Put a camera or cameras up to watch people’s stuff at the desktops, particularly upstairs by the window (that area is secluded). People shouldn’t have to worry about theft when they get up to get a drink, etc.

Thanks for your suggestion. Hagerty, like other buildings on campus, is fairly open and theft is a problem here just as elsewhere on campus. There are security cameras in the building, but we do not want you to rely on these as theft deterrents! The best way to prevent theft is for you to take your things with you when you leave an area. We realize this is an inconvenience if you are just getting a drink or using the restroom, but it is the only sure way of preventing theft. In the event something is stolen, please report it immediately to a security guard or someone at the Circulation Desk. We hope you will take theft seriously and take the necessary precautions to protect your belongings.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The lighting illumination in the 24-hour Bookmark Café is yellow. I feel that it is uncomfortable for putting in long hours of studying and reading which is what the café is built for. If I am the only one who feels that it is uncomfortable, please let me know. I will try to seek out a solution--perhaps see a psychologist.

Thanks for expressing your concern over the warm lighting in the Bookmark Café. There are other types of lighting scattered throughout the building (natural and fluorescent), so feel free to move around to different spaces in the building to see what works best for you. We appreciate your feedback on the lighting in the Bookmark Café and will keep it in mind as we plan renovations for the rest of the building.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:52 AM | Permalink

Water fountain in the 24-hour area.

Thanks for your suggestion. We have provided vending machines, and the cafe will provide water. But we will consider adding a water fountain as well.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:49 PM | Permalink

Have you been to the "quiet study area" in the basement where the stairs end? It's pretty quiet... if you can omit the incessant dinging of the gate where everyone scans their badge.... And the wireless power in this room is very poor; I have never gotten above a "fair" signal strength in this room. This room feels like a giant red herring.

Thanks for expressing your concern. We were unaware that it is possible to hear the security gate from the quiet room. We will talk with Facilities and the architects to see if there is a solution to this problem. As always, ear plugs are available at the circulation desk. As for the Internet, IRT recently upgraded the wireless connections here at Hagerty, but unfortunately they are still pretty variable. Honestly, they probably will be until the construction in the building is done this summer, at which point IRT has promised to do another mapping of our building and upgrade the wireless connectivity if needed. Thanks for your patience as we sort these issues out.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:47 AM | Permalink

I understand the lower level glassed in room is a quiet room. However, this is insufficient quiet space. The café provides plenty of group space (along with the group study rooms), so I suggest making the entire lower level a quiet area. You need new laptops. I pay $20,000 a year here—there is funding somewhere. Otherwise, good job, but get the tree back.

Thanks for your recommendations. Due to Drexel’s heavy focus on group projects, we are committed to providing as much group study space as possible. However, we understand that students need quiet study space as well—to meet this need we have dedicated the second floor and the glassed in room in the lower level as quiet study space. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to make the entire lower level quiet study space. As for the laptops, 20 of our 30 circulating laptops are less than a year old. In order to increase the number we could lend out, we kept 10 of the older models in circulation. We are actively seeking funding to upgrade these as well. We appreciate your patience in this matter. We miss the greenery, too, but we’re not sure what the future plans are once renovations are finished!

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:49 PM | Permalink

The Bookmark Café is a wonderful idea (comfy chairs, relaxed setting, 24 hours). Yet whenever I am inside, I have difficulty focusing, because there is so little ventilation. Is there anything the school can do about it? Turn up the air, install fans throughout, etc?

Thanks for your suggestion. Moderating the temperature and airflow has been very difficult recently, especially because of the change in seasons. We are working with Facilities to improve airflow in the Bookmark Café, and we ask for your patience as we sort out these issues. Thanks!

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Please reserve booths for groups. Too many booths are occupied by one person.

Thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to restrict booths to group use only. Seating in the café is available on a first-come first-serve basis. If at any time you have a specific concern, feel free to see the staff at the circulation desk.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:30 AM | Permalink

I think it is very inconsiderate that construction is being done on the third floor. I don't know what Drexel was thinking. Having ear plugs was a poor excuse for fixing the problem. They should have waited or at least stop working until next term.

We apologize for any inconvenience the third floor construction has caused. Unfortunately, we are on a tight construction schedule, so pausing construction during finals week proved impossible. We did ask that construction crew keep noise down as much as possible during finals, and, for the most part, we think they did a good job. In addition to ear plugs, there is also a new quiet study space in the glassed-in room in the Lower Level. We hope you will take advantage of this space as this is potentially the quietest area in the building. We appreciate your patience as we renovate the third floor. As always, please bring any immediate concerns to the Circulation Desk.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:04 AM | Permalink

Every time I step in the 24-hour café I feel like I've walked into a homeless shelter. Is there any way, besides having students respect their surroundings, to keep it looking respectable?

