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Comment Archive

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• Copy Cards
  9/11/2006 11:24:47 AM
  
  Comment: I am angainst the phase-out of the old copy card system. As pointed out in a previous comment, the new Wolf-Card system does not allow for discounts when purchasing a large number of copies. Additionally, the inconvenience assoicated with guests, visitors, and those others without the Wolf Card is enormous. They have to pay a $1 fee to use a card and then pay for the copies on top of that? It seems to me that in its push for a newer, streamlined system, the University has eliminated flexibility. Please bring back the older copy card system for the libraries.
  
  Response: Thank you for your comment. We are definitely sympathetic to your points. The Libraries were able to offer that discount for many years, and we were all used to it — including library staff. As you point out, we can't offer the discount in the new system. As far as flexibility, I would assert that the new system is, in fact, more flexible. The money on your card can be used in the bookstore, Lombardi, parking services, food service (though not at the Advantage Cash discount,) and a number of the vending machines around campus.
  
  As far as charging for the card, I don't think $1.00 is an enormous inconvenience for off-campus visitors. It is comparable to what other institutions that offer copying and printing to non-affiliated users, and it covers the costs of producing the cards. They are more expensive than you might think, as are the old white vendacards. Students should always have their WolfCard, so it isn't an issue. Would you expect your bank to issue money to you without your ATM card?
  
  Bringing back the old system would mean a significant investment for the Libraries. The vendacard technology is obsolete and being phased out. The Libraries had been paying premium prices for replacement and maintenance of the old equipment and creation of new vendacards for several years. To continue with the vendacard would require the Libraries to raise the rates for copying and printing. While it seems the new Wolfcard equipment would be expensive, it is significantly less costly than replacing the old, legacy vendacard readers and vendacards. If you have leftover white vendacards, bring them to a staff member at the circulation desk. We can make accommodations for the units you have left on your card.
  
  
  
• Stamping when library books are due
  3/14/2006 9:03:27 AM
  
  Comment: The workers in the Gethell Library need to start stamping when library books are due. College students have enough to worry about, without trying to remember when the person behind the counter says the book is due. Also when someone asks the people behind the desk if they could stamp their books, the workers get annoyed as if this is some inconvience for them and will only stamp one book. This has happened everytime I go to the library and I feel something should be done about it, these people are getting paid to do a job, not sit around and get mad when people actually come up to the check out counter.
  
  Response: Library procedure is to stamp each item checked out with the date the item is due. The supervisor of the Circulation Department will clarify correct procedure with student employees. If you experience a similar incident again, it would be helpful if you would share that with the department supervisor, including date and time of the incident. Thank you very much.
  
  
  
• Copy and Printing Costs.
  3/8/2006 3:47:21 PM
  
  Comment: Today the 8th of March I found out that the library had increased thier prices for copying and printing. I am concerned with this as it appears once again the university is passing the cost on to students. For as long as I hve been comng to the university, one could get a reduced cost for printing and copying. Is there an explaination as to why the library is doing this? Or will it be the same old same about rising costs.
  
  Response: The reason for the change in copy and printing costs is the university's change to the Wolfcard system. The Wolfcard may be used in vending machines, the bookstore, and for other services, as well as for photocopies. The Library used to sell vendacards that were used exclusively for copying and printing, and we were able to manage the number of copies that were sold at each pricing level. The one-card system does not allow us to create a differentiated pricing structure based on quantity of copies.
  
  
  
• Workers
  2/22/2006 10:27:46 AM
  
  Comment: ...in the Physical Science Libarary the person behind teh deskl is talking on his cell phone so loud that i cannot study. this is annoying..I asked him to be quiet but he did not respond...i think that this is stupid to allow your employees distrupt a quiet area like he is doing.
  
  Response: Your message has been sent to the supervisor of the Physical Sciences Library. The supervisor will address this issue with all student employees, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a reasonably quiet study area in PSci, including the need for quiet conversational tones and limited cell phone use. Thank you for your message.
  
  
  
• Quality Help
  2/19/2006 10:25:47 AM
  
  Comment: helloI was in your library on Sat looking for books and articles. I had trouble finding these items so i asked for help. I was helped by a young lady named Cecelia. She showed me how to look up the books, retrieve them from downstairs with me and answered every question very professionally and with such certainty. I later had trouble with the copiers and this same young lady helped me out 3 or 4 times without being bothered. I am impressed with this kind and patient girl. Thank you - Olivia
  
  Response: We appreciate your thoughtful comment and will pass it along to Cecilia and her supervisor. Thank you for taking the time to write.
  
  
  
• Book Suggestion
  2/16/2006 1:02:49 PM
  
  Comment: Please order a copy of "Constructing A European Market: : Standards, Regulation, and Governance " by Michelle Egan Thank you!
  
  Response: Thank you for your suggestion. Your request has been sent to the business subject specialist for ordering.
  
  
  
• Cyrano de Bergerac opera requests
  2/2/2006 12:35:24 PM
  
  Comment: It doesn't look like the library has the score for this opera, nor a CD recording of it. Could we get both?
  
  Response: Several composers have written operas based on the life of Cyrano de Bergerac. If you'll contact me directly, I'll be happy to talk with you about which specific piece you're after, and we can see what scores and recordings are available. Rick Anderson Director of Resource Acquisition 784-6500 x273 rickand@unr.edu
  
  
  
• NetID
  1/31/2006 5:03:44 PM
  
  Comment: This is the most frustrating site I've been on in a long time. I need to activate (or obtain again) my NetID. Your system does not recognize my SSN or my date of birth - I am not sure which. Show me how to re-establish my NetID so I can use the library!
  
  Response: The libraries have recently upgraded the system by which we provide login from off-campus for licensed resources, such as e-journals, databases, and e-reserves. Unfortunately, this has resulted in a change we did not expect: all UNR users are required to login with a NetID instead of library barcode, with the exception of UNSOM adjunct faculty.
  
  If you have an active NetID, but are unable to gain access to library resources, contact the Circulation department at 784-6500 x238, and we can check your library record.
  
  If you unsure whether you have a NetID, contact : Computing Help Desk at 784-4320 x1 (academic faculty and students) or Support Center at 784-1540 x1 (administrative faculty and staff) to verify your NetID and get help with activating it.
  
  You can activate your NetID, if you haven't done so in the past, at the following site:
  https://www.net.unr.edu/apps/netid/activate.asp
  
  
  
• VENDACARDS
  12/5/2005 5:42:34 PM
  
  Comment: I hate this new switching over, I have a print Card i purchased since 2003 and im still usisng it, do i get my money back?
  
  Response: The Libraries will not buy back unused copies, but we will issue copying credits for the number of copies remaining on your card. Please see personnel at the Getchell Library Circulation Desk, DeLaMare Library, or Life and Health Sciences Library for information about how to complete this transaction.
  
  
  
• Laptops
  11/16/2005 3:15:15 PM
  
  Comment: Several times I have tried to check out laptops in the library and have only succeded once. I like the laptop program but more laptops are necessary. Please consider purchasing more.
  
  Response: The Library will purchase additional laptops for circulation during the spring semester. Thank you for your suggestion.
  
  
  
• Quiet computer areas
  10/11/2005 6:41:43 PM
  
  Comment: I'd like to know where on campus there are designated study areas with computers. Getchell library is OUT OF CONTROL!! It's no longer a library but a place where students gather to chew the fat and talk on cell phones. DeLamare is where I usually go and it is an "unwritten" rule that this is a quiet study area. But students are now gathering here with the intention of studying as a group, but 90% of the time they get sidetracked and talk (loudly) about there personal lives and take/make cell phone calls. This is very frustrating. I need a new place that is quiet that has computers and internet access. Where do I go?
  
