Western Libraries' Comments Page

Suggestion: I was just reading Western's email about the flu update and would like to make a suggestion about the computer areas in the library to promote the health of computer users. I have realized that mouse and keyboard are areas especially susceptible to the cultivation of germs and harmful bacteria. I know I don't remember to wash my hands every time after using a public computer, and neither do a lot of other people. What if some form of hand sanitizer was available around these areas, like clipped to the side of a cubicle? If not actual hand sanitizer (I realize it would cost money to keep refilling), then posters in the cubicles would be nice. I think it would be a better reminder for people and it might help cut the spread of germs that cause the cold or the flu.

Our Response: Thank you for your comments. Hand sanitizer is already available in the area around the reference computers and we'll have wipes there as well. We'll also be getting some posters from the campus regarding good hygiene which we'll put up in a few areas of the library.

Chris Cox
Dean of Libraries

H1N1 Flu Information

Suggestion: I was just sitting in the current periodicals section of the library reading a current edition of one of our many periodicals, when I overheard a conversation between three people (presumable library staff and a consultant) about possible renovations/changes that the library is considering. I did not want to interrupt the conversation, but I would like to comment on what I heard.
While I agree that the current periodical section is not a hip hangout, I am leery of what one of the gentlemen suggested as a "bookstore" feel with a news ticker/screen. We have a multitude of areas both on campus and very nearby that have this same feel (from coffee shops to bookstores). That is not what a library is about. I love going into that area to read the current periodicals. They cannot be taken out of the library, but if a news ticker is running or people feel that it's fine to talk loudly, that quiet reading space is gone. People will then have to take the periodicals elsewhere in the library. Why not just have a space for reading periodicals in peace?
I don't know what else the library has planned, but I hope the library staff is considering student opinion as they make changes. What the staff believes students want may not reflect students' actual wants and needs. Thanks for taking the time to read my comment and for working to improve the Western library.

Our Response: The following is a response from Chris Cox, Dean of Libraries.

Thanks so much for your comment concerning the periodicals reading room. The library is always interested in student feedback. In fact, the ideas we were batting around were the result from comments on the “14 Days to Have Your Say” blog last year, where students asked for more leisure reading and informal spaces. We also just recently asked an Anthropology class to conduct focus groups where they offered their ideas about future renovations of library space. The ideas that were pitched are just one way to go, and truthfully there is no way we’ll ever satisfy all students in any of the decisions we make concerning library space. However, our ultimate goal is to offer a variety of study spaces so students like you can find that quiet space to curl up with a periodical as well as a more interactive, collaborative space when you need it to compete a group project.

Chris Cox
Dean of Libraries
Western Washington University

Suggestion: Hi I just came into the library to try to print off my paper for class and I wanted to let you know that a total of ten students were using the computers by the skybridge for Facebook. Thats 1/4 of those computers being used for non school related work. thats 1/4 of those computers blocking students like me looking for one to use for school work. That makes me late for class because I have to search the entire library for a computer to work on. Out of the fifteen students with me here in the lab 5 are using the computers for Facebook. when are you going to start cracking down on this? There is no reason students should be using campus computers for personal time. Many of these students have nothing better to do so they take up computers surfing the internet. This is unacceptable! Do something!

Our Response: I forwarded your comments to the Head of Reference and he said that "although it is difficult to monitor individual computer activity, they will be trying out some ways to help ensure that the computers are primarily used for school-related activities."

If you have further questions about this please contact Rick Osen at rick.osen@wwu.edu. Rick is the current Head of Instruction and Research Services.

Suggestion: I am a senoir here at wwu and throughout my entire education here I have had one problem: STUDENTS USING LIBRARY COMPUTERS FOR PERSONAL USE SUCH AS FACEBOOK MYSPACE AND YOUTUBE. This is not okay. Whenever I have school work to do between classes and when I need to quickly print something out I have to search the whole library for a free computer while other students are wasting time and needed computers on Facebook. Why are these sites not blocked or why haven't the library staff been enforcing the rules? These sites have nothing to do with our education here and are hindering my studying and school work. I have talked with other students who have had the same complaints. I have to take the 12:20 bus instead of the 12:40 so I have time to search or wait for a computer when I would have plenty of time to print something off if people weren't taking up computers on Facebook. I have to do this now because I have been late to class numerous times while waiting for s!
omeone to finish looking at pictures of a party on Facebook so I can print my class work. School computers are for school work, there is no good reason why students need to check their Facebook between classes, home computers are for home use such as wasting time and surfing the internet. This problem happens to me EVERYDAY when I'm in the library. PLEASE pay attention, and stop students who are hogging the computers for internet surfing, so us students who need to do school work can use the school computers.

Our Response: Please see this response from November 21, 2008.

Suggestion: Everyday I come into the library to print things off because I do not have a printer. And everyday I have trouble finding a computer to do this because everyone is on Facebook or Myspace. I always have to use one of the labs because the computers near the sky bridge are full and the others behind the desk are also full, sometimes with as many as ten computers being used to look at Facebook. This is UNACCEPTABLE. I have been late to class numerous times because I have to wait for a computer, while other people are surfing You Tube or on Facebook. These sites have nothing to do with school and the people who surf these sites on school computers are blocking other students from doing school related work. Home computers are for home things, like wasting time on the internet. School computers are there for SCHOOL work. You don't see me checking my Facebook on campus, I do that at home. The little signs you've posted are NOT working, this happens to me EVERYDAY five days a week. You need to BLOCK these sites because the use of them is affecting my education. I do not pay thousands of dollars a quarter to stand and wait for someone to stop Facebooking so I can print something off for class. I am very dissapointed.

Our Response: I am sorry you are so frustrated. My suggestion is to visit the Reference and Information Desk on Haggard 2. If all computers are in use and other students are waiting, you can ask them to make an announcement stating the computers are to be used for research and school related purposes. The staff at the desk can also tell you where there are current open computers.

Blocking sites is not something we as a library feel we can really do. As the nature of web use continues to evolve, especially in the area of social computing, the lines between personal use and research become blurred. For example, we know students multitask and use personal email as a way to move research related documents between computers and accounts. We also know YouTube videos can be used in research and there are more and more Facebook applications being created all the time. I'm not saying this is what you are seeing, I am just pointing out some reasons why we can't block these sites.

I sincerely hope this helps. If not, please feel free to contact the library administration office for further assistance. Also, please leave your contact information when submitting a post if you would like us to get back to you.