Library Suggestions: General Library Suggestions

My friends and I were studying on the 4th floor at one of the large tables at around 7 pm. One of my friends put her head down to rest her eyes for a few minutes when one of the security guards (John) came by and woke her up and rudely told her that we are not allowed to sleep in the library and that she would need to leave if she wasn't studying. We were all sitting at a single table and two of us were awake to watch all of our belongings so there was no risk of theft. Therefore, I don't understand his reasoning for waking her up and speaking to us in such a manner. As students who spend the majority of their days studying, I feel that taking a 10 minute power nap is perfectly reasonable. If this is not an official library policy, then I feel that the security guards should be informed so that such instances do not occur again.

From: a graduate student

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

Thank you for bringing this situation to our attention. You are correct that a nap while studying is perfectly reasonable. Our security officers for the evening shift and overnight hours are fairly new to Cabell Library and still learning. Clearly there is a misunderstanding about our Use of Library Facilities policy which does not prohibit sleeping, unless it somehow became disruptive. The security officer may have misinterpreted our concern that a sleeping student's belongings are at risk of theft to mean that the library does not permit sleeping. We will clear up this misunderstanding.

MAKE IT 24/7!!!

From: an undergraduate student

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

I'm happy to let you know that VCU Libraries will expand its around-the-clock service at James Branch Cabell Library beginning March 18. Learn more about this new service by reading Library News. And thank you for posting your suggestion to our blog!

Some book re-shelvers have no consideration of how much noise they make. I understand it's hard to move around books without making any noise, but there's a huge difference between slamming the books around and placing them gently. Some of us are here to study and the noise makes a huge difference for us. Everyone, whether they work here or are studying here, needs to be more conscientious about themselves.

From: a graduate student

Patricia Selinger, Head of Preservation, replies...

It's true that reshelving can sometimes be a noisy task. We have a number of students working in the stacks and many of them are new to VCU this semester. We will be sure to communicate that care must be taken to handle books correctly and be conscientious of those studying. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

The hours of operation of the VCU Libraries are very lacking for the size of the University. There seems to be an assumption that students are not looking to do homework during the weekend. This is simply not true. Many students are limited by these hours. While students are able to do their homework at home during the weekend evening hours, they are not able to do research. As the largest research university in Virginia, I believe that this is stunting the growth of student research. These hours are only convenient for students who have the late mornings and afternoons free to study. It completely disregards the needs of students who have jobs or other obligations. The increase in tuition should lead to an increase of resources available to students, and increased library hours would benefit all students on both campuses. It would also show that VCU recognizes the hard and demanding work of their students, and the students' work ethic and commitment to their education. The current hours are impractical, and frankly, a little insulting. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

from: an undergraduate student

John Ulmschneider, University Librarian, replies...

Thank you for taking time to write to us about library hours. Feel free to contact me directly at john_ulmschneider@vcu.edu if you'd like to talk more about library hours, or about any library issue.

Greetings, I asked the person at the Reference Desk today to enforce the cell phone policy in the computer area (as posted) and he replied that those signs are about to be taken down. Big mistake that could result in physical violence. So not only will we continue to see people eating from pizza boxes and dinner plates complete with forks while seated at computers, we will now have to put up with loud cell phone conversations? My bachelors and masters are from larger universities, so I have a point of reference from which to judge. Next, cigarette ashtrays to each computer station and study desk in the library?

From: a graduate student

Pat Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services replies...

I am glad you asked for help at the reference desk and were told that our policy regarding cell phones has indeed changed. I'm also sorry that some pre-existing
signs remained in place. They should have been removed when the new signs were posted and we have now taken them down.

I understand your concern about noise levels, and appreciate your sharing them with us. Cabell Library attracts thousands of students each day, sometimes well in excess of 11,000 per day at the height of the semester. This is far more traffic than the building received when it opened in 1975 to support a student population of only 16,000 - half today's number.

The large numbers of students using the library do create noise issues. These issues won't be fully resolved until new library space can be added on the Monroe Park Campus. As a result, students have asked that we create more quiet space. Just this summer we did so, by making both the 3rd and 4th floors quiet study areas. The 4th floor is the "silent" floor, where even texting or use of headphones is not permitted in order to reduce stray noise that might be distracting to those studying. If you are seeking a quiet study environment, these are the floors for you. And, because you are a graduate student, you can also ask the Circulation Desk staff for access to the John Mapp Graduate Study and Reading Room on the 4th floor (just adjacent to the Special Collections and Archives Department). The Mapp Room includes computer access, as well as seating and study tables.

Conversely, for the 1st and 2nd floors we have followed the lead of a number of university libraries that have relaxed their cell phone policies. Cabell's 1st and 2nd
floors are intended for collaborative activity that includes conversation. Our signage indicates, however, that cell phone use that is not disruptive is permissible. If a cell phone conversation exceeds normal conversational tones, please do alert security
or service desk staff who will help resolve the situation. We will also remind 1st floor service desk staff that loud cell phone conversations are not permitted.

Thank you again for bringing your concern to me. Your experience using the library is extremely important to us.

