Talkback: Feedback Form

Thank you for your hard work! Madison was especially helpful and friendly behind the Circulation Desk.
Comment from Madeline on May 28 2013

Thanks so much for the positive feedback!  Have a great summer!

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

Is there a way to have the library interact with me using my preferred first name rather than my legal first name? It's possible to designate a preferred name for virtually all other college processes (email, Sakai, IC directory), and for ILL (which is terrific, thank you!!) , but not for my regular library account. It's a little jarring when I log into my online account and see Not-The-Name-I Use, or check a book out in person and see it printed on the piece of paper, especially because the library is so awesome in every other way. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Comment from Anonymous on May 14 2013

I can imagine it is a bit jarring. Here's the deal -- we load our patron information from two systems: Parnassus, if you are an employee; Homer, if you are a student. The information is provided to us, and our system is a pretty antiquated in the way it handles the data. For instance, we are capable of updating your account to your preferred first name. However, that information will be overwritten once a month during the patron bulk loading process.

There is good news, however. Our vendor has finally made changes to the library software we use, which will allow for much more granular information to be loaded and respected, such a preferred names. We will be upgrading to that version soon. After we upgrade, we will be working with ITS to receive our patron information in a new format, so please bear with us while we work through the changes.

Answered by Dan Taylor, Library Technology Specialist

Why is the library always so hot? Its like 80F on the 3rd and 4th floors.
Comment from Anonymous on May 08 2013

The arrival of warmer weather results in the need to provide cooler air in all buildings across campus.  As is typical with this time of year, there can be a wide change in outside air temperatures - one day it might be 70 degrees, then go down to the upper 40's and back up to the mid 60's in a couple of days.

The Office of Facilities receives a number of calls with requests to "turn on" or "turn off" the air based on the daily variance in outside temperature.  

Virtually all campus buildings are cooled by chiller units (Emerson Hall is the only residence hall that has cooling capabilities) that run heated or chilled water through a piping system.  The piping system in almost every building is a two-pipe system (supply and return).  This means that only heated or chilled water can run through the pipes at any given time.

We expect the Library building to slowly cool down as the warm weather returns permanently.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

The Soda Machine isn't working...
Comment from Anonymous on Apr 27 2013

We will notify Dining Services.  Thanks for the notice.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

Would you please reconsider the method of alerting students of closing time? Not everyone can hear the bell, and having a student worker tell us twice about closing does not seem effective. I've stayed still close previously, and I think it is really inconsiderate when patrons rudely brush off the warning signs.
Comment from Anonymous on Apr 23 2013

Thank you for your suggestion.  Some libraries "flash" lights off and on to indicate closing. This is not possible with our building as the light switches are on timers located in several different electrical panels.   We will give your suggestion some thought and check with other libraries our size to see how they handle closing procedures.  

Update:  Public Safety is going to send a Security Officer to the Library a few minutes before closing each night to help clear the building.

Answered by Ben Hogben, Access Services Manager

Why doesn't the Internet on the fifth floor ever work? EVER? What is the point of a quiet work area if I can't even do work?
Comment from Anonymous on Apr 22 2013

As we continue to gather data from our users, ITS has determined that the location of the wireless access points on the 5th floor is problematic.   ITS is actively working to remedy this situation.   Please fill out our Wireless Problem Form or ask someone at a service desk to do it for you so that we can share this information with ITS.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

I love the layout of the library website. So inviting and helpful!
Comment from Anonymous on Apr 22 2013

Thanks for your feedback - our goal is to make our services and resources easy to discover.  

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

I am appalled at the conduct of a student worker working at the music desk. She has her phone on speaker and is blasting the Beatles while singing along. I understand that the 3rd floor is not a designated quiet study floor but this is still a library and the student worker's behavior is incredibly distracting and inconsiderate. (4/20/13 3:30 PM)
Comment from Anonymous on Apr 20 2013

I will share your comment with the student's direct supervisor, who will follow up with the student.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

I just want to say thank you to the research folks... they have made all of my papers easier and I am very grateful to have you guys when I need you. Thank you very much.
Comment from Suggestion box on Apr 12 2013

You are most welcome and thanks so much for the positive feedback - a primary component of the Library's mission is to support student academic success.    

