Website recommendations

Comment: Make more websites suitable for students, especially in the psychology field

Library Response: I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to. Would you like us to purchase another database? If so, we welcome all recommendations: http://www.fairfield.edu/x7864.xml.

If you need more help with selecting websites that would be useful for psychology research, try our online subject guide at: http://www.fairfield.edu/x7986.xml

Off-campus database access

Comment: I am a graduate student, but I attended Fairfield as an undergrad, too. Often I have not been able to access some databases from off campus. Some of them prompted me for a password, and the reference desk said there were no passwords for it. Is there a way to make the databases more accessible from off campus?

Library Response: Due to database vendor licensing restrictions, the library must authenticate users to fulfill contractual obligations. All University members have a StagWeb account so that is used for authentication. If you are off-campus and do not enter via StagWeb, the database cannot identify you as an authorized user and prompts for a password. A troubleshooting guide is available at http://www.fairfield.edu/x7978.xml#databases.

Technical difficulties

Comment: Overall, the service is great. Sometimes the staff is not useful with technical difficulties.

Library Response: It’s hard to discern your meaning of “technical difficulties”. Does it relate to printing; to computers in the labs or café; to photocopiers; to database search strategies; to laptop wireless connections; to retrieving a lost MS Word document? Staff responsibilities vary and some are handled by other campus departments. We can look into this further with more information. Kindly help us at http://fairfield.edu/x7856.xml.

Media collection suggestions

Comment: Library services are fairly good. CD and media library could be expanded greatly, although I'd say mostly in the jazz and classical genres (more recent stuff can be mostly left as is.)

Library Response: Your suggestions to improve the media collection are welcomed. Please use the online form at http://www.fairfield.edu/x7866.xml to suggest titles.

Several students have already sent in their suggestions, and the library has recently purchased and received over fifty CDs in response. Those CDs are currently being cataloged and processed, and will be available for checkout soon.

Signage on photocopiers

Comment: Better signs for using the copiers; very confusing and generally results in having to make extra copies. Also, I'd really love it if you could use the StagPrint bucks on the copiers.

Library Response: Already done! Informational diagrams were placed on the copiers the day after you wrote to us. The copiers are supplied by an outside vendor for a per copy fee. This was always a fee-based service and the library budget cannot support free printing.

Additional training needed

Comment: The library's staff aren't as knowledgable about the technology (such as online databases) as they appear and as one would hope.

Library Response: As with any organization, staff has expertise in particular areas. If your question is not fully answered at the Reference Desk (I hope that is where you asked it), please consult head reference librarian, Christina McGowan at x2465. She is glad to help and you, in turn, will help her identify areas that may need more staff training.

StagPrint bucks

Comment: The facilities here are great. The building is absolutely beautiful. The only complaint I have is the minimal printing bucks that we are given. Some classes require us to print out articles that are 10-20 pgs long almost once a month. I feel that we are not given enough print bucks. Other than that it is excellent.

Library Response: Statistics since the inception of this service consistently indicate that only 12% deplete their StagPrint 200 copy credits. The average print job is 4 pages. The StagPrint FAQ is available at http://www.fairfield.edu/x7939.xml.

Renewing books

Comment: Why not allow faculty to renew their books over the phone rather than have to bring them all in every so often?

Libary Response: Library materials can be renewed online at http://sirsi.fairfield.edu and then clicking on "My Account" and following the instructions. One can also see what is checked out to them.

Interlibrary loan turnaround time

Comment: The interlibrary loan service remains the weak link and at times slow. Why not make it much more user friendly? If faculty could just send info over a website or over email, that would save faculty so much time...

Library Response: When one has a need, any delay seems slow. ILL turnaround statistics for 2005 are for articles 4.0 days and for books 8.7 days. For this year to date, for articles it is 4.5 days and for books 9.1 days. Nearly 50% of articles arrived in 1 to 2 days and nearly 50% of books arrived in 6-7 days. This spring a pilot project was initiated to speed the process by having requestors download their articles directly from a special server 24/7. A new server and software is on order to further improve this service in the fall. Fairfield U. students, faculty, & staff can request articles or books online at http://fairfield.edu/x7852.xml#materials.

