Feedback to the Library, October 2005

NOTE: Comments are edited to remove names of specific employees or users. Comments with names go to "Askref" for response or are forwarded to the appropriate person for a reply.

The location is only identified as "Library", "Campus" or "Off-Campus" to protect the anonymity of users. Comments received on paper forms may be entered several days after they were submitted.

Date/time Location

Sun Oct 2 11:27:12 2005 Off-campus

Hello, I have been a community user and Friend of the Library for several years. I have just received a notice that my "privleges have expires" when I was trying to access your online catalog. Is this because my annual fee is due? If so, why don't you send a notification before the expiration? How much is it and whre should I send the payment? I'll send a check at once. Thanks for your attention.
Library response: I checked our Friends of the Libraries database and found that your membership has elapsed. If you wish to renew your FOL membership, please feel free to contact Sandy at 621-6431. The Friends of UA Libraries has new levels of its membership. You will be able to find the information on the Library's website under the link, on the right side of the screen, to Friends of the Library. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Samuel Huang, Assistant Dean for External Relations

Mon Oct 3 17:04:26 2005 Campus

the computer on the 4th fl of Science library has display problem
Library response: Thanks for notifying us about this problem, it has been reported and will fixed as quickly as possible. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Wed Oct 5 11:31:48 2005 Campus

I have just looked at ARTstor, one of the trial databases, and I think it will be very useful for students it contained many images by an artist I study, including some I had never before seen. I recommend that ARTstor become one of the databases to which we have permanent access.
Library response: This comment about ARTstor, a trial database that the library is considering buying, was forwarded to the Art Librarian. Thanks for taking the time to try the database and to send us your comments. Vicki Mills

Thu Oct 6 09:01:54 2005 Campus

First, thanks for making the several changes I asked for earlier. Now I see that under "Search Other Catalogs" (you added WorldCat there, too, hurray!) we are still missing the other library links that one used to be able to find - TPPL, Pima Comm. Coll., ASU, NAU, etc. Would someone please restore those links? Or are they somewhere else that I haven't found them yet? Thanks!
Library response: Thank you for your suggestion, we will certainly consider it. I wanted you to know, in the meantime, that after executing a search in our catalog you have the options of performing the same search in catalogs for ASU, NAU, Pima Community College, Tucson-Pima Public Library, and CRL from within the catalog. There are buttons for this across the top of the display. Dan Lee, Undergraduate Services Team

Thu Oct 6 15:54:14 2005 Campus

Some one checked out the following book long ago and has not returned it. Is it possible to put this book as an E-book? I will be happy to have online access to this book. Sheila Slaughter and Gary Rhoades (2004) Academic capitalism and the new economy : markets, state, and higher education Baltimore, Md. London : Johns Hopkins University Press,
Library response: Your request was sent to the Education specialist. Not all books are available as e-books, but since these are Arizona authors, perhaps we can buy a second copy of the book. Vicki Mills

Fri Oct 7 15:30:03 2005 Off-campus

There was a total down on yahoo.com sends-main library floor 1 commons-at least,-from about 7:35 AM to about 8:50 AM this morning- recovery to about 10:00 AM-leaving about two-thirds computer occupancy, rather than usual more-nearly-packed conditions-to about 9:20 AM. There is data indication this was local to the U of A library commons zones. Local hand held triangulated-at first-multi-person virusing- using pager-like other "instruments" noted. More later.
Library response: This comment doesn't really make any sense to me. I sent it to our systems staff, but they are not sure what it means either. If Yahoo mail or Yahoo site was down for a while in the IC, it seems to have come back rather quickly. So I don't think there is a really a problem. Vicki Mills

Fri Oct 7 17:06:03 2005 Campus

Sometimes I am prevented from logging on to SciFinder scholar. It returns a message stating that "there are too many concurrent logons for this ID." This is really annoying. Is there anything that the library could do to resolve this problem?
Library response: According to our records we have 2 concurrent users (for $83,950.00). The access report from CAS shows between 65% (March 2005) and 87% (August 2005) success in connecting (i.e. non-busy) so this appears to be a "feature not a bug". Gene Spesard, Digital Library & Information Systems Team