  Response: The JTSU Lab in room 234 of the JTSU is a designated quiet lab with no cell phones allowed. Also, the basement of the DeLaMare Library remains relatively quiet, although it is not a designated quiet area. Finally, you might consider using a laptop as an alternative. Laptops with wireless network cards are available for checkout at the Circulation Desk and may be taken to any quiet area you can find in the library.
  
  
  
• Student lockers available in ABB
  9/17/2005 11:49:50 PM
  
  Comment: Hello, while reading the comment archive I noticed some comments (albeit from a few years ago) about requests for lockers. I would like to make you aware that there are lockers available in the Ansari Business Building that can be rented on a semester or year basis. The lockers are maintained by Beta Alpha Psi, the honorary honors organization for students in Accounting, Information Systems, and Finance. Please direct requests to our faculty advisor, Betty Cossitt, at cossitt@unr.edu. Her office is in AB401G and her office phone is 784-6456. Thanks!
  
  Response: Thank you very much for sharing this information. In addition to posting on this site, we will make it available to our library staff who receive requests from students about lockers.
  
  
  
• Very nice site!
  9/16/2005 9:34:54 PM
  
  Comment: Very nice site!
  
  Response: Thank you! It's always wonderful and motivating to hear something positive about our web site. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
  
  Araby Greene, Web Development Librarian
  
  
  
• Electronic data base
  9/12/2005 4:35:28 PM
  
  Comment: Is it possible to switch to the "first search" data base search engine. The one we are currently using, i believe it is "ebco host", is very ineffective. Key words i use on our librarie's search result in zero hits, while the same key words entered in to "first search" yields many hits. In addition to the forementioned deficiency, the "limiters" used by "ebco host" are useless. I'm a doctoral student and the current search engine makes reseach very frustrating. I've used both first search and or current search engine, and first search is much more effective; it simplifies locating journal articles on specific topics.
  
  Response: Unfortunately, the inconsistent results that you are getting with our FirstSearch and EBSCO databases comes, in large part, from the fact that they are different databases, with differing content, that are provided by different companies. We can't use the FirstSearch interface to search EBSCO's content (or vice versa). So it's very possible that one reason you're getting better search results from FirstSearch than from EBSCO is that the FirstSearch database in question is a better fit for your research needs than the EBSCO database you also searched.
  
  It also may be that there are some tricks and techniques we could share with you that will make it easier for you to find what you need using the EBSCO search interface. Please feel free to contact the Library subject specialist whose expertise matches your area of research interest (you can see a list of subject specialists at www.library.unr.edu/instruction/subjectspecialists.html), or to come to the Reference Desk on the main floor of Getchell Library and ask for help there. We also have a Live Online Help service that is available Monday through Thursday between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm (at www.library.unr.edu/depts/reference/askalibrarian.html).
  
  We look forward to being of service to you.
  
  
  
• Nevada atlas
  6/14/2005 2:26:39 PM
  
  Comment: The California Geographical Survey (http://geodata.csun.edu) is pleased to announce the inauguration of its latest digital atlas for the Web - Nevada Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images Its initial collection includes more than 500 unique mathematical simulations of the earth that display the state's regions in a multitude of never before seen photorealistic views. http://130.166.124.2/nv_panorama_atlas/
  
  The Oregon Atlas is the fifth in a series of aerial panorama collections being created for the use of schoolteachers and their students. Postings to date include:
  • World Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images
  • Alaska Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images
  • California Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images
  • Nevada Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images
  • Oregon Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images
  • Washington Atlas of Panoramic Aerial Images
  All collections entry points may be found at the URL of the Survey's The Electronic Map Library
  
  A collection of animated "flight" films created to display in motion some of the earth's most fascinating regions and landscapes may be found at the Animated Aerial Movies Over the Earth's Landscapes
  
  Please email me concerning any technical issues or labeling errors. One of the difficulties I face is trying to design pages that will work in some useful fashion with a multitude of Web browsers operating on many types of computer. I am aware that a large white gap is appearing at the top of many atlas image albums. This happens most often on Microsoft Windows computers. If this is happening to you, simply scroll down the page and you will discover the "missing" images.
  
  The California Geographical Survey is the creation of Dr. William Bowen, professor emeritus - CSU Northridge, and is supported on the Web through the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. It operates for the benefit of the students and faculty of the California State University System, public and parochial school teachers, and the people of the State of California. It is the California Geographical Survey's intention to provide a variety of important geographic resources to the entire Internet community.
  
  Response: Thank you for sharing this information. We've passed it along to our Geosciences Librarian, who will evaluate and link it to appropriate library resource pages.
  
  
  
• Access to Physics Letters
  5/30/2005 4:54:48 PM
  
  Comment: Dear Sir, I am using Physics letters. [Part A] online through Connect via Elsevier (UNR users only). The article is "Fast simulated annealing Physics Letters A, Volume 122, Issues 3-4, 8 June 1987, Pages 157-162 Harold Szu and Ralph Hartley" I can not get the full article because "This article from Physics Letters A is not included in your institution's subscription." Could you solve it so that no body get it any more. Thanks This article from Physics Letters A is not included in your institution's subscription. You can access this article using your institution's agreement with ScienceDirect by clicking the continue button.
  
  Response: UNR Libraries license Elsevier’s Freedom Collection, which includes 1995 to present issues of a majority of the e-journal titles available in ScienceDirect. In order to have access to back issues prior to 1995, one has to license Elsevier’s subject-based backfile collections.
  
  The title in question, Physics Letters [Part A], belongs to Elsevier’s Physics Backfile, which UNR Libraries do not license. That is why we can not access 1967 – 1994 issues of the title at the journal Web page even though they are listed there.
  
  The Physical Sciences Library has the article you need in print format in their journal stacks. Here is a link to the catalog record for the title you need.
  
  For more information about the Physical Sciences Library, please visit their Website at http://www.library.unr.edu/sciencelibs/psci/. Their library hours and phone number are at http://www.library.unr.edu/sciencelibs/branchhours.html#phy.
  
  Thanks for your message.
  
  
  
• Guest Computers
  4/19/2005 3:14:14 PM
  
  Comment: I was sitting at the black computers in the back of the library, and i was minding my own business. I went to the newspaper section and started to get out the RGJ paper, When i glanced to my right I saw some old gentleman at the guest computers looking at inappropriate stuff, such as pornography. I dont know what the rules are about this, but it was very disgusting.
  
  Response: The University Libraries' have fairly open computer use policies, consistent with policies at most major academic institutions. We do not filter or otherwise restrict access to materials and websites that are distasteful, as long as they are legal. Those who access illegal sites, such as child pornography, will be dealt with swiftly. If you observe anything that you suspect is child pornography, please report it immediately. More details about the incident you observed would be helpful. Please feel free to discuss this issue with Michael Simons, Director for Access Services, whenever it is convenient for you. Mike's phone number is 784-6500 x311.
  
  
  
• Printing
  4/17/2005 4:56:05 PM
  
  Comment: When will the library computers allow for printing without logging off and then back on? This problem is entering its 2nd or 3rd month.I see the computer tech people speaking loudly around the library but this problem still exists. thank you
  
  Response: According to the Library Systems Office, this printing problem is resolved. We'll want to know right away if you experience the problem again. Please inform a staff member at the Circulation or Information Desk.
  
  
  
• A Questionable Service
  3/23/2005 2:25:24 PM
  
  Comment: When I paid a fine at the circulation desk in the Getchell library, an older male staff (not student worker) took the fine I paid and went to the cash register to put that money in. However, then, I saw he took another money from the register and went to the back room, and when he came out, the money in his hand was gone. Once I heard a rumor that a circulation personal was taking money from the cash register, which patrons paid for whatever reasons. I paid my fine for its sake, but not for the circulation personal.
  
