Feedback to the Library, January 2008

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 Jan 2 16:49:02 2008 Campus

I would like to express my disatisfaction with online books offered through Ebook Library (eblib.com). I tried to print a chapter from one of their books ( 24 pages) ( Book title: Nanotubes and Nanowires). During printing I had a printer failure ( after 1 page). I tried to reprint the article in question, and I received a message that I could only print 1 more page. IN fact only one page has printed. While I can read the paper online if I am connected to the UA library, the interface is cumbersome, and not pleasant to use. I tried to download the book chapter so I could read it on my laptop, but the copy of the book chapter did not download ( though it said it had), and now I receive a message that I am not allowed to download it again. I have not had such difficulties using other online books available through the UA library. I am very disatisfied with using this particular service. If you are keeping score, I would vote to offload this service as soon as possible, if there is something equivalent available. This one is terrible! Thanks for listening to my diatribe!
Library response: This ebook product, from EBL, is a pilot project, we are actually just renting these titles from EBL. I don't completely understand how it works, but it was a way to get access to many more ebooks and if a title gets used a certain number of times, we will consider purchasing the title permanently. This doesn't explain the problems you encountered with the interface. I have to say that I haven't found an ebook interface that I think works perfectly, including this one. I looked at the title you were looking at and I was able to print multiple pages, so I don't know why you were having the problems with printing. There is also an option for downloading the whole book -- there does not seem to be an option for just downloading a part of the book. Doug Jones, one of science librarians, is much more familiar with this ebook product and he can answer your concerns, better than I, and also note your complaints about the interface. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Wed Jan 2 18:51:34 2008 Library

Why should alumni (disabled) pay 50.00 for a yearly library card? Should this not be calculated on a sliding fee scale?
Library response: Library Card prices are set at a rate that allows us to cover the cost of providing service to our community users who check out materials. This includes producing the library card application, purchasing library cards for distribution, creating and maintaining library patron records, circulating library material and re-shelving library materials.

Keep in mind that anyone is welcome to come in and use the library for free. This means you can look at our materials, use our computers and study in our space for free. Mona Ammon, Materials Access Team

Fri Jan 4 08:43:29 2008 Off-campus

Do you know if your on-line payment system is working? I've tried paying a late fee from two different computers using two different browsers (IE and Firefox) and two credit cards and it consistently gives me the following error message I have triple checked all the information and I am confident that my credit cards are valid: "Sorry. Your payment has been declined. Please confirm your information is entered correctly or pay at the library. The certificate chain did not validate, no local certificate found, javax.net.ssl.SSLException: Cert Path = /iiidb/software/tpp/verisign/payflowpro/java/certs, Working Directory = /iii/iiihome"
Library response: This problem was fixed. Thank you for notifying us about it. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Fri Jan 4 14:55:33 2008 Campus

The Music library needs to allow printer access to people who do not have cat cards. Change machines should be provided so everyone can use the computer. Luckily someone was nice enough to lend me change so that I could print out my final, but this isn't always the case.
Library response: The University removed all change machines throughout the campus. This was done for security reasons.You can print from computers In the Fine Arts Libray without having a catcard. You have two options. The first is to buy a copy card for $10. $5 is for the cost of the card and $5 is put on the card to allow you to use the printers and copiers. You can put additional money on this card at any time. You can get this card either from the cash to chip machine in the Fine Arts Library (Music Library) or at the Express Document Center at the Main Library. Your second option is to call the Express Document Center at the Main Library and pay for your print job(s) with a debit/credit card.

Just to clarify our printers do not take cash. If what you are talking about is using our copy machines not only do they take catcards and the copy cards mentioned above they will also take coins and dollar bills. Mona Ammon, Materials Acccess Team

Sun Jan 6 20:05:23 2008 Off-campus

You ought to purchase a new book on sexuality in Luso-Brazilian history. It is "Pelo Vaso Traseiro: Sodomy and Sodomites in Luso Brazilian History" edited by Harold Johnson and Francis Dutra, both specialists in Brazilian and Portuguese history. It also has the only English translations of article of importance by the Brazilian history Luiz Mott as well as by others. Surprised you have missed it.
Library response: Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate area. Thank you. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Wed Jan 9 08:36:14 2008 Off-campus

I'm trying to access the Journal of Hydrologic Engineering through Scitation, and get the following error: "Attention: Access from your IP address has been denied. Please e-mail Scitation Customer Service for more information or contact your institutional administrator or librarian. Please include your account number, the institution (with city, state/province, and country) from which you were attempting to access Scitation, as well as the IP address of the machine you were using. The IP you are using is: 150.135.239.97" Although i don't think that is my IP address. I work at the USGS in the ENRB building. Thanks.
Library response: Scitation is blocking one of the library's proxy servers. I've contacted them and asked them to clear it. In the meantime you should be able to use the journal via the link:

http://ezproxy2.library.arizona.edu/login?url=http://scitation.aip.org/hyo. Thank you for notifying us about this problem. Gene Spesard, Digital Library & Information Systems Team