It is understandable that the current economic condition is affecting everything. Nevertheless our success and privileges of using school resources should not be limited. I have noticed that the library hours have been cut compared to last semester. Cabell library is one of those buildings that is being used by more students than any other once around the campus. long lines to check out books, no reference assistants after 8 which is the time even before some evening classes end. Where should we go for assistance? The quality of service has decreased significantly since last semester. Most of the staff at the library is also not as friendly as I recall them to be (eventhough insignificant), it would be nice to have the staff help us with a good attitude. This is something not only me but many of my fellow students share and we would like to suggest a review of how many people use the library each day from previous statistics and evaluate if it is actually fair to limit hour and resources. Last but not least I would like to thank you for your help.

From: an undergraduate student

Patricia Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services replies...

Thank you very much for taking the time to let us know about your concerns. Although we have had to make some changes, we have focused on preserving those things that students have told us are most important to them: regular building hours and good library collections. For example, Cabell Library hours during the week have not been changed: Cabell will still open 7:30am weekdays, and close at 2am Sunday - Thursday, just like last year. There are some small changes on Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday, saving about 8 hours overall, the length of a worker's shift. And there are changes in hours and services at our service points in Cabell Library. But library hours during the week, a very important resource for students, are not affected.

The University is working hard to make the best possible decisions for VCU students to ensure that the instructional mission of the University is met. As a result, students will continue to see access to the instructors, classes, and other support they need to meet their academic goals. An important factor in making decisions has been University support for the libraries work in acquiring the print and electronic books, journals, data resources, databases, multimedia, and other materials that students and faculty need for their academic work. This isn't the case at many other institutions in Virginia and elsewhere, and it's good that students here aren't affected in that way.

The University has also been very supportive of efforts to make the best use of Cabell Library space, in order to provide students with the spaces, equipment, and furniture they need to work productively while in the building. The wonderful improvements to the second floor, partially funded by the Office of the Provost and the Board of Visitors, include seven new group study rooms, white boards, large monitors, upgraded electrical and added outlets and lighting, and collaboration furniture. There have also been improvements to the fourth floor and an effort to develop more quiet study space students have requested on the third floor.

I very much regret that you have experienced unfriendliness from staff. You accurately observed that there are fewer staff handling the same large volume of people using Cabell Library, and while that can be stressful for staff, it's important that you and your fellow students continue to have a good experience with staff help. I appreciate your bringing this observation to us, and assure you that I will follow up on it. I will be alerting Public Services managers of your comments (without your name) so they can be more aware of interactions taking place in their areas. Customer service is a top priority for us. I encourage you to contact me directly about any negative experiences you have had with as many specifics as possible so we can work to correct problems.

Thank you again for taking the time to articulate your concerns about service changes. We welcome student input and take the concerns very seriously as we make decisions. We all hope that the economy will improve so that we can reinstate services we know VCU students value.

Is anything being done to keep the basement computer lab quiet? Obviously the signage and computer desktops aren't doing their job. Why was the desk taken out of the computer lab? It seemed like when there were monitors in the lab, it was at least somewhat quiet. Every time I come down here to work, there are people on their cell phones, listening to music, and talking loudly. It is absolutely ridiculous that I have to listen to music on my iPod to block out THEIR noise while I work. Just last week there was almost a fight because one student told another to please whisper or take her conversation elsewhere- how are students supposed to respond to this?! It would be great if others would realize that this is an academic institution and not a restaurant or meeting place- people are trying to get work done!!! What is the library's response to this? I know I could rent a laptop and go to the fourth floor, but the computer lab is more convenient, especially late night.

From: a graduate student

Jim Bostick, Director of User Services for VCU Technology Services replies...

It is disappointing that you are having these problems. Please know that you or any student can go to the Security Guard to request their assistance with disruptive students in this lab or anywhere in the library.

The lab in the basement of Cabell Library is managed by Technology Services. Over that last several years, with budgets contracting, but needs for technology support increasing, we made the decision that the money used to monitor the labs would be better used increasing support for classroom technology and the Help Desk. This move had the side effect of enabling us to put a small number of additional computers in this already cramped lab once the monitor's station was removed.

In the long run, we are working with the VCU Libraries on their project to create a much improved and expanded Learning Commons space on the 2nd floor. Once completed, the B8 lab will be merged with current library computers and new computers in renovated space on the 2nd floor that will provide much improved student computing spaces.

To Library Administration(Night time supervisor): As a current graduation student in medicine on the MCV Campus and a regular evening and weekend visitor to the the Tompkins-McCaw Library, I have a concern that the evening and weekend staff available are too busy and understaffed to assist me with my research needs. As a former student on the Academic Monroe Park Campus, I always had a hard time getting help from part-time desk workers. Are there any chances that Tompkins-McCaw will get more full-time staff in the evenings and weekends and not just part-time workers who are not trained as well to help me with me research needs. Thank you.
From: a graduate student

Shannon Jones, Head of Outreach Services at Tompkins-McCaw Library, responds...
Thanks for sharing your concerns about obtaining research assistance during the evenings and weekends at Tompkins-McCaw Library. We value your feedback and your comments are appreciated.

Tompkins-McCaw Library offers research assistance during our business service hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. During these hours, reference assistance is available by asking at the Service Desk or by appointment. This service is supplemented by one-on-one consultations via phone or email. To schedule an appointment for research assistance, contact Barbara Wright at 828-0622.