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

I came in Monday am at 8 am, couldnt BELIEVE how great the 2nd floor looked. I am a night owl, and when I'm here, its always trashed at night. I know there is a cleaning lady. but she's always seemingly fighting a no win battle. Just wanted to say it was great to come in and see how clean the it looked and that someones hard work really does pay off.lol! Nice to know!!
Comment from rob on Apr 10 2013

Thanks for letting us know that our efforts to keep the library clean and inviting are appreciated.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

Scanner on the 3rd floor is currently not functioning (4:11pm, 4/10).
Comment from Anonymous on Apr 10 2013

The scanning function on the multifunction device in the Music stacks (on the North side of the building across from Multimedia) has been fixed.  We are aware that two of the scanners in the Digital Media Lab are not functioning.   

Answered by Dan Taylor, Library Technology Specialist

What is the protocol for donating books to the library? I'm moving and I have a few I'd like to share.
Comment from Anonymous on Apr 08 2013

See the Library's Gift in Kind Policy.  Please drop off your donations at the Administrative Suite on the 3rd Floor of the Library.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

Just want to say thanks to all of the students who work at the library. It can be incredibly difficult and necessary to balance a job and academics, and I just want to congratulate all of the student-workers.
Comment from Anonymous on Apr 08 2013

Thanks for such positive feedback!  We know that we have great student assistants and are pleased that our users feel the same way.   We will be highlighting a handful of our student assistants next week during National Library Week - stay tuned for our featured video! 

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

Thanks for having all the plants as you come into the library. My last library was so sterile.
Comment from Anonymous on Apr 04 2013

Glad you enjoy our greenery - our plant tenders are Jenny Strickland, Fine Arts Librarian, and Ron Gilmour, Web Services Librarian.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

Will you be open longer hours during finals?
Comment from Melissa on Apr 02 2013

Thank you for the question, Melissa.

The Library will be open until 2 am Sunday - Thursday, and 11 pm Friday and Saturday the week of finals.

Click to see Library Hours for the remainder of the semester

Answered by Ben Hogben, Access Services Manager

Hello! I was wondering if there were any Ethernet jacks in the library to which I could connect to the internet. The one's I've seen so far (In the work area next to the multi media desk) have not worked for me. Thanks so much!
Comment from Greg on Mar 19 2013

Good question!

You have spotted some of the legacy ethernet ports in the Library - none of which are fuctional.   Our wired computers and the wireless network are the two means of currently connecting to the web.

Answered by Dan Taylor, Library Technology Specialist

I've noticed there is a collection of vinyl records behind the multimedia desk. Is there any way for students to browse the collectionT/take out items for use?
Comment from Anonymous on Mar 18 2013

Yes, almost all of the LPs may be checked out.

To see a list of the LP records in the Library's collection, search the online catalog: change the drop-down menu choice from Keyword to Call Number and search for the term "LP".  



There are turntables available at the listening area, if you don't own one.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

The internet is consistenly horrible all semester, even in times of light use. It's frustrating that I have to find somewhere else on campus to study and do homework, simply because the traditional facility has poor internet service.
Comment from Anonymous on Mar 11 2013

Assuming you are referring to the wireless system, we agree. The wireless system in centrally managed by ITS; we are working with them to get this resolved.

Finally, please fill out the wireless problem form to help ITS gather data about the problem.

Answered by Dan Taylor, Library Technology Specialist

Could you return Film Quarterly and Film Comment to the display on the main floor?
Comment from Anonymous on Mar 08 2013

We will see if we can make space to display the current unbound issues of these titles with the other popular periodicals on the main floor.  

Answered by John Birk, Collections and Facility Supervisor

the website on iphone works well now. thanks. how do i get databases to work on iphone?
Comment from Anonymous on Mar 08 2013

We're glad that you find the Library's website iPhone-friendly. Some database providers offer apps or mobile websites; others aren't quite there yet.   See our guide on selected mobile apps.  If there are other databases you're interested in accessing on your iphone, please contact Calida Barboza (cbarboza@ithaca.edu, 274-1892), our electronic resources librarian. She can help you figure out what the options are.

Answered by Ron Gilmour, Web Services Librarian

I did not receive an email reminder about my currently checked out items. Does the Library still send them?
Comment from anonymous on Mar 05 2013

Indeed, we do send them out, like clockwork.

We send your courtesy notices, overdue notices, recall notices, lost item notices, and item available notices right to your Ithaca College email address. If you use a different email address, consider forwarding your IC email to whatever email address you are using -- that way, you won't miss a notice. Unless it lands in your SPAM folder, which I am convinced is in cahoots with the Land of Lost Socks. Personally, I check my SPAM once a week for important things, like notices. And socks.

