November 2009 Archives

The noise level on all of the floors of the library has gotten blatantly obnoxious and out of control. For example, on the first floor, which should be used for group study, there are often people watching TV shows and movies in the group study rooms and carrying on with their friends, sometimes screaming with laughter. This is not proper library etiquette, however VCU librarians do nothing, even after complaints are filed, and seem to be lazy and apathetic about enforcing the rules. There used to be security guards who monitored the floors and even on the first and second floors, would politely ask people to not use their cell phones in the main part of the library--however they have disappeared and blatant cell phone, even in the quiet zones, use is rampant. Also, the "art" on the first floor is ridiculous. The fact that the rules are not enforced and students use the library to carouse with their friends makes a mockery out of the fine academic institution VCU should be. The Cabell library is the only one we have on the Monroe Park Campus, and many students frequent it so the rules should be enforced the the library treated with respect.

From: an undergraduate student

Jeanne Hammer, Assistant University Librarian for Administration and Policy Development, replies...

You are quite correct that Cabell Library has had more security officers on duty in the recent past. We rely on VCU Police to provide security officers according to an agreed upon schedule, but unfortunately there hasn't been a sufficient pool of trained security officers this fall to provide enough staffing for monitoring the front door and making rounds throughout the building. One of our full time officers accepted a position at the beginning of the semester in another area, and his vacant position has not been filled yet. VCU Police has been actively recruiting to fill the full time position and for additional part time officers, and we are optimistic that we will be staffed more fully in the spring semester. One would think with the current high unemployment that these positions would be easy to fill, but the experience is that it's difficult to recruit and train individuals with sufficient judgment and interpersonal skills and who can pass background checks for what are relatively low paying positions.

Be that as it may, if you notice an inordinate amount of rowdiness and don't feel that the security officer on duty or the public services desk staff are responding appropriately to your concerns, please visit the Libraries' administrative office on the 4th floor for assistance.

Mary Ellen Spencer, Head of Research and Instructional Services, adds...

As you know, the first floor of Cabell Library has areas that by their nature are not quiet: the lobby, Starbucks, and the circulation and reference desks. That said, the Libraries' Use of Library Facilities policy prohibits any behavior that is disruptive to library use. If you encounter this kind of situation in the future, please alert a security guard or a member of the library staff. If you don't receive prompt and excellent service, please contact me or a member of the Libraries' administration. Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your concerns.

I hope this is the proper forum. Everyday that I am on the second floor of the Cabell Library, there is someone where smokes ALL through the day at various times. I have physiological responses to cigarette smoke. My eyes itch, then sting and burn and eventually it feels as though someone is sticking them with needles. I have trouble breathing, headaches, and disorientation. I would greatly appreciate it if the smoking inside of the building would stop. Thank you very much and have a nice day.

From: an undergraduate student

Jeanne Hammer, Assistant University Librarian for Administration and Policy Development, replies...

Thank you for bringing to our attention that someone is smoking on the 2nd floor. Smoking is, of course, banned by our Use of Library Facilities policy. We will ask the security officer on duty to pay attention to this on his/her rounds. If you witness someone smoking, please alert the security officer on duty or inform library staff at the circulation desk.

Hi! I was on the third floor the James Cabell library on Sunday, November 9th, 2009. I noticed that the cleaning lady came in and did her job quite early (around 11:00pm or 11:30pm; I'm not very sure). After that, the doors to both restrooms were locked although the Library was still open and ther quite a number of people around. Sitting at the desks not too far from the restrooms, I noticed quite a number people walking to the restrooms and either having looks of confusion, discomfort ,annoyance or all three on their faces. I don't understand why the restrooms were locked before the library closed. Maybe a little talk with the cleaning staff could rectify this. Using the restroom is a basic need to most people (especially in this weather) Hopefully something could be done about this. Thanks!

From: an undergraduate student

Jeanne Hammer, Associate University Librarian for Administration and Policy Development replies...

Thank you for reporting that the 3rd floor restrooms were locked after cleaning. The housekeeping schedule calls for restrooms to be cleaned AFTER the building is closed. We will report this problem to VCU Facilites staff who are responsible for monitoring and correcting the performance of the contract housekeeping company.

