Responses to Suggestions - September, 2006
Please refer also to General Library Questions or Responses to Suggestions
COMMENT RECEIVED 9-5-2006: It would be convenient to have an off-campus book drop-off for the non student or senior citizens who have difficulty finding a place to park.
RESPONSE: We do not provide remote, off-campus book drops due to concerns of vandalism and theft. We have also conducted surveys of libraries in the surrounding area that have used remote book drops, but removed them for these very reasons. The drops are used for waste disposal damaging items inside. They also have limited capacity. When they become full books are crammed in, causing further damage, and worse, left outside the drop exposed to the elements and theft.
It is important to remember that our library books may be returned to one of the Fort Collins Public Library branches, or even other public or university libraries in the area. This is a better alternative to remote book drops, since the returned materials are in safe possession of other library staff until they are delivered back to Morgan.
Oscar Raab, Manager, Access Services
COMMENT RECEIVED on 9-3-2006: The reference desk at your library was quite helpful to me in a recent research project.
COMMENT RECEIVED on 9-5-2006: I heard that the reference station is possibly going to be taken out. Personally, I feel that this would be a big mistake. I know that I have used this service many times and it has helped me quite a bit. The system here can be confusing and one can spend a very long time trying to find their way around the website or find what they're looking for when they could simply go to the reference desk and have their question answered within minutes. People need face-to-face contact, especially when they need help. I believe that if the reference station is taken out, students will then line up at the book check-out station to ask their questions. Therefore, I do not understand why the removal of this necessary service is even being considered, but I strongly disagree. Thank you for your time and consideration of my comment.
COMMENT RECEIVED on 9-20-2006: You should really consider keeping the Reference desk. It is a GREAT help and the employees are extremely helpful; I know whenever I go to them for a question they know how to answer it. Keep the Reference desk open!
RESPONSE: The Morgan Library will be consolidating the Reference and Electronic Information Center service desk into an Information Desk at the start of the spring semester. The Information Desk will remain at the Reference Desk's current location. The Information Desk will be staffed by a mix of students and library staff. In-depth research questions will be referred to the Library's subject specialists. Because library information sources and computer technology have become so inextricably bound together, merging specialized service points into a single Information Desk will benefit users. A single point of service to answer user questions will also be less confusing for everyone
Although the number of questions that we receive from sources other than the Reference Desk, such as the email "Ask A Librarian Service" and the virtual reference "Ask Colorado", is increasing we think that one-on-one assistance in the Morgan Library is important. You will still be able to receive personalized assistance at the new Information Desk.
Tom Moothart, Coordinator, Onsite Services; 491-1875; Tom.Moothart@ColoState.edu.
COMMENT RECEIVED on 9-7-2006: I am very impressed with the amount of resources that are available to us, but I feel very overloaded with info on the different searches. A lot of info in a short amount of time.
RESPONSE: Thank you for your comment. CSU Libraries does indeed have many resources available – you are always welcome to visit the Reference Desk or talk with a Subject Librarian if you need help figuring out which resources will work best for your research. We appreciate your feedback and are here to help you.
COMMENT RECEIVED on 9-8-2006: In the Quiet Room on the second floor where there is no talking and no cell phone usage allowed, what is the policy for using laptop computers? The key clicking, and computer sounds can be distracting.
RESPONSE: Aside from audible noise coming from video or audio files, there is currently no policy limiting the use of laptop computers in the 2nd floor Quiet Room – nothing that takes the sound of tapping keys into consideration. If this develops into a chronic problem, please let us know; this is the first comment we’ve received about this issue. We apologize for any inconvenience and will certainly re-evaluate the issue if the problem persists. Thank you for your comment.
COMMENT RECEIVED on 9-13-2006: The new format is very confusing and difficult to find information. Please go back to the previous format.
RESPONSE: Thank you for your comment, although we’re not quite certain what format you’re referring to. Please feel free to send us another comment explaining more about your concern so that we may address it for you. Also, if you choose to include your name and contact information, it will be kept confidential, and you will receive a direct response to your concern.
COMMENT RECEIVED on 9-13-2006:
In the afternoons and evenings
Jr. High kids come to play on the computers. Although public patrons are
welcome at CSU, these kids enjoy porno sites, are noisy, smack each other around
and spill pop and food all over. It is OK to notice and stop this behavior.
They are minors, unsupervised minors. Thanks!
RESPONSE: Library staff are always present in the Electronic Information Center and will definitely intervene when any library user is exhibiting inappropriate behavior. When your concentration or research activity is disturbed by the behavior of others, please inform the library staff person at the assistance desk immediately. We are happy to help resolve the problem.
Lindsey Wess, Manager, Electronic Information Center
All responses by Tom Moothart, Coordinator, Onsite Services, unless otherwise noted.