"I just wasted 1/2 an hour and lost 3 copy card runs due to a temperamental copier (microfiche viewer printer # ) although the monetary loss was minimal, the time loss was not. This was a frustrating and time consuming encounter at the very least. Students should have some sort of recourse for money lost due to faulty copiers. (This is my only complaint + I think the librarians & student workers do an excellent job) :-)
We are very sorry that you encountered problems working with a microfiche reader/printer. We will check on all our equipment and be sure that everything is in working order. The Microforms Area has variety of equipment, and machines accept either copy cards or coin payments for printing. It is true that we cannot refund charges for unsatisfactory printouts; however, there is almost always something that we can do to improve print quality and to be sure that patrons can print the information they need. Microform assistance, including printing help, is available all hours that the library is open. We are always here to help.
"I realize that after 10 pm students have to swipe their cards to get into the library. I don't have a problem with the procedure, I have a problem with the swiping mechanism. It has denied many students, including myself twice. I am in good standing with the University. Check East Side swiping mechanism please. Thank You."
Usually if the card reader system is functioning for most students entering but denying only a few, it is because there is a problem with the ID card itself (cards wear down over time). If the reader is denying "all students" then it means the reader is malfunctioning and should be reported to Circulation staff for follow-up. Please note what kind of message you receive when swiping your card. Then take your card to the PONY Express office and request a new card at no additional expense.
"The system for requesting items in storage would be improved if you would allow PONI printouts to be used rather than filling out a request card with the same or less information."
Since networked library printers charge 10 cents a page, library users might not want to spend the money for a printout. Staff will investigate placing the form on the webpage, but if you wish to print it out within the library, it would still cost you a dime - although it would save you the trouble of having to fill out a form.
Library staff will be investigating a method for a web-based form to request stored items or materials with restricted access. If a request could be generated from the PONI record, users could submit their request from wherever they are to have the item pulled and waiting for them.
"There are always so many people lined up at 1 pm on Sundays to get into the library. But on Saturdays the library opens at 9 am. Who goes to libraries on Saturday morning? Everyone procrastinates and waits til Sunday. I think the library should open earlier on Sundays."
In order to give student workers and library staff the opportunity to attend religious services on Sunday morning, the library opens at 1pm.
"the library stays open too late should close at 10:00 pm Mon - Thurs close at 5:00 on Friday."
"You should stay open 24 hours and serve coffee (not even free)."
I guess you can't please all of the people all of the time. But we are trying to please most of the people most of the time. A library committee is presently investigating service hours. Stay tuned for further information regarding library hours.
" We need a bigger stapler"
We are ordering a high capacity stapler (up to 110 sheets) for public use to make available near the printers in the Information Commons @ Fondren Library Center. In the meantime, the Interlibrary Loan office near the Reference Desk in the Information Commons area has a high capacity stapler that the public may use during business hours, Monday through Friday. Please ask at the Reference Desk for assistance.
" I am an adjunct Professor. Last week, I needed help and my student and I were directed to the Reference Office. I was very embarassed [sic] to take my student in there. The place is a mess. And it can be seen through the glass wall. Can something be done to clean up the pigsty?"
We regret that you came to our office and found it something of a mess. At the risk of being flippant, we know of studies showing that people whose offices appear messy are often the most creative and productive in an organization. Those with neat offices often spend their time neatening them up rather than contributing to the organization.
The reference office is a workroom as well an office. Often, it is the only place in the library to store equipment and materials used on the entire first floor of Fondren Library East. We do organize our spaces, and we will try to be more diligent in the future. If you need to consult us, please feel free to stop by at any time. You will find us serious and helpful, in spite of our messiness.
"Tables and chairs are too close to the internal wall at the start of the browsing collection. Either one cannot browse the books, or people studying at the tables must be disrupted."
We agree that this is a problem. In order to eliminate obstacles in front of the browsing collection, we have removed and relocated tables. However library users keep pulling tables closer to the shelves so as to plug in their laptops. Individuals need access both to the outlets and to the collection, but these goals are currently in conflict. We will continue to address this issue and find a solution that works for everyone.
Thank you for sharing your concern. We are always looking for ways to improve the experience of library users and appreciate that you have taken the time to assist us in this goal.
"Can't you post signs for no cell phone use in the library AND ENFORCE IT. I can [sic] believe that people will talk - it is a library. It is very rude, and you need to retify [sic] this inappropriate behavior."
Libraries are not the bastions of silence that some people imagine. There are a number of places where conversation is the norm - such as the first floor. In those spaces that the library has designated as quiet areas, signs are posted reminding people to switch off cell phones. Our night security guard often will ask library users to go to stairwells to hold extended phone conversations. As much as we might wish it at times, politeness and consideration for others are not enforceable. Nonetheless, most people would move to a less obtrusive place if asked nicely. Please consider taking it upon yourself to gently request that someone hold a conversation elsewhere if it is distracting you. And if you have a cell phone, please be cognizant that others may be here to study in silence.
"Need Coke Machine, Snack Machine"
Fortunately, the Hughes-Trigg Student Center is conveniently located next door to us for those times when you need to take a study break. Please keep in mind that drinks are allowed only in approved, closed-top containers and that food is not allowed in the Fondren Library Center.
"Why is it so hard to put money on my copy card? Images doesn't keep convenient hours, the copy card vending machine doesn't accept new bills. Next time I'll just bring a million dimes?"
We know that this has been a problem and have communicated this concern to SMU Printing Services. They are aware of this issue and will replace the copy card vending machine in June 2004 with a better machine that will take all denominations as well as the new bills.
"Lower the price of copies."
The price is only 9 cents per copy when you use a copy card, which can be purchased for a dollar and to which you can repeatedly add value. If you use coins, photocopiers in Fondren Library Center do cost 15 cents a copy.
"It is extremely cold in the Fondren Library, with the cold weather approaching I would advise to lower the A/C. Thank You"
"It is so cold in the library. I know it is meant to keep us alert, but it makes me want to put on a blanket at home. Please could you make it a few degrees warmer. Thank You."
"It is too cold in here to work. Please do something about it ASAP so we can be better students."
Most of us who work here feel the same way. However, it is difficult to maintain a constant temperature throughout this facility that all people find comfortable. Some areas in the library seem naturally cooler or hotter than others. The seating on the fourth floor of Fondren is next to floor to ceiling windows and is always subject to weather conditions that affect the room temperature. Other highly congested areas may actually need cooler air supplied to counter all the natural body heat from all of us. What we recommend, and do ourselves, is layering. Bring your sweater!
"Arnab & Avani are so sweet, nice, kind and helpful!! Wow...Get more workers like them!!!!"
