Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania - Andruss Library

Fall 2001 Report Card

On the scale below: A ( Excellent)  B (Good)  C (Satisfactory)  D (Poor)  F (Unacceptable)  N (Not Sure)

The comments below are shown as received, without editing.

Legend: C = Comment A = Answer

C. work on the network! Make some more computers available to use course specific software!!!!! I do like the way I can access off campus subscription databases. If there was a section of computers that could be maintained on a near daily basis by a CIS major, there could be loadable software.

A. We have forwarded the comments on the Network, our campus Internet connection, and other network functions to the Networking & Telecommunications department on campus for them to consider.

C. I'm always having problems with the older computers, they freeze sometimes, and I can't always check my email on them. And isn't always easy to find a newer computer to avoid the problem.

A. We just purchased 70 new computers to replace some of the older ones. They should be in place for Spring semester.

C. I feel that sometimes their are not enough computers to meet student demand. Maybe we should purchase more PC's so that people have access when they need it. Also post a schedule in the window of the large computer lab on the second floor so people know when they can or cannot go in there. It is a waste of resources to have them left unused when people need them. Also, why limit where you can save your documents or what you can or cannot install? These computers are here for our use and we should be able to use them as we see fit. Limiting access only frustrates people and makes our work that we have to do that much harder.

A. Our data collected show that we average 39% of the computers in use on our worst hour: 3pm in the afternoon. At this time, we will not be adding more computers, but rest assured that we will continue to monitor our usage and determine our next step as more data is collected.

C. The speed of the internet connection definitely needs improving. students can not be expected to do do research on the internet if it takes 5 minutes to load a single web page.

A. See above.

C. we need a place for laptop users to plug in..they are always using the study rooms to plug into while study groups not only can't use them but can't use the computers the laptop users are not. It just seems a waste of the study room and room computer if the laptop user is only using the outlet.

A. Laptops can be connected at any blue-colored jack in the Gathering Place or in front of the stained glass on the second floor.

C. Too many restrictions on computers. Students including myself cannot run some professors software that is provided for use because of access restrictions. The installation computers are too sparse and are always full. I believe all of the computers should be for the free use by the students who need the resources.This has been a problem since the new policies have been implemented and the result is a student body that cannot perform necessary work unless they stake out and wait for hours for a "Special" computer with installation rights.

A. The computers are restricted to keep them working longer. In the past, students could freely install software on any computer, and sometimes programs they installed would mess the computer up and other things like printing and Word would not run correctly. We restricted installing on most of the computers and this problem went away. We do have five machines on the second floor that are unrestricted, and software can be installed. This is meant for CD-ROM and other school work-related software to be loaded. We are going to increase this number from 5 to 10 computers that allow this by next semester.

C. More nursing journals are needed. ONe problem that i have with this library is that many times it is hard to find a quiet place. Quiet areas are a lot of times not quiet. Somehow this should be enforced a bit more. I think the cafe located in the library should have longer hours.

A. The Library now subscribes to over 1,000 electronic full-text journals. Using SerialsSolutions you should be able to find substantially more than we have in paper. When others around you are making significant amounts of noise on third and fourth floors, please contact a library staff member who will look into the situation. The cafe is operated by Student Life. In any event the cafe has to close before the Library closes because the area is used as an Extended Hours Study from midnight to two in the morning.

C. You REALLY need to dedicate those specialized computers on the third floor to having internet and Word. no one uses them, at least put IE and Word on them so they can be put to use.

A. Some interesting comments were about the specialized software computers on the third floor. Some felt we didn't have enough, while others felt the specialized software computers were a waste because there are 10 less computers that had Word and Internet on them. After thinking carefully about this, we have decided to leave those 10 there for specialized software use and to not increase or reduce that number at this time. We will monitor the usage to make certain there are neither too few nor too many specialized software computers.

C. no one in this library can answer your questions. their answers are usually poor, and avoid your actual question if they can not help. That goes for both full-time and student employees.

A. Actually, we think our employees are pretty good. If you have specific complains, come up to the Director's office on third floor and talk to the Director.

C. please employ people who know how to use the computers, microfilm, icrofiche, and who can tell the students -"sorry we don't have those books or the materials you need."

A. See above.

C. Databases used to tell where the periodicals were available if they were not vailable at Bloomsburg. This was very helpful considering the library does not have many of the journal editions that it claims to have. Although it is inconvenient to drive to other campuses, at least the research materials were available. Perhaps you can list on the databases which journals you have available and WHEN you started getting the journal, so students know what is ACTUALLY available.

A. We are currently working on a product called SerialsSolutions and will shortly have our paper holdings in this product. This will give us a reference point for the do we own this? questions, and after that we'll see if we can integrate that into our database subscriptions.

C. Student workers are very friendly and helpful. The Library is very helpful to me. I would suggest however that the Library should have more group study ooms. I also would suggest that the Libray replace the macintosh computer because whenever I get stuck using one the memory is not usually enought to do anything. I never had that problem with the other computers in the Library. Another reason for replacing the macintosh's is that most people I know do not use macintosh's, rather they use an ibm compatible computer. Thank you for your time. A concerned student

A. Thanks for the compliments. We are considering the Macintosh issue, however, there are still a few programs on campus which teach using Macintosh computers. So until that changes we'll still have some Macintosh computers available.

C. Maybe post more signs telling students that group rooms are for GROUPS, not individuals! The signs outside the rooms don't get the meaning across clearly enough. Also more signs reminding students not to use cell phones. The signs are not where students see them.

A. One sign per room would seem to be sufficient. The problem is not the number of signs, it's getting folks to READ the signs. If you have suggestions for clearer language, we're all ears. Thanks for the cell phone sign tip; we'll look into putting a few more around.

C. Why don't all the computers on this campus work together. The computers in McCormick and Bakeless are not like these computers, and they are all different from the ones in the gamesroom in the union..It really sucks if I have a computer class, and I have homework to do and I can't do it because the computers have different programs, and they won't accept my zip disc!

A. There are many reasons for this. The main reason is because the rest of the campus computers use the campus Novell Network. A few semesters ago we were having severe problems on the campus network, and people would lose their Word documents because the network crashed often. To counter this, we in the Library removed the public access computers from the Novell Network. They are now independent workstations, which print to the network printers through Internet printing instead of Novell Printing. They also do not log into the network; therefore, we can no longer have the network download software to them. This did, however, allow the machines to continue to work in Word, and if the network crashed they kept working without a problem. We are considering moving the computer setup back to the Novell Network, and then they'll be like the rest of the computers on campus. However, this does not appear likely anytime soon.

C. To have a request list so you can be called when books that are out come back in that you wanted to use. For the cafe to open as late as the library so students working late hours can grab a snack or dinner

A. You can place a hold on a book in Pilot and a notice will be sent to you when the book is returned to the Library. Ask at the Circulation Desk about how to place a hold on a book. The cafe is operated by Student Life. It has to close before the library closes because the area is used as an Extended Hours Study from midnight to two in the morning.

C. Everytime that I come to the library, I am able to find what I need. If I can't find it myself, I will ask for the help of someone that works here. The staff here are able and willing to help whenever I see them. I reallu don't see a new of improvement at this time, but improvement is good!!

A. Thanks! And if we knew who you were, the faculty chair would like to take you to lunch.

C. longer hours woudl be better open after 12, adn also better weekend hours.

A. Additional hours would require additional staff, and the University's financial situation does not permit it to add more staff at this time.