Feedback to the Library, March 2007
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 Mar 4 17:51:55 2007 Off-campus
The Bible in English Database is not working. I have tried logging on to it both from campus and from home, and every time I try to perform a search, it tells me that our subscription expired in 2004.
Library response:
This is supposed to be part of the subscription to Literature Online. We're not sure what the publisher is doing, but if they removed it from the package they should have billed us. We're checking with them to see what is going on. Gene Spesard, Digital Library and Information Systems Team
(It is working now.)
Mon Mar 5 22:04:53 2007 Campus
Why are the icons so small? I'm visually impaired and this library is NOT accessible to me! Why can't the default configurations accommodate ALL patrons? I can't tell what icon is what and no one can help me to be able to use this computer - I traveled over 1 hour to use this facility and now I have to leave because you refuse to accomodate me. I'm writing my congressman!
Library response:
The library has tried to design our web pages and set the default font on computers to accommodate the majority of our users. However, you can change this. If you are using a computer in the Information Commons you may be getting a font size that was reset by a previous user. If someone has changed the default font size you can restore defaults by rebooting the machine. You can change the text size in web browsers.
Firefox: Hold the control key and press the plus key
Internet Explorer: From the browser's menu, select View | Text size and choose larger or largest as you prefer.
Gene Spesard, Digital Library Information & Systems Team
Fri Mar 9 10:02:09 2007 Campus
The Web of Science search engine is not working this morning. It doesn't find recent publications, only select old ones. Can you contact ISI to let them know?
Library response:
Thomson Scientific, the company responsible for the Web of Science, just called to report that they had fixed the problem. I did a quick check and was able to see citations from 2007 (as opposed to only the early 1990's), so it looks like it's OK. Gene Spesard, Digital Library and Information Systems Team
Mon Mar 12 15:49:28 2007 Campus
What is up with these small icons? I can't read the small type. I can't change the small type because I can't see what's in front of me!
FOR GOD'S SAKE - Set the default to something a normal person can read! I'm tired of having to buy magnifying glasses at the dollar store in able to work here!!!!!
Library response: see answer above
Tue Mar 13 17:16:39 2007 Campus
How am I supposed to read this tiny, tiny type????? What's the deal!?!
There's no reason to have the typeface set this small, there's plenty of room on the screen for larger print! I guess you all are so used to being stingy you think you have to scrimp on the text size too! How about installing Netscape and letting the patron adjust the text size?
Library response: see answer above.
Wed Mar 14 10:40:34 2007 Campus
please set up recycling receptors in the IC/library, other parts of the UA are recycling, the library should as well. thank you.
Library response:
There are recycling bins now inside and outside the Library. Thank you for recycling. Hayri T. Yildrim, Asst. Director of Facilities
Wed Mar 14 15:36:58 2007 Campus
Why is the print on the icons so small, when the computer screen is so big? Are you downsizing the typeface too?
Library response: see answer above
Mon Mar 19 01:51:36 2007 Campus
It's Cold in Here in the lower level of the ILC after Evening Time!
Library response:
We are striving to regulate the temperature in the Main Library. We apologize for any inconvenience. Hayir T. Yildrim, Asst. Director of Facilities.
Thu Mar 22 18:53:41 2007 Library
You have two Jonathan Stroud books (vols 1 & 2), but not the 3rd vol in the series: "Ptolemy's Gate". Please complete the series.
Library response:
Your request was forwarded to the librarian who purchases children's and young adults' books. She will order it, if the budget allows. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Thu Mar 29 08:07:12 2007 Campus
Why is the print so small? Everything is slow slow slow
Library response: see answer above
Thu Mar 29 08:07:15 2007 Off-campus
Please, could we have email alerts of due items BEFORE they are overdue, like we used to? I'm a harried graduate student and I relied heavily on the emails telling me a book would be due the next day. Currently I get emails about 11 days before a book is due -- which is completely useless -- and then one or even three days after it is overdue. The old system was much more user friendly. Could we return to it or allow us to set our preferences for email alerts somehow?
Thank you.
Library response:
At this time our system does not allow users to set their preferences for when and how often they get circulation notices. However, as with all aspects of our circulation system we will continue to explore and advocate for possible enhancements, so we appreciate your suggestion. The system also only allows for one courtesy notice to go out before the due date. We choose 11 days to give patrons plenty of time to renew before the due date. We used to send it 7 days before, but this caused some confusion with notices for recalled books. Most people seem to like the 11 day notice. For most regularly circulating items (those that circulate for 3 weeks or more) the following sequence of notices happens: 11 days before the due date a courtesy notice is sent; 3 days after the due date an overdue notice is sent; 15 days after the due date another overdue notice is sent; 22 days after the due date a billing notice is sent and you are billed for replacement. Any time prior to being billed you may go into your account, there is a link in the notices, and renew your material. I hope this clarifies any questions you had about library circulation notices. We think, given the current capabilities of the system, we have a process in place that meets the needs of our diverse patrons as best we can. However, we are always looking into ways to enhance the system, so we are always happy to receive your suggestions. Mona Ammon, Materials Access Team
Thu Mar 29 15:42:15 2007 Off-campus
It appears the link to the electronic book, Soil and environmental analysis [electronic resource] : physical methods, is broken.
Library response:
Thanks for notifying us about this problem. I've updated the link in this record and it should be working.
Gene Spesard, Digital Library and Information Systems Team.