cell phone policy and can be enforced by any staff member and security staff when on duty. The regulation also designates the 3rd and 4th floors as "quiet floors"

Walter Sampson

Please MOP the floor in the computer lab in the ground floor
FREQUENTLY!

Walter Sampson, Assistant University Librarian for Policy Development , who oversees building issues, replies....
Housekeeping for Cabell Library is performed under contract administered by VCU Contract Administration. The contract calls for semi-monthly cleanings for all floors including the computer lab. The Computer Lab is managed by the Academic Technology Help Desk, which should generate work requests for extra cleaning.

It would be nice if you made the front doors to the library easier to
open. Both sets of doors, those leading directly to the outside and
those leading directly to the inside of the library, require an
excessive amount of force to open. The doors that lead from the life
sciences courtyard into the life sciences building exhibit the perfect
amount of door-opening resistance. You may wish to try them out in
order to make a comparision. Thank you for considering my suggestion!
From: Doug

Walter Sampson, Assistant University Librarian for Policy Development, who oversees building issues, replies...
The Library has been told that due to the construction of Cabell Library a negative air flow was generated. Depending on the direction and velocity of the wind it makes the doors hard to open, plus effects HVAC operation. In the winter it can be very cold at the Circulation Services desk even effecting offices on the 2nd floor. The Libraries have asked VCU Physical Plant on the feasibility of installing a "heat curtain" to help with the heating. Currently, security measures are being installed which the Library will ask if pneumatic door closures can be installed to help the door problem. There has been discussion to remove the atrium creating a direct entrance to the building. This would be a major construction project and costly and it is unsure if that would fix the problem. The Library takes this suggestion serious and is aware of the problem and will continue to search for a reasonable and affordable solution.

Walter Sampson

------ Forwarded message -------

I disagree with the third floor's sotto voce policy. There are other places where students can go study in quit [sic]. Majority of 3rd floor students study in groups.

Interim Associate University Librarian for Public Services Barbara Anderson replies.....

I'm so glad that you have noticed our attempt to brand the Cabell Library's 3rd floor as a "sotto voce" floor! Clearly we have succeeded in attracting the attention of you and others who have submitted similar comments on behalf of "3rd floor regulars." Since designating the 4th floor as the "quiet floor," we have observed an increase in group study activity on the 3rd floor, and this often takes a very animated and enthusiastic form. While undoubtedly exciting and effective for the students engaged in this active manner of learning, it is not so popular with others who also have legitimate requests for more space where they can study individually or quietly in small groups.

Here's the deal with Cabell Library: quite simply, VCU's student population has completely outgrown the capacity of its libraries, both in terms of collections and study space. Facilities that were designed to hold 1 million volumes now hold 1.8 million. Cabell Library was built in 1975 when the university student population was 16,000. Today it is nearly 28,500 with growth projections for the future over 30,000. National guidelines recommend that university libraries be able to seat 25% of their student bodies. VCU libraries can house less than 5%!

VCU has long-term plans to expand Cabell Library, but in the meantime we are looking for ways to accommodate a variety of study needs and learning styles in an increasingly crowded space. Large groups studying in normal conversational voices are just not compatible in close proximity with individuals or small groups engaged in quiet, collaborative work. So we are trying to create spaces that are conducive to different styles of studying, including quiet, individual study on the 4th floor and individuals or small groups speaking in a subdued manner on the 3rd floor. The recent rearrangement of study furniture and signage on the 3rd floor was intended to support the needs of students who need that type of study space.

We are not trying to ban or in any way discourage group study in Cabell Library, but we are trying to encourage groups with lively discussions to use spaces that are designed more specifically for that purpose: group study rooms (with doors!) on the 1st and 3rd floors and a large open group study area on the 2nd floor (from the elevators go straight down the 2nd floor corridor until you reach the bound journal shelves and then take a hard right- you'll see the entrance to this large room with its many tables and some lounge furniture).

If you happen to be one of the "3rd floor regulars" studying in a group, please consider becoming a "2nd floor regular" instead!

Everyone wants 24 hour library -how hard is it to figure that out?!

Interim Associate University Librarian for Public Services Barbara Anderson replies.....

It's not hard at all to figure this one out! Students have been loud and clear in their request for Cabell Library to be open 24 hours a day, and we are delighted by such avid and enthusiastic library users!