Thu Jan 10 20:57:31 2008 Off-campus

To Whom It May Concern: I am a graduate student studying at the main library for the Arizona Bar Exam this February. I am inquiring as to whether I may be allowed to leave my bar exam material in the main library lockers located on the 1st or 2nd(?) floor. I spoke with the information desk, and they were kind enough to inform me that this is the best way to make suggestions/requests. Unfortunately, the UA Law Library is closed for renovations, and there are no lockers available at the temporary law library. I understand that other universities and law school's policies provide that lockers are available, as long as they are not used for permanent storage purposes or if requested, maybe approved. I am not requesting to be allowed to use the locker for permanent storage, merely for overnight use. I ride my bike to the University for convenience and unavailabiltiiy of parking, however this is difficult because I also need to carry my bar review materials with me. Thank you for considering this request, and for your time.
Library response: The lockers that you mention were just installed on 1/2/08 and we are still working on a process wherein we can determine how we might reasonably assign lockers to certain individuals. Half of the lockers will remain designated as first come, first served and the other half are slated to be assigned to PhD candidates/faculty on the waiting list for study carrels here at the Main and Science Libraries. However, at this time, we aren’t certain if all of the individuals on the waiting list will be interested in utilizing the lockers made available to them.

In order for us to consider your request, I’ll need a bit of information from you. Can you please e-mail me directly with your full name and CatCard number so that I can verify your current UA affiliation. Also, could you give me a better idea as to what days you will specifically need to store items overnight? I ask because it may be possible to make alternate arrangements depending on your exact need. Travis S. Teetor, Library Operations Supervisor

Wed Jan 16 14:38:54 2008 Campus

I strongly recommend that our library subscribe to the Journal of Bionanoscience (www.aspbs.com/job) published by American Scientific Publishers (www.aspbs.com) because this journal is very much needed for my research work and it is a very important reference source to my colleagues/students. Please find more details about this journal at www.aspbs.com/job and kindly subscribe to our library accordingly. This is a rapidly growing field, exploring the use of biolgy for the construction of nanoscale devices, and new nanotechnologies that employ biology in their construction and functioning. Thanks.
Library response: Chestalene Pintozzi is the librarian for Physics, so she is the person who would investigate purchasing this journal. I'm sure that Chestalene will get in touch with you. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Thu Jan 17 11:42:09 2008 Library

I do not like the fact that people (apparently) are allowed to bring food items into the Science Engineering library.
Library response: We gave up the battle of policying the Main and Science Engineering libary for food long ago. We ask that people bring in non-messy, non-greasy food and covered drinks and that they clean up after themselves. Not everyone follows these rules, but we don't have enough staff to walk around the buildings and watch for food violations. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Sat Jan 19 13:06:33 2008 Library

what do you do when people bring children and they are being loud? I am trying to work quietly on some internet research and this woman brought over some kids and they are giggling and whispering. I think you should have a policy for people who bring children into the ILC.
Library response: If children or anyone else are being excessively loud in the Information Commons, you can come to the Info Commons Reference desk and report the problem. We will go talk to the people. People are allowed to bring children to the library, but the children need to be with the adults at all times. The Information Commons is not a quiet area -- it was designed for people to work together and to talk to each other. But there are limits and if you feel people are going beyond those noise limits, please come to the desk and report it. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Tue Jan 22 11:48:49 2008 Campus

I returned a couple of books late to the Science Library. Can I get my fee waived because I am a grad student? Regards.
Library response: The person was put in contact with the Library's Fines office for resolution of this fine. To contact that office, call 626-4836. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Wed Jan 23 17:16:01 2008 Library

I send this message to report difficulty accessing a particular "electronic resource", but it may be a reflection of a widespread problem. When I look up "Biosignal and biomedical image processing [electronic resource] : MATLAB-based applications" by John L. Semmlow, I am led to a page that includes a hyperlink to a page of the Dekker Institutional eBookstore. However, the page cannot be accessed, as the Dekker Institutional eBookstore was discontinued in February 2007 see http://ebooks.lib.dekker.com/. Has the University paid for a book that cannot be accessed? How many other electronic resources are unusable?
Library response: You are correct that there is a problem with this e-book title. I cannot access it either from the library. So I am notifying the staff who works with e-books so that can investigate the problem. Hopefully, they will figure out the problem and reply to both of us. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Thu Jan 24 12:16:33 2008 Campus