Thanks for your question. We do hope students will respect their surroundings and clean up after themselves as much as possible. We do have Facilities staff regularly circulate through the Bookmark Café to make sure everything is clean, but we will ask them if they can monitor this room more closely.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:28 AM | Permalink

Computers, printers, shelves, and circulation desk should be at least dusted off for a clean atmosphere.

Thanks for your suggestion. We will speak with Facilities and ask them to do a more thorough cleaning. During construction, there’s always a lot of dust floating around, so it’s difficult to keep things completely clean. Thanks for your patience!

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:24 PM | Permalink

Can someone please control the noise in the café? It gets so loud and rowdy and it's impossible to study!

Thanks for your question. At this time, we are unable to make the Bookmark Café a quiet study space. The Café was designed with group study in mind, thus the booth seating, bold colors, and food service. However, we have created a new quiet study space in the glassed-in room in the Lower Level. That area has been revamped to feature study carrels. Having said that, if you have a specific concern at any time (about the Bookmark Café or the quiet room in the Lower Level), feel free to see the staff at the Circulation Desk. Thanks for your understanding.

Posted by Tara Martin at 06:17 PM | Permalink

Please provide an easy-to-find link on the front page on how the Library of Congress shelving system works. Also, please get more bike racks.

Thank you for your suggestions. We have a lot of information here at the libraries that we try to communicate on the library homepage. Unfortunately, we can't communicate everything! But we do have a helpful website explaining Library of Congress and call numbers: http://www.library.drexel.edu/resources/tutorials/usingcallnumbers.html. Here is some additional Library of Congress Classification information: http://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/classification/.

Regarding the bike racks, we are aware that there is a shortage of bike racks at the front of the building. We have ordered new bike racks, and they should be installed sometime during the spring term. We’d appreciate your patience for just a little longer. Thanks!

Posted by Tara Martin at 10:15 AM | Permalink

Good facilities maintenance! Toilet paper, paper towels, clean, soap—all facilities are well kept.

We’re glad to hear the library facility has been clean and well-maintained, even in the midst of being open 24-7 for exams. We’ll make sure to congratulate Facilities for their hard work!

Posted by Tara Martin at 09:21 AM | Permalink

More outlets everywhere. A lot don’t work as well. Also DVD: Aqua Teen Hunger Force Seasons 1-5!

Thanks for letting us know that many outlets aren’t working. We are planning to purchase power strips and we will make them available for checkout at the Circ Desk. That way, you will be able to access electricity throughout the building. We will let you know when the power strips are available. Also, I’ve added Aqua Teen Hunger Force to the list of recommended DVDs.

Posted by Tara Martin at 09:14 AM | Permalink

Can you folks get new furniture for the study rooms? The old ones are breaking down.

Thanks for your suggestion. We will talk with the architects to see if new furniture for the study rooms is part of the renovation plans. Stay tuned for more details…

Posted by Tara Martin at 09:12 AM | Permalink

Is it possible to have the custodial staff keep their voices down while they clean in the morning as there are students studying and it is very difficult to concentrate when they are chronically talking while they are cleaning? It is very distracting. Just a suggestion…it would be a big help considering we are going into finals week.

Thanks for your suggestion. We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. We will remind the Library staff and Facilities that we are now open 24/7 for exams and that conversation should be kept on the quiet side.

Posted by Tara Martin at 09:26 AM | Permalink

We need extension power plugs. There are only a few power suppliers but students have laptops that require power. Thanks.

Thanks for your suggestion. We agree that additional power strips would be a benefit to the students. We’ll talk with Systems and Facilities to see if it’s possible to add them.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:48 AM | Permalink

Has anyone noticed the colors in the library are blue and gray? They are kind of mopey. Why doesn’t someone, while we’re renovating, change the color scheme to something a little more emotionally upbeat.

Thanks for your suggestion. We have talked with the architects, and a new color scheme is definitely in the works. We certainly don’t want to be a depressing library!

Posted by Tara Martin at 02:46 PM | Permalink

Love the suggestion box. It’s good to see someone around here actually cares what we think. How about some flavored coffee creamers in the Café? That’s the only reason I don’t buy it here. This would also give you a competitive edge over the lunch trucks.

Thanks for your great suggestion (and your encouragement)! We will talk with Sodexo to see if we can make flavored creamers available.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:35 AM | Permalink

What is going on with the Third Floor and when will construction be finished?

Thanks for your question. The third floor of Hagerty Library is undergoing renovation for use by the College of Law Library. The scaffolding has been erected to allow work on the skylight and the heating and ventilating systems, and we are expecting the scaffolding to remain in place for several months. The third floor construction should be completed by the beginning of August. We appreciate your patience throughout the construction process. We realize the library can be quite noisy at times, so we are providing disposable ear plugs, available at the Circulation Desk, to help minimize the distraction. The glassed-in room in the lower level is also a quiet study area.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:30 AM | Permalink

Please get some etiquette DVDs. That would be awesome. I posted this before but no one responded. By the way, I LOVE the library renovations so far. And I love the suggestion box.

