Please open an online reserve DVD service so that students won't miss their favorite DVDs.

Thanks for your recommendation. Unfortunately, we are unable to allow patrons to place holds on DVDs from the catalog. Some DVDs are circulating up to 3 times a day, so we don’t want to limit their circulation by enabling holds. If you absolutely need a DVD for a class assignment or some other urgent concern, please see the staff at the circulation desk and they can help you with reserving this DVD. Thanks for your understanding.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Extend study hall room time slots.

Thanks for your suggestion. When checking out a group study room, keep in mind that you can renew that room as long as all the rooms are not currently booked. Additionally, we are considering alternative ways for best utilizing the group study rooms. Please stay tuned for more details...

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:52 AM | Permalink

If the Bookmark Café is open 24/7 now, can you please allow reserve textbooks to be taken out all night as well? (During finals/midterms, 2am is pretty early!)

Thanks for your question. We agree that it would be beneficial for students to have reserve books overnight, especially during finals, and we are currently in discussion about this issue. Unfortunately, we cannot provide more details at this time, but please stay turned for more information.

Posted by Tara Martin at 09:19 AM | Permalink

The new website is very nice. I think the services here have been great (and improving) for the 5 years I have been here!

We’re very glad to hear you like the new website. Our staff has put a lot of time and energy into creating it, so they’ll be encouraged to hear the positive feedback. Glad to hear the services we offer are great (and improving)—that’s just what we like to hear!

Posted by Tara Martin at 12:26 PM | Permalink

Students are using the scanners to copy multiple chapters from the reserve texts. This is problematic because it is very time consuming and prevents others from using the scanner/copier.

Thanks for letting us know. Sometime in the coming weeks, we will be installing new copiers in the library—all these copiers are also equipped with the “Scan to Email” function. These additional copiers should alleviate this problem. Until we install the new machines, there are two scanners located in Room L14 in the Lower Level for your convenience.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:21 AM | Permalink

Can you please enact harsher punishments on people who don't turn in DVDs on time if at all? A chopped off hand should suffice. It's really annoying to have to wait forever for someone to decide to return in-demand DVDs when they get good and ready. Oh—and could you guys start burning DVDs so that way if they don't come back at all there’s an extra copy for rental? Thanks.

Thank you for your suggestion. While we agree that it is frustrating waiting for DVDs to return, we do think our fines are harsh enough. We charge $1 for every day a DVD is overdue. Realizing that our patrons are often financially strapped, we don't want to enforce harsher policies. Most importantly, we hope that our patrons will take the responsibility to return DVDs on time, and we thoroughly appreciate those patrons that do. Unfortunately, we are unable to burn additional copies of DVDs as that would be unlawful reproduction.

Posted by Tara Martin at 09:10 AM | 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

Don’t charge 25 cents for a printout.

Thanks for your suggestion. Printing is still $.10 per page if you pay with the Ultima Funds on your DragonCard. If you don't have any Ultima Funds on your DragonCard, you can always add them using the machine here in the library or over at the DragonCard office. If for any reason you can't pay with your DragonCard, then printing is $.25 per page due to extra staff time required. We highly recommend you use your DragonCard--it's easier on all of us!

Posted by Tara Martin at 03:34 PM | Permalink

You should have voter registration forms available at the library.

Thanks for your suggestion. You’ll be pleased to learn we already have voter registration forms—they are available at the Circulation Desk and the Reference Desk. Full instructions, including the postal addresses of all Drexel dorms, are also available at the desks. Thanks for being a responsible citizen and registering to vote!

Posted by Tara Martin at 11:22 AM | Permalink

You guys are doing a great job. Keep it up!

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. It’s always nice to hear such positive feedback!

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:18 AM | Permalink

20% of students are international students. 50% of them don’t speak English really well. Should you have any software to support that?

What kind of software are you interested in? Please respond back and let us know. We do have the Windows XP language bar and foreign language character sets installed on the computers. We do our best to serve the broad range of student needs at Drexel, so please let us know what other software would benefit you.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:12 AM | Permalink

Update the shuttle schedules for weekday and weekend.