As always, if you think there is a problem with your Library account, please contact us. We'll check it out, pronto.

Answered by Dan Taylor, Library Technology Specialist

I have been unable to get internet access at all on my Netbook in the library for the last few days - MyResNet refuses to connect, and ICAirnet will connect but the signal is too weak to open any web pages. This is a problem on both the main floor and by the music stacks. It is not a problem with my laptop as I can easily get access in other buildings.
Comment from Anonymous on Mar 05 2013

Thanks for letting us know... I think your access issues have to do with the large number of users attempting to access the network from the Library this week.   You may want to try moving to the 4th or 5th floors. In any case, please report this problem to the ITS Tech Consultant, located to the right of the Circulation Desk. They will pass along this information to ITS who manages the campus network.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

When looking for e-books (which are more accessible to the visually impaired with screen-readers), the prompt to log-in is "log-in" while the actual link on the upper right says "sign-in", which is confusing for individuals using screen-readers.
Comment from Anon on Mar 04 2013

I'm not sure which page you're referring to. If you could send a more detailed explanation (or, better yet, a screen shot) to rgilmour@ithaca.edu, I'll be happy to correct this. Thanks!

Answered by Ron Gilmour, Web Services Librarian

Your "Ask A Librarian" link doesn't work when I am searching for a book. It only works when I am at the home page or in one of the other directories (Research Guides, Books, Articles, etc...). I even clicked on it again on this page but I get a "Drat, the page your looking for doesn't exist..." Please have this looked at or else users will get lost.
Comment from UX tester on Mar 03 2013

Good catch! The link from the catalog pages was indeed broken. Thanks for letting us know.

Answered by Ron Gilmour, Web Services Librarian

What Library Automation software or Library System are you using?
Comment from Anonymous on Mar 02 2013

 The ILS is Voyager from ExLibris - we use their acquisitions,public catalog, and circulation modules.  We have added some locally-developed enhancements to the public catalog.  Ron Gilmour our Web Services Librarian and dan taylor the Library's Technology Specialist, constitute our development team.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

Would it be possible to have hard copies of books that are electronic? Electronic books are convenient but I personally enjoy the feel of an actual book.
Comment from Anonymous on Feb 28 2013

Please note that many of our ebooks are titles in the ebrary Academic Complete database.  While we add records for each ebrary ebook to the library catalog, we do not purchase these titles individually.   If there is a particular ebook that you think would be useful to have in print copy, let us know via the Recommend a Purchase form.  We do continue to add titles in print format to the collection, as we know that some content lends itself better to this format.  I also enjoy the experience of reading a physical book!

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

I laughed at my friend when he couldn't find the fifth floor, but better signs could help.
Comment from Anonymous on Feb 27 2013

Finding the 5th floor can be a challenge -  the central staircase does not lead to the 5th floor as it was part of an addition to the original building.  We have directory signs in all of the stairwells that include information about all of the floors.  There is also a sign outside of the elevator on the main floor.   We will think about an elegant way to direct users to the nearest 5th floor staircase when they reach the end of the central staircase (the 4th floor). You might enjoy our video about the mysteries of the 5th floor.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

Ithaca should get involved in the 'blind-date with a book' program. Books are wrapped in paper, with a few words to describe the plot written on the back.
Comment from Anonymous on Feb 27 2013

I am familiar with this great idea and will share it with the Library's Marketing Team.  Stay tuned...

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

Please fix the wi-fi on the second floor. It is impossible!
Comment from Anonymous on Feb 23 2013

If by the 2nd floor, you mean the main floor of the library, it tends to be our busiest floor in terms of use of public and personal computers.   You might try moving to another floor.

ITS is aware of the issues with wireless on campus - we have passed along your comment to them.

If you are using a personal laptop and experience problems connecting to the network, please report them to the ITS Tech Consultant, located to the right of the Circulation Desk. 

If you are using a library loaner laptop and experience problems connecting to the network, please return the laptop to the Circulation Desk. Staff will replace it with another laptop and report the issue. Library laptops have recently been migrated to Windows 7 and there have been some functionality issues. Reporting these problems will help us to resolve them. 

