1. Fee for printing is unreasonable. Some of the library should be like CBIL and medical students should be able to log on and print. 2. Hospital access should be available from the library (ie Cerner). I can't think of a year other than 3rd year when research is more critical and simultaneous access to a patient's info, the internet, and journals is more essential. 3. Study rooms need to be updated, they are not heated/cooled adequately. Tables and chairs need to be updated. 4. Obviously the hours as others have mentioned.
From: a graduate student
Cate Canevari, Associate Director, Research and Education, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences responds....
Dear Ms. Pelkofski,
Thank you for contacting us regarding your concerns; we appreciate your feedback! Our responses to the points you raise are inserted below.
“1. Fee for printing is unreasonable. Some of the library should be like CBIL and medical students should be able to log on and print.”
The VCU Libraries uses the VCU Technology Services Pay4Print service, which is the service available in a number of other campus buildings including Sanger Hall, the Business Building, and the University Commons. The School of Medicine offers free printing just to SOM students, whereas VCU Libraries computers are open to students, faculty, and staff from both campuses as well as members of the general public. Using the Pay4Print allows us to provide reliable and consistent printer services across campuses to our library users. To reduce the cost of printing, you might consider saving articles to portable media, BlackBoard, or email. Another option would be to create a RefWorks account to keep track of citation information including the GetIt@VCU link that will take you directly to online journal articles available through the library. The following links offer additional tips for printing using Pay4Print, as well as locations where Pay4Print is available on campus:
http://www.ts.vcu.edu/faq/labs/labs.html
http://www.library.vcu.edu/services/pay4print/faq.html
“2. Hospital access should be available from the library (ie Cerner). I can't think of a year other than 3rd year when research is more critical and simultaneous access to a patient's info, the internet, and journals is more essential.”
The Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences is not able to offer access to CERNER due to HIPAA and computer security issues. The VCU Health System restricts access to CERNER and other hospital systems.
“3. Study rooms need to be updated, they are not heated/cooled adequately. Tables and chairs need to be updated.“
We are working on restoring adequate heating and cooling to the 2nd floor study rooms. A major chill water pipe which helped to moderate the temperatures in the study rooms had to be replaced. The process has been long and complex, but it is almost complete and we hope temperatures will soon be comfortable again. Should you be uncomfortable in the future while using the rooms, please alert our Service Desk Staff and we will have the room thermostat adjusted.
The furnishings in the 2nd floor study rooms are less than 2 years old. We welcome your specific suggestions on how the furnishings can be improved.
“4. Obviously the hours as others have mentioned.”
The Tompkins-McCaw Library Director, Jean Shipman, has responded to feedback and welcomes students to meet with her to discuss their needs in person. These meetings will be held in the 1st Floor Tompkins-McCaw Library Conference Room right behind the Skull & Beans coffee service:
3:00 pm -- Friday, Sept. 14th
12:15 pm -- Monday, Sept. 17th
In the meantime, please note that the Hunton Student Center Learning Center is open until 10pm, and access to electronic library resources are available there. In addition to the Learning Center, there are study cubicles available throughout the Hunton Student Center.
I do hope that you will be able to attend one of the meetings with Jean to discuss your concerns in more detail as we do need your assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
