Feedback to the Library, August 2006
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
Wed Aug 2 11:00:05 2006 Campus
I was very impressed to see we have electronically available books. I was however disapointed in attempting to actually use them. The download speed was sufficiently slow per page that I did not want to read the book online but asked my undergrad to make me a local copy and print the file out so I could read it at my own speed later. I'm sure this was not the intention of the "page-at-a-time" download, but it is the end result. I'm sure there is a better way to implement copy control such as printing a header on each page with my login name and IP etc that would discourage unauthorized copying and distribution.
Library response:
We have two major e-book products. The one you are describing is Net Library, which we are phasing out. The other is Ebrary which works much better. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Thu Aug 3 00:32:02 2006 Off-campus
Your instruction for How to read a call number is great.
Library response: Thanks for telling us you liked this learning tool we have created in our library.
Thu Aug 3 11:50:09 2006 Off-campus
Dear University of Arizona Libary,
This is a submission to your library's Web Search webpage...
May I invite you to take a moment to review:
Search Engine Colossus: International Directory of Search Engines
http://www.searchenginecolossus.com
and
First Nations Seeker: Directory of North American Indian Portal Websites
http://www.firstnationsseeker.ca/
(It has Arizona content!)
You and your library users may find them useful in your internet search activities!
Library response:
Thanks for alerting us to these websites. I will forward your message to the librarians who might be interested in knowing about them and linking to them.
Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Sun Aug 6 23:04:15 2006 Off-campus
I would like permission to link to Search strategy builder web page
http://www.library.arizona.edu/help/tutorials/searchBuilder.html
I have developed a library tutorial in an online learning environment for Health Sciences students at University of Sydney.
Please point me to the right person.
Library response:
Yes, it is fine to go ahead and link to this site. The person who originally created this tutorial no longer works for our library, but I will let him know that you asked to link to it.
If you can just credit our library in the link. Thanks. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Librarian
Tue Aug 8 13:59:23 2006 Library
IU notice that the library doesn't have some of the great Native films of our times: Smoke Signals, The Business of FancyDancing, Whale Rider, beneath Clouds, and Ofelas. Is it possible for someone to purchase these for the library collection (not for the book sale)? You can check these out as worthy of a great library.
Library response:
We did own both of the Sherman Alexie films but apparently I was never notified that they were lost. I will be replacing them.
The other titles will be taken under consideration when I know more about the budget. Sara Heitshu,
Librarian, Social Science Team
Wed Aug 9 09:28:20 2006 Campus
The essential list of the architectural journals in the architecture library is missing from the website. Can someone please get it back on-line as soon as possible. My students will need it as soon as school starts. Thanks.
Library response:
I have been trying to add this and other information to the Web site. Spencer is helping me. The problem is our new policy about number of pages etc. I will certainly tell the Web folks that that page has been requested so that I can finally add it. Thanks for the reminder. Paula Wolfe,
Fine Arts and Architecture Librarian
Mon Aug 14 14:54:51 2006 Campus
I have not found this book for many months.
Location Main Library
Call # PG3213 .M36 1987
Title Russia's lost literature of the absurd.
The Man with the black coat : Russia's literature of the absurd : selected works of Daniil Kharms and Alexander Vvedensky / edited and translated by George Gibian.
LOCATION CALL NO. STATUS
Main Library PG3213 .M36 1987 IN LIBRARY
Other title Man in the black coat
Russia's literature of the absurd
Other auth Kharms, Daniil, 1905-1942.
Vvedenskii, Aleksandr Ivanovich, 1904-1941.
Library response:
If the item is not on the shelf and the online catalog states that it should be "in library" go to the Information Desk (2nd Floor Main Library, 2nd Floor Science Library, Fine Arts Library) to get assistance from a staff person. We will: Verify the catalog record (including the item status); recheck the shelves for you.
If the item is not found we will:
Mark it missing so that it can go through our searches process; put a hold on the item for you.
Or, check other libraries in the area to see if they own the item; or initiate an Interlibrary Loan. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Mon Aug 14 16:19:07 2006 Library
How about a new copy of
Propaganda, by Edward L. Bernays.???
library version is from 1928.
thanks!
Library response:
Thank you for your recommendation.
Tue Aug 15 09:35:06 2006 Library
I am glad that now Asian collections are in the main library.
However, I often find the compact shelving system not working.
Therefore, I do not have access to the necessary books for my research.
