UC Home > Library > Library Blogs > Library Suggestion Board

Links

• Home

About

This is the Library's suggestion board where users are invited to make any suggestions and give feedback about the Library, its resources and services.

• Make a suggestion

Contact blog administrator

Login

Username: Password: Shared Computer

See Also

• Library News

The Library suggestion board has moved

The suggestion board has moved to http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/blogs/suggestion.php. Please update your bookmarks and RSS feeds.

Academic connections through book recalls

Suggestion/Comment

I like the library recall system, especially how it lets people borrow books for longer (in general). I see an opportunity for academic connections when someone recalls a book. Of course, book loans are a matter of privacy, but suppose you could voluntarily reveal your identity to the original borrower when you request a book. While the original borrower may be disappointed to have to return the book, they might also be interested in discussing the book with the new borrower. It seems like it would be an easy feature for people to use and it could stimulate good academic connections.
Peter Raffensperger

Library Answer

Dear Peter,

Unfortunately there isn't a way with our present library system to enable functionality of sharing borrower details in this way even on a voluntary basis. It is a great idea though, and one we'll keep in mind should it become possible later on.

Regards,
Tim Stedman
Resource Acquisition Team Leader
Library Support Services

Preview peek into books

Suggestion/Comment

I have noticed an interesting phenomenon. Whenever I get a book recall for an item that I am still reading, I have no other option but to return it to the library and log a request. What is interesting about this is that often I get my request back within a day! This is commendable service from the library staff, But it makes me think that the person that asked for the book, did not find it useful and so returned it almost immediately. Having a preview peek will reduce these recalls and save trouble for library staff as wells as library users. I suggest introducing a link to Google books so that readers could have a preview of the book before requesting a copy.
Mary Allan

Library Answer

Dear Mary,

Thanks for the really interesting idea. We use a third party vendor to
supply most catalogue records for the Library's catalogue and the majority of
these do not contain links to Google Books. There are tools such as the
library's Multisearch which are increasingly pulling in content from
sources other than the Library Catalogue but at this stage Google Books
isn't covered. I will pass your comment onto our Resource Discovery
Team as they are increasingly focussing resources to improve the
search experience and discovery of electronic content.

Regards,
Tim Stedman
Resource Acquisition Team Leader
Library Support Services

Den users

Suggestion/Comment

I work regularly on the computers in the quiet study area of the Den, but often there are classes that cause interruptions. Since sometimes all the computers in the library are occupied, it would be good if these classes could be held elsewhere if possible.
In any case, it would be useful if the schedule of classes in the Den is posted on the door or on the blackboard every morning so people can use other computers to avoid interruption.
George

Library Answer

Thanks for your comments on the Den. The library will organise to post the times of classes for the Den from next week. However, please note the Den is a teaching space and at the beginning of each semester the teaching spaces are in high demand. When there are no classes being held the Den is left available for a quiet study zone with computers and a printer.

Levels 4, 6, 8, 9 an 10 all have computers available which are in quiet study zones.

Joan Simpson
Manager, Central Library and Learning Hub

Install a hot water or warm water dispenser

Suggestion/Comment

Have been working more frequently at the central library. I'm not sure if there's any special reason for inhibition but it will be great if there's warm water dispenser around especially working during colder days.
Viv

Library Answer

Thank you for your suggestion. At this time the University has no intention of providing hot/warm water dispensers in the Libraries. Your options are to bring hot water with you in a flask, use the hot water taps from the toilet facilities or head down to level 1 and pay for the facilities at a café.

Regards

Joan Simpson
Manager, Central Library and Learning Hub

Engineering return box

Suggestion/Comment

Could we please have a return box for the library somewhere in engineering? (Now, not next year). I don't want to waste my time to return books.
Ken Morison

Library Answer

Due to the EPS library opening early next year we have no plans to install an additional returns box at this time. You can renew your books online if you are unable to return to either the Macmillan Brown or Law Library which are probably the nearest.

Kind regards

Coral Black
Branch Libraries and Learning Hubs Manager

Air-con in Central

Suggestion/Comment

Any chance of some air conditioning in the Central library, especially level 2/3? It has been very warm in here over the last week

Library Answer

Hello

The only immediate solution I have for the hot temperatures in this building is for you to open windows. Following the earthquakes and aftershocks some windows have been clamped closed as they would be a safety risk if they were open. However, please open any that you can to make your study space more comfortable.

Over the next two years the James Hight Building will be upgraded and it is expected that a change to the heating system will be installed. I am not aware of any plans in the near future for air conditioning units to be installed.

Regards Joan

Joan Simpson
Manager, Central Library and Learning Hub University of Canterbury

Quiet levels

Suggestion/Comment

Could you please put out a reminder email/put up more posters to make sure everyone knows which levels are QUIET levels. It is very distracting and frustrating having to tell groups on the upper levels of the library to stop gossiping about their weekends.
Student attempting to revise for exams on level 8.