Dear Sir, as Adjunct professor at College of Optical Sciences, visiting very regularly from Belgium, I am mildly surprised to see that the Library has no subscription for "Nature Photonics" while the College of Optical Sciences is worldwide recognized as the world-leading Center in Photonics. I would love to see this unfortunate ommission corrected.
Library response: Your email regarding Nature Photonics and Nature Nanotechnology was forwarded to me for attention. The UA Library has been monitoring the need for several journal spin-offs from Nature Publishing Group since their release last year. Our last formal review of the two titles you noted, was last November. The review took place as part of an $850,000 base-budget reduction to our information resource budget for this year. (Additional information on the budget reduction can be viewed at: http://www.library.arizona.edu/documents/partners/reduction.pdf.) At the time of review, we decided not to purchase new subscriptions to these two new journals based on cost and demonstrated need to date. Last year each journal was quoted as costing us between $5,000-$7,000 per year; simultaneously, Nature Nanotechnology was only requested through our InterLibrary Loan program two times and Nature Photonics only requested four times. While these are still new titles, we cannot justify obtaining a new subscription at this time with such low use rates. We will be continuing to monitor citation rates to these journals for articles published by UA authors as well as requests for additional to these titles over the next year. I have noted your requests.

Please note, while we do not have current subscriptions for these titles, we do have full-text access to the journals with a 12-month embargo period. (The content is made available through one of our journal index aggregators called Academic Search Complete and the journals are listed in our catalog and on our electronic journals list.) Since the journals were only released early last year, only the first few issues are available, but this will grow in time.

Thank you for providing input on the need for these new titles and please feel free to contact me in the future for any additional assistance with information resources needed for your teaching and research. Maliaca Oxnam, Science-Engineering Team

Sun Jan 27 18:42:38 2008 Library

The main library seems to be slowly replacing all its square monitors with wide-screen monitors. This is to point out that the 900-pixel vertical resolution of the wide-screen monitors is less than the 1024-pixel vertical resolution of the square monitors. This makes for more difficult web surfing due to more vertical scrolling with the wide-screen monitors. So, this is a vote for keeping a good quantity of the square monitors or getting wide-screen monitors with higher vertical resolution. Thanks for your attention to this comment.
Library response: Currently it is cheaper for the Library to purchase wide-screen monitors compared to regular monitors (about a $50 difference), this allows us to save money used to purchase more computers. We will keep this in mind though if the price difference becomes less in the future. Steve Oren, Digital Library & Information Systems Team

Sun Jan 27 22:38:33 2008 Library

fountain (handicapped) by bathroom B237 (i think), has been clogged for some time. it's the fountain area by your offices on the 2nd floor of main library, i.e. street level. also gum on back of computer ICPUB682, mature, huh. thanks!
Library response: This problem has been reported and fixed. Thank you for notifying us about it.

Wed Jan 30 16:02:59 2008 Campus

Hello, I am having trouble with D2L, and my professor said that you can help in some way. I'm trying to view a documentary called "sexual Stereotypes in Media". If you could help me out, that would be great!
Library response: Is this a video that you are trying to view? If it is, here is some information from our website (information from the Video Streaming FAQ was sent). If you are trying to view it off campus, it will probably work better on campus. You can come to the Information Commons to try viewing it here -- just bring your own head set. You can call this number also and talk to them about the problem 520.621.2348. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team

Wed Jan 30 17:21:51 2008 Campus

I am alumni, graduated in 1993 College of Architecture. The architecture library was my greatest classroom. It was down stairs in the same building. Today I sit typing this complaint in the music library. What a stupid thing you have done to the process of learning. You have no idea what you have done accept maybe saved money (if any). Shame on you for this move. I will keep this in mind the next time you ask me for donations.
Library response: The decision to move the library was not our decision: the former Dean of architecture wanted the library space. We at least were able to move it into a close location without having to have all the books in the main library. We are planning a new library for architecture, art, music etc. The location is next to the new architecture building. We understand what a loss it is and hope the new library will better meet the needs of the students. Thank you for the feedback. Paula Wolfe, Fine Arts and Architecture Librarian

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Thu Jan 31 17:36:52 2008 Library

Hello, It seems like the link to start up MATLAB from the science-engineering library computers is broken. it says "MatLab R2007a", but it doesnt work. i end up browsing around to "C:/program files/matlab" and find it there.... So, matlab Is installed, but its just a hassle to load it eveytime. could you guys somehow fix that? PS if my home computer were new enough i _would_ install it there! thanks for the site license stuff anyway..
Library response: This problem was called in to the Library's technology staff and it has been fixed.