Library Suggestion Blog

Hi! I was on the third floor the James Cabell library on Sunday, November 9th, 2009. I noticed that the cleaning lady came in and did her job quite early (around 11:00pm or 11:30pm; I'm not very sure). After that, the doors to both restrooms were locked although the Library was still open and ther quite a number of people around. Sitting at the desks not too far from the restrooms, I noticed quite a number people walking to the restrooms and either having looks of confusion, discomfort ,annoyance or all three on their faces. I don't understand why the restrooms were locked before the library closed. Maybe a little talk with the cleaning staff could rectify this. Using the restroom is a basic need to most people (especially in this weather) Hopefully something could be done about this. Thanks!

From: an undergraduate student

Jeanne Hammer, Associate University Librarian for Administration and Policy Development replies...

Thank you for reporting that the 3rd floor restrooms were locked after cleaning. The housekeeping schedule calls for restrooms to be cleaned AFTER the building is closed. We will report this problem to VCU Facilites staff who are responsible for monitoring and correcting the performance of the contract housekeeping company.

Posted by mespencer at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How about replacing all the missing books you have? That would be a great idea. Then maybe, just maybe I wouldn't have to search through 20 books before I found ONE that was available to read.

From: a library user

Patricia Selinger, Head of Preservation replies...

There could be several reasons why the book you are looking for is not on the shelf: someone is currently using it in the library, it is in the reshelving process, it is checked out, it is lost. For these reasons, among others, the VCU Libraries is making a significant investment in electronic books that are not subject to the circulation process and to loss, damage, and theft. The reshelving area on the 3rd floor is a good place to look if you don't find your book on the shelf. Books are picked up throughout the library during the day and brought here along with those received from Circulation. Shelves in the sorting area are labeled with call number ranges for sorting. Books are sorted into call number order onto carts. If the specific book you want is not available, we recommend Interlibrary loan.

Teresa Doherty, Head of Circulation and Information Services, adds...

If a book is listed in the library catalog as being "available," then it should be on the shelf -- not checked out to another patron, or in repair, or on order, for example. If a book isn't on the shelf where it should be, here are some suggestions:

• Check on nearby tables and photocopiers, as other patrons may have been using the book you need.
• Check the reshelving area on the third floor.
• Fill out a "Where's My Book?" tear-off sheet available on the ends of shelving units throughout the library stacks. You can drop the form off at the Circulation service desk on the first floor. Circulation staff will search for the book and let you know when it has been found.
• Patrons can borrow materials from our library consortium partners in the Richmond area. Library staff at the circulation service desk or reference desk can help you check the catalogs of these other libraries and explain how to use a RALC Borrowing Pass (Richmond Academic Library Consortium) to borrow materials from them.
• You can also use our Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery services offered through ILLiad to borrow materials not available through VCU Libraries.

Thanks very much for taking the time to post to the Suggestion Blog. We hope that this response is helpful to you.

Posted by mespencer at 3:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please thoroughly clean Cabell Library's basement where the computers are. The keyboards are sticky, the tables are dirty, and the floor needs to be swept, mopped and waxed. I have to use the computers in Cabell because I don't have a laptop at the moment and it would be nice to use them in a clean environment. Thank you!

From: an undergraduate student

Jeanne Hammer, Associate University Librarian for Administration and Policy Development replies...

Thank you for bringing the condition in the B-8 lab to our attention. The Libraries has submitted a work order to Facilities for the housekeeping contract company to clean the floor. Your concern about the tables and keyboards has been sent to VCU's Technology Services staff who the operate the B-8 computer lab.

David Brobst, Technology Services, adds...
Technology Services contracts for professional cleaning services five times per semester for the keyboards, mice, monitors, and work surfaces in the B-8 computer lab. In addition, the Tech Squad wipes down keyboards at least once each day, more often than that the during the busier times of the semester. Technology Services also makes disinfecting wipes available for students who want to clean any part of their work area in the lab.

VCU Libraries and Technology Services thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us.

Posted by mespencer at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Over the past couple of weeks, I have noticed that people are playing music aloud in Cabell library. While I understand that the first floor is not for quiet study, I do think that playing music abuses the study environment. I would like to suggest that security make an occasional round around the library and please tell people to use headphones. It is very distracting. Thank you.
From: a graduate student

Mary Ellen Spencer, Head, Research and Instructional Services replies...

