Library Suggestion Blog

I am currently trying to study on the first floor of Tompkins Mcall Library and I am being overwhelmed with what smells like car exhaust fumes. Other people are complaining of headaches and I think this is VERY unhealthy unless you can explain other wise. I am not trying to commit suicide with car exhaust...just trying to study. This is unacceptable as I have smelt this before. Explain please.

From: a faculty member

Jodi Koste, Archivist, Tompkins-McCaw Library, replies....

Thank you for your expression of concern about the periodic exhaust smell that permeates the first floor of the Tompkins-McCaw Library. Library staff have also been affected by this exhaust fume odor. We have been working with VCU Facilities Management to resolve this issue. Our building is adjacent to the VCU Health System's visitor parking deck and some of the fumes may originate in that facility. Please do report any reoccurrence of this smell to our Service Desk.

Posted by at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am a student within the sciences and was wondering what has to happen in order for a new journal to be added either electronically or within the library. Global Biogeochemical sciences is a great journal and yet we do not have access to it. Thanks!

From: a graduate student

Ronke Lawal, Collection Librarian for Engineering and Science, replies...

Thank you for your suggestion. Materials in any format may be requested by submitting the Purchase Suggestion Form located on the VCU Libraries Web site. We take requests from our community very seriously. Many factors must be considered in the decision to subscribe to a journal, including relevance to the curriculum, reputation, accessibility, and cost. Because of budget limitations, we are not able to subscribe to all resources that faculty and students request. However, your request will definitely be considered. Once again, thank you for your interest in VCU Libraries.

Posted by at 1:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is anything being done to keep the basement computer lab quiet? Obviously the signage and computer desktops aren't doing their job. Why was the desk taken out of the computer lab? It seemed like when there were monitors in the lab, it was at least somewhat quiet. Every time I come down here to work, there are people on their cell phones, listening to music, and talking loudly. It is absolutely ridiculous that I have to listen to music on my iPod to block out THEIR noise while I work. Just last week there was almost a fight because one student told another to please whisper or take her conversation elsewhere- how are students supposed to respond to this?! It would be great if others would realize that this is an academic institution and not a restaurant or meeting place- people are trying to get work done!!! What is the library's response to this? I know I could rent a laptop and go to the fourth floor, but the computer lab is more convenient, especially late night.

From: a graduate student

Jim Bostick, Director of User Services for VCU Technology Services replies...

It is disappointing that you are having these problems. Please know that you or any student can go to the Security Guard to request their assistance with disruptive students in this lab or anywhere in the library.

The lab in the basement of Cabell Library is managed by Technology Services. Over that last several years, with budgets contracting, but needs for technology support increasing, we made the decision that the money used to monitor the labs would be better used increasing support for classroom technology and the Help Desk. This move had the side effect of enabling us to put a small number of additional computers in this already cramped lab once the monitor's station was removed.

In the long run, we are working with the VCU Libraries on their project to create a much improved and expanded Learning Commons space on the 2nd floor. Once completed, the B8 lab will be merged with current library computers and new computers in renovated space on the 2nd floor that will provide much improved student computing spaces.

Posted by at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hello to all! I would like to make a suggestion on computer availability at JBCL. I do use the statistics page to watch for available computers throughout the day, which I have to admit that it is a very cool solution! Therefore using Twitter or text messaging type of system to get update on availability of computers will be useful. For instance, users can text "JBCL FLOOR 1" and send it to a number so they can get info at that moment.So nobody has to be cussing around because there is no available computer to work on paper/homework,etc.

From: an undergraduate student

Jimmy Ghaphery, Head of Library Information Systems, replies...

We are glad that you are enjoying and using the Computer Availability system. The system is powered by LabStats, a commercial software product, and it is run by our colleagues in VCU Technology Services. At present, LabStats does not have text message or RSS functionality. Your suggestion is a very good one, and we have shared it with Technology Services. We will certainly keep this in mind for the future.

Karen Cary, Head of Collection Management, replies...

Thank you for taking the time to send your comments and suggestions. Your observations about library space and print journals and magazines housed on the first floor of Cabell Library are well taken. In fact, the online format is the default for all journals and magazines received by VCU Libraries. Generally, whenever the electronic format is available for a title and the cost is not prohibitive, the online format is selected. Print titles are scrutinized on a regular basis for the availability of an electronic format. As these are discovered, titles are converted from print to the online form. Currently, there are still many publishers that do not provide their journals in an online format.

