Feedback to the Library, August 2005
NOTE: Comments are edited to remove names of specific employees or users. Comments with names go to "Askref" for a 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
Fri Aug 12 17:30:54 2005 Off-campus
The new search page will have to be redesigned, it just goes
to "keyword search." Instead, the other options such as author and
title should be offered a page earlier. I hope this webpage redesign
didn't actually cost the library money, which could have gone better
to books and journals.
Library response: There are many comments this month about the new website. The response to all of those comments, except ones with specific issues, is below:
Thank you for the feedback. All feedback is being collected and saved. It will be used to inform further testing of the site. Your comments and observations will be invaluable as the Library continues to develop its site. Michele Saunders, Information Systems Librarian
Mon Aug 15 09:26:55 2005 Campus
Could you please add a link to search for databases? Not all
databases are databases of articles.
Thanks!
Library response: (see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 09:49:43 2005 Library
New web page is nice and compact, but you forgot:
1. the link to the UA web page--they provide a link to the library--
why not return the favor
2. the service rate page in the various service areas
3. links to commercial search engine
Library response: Thanks for your comments -- we do have a link to UA web page on our new page, it's in the right top of the page -- it's small, so maybe you didn't see it. I'm not sure what you mean by a service rate page, but there is a page with the rates for services from Photocopy that is located under Services on the Photocopy page. The links to the commercial search engines were deliberately removed. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Mon Aug 15 10:00:22 2005 Off-campus
I think it was a mistake to remove the Refworks link from the library main page.
Library response: (see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 10:30:07 2005 Library
Where are the links to Webmail and student link? That was the best
part of the old website.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 10:51:08 2005 Campus
The new website looks great, but where/how do I search for patents?
It was obvious on the old site (drop down menu on the left), but I
just can't seem to find it on the new one! Also, this form has a
minor typo. It says "May we contact you? Is so, please...." and it
should be "If so". Thanks!
Library response: Thank you, the typo was corrected. There is a patents page under Search and Find-Subject Guide. Vicki Mills
Mon Aug 15 12:15:44 2005 Library
I found a flaw in your new library catalog search engine.
It no longer locates the library's A+ Certification books with
the "title" search text "A+" (or "A +"). This previously worked.
Title "A +" now returns no certification books. Title "A+" now
returns 32,000 books -- which is to large a list to be usable.
The previous catalog search engine returned about six books at the
top with the relevant title.
Essentially the books have become electronically 'lost' to the
searcher.
Email me for clarification if I have been too inprecise above.
Library response: Your comments were sent to the staff who maintain the online catalog and they are looking into this problem. Vicki Mills
Mon Aug 15 12:39:48 2005 Library
http://www.library.arizona.edu/ic/laptops.html
"The Library has installed over 150 data lines in the Main and
Science-Engineering Libraries (Fine Arts Library?) allowing library
users to connect their personal laptop computers directly to the
internet."
The "(Fine Arts Library?)" is italicized and red. overlooked edit?
Library response: Thanks for notifying us, yes this page says Draft on it and it was an edit that was overlooked. Vicki Mills
Mon Aug 15 12:44:35 2005 Library
why do some of the links under affiliated sites open within and other
fire up a whole new browser window? i myself frown upon firing off a
new window.....
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 12:45:56 2005 Library
so sad, sabio is no longer a prominent part of the library.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 12:59:29 2005 Library
Follow up on email of a few moments ago.
I tried "A+ Certification" under the "any" category. That returned
some A+ Certification books, but not what I recalled receiving under
the old catalog system. Then I tried "A+ exam", that returned A+
Exam books
Library response: Thanks, we are still working on this. Vicki Mills
Mon Aug 15 13:35:55 2005 Library
Just something to note: I've been on the desk approximately 25
minutes today, and in that time I have received two inquiries from
different customers wanting to know how to access the internet.
Finding out that they need to type in "www.google.com", etc., was
NOT what they wanted to hear.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 13:44:38 2005 Campus
Several people have mentioned that they miss the old "Search the
Web" page that we used to have.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 14:05:13 2005 Campus
A customer just called saying that he had a very difficult time
finding WorldCat and FINALLY found it under "Search for Articles."
He does not think that this is the proper place for it, as it has
nothing to do with finding articles.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 16:22:02 2005 Campus
Another customer here in the library just complained about not being
able to find the link for Google, I explained about having to type
it in.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 16:49:43 2005 Campus
A UA student wondered why there was no longer a UA email link on the
library's home page.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 15 16:56:46 2005 Library
I would like to know why the address for this page is entitled:
http://www.library.arizona.edu/help/feedback/
I do not feel that an astrological term is an appropriate choice for
a University library funded by tax dollars.