Sorry for getting back to you so late in the game. We definitely could use an etiquette DVD! We will certainly look into getting a few resources. In the meantime, we do have some excellent print resources to help you brush up on your good manners. Please see this research guide for business etiquette: http://www.library.drexel.edu/resources/guides/businessetiquette.html. Glad to hear you like the library renovations thus far—there are many more exciting changes to come! Keep the suggestions coming.

Posted by Tara Martin at 02:58 PM | Permalink

There was a giant cockroach in the girls’ bathroom.

Thanks for letting us know! We already have regular visits from an exterminator to help with the pest issue, but we will notify them that it is time to visit again. 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 08:52 AM | Permalink

Please have the food service at the Café start at 8am. The law students next door would definitely buy the coffee. 11am is much too late for a library “Café”!

Thanks for your suggestion. We agree that having the Bookmark Café open longer would be a great benefit to the students. We will be periodically evaluating the Café’s hours, and perhaps we will stay open longer in the future.

Posted by Tara Martin at 02:49 PM | Permalink

The clock near room 226 is not working. Please replace it.

Thanks for letting us know. We’ll talk with Facilities to see if we can have it fixed or replaced.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:04 AM | Permalink

More bike parking.

Thanks for your suggestion. We are aware that there is a shortage of bike racks at the front of the building. We are ordering new bike racks, and they should be installed in the early spring. We’d appreciate your patience for just a little longer. Thanks!

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:01 AM | Permalink

Don’t have construction during exam week in library.

Thanks for your suggestion. The construction manager is aware of the final exam schedule, so we will make sure construction will not be an issue during that time. We apologize for having to construct the scaffolding in the atrium during midterms this week—we will plan ahead for the Spring Term’s midterms.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:20 AM | Permalink

Can we get some power strips in the 24/7 room where the desktops are? When the tables are full or when you just want to sit in the more comfortable chairs in the middle of the room, there are no plugs available and the only two plugs even remotely close are used entirely by the desktop/monitor. This usually leads to someone unplugging them. Power strips would solve this problem.

Thanks for your suggestion. We agree that additional power strips would be a benefit to the students. We’ll talk with Systems and Facilities to see if it’s possible to add them.

Posted by Tara Martin at 11:52 AM | Permalink

Urinal cakes?

Thank you for your suggestion. We will talk with Facilities to see if it is possible to get some urinal deodorizers for the restrooms.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:39 AM | Permalink

As a student originally from the countryside I used to study as a child up in my Pa’s hayloft above our two cows and six sheep. I found the setting to be quite serene and helpful in getting my word done. Would you consider perhaps adding a few barnyard animals and a few bricks of hay to some quiet corner of the library so I can get some work done?

Thanks for your excellent suggestion. We are currently conducting interviews with numerous cows, sheep, and goats (and yes, even an emu) to determine which creatures will fit in best with the quiet environment of the library. So far the best candidate is a rather studious goat. As for the hay, while that might add a certain ambiance, we’re afraid that might adversely affect those with allergies. Stay tuned for more details…

But seriously, thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately, at this time we’re unable to provide this quite personalized study space. But we hope you will enjoy our new Bookmark Café!

Posted by Tara Martin at 12:54 PM | Permalink

Why does the library have to be a center for social gatherings? PLEASE make the new 24/7 room a “QUIET AREA”. (Without the third floor, there isn’t enough quiet space.)

Thanks for your suggestion. We have created a new quiet study space in the glassed-in room in the Lower Level. That area has been revamped to feature study carrels. At this time, we are unable to make the Bookmark Café a quiet study space. The Café was designed with group study in mind, thus the booth seating, bold colors, and food service. If you have a specific concern at any time, feel free to see the staff at the Circulation Desk. Thanks for your understanding.

Posted by Tara Martin at 10:12 AM | Permalink

Please clean microwave.

Thanks for letting us know that the microwave is dirty. We'll make sure it gets cleaned shortly.

Posted by Tara Martin at 12:57 PM | Permalink

Keep the Café open longer please!!

Thanks for your suggestion. We agree that having the Bookmark Café open longer would be a great benefit to the students. We will be periodically evaluating the Café's hours, and perhaps we will stay open longer in the future. Whenever the Café is closed, we encourage you to use the vending machines that are available.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:55 AM | Permalink

Could you please put an ATM into the new 24-hour room? Thanks!

Thanks for your suggestion. We will look into this and see if it is feasible. In the meantime, here's a list of local ATMs: http://www.drexel.edu/rlo/Conferences/FAQ.asp#Banks. The closest location is at the Creese Student Center.