Fri Oct 7 21:38:20 2005 Off-campus

Do you have a collection of Univ. of Arizona yearbooks ie. 1968 edition? What would it cost/page to request something copied? Thank you very much.
Library response: This comment was forwarded to our Document Delivery Team. The library does provide this service. The cost is $6.00 (plus shipping) for the first 15 pages and 25 cents per page after that. Vicki Mills

Mon Oct 10 14:57:48 2005 Library

When I search a book on the computer/library system, I usually print out the record of the book(s)I want so that I have the call #. It would be great if the location, as given in the call # guide, was printed out ss well. Please consider for future modifications. It makes things one step easier for users.
Library response: If you print one record at a time, you do get the location and if you print from a marked list and use the "full" display, you get the location. So I think this comment is referring to the fact that marking multiple records in the catalog and printing off the "brief" record display of that list does not include the location. It should do this. I will pass this comment on to the staff who work the catalog and see if they can make that modification. Vicki Mills

Mon Oct 10 19:05:26 2005 Campus

Greetings: "Thank-you!" Thank you for VISIO! I was always taught, when you say "Please" you also say "Thank-You!" I seriously asked and asked for MS-Visio (a flow-chart tool) to help in breaking down complex scenarios and as an aide for flow-charting - and I found it on the menu a few days ago! I am delighted. Again, THANK YOU!
Library response: Thank you for being thoughtful enough and taking the time to thank us. Vicki Mills

Mon Oct 10 20:43:17 2005 Campus

I am wondering what it will take to stop freezing us. amazing in a culture where energy is scarce we are made to freeze in the Information center.[commons buildin] Whereby instead of studying we are running to find sweaters and shawls for cover. Helppppppp!!!!!!1
Library response: The Library and University Physical Resources Department are working hard on the heating and cooling system in the main library. They have redone the whole air handling system in the library and are now trying to get it equalized, so there are not very cold and very hot areas in the building. It seems to me that things are better just in the last week with the temperature. But I will make sure our building manager sees your comment. Vicki Mills

Tue Oct 11 14:16:17 2005 Campus

your classes are amazing & excellent!!!
Library response: Thanks, although I'm not really sure what classes are being referred to in this comment. But its nice to get compliments, even if not sure what the compliments are for. Vicki Mills

Tue Oct 11 19:32:28 2005 Campus

I was using Finale and was trying to save a file so I can use it in my dissertation with Word. Somehow it didn't work. It says "you must first select a postscript printer driver to compile postscript file", what does that mean? How can I go about it export pages with eps type and save it? thanks
Library response: Your problem sounds complicated and involving multiple software programs and computer devices -- Finale and Word and networked printers. This is not the kind of problem we can handle after-the-fact, remotely and over email. I suggest, if you still need help, the best thing to do would be to work with someone in the Fine Arts Library (I'm assuming this happened in the Fine Arts Library because of Finale) -- show them the problem and then see if they or our Systems Staff can help you at the time you are having the problem. Vicki Mills

Tue Oct 11 20:37:18 2005 Campus

hi, I asked someone at the help desk in the info common about photoshop. He told me that if I want to go back to change something, I should save my file as psd file in order to do that. Somehow, it didn't work. I want to go back my old file and change the font size in the text I entered before, and I couldn't do that (also the graphic stuff as well). Would you please let me know how I can create something in photoshop and save it in a format which allows me to go back and edit? Thank you.
Library response: Hi, your Photoshop question came to me. Generally, in Photoshop you want to save your file as a Photoshop document (PSD) in order to be able to edit the various layers. Then you can save as other formats, retaining the original PSD in order to go back and edit. However if it has been flattened so it has only one layer, then text editing won't be available because the text won't be on it's own layer, nor will you be able to edit graphics on individual layers. I'm not sure what happened in your case. It sounds like you first saved it as (or were originally working from) a JPEG or a GIF which had only one layer, then went back and saved that as a PSD. In this case, there would still be only the one layer and you won't be able to edit the text or individual graphics. Again, I can only guess at what happened in your case but you can contact me or set up an appointment with me for further help in Photoshop (I don't work out at the Main Library Info Commons Desk but I am nearby). Marty Taylor, Undergraduate Services Team.