  Response: The process that you describe is consistent with normal procedure. Perhaps the drawer had too many of one kind of bill, or a drawer change may have been in progress between shifts. Thank you for your concern about this matter. You are very observant. Your comment has been shared with Circulation department supervisors.
  
  
  
• Compliments on the Website
  3/2/2005 5:14:01 AM
  
  Comment: Your site is very nice, compliment! from http://www.visasupport.org
  
  Response: Thank you for sharing your comment. It is always rewarding to hear positive feedback.
  
  
  
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
  3/1/2005 8:18:32 PM
  
  Comment: Hi, Although the other day I insisted you should download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.5 for all of computers in the library, but I find that there was no response since then. Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.5 is much faster (with the same speed Internet connection, it is about 1/4 speed of before), and it is very light. So, even if the computers are a little out-of-dated, it can download PDF files very fast as well. I strongly recommend to install the new version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to all the computers in the library as soon as possible, and many stuents would be released from the stress when downloading very heavy PDF files in the library. Thank you.
  
  Response: Your request was forwarded to the Library Systems Office. This is the response of the systems administrator.
  

  "We are currently in the process of creating a package for deploying Acrobat 7.0. It will be a few more weeks until we complete our stringent pre-deployment testing to ensure that it is 100% compatible to all of the resources and services that we provide. As with any new product or version release we are very cautious in deploying them as they may be plagued with bugs and problems that may be disruptive rather than helpful to the general public."
  

  We anticipate that the package will be ready by summer.
  
  
  

• Current Issues of Magazines
  3/1/2005 1:57:27 PM
  
  Comment: If you subscribe some of generally acknouledged magazines like scientific american, forbes, economist, and mac power, then I can pick up some of interesting articles and make a photocopy for it. I think it is very relevant and reasonable option for students who cannot subscribe all the magazines for their interest, and they cannot afford to buy those every time if they find interesting articles. I would like to make a magazine booth so that students can gather, drop in, and read those sitting on soffa, and I am sure many students like me think they need this.
  
  Response: Have you checked out the Current Periodicals collection in Getchell? We receive both print and electronic copies of most of the titles you mention. Current issues are arranged by title in the Current Periodicals collection on the north side of the main floor. You will find current issues of Scientific American, Forbes and the Economist there.
  
  
  
• Purchase Suggestion
  3/1/2005 1:42:50 AM
  
  Comment: Purchase suggestion: M. Horstkotte, The postmodern fantastic in contemporary British fiction, 2004 found in MLA bibliography
  
  Response: An order will be placed immediately for the book which you note above. Thank you very much for your suggestion.
  
  
  
• Free Music journals
  1/7/2005 4:05:42 AM
  
  Comment: Hello http://www.library.unr.edu/ejournals/free.html On your fine page of free electronic journals, I noticed in the Music section, some that were not working - GADFLY - turned into something else - MUSIC THEORY ONLINE is currently residing at http://www.societymusictheory.org/mto/ and TRUMPETER is NOT a music journal - The ITG has some articles online on http://www.trumpetguild.org/journal/journal.htm
  
  Response: Thank you very much for bringing these problems to our attention. The problems you reported have been fixed as follows:
  

  GADFLY was removed from the e-journal Web pages, including the Music section of the free e-journals page.
  MUSIC THEORY ONLINE is now linked to http://www.societymusictheory.org/mto/issues/issues.html.
  TRUMPETER was removed from the Music section of the free e-journals page.
  ITG JOURNAL (http://www.trumpetguild.org/journal/journal.htm) has been added to the e-journal Web pages, including the Music section of the free e-journals page.
  We really appreciated your feedback. Please feel free to contact us again if you encounter problems accessing e-journals on the UNR Library Website.
  

  Paoshan Yue
  Electronic Resources Access Librarian
  
  
  

• Aerial Photograph of Lake Tahoe/Carson Valley
  11/11/2004 1:00:44 PM
  
  Comment: I am trying to track down a photograph/poster I saw in a now defunct Casino in Carson City, Nv some five years ago. It was an aerial black and white photograph of Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley showing how much higher the lake was than the valley. It gave you the sense that if a hole was punched in Lake Tahoe it would have flooded the valley. There was no date on it, however, I don't recall seeing any heavily populated areas on the map. Hope you can help. Thanks
  
  Response: Thank you for your message. I believe the photograph you are looking for is our photo number 2663. You can view the image on our Images of Lake Tahoe website (http://www.library.unr.edu/specoll/photoweb/tahoe/). The title of the photograph on the site is Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley.
  If you would like to order a copy of the image, please let me know and I will be happy to help you.
  Sincerely,
  Kathryn Totton
  Photograph Curator
  Special Collections Department
  
  
  
• Citation Machine
  10/6/2004 3:00:15 PM
  
  Comment: I am a grad student in economics at UNR. One of the rpoblems I have always had with writing papers is using the correct citation format. I was browsing the library home page and stumbled across the reference to the citation machine. I punched in a sample citation (one that I am using for my thesis) and hit the submit button. The citation machine is a really cool tool for students. I would not have known about it if I didn't have an hour to kill. I would recommend that you advertise the tool more prominantley in the library and distribute the inflormation about the tool to departments and professors. Thank you for having this tool. Now I can focus on the actual writing of my thesis and not worry so much whether my cites are legit or not.
  
  Response: This is a good idea. We will share it with the library web team right away, so that they can consider how to make this information more prominent. Thank you for your suggestion.
  
  
  
• DeLamare Library Lights
  10/4/2004 10:06:04 AM
  
  Comment: On the 2nd floor (Map Library) the lights don't turn on at workstations 3, 4 and 5. Those are study stations and it is very hard to see without the lights on . Thank you.
  
  Response: Thank you for bringing this to our attention. DeLaMare Library staff will check on the situation right away.
  
  
  
• Course Reserves
  9/22/2004 7:19:31 PM
  
  Comment: In an attempt to help save his students some money, Skip Griffin made his text available on the electronic course reserves instead of requiring us to purchase it. After much trouble someone down there was kind enough to do their job and finally make the 1st part of the text available, albeit one week before our exam. Now I am told that the next part of the text should be available, but I cannot even access it from my home. You may or may not be aware of how difficult Criminal Justice Methods already is, and let me assure you, this is only making it more difficult. If the course reserves cannot be accessed outside of the university what sense does it make to have it at all? I was able to access and print the 1st three chapters of the text (Senese) and I would appriciate it if I could do the same with the rest.
  
  Response: I am sorry you are having trouble getting all the required chapters for your book. Currently, the first 5 chapters are available on the Web while we are securing copyright permission from the publisher to scan in the remaining required chapters for your course. They are available off-campus, but you need to log in as a UNR student in order to gain access. All you need is the last 7 digits of the barcode located on your student ID (the number starts with 2 1233 …)

  If you can not locate your card or this barcode, call the Getchell Library circulation desk (784-6500 x238,) and they can tell you what your barcode number is. If you come in to any library, we can give you a new barcode.

  We hope to put up more chapters soon. Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

  Regards,
  Maggie Ressel
  ressel@unr.edu
  (775)784-6500 x291
  
  
  

• Library Hours
  9/11/2004 7:55:12 AM
  
  Comment: Are the hours listed on the website incorrect? The site lists the Saturday hours as 10 am to 9 pm, but the library seems to only be open from 1 pm to 5 pm.
  
  Response: Library hours on Saturdays are 10am to 9pm during fall and spring semesters. There are exceptions for holidays. The hours that are posted on the library website are current, including holiday exceptions. Labor Day weekend hours, which were previously posted, were removed after the holiday.
  