Desk lighting

Comment: There needs to be better lighting over desks not in the main reading area.

Library Response: The lighting was designed by a lighting consultant during the building process and meets certain standards. If there is a particular area in need, let us know specifically and we will consult with the University electrician.

Duplicate copies of reference books

Comment: Need more than one reference book with same title, such as APA format book to take out of library.

Response: We try to not purchase duplicate titles to stretch our budget dollars. The Citation & Style Guides webpage may help: http://fairfield.edu/x7976.xml. As for the Publication Manual of the APA, we have two copies in the stacks, one copy on reserve at the Circulation desk, and one available at the Reference desk.

More Macs

Comment: It would be helpful to get more Macintosh machines and/or update the ones that are currently there

Library Response: This will be conveyed to the Computing & Network Department. They manage Lab 250.

Status of interlibrary loan requests

Comment: Very helpful...the only problem I've encountered is once never getting an article in my mailbox that I ordered through interlibrary loan...but it only happened once.

Library Response: Please contact the ILL service at 254-4000 ext. 2135. Occasionally requests get lost in transit from the fulfilling library and we have to resubmit them.

More comfortable couches

Comment: More comfy couches.

Library Response: Did you have particular locations in mind? If so, we can look at the space issues.

Patience is important

Comment: Some of the librarians are really really nice... however there are people that work there that have zero patience.

Library Response: Thank you for your comment. It was conveyed to all of the adult staff and student assistants.

Coffee vending machine

Comment: Better little coffee station for late night/day time workers. That is cheap enough for college students to aide in their studying!

Library Response: The Student Affairs Division selected and contracts for the vending machines in the library’s café.

Monitoring quiet in the library

Comment: I think that it is a requirement of the library staff to maintain quiet in the library, because it is a place of study and that does not always happen in my experiences.

Library Response: We can place reminder signage around the building to see if that helps. The library serves an adult population that is capable of self-policing and we do not want to regress to a “shussing” environment. However, if personal efforts fail, please alert a staff member and we will assist in a difficult situation.

Ease of resource availability?

Comment: I enjoy going to the library to study and find it a great place to get work done. I think improvement in ease of resource availability can still be improved, but overall my experience in the library has been extremely satisfactory.

Library Response: Please clarify “ease of resource availability” and we’ll work on it. Does this mean the books are out, more full-text databases, problems with equipment, etc?

New Book Display

Comment: Thanks for bringing back the new books shelf.

Library Response: Glad you like it. So do the 65 others who borrowed items from this display in March (the first month we tracked usage). New items are added several times a week so keep checking.

Library materials drop boxes

Comment: I was unaware of the boxes on the side of the library. I think the library should have these boxes to drop off books and videos in a more visible area (possibly by the entrance.)

Library Response: The traffic circle drop boxes are for the convenience of the drive-bys. Students have 24/7 access to the main lobby and there is a drop slot to the left of the double doors at the entrance nearest the Circulation/Media desk. We could look into labeling it to make it more visible.

Love those workshops

Comment: I'd love it if you had some more workshops available on Internet usage, research etc. I went to your last workshop and loved it!

Library Response: If you have any particular topics in mind, please let us know! Meanwhile, you may want to use the Reference by Appointment service for individual instruction. http://fairfield.edu/askalibrarian.xml

Wireless access

Comment: Generally easy to find information and I love the building, but it would be nice if the whole library was wireless.

Library Response: Wireless access was a pilot program and more access points were added over the past 2 years. We can investigate the coverage on the main and upper level, and look for funding to add additional access points. The lower level is all wireless.

Staff training

Comment: I think they do a poor job at training their student staff. I had an instance where the student staff told me that the reserve book I asked for was an overnight reserve so I borrowed it. The next day I received a call indicating I had no business taking the book out of the library because it was a 4 hour reserve.

Library Response: I regret that these human errors occurred. Staff training is ongoing and very important both procedurally and for customer service.

Laptop lending program

Comment: The laptops are a great resource. I use them several times a week. I wish that they came with power cords so we could take them out for a little longer than 3 hours, as often that is not enough to write a paper.