In addition to research services, TML offers a Library Liaison Program. I encourage you to contact the liaison for the School of Medicine to schedule a personal consultation. For more information about the liaison program and to identify the library liaison for your school, please visit our information page, or feel free to contact me at sdjones@vcu.edu or 828-0626.

Thank you for your continued use of the VCU Libraries.

I am very appreciative to have access to the large poster printer in the Media Department at Tompkins-McCaw Library. I have printed out several posters for conferences over the past few months and its been a great time and money saver. Unfortunately, I do have one complaint: both myself as well as several members of my staff have been treated rudely or spoken to in a condescending manner. I have been told to "Go to Kinko's" or "We aren't a print shop!" The lack of customer service offered by the gentleman or gentlemen that make the appointments is extremely unprofessional. Other than the rudeness of the Media Department staff, I love printing posters.
From: staff

Jodi Koste, Archivist, Tompkins-McCaw Library, replies....
Thanks for your comments about the large format printer at Tompkins-McCaw Library. We are pleased to learn that you value this service. We continue to work on improving our customer service here at the library, and hope you will notice a change when you next make an appointment to use our large format printer.

As a alumni, can I have privileges?

Antonia FD Vassar, Assistant Director of Development, responds....
VCU alumni are welcome to join the Friends of the Library! In addition to supporting collections, services, and programming at the VCU Libraries, our Friends of the Library donors receive borrowing privileges and have use of our library services and facilities in James Branch Cabell Library and Tompkins-McCaw Library. The easiest way to donate is through our online form.

For more information on the Friends of the Library, please visit our information page, or feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your interest and support.

Is there any chance you could modify your courtesy reminder notifications system so that patrons are notified when there's still time to do something about it? I just received a courtesy reminder for an ILLiad item. It tells me the item is due soon, but according to the due date printed in the message, it was due today. The Resource Delivery Services office closes at 5pm; the notice went out at 5:02 pm. So I'm left here not knowing whether I've incurred fines. No one at the main number or the Circulation department seemed to know, though one clerk speculated that I'll be okay if I return it within 2-3 days. I seem to recall reading somewhere that standard fines for ILL items are extremely high, so that kind of guesswork is unsatisfactory. Your ILLiad page says renewals cannot be done on the due date. Your Fines document says there's a 3-day grace period, but doesn't say whether it applies to ILL items. It also says courtesy reminders are sent out PRIOR to the due date. I would like very much to renew this book, but it appears that now I cannot. Because it is critical to a paper I am writing that is due before I could get another copy, I will probably have to photocopy large tracts from it, which I think violates the spirit of interlibrary loan. I also will lose critical writing time tonight because I need to make a special trip to campus to photocopy and return this book. I understand that it is my responsibility to monitor the status of materials I check out. But when you put in place an automated notification system, it's reasonable for your patrons to rely on it to do the monitoring for them. All of this confusion, frustration, and wasted time could be avoided simply by adding a little lead time to your notifications. I hope you'll consider it. Thanks.
From: a library patron

Shirley Thomas, Head, Resource Delivery Services, replies....
Thanks for sharing your concerns about overdue fines and renewal of interlibrary loan materials.

There is no overdue fine for interlibrary loan materials. There is a $110 minimum replacement fee per item for failure to return interlibrary loan materials. This fee is charged to you once the item becomes at least 14 days overdue. At this same time, your ILLiad and Library records may be blocked . A hold may be placed on your account which will prevent you from registering for classes, receiving your diploma and receiving your transcript.

If an item is returned after the 14 days, you will be charged a non-refundable $10 overdue processing fee instead of the $110 replacement fee. Your ILLiad and library records will remain blocked until this fee is paid, and your university account hold will be removed.

Renewal requests must be submitted via ILLiad prior to the due date. If an interlibrary loan item is already due or overdue, it can not be renewed. Interlibrary loan materials can not be renewed through the Circulation Services or My Library Record. The wrapper on your interlibrary loan item gives you the due date, tells you whether an item can be renewed and how to renew the item. You can also find information online.

Go to the ILLiad Web site for more information (fees, cancellations, etc.) about interlibrary loan and document delivery services.

I'm a grad student here and thankful for the graduate study room, but I wonder why we have to check out a card to get in that looks similar to our ID cards. Is this not something that could simply be integrated into the Grad students' ID cards?
From: a graduate student

Pat Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services, responds....
Thank you for raising this question, as others may have wondered about the same thing. There are two answers. The first is that you can request to have your own VCU ID card processed so that it will work on the lock of the Mapp Room door. You may make this request the Circulation and Information Services desk. The staff upload new card requests to the door lock once a week. We check out generic cards so that graduate students can make immediate use of the room while their
own cards are being processed to operate. Just be sure to bring your VCU ID with you when you request this service; staff will need the prox number from the back of the card.

The second answer to your question has to do with why this process isn’t automatic. There are different types of card swipe mechanisms available for doors. We considered other types when the Mapp Room was constructed, but there were two problems which caused us to decide against them. The first is that the type which is automatically loaded with VCU ID cards cost thousands of dollars more than the one we installed. The second, and more important reason however, is that the
VCU Police database, which automatically loads IDs to these cannot discriminate between graduate and undergraduate IDs. Because we wanted to ensure that the Mapp Room be reserved for the use of graduate students and faculty only, we had to use the type of mechanism we installed – one for which we can control the status of individuals whose IDs are enabled to open it.