You would never use the term Jesus saves in an URL associated with
the university, so why do I have to have new age pseudo science
shoved down my throat every time I come to the library. I thought
the library is supposed to be a place of logic, reason, empirical
thinking. This library has a definite political agenda slanted in
favor of leftist fringe beliefs. There are few books critical of
teacher's unions, educational psychology or the institution of
psychiatry. The books on Native Americans contain known frauds and
hoaxes such as Carlos Casteneda, Lynn Andrews, Ed Eagleman McGaa,
Jamie Sams and Sun Bear. There are dozens of books promoting the
offensive "two-spirit' hoax, but there are no books presenting the
opposing view from First Nations people. There are few books that
promote critical thinking. It is almost impossible to find a book
that is critical of new age thinking, wicca, crystals, astrology and
all that garbage. Why is your collection so slanted towards
irrational, unsubstantiated woo-woo leftist beliefs? Why are so few
books available to give students tools for critical thinking?
Library response:
Thanks for your comments. Vicki Mills
The comment refers to the fact that the host name for the new Web site displayed initially as "aquarius." The library has started naming its new servers for constellations (not signs of the zodiac). As it happens there is overlap between the two lists and "aquarius" happened to be used for the new Web server. Since we have it in production now the name has changed to www.library.arizona.edu. Gene Spesard, Digital Library Information Systems Team
Tue Aug 16 08:30:06 2005 Campus
This new Library web page is HORRIBLE! I can't find anything at
all! Before I could just click on Web search and get to Google and
a lot of other search engines. Where did Google go?! Now I have to
keep typing it in all the time. Give us back the old Web page
please.
A Most Unhappy User
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Tue Aug 16 11:47:19 2005 Campus
The interface of SABIO is not very user-friendly anymore. All the
internet databases are listed under articles, which is entirely
foolish. You need to have a separate category for databases, as
before. In the humanities, and also the social sciences, books play
the major role. Do not confuse approaches used by the sciences with
those used in other fields. Also, why has the new interface not been
presented to the faculty for testing. Thank you.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Tue Aug 16 11:57:08 2005 Library
Where do customers search the web? I can't find it
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Tue Aug 16 16:14:57 2005 Campus
You ought to have separate categories for databases with
bibliographies, dictionaries, and other search engines. The
interface does not make things clear enough. Have you ever thought
of running this new program by some faculty, as I formulated in
another message this morning, but perhaps not clearly enough?
Thanks.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Tue Aug 16 22:27:02 2005 Off-campus
you people panic me with your website changes
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Wed Aug 17 16:06:45 2005 Off-campus
u need more links cause sum r not accurarte and take u 2 a place u
don't wanna go 2
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Wed Aug 17 16:19:16 2005 Campus
How do I find the call number for a journal (e.g. Spectroscopy) that
is available online, but not for the year I need it? The old site
used to have a field something like, "The library has..." and you
could tell what years/volumes were physically present. This journal
is online from 1998 onward, but I need an article from 1988. Or
since the location says "Internet" does that mean ONLY internet and
ONLY those years? Thanks!
Library response:
I think this title Spectroscopy from Ottawa, Ont. is only online, we never got it print. So you'll have to ILL for an article that we don't get online. But we also have a title, Spectroscopy from Springfield Or. And that one we get in print and online. Its call number is QC450 S637. So maybe that is title you are looking for. For those titles we get in print or used to get in print, there is a Lib Has field. I don't believe that the catalog has really changed much (at least the display of records within the catalog) with the new website. Vicki Mills
Wed Aug 17 17:54:36 2005 Off-campus
Where are traditional reserves listed on your new and improved page?
The only connection is to electronic reserves, but I put a number of
videos and books on reserve for this semester.
Not very helpful of you.
Library response: Traditional reserves should be under Services in the link labled Course Reserves. Traditional and electronic reserves are listed together. However, there are some glitches with this that we are still working out, but we are aware of them. Vicki Mills
Wed Aug 17 19:55:55 2005 Off-campus
When I pull up certain sites from off campus, or when accessing ILL
articles, I get a dialog box that reads:
Prompt
Enter user name and password for "" at http://azillaid.library.arizona.edu
This happened when I accessed ILL articles and just now when I clicked
the link for ILL Request Form on this page:
http://www.library.arizona.edu/services/ill/HowtouseInterlibraryLoan.html#submitrequest
The prompt isn't a problem it goes away if I press Cancel. But I
can't imagine you want this to continue to happen in connection with
the ILL site.