  
  
• Guest Workstations
  7/27/2004 5:33:11 PM
  
  Comment: I just spent two and a half hours waiting for a guest workstation to print a resume and cover letter for a job I'm applying to. Before that I was in the library working on a laptop computer for about two hours near the guest work stations. During this time I couldn't help but notice that some individuals were on the computers during nearly the entirety of this time. One who was on the computer for about four hours was playing video billiards for entire time. Another was shopping for a digital camera. This experience has convinced me that it is necessary to impose a time limit on the use of these computers. I would suggest that the time limit be generous, perhaps an hour and a half to two hours. This could be accomplised by setting a timeclock on the computer when a guest logs in. The computer could allow the same user to login for another session after a set time period, perhaps an hour or less. This would allow for some rotation in users and reduce the lines at the workstations. This method would be unobstrusive and would not require any monitoring by library personel. Finally, it would also help if one or two computers were set aside for wordprocessing, as this is probably the most important use that guests have to make of the computers and only a few of the workstations have a word processing program available.
  
  Response: The library will soon implement a program that will limit guest sessions to 60 minutes. That should be up and running by mid-August. We hope it alleviates the frustration that you have been experiencing. Thank you for your comment.
  
  
  
• Public Internet Access
  7/24/2004 2:34:16 PM
  
  Comment: Suggestion: Time limit for public internet access of 1 hr. per person per day - many users play games for hours or spend time at their friends workstation while they are logged on to another, not allowing people who are waiting to be allowed to access the internet. Thanks for the consideration!
  
  Response: The library is in the process of installing a program that will accomplish just this. We had planned an August 1 installation, but it will take a little longer. We still expect implementation by mid-August. The program will limit guest use to 60 minutes per day. Thank you for your input.
  
  
  
• Ingenta Database for Paper Does Not Work
  7/13/2004 11:23:16 AM
  
  Comment: I often use our electronic journals to download and read paper. Recently, I have notived that journals provided by Ingenta, such as Quarterly Journal of Economics, or Ecnonomic Notes, doesn't always allow downloading paper. For instance, I am trying to see an article "Market Size and Investment Performance of Defaulted Bonds and Bank Loans: 1987-2001" by Altman E.I.; Pompeii J. Economic Notes, July 2003, vol. 32, iss. 2, pp. 147-176(30), but it keeps asking me how I want to pay for it and if I want to added to my shopping cart. Could please clarify what's wrong here? Thanks
  
  Response: Our library subscribes to a portion of the full-text e-journal titles available through Ingenta. We keep the information about the UNR licensed titles and their holdings coverage in the library's online catalog as well as on the NEON e-journal Web lists for our users to access the titles. However, Ingenta's Web interface displays all online titles available on their server, which inevitably include the titles that UNR does not subscribe to. When you try to access those titles that are not licensed by UNR, Ingenta requires a payment for it.

  I have investigated the two titles mentioned in your message below, and here is what I found:

  1) Quarterly Journal of Economics
  Our library has online access to its contents from 1997 to present. The link in our online catalog and the Web lists works fine. Here is the link:
  http://0-www.ingentaselect.com.innopac.library.unr.edu/rpsv/cw/mitpress/00335533/contp1.htm

  2) Economic Notes
  Our library has online access to its contents from 1999 to present. The link for this title in our online catalog and the Web lists was incorrect. The correct link is:
  http://0-www.blackwell-synergy.com.innopac.library.unr.edu/servlet/useragent?func=showIssues&code=ecno

  As for the particular article that you are interested in, here is a direct link to its abstract page from where you can download a PDF file of the article:
  http://0-www.blackwell-synergy.com.innopac.library.unr.edu/links/doi/10.1111/1468-0300.00109/abs/

  I have corrected the link in our online catalog for this title, and will fix the links on our e-journal Web pages as well.

  I apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused you.

  Thank you for bringing this problem to our attention. Please try it and see if it works for you. If you encounter any more problems or have any more questions regarding accessing online journals, please feel free to contact me.

  Paoshan Yue, Electronic Resources Access Librarian
  
  
  
• Yellow Pages Books and Directories
  6/24/2004 2:41:29 AM
  
  Comment: first of all i really want to know what is the stage of yellow pages books (not online or on web) in today's scenerio? Secondly what are the advantages of such books(yellow pages directories).
  
  Response: The provision of online databases that furnish information traditionally found in Yellow Pages phone books is typical of the enhancement of library services resulting from the adoption of online technologies. For the library user, online Yellow Pages offer several significant advantages over the old paper counterpart. The UNR Library provides access to Switchboard.com, the Big Book Yellow Pages, and SMARTpages.com, among others, all of which allow multiple user access from home and office, as well as within the library. Normally, the library would have one copy of a particular Yellow Pages, available for viewing in the library only, by one person at a time. The databases offer searching by topics, often with advanced, complex topic searching, of the entire database, most of which cover the whole country, allowing for a multitude of useful searches not available in the paper copy.
  
  Logistically, the paper directories are more difficult to maintain — they have to be ordered, like books, and are not free. However, paper Yellow Pages advertisements can offer information not in databases, such as "Serving Reno since 1968," and some detailed descriptions of services performed. But overall, for the user and the library, the online databases are clearly the preferred medium. In the UNR Library we have phased out most of our paper Yellow Pages, except for local directories (Nevada, some California) that are frequently consulted and for which paper provides a level of convenience.
  
  Richard W. Grefrath, Reference Librarian
  
  
  
• Guest Computers
  6/7/2004 12:37:04 PM
  
  Comment: Greetings, People sometimes spend too much time on the guest computers. Therefore, I suggest there be a two hour time limit set on the guest computers.
  
  Response: Public services staff have considered this solution in the past. It is difficult for staff to monitor and enforce time of use by a single individual, so they have been reluctant to implement a time limit policy. It might be enforced most effectively by other users. Thank your for your suggestion though. The issue merits revisiting, so it will be put on the agenda for an upcoming discussion.
  
  
  
• My Appreciation to the Library Staff
  5/21/2004 7:39:43 AM
  
  Comment: I would like to extend my profound appreciation to the staff at the library for their outstanding professionalism and commitment to helping students achieve their goals. I recently finished a doctoral degree that required hundreds of hours conducting library research. You played an instrumental role in achieving my research goals - always friendly and willing to go that extra mile to help me find critical information and expand my knowledge of countless resource options I was overlooking. Additionally, the staff in the inter-library loan department found every article and book I had requested. Thank you for all your hard work. The students at UNR are very lucky to have you!
  
  Response: Thank you very much for taking the time to send your comment. The library staff are committed to good service and want very much to be helpful. The greatest reward is to receive feedback from students like you. Congratulations for finishing your doctorate and best wishes for continued success.
  
  
  
• Off Campus Access
  5/15/2004 2:27:13 PM
  
  Comment: How come the off campus Citrix access is still not working for Macintosh computers? I have tried several times with both Safari and Internet Explorer browsers, and neither work. They say the are supported, but neither work. I have also called the help desk, and they cannot tell me why this is still a problem. Thanks for your help.
  
  Response: Off-campus Citrix access is supported by the Library Systems Office. According to them, it does work with MacOS. Your best bet is to contact Gregg Stefanelli, Server Manager, directly. He will be happy to help with or answer your questions about off-campus access. That will give you a chance to explain in greater detail what you are running into. Gregg may be reached at 6500x332 or stef@unr.edu.
  
  
  
• New Knowledge Center
  4/30/2004 4:03:07 PM
  
  Comment: When will the Knowledge Center be opening up for business?
  
  Response: The Knowledge Center is expected to open in summer 2007.
  