How about replacing all the missing books you have? That would be a great idea. Then maybe, just maybe I wouldn't have to search through 20 books before I found ONE that was available to read.

From: a library user

Patricia Selinger, Head of Preservation replies...

There could be several reasons why the book you are looking for is not on the shelf: someone is currently using it in the library, it is in the reshelving process, it is checked out, it is lost. For these reasons, among others, the VCU Libraries is making a significant investment in electronic books that are not subject to the circulation process and to loss, damage, and theft. The reshelving area on the 3rd floor is a good place to look if you don't find your book on the shelf. Books are picked up throughout the library during the day and brought here along with those received from Circulation. Shelves in the sorting area are labeled with call number ranges for sorting. Books are sorted into call number order onto carts. If the specific book you want is not available, we recommend Interlibrary loan.

Teresa Doherty, Head of Circulation and Information Services, adds...

If a book is listed in the library catalog as being "available," then it should be on the shelf -- not checked out to another patron, or in repair, or on order, for example. If a book isn't on the shelf where it should be, here are some suggestions:

• Check on nearby tables and photocopiers, as other patrons may have been using the book you need.
• Check the reshelving area on the third floor.
• Fill out a "Where's My Book?" tear-off sheet available on the ends of shelving units throughout the library stacks. You can drop the form off at the Circulation service desk on the first floor. Circulation staff will search for the book and let you know when it has been found.
• Patrons can borrow materials from our library consortium partners in the Richmond area. Library staff at the circulation service desk or reference desk can help you check the catalogs of these other libraries and explain how to use a RALC Borrowing Pass (Richmond Academic Library Consortium) to borrow materials from them.
• You can also use our Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery services offered through ILLiad to borrow materials not available through VCU Libraries.

Thanks very much for taking the time to post to the Suggestion Blog. We hope that this response is helpful to you.

Please thoroughly clean Cabell Library's basement where the computers are. The keyboards are sticky, the tables are dirty, and the floor needs to be swept, mopped and waxed. I have to use the computers in Cabell because I don't have a laptop at the moment and it would be nice to use them in a clean environment. Thank you!

From: an undergraduate student

Jeanne Hammer, Associate University Librarian for Administration and Policy Development replies...

Thank you for bringing the condition in the B-8 lab to our attention. The Libraries has submitted a work order to Facilities for the housekeeping contract company to clean the floor. Your concern about the tables and keyboards has been sent to VCU's Technology Services staff who the operate the B-8 computer lab.

David Brobst, Technology Services, adds...
Technology Services contracts for professional cleaning services five times per semester for the keyboards, mice, monitors, and work surfaces in the B-8 computer lab. In addition, the Tech Squad wipes down keyboards at least once each day, more often than that the during the busier times of the semester. Technology Services also makes disinfecting wipes available for students who want to clean any part of their work area in the lab.

VCU Libraries and Technology Services thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have noticed that people are playing music aloud in Cabell library. While I understand that the first floor is not for quiet study, I do think that playing music abuses the study environment. I would like to suggest that security make an occasional round around the library and please tell people to use headphones. It is very distracting. Thank you.
From: a graduate student

Mary Ellen Spencer, Head, Research and Instructional Services replies...

As you point out, the first floor of Cabell Library has areas that by their nature are not quiet: the lobby, Starbucks, and the busy circulation and reference desks. Even in these areas, users should be mindful that they are in a library and that students and faculty are enganged in academic work nearby. Users in areas away from the entrance to Cabell Library should not experience disruptive noise from other users.

You are right to note that Cabell Library has designated areas for various types of learning activities. We recognize the need for library spaces that promote both collaborative group work as well as quiet study. Whenever possible, a security guard will walk all floors of the library to monitor activity and to maintain the noise guidelines for each area. We strongly encourage you to report disruptions on any floor to library staff or security guards.

VCU Libraries has made many changes to improve the study environment in Cabell Library, and we welcome suggestions as to how we can continue to do so. I hope I've responded to your comment in a helpful way. Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your concerns.