By now, I hope you will have noticed that we are conducting a 3-week trial this semester called Library Lite All Nite in which we are open with limited library services for 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. It is quite an expensive and complicated proposition to keep a large facility like Cabell Library open around the clock. During these 3 weeks we will be assessing costs, staffing and service issues, and we will be looking closely at the extent to which students are using the library for study and research overnight. Whether we are able to continue offering 24-hour building hours during future semesters or exam periods will depend on what we learn from this year's Library Lite All Nite experiment and on the library's 2005/06 funding.

One comment that we hear frequently from students runs something like this: "Other schools have 24 hour libraries, why not us?" This is a true statement, but it is also true that very few schools comparable to VCU offer this service. Among Virginia's doctoral institutions, only the University of Virginia has a 24-hour library facility and that is its separate undergraduate library (Clemons). UVA's main library, Alderman, is actually open fewer hours than Cabell Library as are the main libraries of all other public universities in the Commonwealth!

Among the 24 universities considered to be VCU's peer institutions, only 2 (University of Arizona and University of Kentucky) keep their main libraries open 24 hours throughout the semester, and 4 additional institutions offer 24 hour service during exam periods, but only for 1 week. Only 5 of the peer institution libraries are open as late as Cabell Library's normal 2 a.m. closing.

Downstairs periodicals are consistently stolen or out of order.

Patricia Selinger of the Preservation Department, who oversees shelving, replies.....
If there is a specific periodical that you believe is stolen or missing, please report it on the Item Request Form at http://www.library.vcu.edu/forms/itemreq.html. This form initiates a search and a replacement decision if the periodical is missing. The Stacks Manager has been informed of your complaint that the materials are out of order and we hope you will see an improvement soon. Please be aware that current periodicals are the most heavily used collection in the Cabell Library. It's possible that the missing periodicals are in use by others in the building. Interlibrary loan is a solution for getting the article you need. In most cases, articles will arrive within a week. Use the Illiad form at http://lib-w2k3.uls.vcu.edu/illiad/.

I can never find what I need. Half your books are missing or misshelved.

Patricia Selinger of the Preservation Department, who oversees book shelving, replies..
If there is a specific book you are looking for, please complete the Item Request Form at http://www.library.vcu.edu/forms/itemreq.html
This form initiates a search and a replacement decision if the book is missing. VCU Libraries has appointed a work group to plan for an inventory of the collections so we can record missing books in the catalog. Much of the misshelving is due to overcrowded conditions in the stacks. The Libraries has recently installed compact shelving in the basement where lesser-used materials will be shelved. Stacks staff is planning to shift books this summer to alleviate overcrowding and books can be placed in order.

It's also possible that the missing books are in use by others in the building. Our collection use and gate counts are higher than ever. Be sure to check the sorting area on the 3rd floor, where books have Normal Loan status but are not yet on the shelves. Interlibrary loan is another solution for getting the book you need. In most cases, books borrowed from other libraries will arrive within a week. Use the Illiad form at http://lib-w2k3.uls.vcu.edu/illiad/.

The wireless internet does not cover many of the areas in the library
well. Adding some more wireless routers would be cheap and easy.

Jimmy Ghaphery of Library Information Systems replies...

This semester we have used the Student Technology Fee to add two new wireless access points in Tompkins-McCaw Library and one in Cabell Library where we found signal strength to be especially weak. If there are specific areas in either library where wireless coverage is not sufficient, please let us know.

--Jimmy Ghaphery
Head, Library Information Systems
jsghaphe@vcu.edu

Reference desk needs to be more willing to help. They direct you but don't inform as much as they could.

Mary Ellen Spencer of Research & Reference Services replies...

I want to thank you for taking the time to send these comments to the VCU Libraries. Your feedback is critical as we work to improve our services. As the manager of this service point, I appreciate hearing from you.

I'm very sorry to hear that we didn't provide you with the best service possible at the reference desk. While we strive to provide the most complete answers we can, I regret that it doesn't happen each time. If you are dissatisfied with the quality of service in the future, I hope that you will ask to speak with me. I would appreciate the chance to talk with you and to hear more specifically what it is the Libraries can do to better assist you.

I hope that you will visit the reference desk again and give us the opportunity to provide you with good service. Thank you again for taking the time to send us your comments.