  
  
• About The Post: Student Use of Guest Computers
  4/21/2004 8:20:17 PM
  
  Comment: I have been here for at least four in a half years.I never seen the computer problem become more out of hand.Yes,We are the tax paying people who give the university what is needed.And what does happen to us.They screw the guest from the computers.Thats just not right.
  
  Response: Part of the reason that the computer problem for guests is becoming more difficult is because the student population is growing rapidly. Our students also have trouble gaining access to a computer when they need one. It is a struggle for the libraries to provide space, equipment and scholarly resources to support the increasing demand. Thus, we have limited the access of guest users in order to improve availability for students. Student needs are absolutely the priority. Not only do they pay tuition and fees; their education is our mission. State appropriations to the university account for approximately one-third of university funding. Student tuition and fees, research grants and contracts secured by university faculty, and auxilary enterprises provide the remaining two-thirds of university support. The libraries will continue to welcome guest users who need access to resources and information that is not obtainable elsewhere. But being a taxpayer does not entitle one to the same rights and services as the students of the University.
  
  
  
• Library Computers Crash
  4/21/2004 1:25:29 PM
  
  Comment: 04 - 21 -04 O'kay,I'm sitting here.And suddenly the computer carshs on me.It seems it could be down for perhaps a few hours or less.Why do your computers crash so much.And it takes longer to bring them back up?
  
  Response: The library computers do not crash. The afternoon on which you sent your message, the university experienced a major attack from an outside source that affected the entire campus network. We understand that the result is still a denial of access, which is frustrating. But library computers are more secure, generally speaking, than most others on campus because systems administrators are vigilant about updating virus software and taking other measures to protect computers.
  
  
  
• Chinese Books
  4/17/2004 2:01:25 PM
  
  Comment: Hi, I heard that China Consulate in SF had donated some Chinese books to the university. I'm wondering when they can be available for checking out. I'm very eager to read them soon. Thanks.
  
  Response: You are right. This spring, China made a large donation of Chinese language materials to the University of Nevada Library collections. All of the titles must be cataloged and processed before they are available for check-out. They will be worked into the regular processing queue, and thus, will not all be available at once. By special request though, we can fast track a title. Is there a title in which you are particularly interested?
  
  
  
• World Cat
  4/14/2004 12:07:58 PM
  
  Comment: Would you please place a link to the OCLC World Cat in a place that is easily accessible when approaching the library catalog on line? I can never find the thing. I know it's under "Databases" but I have to drill down several layers before I stumble on the navigation bar with "databases." This page (Neon Comment) has the nav bar. World Cat should be reachable within two or three clicks of the "Libraries" link on the UNR homepage, and it should be obvious which clicks are necessary to get there.
  
  Response: The quickest, although perhaps not most obvious, path to World Cat is to go to Web Reference Shelf from the library home page. World Cat is at the top of the second column. However, I will pass your suggestion along to public services staff so that they may consider other avenues to get to this resource. Thank you for your comment.
  
  
  
• Visiting Scholar Renewals
  4/5/2004 7:08:23 PM
  
  Comment: I am an alumna of UNR (BA) and a graduate student at a UC school, working on my Ph.D. I am currently residing in Reno while I do dissertation research and help out my parents. I have had trouble getting library privileges at UNR beyond the courtesy alumnus/outside borrower card (limited checkout period, 10 books at a time). This seems unnecessarily constricted, as I am not only an alum but also a visiting scholar. It is making my work difficult, since I have many books to consult and need to have them for a longer period of time as well. The situtation is worsened since UNR has the policy that one cannot renew books online if the book has gone one day overdue, but must bring in the book to renew it or any OTHER book. Yet when I tried repeatedly to renew books ahead of time online, I was told by the computer that it was "Too early to renew." This system is bizarre, at best! I have to leave town frequently to consult the library at my current university and such renewal practices as UNR has are much harsher than thos at my UC (a rather larger school) and have no rhyme nor reason as far as I can tell. I just thought you might want to be aware of such problems, and/or to bring them to the attention of library staff. I would be most appreciative if you would revisit your renewal policies at the very least, so that one could either renew online a few days in ADVANCE or could renew online even if the book in question were already slightly overdue. The visiting scholar question too might be a good one to reconsider, so that working scholars can be extended library privileges that would make their work easier, and differentiated from independent library users with no academic affiliation or professors to vouch for them. Alumni doing dissertation research, it seems to me, should be extended a bit more help from their alma mater. Thanks for your time.
  
  Response: UNR does have special borrowing privileges for visiting scholars. Privileges are similar to those for a grad fellow... with a semester long borrowing period. If you have "visiting scholar" status with a department on campus a university ID is usually issued. Or you may present a letter to the circulation desk from the UNR department with which you are affiliated. Circulation desk staff can, and often do, make exceptions for people who want to borrow more than 10 books. Student assistants are not authorized to make those exceptions, so be sure to ask for a staff member if you have a need to exceed the borrowing limit. The window for online renewals is narrow, and we may revisit this policy. However, it is not as restrictive as you describe. If a book is due, it can only be renewed by contacting the circulation desk. You may bring the book in to be renewed. You may call the circulation desk at 784-6500 x238. If you have received an overdue notice for the book, you may renew it by responding to the e-mail notice. Or send an e-mail to the circulation desk supervisor at va@unr.edu. More information about circulation policies can be found at http://www.library.unr.edu/depts/circ/checkin_out.html#web Thank you for your comment. I hope this information helps. Please discuss special borrowing needs with the circulation desk supervisor.
  
  
  
• New England Journal of Medicine Link Missing
  3/31/2004 12:23:08 AM
  
  Comment: Hi, Searching the UNR library for the "New England Journal of Medicine" gives a page which says that full articles are available on the web, but it doesn't give a link. There is only a link to the Health Ref. Center search engine (which has "selected articles only"). But going to http://content.nejm.org/ gets you access to all articles since 1993. There should be a link. Cheers.
  
  Response: The link is now in the online catalog as well as the E-journals web page. It has also been added to the Medical Library's E-journal list. Thank you very much for your comment.
  
  
  
• Guest Computers
  3/13/2004 3:15:29 PM
  
  Comment: Time Limit for USERS of GUEST Computers when others are WAITING. Especially on WEEKENDS.
  
  Response: Use of both student and guest computers in the Main Library is unrestricted. Of course, we hope that users will be aware and considerate of others who are waiting, but time limits are not enforced by policy. There are other computers available on campus that you may find more accessible. The DeLaMare Library, which has several guest computers, does have time limits. Computers are also available in the Life and Health Sciences Library. We are aware that heavy use of guest computers in the Main Library causes inconvenience to users. Public services staff revisit our policies periodically and will continue to discuss this issue. Thank you for your comment.
  
  
  
• Book donations
  2/8/2004 8:36:19 PM
  
  Comment: Does the UNR library accept book donations? They would all be fairly current (1998-present) management related books.
  
  Response: The library does accept book donations. Materials that duplicate what we already own or are otherwise inappropriate for the collection will be sold through the Book Nook or discarded. Current management books sound appropriate for our collection. I will refer your question to the libraries' business subject specialist and Book Nook manager, one of whom will contact you for more details. Thank you for your question and your donation.
  