Library Response: The laptop program is a pilot and was started with 5 computers. It is proving to be popular and we hope to add more shortly. In researching laptop programs elsewhere, we were cautioned about using cords as often users used their own cord and accidentally fried the laptop. We can check with the BCC program and revisit this. Perhaps that is not an issue on our campus.

Database passwords

Comment: One thing that bothers me is that a lot of times when I'm trying to access the databases there are passwords on the ones I need to use. If I'm not actually at the library it's really inconvenient, and even if I am there it's inconveninet because if the librarian is busy with someone I have to wait just to access a database. A lot of times I end up just going to another source. I understand passwords are necessary on some- so I don't know if you can help this.

Library Response: A few database vendors use passwords instead of IP recognition. A database password list is under the Library tab in StagWeb. Some of the library’s databases are available through FirstSearch (FS) and the pricing is much different as the library pays for each search statement that someone types in instead of a flat rate. Obviously, to make this publicly available would open the library to an uncontrollable cost and could be detrimental to supporting other more popular databases. Some of the more popular FS database subscriptions were changed to unlimited IP recognition such as WorldCat. If there are others we should consider, please let us know at http://www.fairfield.edu/x7864.xml.

Remote access problems

Comment: I have difficulty with the online service from my home and office. I have been dumped off EBSCO host when doing a search. Also access to full text has been an issue.

Library Response: We were able to fix this. Our web development librarian set the library databases link so that it opens in a new window. StagWeb is set by default for a 30 minute timeout. So by opening the databases link in a window that is independent from StagWeb, the timeout will not be a factor anymore. You may also change the timeout in your StagWeb account. The default is 30 minutes but you can set it for up to 120 minutes by logging in to your StagWeb account and then clicking on My Account in the upper left corner. As to the full text, was it not available from the vendor, or did the link not work?

New materials to suggest?

Comment: Needs more updated text resources on drug use.

Library Response: A reference librarian may be able to connect you with some current sources you may have missed. Or, perhaps, you have a specific title to recommend? Please feel free to use the Ask a Librarian service at http://fairfield.edu/askalibrarian.xml or to make a recommendation for purchase http://www.fairfield.edu/x7866.xml. Meanwhile, the librarians responsible for the health sciences collections, sociology collections, and the reference collection can review what we own and order updated editions.

Loan periods & fines for library materials

Comment: The return dates for DVD's (etc.) should be clearly posted in the library or at least written on a card and placed in the DVD case. I had never taken a DVD out, was not told the return date policy, and was charged $10 after just a couple of days. There was a library card in the case with RETURN DATE: at the top, but nothing was filled out on it.

Library Response: There is an 8 1/2 X 11 vertical sign on the Circulation Desk listing the borrowing policies for all library materials. We can see if we can make it more prominent so that others will not miss it. It appears that a staff member neglected to stamp the due date on your item. The Circulation Supervisor will remind all the desk attendants to be careful about including the due date. Please feel free to contact the Circulation staff at 254-4000 ext. 2199 or via email at circdesk@mail.fairfield.edu if you have any questions about borrowed materials. You can also check you library account to see what items you have out and when they are due back at http://sirsi.fairfield.edu/ and clicking on My Account.

Size of the library's collection

Comment: The only main problem with the library is that is it too small--often, I have to rely on other libraries or the inter-library program to find the books that I want and/or need for research.

Library Response: The library adds about 8,000 volumes per year and there are about 330,000 volumes in the collections. By working with the faculty liaisons in all the departments and programs, we strive to build collections in all disciplines. There will always be research libraries with vast collections and subject specialties. An active interlibrary loan service is available to supplement our core collection. A reference librarian may be able to locate additional materials here that you overlooked. We encourage anyone to submit purchase recommendations at http://www.fairfield.edu/x7866.xml to help us build the collections.

Freshmen library instruction sessions

Comment: The library things for the English classes are completely useless, I think by the time we get into college that it is understood we know how to do a research paper and look up accurate sources. That class may have helped in sophomore year of high school.

