One month ago, I saw a rat. Today, I saw a cockroach. Have you ever disinfected the library? If no, and if you’re not planning to, there will be a great zoo here!

We have regular visits from an exterminator to help with the pest issue. Students can help us with the problem in several ways. One is to put all trash in containers and limit the amount of garbage left in the library. In addition, please report any “sightings” to the circulation desk so that we can direct the exterminator to the problem areas and call him in for extra visits as needed.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:21 PM | Permalink

Kindly prohibit smoking at the library gate.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Drexel’s policy does prohibit smoking at the gate: “Outdoor smoking areas should be located far enough away from doorways, open windows, covered walkways, and ventilation systems to prevent smoke from entering University buildings and facilities.” The entire policy is available at http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies/publicsafety_tobacco_use.asp. We are currently working on a solution to this problem—stay tuned for more details.

Followup:
Thank you to everyone who has expressed concern about the prevalent smoking outside Hagerty Library. We have posted signs notifying patrons of Drexel’s policy on smoking. Library staff will also be making a concerted effort to enforce these rules. If you have a particular concern at any time, please see the staff at the Circulation Desk, and they will be happy to assist you.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:19 PM | Permalink

Stop allowing non-Drexel student/faculty to utilize the library. Almost daily a PPA person comes into the library and does not respect “no cell phone” zones and it is distracting.

Drexel Libraries are committed to providing service first and foremost to Drexel students, faculty, and staff, but the library is open for public use during daytime hours. However, we share your concerns about inappropriate cell phone use at Hagerty. Please see our “Courtesy Policy” for more information. We ask that all patrons use courtesy and common sense when using cell phones. Patrons should only talk on the phone in the designated cell phone areas, which are the entire lower level and areas near the restrooms on each floor.

We do our best to deal with this issue as we see it, but unfortunately we cannot be aware of all instances. We ask that you alert library staff when patrons are using their cell phones outside of the designated cell phone areas. Thank you for expressing your concerns. We greatly appreciate your feedback.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:14 PM | Permalink

Why do the VHS and DVD playing machines and TVs not work and no one knows how to fix them??

Thank you for your question. Our VHS & DVD players do in fact work generally, but we are investigating updating the hardware necessary to provide a better viewing experience for our students. Please stay tuned for more details.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:31 PM | Permalink

Please install Firefox on the stand-up computer stations. I hate IE7.

Thanks very much for your suggestion. Firefox is a standard part of our installation routine and will be on the standalone systems at the start of the next term. Enjoy!

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:30 PM | Permalink

Why are all of your computers still running that crappy Microsux OS? And now I hear that you’re actually making plans for Windows Vista?!?! I’ve got two words for you: open source! Here’s two more: Get Linux!!

Thank you for your suggestion, we do not plan to implement MS Vista anytime soon in the libraries. We are examining the possibilities of having Linux installations available on public computers, but we're too early in the evaluation process for me to tell you for certain when that might occur if we decide to move ahead with that plan.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:29 PM | Permalink

Have a cart to give away books you don’t want anymore before you throw them away maybe.

Thank you for this suggestion. We do have a “book giveaway”. This is located on the third floor of the library outside Room 310. Any books on this shelf are free for patrons to take and enjoy!

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:27 PM | Permalink

We need a reference librarian from 5-6pm, just before we start evening classes.

Thanks for your suggestion. We do have a reference librarian available every Monday through Thursday from 5-6pm. There is also reference help available from 8:30am-5pm on Fridays. We do not have a reference librarian on Fridays from 5-6m, because past statistics do not show enough use to warrant having a reference librarian on duty.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:26 PM | Permalink

Improve your collection of Political Science books so students don’t have to request 10+ books from EZ-Borrow.

Hagerty Library strives to provide a broad range of materials to meet the needs of students and faculty at the university. We also review interlibrary loan records placed through E-Z Borrow and ILLiad to help discover subject areas and particular book titles which should be added to our collections. If there are perceived gaps in our collection, please bring them to the attention of the appropriate subject librarian, being as specific as possible about your needs. Alison Lewis, the Humanities and Social Sciences librarian, would welcome your input on the Political Science collection. She can be reached at 215-895-2765 or alewis@drexel.edu.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:23 PM | Permalink

I went to put books back on the shelves tonight that I’d been using, and a librarian told me not to so that other librarians could take count of what books were being used. Is that true? Should I not be nice and put the books I’ve used back on the shelf?

Yes, it is true. We ask that patrons return books to one of the blue shelves on the second and third floor or one of the reshelving carts near the reference collection. Hagerty Library keeps record of which books are being circulated in order to help us know which areas of the collection to further develop. We appreciate your help as we work to build the best collection possible!

Posted by Tara Martin at 03:44 PM | Permalink