Latest Comments

February 7, 2012: Movie suggestions (library suggestion box)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:53:42 -0500

Requests to purchase the following movies:

1. Bring it on. (three suggestions)

Thank you for your suggestion. In the past, we have had a budget for purchasing popular materials. However, those funds have been used up and we are not in a position to purchase this title. We recommend contacting the public library, as this would be very appropriate for their collection.

2. love the DVD section. Please don't forget to keep adding to it.

We're so glad that you are enjoying the DVD collection. We are continuously purchasing new items for the collection, however recent purchasing efforts have been focused on films that are usable in an academic as well as an entertainment setting in order to maximize our DVD budget. We will continue to build a collection of high quality DVDs and we welcome any suggestions you may have.

Jennifer Nardine,
Film Bibliographer
Research & Instructional Services

February 6, 2012: Digital signature policy (online comment box)

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:57:35 -0500

My name is [redacted], and I am a grad student at the University of Mary Washington (UMW); I am currently working an externship with an assigned task to find Digital Signature policies that UMW can pattern its Digital Signature policy after. Would I be able to view a copy of your digital signature policy? I am trying to get security policies from neighboring universities to present in my externship presentation.

Please let me know as I only have sixteen weeks to complete this task.

To the best of my knowledge, the university does not have a digital signature policy beyond that established in federal law. All our policies can be found at (http://www.policies.vt.edu/index.php), and the one listed there specifically about signature is just who responsible for signing what. There is a pilot project to allow digital signatures in the leave report process, though the library is not participating.

Please note: In the future, when requesting this kind of information, if you want a response, you should provide your email address.

Robert Sebek
Webmaster, Virginia Tech Libraries

February 3, 2012: Dissapointing service (online comment box)

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:41:57 -0500

Recently, I stopped at the circulation desk to ask about the new printing procedures. The person I spoke to was EXTREMELY rude. Though there were instructions posted, I wanted to make a further clarification, but he refused to even listen to my question, and instead simply told me to check the board even though I tried to make it clear that the answer to my question was not available on the board. I understand that those who work at the circulation desk probably fielded a LOT of questions about the new procedures, and could be frustrated by the repetitiveness of the inquiries, but I found his tone and attitude entirely disrespectful and inappropriate. This is not the first time I have been offended by an interaction with a member of your staff, but certainly the most potent. I don't know the employee's name and I don't wish to punish him personally; I just want to express my desire for your employees as a whole to adopt a more congenial attitude towards students, which would improve the overall environment of the library and make it a more welcoming place for everyone to employ.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, I have taken care of this.
Brenda Pratt
Head of Circulation Services

January 24, 2012: Accessing S&P Reports (online comment box)

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:36:58 -0500

I am looking for the 2005 Standard & Poors industry surveys. Where can I find that online? Please advise.

We have the electronic Standard & Poors Industry Surveys: netAdvantage, which has older industry surveys archived back to 1999. If you go to this page, you will see a link to connect to the database under the Connect to section. Once you click and enter the database, select Industries in the blue bar at top. Then you can choose the name of your industry. Once you do that, you are offered a pull-down menu under Archived Surveys to select the date that you wish to view.

Please email me if I can help further.
Ellen Krupar
College Librarian for Business

Like all of our online databases, you can find the link to Standard and Poor's through the Databases tab on the home page. Simply search "standard and poor's"

You'll see we have all of these publication online back to 1999 (once you reach the S&P home page, look for the "Select year and issue" pop up menu on the right side).

Be sure to use Off Campus Sign In when not on the campus network before accessing this restricted resource.
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Robert Sebek
Webmaster, Virginia Tech Libraries

January 18, 2012: Printing without a Hokie Passort (online comment box)

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:20:34 -0500

I noticed the new printers today, and was excited until I discovered that I cannot print at the library under the new configuration. I'm not enrolled at Tech for the current semester, and as a result, my Hokie Passport is inactive.

Is there a timeframe for implementation of a patron card? In the interim, is there any way to setup a single computer for public printing use? Any information would be appreciated.

We expect the new patron copy cards to be at the library and available for purchase by the end of Monday (Jan.23).

Thanks,
Brenda Pratt
Head of Circulation

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If you still have a Hokie Passport, you should be able to add funds to it using the cash to card machine on the 2nd floor in front of the circulation desk, even if you are not a current student. (If that doesn't work, please write back to me and I'll investigate that aspect further).

We are supposed to be getting generic cards from the Hokie Passport office for use by non-VT patrons, but they have not yet been delivered, and I'm not sure what the time frame for that is (but we're supposed to hear very soon.)