Answered by Ben Hogben, Access Services Manager

I noticed the library only sends out upcoming due date notifications for books that haven't been renewed yet (not for books that have been renewed). I have 4 books checked out, two renewed to the same due date as the other two's original one, but only got an email for the more recently charged books. Is there any way to change this?
Comment from Anonymous on Feb 22 2013

Our system is set to send notices when an item is due; a renewal status is irrevelant with respect to sending notices. However, it is entirely possible that there is a problem with your account. Can you get in touch with me directly? I'd like to check our logs to see if we can track down the problem you are describing.

Answered by Dan Taylor, Library Technology Specialist

replace the 319 computers please. Cmon, they are so old.
Comment from Anonymous on Feb 11 2013

The public computers in Rm 319 are the College's Technology Renewal Program - they are in the cycle that will be replaced this coming summer. 

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

What does "Core" mean in the DVD and CD collection?
Comment from Anonymous on Feb 11 2013

Core materials are available for student use in the library for a four-hour loan period.  The Core collection includes essential media releases frequently used by faculty in the classroom, out-of-print materials deemed neccessary in support of a particular curriculum, non-region 1 DVDs and Ithaca College concert recordings.  

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

How can I find out if a DVD in the Library has public performance rights?
Comment from Anonymous on Feb 06 2013

 In the record for the DVD, click on the "Full View" link.  If the Library has purchased Public Performance Rights, this will be listed in the Notes field.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

I am a senior this year. For the past year or so, I have been coming here almost daily. I just wanted to say that the cleaning lady you have here is awesome. I never speak to her, but the other students really seem to like her.She is friendly, and really seems to care about us here. I have seen her give people cough drops, tissues, etc. Great personality and great smile..and she seems to work really hard. Tell her Thanks, please(I dont know her name)
Comment from bryan on Feb 06 2013

 We will forward your comment to Office of Facilites so that this employee knows that her work is appreciated.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot, College Librarian

The website works so much better on my phone. Sweet!
Comment from Anonymous on Feb 05 2013

Glad you like it! Being mobile-friendly was one of the main goals of our redesign.

Answered by Ron Gilmour, Web Services Librarian

The library should be open 24 hours a day to help students learn.

The Library's operating hours have been extensively revised and extended over the years in response to user preferences and feedback. At this time, we are #1 in terms of operating hours among a nation-wide peer group of comprehensive college libraries. Academic libraries that do provide 24/7 or 24/5 access usually do in a secured and defined space, not in the entire facility. Typically a limited range of services are provided. The IC Library facility is not configured to provide such a space. 

Also, please be aware that the Cleaning Staff is hard-pressed to clean and maintain the facility during the few hours we are closed most days.  

Most of our online resources and services are available 24/7 from any computer.  Two exceptions: The Library's online system (catalog, circulation, and ereserves) goes down between 2:30 - 4:00 am each day for server maintenance and upgrades.  ITS also schedules any  upgrades to the public computers to automatically happen in this timeframe.  The Friends 110 Lab, with printing until 1 am, is open 24/7 during the academic semesters.

We monitor usage and see a big drop is use after Midnight most days. We will continue to review usage of the building and use the data for annual budget and planning purposes. Your feedback is helpful and will be used in our planning.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot

I understand that the second and third floor of the library are designated as group study, however, every time I am in the library groups are so loud and disrespectful it drives me crazy. I realize the fourth and fifth floors are for quiet study, but I can barely hear my group discussing at a moderate volume on the lower levels. Is there any way to remind patrons that while the floor is group study, they should still try to keep the volume down to a respectable level? It would go a long way towards creating a more positive library environment.

Given the open nature of the library's architecture, noise levels are hard to manage. Try asking people to be quieter--this usually works. If it doesn't, please see a Library staff member, who will use his or her magical librarian shushing powers.

Answered by Ron Gilmour

Does the library have a collection of all the textbooks that are used for courses?

The library does not have the budget to purchase the text for each course offered at the college. Some faculty members do place course materials on library reserve or on e-reserve via Sakai. The library cannot borrow required course textbooks via Interlibrary Loan. Sometimes the books used in a class are available in the library collection. Check the online catalog by author or title. To see what is on reserve for a course, search the online reserve system by your professor's last name and/or your course number.

Please consult with the IC Bookstore for information on renting and/or purchasing textbooks for your classes.

Two other services that may be of interest are:

• Chegg, an online service that allows students to rent textbooks at a reduced price.
• Campus Book Swap, an online bulletin board, helping students to buy and sell used textbooks.

Answered by Lisabeth Chabot