Feedback to the Library, September 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
Thu Sep 1 11:00:57 2005 Library
I would like to file a complaint about the new layout of the webpage.
I'm not sure why it needed to be changed and the features I use most
(specifically the online Databases) have been hidden away without any
indication as to where they are.
Library response:
Thanks for your comment on the new web site. We're sorry that you are finding it more difficult to use than the previous page. Since you sent this in the label for the link that takes you to all of the available databases has been changed based on input like this. It now reads "Article & Database Searching." Dan Lee, Udergraduate Services Team
Thu Sep 1 11:08:55 2005 Library
The link to download the SciFinder Scholar configuration file is not
working. When I tried to download the file the link just took me too
some random typing.
Library response: The file returned by the link to download SciFinder Scholar is software (an exe file) and should be downloaded to your disk and then run to install it. It isn't intended to be viewed. You might want to check your browser settings to be sure that its set to download exe files. When you click on the link, you should have a dialog box pop up asking if you want to open the file or save it. Choose save and then run the program after it downloads. Gene Spesard, Digital Library Information Systems Team
Thu Sep 1 12:37:53 2005 Off-campus
Why have all the "Library Home" buttons been eliminated from
subsequent access screens? In other words, when I am at the library
home page and go to the "Search & Find Screen", I can only go to the
UA Home page, but I do not see any buttons to send me back to the UA
Library home page. ANYWHERE. This is really aggravating. I have to
go into the web address section, strip out the page I'm at from the
address and click "go" to return to "www.library.arizona.edu" There
does not appear to be any way to get back to this address from any
subsquent connected page I download. IT IS VERY AGGRAVATING. Many
people I know dislike the new webpage intensely (and I'm one of them).
Library response:
The way back to the home page is now the agave/book graphic in the top left corner of the screen. I know this isn't obvious, and your message will be passed on to the people who designed the website. I just wanted you to know about this. Vicki Mills, Undergraduate Services Team
Thu Sep 1 16:15:15 2005 Off-campus
I teach Band at Lewis Middle School for San Diego Unified Schools.
Is it possible to borrow "Beethoven: Ordeal and Triumph", twice each year for my Music
Appreciation class? What are the charges relating?
(I remember seeing this series on TV during my college years)
Can this video be purchased, if so, what format?? DVD, I hope?
Library response:
If you work through your local (public or university) library's interlibrary loan office, you may borrow this film. There are no restrictions on the number of times you may borrow it, but we cannot reserve it for you for a specific date or time. I doubt that many other borrowers would want access to this film, as its in 16mm format. Bob Diaz, Fine Arts Team
Fri Sep 2 11:55:03 2005 Campus
I hate your new web page--damn, where is the page where one can get
to google and other on-line searchs??? This new look is confusing
and one has to read through too much to try to find anything.
Library response:
We're sorry you don't like the new look. There is a lot of text on the front page now. But we believe that that text provides quicker access to a lot more of the useful information on the Library's web site than the earlier design did. This is an ever evolving web site. So look for less and less text on this page as we learn more and more about what continues to be important to our customers. For example, in our testing of the new site we found that, generally, our customers no longer expected to find a link to general internet search engines on the Library's web page. So, as a contrasting point of view, your feedback is very important. Dan Lee
Fri Sep 2 15:49:07 2005 Library
journal "islamic law and society" record says "electronic resource....
lib. has: Print" but no call number.
Library response:
Thank you for notifying us about this record. We are investigating it, but we think the Lib Has Print information is incorrect and will be removed. Vicki Mills
Fri Sep 2 21:26:03 2005 Off-campus
I renewed this card over 2 weeks ago, paying the required $40 fee.
When I tried to check my account on line, I was given the message
that my card had expired.
Please help me with this.
Library response:
This person's comment and contact information was forwarded to the staff who oversee library community cards for resolution. Vicki Mills
Sat Sep 3 13:18:26 2005 Off-campus
How do I renew my patron privileges? I need to renew books as well.
Library response: This person's comment and contact information was forwarded to the staff who oversee library community cards and renewals. Vicki Mills
Tue Sep 6 13:36:08 2005 Library
I have held my tongue knowing that many many many would object to
your paternalistically no longer enabling easy access to web search
engines and indeed the asking is acknowledged in what you have
posted but THERE IS NO ANSWER OR CONFIRMATION TO MY THEORY NOR
DIRECTION AS TO WHERE THE PAGE OF ENGINES AND ALSO PLACES WHERE
DISCUSSION ABOUT THEM OCCURS AS BEFORE.
I do think a disclaimer is a good idea in offering them, have
benefitted from being forced to consult more expensive non
advertiser supported resources when much younger in fact, but if you
are going to try such a stunt with us the least you can do is
acknowledge it.
At this point I still don't know if the resource previously
available is merely hidden or completely struck while either
requires at least an explanation not mere memorilisation of people
noting the change.
Library response:
After testing the new design with users, we decided that the page that included links to general internet search engines was no longer needed on the library's web site. We found that people who needed to use these search engines went directly to them and did not think to go to the Library's web page as a first step to getting to them.
