The library has made huge improvements over the last 10 years, and I thoroughly enjoy working in the medical library! The librarians are very friendly and helpful, and the computer facilities are vastly improved. My only suggestion is to ask for better control over the noise level in the central library area where the computers are. Many students use this as basically a social gathering area, or even if they are studying they are speaking in normal voice tone. It is extremely disruptive to those of us actually trying to work, and need to use the central area because of computer needs. Afterall, this is a library, and it should be maintained as a safe-haven for quiet work/study space. The addition of the headphones have helped, but they are not available on all the computers, and only cut out the noise to a certain extent. If the librarians could actually enforce a low noise level, and ask students to respect those around them--they can go to a different building or to a study room if they need to be loud, it would hugely benefit those of us who take the library seriously as professional work/study-space. This would better fulfill your mission as maintaining "highest quality service..." as a library. thanks so much for your attention to this important matter.
From: a faculty member
Jodi Koste, Archivist, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, responds....
Thanks for your comments about the Tompkins-McCaw Library. We are pleased that you have noticed the improvements and enjoy working here. Over the years we have made changes to the physical appearance of the library as well as modifications to our services to accommodate the wide range of users who come to the Tompkins-McCaw Library. The first floor can be very busy with activity and have a higher volume of noise than in the past because it is the area where students collaborate, study in groups, or just take a few minutes to have lunch and talk with their friends. We recognize that many other users seek a quiet place to do their research work or studying. For those users we offer our second floor Quiet Study Room (2-001) which provides a haven for those needing a noise-free zone. Two computers are available in this area to access library resources. Generally you will find that the basement and second floors have low levels of noise and should provide you with the atmosphere you seek to conduct your library work. Additional computers are available in both areas. Please feel free to stop by our Service Desk to discuss this issue or to get additional information on quiet areas at the Tompkins-McCaw Library.