Library Answer

Hello

Library and security staff are moving throughout the building on a regular basis ensuring that levels 4-11 are quiet.

If you have concerns about noise please speak with a library or security staff member.

I will increase the signage on the floors for the duration of the exam period.

Joan Simpson
Manager, Central Library and Learning Hub

E-books UC doesn't own appearing in the Catalogue

Suggestion/Comment

Hi there - I have just searched the Catalogue and found a book that I wanted to read (EBL publisher). After a few mins of reading it I got a message to say that my browsing session was over as UC "does not own the book". I find it v odd that a book UC doesn't own is in the Catalogue - and especially so given there is no reference to this being the case. Please could you annotate the record in the Catalogue to say "not owned" so that we don't waste time mucking about trying to read ebooks the uni doesn't own! Thanks
Frustrated Law Library User :o)

Library Answer

Thank you for this feedback. We apologise for the inconvenience it caused you, but your feedback is very useful to us, as explained below.

What you have encountered here is an example of an electronic book which the Library has identified as being of possible interest to our users. We are moving to allow patron driven purchasing of ebooks, and this was publicized on Library News in March this year.

We are actively working on ways to improve this access, but it is a work in progress. In fact, changes we have made recently mean that the process for purchasing these items should be seamless, and the user shouldn't even be aware that accessing the ebook activates an automatic purchase process. We have however put a price limit on this, above which the purchase has to be approved, and the example you encountered may have exceeded this limit. If this is the case, fill in the request form and your request to purchase the item will go to the Library. We have also just checked and changed some other settings, so if you try again you may in fact be able to access the book without problems.

The process of patron driven purchase is still being reviewed, refined and revised, with the aim of making it as easy and seamless as possible.

Tim Stedman
Resource Acquisition Team Leader
Acting Resource Discovery Team Leader
Library Support Services

Level 4

Suggestion/Comment

Is it neccesary that shelving of books and re-arrangement of furniture occur on the "quiet" level 4 of the central library during the exam period. I appreciate that the staff are trying to be quiet but it's difficult to concentrate with all the noise.
Richard

Library Answer

Hello Richard

Thanks for your message advising that staff working on level 4.

I have spoken with my staff working on this level and stressed that there should not be moving of shelving or furniture at this time. If we cannot manage to move the books without being disruptive I will stop the work until after the exams have finished.

Regards Joan

Joan Simpson
Manager, Central Library and Learning Hub

APA referencing

Suggestion/Comment

It would be really nice and extremely helpful if the books in your catalogue also had the correct APA referencing mentioned on the screen somewhere.

Lisa Walker

Library Answer

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for your excellent suggestion. Whilst it's not currently possible in the Library Catalogue, you can display an APA citation for references by searching in Multisearch. Here’s how: save relevant items and click on saved items at the bottom of the screen. Choose APA as the format to display the citations. Hope this helps.

If you want further help with referencing do contact your Liaison Librarian who will be glad to advise you.

Peter Lund, Academic Liaison Manager

Opening Hours

Suggestion/Comment

Hi Guys,

it'd be really nice to extend the library opening hours past 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

It's getting really close to the endof the year (infact, we have exams in four weeks!) and it'd be super nice if we could start pulling some later hours.
Chris

Library Answer

Many thanks for your suggestion. Library Opening hours will be extended to support students through the exam period. Please check details at the following link http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/general/hours.php for more details.

Coral Black
Branch Libraries and Learning Hubs Manager

Returns

Suggestion/Comment

There is no place on level 2 to put books that a user is finished using e.g. beside the scanners.
Lloyd Carpenter

Library Answer

On any level of the library borrowers are asked to leave material on the tables that they do not wish to borrow after have browsing. The same applies on levels 2 and 3. Staff will collect them from the tables.

Thanks
Joan

Joan Simpson
Manager, Central Library and Learning Hub
University of Canterbury

Example email address for search result download

Suggestion/Comment

Hi there,

I noticed that the example email address used: stu999@student.canterbury.ac.nz used at the bottom of the page showing the copies and avaialability of any book is outdated. Maybe update it with the new email address suffix: uclive.ac.nz
Geert van de Vorstenbosch

Library Answer

Well spotted! Thanks, it has now been updated.

Kind regards

Library E-Services

Great job!

Suggestion/Comment

I am a new PhD student to UC; just wanted to say how impressed I am reading your library website. The communication with students seems fantastic. Well done!
Liz R.

Library Answer

Hi Liz,

Thanks very much for taking the time to let us know you like the site. It's good to be told how we can improve things, but it's just as good to hear when things are working well!

Kind regards

Heather

Heather Jenks
Associate University Librarian
University of Canterbury Library, Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha Learning Resources Private Bag 4800 Christchurch 8140 New Zealand