Dan Lee
Wed Sep 6 08:26:40 2005 Library
Es primera vez que visito supagina de libreria virtual y me parece
muy interesante, me gustaria suscribirme si Ustedes me permiten para
poder poder leer los temas interesantes de su libreria. Gracias
Library response: Gracias por su interés en consultar el portal de nuestra biblioteca. Usted puede visitarla y consultarla sin necesidad de subscribirse. Eso sí que el acceso que tendrá será limitado. Los índices, revistas electrónicas, libros electrónicos, la mayoría de las enciclopedias y otros materiales de interés para investigadores, sólo está disponible y con el uso de contraseñas, para los estudiantes, profesores y administradores de la Universidad de Arizona. Si alguna vez tiene la oportunidad de visitar el campus de esta Universidad y hacer uso de los ordenadores de la bilbioteca, podrá conectarse a todo el material que ofrecemos. Le agradecemos su mensaje. Pat Promis, Fine Arts Team
Wed Sep 7 11:18:40 2005 Library
A doctor called my office and asked how to find
SciFinder Scholar on the new Library web site. I explained that he
needed to go to "Search for Articles" under the "Search and Find"
section. He said that he had gone to the "Libraries and Collections"
page under "About the Library" and went to the Science-Engineering
Library page. He expected to find science databases, etc. listed on
or linked from this page. (I think maybe the old SET website did
have lists of databases, etc.)
He suggests that there should be some kind of link from
the "Libraries and Collections" pages back to the catalog and/or
lists of databases.
Library response:
This is useful feedback. Thanks. This too will be considered as we look to make the new website helpful for all customers. Dan Lee
Wed Sep 7 11:45:38 2005 Campus
Quite honestly, I'm having trouble figuring out the new website.
I have fielded 4 e-mails from a single student looking for the IRIS
database. It turns out to be under SEarch for Articles. I searched the
library web site and found it, but the first search item does not have
a link. I've spent probably 20 minutes in all trying to help this student.
I think it would be far clearer to have Search For and a path to
Articles, Journals, Databases separately. I also had trouble finding
the Social Sciences Citation Index until I realized it was under
"Articles." Seems like a misnomer to me.
I am also wondering if you are setting up an at-home link through CAT
Card for Community of Science.
Library response: After many comments about the Search for Articles label on the new website, it was changed to Article and Database Searching. We are hopeful that this new label will be more meaningful to our users.
Wed Sep 7 12:09:49 2005 Campus
I'm sick and tired of being interrupted by people who want to look
for files they saved on the computer I'm looking for. Some guy
grabbed the mouse out of my hand and shut down the word document I
had been working on for three hours today. I lost NINE pages that I
have been working on all week. Then your idiot employee tried to
force me to stop working to let this guy copy files from the
computer. I was here first and it is NOT FAIR to make someone stop
everything they are working on because some irresponsible idiot
forgot to copy his files or save them to a safe account. These
interruptions happen way to often and you need to get you policies
straight. I have been insulted and called misogynist and racist
names by white males who try to intimidate me and force me to leave
the computer that I'm working on so that they can use it. This is
an unacceptable not to mention unlawful situation. I have seen too
many white males try to force women of color from the computers
under the guise that they have all these files they need to get.
This violates my civil rights. I insist that you do something to
STOP this behavior. No one should have to give up a computer. You
need to start putting up signs so that these white males stop this
behavior. I'm looking at white males viewing pornography and
playing video games and not doing anything constructive on the
computers right now and it's not fair. No one should be rewarded
for behaving badly and no one has the right to interfere with anyone
on the computers. You should have policies to deal with people who
try to intimidate and manhandle your patrons!
Library response:
It happens sometimes that students save their documents to the T-drive on a particular computer in the IC and then need to retrieve those documents later. It happens, but not all that often. Usually students who save to the T-drive also save to another storage device, but sometimes they either forget to do this or for a variety of reasons, they can't access the other copy of the document. So saving to the T-drive, which is a safe account (it is the only safe place to save a document in the IC) can be a backup and at times it can be the only copy of the document available to the student. So students who save documents to the T-drive are not being irresponsible or idiots, although if they only save to the T-drive, they are taking a chance with it being saved in a public environment. Usually the person on the computer is asked to let the other person copy their documents off the T-drive of that computer, which only takes a few minutes and, usually, as a courtesy, the person on the computer lets the other person do this. I have been involved in several situations like this and the transactions have been quick and easy. I have never encountered a student, who would not willingly help another student. I don't know what happened in your situation before our staff member became involved, but he assures me that he and the other student were respectful in their request to you and that when you refused to let the student copy his documents, the student was told to come back later, when the computer was free. Our employee is not an idiot, as you have labeled him, and he did not try to force you to do anything. Vicki Mills
Wed Sep 7 12:25:14 2005 Campus
I am not fond of the new webpage format. There is too much writing
and it is too small. Really, I would rather click on the picture (the
pictures used to be large and easy to quickly click on). The other
format looked friendlier.