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Robert Sebek
Webmaster, Virginia Tech Libraries

December 13, 2011: Larger monitors (library suggestion box)

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:40:33 -0500

Please put larger monitors on all of the pubic workstations. It would help to increase productivity by allowing us to have more windows open.

We have 2 size monitors on public access workstations in the library. There are 19inch and 22inch monitors. The 22inch monitors are all in ones. There are library group study rooms that contain 40-46inch monitors on the wall that can be used to connect your laptop or other device for needs of larger displays. The library cycle for new machines have just passed, however we are considering adding a few larger size monitors on workstations throughout the library. These upgrades will probably take place spring semester.

Have a nice day!
Curtis D. Carr
Director Library Systems

December 13, 2011: Extended hours and power outlets (library suggestion box)

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:39:14 -0500

Thank you for extending the Library hours next semester!! 24/5 will be great. More power outlets are needed, too.

Thank you for your comment and your suggestion. We hope that our keeping the Library open 24/5 from Sunday to Thursday will be a benefit for all of our students. Regarding your suggestion for more power outlets, you will be glad to know that the Library has plans for several renovations in the building during 2012, that will include making more outlets available for student use.

Buddy Litchfield
Va. Tech Libraries

December 12, 2011: More Exam coffee and grilled cheese comments

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:30:30 -0500

I really appreciated the grilled cheese sandwiches, coffee, tea and hot chocolate that was provided in the library while i was studying for my final exam. It was a really nice study break and I did not have to go far to get food or a drink. I think it was a very thoughtful idea and hope it will continue.

LOVE THE FREE COFFEE AND GRILLED CHEESE! Best idea ever. During finals, we all obviously are going to drink A LOT of coffee and we sometimes forget to eat due to studying. Great idea and please please please do it again! Makes me choose to study at Newman rather than going to the empo or somewhere else.

You all are doing a great job making students comfortable during finals week. I really appreciate the grilled cheese and hot chocolate/tea/coffee. The grilled cheese makes an especially nice addition! Keep it up!

Thanks for the free grilled cheese sandwiches.

I'M IN LOVE WITH THE GRILLED CHEESES!

Thank you so much for your enthusiastic response to our expanded beverage and sandwich service during exams, I thought it would be a good idea to offer grilled cheese sandwiches to students during exams because many of you study so hard that you forget to eat!!! I am so pleased by the appreciation shown by the students, and that I want you to know that we plan to continue the service through the rest of this exam period.

Therese Walters
Va. Tech Libraries

December 11, 2011: Exam coffee and grilled cheese comments

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:35:22 -0500

Thank you all so much for the free caffeinated beverages during final exams! I was so excited when I discovered that your newest addition of service includes free grilled cheese sandwiches, which are amazing for those of us who don't take the time to go get food while preparing for finals. We are truly blessed to have a such a kind staff who genuinely cares for the success and well-being of students. THANK YOU!!!!

P.S. I'm excited for next semester's new hours as part of 24/5.

I love the food and drinks provided for exam studying!! It's so thoughtful and considerate during a time when food comes last on the priority list. Thank you, library staff!!!

LOVE the grilled cheese/coffee station at night during finals. Seriously made my studying about a thousand times better. Definitely a great idea! Thank you!!

I really enjoyed the after hour grilled cheese sandwiches! Hopefully I will be able to see more of them

MORE GRILLED CHEESE AND HOT CHOCOLATE AND COFFEE IN THE LIBRARY!

Also, the people that you had working the tables are amazing wonderful and fantastic! I wish it was finals week every week.... wait.... i take that back. But the grilled cheese and hot cocoa can stay! :D Thanks again!

Thanks so much for your feedback. Good luck on exams!

Robert Sebek
Webmaster, Virginia Tech Libraries

November 30, 2011: Large display of open computers (online comment box)

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:30:22 -0500

You know what would be great? A big display of some sort near the main entrance on the 2nd floor that is always displaying the computer availability. http://crow.lib.vt.edu/avail/avail.php. It would be even better if it could display all floors with computers at once. It would be super better if the display was a touch screen, and you could select the floor on which you want to see available computers.

Sincerely,
Patron running into the building frantically looking for a computer because I've only got like 10 minutes to print this paper and go to class and don't want to run in circles for 15 minutes trying to find a computer and be late for class.

Thank you for your thoughtful suggestion. I will pass it along to our Library administration, to see if it is feasible.

Buddy Litchfield
Va. Tech Libraries