Wed Oct 12 18:58:47 2005 Library

Hello, My name is JJ. I am a ph.d student in FSHD. I realized that AMOS has not been installed in computers on campus. But it is one of the most popular statistical packages in social sciences. Also when I attended the U. of Missouri-Columbia, all computers on campus have AMOS program. I was wondering if Amos could be installed in any computers on campus in near future. Thank you. JJ
Library response: We get many requests for adding software and there are many things that go into the decision to add software to the IC computers -- price, compatibility with other sofware and network, and campus need/other campus availability-- being some important aspects. One thing you could do is see if faculty who are teaching courses require this software for their classes. We give higer priority to software for specific courses. Vicki Mills

Additional information: The AMOS software is available in at least two non-library labs here on the UA campus, DASL and ICL, both at the social sciences building http://sbsri.web.arizona.edu/new_page_2.htm#ICL Jackie Yabeny-Bahe, Digital Library & Information Systems Team

Sun Oct 16 22:02:44 2005 Campus

I really do not like this new website for the online library. It is confusing. It i taking me longer than it did last year to find something I need.
Library response: Thank you for your comments. Starting with the spring semester we are going to do usability testing of our website. This testing period will provide everyone an opportunity to give us input concerning the arrangement of the site, but keep in mind that we may never reach a true consensus about what is best. Tom Marshall, Technical Services & Archival Processing Team

Mon Oct 17 11:37:41 2005 Library

Please get rid of silly picture of cabbage leaf on front page -- or at least change it occasionally!!
Library response: Thank you for your comments about the cabbage leaf image. Our intent has always been to rotate images, and your message will prompt us to do that. But, it seems likely that the cabbage leaf may return some time in the future as part of the rotation. Tom Marshall

Mon Oct 17 12:22:04 2005 Off-campus

What happened to the beautiful, bright and inviting page that had the five (or so) icons with your collections? This is a horrible GREY site that doesn't even make me want to visit!!! YUCK, YUCK, YUCK. Hope you bright back the light.
Library response: I'm sorry that you find the new web site so dull. We designed it to be more suggestive of the geography in which we live. We certainly don't think of the Southwest as being grey. Dan Lee

Mon Oct 17 14:06:39 2005 Campus

Is it possible for the library to order proquest historical newspapers?
Library response: We do subscribe to two specific newspapers from the Proquest Historical Newspapers collection, New York Times and Los Angeles Times. They are linked from the library homepage - select Article & Database searching, then select News/Newspapers from the subject list. You'll see them listed there. Are you interested in their broader product that includes other newspapers, or is there something in particular you're looking for? Mary Feeney, Social Sciences Team
We have also added an entry for ProQuest Historical Newspapers in our database list (with an alert that only these two newspapers are available). Gene Spesard, Digital Library & Information Systems Team

Tue Oct 18 19:30:15 2005 Off-campus

I can't access the documents via the link on your e-mail or by the ILIAD location here. Can you send me addresses that I can paste into my browser? Thanks.
Library response: I checked your ILLiad account and found four articles. However, as far as I can tell, all four articles are accessible. Would you please send us additional information about the inaccessible request? (Transaction number and/or article citation). If the link can't be reestablished, we can email a copy of the file as an attachment. Thank you for your time. Scott Cossel, Document Delivery Team

Wed Oct 19 15:45:00 2005 Off-campus

Hi, I just received the President's Club Member offer to access the Academic Search Friends of the Libraries Edition databas. I do not have a CatCard number. Can you provide me with one so that I can use this resource. Thank you. I am also a member of The Friends of The Library.
Library response: Dean Stoffle is offering the Presidents' Club members access the Friends Edition of Academic Search. We need your current mailing address in order to send you an application form for your signature in order to access the database. We hope in your future program of giving, you consider UA Libraries as one of your giving considerations. Thus, we may provide other services to you in the future. Samuel Huang, Assistant Dean for External Relations

Wed Oct 19 23:48:10 2005 Campus

The men's bathroom #A110 in the Information Commons is always (all day & all evening every day) very dirty & smells terrible. It needs to be cleaned more often.
Library response: The restrooms in the Library are cleaned and sanitized each day between 3 and 11 am. The University Custodial Department does not have the staffing to check and clean the restroom through out the hours the Library is opened. The restrooms in the B pod area are larger and provide an alternative to A110. Jim Fromm, Library Building Manager