Library response:
Thanks for the feedback. This is a helpful reminder that different people work and learn in different ways. IT will be taken into account as we continue to evaluate and update the web site. Dan Lee
Thu Sep 8 07:06:54 2005 Off-campus
If you have a Spanish history colelction or a regional section you
might be itnerested in my ebook on death in the bullring, out now
via TH Publishing. The webpage for orders is
http://www.DeathRidesTheHorns.com Being close to Nogales and other
bullfighting areas and with heavy hispanic population, it might be
of interest to your shelf. I have no idea if they do discounts for
libraries or not as it is not my department.
Library response:
Thank you for notifying us about your book. I have forwarded your comment to the librarians who select our history materials and I'm sure they will take this title under consideration. Vicki Mills
Thu Sep 8 10:49:06 2005 Campus
I think the new layout and content of the library's homepage is less
useful than the former one. The old one had easy access to darabases,
web search engines, etc. The new is like a puzzle to figure out how
to get to the resources one needs.
Library response:
Thank you for the feedback on the new web site. We will be continually updating the new site, so comments like this are really helpful. All databases are still easily available by clicking on Search for Articles under SEARCH & FIND. Dan Lee
Thu Sep 8 19:50:44 2005 Campus
I was just wondering....
since Adobe Creative Suites (2/3 of which is installed on the Macs in Main)
comes with InDesign also bundled with with Photoshop CS and Illustrator CS,
could you install InDesign on at least one Mac in Main? Presently, it is only
available in the MultiMedia Zone, which is not a part of the Main Library.
Thanks
Library response: All sugggestions for new software products for the IC are shared with the Library's Systems staff. This message has been forwarded to them. Vicki Mills
Thu Sep 8 21:34:32 2005 Campus
The new "honors" system in the Reserve area is a failure. Two of my
students failed to find the book they needed in the first week of
classes. One found the book on SABIO, which said it was on RESERVE,
but neither she nor library staff could find it on the shelf where it
belonged, or anywhere else. Clearly, someone had walked off with it.
If the library is failing to keep track of who has the RESERVE books
at any given time, it defeats the purpose of putting it on RESERVE,
which is to make sure it is available on an equitable basis.
This problem is also not helped by the library's one book policy, in
which only one copy of each book is purchased. My class has over
thirty students in it, and one book is not enough.
Library response:
I'm very sorry that your students have experienced trouble with open reserves the first week of classes. Without further information about this particular incident, we are unable to determine the cause. Please be assured that we have given our students additional training on open reserves and our students know to request staff help if they're unable to locate an item. We trust that this extra training will prevent such occurrences in the future. Customers have the option of checking out a reserve items or browsing them in the area. It is possible that someone can be using an item which another customer wants. In such cases, library staff may ask customers to share resources. Materials in this area must be checked out, if they leave the area. There is a security gate that will alert staff in case a customer neglects to properly check out the item. Profs may request multiple copies of a title to be placed on reserve. If the class is expected to be large, we would recommend that you request for another copy to be ordered at the time placing the original request online or in person. Again, I'm truly sorry that your students had difficulty with open reserves. If this continues, please let me know personally so that I can rectify the situation. Should your students need further assistance, please have them contact me for a message at Special Collections Desk 621-6423 as my personal line is currently not working or email me at perumalae@u.library.arizona.edu. The library is committed to fulfilling your needs and providing the best customer satisfaction possible. Thank you very much for bringing this situation to our attention. Sincerely, Elizabeth Perumala, Materials Access Team
Fri Sep 9 19:00:04 2005 Off-campus
My colleagues in the History Dept, in a departmental meeting,
reported that they had had no luck in trying to locate WorldCat and
similar catalogues in the Library's new site. In the same meettng,
they also reported numerous other difficulties with the new site. I
have just spent 15 minutes trying to locate WorldCat. If the
purpose of the new site is to hinder research and access to Library
sources, then the website designer deserves congratulations. But,
while congratulations are being conveyed to the designer, the
Library is impeding my research and the research of my colleagues. I
do not how that fits into the mission of a Research 1 university.
Cordially
Library response:
Your comments will be sent to the library staff who created the new website. Obviously, we will need to make some changes in the new site and one of them will be to make WorldCat more findable. But for the time being, all databases are accessible under Search and Find > Search for Articles -- either by title using the A-Z list or by subject area. You are not the only person who has complained about WorldCat, so I'm sure that they will take all the feedback into consideration.
Vicki Mills
Sat Sep 10 22:17:40 2005 Off-campus
Hey Im studying abroad and I dont have my cat card. What should i do when it asks for my catcard
number, is their anyway someone can send it to me. Thanks
Library response: Your message was referred to me for resolution. Since emails is not a secure mode of communication is this still the method of communication you prefer for your catcard numbr information? If so, please verify your home address and birth date. I know you provided me with your student ID number but I need to verify that it is really you. Once I get that information I can send you the number. Were you requesting this information in order to access our databases or a course website? I look forward to hearing from you, regards. Toni Anaya, Material Access Team
Sun Sep 11 10:42:23 2005 Off-campus
I too have just spent a half an hour trying to find World cat and only
found it because I read the comments page. I think World cat and other
non-UA libraries should be easer to find. Also is their a tutorial or
something on the new library site? Again, because it can be confusing
to learn one system, just to have it replaced by another.