As you point out, the first floor of Cabell Library has areas that by their nature are not quiet: the lobby, Starbucks, and the busy circulation and reference desks. Even in these areas, users should be mindful that they are in a library and that students and faculty are enganged in academic work nearby. Users in areas away from the entrance to Cabell Library should not experience disruptive noise from other users.

You are right to note that Cabell Library has designated areas for various types of learning activities. We recognize the need for library spaces that promote both collaborative group work as well as quiet study. Whenever possible, a security guard will walk all floors of the library to monitor activity and to maintain the noise guidelines for each area. We strongly encourage you to report disruptions on any floor to library staff or security guards.

VCU Libraries has made many changes to improve the study environment in Cabell Library, and we welcome suggestions as to how we can continue to do so. I hope I've responded to your comment in a helpful way. Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your concerns.

Posted by mespencer at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Why in the world is it so hot in the Cabell library?? I understand that cold weather is upon us, but today it was about 50 degrees outside and about 85 inside. I shed all the clothes I could without risking a nudity in public citation and I was still sweating. I heard others around me complaining about this as well. Why?

From: an undergraduate student

Jeanne Hammer, Associate University Librarian for Administration and Policy Development replies...

Thank you for taking the time to post your question to the Library Suggestion Blog. The HVAC system in Cabell Library is the original system installed circa 1975, and it is particularly difficult to maintain comfortable temperatures in fall and spring when the outside temperature swings frequently from balmy to chilly and vice versa . The system is designed to provide either heat or cooling and doesn't operate ideally during transition seasons. Last week we had complaints about it being too chilly in Cabell Library, because the outside temperatures had dropped, but the HVAC system had not been switched yet to the heating mode (which is typically done mid-October).

Please know that VCU Physical Plant has been contacted to see what can be done to lower the temperatures. Thanks again for your comments and patience.

Posted by mespencer at 7:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Greetings, I asked the person at the Reference Desk today to enforce the cell phone policy in the computer area (as posted) and he replied that those signs are about to be taken down. Big mistake that could result in physical violence. So not only will we continue to see people eating from pizza boxes and dinner plates complete with forks while seated at computers, we will now have to put up with loud cell phone conversations? My bachelors and masters are from larger universities, so I have a point of reference from which to judge. Next, cigarette ashtrays to each computer station and study desk in the library?

From: a graduate student

Pat Flanagan, Associate University Librarian for Public Services replies...

I am glad you asked for help at the reference desk and were told that our policy regarding cell phones has indeed changed. I'm also sorry that some pre-existing
signs remained in place. They should have been removed when the new signs were posted and we have now taken them down.

I understand your concern about noise levels, and appreciate your sharing them with us. Cabell Library attracts thousands of students each day, sometimes well in excess of 11,000 per day at the height of the semester. This is far more traffic than the building received when it opened in 1975 to support a student population of only 16,000 - half today's number.

The large numbers of students using the library do create noise issues. These issues won't be fully resolved until new library space can be added on the Monroe Park Campus. As a result, students have asked that we create more quiet space. Just this summer we did so, by making both the 3rd and 4th floors quiet study areas. The 4th floor is the "silent" floor, where even texting or use of headphones is not permitted in order to reduce stray noise that might be distracting to those studying. If you are seeking a quiet study environment, these are the floors for you. And, because you are a graduate student, you can also ask the Circulation Desk staff for access to the John Mapp Graduate Study and Reading Room on the 4th floor (just adjacent to the Special Collections and Archives Department). The Mapp Room includes computer access, as well as seating and study tables.

Conversely, for the 1st and 2nd floors we have followed the lead of a number of university libraries that have relaxed their cell phone policies. Cabell's 1st and 2nd
floors are intended for collaborative activity that includes conversation. Our signage indicates, however, that cell phone use that is not disruptive is permissible. If a cell phone conversation exceeds normal conversational tones, please do alert security
or service desk staff who will help resolve the situation. We will also remind 1st floor service desk staff that loud cell phone conversations are not permitted.

Thank you again for bringing your concern to me. Your experience using the library is extremely important to us.

Posted by mespencer at 4:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)