Posted by Tara Martin at 12:51 PM | Permalink

I get that there is construction downstairs, but why do ALL of the outlets in basement not work?!? Kinda makes it hard to work when your computer dies after an hour. Please fix! Thanks.

We're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. We have contacted the electrician, and they will see what can be done about this problem. Thanks for your patience as we work to get this resolved.

Posted by Tara Martin at 12:46 PM | Permalink

Bike racks.

Thanks for your suggestion. We are aware that there is a shortage of bike racks at the front of the building. We are ordering new bike racks, and they should be installed in the early spring. We’d appreciate your patience for just a little longer. Thanks!

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:35 PM | Permalink

I miss the tables on the third level. Can we array some tables in the empty spaces on the second level? Just until we have the third floor back?

Thanks for your great suggestion. We are in the process of distributing the furniture from the third floor throughout the rest of the building. So you should see tables and chairs popping up in new places. Enjoy!

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:27 PM | Permalink

Chairs for the second floor computers!

There are now stools at each of the four computers on the second floor. Hope this helps!

Posted by Tara Martin at 12:26 PM | Permalink

24 Seasons 4 and 6. The new study lounge is very nice.

Glad to hear you like the Bookmark Café! We think it's a great addition to Hagerty Library. I added these seasons of 24 to the list of requested DVDs.

Posted by Tara Martin at 03:51 PM | Permalink

Change the clock in the basement so that it displays the correct time! I was late to class because I wrongly assumed it was right.

We are sorry for the inconvenience! We have notified Facilities who will update the time.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:00 AM | Permalink

Water fountain in the 24-hour room!

Thanks for your suggestion. We have provided vending machines, and the cafe will provide water. But we will consider adding a water fountain as well.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:00 AM | Permalink

Coat hangers/pegs in the booths in the new café area would be a welcome addition.

Thanks for your suggestion. I agree that having coat hangers would be a nice touch! I'll talk with our architects to see if this is feasible.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:00 AM | Permalink

Please paint lines on ground for smokers to stay outside of entrance. Thanks!

Thank you for your suggestion. We have received many comments on the prevalence of smokers at the library entrance. We have signs posted notifying patrons of our policy, and we are asking Public Safety to patrol the area when they are on their rounds. We are also looking into moving the ashtrays further away from the library entrance. 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 04:48 PM | Permalink

There are roaches in the women's bathroom downstairs.

Thank you for letting us know! We will contact the exterminators to get rid of our unwelcome guests.

Posted by Tara Martin at 11:34 AM | Permalink

Place lockers in the new 24-hour section.

Thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately, there is no room for lockers in the new 24/7 space. Current periodicals will be housed on the free wall space. Soon, Hagerty will be undergoing renovations, and the plan is to make lockers available on both the lower level and the first floor.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:37 PM | Permalink

Let’s turn down the heat a tad. The sweating gets real bad. My ears are tomatoes, and I can’t think with all this heat. Thanks.

Thanks for your suggestion. We have been working with facilities to monitor the temperature, and it should improve. It takes a balancing act for these large buildings, but we do monitor the temperature and make changes as soon as we can.

Posted by Tara Martin at 02:33 PM | Permalink

The toilets are often extremely dirty at night.

We thank you for bringing the issue of our uncleanly bathrooms to our attention and apologize for any inconvenience. We will speak with Housekeeping about this to make sure the bathrooms are regularly checked for cleanliness throughout the day and night. The library staff will also monitor the situation and report to the Library Administration any issues regarding cleaning and/or functioning of the restrooms. We will continue to be in contact with the Director of Housekeeping to ensure that service is being kept up.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:29 PM | Permalink

Put the doors back on the study rooms on the first floor at the back.

Thanks for your suggestion. Due to renovations in the building, it has been necessary to remove the doors for some of the study rooms on the first floor. Pending the completion of the renovations, this will no longer be an issue.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:22 AM | Permalink

Please clean the carpets!!! The carpets are extremely dirty!!!

Thanks for your suggestion. We, too, have noticed that the carpets are “well-used". In the short-term, we will request that Housekeeping clean the carpets. But in the long-term, Hagerty will be undergoing renovations, and those renovations will hopefully include new carpeting.

Posted by Tara Martin at 02:14 PM | Permalink

The study rooms on the first floor stink!! It’s really bad, especially Rooms 131-134. I had to change rooms many times.

Thanks for your suggestion. We will be tightening our food policy when the new café opens (next week), and that should help improve the odor.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:01 AM | Permalink

Please extend your hours.

Thanks for your suggestion. We are happy to report that construction is currently underway for a new 24/7 area in Hagerty Library. We hope to open the new area Tuesday, November 2