Library response:
We would like to believe that the new web site is easy enough to use that we don't need to create a tutorial for it. There is now built-in navigation that allows you to move about the site once you get into it. If you still need help, stop by any of the reference desks at one of the libraries or let me know (leed@u.library.arizona.edu). World Cat and other library catalogs are now also available from a link at the bottom of the catalog search screen. Dan Lee
Sun Sep 11 16:08:34 2005 Off-campus
We had a proxy server setup sometime back but for some reasons it is
removed. I find it extremely convenient to find articles on a
subject using scholar.google.com. When I work off campus this poses
serious inconvenience to me as I cannot directly link to the
articles. Here is something I think you need to know from patrons
point of view. More than 50% of the time the article is not directly
known. Often one has to search using subject index and current
library search does not directly give links to the articles. No
offense but the library search engine is not up to the standards of
google's. Under these circumstances I consider there is a great need
to offer service like proxy server. (Do you really expect patrons to
go through the library for each urls they find through
scholar.google?)
Library response: If you are off-campus and link directly to Google Scholar (just type in the URL), be sure to set your preferences to the UA:To configure your Google Scholar preferences for the University of Arizona:
- Select "Scholar Preferences"
- Under Institutional Access, select "University of Arizona"
This will insure that you get the "Full-Text @ My Library" links that are proxied for access to journals with UA Library subscriptions.If you connect through the URL http://www.library.arizona.edu/search/articles/dbfind?shortname=googlescholar your session will already be proxied (you will have to enter your last name and CatCard number if you link to resources with UA subscriptions).I'll try to locate links in the Library's Web site that aren't configured correctly and fix them. Gene Spesard, Digital Library Information Systems Team
Sun Sep 11 16:31:45 2005 Off-campus
I do not know which subject specialist this question belong to, but
here it is.
I need to access a database that library is not subscribed to (mind
you not just an article). The reason being is that I analyzing
different market parameters of a venture and I do not know the urls
a priori. The database I am talking about is at www.indiastat.com.
Unfortunately this database does not offer trial subscription. Other
libraries have access to this database. Would it be possilbe to
access this database through other libraries proxy server and a
guest login given to our university. If such a scheme does not exist
already, you should look into the viability of it.
I would like to know if there are any provisions to access a
database the library is not subscribed to? (My understanding is that
it does not come under ILL)
Library response:
The UA Library does not subscribe to this database. Usually, the licensing agreements for databases to which academic libraries subscribe, restrict use to our faculty, students and staff, and members of the public who come in to the library to use the databases. So, we would not be able to get access to the database using another library's login. We do have access to other statistical databases that may have some of the information you're looking for. Take a look at the Statistics Resource Finder at http://www.library.arizona.edu/help/how/find/stats/index.html. (This is linked under Reference Resources on the library homepage.) Some of the business databases we have may also be useful. Please contact me using the form at http://www.library.arizona.edu/cgi-bin/staffmail.pl?feeneymu with more information about what you're specifically researching. Mary Feeney, Social Sciences Team
Sun Sep 11 16:36:51 2005 Off-campus
The chat program does not work with (Mozilla/5.0 Gecko/20050225
Firefox/1.0.1). I don know if this is because the service provider's
script does not use/conform to the open standards or the firefox
does not support some features from some standard. But the behavior
is that a message dialog pops up displaying 120000 and that's it no
accees to the chat program. Hope you look into it.
Library response:
Your message was forwarded to me because I am responsible for coordinating our electronic reference services, including chat. The behavior could be caused by a number of things, but we have had compatibility issues before and not just with browsers. I'm forwarding your comment to our technical helpline. If the folks there cannot determine a reason for this, they will work with our service vendor. Chat consistently works with IE as long as you are not blocking pop-ups. You may want to try IE to use chat while we try to figure this out.
Thanks for letting us know about this. Rae Swedenburg, Undergraduate Services Team
Mon Sep 12 14:18:21 2005 Campus
Can we please go back to the old web page!!! This one is impossible.
What happened to the social science citation index? I've looked under
every heading I can think of and nothing comes up.
Library response:
All the databases are listed in alpha order under Search and Find > Search for Articles. Once you know this trick, its pretty easy to find any database. I will forward your comment to the group who created the new website, they are collecting all the feedback and act on it. Vicki Mills
Mon Sep 12 17:02:19 2005 Library
The high current extension cord used for mneml310 and 11 is in need
of replacement or repair as when touched it breaks the connection.
I have done what I can to prevent that from occuring again by
lifting the wires ontot teh table etc.
As a general rule connections should not be stepped on. THe cord is
suited for a window air conditioner- not several information
workstations.
THe connection is semipermanent and deserves locking connectors.
Cheap multioutlet strips make little sense- and if used should
havea cord lenghth that doesn't need another cord to readch the
outlet. Since it's arced for quite a while, causing the cpu's to
reset, it's too late, but perhaps you could figure out a way to lock
it with some sort of carpet guide i'mnot sure.
Less then minimal care has been taken in routing the power.
Probably when teh carpet is vacuumed is when these wires gets
jostled and most of teh carbon developed. I don't thinnk the power
bricks should lie on the carpet at all and examination of the cords
reveals they aer continuously used as foot rests as they aer gummy
etc.