I hope this answers your question, and I invite you to request that your card be set up to open the door.

I value the expansive selection of books at VCU Libraries and use this resource quite frequently. However, I find it very frustrating that these books can be checked out for SIX MONTHS by VCU faculty. This can extremely limit the availability of certain subjects(especially those that are more obscure) and practically undermines the basic concept of a library system. Why should faculty need the books any longer (five months longer at that) than students? The library borrowing policies shouldn't be based on such hierarchical privileges. I hope you will take this into consideration. Thank you.
From: an undergraduate student

Pat Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services, responds....
Thank you for your question about the varying item loan lengths to different members of the VCU community.

Loan periods were extended a couple of years ago, based on the work of a study group within the libraries that considered past comments from patrons and that looked at common practices of other universities. It was found that VCU loans to faculty were conservative by comparison with many universities. Some university borrowing periods for faculty are up to a year in length, versus our present six-month loan. The six-month loan was identified as needed to support the ongoing research, curriculum design, and publication activity in which faculty are engaged, and which require prolonged use of library materials.

VCU Libraries recognized, however, that longer loans mean that other options are needed for those who are seeking the materials. Other users may 1) request holds so that they will be the next user contacted when an item is returned, 2) recall the material so that the current user is notified of a request and must return the item within 10 to 21 days, 3) request the material from another library through ILLiad, or 4) utilize our RALC Borrowing Pass program to check out the item from another area library. To find out more about these services, see www.library.vcu.edu/services/circ_info.html.

I encourage you to make use of these options. They are services we staff for and which are in keeping with offerings of other research libraries. I appreciate you asking this question and providing an opportunity for us to make clear why different groups are offered different borrowing periods.

This library is so loud. Why is it acceptable for students to talk on their phones while here?! Also, I am finding that many of them are so rude that they are now talking to them on speaker phone! It has gotten out of hand and I really wish that library staff would say something. I have started going to the Seminary Library because I cant stand trying to work on papers or study when people are talking on the phones. Enough is enough, this needs to be addressed immediately.
From: a graduate student

Patricia Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services, responds...
Thank you very much for letting us know about your negative experiences with library patrons using cell phones. There is a direct answer to your question and that is that cell phone use is not permitted in the building, except within stairwells and the entry vestibule (e.g. outside the main library doors of Cabell). However, as you have observed, the reality is more complex. The library is extremely crowded this year. Many days this semester more than 10,000 people have entered the building. With so many in the building, enforcing noise regulations becomes extremely challenging.

First, offering my understanding about how frustrating it can be to try to study amidst people breaking noise rules, here is what I can offer:

-Last year VCU Libraries hired two full-time security guards. We are one of very few departments on campus who hire their own security people, but the libraries did so to help keep Cabell Library secure and to enforce regulations.

-This past year the library rezoned Cabell spaces to offer more quiet study areas. The entire 4th floor is quiet study. The Linden Street side of the 4th floor in particular often has available seats even at the
library's busiest hours. In addition, a portion of the second floor was designated quiet study. Though not designated as such, the Linden Street side of the third floor which has a line of study carrels remains fairly quiet.

-As part of the 4th floor renovation, the new John Mapp Graduate Study and Reading Room was constructed. It will open in early December. Graduate students like yourself will be able to check out a key card from Circulation to gain access to the room. Soon you will also be able to request that your own VCU ID be set up to provide you entry to it.

-We are discussing how we might expand publicity of our cell phone use policy. Unfortunately, many library patrons are either missing or ignoring it.

-We are working with CLUAC (Cabell Library Undergraduate Advisory Committee) on a publicity campaign that encourages respect for library materials and fellow patrons.

Finally, I sympathize with the frustrations brought on by the noise and crowding. Don't hesitate to report problems to the security guards. They will act to request appropriate phone use of those breaking the rules.

Please know that we share a deep concern with you about noise and disorder in Cabell Library. Cabell Library was constructed in 1975, and because of the growth of library collections and the allocation of some of its space to University offices, it now provides 40% less space for students in 2007 than it did in 1975, for a student population that has doubled in size since then. VCU's library buildings had an original planned capacity of 1 million volumes maximum, but now house nearly 2 million volumes, almost 200% of the planned capacity. These basic figures translate into a building that is very very crowded, where seats are often filled from early in the morning until late in the evening, and where noise control is a recurring issue. The long-term solution is an addition to Cabell Library that will relieve the tremendous overcrowding in the building, because the overcrowded conditions limit just how much we can do to control noise. The University Librarian is working closely with University leadership, communicating information about the needs.

Has the TML library become a social club for dental students? Every time I have been here during this semester (at least 2 times per week), the dental students seem to be taking over the entire first floor, and they are extremely loud. I understand that the first floor is more relaxed about conversations, but what ever happened to whispering and why is the library now a place to come for social interactions? Can't the dental school build a computer lab or give them more study space or something? Help!!
From: anonymous staff

Cate Canevari, Associate Director, Research and Education, replies…..
Thank you for contacting us and sharing your comments. The Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences strives to be a welcoming space and supportive resource for all library users, and your input is appreciated. As you mentioned, the first floor area is a different environment from other locations within the library, and is generally louder than other places especially during peak hours. Students visit the library in between classes to study in groups, get coffee and use the computers. As a result, the first floor area tends to get crowded during these times. The group study rooms, the 2nd Floor Quiet Study Room, 2nd Floor study carrels and tables, and stack carrels in the basement are available throughout the day and generally are quiet areas for study.