Library Response: Our freshmen research instruction program is designed to orient students to our library's particular collection and services, including databases not available on the high school level. The class of 2009 hails from 29 states and 9 countries and freshmen students come to the University with varying levels of research ability. We try to make the classes more relevant to students by tailoring the classes to students' own research topics. Your comment reminds us how important it is to tailor each research session as much as possible to the individual student. Post-class assessment statistics indicate that well over 90% rate the freshman research sessions as Good or Excellent.

Journal holdings in the library catalog

Comment: I have always found the library staff and services to be excellent at Fairfield. The one difficulty I have had was in finding the information in the journal locator to let me know whether journal articles were to be found in the bound section, the microfiche or microfilm sections. I didn't find that to be very clear.

Library Response: This is a problem that is actively being worked on. When we migrated to our current integrated automated system, the journal records came across in an unusual fashion. To correct this a staff member has to manually check each of the 1,800 journal records and correct the entries. As you can imagine, this takes time but it is being worked on daily and we look forward to its completion.

Online sign-up for group study rooms

Comment: Possibly an online sign up for the study rooms could be useful for students who want to reserve a room.

Library Response: Yes, we would like that too and have investigated how to do this. If possible, this will be available in the fall.

Microfiche machines

Comment: The one consistent problem I have at the library is with the microfiche machines. There are still many articles that I need to access for research that are on microfiche and the machines are constantly breaking. The printers don't work properly- they spit out several pieces of paper at once printing half of an article on one page and the other half on a separate page. The printers jam frequently. It is very frustrating to try and get the articles to print properly. I have had this problem every time I've used the microfiche machines this year.

Library Response: The equipment was serviced earlier this semester and we can have it looked at again. When you are having difficulty, please let a staff member know so that we can get it fixed promptly. There’s a sign on the service desk in that area to let you know where staff is located.

Grad Ed research requirements

Comment: I would like to see more research requirements in Graduate Education and perhaps a library research course for grad ed students (especially those of us who are older and haven't had much experience in researching in the 21st century.

Library Response: Your comment will be shared with the Acting Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions. We can bring to his attention, and to that of the individual professors, the library’s Instruction program. In the meantime, you may wish to use the library’s Ask a Librarian service and in particular the Research by Appointment service to schedule help at a time convenient to you. http://fairfield.edu/askalibrarian.xml

Map of the Library

Comment: As a grad student, I am not familiar with the layout of the library so it would nice to have a map inside the front foyer explaining what rooms are where.

Library Response: There is a brochure with a floor plans available at the reference and circulation desks. We can look into creating a larger image to place in the foyer or elsewhere.

Status of interlibrary loan requests

Comment: The interlibrary loan request online is somewhat unreliable. I have still not received any word on two articles I ordered two weeks ago.

Library Response: We have purchased a new software that will be implemented in fall 2006 that will allow patrons to check the status of their requests online.

In the meantime, please make sure to contact the Interlibrary Services department if you're concerned about the status of articles or books that you requested. You can reach the department by phone at x2135 or by email at ils@mail.fairfield.edu.

Customer service

Comment: The treatment that I have received by the students is fine; they are willing to help the students. However, some of the library staff members are RUDE. I was unable to find a book and asked one of the work study students if the book was behind the desk. The work study student then proceeded to ask her supervisor. The woman informed her that she should not look for books because it is the students' responsibilty. I thought the staff was there to help the students when needed. Besides I tried to look for the book and was unable to find. The staff member should not have assumed that I was just passing off work on the work study students.

Library Response: The staff is here to help and I regret that you had an unpleasant experience. This comment was shared with all adult supervisors and the department supervisor was asked to provide additional customer service training. While there are 2 computers available at the desk so that reserve collection users can look up their requests, staff can assist if you are having difficulty with this. Also, the reference librarians who are located near the Information Commons can assist with locating books. It often happens that someone is looking for an item and they do not have the full information so a search requires some additional expertise.

Evening workshops

Comment: wonderful library; I love the fact that students can access materials from a remote location. It would be great if you offered more workshops in the evening (after 7:00 pm) for those graduate students that work in NYC.

Library Response: Evening workshops have been offered in the past but the attendance was minimal. It is something that staff would like to offer again. Many are finding the Reference by Appointment service helpful and the hours flexible. Appointments can be made by phone, 254-4000 x2587, or online at http://fairfield.edu/x7860.xml.