  
  
• Student Use of Guest Computers
  1/26/2004 12:07:56 PM
  
  Comment: As a resident of Reno and a voting taxpayer - recently in the past few months there were changes in your computer system as well in use of the computers in the Delamare Library have created very uncomfortable feelings as well as loss of respect for us - residents and voting taxpayers who with our funds help support the finances of the university. It appears we are given no choice of which computers to use, we are like Black Sheep who need to be told - as adults - to use only certain computers available on the main floor and in the basement area. The third floor was the least used by students and most used by us - Guests - and yet this is the one area barred by use for us residents and voting taxpayers of Reno!!! Even with the tiny little signs placed on the seven computers out of perhaps about 22 computers here at Delamare Library - the students log on and DO NOT GET A RESPONSE "Cannot log you on this computer!" like we Guests get when in adverently we try to log on a STUDENT/STAFF/FACULTY computer. Then we Guests wonder why we are here trying to access the Internet for research, study, emails (for us seniors it is cheaper then letters or phone calls), job search or just about what people do when on the Internet! The atmosphere of being in a educational setting is wonderful - the essence of peace and joy as well as the serious studious nature enchances one's life! IS THERE ANY WAY TO AMEND THIS SITUATION FOR ALL PARTIES CONCERNED????? At Getchell Library a separate group of computers where assembled and with large labeling practice indicating these where for the Guests!! But here at Delamare Library - students sit down at Guest computers and can LOG ON TO THEM!!! WHY can't the programming stop the student from logging onto a Guest computer like we Guests are STOPPED FROM LOGGING onto a STUDENT computer???? Would like to see how your Computer Department can resolve this issue. Thank you for the opportunity to address this issue for residents of Reno and Taxpaying/voting citizens who look up to the Univeristy as a beacon for the future!
  
  Response: We have taken some time to consider your suggestion, and the DeLaMare Library will make a few changes that we hope will be an improvement. To start, guest computers will be relocated in the library so that one is available on the third and fourth floors. They will also be better labeled as "for guests" with signs requesting that time of use be limited when others are waiting. It has not been our observation that all of the guest computers in DLM have ever been occupied by students, so that guests had no access. But we would like to know when this situation occurs.
  Please understand that we do not wish to insult or inconvenience library users from the larger Nevada community. There are many scholarly and informational resources available at the university that one cannot get at the public library. We are pleased to make those resources available to the community, but those things to which you refer -- Internet, e-mail, job searching tools -- may be accessed at any branch of the public library. The students and faculty of the university are our primary clientele, and their research needs do come first. Our students pay tuition and fees. In fact, nearly all of the equipment in the libraries and general computing labs are purchased with a per credit hour technology fee paid by the students.
  We would like to create a comfortable and friendly learning environment for students and the larger community, and we are pleased to receive your suggestions about how to achieve that.
  
  
  
• Multi-Media Center
  12/16/2003 5:25:14 PM
  
  Comment: The Main Library--> Multi-Media Center: I have had several problems with this section of the library. The voice recording stations at first did not work. I went back several times inquiring about this and nobody had an answer to the problems. The tech finally concocted a new system to record. I enjoy renting movies but several times they could not find movies. I recommended putting a search on one movie, I had went there three times about one movie but they could not find it. I was told that it may have been stolen. In general, I think the multi-media center needs some refining.
  
  Response: We have shared your comments with the supervisor of the Multi Media Center and the Director of Access Services, to whom it reports. We appreciate your feedback about this service. You have provided some specific problem areas to be investigated. In the future, you may wish to direct questions or service issues to the department supervisor, Joyce Oberman, if student personnel are unable to provide a solution. We are anxious to improve this service however possible.
  
  
  
• Computer Lab
  12/7/2003 12:59:04 PM
  
  Comment: why do we still have to "check-in" at the computer lab when everybody has to have a net ID, which is only given to the students, to log on?
  
  Response: Some specialized software packages are available only on specific machines. By requiring check-in, lab staff are able to assign users to machines that meet their needs. Also, when the lab fills up, they can ensure first-come-first-served. We are looking into some other options for serving up software, but the best solution until we have resolved some of these problems is to continue to check-in. We are sorry if it seems inconvenient, but we think that a free-for-all would create more problems for users than the present system.
  
  
  
• a sharp pencil- a sharp mind
  12/4/2003 10:41:48 AM
  
  Comment: I do the vast majority of my studying at the library because it is an environment that is much more condusive to studying (I have a teenager at home) except for one thing - the pencil sharpeners are terrible! I use old fashioned wood pencils and the sharpeners in the library eat them without sharpening them. Is it possible that with all the money UNR spends on technology, that they could invest in one electric pencil sharpener for the library? Thank you for your time.
  
  Response: Now this we can do... and afford! We'll order new pencil sharpeners right away. Hopefully, they will serve well, at least for a while. Thanks for your suggestion.
  
  
  
• Overdue E-mail Notices
  11/16/2003 2:39:10 PM
  
  Comment: I recently checked out a book that was then recalled. The e-mail I received said that the book was due November 15. I returned the book on November 15. I received another e-mail ON the 15th saying that the book was overdue. I called the library, and the book is checked in. Please reset the computer to send overdue notices when the books actually ARE overdue. I went out of my way to get the book back on time.
  
  Response: The computer is set to send reminder notices the day after a book is due. It does happen sometimes that the book and notice might cross. If for example, you returned an item in the bookdrop and it was not checked in until the next morning, another notice might be sent. In this case, it is recognized that the book is returned on time and no fines are charged. But it isn't recognized in time to prevent the notice.
  Our purpose in sending in the notices so promptly is to be helpful, not scolding. Those who have forgotten to return an item appreciate receiving the notice so that they might respond before fines accrue. I'm sorry that the practice appears rude to others who get caught in that very narrow window. We think the benefit to those who need the notice is important.
  
  
  
• Getchell Library Computer Lab
  11/15/2003 12:47:30 PM
  
  Comment: Hi, I am a student here at UNR and this Saturday (11-15-03) the computer lab did not open. I have been in the library since 10am waiting and it is now 15 minutes til 1pm. This is not the first time that the Computer Lab has failed to open on a Saturday this semester.
  
  Response: Please see previous response. We do apologize for the mess-up. Thank you for writing.
  
  
  
• Computer Lab Abandonment
  11/15/2003 12:44:44 PM
  
  Comment: To whom it may concern, I am a 4th year grad. student and I depend on the computer lab for all of my papers. I need to count on the lab being open during the scheduled times. It is Saturday, Nov. 15th, 2003. It is 12:30 p.m. and the lab is closed!!!! I am lodging a complaint. This behavior is unacceptable for a research facility of this stature. My understanding in talking to other library staff that this is not the first incident by this person. What is the deal? Could you please take the neccessary steps to insure the lab is open the hours it is posted to be open. Upset @ Getchell
  
  Response: We received more than one message about this problem, and we agree that the problem must be addressed. Please see previous response, and thank you for letting us know.
  
  
  
• E.L. Cord Computer Lab - hours of operation
  11/15/2003 10:51:20 AM
  
  Comment: I arrived at Getchell Library today (Saturday, November 15) at 10:15am, 15 minutes after the library opened. I intended to use the computer lab, but discovered it wasn't open yet. I then checked the hours of operation for the computer lab (from a web-surfing only computer in another part of the library), posted on the library's website. I found that the computer lab is supposed to have the same hours of operation as Getchell Library. I then proceeded to ask a librarian about the issue and found out that this has happened before and she didn't know when anyone would be there to open the lab. I just want to bring this to someone's attention, so that something can be done to correct this problem. Students, and others, depend on such services and expect that the facilities will be open according to the posted hours. Either the hours of operation need to be changed or someone reliable needs to be in charge of opening and closing the lab according to the posted hours. This sort of mishap is unacceptable. People should be able to arrange their schedules around posted hours of operation and not have to wonder if that facility will be open when it's supposed to. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
  
  Response: We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience. Obviously, the scheduled lab assistant did not show up as expected. We are looking into ways we can prevent this from happening again in the future, through back-up scheduling and more efficient and rapid emergency notification procedures. Once again, we are sorry for any inconvenience or impact on your own schedule and study plans. We will work on ways to prevent a similar incident. Thank you for letting us know about the problem.
  