We encourage library users to report disruptions in the library to our staff as they arise. We have found that library users react well to a gentle reminder. We encourage library users to report the mis-use of our quiet study areas; please inform staff at the Service Desk.

We welcome further suggestions as to how we can strive to improve the library environment, and appreciate your willingness to share your concerns.

Several MCV Campus students have sent comments regarding the fall hours at Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences.

Jean Shipman, Director of the Tompkins-McCaw Library and Associate University Librarian, responds...

Thank you so much for taking the time to write me about the hours of the Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences. It is very refreshing to know that our students want to be within our library and use our facilities. I really do appreciate knowing that you value the library and I agree with you, it is a terrific resource for students!

We would love to be open 24x7 which would be the optimal scenario for our students, especially with the health sciences schools having different schedules. There are reasons why we can not do this however as much as we would like to. For this academic year, we plan to extend hours after September and with your recent feedback, I'm asking for your help with reviewing what the best hours may be. We will need to consider the budget situation, the needs of our various constituencies, what services are being used, and the counts of how many people are physically in the library.

I need your assistance to determine library needs for the rest of the year and hope that you will consider meeting with me to review them. I need to know what it is you really want to do when you are in the library during the evening hours - what services do you need, what days of the week, which location (the library or Hunton) you prefer, etc. I have scheduled several meeting times to gather this kind of information and hope that you will consider attending one of these sessions. If your schedule doesn't permit such, please do stop by the library and ask for me at the main desk, as I would like to speak with you in person.

The meetings will be held in the 1st Floor Tompkins-McCaw Library Conference Room right behind the Skull & Beans coffee service:
5:30 pm -- Tuesday, Sept. 11th
3:00 pm -- Friday, Sept. 14th
12:15 pm -- Monday, Sept. 17th

Meanwhile during September, the Hunton Student Center Learning Center is open until 10pm and access to electronic library resources are available there.

I look forward to working with you to make our funding meet as many of your needs as is possible. Again, thank you so much for sharing your concerns!

Jean Shipman
Director, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences
804-828-0634

Recently an extensive comment was sent to VCU Libraries regarding the blog entry “General Comments and Concerns About Cabell Library” (12/18/06). This comment, posted by a Graduate Student from the Department of Humanities and Sciences, focused on several issues including:

-Computer use: Limit library computer use to specific, academic Web sites.
-Study Environment: A better study environment was requested, including newer furniture, with acknowledgment that furniture was slated to arrive.
-Facilities and Housekeeping: Improve housekeeping within the library, and encourage users to support the cleanliness of the library space and the items within. Specific suggestions include restricting food consumption, particularly during Library Lite All Nite to help keep the library cleaner. It was also suggested that VCU Libraries encourage patrons to respect the library spaces by cleaning up after themselves, explore ways to enforce graffiti and property destruction regulations, and install security cameras to help identify people who violate library building use policies.

Pat Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services, replies....
Thank you for these comments and ideas about VCU Libraries. You have noted a number of issues here. One is use of computers for “properly” using the library. The lines of what is research or project related and what is not are blurring with Web 2.0 social web sites. We recognize that libraries are places of learning and that learning often involves conversation and interaction, sometimes online, and we therefore lean toward great flexibility in how we define what is proper use of our computer resources. However, given the shortage of computers, we do request that use be for academic purposes, and we do adhere to the VCU regulations for computer use:
http://www.library.vcu.edu/admin/regulations/computer_resources.html
http://www.ts.vcu.edu/policies/computeruse.html

We are continually challenged with housekeeping issues in such an active, dynamic building as Cabell Library. I appreciate your concern about cleanliness, and library staff are uniformly disturbed by the challenges of keeping things clean, as well. We do work regularly with Housekeeping to ensure that they are aware of our needs, particularly during the Library Lite extended exam hours. You are correct that encouraging patrons to consider the condition of the library which they leave behind is vital to maintaining the building as a pleasant study place for others. We are currently planning an oversize poster about our food policy for the Cabell Library entrance, and are working with our security staff to better ensure that inappropriate foods are not brought into the building.

There are a mixture of views on how much camera surveillance is appropriate in an academic library. On whole, we want to do what we can to protect the privacy of library patrons, therefore extended use of cameras would require discussion and consideration. On the practical side, however, we do not have adequate funding to deploy extensive camera surveillance, and the building’s electrical capacity is already at maximum capacity. It would be difficult to choose cameras over computers if funds and more power were available, but I can assure you that we are as distressed about vandalism as you are. It is extremely disturbing that some patrons do not seem to care if library space and furniture is destroyed, and therefore not available to fellow students or researchers. We have hired two full-time security staff this year. They are working very hard to reduce both destructive activities and the inappropriate food instances and are making good progress. Security reports are filed whenever problems cannot be resolved, and those reports go to VCU Police as well as to library personnel.

Many thanks for bringing your thoughts on the library to us, and for your interest in making it a beneficial place to learn and study.