Tags for journals

Comment: I believe that the library is on the whole doing a great job, although I did occasionally have issues with the cataloging of some journals as the tags were misleading.

Library Response: I am not clear what you refer to. Can you provide additional information? We welcome comments and feedback at anytime. Please visit our Comments & Feedback page: http://www.fairfield.edu/x7856.xml.

Printing and photocopy services

Comment: I think printing should be free.We should be able to use our allotted 20 dollars to make copies in the copy room.

Library Response: When printing was free, the library and the labs experienced uncontrollable costs for paper and toner. On any given day, one would find several reams of paper beside the printers for print jobs that were not picked up or immediately discarded for trash. An intermediate step was tried of making people aware of the number of pages they were printing in each job before the print button was pushed but it really didn’t help. Universities around the country have installed print management systems as well as many public libraries. The funds that would have been spent on excess print jobs were spent to provide a scanner and additional computers in the Information Commons and new printers and computers were installed in several of the labs.

The copy credit was provided to ease the transition from free computer printing to a print management system. The photocopy service was always a fee-based service.

Reserve material loan periods

Comment: The library does not do a good job informing students about its overnight policy. They should tell students that the material has to be returned by 10am the next day. In addition, I think that policy should be changed. Overnight books on reserve should be returned in the afternoon.

Library Response: When a faculty member places an item on reserve, he/she selects the access for that item. Overnight reserve with a 10 a.m. due date allows one to take the item out when the library is closed and it can’t be used by anyone in-house. If the time due was changed to the afternoon, that would mean that the item was available to others in the class fewer hours each day. It is helpful for circulation staff to remind borrowers about the due date, and staff will try harder to regularly do so. You may also refer to the Loan Policies sign on the checkout counter or online at http://www.fairfield.edu/x13766.xml#borrowing.

Help with printers

Comment: The printers are oftentimes jammed or out of ink/paper, and don't get serviced for a few hours, which is a problem when I go to print an assignment out right before class.

Library Response: For assistance with the printers or computers at the Information Commons, someone at the reference desk can help you. The computers & printers in Lab 250 & Lab 115 are maintained by Computing & Network Services. Please use the campus phone & dial x4069 for assistance.

More computers needed

Comment: I find the Fairfield library to be an excellent resource. I love the way that it is set up and I love the comfy chairs everywhere. However, the library needs more computers, especially during busier times. Also, the computer rooms oftentimes get loud, as group projects often need to be done on the computer. This makes it very hard to write a paper in that same lab. There should be a separate group of computer rooms designated as "talking rooms," for this purpose.

Library Response: Five laptops were added in November and we hope to add more this spring. It is noticed that some groups are taking them to group study rooms so that they can work together. We will add some signage in the labs reminding users that groups can check out laptops and to be used in the 10 group study rooms.

Soda bottle displays in the library

Comment: I really like the library and have always found the service to be very helpful and knowledgable. As for the recent comuncation with the soda bottles, I don't get it.

Library Response: The DataSPIKE campaign is a library marketing pilot to see if increasing awareness about selected resources in an unusual way will encourage information seekers to use unfamiliar e-resources. For more information please visit http://www.fairfield.edu/dataspike.xml.

LibQual survey design

Comment: Being in market research, this survey is poorly designed. Specifically, I have no idea what a "service level" is and the entire thing is 9 point grids.... I mean really, who does a 9 point grid?

Library Response: The LibQUAL+ FAQ provides additional information about the development of the survey. http://www.fairfield.edu/libqual.xml.

Extended library hours during exams

Comment: I would really like the library to be open longer during exam periods.

Library Response: The library extends its hours every day during the exam period. Door counter statistics and nightly counting checks during exams have not indicated that there are not enough people using the library to justify the staffing costs. The statistics are continuously monitored for possible changes needed.

Library student assistants

Comment: Sometimes the younger employees are not as able to help.

Library Response: Are you referring to the Library student assistants? If so, they are invaluable to keeping the library open 105 hours a week and work in all departments. However, they do not have the experience and professional education of the permanent staff. If they cannot satisfy your needs, please consult an adult staff member.