One time, there was a student worker reshelving nearby to help me.
But she had to go down stairs to get some key to fix the problem.
there should be an instruction posted on the shelves or in the area in case of any problems.
or even better if there would be at least one library worker who can help us stations in the area.
I hope to see the inprovement soon.
Library response:
We were indeed having some problems with the Compact Shelving area at 3C in Main Library. The system has just been installed and we are experiencing some problems with the mechanical parts of the Compact Shelving. However, in order to remedy this situation and give continuous service to our customers we have signed a maintenance agreement with the company that repairs these. We will have 24x7 maintenance services on these. If you notice that they are not working please come down to the 2nd Floor Main Info Desk and we will get someone to fix it immediately. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you but we are working on this problem in order to give you seamless service.
Hayri T. Yildirim,
Interim Assistant Facilities Director
Tue Aug 15 16:08:24 2006 Library
I've recommended this book for numerous semesters now but have received no reply from the "specialists" or anyone else. Any chance of getting this lost classic any time?
Scarecrow & Other Anomalies (Paperback)
by Oliverio Girondo, Gilbert Alter-Gilbert (Translator)
Product Details
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Xenos Books Bilingual edition (February 1, 2002).
Library response: This is the first time that I have received the request of the purchase of this book.
Oliverio was a very important writer and as you can see in the attachment, UA Library owns many of his books (in Spanish). I appreciate very much your recommendation. However, according to our library's collection policy, we do not collect translation work. If you wish to get this book, please use our friendly Inter-Library Loan service. There are 33 universities/libraries (including Arizona State University) who own this book. Ping Situ, Librarian for Spanish and Portuguese Collection
Tue Aug 15 16:13:31 2006 Library
This book seems to be missing.
Location Main Library
Call # PT8950.H3 S813
Author Hamsun, Knut, 1859-1952.
Title Sult. English
Hunger. Newly translated from the Norwegian by Robert Bly. With introductions by Robert Bly.
Library response: Thank you for notifying us about this missing book. We are searching for it.
Tue Aug 15 19:27:26 2006 Off-campus
Do you have access to old yer books on line?
Library response:
I'm not sure what you asking. We have access to 1,000s of books online through our catalog. But we certainly don't have access to all the books that the library owns online. Many, many books are still not available online. There is one interesting site for online books, if that is an interest of yours, under Article and Database Searching, on the alphabetical list, select A and look at: ACLS History E-Book Project. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Thu Aug 17 15:33:27 2006 Campus
The fact that the library has the Index to Legal Periodical and Books and the Index to Legal Periodical Retrospective in electronic format (WilsonWeb) should be noted in the catalog.
Library response:
Your message has been forwarded to the person who specializes in law for consideration. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Fri Aug 18 12:56:31 2006 Library
I'd like to request an addition to UofA's library. The book is called "Son of a Witch" and the author is Gregory Maguire. The library currently has many of his other books in the stacks, and this one, which is a sequel to "Wicked" (recently made into a top Broadway play), would be a much-appreciated addition. Thanks!
Library response:
Your book request was forwarded to me, the English literature librarian. I agree that the Library should have a copy of 'Son of Witch.' I will order a copy for the Library. Jill Newby,
Fine Arts, Humanities & Special Collections Team
Mon Aug 21 11:24:13 2006 Library
Although I understand that books should be kept in cool dry place, I am not sureif it is necessary to cool the library as cold as it has been. As we usually sit down and read in the library, it is easier for us to get cold. Even though I brought my fleece, I still feel cold. If we can keep the temparature inside the library, more people will feel comfortable. Moreover, we will save much money which we can use for bettter use. I hope to see an improvement soon. Thanks.
Library response:
I understand that it is sometimes cold in the library. Different areas have their own controls and we have to adjust them based on the occupancy of the area and the time of the year. If you let me know what part of the library you were in then I will check the controls in that area. I apologize for this inconvenience and I will work on it as soon as you let me know the area.
Hayri T. Yildirim,
Interim Assistant Facilities Director
Mon Aug 21 17:18:39 2006 Campus
A new edition came out by Knut Hamsun, The Last Joy. Any chance you will purchase it?