A graduate student in the Humanities and Sciences department had many thoughts regarding the blog post “Computer and Building Use in Cabell” (09/18/06). An outline of the well-thought-out suggestions is below:

-VCU should implement better access to crossing streets. It was suggested that VCU look to the standards set for bridges connecting buildings on the MCV Campus and use similar structures on the Monroe Park Campus.
-Computer use in Cabell Library is at a premium. The student proposed that VCU should look into the problem of space and availability, including opening a cellular portal.
-Cabell Library should support access to the community, high school students in particular, including access to computers.

Pat Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services, responds....
Thank you so much for taking the time to send us this input on VCU Libraries. There are a number of issues that you mention; I will address them as best I can, and forward some to departments that can better respond.

Your comments about safety related to crossing Belvidere Street may be of interest to the VCU Construction Services department. VCU Libraries is not directly involved with decision making at this scale of campus planning. However, I believe that Construction Services, or they in combination with other facilities planning entities on campus, would be the ones who would undertake any project of this nature. We will forward your suggestion on to them, but you may want to make your suggestion directly to them, as well.

Your second comment, with regard to library space and cell phone access to resources is very interesting. This type of cell phone use is in its infancy, but will hopefully open new opportunities for the future. New cell phone technologies are appearing all the time. Many databases that VCU Libraries subscribes to have complex interfaces; the vendors/designers of these products have been slow to design alternative interfaces which can be read on a small hand-held screen. It’s possible that new technologies may preclude the need to separate screen designs. It will be interesting to see if such new access modes can help alleviate computer equipment needs in our buildings. I believe these solutions are still a ways off for libraries, but will forward your message to our Library Information Systems department for their comments.

Finally, in response to your suggestion about allowing outside users access to VCU Libraries’ resources, thank you for your comments on this issue. VCU Libraries is very interested in support for local high schools and has an active outreach program working with high schools and other groups. We provide borrowing privileges for high school programs that require research level material, and to other categories of community users. Library doors are open to the community and many non-VCU individuals come to our buildings and utilize materials here. As you note, first priority for use of our resources and equipment is for the VCU community of students, faculty and staff and for academic use, as is the model for almost any university library. VCU Libraries is not a public library in the same sense that the Richmond Public Library is, and non-VCU individuals are referred there for certain types of library use. Due to limited computer access, there are also times when non-VCU patrons cannot be logged onto VCU Libraries’ equipment, but we do accommodate such research needs when possible. You may want to review the VCU Libraries regulation at: http://www.library.vcu.edu/admin/regulations/computer_resources.html.

Again, thank you for your thoughts and ideas. We do want to ensure that VCU Libraries is fulfilling its mission and vision in support of Virginia Commonwealth University.

I do most of my assignments, reading, and studying on the quiet 4th floor. This semester I've noticed that the table displays of the "Quiet Floor" are no longer being used. As a devoted student I need the quiet floor to be quiet. Lately, students have been talking and causing a distraction. I choose the quiet floor for a reason and it disappoints me that these disrespectful students are not quiet. I was wondering if any reminders could be set back out. Either on the walls as posters, as table displays, or have someone occasionally walk around to keep for a look out. I love the library but they are souring my studying experience!!
From: an undergraduate student

Pat Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services, responds....
Thank you for your suggestion. It's helpful to hear that the table tents are useful. We have actually been discussing them recently. Our current supply was depleted and we have been determining whether any changes need to be made to the content. In any event, long-term we certainly plan to have these reminders available where students are studying.

Short term, however, I want to alert you that the fourth floor will not be as quiet as usual. Renovations are scheduled to begin on February 26th. The renovations will bring much improved spaces to the 4th floor and will seal off the central staircase between the third and fourth floors from which 3rd floor noise reaches the 4th floor space.

We are working for a future where the 4th floor will be even quieter and we do plan new signage campaigns reminding library patrons about quiet study and that the library is meant to be utilized in support of the academic pursuits of the community. We are also hiring new security guards and in future there will be more security presence enforcing quiet and appropriate use of spaces.

The state of this library does not reflect well on this university. When I came up to the 4th floor today, it looked like there had been a keg party here last night... there was trash strewn all over the tables. Also, the books I need are never on the shelf, they are always "missing." Instead, there are empty coffe cups and candy bar wrappers on
the shelf. I can never get to a computer to use the card catalog because students are always using them to look at MySpace or surf the web. Also, it would be more efficient to double the number of study tables you have on the 4th floor, but use smaller tables, since most people study alone on this floor. This is the only university library I have ever been to that has one "quiet" floor. Really, shouldn't there be one "noisy," or group study floor? This is a library, after all. I don't have one major complaint, I'm just basically dissatisfied with this library -- if I had
visited this library before I came to do my graduate work here, I probably wouldn't consider this school to be a serious option. On the positive side the majority of the staff here (aside from many of what must be undergraduate student workers) is extremely helpful. Also, being open 24 hours during exams is a great idea. This library has the potential to be great, but needs a lot of improvement. Thank you for reading my comments.
From: Jessica, graduate student

Pat Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services, responds....
Thank you very much for taking the time to send this comment about Cabell Library. We have relayed the information about the mess on the the 4th floor to Housekeeping and hope they will take more action to keep things clean. Especially during the Library Lite All Nite 24-hour periods, we experience more trash and other mess in the library and have asked Housekeeping to provide additional service to accommodate the extra hours and numbers of people.