Coffee bar in the library

Comment: It would be nice to have some sort of snack or coffee bar in the library, I think people would use it.

Library Response: When the library first opened in 2001, there was a staffed snack bar operated by SODEXHO. It was becoming popular for its convenient sandwiches, soups and snacks. When Jazzman’s was built, the Administration (not the Library) made the decision to remove the staff and equipment and replace it with vending machines.

Online access to more resources

Comment: Overall, I am impressed with the library, its resources, and its employees. I wish that more of the journals through the databases were available online, which is a common complaint that other people seem to share, too. The information and education about how to use the library sources has been helpful and memorable.

Library Response: Usage statistics of the databases and e-journals support the popularity of these resources and the library strives to purchase more and more in that format. Unfortunately, not all journals are available in electronic format. In some cases e-journals are “bundled” and to get a title you have to purchase a package of titles to which you don’t want to devote precious funds. Journal review is continuous as is the selection of new database titles.

Printers in the cafe?

Comment: Maybe put a printer in the 24 hr cafe, because there are desktops there.

Library Response: The 4 computers in the café are designed for quick access like checking e-mail or a quick web site—hence the counter height. There are 60 computers in the 2 computer labs and 36 in the Information Commons that are connected to printers.

DataSPIKE

Comment: I resent the fact that DataSPIKE is only for business students and the library created this progam specifically for business students but there is not a comparable program for students in other disciplines.

Library Response: The DataSPIKE campaign is a pilot and in a research study you need to work with a defined group. We engaged in the pilot with the expectation that what we learn here can be transferred to develop programs for other disciplines.

Study rooms

Comment: The library needs more study rooms. There are plenty available during slow times of the year but when mid-terms and finals come around sometimes you can't even get a room for the night. Consequently in the main study area of the library it tends to be fairly loud when it is crowded.

Library Response: The library has 10 study rooms and will recover the 11th when the Kress Collection finds a permanent home elsewhere on campus. It is hard to balance the needs of all students and ascertain the magic number of group rooms while not taking away spaces other enjoy or are needed for collections. Noise can be a problem with an open stair and fairly open floor plan. The library serves an adult population and we count on its users to be considerate of each other.

Database functionality

Comment: I am generally satisfied with the library itself (location, materials) and the staff. My main issue with the library surrounds the web... it would be nice if navigation were a bit easier (not initially, once in the databases, for example) and if more documents were offered in full text. Oftentimes I cannot access library pages once I am in.

Library Response: Each database vendor develops its own searching protocols and they are not always intuitive. Staff is here to help and the Ask a Librarian service can help with this at http://www.fairfield.edu/askalibrarian.xml. Currently under development is a product called Central Search that will search across multiple databases with a single search statement. This is a very slick application and we are actively working with the Central Search database provider to get this product fully functional so we can introduce it to the campus as soon as possible. You may want to open another browser so that you can keep your database search and also refer to library pages.

Electronic journals

Comment: I've always received wonderful, knowledgeable service from all Library staff members. The building is beautiful and I feel privileged to explore its contents. My only real observation is with the electronic journals. The new databases are pretty good, the school is probably paying a fortune in subscriptions, but sometimes the article desired is only available as an abstract, the actual article is not available. And the availability of articles doesn't go back far enough in time on many occasions.

Library Response: The individual database providers negotiate with the journal publishers to provide the full text titles. Some journals are only available in abstract form. As much as we would love to offer electronic access to the hundreds of thousands of journals being published, the costs would be unrealistic. We will pursue acquiring access to as many as possible and reallocating existing funds when possible. At the same time improvements are being made to speed delivery via interlibrary loans and we will continue to provide this service for titles to which we don’t have access. For more information about interlibrary loan, visit: http://www.fairfield.edu/x7931.xml.

Longer borrowing privileges for books

Comment: I'd like to be able to take out books for a longer period of time, for instance if I'd like to borrow a book for a semester of class because it helps me with my current class, instead of having to return it or renew it before my class ends.

Library response: With a collection our size, 330,000 volumes, we don’t purchase duplicate copies so if one person were to keep a title for the entire semester it would make it difficult for others with similar subject needs. We added several e-book collections so that may help with some availability issues as books can only be “checked out” for 4 hours at a time.