No need to get back to me. I'm just passing on information I hope will
be of use.
Library response:
Thanks for notifying us about this problem. We are checking into it. We should get it ILL working correctly soon. Vicki Mills
Thu Aug 18 08:15:13 2005 Off-campus
Unable to connect to Single Subscription Titles for an article in
Journal of Chemical Education. After you click on the link, it
states: Forbidden You don't have permission to
access /libresources/acs/jchemed.htm on this server
We need an article from the journal for class next week.
Library response:
We updated the link we use in our records for the Journal of Chemical Education so that you will have access to full text articles. I changed the link in our catalog record, so it is working now. Additionally, I requested the change in the A-Z list of journals, and the link should show up correctly within 24 hours (we do not maintain those records locally). Thanks for letting us know about the problem you encountered so that we could correct the link. I apologize for the inconvenience it caused for you. Liz Bezanson, Technical Services & Archival Processing Team
Thu Aug 18 12:58:41 2005 Off-campus
I suggest you purchase the book The People That Anthropologists Do
Not Like To Study by Robert A. Murray. 1stBooks in 2000
Library response: Thanks for the suggestions, it has been forwarded to the Anthropology specialist for consideration. Vicki Mills
Thu Aug 18 13:26:51 2005 Off-campus
Sorry for the last blank message--I in advertently hit the Enter key.
I'm writing because I've not been able to find the link to WorldCat,
which used to be on the main search page for books, etc. In my initial
unsuccessful attempt to find WorldCat, I had looked for something
like the old Show All Databases link, but I could find nothing of the
sort in the present system. I finally wrote to Ruth Dickstein, who
informed me that WorldCat is under the Search for Articles link--not
something I ever would have thought of, as WorldCat is where I search
for books the library doesn't carry, especially when I want info for
an ILL request. Could something be done to make the location of
WorldCat more logical or at least more apparent?
BTW, the new library site is very attractivve--much more professional
looking (and appropriate to a university) than the old site, to my way
of thinking.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Thu Aug 18 14:32:47 2005 Campus
I don't like WorldCat being so far down the totem pole. I use it a
lot and would like it to be easier to access.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Thu Aug 18 15:40:15 2005 Library
I dislike the lack of a ready link to the search engine page...
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Thu Aug 18 20:01:40 2005 Off-campus
I can't find the link to WorldCat on the new webpage. Where is it
located? Thanks.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Thu Aug 18 21:37:02 2005 Off-campus
Where the hell are the internet search engines???? They are
impossible to find. Has the Library given up on providing easy
access to Google and other web search engines???
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Fri Aug 19 10:12:18 2005 Library
The new website for the library is confusing and diffucult to use.
Library response:
The old web site has been updated to provide immediate access to a greater range of information. To renew your books, click on Borrowing Information under the Services header. Dan Lee
Fri Aug 19 10:17:23 2005 Library
I find the new library website to be very frustrating to use. I
currently work for the library and I look and feel incredibly stupid
when helping a patron use the website, when the website is very
complicating and confusing. I can not find anything that I am
looking for on the website. The older website was much easier to use
and I have noticed that several patorns find the older version much
easier to use.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Fri Aug 19 11:43:27 2005 Campus
please put a link to electronic search engines on the library front
page. you had one that allowed searching with a range of search
engines. this was extrmely helpful in providing basic informaiton
about a topic, the language used, its dimensions etc. I find it
interesting that you've 'hidden' this access while using computers.
why not use typewriters and revert to dewey decimal system?
p.s. your new screen is about half as useful as the former and one-
eight as attractive
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Fri Aug 19 13:49:36 2005 Campus
The new interface more complicated than it need be, which makes it
difficult to use.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Fri Aug 19 15:11:10 2005 Campus
I'm curious about why the library's website is not accessible from
http://library.arizona.edu -- it's very common in most departments on
campus and most websites in general to allow access to their primary
website with or without the www portion of the hostname. Is there a
reason that the Library has chosen to ignore this convention?
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Sat Aug 20 11:41:01 2005 Campus
Hi,
The new website is good. New interface some changes. However there
used to be two buttons at the top right in old website in red color.