We are working to hire additional security personnel who will monitor the 3rd and 4th floors, enforcing the food regulation and the quiet and sotto voce floor themes. Coincidentally, we have recently been discussing the furniture in Cabell and agree that the 3rd and 4th floors should have more carrels, small tables and individual soft seating to help promote quieter study. We currently do not have funding to purchase furniture for these areas, but hope that in future funds might be found to do so. We also hope to better promote the Group Study Area on the second floor to attract more students who want to talk while working. We recognize that the building is overcrowded, which adds to the noise and inability to find seating in the area one wants. Cabell was built to house approximately half of the collections and many, many fewer students than it does today. Due to space problems our shelves are also crowded and get out of order. We hope to obtain funding for a remote storage facility to house lesser-used items, and with it the means to do a shifting and full inventory of the collections remaining within Cabell, which would also create more study space.

Adding computers to the library is difficult because the building is essentially at capacity for electricity. We know that there are not enough computers for all who want to use them. To as much an extent as we can we provide unfettered access to our computing resources, not drawing judgments about use as students may use the library for many purposes and employ various tools for communication and connection with others. Though the library is for study, it is also a center of interaction and discourse for the campus.

As a graduate student, you may be glad to learn that VCU Libraries has been fund-raising for a 4th floor renovation for Cabell. The renovation should move forward in spring of 2007. It will include a graduate study room to provide space for focused study for graduates and faculty.

Thank you for bringing your frustrations to our attention and also acknowledging that there is ability to provide a great library for the community. We agree and recognize the many needs you have expressed as significant aspects of doing so. These are definitely things we want to provide to our patrons.

Access to electronic journals/resources should be available to state agency employees who are working in research and policy evaluation. If the employee provides the proper credentials, he or she should be allowed access to the library's resources. This access would facilitate the adoption of innovative and effective policy solutions by providing efficient access to the latest research in public policy.
From: Elizabeth, Department of Social Services

Pat Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services, replies....
Thank you for your question regarding state agency employee access to electronic journals and resources. As you suggest, our licensed resources might indeed be quite valuable to your research needs. Though our computing resources are primarily for the research needs of VCU students, faculty, administrators, and staff, other individuals may gain access if they are visiting VCU Libraries. Guests may use our computers for research purposes, with some limitations that give VCU affiliated persons priority access when all workstations are in use.

If you will be visiting VCU Libraries to use these resources, please ask for help at the Reference Desk. Staff working there will be glad to assist you with logging on to a machine. The VCU Computer and Network Resources Use Policy governs specific uses of Libraries computers.

Unfortunately, off-campus access to databases is not available to those who are not students, faculty, staff, or administrators. The licenses governing use of these resources limit use to affiliated constituencies and to walk-in guests.

I hope this information helps. We appreciate learning about your interest in using VCU Libraries.

Purchase suggestion Author: Minaud Gerard Title: La comptabilite a Rome Publisher: Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes Place & date: Lausanne, 2005 Language: French ISBN: 2 80774 667 1 Subject: Economical history-History of management and accounting in Roman antiquity. The first book about it.
From: Gurt

Kevin Farley, Collection Librarian for the Humanities, responds....
Thank you for your recent suggestion regarding the addition of Gerard Minaud's La comptabilite a Rome to our history collection at James Branch Cabell Library. Budgetary limitations place restrictions upon our ability to purchase all materials that are requested. We will take this title under consideration. In the meantime, this title may be requested through ILLiad, our Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Service (https://illiad.library.vcu.edu/illiad/). Please let us know if you have other suggestions, you may also use the online form, Purchase Suggestion for Collection Management.

Could you please subscribe to the American National Biography database? It is a comprehensive database of all of the most important Americans, and includes important works written on each subject. I am very surprised to find it is not already subscribed to, as you have subscriptions to lesser biographical databases such as the African American Biographical database and Biographies of Women Mathematicians. The ANB covers it all and is an extremely important reference tool for students and faculty alike.
From: Arthur, graduate student

Kevin Farley, Collection Librarian for the Humanities, replies....
Thank you for your suggestion regarding the addition of the American National Biography database to the electronic resources available at VCU Libraries. Budgetary limitations place restrictions upon the addition of electronic resources, but we will take this suggestion under review. Please let us know if you have other suggestions, you may also use the online form Purchase Suggestion for Collection Management.

I would like to suggest there be one computer per floor for the sole use of the library catalog. Maybe something similiar to what public libraries offer: a computer at a tall table. Thanks for considering this idea.
From: Jeff, undergraduate student

Curtis Lyons, Interim Associate University Librarian for Public Services, replies....
The VCU Libraries Catalog is accessed through web browsers and is full of links that take patrons to resources held on other sites, therefore we cannot set a computer up to only give access to the catalog. This Summer, we will be looking at a number of possible set-ups, including the standing terminals that you mention, and hope to have something in place by the beginning of Fall that will allow patrons to look something up quickly without having to wait for a full-service terminal. Thank you for your suggestion!

