Western Libraries' Comments Page

Suggestion: I don't understand why we're printing paper receipts with every last library transaction. This is an extravagant waste of paper and plastic (for the spindles.) With immediate, unlimited digital access to library records, we need to learn to end our reliance on paper reminders. The UW library system, at least in my experience, does not print receipts for book checkouts, so it must be logistically feasible. I also know that there is nothing about the library software which requires printing.

Perhaps we could start by not printing receipts for laptop checkouts. If an individual checks out a laptop, then they necessarily are able to use the internet to find out when their laptop is due.

My suggestion is that we stop printing receipts for laptops entirely, and gradually start making paper receipts available only on request.

Our Response: Thanks for these helpful suggestions. I checked with the Head of Circulation and she informed me that we spend very little money annually for receipt tape for all desks. She also added that the receipt policy allows us to ensure all patrons receive notification of when their materials are due.

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 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: Talk to professors and pick up the films they use for their classes. I took my senior seminar in Horror Films and couldn't get any of the required films from the library. One would assume you'd have every film needed for film studies. Right now I'm taking a 400 level course in Silent Films and only 1 of the films is available from the library. It is very frustrating and I hope students will have more materials available in the future. These movies are available outside of campus, but it would be nice to have them more readily available

Our Response: Thanks for the comment. I will pass your suggestion on to the librarian(s) responsible for purchasing films. While it is difficult to collect every resource used in every class, we do our best to work with professors and within budget constraints to support the curriculum.

Suggestion: I'm unable to log into my library record. Last year I tried to make an issue of it with the circulation desk, ATUS and finally gave up. are other people able to log into their library record? can you help me?

Our Response: The most common problem with accessing your library record is putting in the wrong PIN. It should be the first 6 numbers of your SSN - unless you changed it. It is what you use for Web4U for class registration.

One important thing to note is this: The system can only accept a 6 digit PIN number. There have been instances where someone put in more than 6 because Web4U actually allows more than 6 characters - even though the system is only using the first 6.

For questions about PINs in general see the PIN FAQ

A couple of tests you can do to troubleshoot this problem.

• Try to login to Web 4U
• Make sure you are only typing in 6 characters when entering your PIN