Mary Ellen Spencer
Head, Research and Reference Services
James Branch Cabell Library

Library doesn't always open on time on weekend!

Beth Burton of Circulation and Information Services replies....

The Circulation and Information Services Department of VCU Libraries is responsible for opening Cabell Library at 10:00am on Saturdays and 11:00am on Sundays. Upon opening, both the outer lobby doors and the inner entrance doors of the library should be open and you should be able to enter the building. The Circulation and Information Services Desk should be staffed, and you should be able to check out and return items, have questions answered, and get change.

Other public service areas in Cabell Library open at different times; for example, the Media and Reserve Services Department opens at 10:15am on Saturdays and 11:15am on Sundays. Currently, Reference and Reserve Services and the Academic Technology Computer Lab in the basement also open at 10:00am on Saturdays and 11:00am on Sundays, but these hours are subject to change. Cabell Library's hours of operation are posted at http://www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/hours/.
Hours for the Cabell B-8 Computer Lab are posted at http://www.at.vcu.edu/faq/class/b8.html#regular

When the Circulation and Information Services Department hires staff members who will open Cabell Library ("openers"), we tell them that being on time is their highest job priority. Indeed, they understand that if they fail to open Cabell Library on time, their jobs may be at risk. While we understand that emergencies can happen, we have created a backup plan for weekends, so that there are always two opening staff members scheduled to work any opening shift.

On December 12, 2004, this backup plan failed, and Cabell Library opened approximately 45 minutes late. This failure was documented by our openers, who failed to follow procedure and prepare for scheduling changes. At that time, the VCU University Librarian was notified, the Associate University Librarian in charge of Public Services completed an investigation, and consequences were put in place for those openers. This is the last instance of late opening of which I have been made aware.

In March, 2005, I asked other public service colleagues who open on the weekends to notify me immediately if there is an incident of late opening by Circulation and Information Services. I have not received a call since this plan was created, but the plan may not be completely error-proof.

If you have experienced a late opening on any day, please feel free to contact me with the details and I will ask our Associate Librarian for Public Services to investigate the incident.

In the future, if you encounter a late opening, please call VCU Police at 8-1234 immediately. VCU Police can then notify the University Librarian directly. You are also always welcome to notify me personally at eeburton@vcu.edu.

Beth Burton
Manager, Circulation and Information Services
James Branch Cabell Library
804/828-1111

Keyboards are sticky! Clean them please!
Jimmy Ghaphery of Library Information Systems replies...

We routinely clean the computer keyboards, but they are heavily used. If there is a specific keyboard that is especially sticky, please tell someone at a service desk and we will make sure it is cleaned.

Microsoft Word on all the computers please

Jimmy Ghaphery of Library Information Systems replies....
Microsoft Office is available on all computers at Tompkins-McCaw Library and at selected computers in the James Branch Cabell Library. Cabell Library also has OpenOffice, a free and highly regarded alternative to Microsoft Office. OpenOffice will open, edit, and create Word files. More on Open Office is available at http://www.openoffice.org/.

More computers and stop having to sign in using the last 10 digits just
to use the internet.

Jimmy Ghaphery of Library Information Systems replies....
This semester we have used the Student Technology Fee to add 10 more computers to the first floor of Cabell Library and 6 more computers to Tompkins-McCaw Library. In addition, we have upgraded all of the computers on the 2nd floor of Cabell Library and just fielded new multimedia computers at both libraries. We continue to look at ways to increase and improve our public computing infrastructure.

Prior to implementing login, students had to compete with those from outside VCU who were using our computers to surf the Internet, chat, play games, etc. The Internet login is directly related to our desire to give our students priority access to library computers. Without such a login, it would be even more difficult to find an available computer, especially in Cabell Library, because of increased use by the public. One of our current projects is to look at how we might make logging in easier than the last 10 digits.

Hey, why don't you VCU Libraries guys offer a new blog?
Lots of cool libraries like Georgia State University are using blogs in cool ways.
Look at all of them!

When my buddies start braggin' on the cool library blogs at their school, don't leave me sitting there silently.

After all, that Black History Month blog is so last month!
I've been re-reading that February 27th post for the last month and a half!
Fresh meat! keep em coming!
-the Prisoner of Java 901