I see one of them as a link and cannot find another which directed to
the selected journals e.g. IEEE, SciFinder, PubMed, Engineering
Village etc. Please put that button back. The font size on the front
page is a bit too small I feel.
Regards.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 22 16:24:54 2005 Campus
The ILC smells of feet today. This is a serious email... I cannot
concentrate on my business with people kicking off their flip flops
beneath the computers. Please do something about this... it is
offensive and really annoying. Also, please keep the computer
keyboards clean because they are greasy sometimes.
Library response: We agree, it was pretty smelly, but we think the smell in the IC was a combination of the work they are doing on the vents (all kinds of stuff is coming out of them -- mildew, etc.) and also the painting and other work they were doing in the IC. We hope that with time the smell will get better. Vicki Mills
Mon Aug 22 18:38:13 2005 Library
Science Library Staff,
I was unable to locate the following text in your collection. This
book is currently being used for the physics 513 course.
ISBN: 0-521-40668-4
Author: Drazin
Title: "Nonlinear Systems"
Also, it seems that the following book is having availability issues:
ISBN: 0-387-90819-6
Author: Gukenheimer and Holmes
Title: "Non-linear Oscillations, Dynamical Systems, and Bifurcations
of Vector Fields"
Two copies 'In Search' and one copy checked out with one hold
already on it.
Library response: As Physics liaison librarian, I'm responding to your customer feedback sent on Monday. I'm sorry that you are encountering problems obtaining books that you need. Regarding "Nonlinear Systems" by Drazin, it is not clear why the library does not have a copy. It should have come through our automatic approval plan that is set up to provide books on selected subjects from selected publishers, but obviously didn't. So, I've ordered a copy. If the vendor that the library uses has it in stock we should receive a copy quickly - probably within a month. However, this is a 1992 book and it is possible that it is out of print and out of stock. If that is the case, our vendor will look for an out of print (used) copy to buy for us.Regarding "Non-linear Oscillations, Dynamical Systems, and Bifurcations
of Vector Fields," I see that we bought three copies and two are on search meaning that they were not on the shelf when needed. Normally, we limit purchases of books to one copy and we do still have one copy available. If this book is needed for a class I would suggest recalling it and having it put on reserve. However, I do see that one of the copies has been checked out 26 times so I have placed an order for another copy of this book. Again, there is the same issue that it is an old book and may be out of print and out of stock. Chestalene Pintozzi, Science Engineering Team
Mon Aug 22 19:13:52 2005 Campus
I'm at 150.135.161.24 and I can't get Window's Media player to work
I get a gray pop up box that says it can't perform the operation due
to low memory? help
Library response: Using the comments form is not the best way to get help quickly. If you are in the IC or science IC and you need help with a computer or want to report a problem with a computer, come to the reference desk. Vicki Mills
Mon Aug 22 19:37:25 2005 Campus
Never mind about 150.135.161.24 - I deleted some stuff in temp and
now it works fine
thanks anyway
Library response:
OK
Tue Aug 23 01:12:22 2005 Off-campus
i am finishing a summer in europe. i have just graduated and have received this notice,
but i am unable to renew or find the book since i am out of the country. i do not want to
have any more fines, however. i thought i had returned everything. here is the
information. please contact me via email of what you would like me to do. i return to the
states on saturday the 11th of september.
Library response: This person was contacted personally. Vicki Mills
Tue Aug 23 12:48:53 2005 Library
Please fix the Ill login page. When I type it my catcard number and
press enter, the number disappears and I have to type it in all over
again. Also, I can't find my course reserves.
Library response: (see response to the first comment above)
Tue Aug 23 14:12:22 2005 Campus
I am not able to use the Japanese language setting on the library computers.
Can you please fix this? Thank you.
Library response: This has been reported to the Library's System staff. Vicki Mills
Wed Aug 24 11:43:49 2005 Off-campus
The type size for the course reserves is illegible. Information
containing course #s, instructor, etc. is too small to be read.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Wed Aug 24 13:50:02 2005 Library
How do you get into WorldCat now?
Right now the way I've been getting into WorldCat is by clicking
on "search this site", typing in "WorldCat", and then clicking
on "WorldCat -- Catalog of BOOKS & More -- UA Catalog".
I know I'm a creature of habit & I haven't been keeping up on the e-
mails about it, but I don't find the new webpage intuitive at
all ... Or maybe it's still evolving?
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Wed Aug 24 14:52:54 2005 Campus
1.Please reposition the link to WorldCat. It's used for far more
than just finding articles. Burying it in that database list
effectively hides it.