"Raises for the student employees would really help this library"
Thanks the compliment! We value the work all the student workers do for us and could not run the library without them.
"Do something about the temp.!" "Why does the ladies room near the front always stink? It Stinks, Stinks, Stinks!" "We need a parade to celebrate all of the libraries" "Why is it sooo hard to get change or print?" "I came to the library, my research went fine, Refusing to leave, I clicked my way through the OR, "Fix the charge/printing problem!" Come back to the library We'll soon take your five "Need more suggestion box(es)" "Whomever was in Rm 303 was very rude. (Back left office) I was at the back table working on a take home MIDTERM. They were in the room talking for an hour with the door open and I found it very hard to concentrate. I was reluctant to move because I had been there and all my study materials were spread out around me. I came to study at the library for the quiet environment. This is the library and I shouldn't have to move around just to find a quiet place to study!"
"After summer class, I hope Central University Libraries would open until 10:00 pm." "Stay open 24 hours at least the day before finals" "A locater beacon for Frank Yen" "The drinking fountain near the desk is broken. Has it been reported?" "The work stations on the first floor are located just inches from the Browsing books. They should be separated." "A lot of professional students need weekends as study times. The library times are not realistic enough. We suggest extended hours for weekends for study purposes. Fri., Sat., and Sunday." "Too noisy, prefer comfortable seating, quiet computers" "Need comment cards. My main concern is that its entirely too difficult to make a copy/process a print job. I have a 3.936 GPA & it took me 10 minutes for me to figure out the process. Furthermore, the $1.00 fee for the damn copy card is beyond ridiculous - just have it where cash is all that's necessary & Pony Express would be okay too. Thanks for your time. The people were all extremely helpful but the machines - ick!" "I suggest a raise in the pay of student librarians."
"It is too cold on the 4th floor. The A/C is on constantly making it too cold to get any work done. Please lower it to a normal temperature" "Plz provide a lot of internet connections all over the library." "The speaker system in the library is really bad, to put it mildly. There is too much distortion. At places, whatever announcement is made is barely perceptible. I would strongly encourage you to look into this matter. Thank You!!" "There are no dates on the math and statistics citations in the red faculty recognition lists." "Why not have a link to the document location Map in PONI?" "It is EXTREMELY frustrating when I am trying to find a book that is reported as "not checked out" and it is nowhere to be found. If this were an occasional manner, it wouldn't be nearly as irritating, but this happens regularly! It would certainly be beneficial to my academic career if I could actually find the desired resources." "If possible, I would like to hear some classical music in the background. It helps improve test scores! :) "Is the West side of the library nonsmoking? If so, how about a place for cigarettes instead of the ground?"
"Is it possible to have power in the study rooms on the east side 2nd floor? I tried to plug my laptop but no power in any of the rooms. Thank you." "If not the library (top preference) then somewhere on campus should be open 24 hours – somewhere meaning a place that is conducive to studying." "The library is too noisy, sometimes. People having conversations without lowering their voices. Loud cell-phone conversations. Parents & kids. Everybody – Please be Quiet." "Ya'll are in serious need of art on the walls! Too Drab."
"Fix and fill soap dispenser in ladies 1st floor restroom in Fondren Library. Thanks." "Waste baskets in the lobby area." (are needed) - walk up patron. "Fix the nasty urinal in the Men's room on the 1st floor Fondren east that won't flush!!!!" "The power plugs in the study rooms in the Fondren East 2nd floor does not work." "Why is there not a top fed copier? You should at least let students go to Images to have copies made. Hold onto their ID if they leave."
"Please add greater/more functionality to computer mouse by adding ability to 'right click' so as to arrange the icons. I had trouble finding the IE icon." "We have to pay too much to go to this stupid school. Too much fees. I wonder where is the fee goes and students have to pay for every printout that they make anywhere on campus? This is rediculous. " "Can you stop using that cleaner which makes huge noise near the reading area again and again? I just can not read anything!!!" "I hate Compaqs. Gateways are so much better!" "Fix the "card reading" microfische in the microfiche area!"
" 24 hours" " (Some) SMU students don't seem to realize how lucky they are to have such an extensive library system on campus. Everything has its quirks so deal with it and quit whining about creaking doors & such. Good job library folks." "Your staff on the weekends is great! Please thank them for all of us!" "I have had trouble recently finding a place in the library free of conversation and cell phone rings. Is it possible to more effectively keep group studying confined to study rooms?" "Suggestion to install change machines in the library. If the copy card machine only accepts $1 bills for a new copy card. What if you only have larger bills? How will you purchase a card without $1 bill? Also, change is also needed, just in case copies want to get made." "Put a bike rack outside the west entrance! Please!" "Please switch off air conditioners during winter! Please install heaters if possible." "Furnish grocery bags for heavy book loads." "Please eliminate my extensive library fines." "The People who work in the front desk at night are so rude. Every time I go up there, someone's either on their cell phone or playing on the computer. They make me feel like an idiot for asking where something is." " Why don't you install new computers in SIC? Old computers usually freezes at every 5 mins. So one have to restart computers to do something." "Why can't we have proper computers in the library? The present ones are thousands years old Pentium II processors."
"The computers in this library (all except the new black ones on the first floor) always freeze. This is b/c they are left on all day and night. I know this b/c I work here and notice this problem. A suggestion I have would be to have the student employees turn off all of them before closing" "Buy a scanner (<$100.00) & hook it up to a computer. Use Adobe Acrobat to let users scan papers out of old journals to a PDF file instead of photocopy to paper. Saves Trees. UNT Library has one." "Need food cart 24 hrs a day strolling" "I am a sophomore at Highland Park High School and I think you should at least indicate where I can locate the "Q" section on your chart in the south part of the library." "Please acquire Stephen Wolfman's "A New Kind of Science." This book has cause such an excitement in the Science community. It is a must have for any library." "How about painting and sprucing up the men's bathrooms on the 1st & 4th floors of Fondren (the Women's b'rooms may be in equally dismal shape."
"There are computer data ports on the fourth floor, but they don't work. It would help a lot if they did b/c the second floor link is usually crowded." "Why doesn't the library subscribe to any psychology e journals? Also, the regular psych journal selection is very limited - the larger, popular journals are not available or have been stolen." "I used the chat w/ a Librarian today and had a very successful experience with Bill! Thanks for making my library experience a pleasant one." "One of the cubicles in the West Stacks had pornography pasted in it. This was very disturbing + maddening to me. Thought the library should know as it no doubt would not consciously allow such things. I took down, tore up & discarded the posting in one of the wastebaskets. Thank You." "Have the elevators serviced! The doors open about a foot before they reach the target floor. I know that this indicates a problem. Call any elevator service and they will confirm. None of the usual run-around. Just have it done."
