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 just accessed my circulation record to check the due date on a Summit item. (The due date was not written on the Summit label affixed to the book.) In the past, Summit books were identified by author and title (as books from Wilson Library are), but now they are not but rather only by cryptic request numbers. I was able to figure out which of the several Summit books checked out to me was the one in question, but not as simply as I'd have liked. Can this be fixed? "Day 29" is not easily translated into an obvious book title.
Also, on the new Summit interface, there is no "Return to Home Library" button. I end up having to hit the back button on the browser repeatedly when I want to return to searching our library. Would it be possible to fix this or to have the Summit page automatically open in a new tab?

Our Response: Thanks for your comments about the new Summit interface. I forwarded your email to Bob Thomas, our contact person for the migration, and I am including his response below. The gist of it is they are making improvements all the time and the problems you point out are definitely on their radar. In response to your point about using the back button and the lack of a "return home" option, I will be looking at forcing Summit searches to open in a new window.

Here is Bob's response:

On the lack of title information for Summit items in the My Account area, this will be fixed by an upgrade planned for installation sometime in the next few weeks (no specific date yet). Until then, you can ask at the circ desk, or give them a call, and they can figure out the due date for each Summit item you have out.

On the lack of a 'return to WWU Library' button, the new Summit system does not 'know' that you're associated with WWU (except when you're actually in the process of requesting an item). We're looking at possibly merging the WWU Library interface and the Summit interface into a single system. If we decide to go that route, this won't be a problem (we're waiting for the results of some formal usability tests we're conducting with actual WWU faculty & students). If we decide not to merge the two systems, we will certainly look at forcing Summit to open in a separate window.

Bob

Suggestion: I think it should be okay for laptops to include sound. The stationary computers let students to plug in a headphone, why not a laptop?

Our Response: The speakers on the PCs have been disconnected. On these systems it is easy to do, leaving ONLY the headphone jack available for sound.

Enabling sound on the laptops means that the internal speakers on the laptop will produce sound when there are no headphones plugged in. Since these laptops can easily be transported into a quiet area, this isn't really a good idea if the library wishes to remain respectful of the individuals who desire to use those areas for quiet study.

Thanks for your comments.

Suggestion: I absolutely LOVE the fact that I can send book call numbers to my phone as a text message!!! Awesome!!

Our Response: We'll thank you! We love it too.

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.