2.Similarly, please reposition the link to "Other Libraries." It
would be much easier to find at the top, perhaps next to "Other
Searches" instead of hidden at the bottom of the screen next to
options for foreign languages!
3. Where is the link to Reserves? - not E-reserves, just plain
reserves?!?!?
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Thu Aug 25 10:12:36 2005 Off-campus
Where's the link to databases on the first page of the library
website?
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Thu Aug 25 16:01:43 2005 Campus
Could the University purchase a current (to 2005 journals)
subscription to the Ecological Society of America Journals. The ESA
series is widely used by many disiplines across campus and would be
very beneficial to have a current online subscription.
Thanks
Library response: We do have four current journal titles from ESA: Ecology, Ecological Applications, Ecology and Society (only online) and Ecological Monographs. If you do a keyword search in our catalog on: Ecological Society of America and periodicals – you will get a list of the journals we get from ESA, although not all are current. If you have a particular journal title in mind, please contact Doug Jones, the Environmental Science subject specialist at jonesd@u.library.arizona.edu. Vicki Mills
Fri Aug 26 09:23:29 2005 Off-campus
It took me a whole semester to learn how to use the library online
services, and now I feel like I have to start all over again. I
don't understand why it was necessary to make such drastic changes,
it is not fair to students who are not a quick study on computer
skills.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Fri Aug 26 19:11:23 2005 Off-campus
please place an easy to find link to the e-reserve system as it is
hard to find now
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Sat Aug 27 09:41:21 2005 Campus
So very sorry the library did away with its standing computers. It
is a fundamental aspect of rigor and honor that we are at our best
while standing.
Library response:
Most of our customers probably prefer to sit, so I think you are outnumbered!! Vicki Mills
Sun Aug 28 14:40:03 2005 Campus
I would like to have the old home page which was very good to use
instead of the new change you just made.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Sun Aug 28 16:35:33 2005 Campus
I do not like the recent changes you made on the main page of the UA
library. For instance, I have to type the web address of Google
every time I use it. I hope you would bring back the old page again!
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 29 02:29:35 2005 Off-campus
You need to make e-reserve easier to access please. It is hard to
find and i never had trouble before the page changed. thank you
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Mon Aug 29 18:43:04 2005 Campus
Hi,
I really think the libraries are doing a fantastic job. I
particularly love the ability to renew books online, and the fact
they can be renewed indefinitely if noone else requests them. I
virtually always have multiple books checked out from the science
library.
However, recently at the Main Library I have been carded
(during the late night period when the library is closed to non-
students), and my name written down. This makes me extremely
uncomfortable. Why does my name need to be recorded? If the
objective is to gather statistics on library usage, an anonymous
tally mark ought to suffice. Who all has access to this list of
names? Does the library have any sort of privacy policy? Are
measures taken to prevent these records from being compromised?
Thanks in advance for addressing these concerns. Please let me
know if there's anyone specific that this could be discussed with.
Library response: Thanks for your comments about what you like in the library. The staff who work the late night hours, try to patrol the library looking for problems. Since the library is not open to community users after 1 am, our staff will ask to see Catcards. If a person has a very old looking Catcard, they will write down the name and check to make sure that person is really still affliated with the University. This is what happened in your case. No record of your name was kept anywhere. We do have a privacy policy and we do try to protect our customers privacy. But since no one takes away Catcards after people graduate, we are finding that just a Catcard is not enough proof that a person is a current student. Vicki Mills
Mon Aug 29 18:46:59 2005 Off-campus
The opening library webpage is very counterintuitive. It is very difficult, for example, to
get to course reserves from the opening page. I'm still not sure how to get there. I think
icons are a much better way to go for an introductory page rather than just text. The
whole site feels very difficult to navigate.
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Tue Aug 30 15:58:48 2005 Campus
new library web site is not user friendly as it used to be
Library response:
(see response to the first comment above)
Wed Aug 31 17:01:03 2005 Off-campus
When I access INGENTA for The Journal of Consciousness Studies and
open an issue and click on an article, I am asked to pay a fee. Does
the UA Library subscribe to the online edition of this journal? Should
I be asked for a payment?
Library response:
The Ingenta Web site changed one of their host names, which caused our link for off campus access to "break". I've fixed it and it should be fine. Please give me a call if you have further problems. Sorry for the inconvenience. Gene Spesard, Digital Library Information Systems Team