"Enforce your rules about cell phone usage in the library. I come up here about three times a week and this is getting RIDICULOUS - Cell phones & people having loud casual conversations." "The last few times I've visited, I've noticed quite a few patrons with drinks that are not in non-spill containers. One person was even consuming an entire fast food meal in the journal section of the Science Library. As a frequent patron, this disturbs me as to the potential damage to library resources, but also as to the offensive nature of the odor of Chik-Fil-A as I study. The staff should be more diligent in monitoring this." "Underage students doing school research should be allowed to check books out on parents card with permission." "You need to clean the study rooms on the 2nd floor on the Science side. They have coke on the walls and are disgusting.!" "Why must they call it the 'Dead-Man' Life Sciences Building. For a College Campus doesn't that sound kind of grammaticly embarrassing??????"
" The Library is too hot! It's hard to study." "Easier copy machines" "The 'reading area' on the first floor is too noisy to be considered a reading area. I have heard library staff people talking out loud (above a whisper). Machines beeping constantly, phones ringing and business being conducted on the phone. Can you discourage/minimize unnecessary noise in this area somehow." "Get rid of this head. I find it offensive and should not be done." "The Dallas Morning News and other papers should be out for the students to read." "Looks like the books are not kept back on shelves regularly. I tried searching for 3 (not checked out) books and could not find any of them. Am going back really disappointed." "Please put a book return box near the road. Carrying tons of books across campus is not fun."
"You need copy machines that can feed copies thru all at once rather than taking hours making copies one at a time." "The lower level bathrooms are sometimes filthy. Otherwise, everything is excellent." "Paper cutter is too noisy." "On entering the 'Newspaper and Periodicals Reading Area' (on the left on entering the Library), some areas should be carpeted so that there is less distraction from footsteps of people walking in or walking out." "Too many people talk too loudly near the counter." "While I was studying on the second floor today, a student made a casual phone call on her mobile phone that lasted until I asked her, "Are you *** kidding me?" I couldn't believe that she dialed a call! Point is: it's an annoyance that can't be allowed to continue. Why can't many people realize that a library is supposed to be quiet? I only have one suggestion, but it's a weak one: more emphasis during orientation. (Do you have any better ones?) "Set ephemera computer (in DeGolyer Special Collections) so as not to get glare from outside window." "Where is the New York Times? I can't find it in the newspaper section. IT IS A MUST IN ANY SERIOUS LIBRARY!" "Update the periodicals - The Dallas Observer currently in periodicals was issued in the middle of August! It's now almost October!"
" Need some couches to lay down on to take a nap" "The water fountains in the LINK upstairs (2nd floor) have not been working for 6 months now. I have complained about it more than 7 - 8 times. NEED SOME ACTION" "The 4th floor windows desperately need to be washed." "Fabulous book selection" "I believe we could change the chairs to more comfortable chairs in the open area in second floor. Very good samples are those in Law School Library open area. Thanks." "Library needs to remain open on the weekends during interim sessions - and later at night. There are several thousand grad students on campus who do not leave during interim or vacations or on weekends or at night! Having to drive to other universities to get library materials we have here because our library is closed in unacceptable." "Some of the bookshelves are quite dirty. I think it will be a good idea to have a "clean the library" day and get some students involved - I'll be interested." "I wish the lighting was better. No florescent lights...more like Bridwell? (more natural-ish lighting)."
"Library personnel are always helpful -very quiet, respectful." "Fondren Center is a handsome link to the libraries on either side of it. A lot of money and thought has been put into the landscaped areas leading up to it but the proliferation of CIGARETTE BUTTS that litter the landscape compromise the aesthetics. Why can't TIDY or the landscape crews have it written into their contract that they pick up those unsightly buts each morning as part of their daily routine? And also, why not label the cigarette sand trays on top of the outdoor trash containers? Maybe a few of those thoughtless smokers might use them." "The flowers outside give me allergies. Please plant something else." "Have another can drive, so I can get out of over-due book fine debt." "Many students frequently check out books for research. For one reason or another due dates are missed and fines add up. For the occasional large fine or a case where a due date was missed by a long time, the library should allow students to take on a job such as shelving books and work off what they owe. When money is tight for students, the library could at least have the books back and have a service done for them." "Please update the computer system so you can renew books on line!" "I understand that this is a huge library; but I have to admit I was a little disappointed to find the shelves in such disarray. I would suggest hiring additional staff to shelve materials." "Instead of sending letters about fines and wasting postage, send e-mail 5 days in advance for reminder and day of due date." "There should be more knowledgeable librarian help after hours (9-2 am)."
"Promote my friend Brian Skarbeck!" "Have a handout at the circulation desk that has the opening and closing times of all the libraries and media centers." "Why do people put books back on the shelf in the wrong place after they use them? Why don't they let the professional library workers reshelve the books? Are they trying to hide them here in the library?" "Get people that speak English." "Please add new books to the laser, fiber optics, and communications sections. As a grad student doing research the current collection is very out-of-date with new technology." "Do not remove books when they say 'please do not remove' on them! I think some workers do this on purpose & it's very irritating. It's not funny at all!" "Graduate students should not have a limit to the books they can check out! When working on various research projects it is very inconvenient to be unable to access the materials because you have a limit of 30 books." "Put instructions on the printers/copiers!!" "The library needs to be able to make change for use with the copy card vending machine. Should have ones to break $5, $10, and $20s." "Please update the computer system so you can renew books on line!"
"It is too freaking cold upstairs. No one can study in the cold. Please handle this soon. Thank You!"
We have ordered some test vent air deflectors to redirect the air away from users in hopes a making the climate more moderate. Hopefully they will be in place before really cold weather sets in.
We have forwarded this concern to the Campus Planning and Plant Operations and ABS custodial services for investigation. They are going to check the plumbing and drains. Thanks for letting us know.
Sounds like fun!
but to print from the microfiche, I needed a dime.
Believing research couldn't be this hard, I found the journal,
But the copy machine wouldn't take my Pony Express card.
But with a one $, I was unable to purchase the elusive Images Print Card.
I gave up on my research and walked to the bar.
After a while my spirit was revived, so I tipped the waitress with my new big headed five."
Don't go to the bar,
We're negotiating a new contract
For service companies above par.
We'll soon give you a dime
Improving our printing/change services
It's certainly time!
CUL is ordering additional suggestion boxes to go in each of the libraries and throughout Fondren Library Center. Library staff are thrilled that our users have submitted so many suggestions that we need more!