  
  
• comment
  10/5/2003 12:35:03 PM
  
  Comment: I'm placing a complaint which I'm sure is typical of the comments that you receive. The library should be open at 9:00 on Sunday morning! And the media center should be open when the rest of the library is open. If you agree, then I urge the administration to do what it takes, or else we are not as serious here at UNR as most other places of higher education. (i know its not easy)
  
  Response: Extending library hours is an issue that is discussed by library administration on a regular basis. It has always been our desire to accommodate student needs for library and computing services, but issues of cost and security usually outweigh the perceived demand. We have agreed though that there is clear demand for additional Sunday hours. Beginning Spring semester 2004, Getchell Library will open at 10:00 am on Sundays.
  The use of the MultiMedia Center in late evening hours has not justified costs of keeping the service open. Could you provide a brief explanation of your need for the service? Is it to borrow films for entertainment? To use equipment on site? This information would be helpful is our discussions of this issue.
  Thank you for your suggestions.
  
  
  
• Compliment for Aaron Modica
  8/13/2003 3:14:12 PM
  
  Comment: I could not get something printed out from computer. I told Aaron who was at Circulation desk about it. Some one near him said to me he is not working. He was ready to leave. Aaron stated he would help me, it was ok. He came to the computer and waited until I found what I wanted to print, watch me click on Print. Then he told me to go to File and from there told me what to click on to get my article printed. He came to Printer with me and waited to see if I got a printout. I DID. WORKING WHEN YOU ARE OFF DUTY TO HELP A STUDENT SHOWS OUTSTANDING EFFICIENCY AND CARING THAT YOU HELP STUDENTS. HIS MANNER WHILE HELPING WAS PLEASANT AND POLITE. WHAT A CREDIT HE IS TO THE CIRCULATION DESK.
  
  Response: It is kind of you to take the time to share your positive experience. We will pass your comment along to Aaron. Thank you.
  
  
  
• Mistake in link on one of your pages
  7/15/2003 7:47:44 AM
  
  Comment: Hello, at the bottom of this page: http://www.library.unr.edu/ejournals/editors.html the link to the "Learned Publishing" online journal is broken. It currently links to www.dlib.org where it should link to http://www.alpsp.org/volcont.htm. The links to the other two online journals are correct. Thank you for maintaining this useful and up-to-date site. With best wishes, Frans.
  
  Response: The problem has been corrected. Thank you very much for bringing it to our attention.
  
  
  
• magazines
  6/28/2003 11:20:48 AM
  
  Comment: Does the UNR Library system have any use for magazines such as Smithsonian, Civil Engineering, Contractor, SKI, etc.? Or is there a location that accepts magazines? I need to get rid of my magazines and would rather not throw them in the trash.
  
  Response: I sympathize with the problem. Unfortunately, the UNR Libraries are not a good outlet for these. Our collections are increasingly moving toward the electronic, so replacement of back issues that may have gone missing is no longer a concern. The libraries do have subscriptions to all four titles you offer. We would send them directly to recycling, which may be your best alternative as well. I'm sorry we can't help, but thank you for thinking of us.
  
  
  
• Languages
  5/24/2003 2:50:57 PM
  
  Comment: Dear Sirs, I have noticed that there are few language instruction CD/tape programs here at the library. Pimsleur has very comprehensive programs for most major languages and smaller educational programs for other languages (greek, hebrew, thai, for example). It would be nice to see more materials for language learning here at the library (multi-media center). Thank you for your time and attention. (Especially for the major languages taught here on campus--Japanese, German, Italian, Spanish, French, Russian, and Chinese.)
  
  Response: Thanks very much for your suggestion. The FY 03 purchasing cycle is closing, so the libraries are not currently purchasing selective material like this. It will, however, pick up again soon. Appropriate subject specialists and multi-media staff will consider your suggestion and may solicit recommendations from Foreign Language faculty. It sounds like a good area of the collection to strengthen.
  
  
  
• Overdue Charges
  4/21/2003 11:42:09 PM
  
  Comment: To whom do I make an overdue book payment payable? Where can I send the check? (the overdue items have been returned). Thank you in advance for your reply.
  
  Response: Have you received a bill indicating the final amount owed? If not, you may check your account in the library online catalog or inquire at the Circulation Desk (784-6500 x238) to verify the owed amount. Payment should be made to Board of Regents. You may pay the bill at the Cashier's Office in the Student Services Building or at the Circulation Desk in the Library. Mailing address is: University Libraries / Mailstop 322; Circulation Department; University of Nevada; 1664 N. Virginia St.; Reno, NV 89557-0044.
  
  
  
• Renewing online
  4/4/2003 11:15:16 AM
  
  Comment: I have been trying to renew materials online. However, whenever I try to do this, and press the renew button, I am directed back to entering my name and bar code. This is continuous no matter how many different ways I try to do this. Is there a problem with the system? I have an overdue book, but cannot renew it online, and I need to. Thank you for your time
  
  Response: We have checked the system and everything seems to be working okay. If your books are already overdue, or if you owe $5 or more, the system will not allow an online renewal. That could be why it isn't working for you. You may renew by telephone if you call 784-6500 x238. If you have other problems, please see a staff member at the Circulation Desk.
  
  
  
• Historic maps
  3/21/2003 11:49:57 AM
  
  Comment: I have found the historic maps very useful in my project which is creating a map for Washo historic name places
  
  Response: Thank you very much for your comment. We think it's a great project too, and it is good to know that it is interesting and valuable to library users.
  
  
  
• Book Return Drop Box
  2/24/2003 10:34:25 AM
  
  Comment: I am alumni. I think you should have a "convenient" drop box for drive-by access. How about the parking lot outside of Jot Travis Student Union building on N. Virginia St. As it is, without a permit, it is not convenient to drop off library materials unless you find a parking place (sic) and walk in. Thanks for listening.....
  
  Response: We understand your point, and we have discussed this issue fairly extensively. There are several factors that influence the situation. First, external book drops must be easily accessible to library employees who push an open bin out to retrieve materials several times a day and in all kinds of weather. The bookdrop carts do not hold up well when pushed/pulled over uneven surfaces. Second, placement must be approved by Parking Services. Bookdrops may not interfere with traffic flow or block designated parking spaces. If the new bookdrop is placed in a drive-through area the UNRPD and Reno Fire Department get involved because of the hazard to the flow of emergency traffic. The parking lot in front of Lincoln Hall and ASUN is the area we have considered most carefully. These spaces are difficult to negotiate though, and an increase in traffic turning around in the space is unwanted.
  The book drop in the parking lot behind Getchell library is only inaccessible to drive-up traffic during standard business hours (8:00-5:00). After 5:00pm and on weekends, the parking lot gates are raised. Another good alternative is the bookdrop in the breezeway at the Fleischmann Agriculture building. It is easily accessible from the parking lot at Evans and 9th Street, and there is no gate to control the lot. One does have to leave the car, however.
  We do appreciate your comment, and certainly will make accessible drive-up bookdrops part of planning for the new building.
  
  
  
• Journal of Experiential Education issues
  1/30/2003 1:08:38 PM
  
  Comment: I believe the Journal of Experiential Education begins their on-line articles from 1999-, not 1998-. Thanks
  
  Response: In fact, 1998 issues of Journal of Experiential Education are available through ProQuest. After you select the appropriate title from the electronic journals list and are dropped into the ProQuest database, it is then necessary to select date range "Backfile (1986-1998)" in order for those issues to display. Please let us know if you have any problems getting this feature to work.
  