The Last Joy (Green Integer Books:) (Paperback)
by Knut Hamsun
Paperback: 250 pages
Publisher: Green Integer (July 1, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN: 1931243190
Library response:
I will order a copy of the new edition of this book by Knut Hamsun. The Library has an earlier edition under the English language title: Look back on happiness. Jill Newby,
Fine Arts, Humanities & Special Collections Team
Tue Aug 22 06:39:39 2006 Off-campus
Dear Sirs,
I am a brazilian PT and I would like to know how I can acess your on-line library, because in Brazil we have poor library. Is it possible a foreign associate?
Thanks for your help.
Library response:
I don't believe there is any way that you can use our online resources remotely. They are only available to current students, faculty and staff of our university. The password to let people into them is an up-to-date University identification card number. I'm sorry, but this a legal restriction on these resources. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Librarian
Wed Aug 23 09:20:01 2006 Campus
a busy student named Sam is looking for a computer.
sam works nights to pay tuition, and his time is
valuable. he enters the library. all the computer are used, so he wastes 15 minutes walking around and waiting for a computer.
many computers are being used by unemployed men who use the computers to kill time. sam's a bit shy, and overpolite, and he's not the type to ask someone to leave.
sam understands that the library should not discriminate based on appearence, but he feels that the library that his taxes and tuition supports should be used only by students. tucson has many good public libraries.
sam finally gets on a computer, rushes through his assignment, and runs to class. after that he'll go to his job.
Library response:
Tell Sam that next time this happens, he can come directly to the Info Commons Reference/Help desk. He can tell us he needs help in finding a computer and we can help him get one pretty quickly.
Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Thu Aug 24 13:21:51 2006 Off-campus
Would the library accept for the stacks a donation of the following new book.
GRITS: Grassroots Ideas to Survive
Editor: Dale Allen Pfeiffer
Per the editor: "This is a book of advice on how people and communities with limited income can survive the era of energy depletion. It contains various submissions in response to an essay titled A Call for Action, all of which can also be found on the web site survivingpeakoil.com."
The books are paperback, 409 pages, 6.00" x 9.00", black and white interior ink. The editor Mr. Pfeiffer operates an internet site discussing the coming challenges of peak oil, and sells these as one of the ways to finance his website.
Like Mr. Pfeiffer, I have significant concerns about our the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure, which are at the core of the discussion our group Sustainable Tucson has held at your main library, and at the online listserv
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SustainableTucson/
I am one of the authors included in the book, and potentially have several copies that I would like to donate and see on the shelves of the libraries of the city.
If you would accept these books as additions to your lending system, please let me know by return letter, or email to whom I could deliver them on our next visit to Tucson.
Library response:
Thank you for your offer, but we are experiencing shelf shortages and must be careful with the titles we accept and buy. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Fri Aug 25 19:36:31 2006 Campus
I find it very distracting to hear the band practicing across the street from the library. Is there any way they can practice across from another building, perhaps somewhere on the mall?
Library response:
We don't really have any say in where the band practices. I think the field behind the library and the area to the east of Optical Sciences are where they practice. If the noise bothers you, you can come get ear plugs at the IC desk.
Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Tue Aug 29 15:27:24 2006 Library
I have needed a book in the compact shelving area on the 3rd floor, around E99, about six times since the shelves were installed. Four of the times I have been unable to retrieve the book because the shelves did not move. Irksome!
Library response:
I would like to apologize for any inconvenience you have had in accessing E99's range in the Compact Shelving in Main Library 3C area. Let me start out by explaining the reason for putting the compact shelving in that area. We feel that American Indian books will grow quite a bit in the future and we needed the room that compact shelving would provide us. Having said that, we in Facilities department are aware of Compact Shelving problems and we are constantly up there checking the functionality of the compact shelving to insure that they are in working order. We also spoke with the manufacturer of the compact shelving and they will come out periodically to maintain the compact shelving. However, we realize that you still might encounter problems accessing these areas. When that happens, please do not hesitate to come down to Main Info desk to get one of us to help you accessing the books.
Thanks,
Hayri T. Yildirim -
Interim Assistant Facilities Director
Tue Aug 29 21:19:26 2006 Campus
I used the UofA Library for the first time earlier this evening and I wanted to compliment your entire staff on all of their help.
I was working on a detailed project for a graduate course I am currently taking through NAU. A gentleman named Freddy Martinez assisted me with a number of research questions and searches and was courteous, helpful and very informative.
He saved me a tremendous amount of time and I am very grateful. Please pass along my thanks.
Library response: Thank you - your comment was shared with all staff. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team