Oct. 19, 2006: Circulation desk closing 20 min before the library?

I checked out a book on reserve a half hour before the library closed. Upon returned it a few minutes before midnight, I was informed that the circulation desk employees always leave early and before the actual closing of the library. The circulation desk neglected to tell me this fact and I was stuck with a fine on the book.

I would appreciate it if whatever higher power controlled the library could enforce stricter working hours on their employees. I am thoroughly disgusted with the library system and will not check out books any more except with great distrust.

Not sure where your information came from that the Circulation Desk always closes early but you received wrong information. The closing bell rings at 30 minutes before closing, 15 minutes before closing and at the closing hour. Circ desk staff ring that bell so the idea that all of the staff leave at 11:40 is unlikely.

At least 2 to 3 desk staff and students are available at the service desk until the library closes. Reserve items are checked in before staff leave for the night. I have checked your account and do not see fines for anything (nor payments made) so I'm not sure what fine you are referring to.

I'm sorry that you feel that you had a bad experience in the library but without more information I can't really say much more. I am available to meet with you if you would like.

Brenda Pratt, Head of Circulation

Oct. 26, 2006: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Hi. Has our univ registered for Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Online? If not, I suggest/ request university subcription for the same as there are a few very good articles that come by in this journal.

We do indeed have a subscription to the online version of the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, beginning with Vol. 833 (Feb. 1998) to the present. The issues are accessible from either the Addison database or the E-journal database, by doing a title search for -- Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

Buddy Litchfield, Research & Instruction Services Librarian

Oct. 31, 2006: Group study room policy question

have a question about the use of Group Study Rooms. The framed sign outside the Group Study Rooms indicates that a group is defined by 2 or more people and that 1 or 2 people may be bumped from the Study Room by a group of 3 or more. What rights do a couple (2 people) have over a single (1) person? Would the 2 people have to wait for an open Study Room? This has happened to me several times. All of the Group Study Rooms have been occupied by single person and my friend and I (who needed to talk about our class) were unable to use any of the rooms.

If only one person is in the room, you may want to remind them politely that a group would like to use the room. Or, simply ask the person is it ok if you join them in the room. I suspect if that person has sought out the room for solitude and two or more people come into the room and start a conversation, they soon will choose to leave.

In other words, I think there are various ways to handle this tactfully. We prefer not to get into the business of scheduling and regulating these rooms and by and large it has worked by students cooperating.

Don Kenney, Associate Dean for Administrative Services