Thank you for your suggestion and the reminder that staff members with offices next to study areas need to be more aware of students who are studying outside work office areas and classrooms. We apologize for the disruption to your studying and appreciate your bringing this to our attention. In the future, you may want to consider utilizing the quiet study areas which are located on the Fondren Library East 4th floor.
Fondren Library Center's summer hours during Summer Sessions are Monday through Thursday 8:00 am - 10:00 pm; Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. The only further reduction of library hours at Fondren Library Center is when there are no classes.
Fondren Library Center begins 24 hour study hall the day before finals begin. Look for postings of 24 hour schedule on the entry doors of the library.
Is he lost?
Yes, a workorder has been sent into SMU Physical Plant. Often, it seems, our water pressure is weak enough to make drinking from the fountains almost impossible. Please don't hesitate to report to staff when you have difficulty using the fountains.
Furniture placement within the new Information Commons area is not finalized yet. Additional wiring work will be done over the Fall Break and furniture will be moved away from Browsing Collection shelves.
Fondren Library Center summer hours on weekends is reduced to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. There is a committee of public services staff currently reviewing all library service hours – comparing them with other university libraries, checking our service calendar with the academic calendars of all campus schools. This committee will make recommendations for changes, hopefully by the end of the fall 2003 semester.
"I agree with (her) It is very noisy. There should be more computers on other floors where there is less noise. It's also way too cold in here. Please change temp."
The Information Commons on the first floor of Fondren Library East is a very busy place. There are other quieter areas within the Fondren Library Center such as the fourth floor in Fondren Library East. Building temperatures are controlled centrally by campus HVAC services. In order to maintain the targeted temperature throughout most of the library, some areas may be warmer or colder than others. If the area that you are studying in is too cold, you may need to relocate or bring a sweater with you.
Fondren Library Center staff agree with you, but since the Central University Libraries are not in a position to offer free printing and copying, we must have a means for vending printing and copying. The Libraries partner with Images, the campus copier service, to provide convenience copiers and card readers with networked laser printers. Computer printing does require the use of a purchased copy card or an SMU ID card that has been activated for printing at the Images office. Photocopying may be done with the copy card, the activated SMU ID card, or cash. Since the Libraries serve a wide community of users, library staff think it is important for users to have as many payment options as possible. With a new copier contract being negotiated for the University, we are even exploring the possibility of credit card vending for printers and copiers. We admit there is a bit of a learning curve the first time you purchase copies or prints at the Libraries, but subsequent times you should have no problem. We are glad our staff were helpful to you the first time you used printing/copying services here. For a complete description of computing, printing, and copying services in Fondren Library Center, please consult our web site: http://www.smu.edu/cul/flc/computing.html.
We have restocked the comment slips.
Fondren Library Center does not employ students as librarians. Librarians hold a graduate degree in library science. Student workers are paid on a scale according to special skills or level of responsibility required for their work. Student pay rates begin at $5.75 (minimum wage) and can go as high as $8.00.
SMU HVAC staff from Physical Plant have investigated the temperature settings on the 4th floor and they have been unable to find a way to correct the cold temperatures there. When the Fondren Library Center renovates in the near future, HVAC will be one of the systems that will be upgraded.
We currently have approximately 130 public PCs connected to the Internet in the Fondren Library Center complex and the Hamon Arts Library. In addition, in the past year we added wireless connectivity to all Central University Libraries buildings. Using a laptop with a wireless card, SMU students, faculty, and staff can connect to the Internet using the SMU network from most locations in all CUL libraries. This includes all public areas, including study rooms and library stacks in Fondren Libraries East, West, the Hamon Arts Library, ISEM, and the Science/Engineering Library. If you have a particular location in mind that you feel is not covered, please let us know.
Yes, we agree that the public address system is in need of repair or replacement. Fondren Library Center is planning for a major renovation in the not too distant future and systems such as the speakers will be upgraded at that time.
There are no dates within any of the citations in the red Faculty Recognition Day Program. The title page of the program and the beginning list page states that the entries are faculty publications and artistic works for 2002.
An excellent suggestion! Staff who are members of the team that oversees PONI are immediately adding a link in the "General Information" section of the PONI Help Pages. The group will also discuss where else we can add a link.
If you are unable to locate a book in the stacks, please come to the Circulation desk and ask a staff member to initiate a search for you. In some cases, the book is in our preliminary sorting area waiting to be re-shelved. Stack maintenance is an on-going process and we strive for our books to be re-shelved quickly and in correct call number order. However, sometimes patrons will re-shelve a book in the wrong call number order after using the material. We have placed signage on all floors asking patrons to not re-shelve materials and instead place them on tables for pick-up by library staff. Currently, we are experiencing our end of spring semester heavy book returns and at this time of year books take longer to be sorted and re-shelved. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and we will continue to work at improving the condition of our stacks. Again, please stop by Circulation and we will assist you in locating any missing book. If not found on the first search, we can then direct you to our Interlibrary Loan office to try to obtain the material from another institution.
One man's Beethoven is another man's Beastie Boys! While music may provide a soothing white noise, classical music may not be the music of choice for all of our library users. In addition, Fondren Library Center does not have a speaker system throughout the entire library capable of delivering quality audio.
"I love how clean the landscaping is outside of Fondren. However, it seems that the past few semesters during finals trash & litter paint the sidewalks. Can we make a concentrated effort to keep things clean during finals?
Smokers often gather around the East and West sides of the library and there are cigarette ash cans near the doors. The library will investigate additional cigarette receptacles in hopes that smokers will use them and keep our landscaping attractive.
A work order was sent into Campus Physical Plant and electricians have restored electricity to the outlets in study rooms 205A, 205B, 206 and 207 on the second floor of Fondren Library East.
Fondren Library Center will begin 24 Hour Exam Study Hall on Thursday, May 1st. The library will be open throughout the exam period except from 2:00 am until 9:00 am Sunday morning, May 4th. There are no exams scheduled on that Sunday.
The Fondren Library Center Security Guard is ever vigilant to ask people to lower their voices when talking on their cell phones. There are study areas designated quiet zones on the second and fourth floors of Fondren Library East.
Library staff agree! Fondren Library Center is going to receive a large collage commemorating September 11th that will hang in the north stairwell between the second and third floor of Fondren east. Library staff are investigating other sources for appropriate art or posters to adorn our plain walls.
A new soap dispenser has been installed in that restroom and is regularly filled by the custodial staff.
One has been ordered and should be here in a week or so.
How gross! This has been fixed.
Library staff tested the plugs in both of the study rooms on the second floor and none work. A work order has been sent in to Campus Physical Plant.
Library staff have had several requests for a top feeder on at least one of our copiers. Images is investigating the possibility of installing an attachment but they are typically rather fragile and break easily. We will send your request on to Images. If you need to copy material that does not circulate outside of the library, consult library staff either at the Circulation or Reference Desk.