Library response:
This comment was sent to our Library's Systems Team to look into this problem. Vicki Mills
Tue Sep 13 09:33:26 2005 Campus
The new library web page is a classic example of style over
function. Looks pretty, much less easily navigated, more steps
required to do basic tasks. The library is evidently following the
trend that technology must be updated continually "or we'll be left
behind!", whether or not there is, in fact, any real reason to do so
(aside from making money for the web designers, of course). Maybe
you should spend the money on books! How cancelled journal
subscriptions could the funds for new web page have paid for?
Library response:
Thank you for your input on our new website. We are glad that you like the “look” of the new site, but are sorry to hear that you find the navigation lacking. We spent a good deal of time working on the organization, navigation and labeling of the new site, but we are aware that there are still areas that will need work. One of the changes we made on the new site, in the hopes of reducing the number of steps customers had to make, was to create a global and local navigational system (on the banner at the top of the page on the inner pages) so that one could move from one area of the site to another in fewer mouse clicks. If it is taking you more steps to navigate our site, we need to know about it and know the details. We are fully committed to making this site as user-friendly as we can and would love to have more detailed information from you on where you are having troubles. This kind of information can help us create a more usable site. All the input we receive from users is being collected and will inform future usability testing of the site. That testing will help us to adjust the organization, navigation and labeling on the site to better serve all of our customers, thanks. Michael Brewer, Fine Arts Team
Tue Sep 13 09:40:01 2005 Campus
How do I get onto Sabio? I still telnet from home, and quite
frankly, when at the library still switch to sabio because the old
sabio searches are still a whole lot faster and easier! Why keep
changing so much when the old way still works? By the way, I've had
library staff members tell me that when they need to do a lot of
searches they switch to Sabio as well. If it ain't broke...
Library response:
Thank you for your feedback. The Library catalog can be accessed at http://www.library.arizona.edu/ by clicking the "Search the Library Catalog" link. Access via telnet is not available. Michele Saunders, Digital Library & Information Systems Team
Tue Sep 13 11:13:27 2005 Library
Cannot find the databases as easily as before changes were made to
the library homepage. He is in information comm and feels that you
should have done more usability testing. The library homepage is
not as user friendly as before.
Library response:
Thanks for the feedback. It goes to show, you can't do enough testing! We will take this, along with other comments we receive, into consideration as we continually update the web site. Dan Lee
Tue Sep 13 20:53:18 2005 Campus
THis is an artifact of Laird's administration. Proving itself far
too tough to follow- he answered himself almost everything and
posted new responses almost every sunrise
Library response:
The "report card" from the old website and this feedback section on the new page are similar to David Laird's bulletin board, but the report card was actually not a direct descendent. It was designed more to get feedback, both numerical and written, about how the library was doing. It was designed to give the library staff feedback, so that we could make changes/improvements, if possible. David's answers were witty and he was fast in responding, but his answers didn't always represent the whole Library and they were not always shared with the staff. Nowadays, the person best able to answer the comment is the one who writes the reply. We share all the comments and responses with the staff as well as interested others, on the website and on the bulletin board. We try to be timely in personal responses back to individuals, if they leave us a working email address -- but we only post the comments and replies once a month on the web or the board. This feedback section is one way for us to see how we are doing and what our customers are thinking about the library -- its more instructional, rather than entertaining.
Vicki Mills
Thu Sep 15 13:21:47 2005 Campus
How do I find J-stor and other databases formerly accessed by "show
all databases"?
Library response: The link to Search for Articles under SEARCH & FIND was the equivalent of the earlier Show All Databases. The label has just been changed to Article & Database Searching. Dan Lee
Fri Sep 16 17:44:30 2005 Off-campus
There are no instructions on how to place a hold on a book. It is
clear how to recall a book, but not hold one. I tried recalling the
book to see if that would hold it and that didn't work. I called the
library and they told me to sign into my account but that simply
tells me that I have not books on hold. It's not imperative that I
hold it, so I don't mind just going and getting it, but I wanted to
let you know.
Library response:
Thanks for the feedback about the instructions for placing a hold -- it should say that you place a hold in exactly the same way you place a recall. If you recall a book and it is due back within 10 days of when you recall it -- it becomes a "hold" instead of a recall. That is the only difference. Vicki Mills
Sun Sep 18 11:49:40 2005 Off-campus
I would like to use a research citation tool - Sente - on my Macintosh to access the online
catalog. The tool can query the library server (sabio.library.arizona.edu) on port 210 - a
"Z39.50 Data Source Probe" and basically indicates that it can do searches.
When I initiate a search of the catalog the search fails - error message states "Access to
the specified database has been denied."
I am attempting to do this from my computer at home, so I don't have an arizona.edu
system (if that matters).
It would be really great if I could use this tool to search the catalogs.
Thank you.
p.s. the online support - live chat - is wonderful.
Library response:
Yes, anyone can Z39.50 search our catalog. You need three pieces of information for Z39.50 access:
Host name: sabio.library.arizona.edu
Port: 210
Database Name: INNOPAC Do you have all three of these setup? Thanks,
Sharon Knowlton, Digital Library &Information Systems Team
Sun Sep 18 18:07:27 2005 Campus
Please advise on how to deal with library users who are repeatedly
disruptive on the quiet floors (4th and 5th floors of main library).
