Submitted by horgena on May 13, 2008 - 7:45pm
1. It's time to phase out the outdated and difficult to use microform materials. Can these be digitized so that they display in the same format as the original but are also searchable? Also, microfilm printers should be free like all the others.
2. Copiers should be free- maybe tied to the same quota system as printers. It's frustrating to spend 10 cents on a bad copy.
3. Even if being open 24 hours isn't feasible, the Wilson wing should be open as late as the Haggard wing.
4. Library seating should be comfortable, but please don't try to make a cafe-type atmosphere. Go for a shut-the-hell-up-and-study atmosphere.
5. Along the same lines, can the oldest, grumpiest librarian roam around and shush people?
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SUGGESTIONS - Library Responds, Sept 2008
1, 2, 3 here we go...
1) You are right. Much of what was on microfilm is now available digitally. Bad news is that vendors won't swap you microfilm for digital access. Rather publishers charge very high fees for digital access. It's sort of like buying all your CDs again as MP3s or all your DVDs again as Blue Ray. Additionally there are significant copyright hurdles and legal issues that limit what we could digitize ourselves - IF we had the appropriate equipment to convert microform into bits & bites. The 10 cent per print paid for microform copies buys the toner and paper.
2) Photocopiers are not managed by the library. You'll want to take this idea to Copier Services.
3) We are sponsoring a Brown Bag Lunch With the Dean in October to discuss library hours. Watch for it in the Skybridge at noon on the 15th.
4) We had a significant number of chairs and couches reupholstered over the summer!
5) We are implementing a new noise management plan Fall Quarter, expect to have the 4 Central reading room open again and will be keeping group study rooms primarily for groups (not individual studiers) which should address much of the noise problem.
Next?
Frank Haulgren
14 Days Coordinator
Copy quota
I agree that it would be nice if the copy machines were on a quota system like the printers are.
Microforms
Having personally relabeled nearly every one of these myself as a student employee, I would say that you should take the time to learn how to access them. They are a great resource and not very difficult to use. The time and money it would take for the Library facility to digitally duplicate these materials would vastly effect alternative funding.
Too many people come into the library expecting everything to be online, that's why we have an actual, physical library. It's full of abundant and useful resources that many have yet to explore. Just a thought...