I would like to suggest adding Adobe Acrobat professional to the library computers. I am specifically using the computers in Hunton Hall. Two particular very useful functions which the simpler Adobe reader software that is currently installed does not have are: a) PDF maker which allows the conversion of Word and Powerpoint documents to pdf's which is very useful considering many of our notes are provided to us from professors in one of these formats, yet these files types are prohibitively large to transport and print and b)Acrobat Pro has the ability to edit (highlight, markup) pdf's, and since all scientific literature is in this format and these articles are the core of all research activity this seems to be a relatively vital feature. Thanks.
From: a graduate student
Shannon Jones, Education Services Outreach Librarian for Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, responds....
Thank you for the suggestion to add the Adobe Acrobat Professional software to computers in the Student Learning Center at the Hunton Student Center. While the VCU Libraries would like to install the software on all of its public computers across both libraries, financially we are not able to do so at this time. We will be adding Acrobat Professional to the two front computers in the Learning Center later this summer in response to your suggestion.
As a user of the VCU Libraries, I want to alert you to a few services that you may find helpful in this instance. First, the computers in the Learning Center and at Tompkins-McCaw Library have the Open Office software installed, which you may use to create PDF documents.
Second, the VCU Libraries currently offer its users access to Adobe Acrobat Professional at Tompkins-McCaw Library on the MCV Campus and at Cabell Library on the Monroe Park Campus. Acrobat Professional is available in the Instructional Media Workshop (IMW) at Tompkins-McCaw Library and in the Media and Reserves area at James Branch Cabell Library on the Monroe Park Campus.
I hope you find this information helpful.
The VCU Libraries appreciates your suggestions and comments.