We regret that we cannot allow right click functionality on library computer desktops because of security issues.
Fondren Library Center charges ten cents a print out only to recover the library's expense of purchasing printer toner cartridges and paper. SMU does not collect a library services fee from students.
Robert Taylor, Custodial Services Supervisor, has been notified and will be discussing better cleaning schedules with his staff.
SMU obtained price quotes on PCs from several large computer companies including Gateway and Compaq. SMU decided to go with Compaq based on better pricing from them. There are some computer users on campus that we know prefer Compaq computers. If you can give us more details about the features you do not like, SMU can consider those issues in future purchases.
We apologize for the trouble you encountered -- the periodicals assistant performed a minor "tune-up" & cleaning of the microfiche machines as a result of your suggestion. If this happens again please alert a periodicals employee immediately -- some minor problems can be corrected on the spot. A professional repairman will need to be called for more severe problems.
" Please keep the Fondren Library open 24 hours daily."
"Stay open later"
"Why can't the Central Library be open 24 hours 7 days a week. We have to study on holidays too."
"Why don't U open library for 24 hours?"
Fondren Library Center will begin 24-hour exam schedule on Friday, December 6th. Two SMU Police Officers will cover additional hours to keep the library open for SMU students, faculty and staff preparing for final exams. Fondren Library has been contracting with Police Officers for this 24 hours coverage during exams since 1994.
Libraries at other universities that have 24-hour schedules often have designated areas within the building that can be accessed separately. Fondren Library's floor plan makes it difficult to keep just one area accessible to students 24 hours. Budget for extra personnel is limited - a hard choice between more resources or 24-hour access.
The Central University Libraries have provided a wealth of online resources (ebooks, e journals, online databases and backfiles) that are available over the libraries' web page at http://www.smu.edu/cul/index.html. This Internet site is open 24 hours 7 days a week.
Thanks for the praise, but let us know about the creaking doors as well.
On behalf of the Fondren Library Center Public Services staff - You're welcome. That's why we are here!
Fondren Library Center has 10 group study rooms for students to reserve. The third floor of Fondren is designated a group study area. Try the second or fourth floor of Fondren or the Mezzanine or second floor of Science for designated quiet study areas.
Patrick Harrison, head of the SMU copy center says that as SMU puts together a new RFP contract for photocopy service, a bill change machine will be on the list. SMU did retrofit the change machine and card dispenser to accept the new bills but not to give single dollar bills as change. It will take some research to figure out how to do this cost effectively.
There is a bike rack just north of the west entrance. That bike rack is located near the outside stairs leading to the third floor Science Information Center (top floor of the Science Library). Library staff have asked for other bike racks to be installed.
SMU Central Plant Operations has agreed to place two new bike racks outside each entrance of the Fondren Library Center. It will be a newer style - similar to the bike racks outside the new Dedman Life Sciences Building. Thanks CPPO.
The SMU Central Plant provides the heating and air conditioning in Fondren Library Center. There are sensors and thermostats throughout the library to control the temperature in the building. Some areas in the library seem naturally cooler or hotter than others. The seating on the fourth floor of Fondren is next to floor to ceiling windows and is always subject to weather conditions that affect the room temperature. Other highly congested areas may actually need cooler air supplied to counter all the natural body heat from library users. The target temperature for our HVAC is 72 degrees, give or take 5 degrees. So the acceptable registered temperatures from the sensors ranges between 69.5 degrees and 74.5 degrees.
Unfortunately, the library won't be able to provide bags for books. Consider purchasing a book bag at SMU's Barnes and Noble Bookstore which could be used over and over for heavy book checkouts, or a simple plastic bag carried in a backpack would work well in these types of situations.
The Friends of the SMU Libraries will be providing book bags for sale in the future as a library promotion project. Keep an eye out for announcements!
Fondren Library Center is currently having a "Food for Fines" drive and for every 1 can of food you bring in, $2 of overdue fines will be waived from your library account. This food drive will run through December 18, 2002. Or, contact a circulation staff member in person to discuss your library account. (Certain restrictions apply; check at the Circulation desk for more information.)
Student workers are instructed not to use the computer terminals for anything other than circulation transactions. Personal phone calls are also forbidden. We appreciate you informing of us this matter and we will immediately take steps to correct this behavior. The library considers quality service to our patrons to be our number one priority.
Thank you for your feedback on the computers in SIC. We are currently reviewing all the PCs in the Fondren Library Center complex to determine which need to be upgraded and this information is very helpful to us. We receive limited funds each year from the University for upgrading a portion of the over 400 PCs that the Central University Libraries support. Unfortunately, this means that it takes several years to receive enough money to upgrade all PCs. Sometimes we are able to take advantage of grant opportunities to obtain additional funds to replace computers. This fall we used Telecommunications Infrastructure Grant Funds to add twenty-eight new PCs to the Fondren Library East first floor and Fondren Library Center Link first and second floor public areas. We used University technology upgrade funds to replace three other public PCs. We will review the PCs in SIC during our next upgrade to determine how we can upgrade some of the PCs in that area.
This fall we were able to add thirty-one new Pentium 4 computers to the Fondren Library East first floor and Fondren Library Center Link first and second floor areas. We receive some upgrade funds from the University each year which enable us to upgrade a percentage of the over 400 PCs that the Central University Libraries support. Grant funding opportunities are also used to obtain additional funds for upgrades whenever possible. The current level of University technology upgrade funding is not enough to upgrade all computers during the same year. At the current level of funding there will be a mixture of new computers and those over three years old. We continue to review all PCs as we make decisions on which are the top priorities to upgrade within the funding that we have available.
Most PC's in the Fondren Library Center reboot automatically during the middle of the night, after the Library has closed. If you find a PC has frozen up during the day you should report this problem to the Reference Desk.
Fondren Library Center has several scanners available for public use that are intended just for this purpose. Please ask at the Reference Desk for the availability of this equipment.
Snackster is the mobile food cart owned by SMU Dining Services. Last Spring, the cart made several stops around campus. However, Dining Services could not get the cart hooked up so as to take Access Cash or Flex for payment. Without these forms of payment, the Snackster service was deemed a failure. SMU Dining Services hopes to find a solution and have the Snackster "on the road again" soon.
Books with a "Q" classification number include most of the sciences and are shelved in the Science and Engineering wing on the north part of the library. The SMU Libraries' online catalog indicates "Science Library" as part of the call number for those "Q" materials.
Library staff have recently revised and reprinted all the location guides in the Fondren Library Center. These are located near most computers and at the Reference Desk. We hope this includes more information to make locating materials easier for you. In addition to these guides, you will find "Book Location" charts on many walls throughout the complex.