I find myself frequently approaching the same people and requesting
that they keep their voices down, use cell phones in the lobby, etc.
This is especially true when addressing groups of 2 or more who are
walking through looking for a study room. These people seem to take
pleasure in making as much noise as possible. Is it really necessary
to talk at a decible level appropriate for the student union?
Once I have approached these people twice, is there some recourse of
action I may take to get my point across (besides "tattling" we're in
college now, for goodness sake! This shouldn't even be an issue!)? I
use the quiet floors because I have trouble concentrating, and it is
so frustrating when my fellow peers lack the respect for each other to
keep their voices down.
Library response: We suggest that you contact the Circulation desk during the day and early evening hours for assistance with noisy people and contact the Information Commons desk during the night. This wouldn't be considered tattling, but staff could ask the noisy people to either quiet down or leave the library. Vicki Mills
Sun Sep 18 23:27:44 2005 Off-campus
i do not like the new library web page. it is difficult to navigate
and find many of the old features from the previous site.
especially when trying to find articles in the e-journals.
Library response:
Thanks for the feedback. We will use this in determining what changes we need to make as we continually improve the site.
Dan Lee
Mon Sep 19 13:54:13 2005 Library
Terminal mneml304 (150.135.48.38) is not working properly on the third
floor--when you open a program, the display is funny and there is no
response to the mouse. I tried rebooting to no avail.
Library response:
Thanks for notifying us about this problem, it has been reported to our Library Systems staff. Vicki Mills
Mon Sep 19 14:21:01 2005 Library
The mouse on Terminal mneml310 (150.135.48.37) on the third floor
keeps dying.
Library response:
Thanks for notifying us about this problem, it has been reported to our Library Systems staff. Vicki Mills
Mon Sep 19 16:48:37 2005 Off-campus
My only question is why in world did whomever change the arizona
website? Before it was extremely easy to locate almost anything,
not the amount of reading of small text, link after link its a
struggle to find anything now. I hate to say this but before the
website was easy and internet freinedly, now it makes my head hurt
just trying to find eletronic reserves and now the arizona website
is just as bad as pima's website. Its immpossible to find anything
anymore. I think you should go back to using large icons that
people are familiar with and the text should be bigger than maybe 10
size font.
Library response:
This is helpful feedback on the new web site. Thanks! There is a lot of text on the front page now and we need to work on reducing that. In the meantime we are providing immediate links to many resources that others were having a hard time locating before. Also, the size of the text is controlled by your browser and screen settings, not by the web page. You can change them in Internet Explorer, for example, by clicking on 'View' on the bar at the top of the screen, scrolling down to 'Text Size,' and selecting a new size.
Dan Lee
Tue Sep 20 12:35:10 2005 Off-campus
The writing on the course reserves page is so small I can not use it. Teachers
expect students to be able to use these resources for their classes so the
library needs to make sure they are functioning properly at all times otherwise
it is useless!! I am not the first person this has happened to so maybe you can
get someone to work on this problem.
Library response:
Are you using a Mac? If so,we recommend using Mozilla's Firefox internet browser when accessing the ERes database. There is a problem with Microsoft's Internet Explorer on a Mac, which causes the font to become too small to read. There is also a problem with the Safari internet browser that might allow you to get into ERes one time, but then causes problems every other time.
You can down load Mozilla free at http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
Please let us know if this helps! Cheryl Neal , Document Delivery Team
Tue Sep 20 16:34:28 2005 Campus
Please include the specific phone number for ILL at the bottom of the
page where the request items are listed. The number you have there
is only the generic number, and when you call that you get a loooong
message where you could call anywhere in the library.
Library response:
Your request has been forwarded to ILL staff. They do include their phone number, under the Contact Interlibrary Loan link -- so I assume you are asking for it to on the main ILL page. Vicki Mills
Wed Sep 21 16:16:21 2005 Library
dear sir/madam
a few weeks ago, in my capacity as a ph.d. student and research
assistant, i submitted an application for an individual room at the
library. howvere, I have still not heard back. i would appreciate
any information you may have about the status of my application.
many thanks,
Library response:
There will not likely be a carrel available this semester. Karen Oldani, Partners Team
Thu Sep 22 18:20:32 2005 Campus
The new website is terrible. If you are looking for a journal that is
partly online (after a certain date) and you look for it in the
catalogue it gives you the link to the website but not the call number.
Library response:
I don't know what journal title you are talking about, but if we get or used to get the journal in print and now get it electronically, we keep the call number in the record so people can locate the print volumes. This is the way the catalog worked in the old site and in the new library site. There are some titles that we never received in print and only receive online and for those titles, there will be no call number. For anyone, if you find a record in our catalog that you find confusing, contact the reference desk at 621-6442. Vicki Mils
Fri Sep 23 18:49:45 2005 Off-campus
The new library website is SO much more difficult to navigate than
the previous version. I feel completely lost in doing the most basic
of searches. Please consider making it more user friendly.
Library response:
I'm sorry that you find the new web site more difficult than before. It is designed to make a wider range of information readily available. It is an evolving site, and feedback like this is helpful.