Need more help with the databases

Comment: I did have a brief 1 hour session at the beginning of the fall semester, but because I am not familiar with the different search engines, etc. it might be helpful to have more time. I also need to do the on-line tutorials you now have available - I just have to find the time. Thank you for a wonderful resource!

Library Response: The Ask a Librarian service may be just the ticket. Help is available 24/7 by professional librarians. http://fairfield.edu/askalibrarian.xml

Libary catalog

Comment: The online catalog does not allow Subject (LOC) categories to be investigated by their general subjects and by sub-category, thus making it difficult to find material in a underlying sub-field (the keyword-search feature doesn't bring up all the related books). A major improvement would be to have the LOC subject list come up on the screen with its sub-categories also listed.. Many college libraries have catalogs that allow this.

Library Response: Our previous integrated library automation system did have the sub-category feature and we also miss it. Sirsi, our current vendor was queried about this but, unfortunately, Sirsi’s software does not offer that feature. We can continue to press for this though Sirsi’s user group enhancement process.

Recalling books

Comment: The library fails to inform students about the book RECALL option.

Library Response: The Recall feature is noted on our website at http://fairfield.edu/x13766.xml#borrowing, but we will pursue ways to make that more visible both online and at the Circulation Desk.

Network response time

Comment: The services that you offer are phenomenal, the campus network and portal that is the conduit of such services really leaves alot to be desired. The response times are horrifically slow.

Library Response: Your suggestion will be conveyed to Computing & Network Services and to Administrative Computing. They are responsible for the network and the portal.

Online tutorials

Comment: If students and librarians work together to develop an online introduction "database wizard" that demonstrated how and why students can take advantage of the resources the library has to offer.

Library Response: Several tutorials are offered on the library’s website that may fit the bill at http://fairfield.edu/x7990.xml. If not, please contact us through Comments & Feedback, and we can explore your ideas with you further. Library staff welcome opportunities to collaborate with students and faculty.

Library instruction for honors classes

Comment: I would like for the honors classes to come to the library and learn how to use all the materials and databases.

Library Response: The EN11 and 12 students routinely come to the library but we realize that honors students are not in those classes. Some of the upper level classes come but we would like to offer instruction to honors students much earlier in their careers here. We will contact the faculty who coordinate the honors program and develop some offerings.

More popular reading

Comment: I would like a free reading section with the New York Times bestsellers in the front of the library where I can easily access them (not using call numbers) and view them. A list of recommendations from the librarians for free reading would also be helpful as well as "employee picks."

Library Response: The library’s primary mission is to support the curricula and we are fortunate to have an excellent public library less than a mile away that provides popular reading and borrowing privileges to our students. Several of the titles we do purchase appear in the NYT but often they are non-fiction titles. New books are added daily to the New Book display located behind the grand stair. We recently noted student interest in popular reading and library staff are considering adding a collection if funding can be found or reallocated.

Need help with all of your resources

Comment: great place to study (and i use it a ton!)... could use help in better, easier to use/find resources.

Library Response: Please visit "Ask a Librarian": http://www.fairfield.edu/askalibrarian.xml A reference librarian will set up a personal appointment with you and answer any questions that you may have.

Interlibrary loan & customer service

Comment: The Interlibrary loan service being broken for months greatly inhibited my research. A librarian I spoke with about this problem treated me in a rude and unprofessional manner by telling me that the website worked for him and he "didn't know what else to tell me."

Library Response: The Interlibrary loan server was down for a week and we apologize for this inconvenience. We also apologize that you were treated in a rude manner. In the future, do not hesitate to ask for a supervisor. Or visit our online "Comments & Feedback" form.

Fax machine availability

Comment: In need of a fax machine; no fax machine available to students if needed. This would be great service for students needing to send documents to jobs, school, etc.

Library Response: The Library can explore the equipment and costs for implementing a public FAX service. Thank you for letting us know of this need.