If at anytime you have questions about a location or cannot find your materials, make sure you ask at the Reference Desk. This will often save time and frustration. Thanks for the suggestion.
Thank you for your suggestion that we buy Stephen Wolfman's A New Kind of Science. We were slow getting to it, and I will initiate the order today.
Thanks for the head's up. We've sent in a work order to TIDY to make extra efforts in cleaning the restrooms in the Fondren Library Center. We will add painting to our on-going list of refurbishing needs.
Fondren Library has good news for laptop users! The fourth floor, along with the rest of the Fondren Libraray Center has wireless network coverage. Interested users will need to purchase and install a wireless Ethernet card for their computers (Check with SMU ITS or the Fondren Library Center Circulation Department for details). Then you need not be tied to any computer data port to do your research.
1) "Why doesn't the library subscribe to any psychology e-journals?" The library does have subscriptions to many psychology journals--both in print and electronically. Please consult a reference librarian if you have trouble finding them.
2) "The larger, popular journals are not available or have been stolen." Please ask at the Periodicals Office if you have trouble finding an issue of a journal. They may have access to it if it is about to be shelved. And if it is indeed stolen, they can begin replacement.
3) "The regular psych journal selection is very limited." We have recognized the need for more psychology journals for a long time, and it is one of the two or three subject areas in which we have added the most new titles in recent years. In addition to titles added, librarians have been working hard on "big deals," through which for a bargain price negotiated by cooperative groups of purchasing libraries we gain access to every journal published by certain publishers. We now have direct electronic full-text access to every Academic Press journal, almost every Wiley journal, and every Elsevier journal, although some of the Elsevier journals are passworded. We also soon will have electronic access to every Kluwer journal. We are working on more big deals. We also are attentive to adding more psychology journals and providing better electronic access to the ones we have. Unfortunately, journals are very expensive, and for years inflation in the cost of academic journals has been far higher than inflation in the economy at large.
Bill Jenkins along with the rest of the FLC reference staff are glad you found the chat with a librarian service helpful. During the spring semester, you can now "chat" with a librarian online from your home, office, or anywhere else in the world. From your computer, you can ask questions, receive a response from a librarian, and immediately ask any follow-up questions.
With this service, you will not have to hang up your computer's modem to ask a question about the database you are using. If you do not know where to start your research, a librarian can assist you in analyzing your question and then "push" you into the best resource for that topic.
This pilot service is available Monday-Thursday, 12 noon - 4pm (Central Time) through the end of the Spring semester. All you need to get started is a computer with an Internet connection and a web browser.
Thank you for being so proactive in helping us keep the library environment comfortable and inviting.
A service call was placed to Otis Elevator technicians. The problem is now remedied but the elevators in Fondren Library Center are over thirty years old. We can assure you that they are safe and we do have them serviced regularly. It may seem like they are frequently on the "blitz" but we have them serviced whenever there is a problem.
We have posted signs in many areas of the library stating "No Cell Phones Please". The Libraries do not have an official policy against the use of cell phones. We understand that life issues come up even when you are studying (ex. parents, spouses, children) and you need to be reachable.
Please help us reduce this problem by reminding your friends and fellow library users to either turn off their cell phones or set them to vibrate.
Note to cell phone users: If you must take a call, please go to the lobby or stairwells. Your voice carries throughout the library floor you are on and we can all hear your conversation.
Food - even entire fast food meals - can easily be hidden inside backpacks. Some specialized research institutions and special collection libraries search people's briefcases, backpacks and even purses before they enter the building. Libraries in New York City have had to implement such security measures after the events of September 11th.
The Fondren Library Center would not want to resort to such a level of enforcement. If you notice another incidence of violation of the food and drink policy, please notify library staff or the library security guard and they will be glad to handle the situation.
If the card-carrying parent(s) accompanies the student to the library, the parent can check out the materials. Otherwise, library staff cannot be sure that the young person is authorized to use the library card.
Only the person whose name is on the card may check out materials. This policy in place for all library users to protect their account in cases of theft or misplaced cards.
This has been reported to our custodial service and should be corrected soon. Please continue to report these issues to us. We want to keep Fondren Library Center clean and in good condition.
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences was named in honor of the Robert H. and Nancy Dedman following their 1981 pledge of $25 million to endow the school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dedman are alumni of SMU.
Southern Methodist University has been blessed through the generosity of the Dedmans. Together they have pledged $20 million to endow the SMU Law School (now the Dedman School of Law). They pledged $12 million towards the new SMU Life Sciences Building. In 1976 their generosity led to construction of the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports at SMU. They also established a $2.5 million endowed scholarship at SMU for students of North Dallas High School, Robert Dedman Sr.'s alma mater.
The Dedmans' cumulative gifts and pledges to SMU have a current value in excess of $77 million.
" Too hot! Can't study"
Michael Paul, Director, Energy Management reports that his office will be starting an overhaul of the Fondren Library Center's HVAC system in January. This should improve the temperature control throughout the library. Some areas have been too cold and some areas have been too hot. Library staff regret that the climate in the library has affected students ability to study.
SMU negotiated a new copier contract with IKON systems last January to provide state of the art digital copiers. Last November and December, new instruction posters were placed near copiers to help users understand the features and where to seek assistance. Patrick Harrison, from Graphic and Print Resources is investigating adding attachments to machines to automatic feed documents through the copiers. Hopefully, these actions will make the copy machines easier to use.
Reducing the noise level on the first floor (Fondren, I presume) would be difficult due to the high traffic that passes through the area and the nature of the services offered. We do plan to post signs in the library notifying users where quieter study areas are located in the library. There are study rooms on the second floor of both the Science and Fondren side of the Library that can be reserved by SMU students. Also, the second and fourth floors of Fondren East are designated as quiet study areas.
Over the Holiday Break, the head on the FLC suggestion box was replaced. We hope it is not offensive to anyone.
There are a few newspapers which are housed entirely (most recent edition and all paper backfile) in the Periodicals Office, such as the Dallas Morning News, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. This is largely because they are such popular newspapers, and library users most frequently want to read today's paper. It isn't possible to keep track of these highly used multi-part newspapers over the course of a day if they are not returned to the Office. All library users can check-out the newspaper from the Periodicals Office with a photo id. Periodicals staff are available to help during all the library's hours.
When books are returned and checked in, they are placed in a preliminary sorting area to be sorted in call number order, loaded onto book trucks, and then sent to the stacks to be re-shelved. Books are normally re-shelved within a 24-hour time frame. During peak return times (towards the end of the semester,) our book returns are heavier and shelving time is slowed; therefore taking the students longer to re-shelve the materials.