Dan Lee
Sat Sep 24 08:07:24 2005 Off-campus
The new website for the main library is very confusing. I just want
to renew a book and have idea where to go. Where is the original website?
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
Sun Sep 25 18:07:16 2005 Off-campus
Very disappointed w/ Library search pages. I logged in w/ my
Catcard #. I'm looking for full-text articles, but all I get is
mazes leading to nowhere, or dead ends that ask for money or
subscription passwords.
This is not practical or user friendly: Am I missing something?
Rob
Library response:
When you try connecting to full text articles, you are connecting to a publisher's site. Different publishers display their links differently, and different publishers provide the software that enables the connection with different levels of data. This mix of factors can make it very difficult to track links to the actual article. We can help you through the apparent maze. One option is to stop by the Information Commons Help Desk and ask for an introduction to connecting to full text articles. Let them know which database or index you use most. Another idea is to call the Help Desk next time you are trying to do this from home. They can walk you through a specific problem you are having and maybe give some tips on which links give you a better chance of success. The number is 621-6442. Dan Lee
Sun Sep 25 19:29:48 2005 Campus
Hi,
I need the book with call no : TK5105.8885.Z65 L67 2002
The status of this book is currently missing. Once its found, could
you kindly send me a notification so that I could come and collect it.
Thanks.
Library response:
There really is not a way to for us to notify you if this book is found. Unfortunately, many books on search are never found. You can go through Interlibrary Loan, a free service, to request this book from another library, if you want. You can also contact the subject spealist to recommend that we reorder this title.
Update: I have been informed that you can place a hold on books that are missing or on search and if that if they are found, you will be notified. But having said this, if you really need a book, Interlibrary Loan is a better bet.
Vicki Mills
Mon Sep 26 11:04:03 2005 Campus
The earplugs that the library provides have been extremely useful.
I would encourage the library to continue purchasing them.
Library response:
We do plan to continue offering the ear plugs. But due to their expense, we have placed them behind the desk with a sign that says to "Earplugs available on request." We did this because when they were just sitting out on the desk, people would take handfuls of them -- I think they thought they were candy!! But we post all the comments and replies, so your comment will make more people aware of the earplugs, which is good. Vicki Mills
Mon Sep 26 16:22:26 2005 Library
You should have a map or something on your website telling us where
3b and 3c sections are (for example). How are we supposed to know
if we're in b or c?
Library response:
Thanks for the suggestion. We will pass this on to the group that determines what is missing and what needs to be added. There are such maps in the elevator lobby on each floor which should help once you get to the library.
Dan Lee
Tue Sep 27 14:57:59 2005 Campus
The library site is GREAT! thanks for all your work in organizing it
in such an easy-to-use manner. I was amazed at how much information
and assistance is on here.
Library response:
Thanks for pat on the back. We intend to keep it fresh and easy-to-use. Dan Lee
Tue Sep 27 19:21:01 2005 Off-campus
Can you put RefWorks on the home page. I finally found it in
Services A-Z and then under citation management. It is not a very
straightforward process. I recommend RefWorks to everyone I know.
Thanks.
Library response:
Thanks for spreading the word about RefWorks. I'm glad you both find it useful and found it on the new site. It is also linked under Article and Database Searching. We thought it is important enough to put in multiple places so people have a better chance of finding it. Your recommendation is being passed on to the group who makes decisions on the changes as we consistently keep the site up to date. Dan Lee
Tue Sep 27 23:48:23 2005 Off-campus
Great compilation of APA citation guidelines!
I like the pdf print out option, very helpful.
My quiz grade did not appear in the heading, perhaps because I'm using
the Firefox browser.
I would have preferred to have emailed the results of the quiz
directly to my professor, who required I pass the quiz for her class.
Thank you
Library response:
This comment is about the Citation Tutorial created by some UA Librarians. The tutorial results are not graded per se, but the answers to the questions can be printed off and given to the instructor. I believe the heading used to read Grade and we changed it to read Results. Thanks for letting us know about this misleading heading and glad that you liked the citation tutorial. Vicki Mills
Wed Sep 28 19:45:07 2005 Off-campus
Hi, I recently received two emails regarding two books that your
records say I have not returned. Both books were returned in May, and
now my emails are indicating that I have a huge fee for one of the
books. I would ask that you please search for the books because I
cannot afford to pay for the books, seeing as I already returned them
and did not expect to incur such lofty fees. Please write me back,
this is the first time Ive ever had problems with the library so I
would like the issue to be taken care of effectively. thanks so much
for the response.
Brannon Larson
Library response:
I checked the stacks this morning to verify whether or not these items had been returned, but I was unable to locate them. Please verify that you do not still have these items. If you are absolutely certain that they were returned, please respond to this e-mail and give the approximate date, time, and building to which they were returned so that we can begin a more extensive searches process for this item.I apologize if there has been some sort of mistake. Travis S Teetor, Material Access Team
Fri Sep 30 04:16:39 2005 Campus
Although I believe you have previously taken careful consideration of
this matter, I would like to suggest having Microsoft Office installed
on all of the computers in the Media Center section of the library.
