July 2005 Archives

For the past week and a half I have been unable to do research in the basement of Tompkins McCaw Library due to the excessive heat. The majority of the journals needed for my research are located in the basement of Tompkins McCaw Library. I cannot stand the unbearable temperature in the basement for more then twenty minutes. Staff have informed me that I could use another floor, but I should not have to take 20 some bound journal from the basement to the first floor.

When will the temperature in the basement of Tompkins McCaw Library be at a more tolerable and safe level because right now the temperature is enough to warrant safety concerns for students and staff.
From: A hot and concerned med student

Cate Canevari, Head of Education and User Services at Tompkins-McCaw Library, replies...

Thank you for expressing your concern regarding the air conditioning in the Tompkins-McCaw Library. Just as Richmond was reaching its highest temperatures of the year, one of the air conditioning units cooling our basement failed. Rest assured that resolving this problem is our greatest desire. The problem was reported immediately to VCU Facilities, and due to ordering of parts for old equipment, has taken time. We have been informed that all parts should be installed by Thursday July 21st. It may take a day or more for the temperature to feel normal again. In the meantime, please know that we appreciate your concern and are actively working to get needed repairs done. We encourage you to report future concerns about our library building either through the Library Suggestion Blog, via email, or by stopping at our service desk as we wish to offer a comfortable environment.

I just used the "new E-journal search". In Mozilla 1.7.2, it opens up a
new *partial* window-- a window that does not have my browser controls,
in particular the "Back" button. The consequence is great inefficiency:
once I have looked at a particular pdf file, say, then I have to close
the window and go back to the VCU page just to look at another article
in the same journal issue. Could this be fixed? Is this possibly a
problem just with my browser version?
From: David

Jimmy Ghaphery of Library Information Systems replies...

Thanks for the suggestion Dr. Harless. We believe this is fixed

First, overall I believe that the library is doing a fine job. I began
as an undergrad at VCU in 2000 and can recognize the significant changes
since then.

However, I do have one recent problem with the library. I
have had difficulty finding an option on the open office suite to print
multiple powerpoint slides per page. Instead I end up wasting so much
paper to print one slide per page. I have been through the help
directory as well. Is there a way to print three or 6 slides per page?
If not this would be an unusual and damaging flaw to the program. Thank
You for your time.
From: Ben C.

Jimmy Ghaphery of Library Information Systems replies...

It is possible to save some paper and money by printing multiple slides per page! It is however a less than intuitive. You want to print "Handouts".
To print only the handouts:

• File-->Print....
  
• Options (Button on the Print Dialog Box)
  
• Contents: (select only Handouts and be sure to unselect Drawing)
  

The default Handout setting is 4 slides per page. It is possible to increase this to 6 per page:

• Change View to Handout: View-->Master-->Handout
  
• Change default number: (Format-->Modify Layout)
  
• Follow previous instructions to Print (File-->Print: Options Button)

I am finding it nearly impossible to find the login page for the off campus access to the libraries. I keep getting information on HOW to connect, but it never shows WHERE to go to connect. It would be nice if in the "Connect from Home" page there would be a link to actually connect. I have been looking around the library website for about 15 minutes now and can still not find the site to login!
From: Melissa

Tompkins-McCaw Library Reference Librarian Barbara Wright replies...

Dear Melissa,

We're sorry for any confusion. VCU Libraries provides anyone remote access to some resources, such as its catalog and some government databases, which do not require a special login. However, many resources - online databases, books, and journals - have licenses that restrict their use to VCU students, faculty, and staff. These resources require the special VCU login.

So...how do you know which resources require the VCU login?

Actually, you don't have to know - the VCU Libraries' web site is set up so that if you are off-campus and try to access a VCU-restricted resource, you will automatically be prompted for your remote login. The VCU Libraries remote login page will appear, and you will be prompted to login with your username and password. Your username is the last 10 digits of your VCU Card, and your password is the last 4 digits of your SSN.

You only have to do this once per session. When you log off your current online session, the system forgets your user name and password, so the authentication box will appear again when you reconnect and try to connect to a library resource.

As an example, go to the VCU Libraries home page (http://www.library.vcu.edu). Click on the VCU Libraries QuickLinks menu in the upper right corner, and select "InfoTrac OneFile." Then click "Go." You should be prompted for the EZProxy remote login, and once you have signed in you should be able to get to all of our resources.

Hope this helps with the confusion!