If you are unable to locate a book, ask any Circulation staff member to help you in locating the materials. We will first check the preliminary sorting area and if not found there, will initiate a "book search" and contact you when the material is located.
It is only about 50 feet from the current book return boxes to the street, and therefore users would still have to carry books across campus. We encourage patrons to return books "inside" the library when the library is opened, and to utilize the outside book return boxes only when we are closed.
Staff at Images are going to consider more document feeder accessories for our copy machines.
We have notified our custodial staff and asked them to give the lower restrooms special attention.
We oiled it.
Fondren Library Center has recently replaced the furniture in the Newspaper and Periodicals Reading Area. To further renovate this prime study area, we will be acquiring rugs for the floor space. We will try to improve the noise distraction with the placement of these rugs.
The first floor entry area of Fondren Library Center is a high traffic area that houses busy circulation and reserve services. Unfortunately, that noise also moves up through the Selecman Tower opening into the second floor. Because of these two factors, we are afraid the areas will never be as quiet as the rest of the library. Quiet study areas are located in Fondren on the second and fourth east floors and in study rooms throughout the Science and Fondren Libraries.
Your suggestion to include the library's cell phone policy in our orientation tours and classes is good. Beth Walker, the Central University Libraries User Education Librarian will incorporate this our presentations. There are signs posted throughout the Fondren Library Center requesting users to turn off cell phones but there has been only limited success in reducing phone use. Student peer pressure might be more successful in emphasizing cell phone courtesy.
"Thank you for your suggestion--a good one! We'll try to attach a glare-filtering screen to the monitor. If that works, good. If not, we'll move the computer to a different location. Or we'll move the building. Or we'll issue sunglasses.
The problem with glare is symptomatic of a larger problem. We'd much rather have blinds on all the windows, as the sunlight is hard on books. Yet, because we have no overhead lighting in the reading room, the windows provide our chief source of illumination for reading. If we were to install blinds, we'd then need floor lamps. Floor lamps would tax an already over-extended electrical system. So, we try to balance all the above--with glare on the computer screen being one consequence.
We completely agree: the New York Times is one of our most used resources! Largely because it is such a high-use item, all issues of the New York Times are housed in the Periodicals Office (NE corner of the 1st floor of the Science/Engineering wing).
Some periodicals and newspapers are used so frequently that we shelve them in the office to prevent damage or loss. These materials can be checked out of the Periodicals Office by presenting a photo id, and are for in-library use only. We are sorry that you had trouble locating the New York Times. The sign on the display rack, which lists the newspapers kept in the office, is now being revised to better direct people to the Periodicals Office. Please let us know whenever you are having difficulty locating periodicals
Since the Dallas Observer is a popular local title, we try to make a copy available to library users. The Observer is a freely distributed weekly, and the library does not receive issues from the publisher. As a result, periodicals staff try to pick up copies for display in the Newspaper and Periodicals Reading Area. The August issue you saw in the newspaper stand was there in error, and newer issues should have replaced it. The October issues and the first issue of November are available in the Periodicals Office. We're sorry that you weren't able to look at the more recent issues; please come by the Office and let us know whenever you're having trouble locating periodicals!
Central University Libraries recognizes that students are in the libraries long hours and we want you to be comfortable. Many couches are located throughout the library now. There are some in the north bay windows on the first and second floors of Fondren Library East floors one and two. There are comfortable chairs as well as study chairs in the second floor of the Fondren Library "Link." We hope to provide new casual furniture on the Science Mezzanine in the Newspaper and Periodicals Reading Room. As more space on the first floor of Fondren East becomes available through department mergers and relocations, library staff will be studying options for user services and accommodations.
The lack of water pressure in those fountains has been reported to SMU physical plant. We will convey your frustration to them.
The fourth floor of Fondren Library East provides wonderful views to the north, east and south of the library. Unfortunately, the floor-to-ceiling windows become dirty quickly, depending on weather and winds. Sad to say-window cleaning is not in the Campus Planning and Plant Operations budget except once every seven years when building exteriors are painted. So, this means the Fondren Library Center must budget for the cleaning. These windows were washed last year at a cost of $275.00 and obviously needed cleaning again after a couple of months. Central University Libraries will try to wash these windows as frequently as our budget allows.
Thank you, we appreciate the compliment.
Fondren will soon be receiving new furniture for the mezzanine area of the Science Library. This will be comfortable lounge seating in addition to study tables and chairs. Library staff selecting this furniture did visit the Law Library to look at the chairs there. We hope that the furniture for the Newspaper and Periodicals Reading Room as well as other future furnishings within Fondren Library Center will be comfortable and attractive to our users.
Increased hours is an ongoing goal for Central University Libraries. Fondren Library Center is considering extending weekend hours over semester interims, especially now that semester start and end dates vary from one SMU School to another.
Dean Ames, head of custodial services, responds with two ways of handling this. First, he will stress to the importance TIDY of increasing and improving their dusting. He will also mention it to the heating/ac department on campus in case the filters in the Fondren Library Center are dirty. Second, he suggests that there are disposable "treated" dust clothes that people could use to clean the shelves if users wanted to have a service project.
Fondren Library Center is happy to report that the lighting on the first floor reference area will be upgraded over Fall Break. New energy efficient full-spectrum lighting will be installed. Please be patient while workmen are in the reference area. We hope you will find this lighting more natural.
Thank you. The occasional "good job," especially when it comes from one of our students, is a very welcome respite during this busy time of the semester. The library staff is committed to providing an environment conducive to study and learning, and the fact that you have noticed our efforts encourages us to work even more diligently in the future. Your support is greatly appreciated.
This is not a TIDY issue in most cases but a grounds crew issue...usually. Dean Ames has spoken to both TIDY and SMU landscape staff parties about improving the cleaning of the area.
The flowers presently planted in the promenades to the east and west of the Fondren Library Center entrances are petunias. These plants have very vibrant colors and pungent aroma. Once the weather changes to the typical Texan "hot" for the summer, these plants will not be able to survive and will be replaced with begonias and then with pansies in the winter. Neither of these two plants have the strong smell of the petunias. This not a TIDY issue in most cases but a grounds crew issue...usually. I have spoken to both parties.
The canned food drive the libraries had over the Christmas Holidays was in the spirit of giving to those less fortunate than we are. In order to encourage patrons to give, the library waived $2.00 in overdue book fines for every 1 can of food donated. The drive was a huge success; however, the primary goal was not intended to get students out of their overdue library debt. The best way to avoid overdue library fines is to turn your books in by the date due. There has not been a decision made yet as to if the food drive will be repeated next Christmas and no other food drives are planned for the immediate future.
