14 Days To Have Your Say! The Summary

What has the library staff been up to over the summer? We took your comments from the 14 Days To Have Your Say blog and have taken some significant steps to address the concerns raised and ideas floated.

And there will be more to come. All summer long we’ve been using the 14 Days blog as a touchstone for ideas and initiatives. We want you to continue to offer us comments now and in the future.

Below is a quick summary of what’s been acted on and addressed so far. So many of the ideas and comments posted to the 14 Days blog covered the same issues we are using this summary page to bring you up to date on much of what was posted. We have also been trying to answer individual blog postings that don’t quite fall into these generalized areas. You can check the 14 Days blog itself for those library responses.

Take a look below to see what your suggestions have resulted in so far:

Noise	Library Hours	Group Study Rooms
Collaboration & Presentation Hardware	Wilson 4 Central Reading Room (AKA Harry Potter Room)	Funky Orange Couches & Chairs
Recycling	South Campus Book Drop	Videos
Laptop Fines	Laptop Loan Period	Recreational Reading
Periodical Check-out	Cooperation With Public Library	Scanners
Photocopiers & Print Quotas		view PDF version of this summary

Noise - Fall Quarter will see the implementation of a new Noise Management Strategy which creates designated quiet areas on Wilson 4 and in the 4 Central reading room. It also identifies designated collaborative study areas.

Library Hours - This complex issue requires further discussion so we’ve organized a public brown bag forum with the Dean of Libraries. Another opportunity to have your say about this important student issue. Join us on Wednesday, October 15th, at Noon in the Skybridge.

Group Study Rooms - In an effort to better manage the group rooms and provide better access to groups all rooms can now be reserved in advance. Rooms will be locked and key check-out will be required assuring groups are given preference.

Collaboration & Presentation Hardware - 7 group rooms have been outfitted with large screen LCD monitors and interactive whiteboards.

Wilson 4 Central Reading Room (AKA Harry Potter Room) - Yes, it’s back and it’s quiet! Repairs to damaged plaster have been made and we expect to have the room open after the paint dries. Which, if not the first day of Fall Quarter will be very soon after.

Funky Orange Couches & Chairs - Over the summer all of the nasty orange upholstered furniture was sent off for refurbishing. Ah, comfort without the ewww!

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Recycling - The library is committed to implementing a complex-wide recycling program this year. We are working with appropriate campus agencies on this.

South Campus Book Drop - A south campus book return box has been placed outside the main entrance area of Arntzen Hall. We are still exploring locations to place a "drive-up" return box.

Videos -

Video loan period has been extended to 7 days.
The Media Desk staff have stepped up inspection of DVDs for your viewing enjoyment.
Our very cool new Dean has identified a chunk of money to purchase videos selected by and for students!

Laptop Fines - Over the summer we worked with the New AS Board to review laptop policies - in particular fines. After considerable discussion and research done by the board members they recommended unanimously to maintain the current fine structure ($10 per hour or portion of an hour). Additionally they recommended a maximum laptop fine of $100 which we have now implemented.

Laptop Loan Period - Per the above discussion most laptops will continue to circulate for 2 hours with no renewal possible. We do, however, expect to have a pool of older units available for extended checkout beginning sometime Fall Quarter.

Recreational Reading - The library has formed a task group to investigate better ways to highlight new books (fiction and non-fiction) and periodicals in a easy to browse, easy to find collection. We are also committed to raising awareness about our vast collection of all kinds of literature and making it more accessible.

Periodical Check-out - After the Spring Quarter pilot program we have adopted periodical check-out for students and faculty as a regular service.

Cooperation With Public Library - We have initiated discussions with the Bellingham Public Library to explore ways in which working together can better serve the university community and the citizens of Bellingham. More to come on this as the year goes on.

Scanners - The library is investigating the feasibility of setting up scanners near library service points. More to come on this as the year goes on.

Photocopiers & Print Quotas - Photocopiers and the management of student print quotas are not functions of the library. These are managed by Copier Support Services and the ATUS Help Desk respectively.

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Summary by:
Frank Haulgren
14 Days Coordinator

See more responses from the library on the 14 Days blog.