In time, more and more publishers may decide to issue their journals and magazines electronically. We will continue to migrate journals and magazines to the online form as this change takes place. Again, thank you for your interest in VCU Libraries.

Posted by at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I am a senior at VCU and I have noticed that the housekeeping needs a boost. I see the staff empy trash cans periodically throughout the day, but the library is extremely dusty and the ventillation system needs to be thoroughly cleaned..probably every few months. With the relatively warm climate here in Richmond and the thousands of people who pass through the library daily, I think more steps needs to be taken to keep the allergens down and the germs down. One of my main concerns regarding keeping the germs down is for staff to clean the keyboards and mouses on the computers more often! I hardly ever see anyone clean them, and I get tired of going coming to a computer just to be grossed out and having to either move or use my handsanitzer + napkin combo to clean them off before I can even use the computer. Another concern is the noise level, especially in the B-8 computer lab. If I'm not mistaken, there are signs in the room that ask patron's to be quiet and considerate of others, yet almost every time I have been down there, there are at least 3 to 5 people talking loudly on their cell phones or talking loudly to each other. That is very annoying and distracting. Even though JBCL needs some improvements, I applaud the library staff who do their job well to ensure that things run smoothly here at VCU.

From: an undergraduate student

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

Thank you for commenting on the physical conditions in Cabell Library, which have been passed on to managers in Facilities Management. VCU contracts with private firms to provide housekeeping services, and unfortunately due to budget reductions in previous years, the level of service and performance standard were cut back. For example, carpet cleaning is now done annually vs. bi-annually. Also, the contract company’s performance relative to the contracted service level is evaluated about six times per month by VCU Facilities inspectors. The company is penalized only if they score lower than 75 points (based on 100 points). We share your concern about housekeeping standards, but because of budget constraints, there is little that can be done other than ensuring that the housekeeping firm performs to the level of the contract.

Regarding the HVAC system, we have been assured by Facilities Management that filters are inspected daily and changed as needed. Again, due to budget constraints there is not regular cleaning of ductwork.

The VCU housekeeping contract does not provide for cleaning of keyboards or the work surfaces around the public computers. During inter-sessions library staff do clean all keyboards thoroughly. However, because of your and other students’ comments, we recently assigned one of our hourly workers the task of inspecting all Cabell Library keyboards daily and cleaning the ones that most need attention. We hope this will make a difference for you and your fellow students.

Lastly, we encourage students to alert library staff if you see overflowing trashcans, spills, or any other housekeeping situation that requires immediate attention. We will be glad to contact Housekeeping and report the problem. Thank you again for your comments and suggestions.

Posted by at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How wonderful it would be if VCU Libraries extended its audience to the world in regards to VCU's digital collections? As a graduate of VCU, 2006 and 2008, I intend to stay connected to VCU and its Libraries. One of my favorite parts of VCU Libraries is its digital collection of historic Richmond images. Recently, Oregon State University provided an example of its digital archives on Flickr (www.flickr.com). Flickr is a website with photo storage, sharing and organization, making photo management an easy, natural and collaborative process. Get comments, notes, and tags on your photos, post to any blog, share and more! (quote Flickr) Please consider adding VCU and Richmond, VA's rich history to Flickr to broaden your audience!

From: a Friend of the Library

Alex Lorch, Acting Head of Special Collections and Archives, replies...

Thank you for the comment regarding our digital collections archive and your suggestion to use Flickr to broaden our digital collections' audience.

Indeed, your comment is very timely. VCU Libraries has been working over the past two years to add a number of its fine collections to its digital library. Earlier this month we were pleased to announce the launch of the VCU Libraries Digital Collections most recent addition: images of the Jackson Ward Historic District.

The Jackson Ward neighborhood and its buildings hosted a thriving African American community from the post-Civil War period through the early 20th century. However, efforts at urban renewal and other projects since the 1950s brought the wrecking ball to many of these architecturally and historically significant buildings. We hope to add several other Richmond and VCU-related collections in the next year.

As I'm sure you are aware, our digital library is available world-wide to anyone with an Internet connection. Very recently, however, Special Collections and Archives has decided to identify some collections to post to the Flickr site on a trial basis. As staffing permits, we will begin to upload some of these materials into Flickr in the next several months.

Thanks, again, for your interest in the VCU Libraries and for your commitment to us as a Friend of the Library. Please let me know if I may assist you with future questions or comments.

Posted by at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)