Fri Oct 21 18:29:23 2005 Campus

What is up with the volume on the computers? I CAN'T HEAR A THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Would you like a law suit from the hearing impaired patrons or are you going to resore the volume so somebody can hear somehing?????
Library response: We've checked this computer and replaced the audio extension cable in case that was the problem. If you find the volume on a computer is too low please check the volume control (the little speaker icon in the lower right hand corner). A previous user of the computer may have turned it down. Mike Birdwell, Digital Library & Information Systems Team

Tue Oct 25 20:26:27 2005 Campus

In light of the MANY recent postings complaining about the new website, I would like to offer my congratulations and appreciation. Granted, the older website was fun and easy to use. However, I find the new website to be very intuitive and useful. I have not had any trouble locating resources or needed databases. I honestly think that the main problem is that user's are used to the old webpage, and most people do not like change at all. Ladies and gentlemen, if you use your brains, think a little, everything you need to fulfill your research needs are on the new webpage. Just use your brain - that's what you're here for!
Library response: Thank you for your message. We are glad that you like change, because you probably will experience more changes to the website in the future. We will begin usability testing of the site this January and as a result we hope to provide a web presence that is even better. Tom Marshall

Wed Oct 26 09:14:26 2005 Library

As a patron of the library and a friend of some people that work there I am very upset to find out that the student workers can only receive a TEN CENT raise a year and start at minimum wage. This means that a student with the knowledge from working at the library for four years will only be paid $5.65 an hour. This is especially upsetting considering that the library hires many non-student temp workers who have a starting pay of over $7.00 an hour. Why is this the case and what is being done about it? I think it is the library's responsibility to prioritize U of A students over people in the community, or at the very least offer better pay to students who have been working there for a while.
Library response: The UA Libraries’ policy on raises for student workers does not seem generous, but we have less funding for student wages each year and have to reallocate what we have among existing student employees. We have not heard directly from student employees that they feel this is unfair or unsatisfactory. Also, the pay for students varies depending on the jobs they do, some students start at $6.50 or more.

The UA Libraries hire workers from temporary agencies to meet short-term staffing needs to maintain consistent work flow and meet customer quality standards. Temporary workers are also hired at peak periods to supplement the work that students cannot do when they have to cut back on their hours in order to complete school work. Temporary workers have to be hired at the hourly rate for the classification of work agreed to by the University and the temporary agencies. The Libraries have a policy that UA students cannot be hired through temporary agencies, in part because the University has guidelines and processes that protect student workers and these protections would not be available to them as a worker from a temporary agency. Karen Holloway, Team Leader, Financial & Human Resources

Wed Oct 26 18:02:36 2005 Library

Why is the volume turned down so low. I rely on the internet for my news and I have a slight hearing impairment. I can no longer listen to the news online because the volume is set so low. This is unsatisfactory.
Library response: The computer will be checked to make sure that everything is functioning on it. Also, if you find the volume on a computer is too low please check the volume control (the little speaker icon in the lower right hand corner). A previous user of the computer may have turned it down. Finally, when you have problems with any computers in the IC, if you report it at the IC desk, the problem will corrected much more quickly. Using this feedback mechanism, without giving any computer location information, is not an efficient way to get computer problems fixed. Vicki Mills

Fri Oct 28 20:49:18 2005 Campus So two months later I note that I was not alone in building upon the prior complaints, which in total do exceed I think any other complaint, yet you claim that people don't want the prior page [links to search engines] and don't admit that you feel we "can't handle" easy access to them. What such an approach ignores is that indeed many have awareness of a very poor engine to use in isolation. That's why I stressed that previously you didn't just link to a hodpodge of engines but also to forums where neutral guidance could be found. Since noting, just recently, that only online could I find september, and noting that the lobby board continutes to have the prior months, no longer on the internet at all, out of order (which was ironically covered during the recent, only once a year, reception!)
Library response: Thank you for your comments regarding the Library's website. We have received other requests to return the search engine page and we are giving it serious consideration. In January we will begin testing the usability of our website and if the search engine page has not returned by then we will certainly test the efficacy of it at that time. Tom Marshall