Thanks for letting us know they are out of date. We are obtaining the updated schedules now and will have them available shortly.

Posted by Tara Martin at 03:04 PM | Permalink

Better pencils for the suggestion slips. Maybe a sharpener? Thanks.

Thanks for your suggestion. I put out some new pencils at the suggestion box, and I will be sure to make sure they are sharpened on a regular basis.

Posted by Tara Martin at 09:07 AM | Permalink

What’s the point of the ID scanning machine if we have to show our IDs anyway to the security person to check for a ’08 sticker?

Thanks for your question. Drexel requires that students have an ’08 sticker on their DragonCard. Since the library is a significant point of contact with the student population, the university has requested that our Public Safety check DragonCards for the ’08 sticker. Students without an ’08 sticker will be given one after they successfully gain entrance to the library using their DragonCard. The ’08 sticker is also very useful for getting student discounts wherever student discounts are honored.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:18 PM | 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

Is this not a Drexel facility?? Then why ON EARTH can't I use flex dollars to print?! Absolute stupidity!!

Thanks for your question. The library is currently set up to print only using Ultima Funds. If you don't have any Ultima Funds on your DragonCard, you can always add them either at the library or at the DragonCard Office. We will look into the possibility of allowing printing with flex dollars.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:49 AM | Permalink

Maybe you should send people emails before their books/DVD is due instead of after when they will have to pay a late fee. A little reminder is always nice!!

Thanks for your suggestion. We do send out courtesy emails for books 5 days before they are due. Unfortunately, our computer system does not allow us to send out courtesy notices for DVDs as well. But the loan period for DVDs is only 5 days, so we hope you would remember to return them! As always, you can check your library record at any time from the library’s homepage (http://www.library.drexel.edu/). Just click on “Check MY Library Record” under “Services”—that will tell you what materials you have checked out and when they’re due back. You can also renew materials there. Hope this helps to clear up any confusion.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:31 AM | Permalink

Some audio books added to the library will be very useful.

Thanks for your suggestion. We are currently evaluating the possibility of adding an audio books collection. It’s always nice to hear that there’s interest. Stay tuned for more details…

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:23 AM | Permalink

The printer by the ground level computers is quite old and noisy. The noise is very distracting to those studying. Please invest in a new LaserJet.

Thanks for your great suggestion. You'll be happy to know new copiers and printers have indeed been ordered and should be in place within a few weeks.

Posted by Tara Martin at 12:52 PM | Permalink

Why would you move the career library? How are students on co-op (who have a lot of time on time on the weekends) supposed to access the newest/best books when we can’t get into 3201 Arch during the weekend? That was a bad and very disappointing decision.

Thanks for your question. Items in the Career Library’s circulating collection can be requested and delivered to Hagerty where you can check them out at your convenience. Just find the book that you want in the library’s catalog, and click “Request Item” in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. It takes 1-2 business days to have the book delivered to Hagerty Library. We hope you take advantage of this new feature.

Posted by Tara Martin at 03:54 PM | 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

The library needs to provide better quality ear plugs.

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will look into ordering higher quality ear plugs.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:16 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 27 with regular library hours. The room will be open 24-hours starting when the new railing gets here for the patio area. While we do not have a definite date at this time, it should not be too far from now.

Posted by Tara Martin at 01:44 PM | Permalink

The girl that works here with the short hair is sweet. Have her work more.

Glad to hear you had a positive experience with one of our employees. We all strive to provide excellent customer service!

Posted by Tara Martin at 03:49 PM | Permalink

Why are alumni not allowed to check out DVDs? I believe we should be treated [like students] as far as using library resources are concerned. Hoping this will change something.

Thanks for your suggestion. After looking into this, Hagerty Library has changed its borrowing policy. Alumni are now allowed to check out DVDs. Enjoy!

Posted by Tara Martin at 11:42 AM | Permalink

Two things would make it easier when ILL provides microfilm instead of print:
1. Chair/stool at proper height. Library chairs are too low.
2. Longer time period before time-out on software.