StagPrint dollars

Comment: The library is the only place I can study and actually be productive. It is conducive for every type of student because there are a variety of different study enviroments throughout the building. The only problem that I find business majors have a problem with is the twenty dollar print dollars. We are constantly printing annual reports and research material so it was a lot easier when we had unlimited printing dollars. Overall I have been extremely happy with the library at Fairfield U. and hope it stays as good as it is now.

Library Response: When the StagPrint service was initiated, research was conducted to ascertain allocations at campuses around the country and the 200 copy credit for full-time students was at the top of the range. For the fall semester 2005, of the 3329 undergraduates that received copy credits only 390 or 12% used up their allocation.

Library location and parking

Comment: I wish the library was in a better location and the parking near the library is awful...no student wants to walk to the library in 30 degree weather.

Library Response: In years past when there were fewer cars on campus, the lot directly behind the library was available for library parking. With so many students owning cars and living in Kostka/Claver, the lot was designated a dorm lot and is generally full. Library staff generally park near the SON or in the lot at the back side of the Quick.

Noise at the library

Comment: The library could do a better job at keeping it quiet whether it is the librarians or the students. The library isn't a social lounge.

Library Response: Noise does carry in the open floor layout and up the grand stair. All staff and department heads were apprised of the comments about the noise level and asked to be much more considerate. There is a certain amount of noise necessary to conduct business at the reference and circulation/media desks and we’ll do our best to tone it down overall.

Databases timing out

Comment: It's just difficult to access the library pages in your room because the stagweb logs you out after 1/2 hour of use..and then you have to find what you were looking at all over again.

Library Response: Thank you so much for your comment. We were able to fix this. Our web development librarian set the library databases link so that it opens in a new window. StagWeb is set by default for a 30 minute timeout. So by opening the databases link in a window that is independent from StagWeb, the timeout will not be a factor anymore.

Temperature of the building

Comment: It's always so cold!

Library Response: The University’s Energy Management department sets the temperature range in the library at 68-72 degrees in winter. If there is a particular location that is cold, please let us know and that information will be sent to Energy Management with a request to check the readings in that area for possible adjustment. You can use this online form to send the information: http://fairfield.edu/x7856.xml .

Extended hours

Comment: We need longer hours. I love the library and use it all the time, I just wish we had longer hours.

Library Response: The library is open 105 hours per week and the computer lab and café/study space is open 24/7. At exams the hours are extended. A survey of other academic libraries in Connecticut indicates that there are only 1 or 2 other libraries with longer hours.

Abstracts through Interlibrary Loan

Comment: The abstracts through the interlibrary loan exchanges are useless.

Library Response: The materials come in as they are requested. Sometimes requestors are unaware that the citation they are requesting is for an abstract and not for a full article. For example, Dissertation Abstracts is an abstracting service and only provides abstracts. The citations refer to often lengthy doctoral dissertations that can be purchased in their entirety from a document service. If you have any questions about the citation you request, you can check with a reference librarian to be sure that you are requesting a full text article.

Recommending materials for the library collection

Comment: I think the breadth of materials the library provides is wonderful...although I think your music CD catalogue could do with some revision/updating.

Library Response: The library welcomes recommendations for the collections. An online form is available at http://www.fairfield.edu/x7866.xml. You may also want to periodically check the New Acquisitions section in the online catalog.

Problems accessing electronic services

Comment: Electronic services are often not working.

Library Response: On occasion there are campus network problems, server problems or access problems with a specific database vendor. If you contact the library when you have a problem, it can be addressed immediately. The Ask a Librarian service would be a reliable way to let us know. Please visit http://www.fairfield.edu/askalibrarian.xml.

Help with database searching & electronic reserves

Comment: I need help finding ways to learn how to better use such tools as electronic reserves and complicated research searches. I am only moderately computer literate, have many off-campus commitments that make time an issue for me. I am often not free for group workshops, and would love to get more individual help for a) finding materials on-line; b) using electronic means to get materials to students.

Library Response: With so many new sources available, it is difficult to keep up. Many library users are taking advantage of the Reference by Appointment service. Help is available by telephone for those unable to come in. For details please visit http://www.fairfield.edu/askalibrarian.xml.

For help with electronic reserves, please visit http://eres.fairfield.edu/eres/default.aspx or contact Elise Bochinski at 203.254.4000 ext. 2892.