Students often do get caught up in their studies and forget to return their library materials on time. If it is a first time fine however, most libraries will waive the overdue charges "one time only." Overdue notices are sent to the patron when the book becomes 7 days past due.
Students who work in the library, require extensive training before they are allowed to shelve or do other duties in the library. Each department hires what is required or needed for the semester and unless they have vacancies during the year, additional student help is not needed. When vacancies do occur, students are hired in on hourly pay only and are expected to work until the end of the semester.
Self-Renewal via PONI is now available for some library users. Please check user guides for instructions on how to self-renew, or check at the circulation desk for further information.
The circulation department always hires a surplus of student workers at the beginning of each semester, so that when vacancies do occur we still have adequate student worker help. Usually the stacks become in disarray as the end of the semester draws near, because of a high volume of book returns and checkouts.
Last year an "all library staff" stack maintenance program was implemented so that "high use" areas are shelf-read on an on-going basis throughout the year. During the summer, all areas of the stacks are shelf-read and cleaned up for the start of the Fall semester. Our goal is to maintain the stacks in excellent condition during all times of the year, and we will continue to look at new ways to attain this goal.
By the end of the Summer, the new patron interface between People Soft and the Voyager Library system should be complete, and we will be able to import email addresses for Faculty, Staff, and Students. At that time, each of the libraries will have to decide whether or not to implement email notices.
We regret you had difficulty getting the assistance you needed after 9:00 pm. Fulltime staff are scheduled during those times when our research shows most people come into the library and seek assistance. Reference librarians provide assistance from 8am-10pm, Monday to Thursday, 8am-5pm on Fridays, 9am-5pm on Saturdays, and 1:00pm to 9:00pm Sundays. Graduate student assistants staff the late night hours. They trained to provide directions, to help with printing problems and simple computer troubleshooting, and to promote safety and security, and to advise users to return the following day when more experienced staff is available. As our signs indicate, the reference student assistants also have a form you can use to describe your research needs, and librarian will contact you at your convenience the next day. You can also contact reference staff by email culref@mail.smu.edu or telephone (214) 768-2326. We are always on the lookout for knowledgeable and responsible student assistants to work reference. While we prefer to staff with graduate students, we do consider undergraduates who want to help people with their research.
While Brian Skarbek is an essential component of Fondren Library's Elite Student Worker Unit, he has continually had non-library related diversions due to his pivotal role on the SMU Swim Team and uncertain duties as B.M.O.C. We hope that he continues his firm commitment to the Fondren Library in the next year and makes himself eligible for a raise. We value the work all the student workers do for us and could not run the library without them. However, we must wait until the end of the Spring Semester to do evaluations on our students; raises are given based on work performance for the year.
The Circulation and Reference desks have handouts with the hours of operation for the Central University Libraries. However, these tend to run out quickly, so just remind us and we'll be glad to make more copies. The Fondren Library Center also has signs at both entrances and a standing sign next to the check out desk where the handouts are kept.
Other libraries on campus may make changes to their hours, so to be sure, it would be best to check the SMU Libraries web page or call SMU Information. In addition, Fondren Library also prints up hours for all campus libraries during holidays, exams, and other special circumstances.
Well, sometimes patrons feel the need to "help" by putting books back where they believe they got them. In most cases, mistakes are made and library workers spend a great deal of time searching for these missing items. Re-shelving books is a main reason we hire student workers. We ask that patrons not try and reshelve items themselves, but place the material on designated tables or bring them to the circulation desk. In some instances however, patrons will put all the books they're using into places where only they can find them. They do this so that no one else will check them out, rather than go through the routine of checking out books and the strain of carrying them around campus. Of course, this isn't fair to everyone else who wishes to check out the same material. If you have a number of books you are using for a short period of time and don't wish to check them out, you can leave them on hold at he circulation desk for up to three days.
The percentage of international students at SMU has grown to just under 6% (589 students from 86 countries). The Central University Libraries employ as many as 75 students as library workers each semester. The CUL student employee pool reflects the cultural diversity of the campus at large. Exposure to a variety of cultures is an important aspect of any student's educational career, as it is a fact of life in today's global environment.
However, accurate communication on points such as fine amounts, location of library materials, or library hours of operation is also very important. CUL welcomes student workers from beyond the borders of the U.S., and tries to assign those workers who do not use English as their primary language job duties that do not place them in public service contact. However, in some situations the library does not have enough workers to follow this guideline. In those cases, the library will strive to pair those student workers who do not have strong English skills with a worker who speaks English more fluently.
After receiving your suggestion we appreciated the opportunity to show you how to find recent useful information on your subject in journal articles, conference papers, and chapters is books. You found this advice helpful.
We also agree that the library needs more recent books in several areas of engineering. We have discussed your request with the library representative from the Electrical Engineering Department, who is consulting with other faculty members to make the best choice of titles that will meet the need you have described.
To avoid such irritation and confusion, please bring library materials that you will continue to use to the Circulation Desk to be held. Reference materials and restricted access materials must be returned to the shelves, but will be available when you return.
The rationale for this limit goes back to the time when overdue fines were a dollar a day. At that rate and with unlimited checkouts, students could accrue a small fortune in overdue book fines very quickly. Library staff imposed the limit of thirty books in hopes of preventing students from potentially large library debt. Once students are made aware of the number of library items they have checked out, this limit can be overridden in the system.
A review of this policy has been suggested, particularly since the overdue fine has been reduced to fifty cents. Changing the checkout limit will require approval from all CUL libraries, Bridwell Library, and Underwood Law Library. The libraries will take your request under consideration and meet to discuss this. In the meantime, remember that graduate students currently working on their thesis or dissertation may apply for a research card at the Circulation desk, which will allow unlimited checkout of materials for 120 days.
The SMU campus has renewed its contract with IKON systems for convenient copier service for libraries. All copiers in Central University Libraries were replaced with new state-of-the-art copiers. Large posters with operating instructions will soon be posted near the new copiers. The CUL Libraries now have networked to provide high quality laser prints from library PC workstations. There are instruction cards next to each UniPrint station in CUL reference departments.
For reasons of security, the Circulation Desk only keeps a very small amount of petty cash in the department in order to make change for overdue book fines. Unfortunately, if we were to make change for the copy machines as well, this would deplete the cash reserve necessary to make change for overdue fines. The main desk at Hughes-Trigg Student Center is able to make change for large bills, or you may purchase a copy card over the counter at Images Copy Center in the basement of Clements Hall.
This summer the SMU libraries will be implementing our new Voyager on-line self-renewal system to SMU students. Students will then be able to self-renew books via PONI from the SMU libraries or home. Some restrictions may apply and vary between libraries. Stay tuned for more information regarding self-renewal.