Thanks for your suggestion. We want to make the use of the microfilm reader as comfortable and convenient as possible. With the microfilm reader now behind the Circulation Desk, the chair at the reader has an adjustable height feature. If that does not meet your needs, please talk with someone on the Circulation staff who will help you find another chair.

Additionally, we have eliminated the time limit on the software. I hope this helps!

Posted by Tara Martin at 01:04 PM | Permalink

Why do you put so many notes everywhere? 6 “Books only”, “No VHS” at auto-checkouts, tons of “No food or drink”, etc…They make our library so ugly and unprofessional!!!

Thanks for your concern. Hagerty Library hangs signs to clarify student privileges and the library’s policies. We make an effort to post only those signs that are absolutely necessary. We will look into the possibility of creating more professional signs, but due to costliness, this may not be possible. However, we do have a graphic designer on staff who is working to make the signs less redundant and more aesthetically pleasing. We appreciate your interest in Hagerty’s appearance!

Posted by Tara Martin at 03:09 PM | Permalink

People are always so loud in the little food lounge you have. Please stop them.

We are sorry you’ve had difficulty studying in the Food and Drink Lounge in the Lower Level. The entire Lower Level of Hagerty Library, including the Food and Drink Lounge, is designated as the area where conversation and group work are allowed. If you would like a quiet place to study, we recommend you use the second and third floors—those are designated quiet areas.

Posted by Tara Martin at 08:57 AM | Permalink

Please fix the dragon card printing machine. I find it very inconvenient to have to go to the circulation desk to have them release my printing, even more so if I am working in the basement or upstairs. Thank you.

Thank you very much for expressing your concern. We too have been frustrated that the DragonCard money machine has been out of order for several months. A new machine was installed a few months ago, but this machine proved to have incompatibility issues. This machine should be up and running by the Fall Term.

In the meantime, we will be reinstalling the old DragonCard machine for your convenience. Until the old machine is back in place, please be aware that you can always add money to your DragonCard at the DragonCard office in Creese.

As always, we appreciate your patience!

Posted by Tara Martin at 06:29 PM | Permalink

MORE COMPUTERS! MORE TIME FOR ROOM RENTAL!

I am delighted to say that we will be replacing the public computers and loaner laptops. We will also be adding new systems for public use during the summer.

Unfortunately, we are unable to extend the length of time patrons are able to check out Group Study Rooms. These rooms are in high demand, so it is imperative that we let as many students as possible take advantage of this service. Many thanks for your patience in this regard.

Posted by Tara Martin at 03:25 PM | Permalink

Graduate students should be able to check out books for longer than one month.

Thanks for your suggestion. As graduate and undergraduate students share many of the same resources, we are unable to extend loan periods for graduate students. We want to ensure that as many students as possible are able to utilize the library’s resources. Graduate and undergraduate students can check out resources for 28 days with 2 renewals.

Posted by Tara Martin at 12:33 PM | Permalink

Please have more laptops available for students. Thanks!!

Thanks for your suggestion. We realize laptops are in high demand here at Hagerty Library. This summer we will be purchasing twenty new laptops to supplement and replace the older laptops. Additionally, we will have ten new laptops for circulation at Hahnemann Library. We hope you enjoy these new laptops!

Posted by Tara Martin at 10:25 AM | Permalink

The computers on the second floor are constantly taken up by people checking their e-mail so that one can't look up a book. Can we have at least one computer dedicated entirely to book look-up (since this is a library after all)?

Thanks for your suggestion. This summer we are starting on some renovations that will mean many more computers in the atrium areas of the second and third floors. We will also be reinstalling computers on the look-up stands scattered around the stacks on the second and third floors. We hope you enjoy the new computers!

Posted by Tara Martin at 10:09 AM | Permalink

Why don’t you have the library open overnight?