I recognize that it is an ideal scenario to have students operate
these machines exclusively for media-related purposes, but I believe
that it would make the library computing environment more versatile,
and thus more productive.
For example, a student in Media Arts may have to transfer an essay
that goes with a media project to another computer, but will first
have to use the native Macintosh text program (which regrettably only
saves files in the .RTX format) to save it, send it to a computer
using the Windows operating system, and finally decode the document in
Microsoft Word, which can be a hassling process. In addition to this,
Power Point presentations are also commonly used for media-related
purposes, so I believe that having the highest-possible compatability
between all the computers in the library would be ideal.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Library response: Your comment was sent to the Multi Media Zone staff. The decision for what software goes on those computers is made not by the Library but by OSCR, since it is an OSCR lab. Vicki Mills
Fri Sep 30 09:44:54 2005 Off-campus
I have been generally pleased with the service I have received in
person at the Main Library and the Engineering and Science Library,
but I mainly use the website and that is where I have some complaints.
I don't know what prompted the change in design, but the new website
is much more difficult to navigate. Apart from becoming accustomed to
everything being in a certain place and one day finding it all
shuffled around, it seems as if many of the search functions no longer
work as well. In particular, the beta search no longer returns
journal articles, despite the fact that it used to be the best way to
find them. Searching the individual databases one by one is no
substitute. I also miss the pull-down menus that allowed direct
navigation to collections such as theses and dissertations, maps, etc.
Having known how to find these features in the past, it took me a
long while to think to look for them under the "Help" heading. As for
access to the theses and dissertations themselves, I wonder when the
library will undertake a major overhaul of its catalogues. I have
used dozens of UA theses from multiple departments in my research, and
at least 90% of them were not listed in any library catalogue or
database. I know many departments maintain their own collections of
print copies, but it would be nice to be able to search these titles
from a central location, i.e. the main library and its website.
Couldn't someone at the library coordinate with departments to begin
compiling more complete lists? I recognize this is a giant task and
not the sole responsibility of the library, but I have no doubt it is
worthwhile. People inside and outside the UA will never read or cite
its research if there is no easy way to confirm that it even exists,
and that represents a giant weight holding back the high-quality
research for which we all strive. Sincerely,
Library response:
First, nothing in the redesign of the web site changed the search functions of the catalog or Beta-Search. So I'm not sure why you are getting different results now. Unless you have limited your searches in Beta-Search to include only the libraries catalogs, your results should still include articles. Let me know if you are having specific problems with it.As for theses and dissertations, since 1993 we have been receiving Masters theses only if the student paid the optional microfilming fee. So the collection of these is indeed spotty. We have been working with the Graduate College on their program for electronic submission of both theses and dissertations and this new procedure may make it possible once again to collect all theses. This won't help with locating or identifying those that have been missed, but it will help in the future. Dan Lee
Fri Sep 30 11:21:41 2005 Campus
There is no other way to say this except bluntly:
Your main (commons) library on the bottom floor is a FILTHY pig-
sty!!! I recommend staff chose ANY computer station at random. You
will notice the following:
. Carpeting littered with accumulated dirt, detritus, and food
debris. The carpet is beginning to smell like sour food in some
places.
. Desk tops and keyboards are coated with dust, sticky goo,
and food crumbs. Crumbs are now wedged into keyboards.
With flu season fast approaching, your library is in a shocking
state. A recent study found influenza viruses able to remain viable
for WEEKS on dirty surfaces, such as the ones prevailing throughout
your computer area.
Why does this intensely used area not receive surface cleaning and
vacuuming (don't forget the keyboards)? I have noticed the filth
increase over the past months, instead of declining.
Why do you allow students and public to bring food in, including
messy sandwiches, chips, crackers, etc., and eat it at desktops?
(They should go outside for the mere 15 or 20 minutes it would take
them to eat.)
This is University of Arizona where are your standards? Wow-- I am
appalled!!!
Library response:
I don't have an answer to your basic question of what team, but thought I would pass on the custodial schedule that is used through out campus and in the Library.
The current schedule is:
Trash:
--Public areas--removed each day, Monday to Friday --Office areas--removed twice each week--The custodial team in the Library has modified that and attempts to empty trash on a daily basis
Vacuum:
--Public areas--once each week
--Office areas--once each week
Note: Custodians do not move materials (boxes, stacks of papers, etc.)on the floor they vacuum around them.
Carpet:
--Public areas--complete clean two times per year, spot cleans of spills as reported or self-identified by custodians --Office areas--complete clean two times per year, spot cleans of spills as reported or self-identified by custodians
Restrooms:
--Trash is dumped twice daily during the custodial shift of 3am to 2pm (Monday to Friday) --Cleaned and disinfected once each weekday --Weekend custodial crew checks restrooms, empties trash and cleans as needed.
Miscellaneous:
--Public areas
1. Dust flat surfaces as required--custodians will not move any materials on the surface but dust around the things.
2. Pick up trash from tables when it is clear that no one is working in the area. --Office areas--Same as public areas. If out-of-schedule requirements occur, we can get limited service. Notify me and I'll contact the custodial supervisor. Facilities Planning & Management, Jim Fromm