How is anyone supposed to get anything done on the first floor with all that noise? I understand that Cabell Library has quiet floors, which are great, but the first floor is a little more convenient if one needs to review for a test or get a little homework done, not to mention the fact that it also serves as a home to Java 911 and the periodicals. I do not mind if people want to carry on a conversation with a friend or study in a group, but the noise level, especially to the far left of the first floor near the group study rooms, is just ridiculous. Groups of students will use the group study rooms to do anything but group studying. It's more like watching movies (loudly) on friend's laptops, testing different cell phone ring tones, gossiping, and talking and laughing with anything but inside voices. I mean for goodness sake, isn't that the purpose for which the commons serves? If students are not going to study, then why go to the library at all? Conversations on the first floor are to be expected, but often it gets way out of hand. The library should have someone stationed in that area, to the left and back, during peak hours because the noise level is simply intolerable for students who really did come to the library to use it correctly.
From: Derick, undergraduate student

Curtis Lyons, Interim Associate University Librarian for Public Services, replies...
We strongly encourage our patrons to report disruptions in any part of the library to library staff or security guards. In many cases, we find that the offending patrons don't even realize how loud they are being and react well to a gentle reminder from a guard.

Similarly, we encourage patrons to report mis-use of our group study rooms. They are in high demand and we do not want them taken up by individuals who could be studying in other areas or by groups who are not studying. You can find our study room policies here: http://www.library.vcu.edu/services/studyroom.html.

I regret that we are simply not funded to the levels necessary to monitor all of the potential noisy areas in the library. Our security guards, present from late afternoon to closing, are instructed to walk the library and help provide a strong study environment for students. We will confirm that this is happening.

We have taken many steps in the last two years to improve the study environment in Cabell Library and welcome suggestions as to how we can continue to do so.

Hi, Does the university have a policy regarding homeless people who use the library? It is a Sunday afternoon and there are about half a dozen people who do not appear to be students sitting near the newspapers, some are sleeping, one even loudly snoring. I am not really complaining per se as I realize this is a public school library, but as an Urban Studies major I would like to know if VCU Libraries has a policy dealing with people who outwardly do not appear to be students or actively using the library resources. Thank you.

The situation you are referring to and many others are covered by our Use of Library Building Regulations. It specifies that "Persons who are not affiliated with the University community (guests, visitors, members of the general public) may enter library facilities only to use the collections and services of the VCU Libraries. Any other use of library facilities by non-affiliated users is not permitted and may be considered trespassing."

If you see someone who is sleeping or otherwise not making use of our collections and services, please report it to library staff or to the security guards on duty. Please also report anyone that is engaging in any activity that is disruptive to other patrons' study, including loud snoring. Our entire building regulation is available here: VCU Libraries developed the Use of Library Buildings regulation to protect the rights of both users and staff, to create an appropriate academic atmosphere, and to provide a safe, comfortable and convenient library environment.

-Curtis Lyons, Interim Associate University Librarian for Public Services

I know that the first floor of TML is not intended to be a quiet floor. However, the noise level is frequently beyond what I think is appropriate for a library. People feel free to hold extensive conversations in loud voices (sometimes related to studying and sometimes not) and talk on cell phones, and the staffs' voices at the circulation desk are often very loud as well. I have been a frequent user of this library for 3 years, and the noise level has become a much bigger problem during this school year than it was in previous years. Is there anything that can be done?
From: Lyons

Dear Mr Hardy,

Thank you very much for your comments. We all have noticed that the noise level on the first floor tends to be high at times. This is due to a combination of factors, the coffee place, allowing library users
to eat food in the library which encourages group congregation and other things. We have also noticed that the number of library users has increased a lot this school year. So more people, more noise. The
library has really tried hard to be user friendly, hence allowing food and the coffee place, but these gestures unfortunately come at a price and one of them is the noise.

As far as staff being loud at the desk, I am really sorry to hear that and would like to ensure you that we will try as much as possible to control our noise level. I would also like to remind you that we do
have a quiet study room up on the second floor plus we have nine study rooms above
Special Collections that you can use. Lastly, please do not hesitate to let a staff member
know whenever you are in the library and the noise level is too high for your comfort.

Irene Lubker
Research Librarian, User Services
Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences

Hello Sir/Madam, I'm glad to see signs up in Cabell library that remind students about the Escort Service. I'd like to suggest that some of those signs be put inside the girl's restroom stalls. I've seen that done at other universities, and I think it's a good way to especially remind young women that the Escort Service is available to them if they feel walking home is unsafe. Thank you.
From: Bernadette

Curtis Lyons, Interim Associate University Librarian for Public Services, replies...

An excellent suggestion! After receiving this, we placed these signs in the bathrooms in Cabell for our 24/5 period in December and plan to continue having them up. Thanks for the great idea.

Curtis Lyons
Interim AUL for Public Services

The form for faculty to place items on reserve is only available as a
PDF. Why not make it type-enabled? This would make it easier for faculty
to include all the necessary information, be more legible, and allow us
to deliver it to the library via email.

Nell Chenault, Access Librarian and Head, Media and Reserve Services , replies..

Improvement of the course reserve forms is one of our goals for 2005/2006. This issue was shared by your fellow faculty during our Course Reserves Faculty Focus Group last Spring.
The reserves team plans to move from pdf request forms to electronic forms. We hope to incorporate many features to ease filling out and submittal including populating the faculty contact information from just the faculty VCU eID and pulling bibliographic information from the VCU Libraries catalogs. Course renewal for a subsequent semester could be submitted electronically with minimal input by the faculty member.

In the interim, we will move one step closer to our goal by implementing your suggestion. Our current pdf forms will be modied to be "type enabled" with electronic submittal. Look for the new forms soon.

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)
  

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