You’ll be happy to hear that Hagerty Library will be open 24 hours a day during Week 10 and Exam Week of this Spring Term! Starting 7:30am on Wednesday, June 6, Hagerty will remain open 24 hours until the end of the exam period at 10:00pm on Saturday, June 16. We hope you’ll take full advantage of these extended hours as you prepare for your exams.

Also, Hagerty Library will be starting renovations this summer. The renovation plans include a new 24/7 café. We’re all excited about this new addition to the library!

Posted by Tara Martin at 10:52 AM | Permalink

7 of the 36 computers (almost 20%) on the main floor of the library are "Out of Order." It seems like every time I walk in, another computer has been added to the "Out of Order" list, but none of the previously broken computers have been fixed. Please let us (the students) know who we need to go to in order to get the library the support it needs to make sure ALL computers are working for us. Thank you.

Thank you very much for expressing your concern. We too have been frustrated by an aging public systems infrastructure, and I am delighted to say that we will be replacing the public computers and loaner laptops. We will also be adding new systems for public use by the beginning of the summer. We continue to try to fix the systems on the floor as soon as we possibly can, and we are improving our turnaround times in this regard. Many thanks for your attention and patience in this regard.

Posted by Tara Martin at 05:05 PM | Permalink

First, the snacks and coffee provided during finals week was a really nice gesture. Second, the DVD collection for loan is a welcome addition to the library facilities. Third, many suggestions were made about hot water facilities and a microwave in the library. This is probably, in my opinion, due to students studying the whole day and not wanting to get out of the library for food/coffee. Hot water and microwave is much needed. Thanks for a great library!

Thanks for your affirmation. We do our best to serve Drexel’s students! Unfortunately, installing a microwave and providing hot water would be a fire hazard. However, we are investigating the possibility of a 24-hour library café that would have hot water, a microwave, and many other great features. We understand this is a real need for the student population—please stay tuned for details on whether this will be happening.

Posted by Tara Martin at 11:02 AM | Permalink

Tables should be reserved for parties of 2 or more. 10 of the tables by the reserve desk have 1 person each! Meanwhile, most of the single person desks go empty. Groups have nowhere to work!

Thanks for your suggestion. At this time we are unable to reserve public tables for group study. However, group study rooms accommodating 2 to 12 people are available at no charge to all Drexel students. All study rooms have either blackboards or white boards. You can check out the rooms at the Reserve Desk.

Posted by Tara Martin at 04:15 PM | Permalink

Please try not to let people reserve rooms as a means of booking a free motel room... It limits the availability of rooms at this limited library.

Study rooms are available for use by groups of students requiring conversation for group project work or studying. Because this type of work is frequently necessary for completing assignments, cooperation is needed to extend the use of the rooms to as many students as possible. If you feel a group of students is using a room inappropriately, please report the matter to the Reserve Desk.

Posted by Tara Martin at 09:35 AM | Permalink

I would love for the library to invest some money in some new scanners! They are the same ones from when I was an undergrad and I graduated in 2003! Thanks! Also, better scanner software. P.S. The lid on the current scanner is broken!

Thank you for your suggestion. We are indeed planning to upgrade our scanners by the beginning of the next school year. Stay tuned for more details.

Posted by Tara Martin at 09:34 AM | Permalink

Why don’t you make the copier machines payable with credit card?

Thanks for your suggestion. We are charged a service charge on credit cards that does not make this feasible, unless you are copying more than $10 worth of materials. If you plan on spending more than $10 on photocopying, please see the Circulation Desk. They will let you use the copier behind the Circulation Desk and they will charge your credit card.

For most patrons, however, we recommend you put money on your DragonCard and use that for your photocopying needs.

Posted by Tara Martin at 01:01 PM | Permalink

Where are cookies and sodas?

Cookies, candy, coffee, and tea were available free of charge during Finals Week from 10pm-1am. We hope you enjoyed these treats!

We also have snack and beverage vending machines in the lower level of Hagerty Library, in the small room adjacent to the computer lab, to provide you with tasty treats during those late night study sessions.

Posted by Tara Martin at 12:00 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

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

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