  
  
• Renewing books at LRC
  11/26/2002 10:21:24 AM
  
  Comment: Hi, I have found that trouble with re-newal process between LRC and Main Lib, I have checked out materials at Main Library, and once I have renewed at LRC, the materials were not renewed sucessfully. I believed that my circulation record already renewed, but, In later days, I have received overdue notice and I knew it didn't work!I wish both system should be netowrklized and must on-line circulation record.
  
  Response: We're not sure why you had trouble renewing books at LRC. If you get into your circulation record from a computer in LRC, from home, or anywhere, you should be able to renew UNR Library materials that you have checked out. I'm assuming that, in this case, you might have missed a step. In the future, if there is any uncertainty about whether an item was renewed successfully, you can "view your circulation record" a little later to make sure the due dates are what you expect, and please discuss any problems with Victor Atkocaitis, Head of Circulation.
  
  
  
• Mission Statement
  9/13/2002 1:53:09 PM
  
  Comment: I work for the Washoe County Library System, and am currently taking distance education classes toward my MLS. In a class I am taking, I need to compare Mission Statements from local public and academic libraries. I couldn't find one listed on your website - does the UNR Library have a mission statement that is published and available to the public? Would it be possible for you to send me a copy, if it is not available online? Thanks for your help -
  
  Response: Here you go:
  

  "The mission of the University Library is to serve as the primary center for informational resources in support of scholarship and the teaching and research programs of the University of Nevada, Reno. To this end, the Library will acquire, organize, and provide systematic physical or electronic access to information in a variety of formats, and will provide instruction and assistance in identifying and locating materials held within its collections, and also materials available from outside sources. The University Library will focus its energies and resources upon service to its primary clientele, the students, faculty and staff of the University of Nevada, Reno. The Library will also serve other divisions of the University and Community College System of Nevada, and, as appropriate, will make its resources available to other institutions and to the citizens of Nevada."
  September 1992
  
  
  

• Library access
  9/11/2002 2:35:51 AM
  
  Comment: Hi, I would like to have access to your library...but i'm not one of your students. How can i have access ?
  
  Response: It's hard to answer your question specifically without more information than you provide. Generally speaking, the full range of electronic resources that the libraries make available may be accessed through NEON terminals in the library. All users are required to "authenticate" and then to log-on to public terminals with their user name and password. Non-affiliated users, such as yourself, are restricted to a small cluster of terminals, but all electronic materials are accessible. This applies only if you are in the building. Remote access to most electronic journals and databases to which the library subscribes is limited by our license agreements to our faculty and students.

  
  If you are interested in checking out materials from the library, community borrower cards may be purchased at the Circulation Desk. Borrower cards are valid for one year and permit you to check out books and some other library materials. For information about borrower cards and circulation policies, see http://www.library.unr.edu/depts/circ/circcomm.html.

  
  I hope this answers most of your questions. Please feel free to submit a more specific question if this response did not cover it.
  
  
  

• Buying Duplicate Book Titles
  9/10/2002 2:02:45 PM
  
  Comment: There are several pieces of literature that are critical to my program of study. Several times the last few years, I have attempted to check out the book but it is allready gone. I am reluctant to place a hold on the book becaue I have had that happen to me when I really needed the book the whole semester and had to turn it in early. Is there a way to have more than one copy of some of the more popular works, even if they are on reserve? Or can the library purchase an electronic version of the book for downloads? I have several more years of my program ahead of me. I don't have the funds to buy all the important pieces of literature that I need. Any assistance in this manner would be very valuable. The specific books I am speaking of today are: Author: Astin, A.W Title: what matters in college? four critical years revisited Date: 2001 Publisher: Jossey-Bass Publication Place: San Francisco ISBN: 070790838x This edition only? : CALL #: LA229 .A7948 1993 AND Author: Tinto, V Title: Leaving College: rethinking the causes and cures of student attrition Date: 1993 Publisher: the university of chicago press Publication Place: chicago ISBN: 0226804496 This edition only? : CALL #: LC148 .T57 1993 Thank you for consideration of my requests
  
  Response: We try to stretch library materials funds as far as possible, so it is not common practice to purchase multiple copies of the same title. We will, however, be happy to do so when usage statistics warrant it. These decisions are made on a title-by-title basis. Your best course of action is to present your title requests to the subject specialist for your department. I have referred your request to Mike Simons, the subject specialist for Education, who has indicated a willingness to consider purchasing second copies of these two titles. Please contact Mike if you have any other questions or requests; simons@unr.edu. For a list of all subject subject specialists by department, select "Staff" from the yellow subject bar on the library homepage or go to http://www.library.unr.edu/instruction/bibliographers.html.

  
  Also, we understand your reluctance to request a recall of materials that are checked out to another patron, but it's standard practice. If you really need the materials and we are unable to acquire a second copy, please don't be too hesitant to request that a book be returned, especially from semester or multi-semester borrowers.
  
  
  

• Venda Cards for Microfiche
  9/6/2002 2:20:20 PM
  
  Comment: could you please attach vendacard slots to more than one machine? Several times I have had to make copies from microfiche as part of a project for a professor. I have had to use my own money to print the piece even though the professor has provided me with their vendacard. Additional comment: If you don't produce more vendacard slots can those of us who produce a valid vendacard be charged .6 a copy instead of .10?
  
  Response: The Copy Center has ordered the equipment necessary to charge or credit venda-cards. Until the device is received, you may take copies made at the microform reader/printers to the Circulation Desk with your venda-card. Circulation staff can deduct the proper number of copies from your card, thus charging you the correct rate per copy depending on the value of the card you purchased. If you encounter any problems with this approach, please direct them to Victor Atkocaitis, the Circulation Department supervisor.
  
  
  
• Web Delivery
  9/6/2002 10:32:43 AM
  
  Comment: The web system for document delivery is very convenient and fast. I thank you very much for your help
  
  Response: And we thank you very much for your comment. It's great to hear about what works as well as what doesn't.
  
  
  
• IEEE Xplore
  8/29/2002 8:34:57 AM
  
  Comment: I was wondering if there is any plan to include the IEEE Conference Proceedings in UNR's subscription to the IEEE Xplore service. I find the current subscription to the Online Journals to be a very valuable tool but more and more of the articles I am interested in are among the IEEE Conference Proceedings and not just under the journal areas. Is there any plan to subscribe to those areas of the service and if not who should I contact to suggest a subscription?
  
  Response: The University Libraries agree that the IEEE Proceedings are an important and useful product. Discussion was underway with the publisher to determine pricing, when the University ncountered its current budget concerns. Although we will continue to consider this product, it is unlikely we will be able to add it until the budget looks a bit more positive.

  The University of Nevada, Las Vegas receives the IEEE Proceedings, so until we can consider our own subscription, we can easily and quickly get copies of the article you need from them. Just put in an Interlibrary Loan request, and we will get the article at no cost to you.

  Thank you for your interest in our collection.

  Amy W. Shannon
  Life Sciences & Engineering Librarian
  Head, Life & Health Sciences Library
  Mail Stop 206
  University of Nevada, Reno
  Reno, NV 89557
  ashannon@unr.edu
  phone: (775)784-6616
  fax: (775)784-1046
  
  
  

• E-journal Subject Listing
  8/25/2002 2:59:07 PM
  
  Comment: I noticed that in your thematic grouping of e-journals by discipline you list "Social Psychology Quarterly" under PSYCHOLOGY, but not under Sociology. This is rather ironic because this particular journal is published by the American Sociological Association. Given that social psychology is a discipline-overlapping field, it should be listed under PSYCHOLOGY and SOCIOLOGY. Thank you.
  
  Response: Done. We appreciate that you take the time to offer suggestions about the subject groupings of journals. It will improve the utility of journal lists for all users. Thank you for your comment.
  
  
  
• Server
  8/8/2002 2:14:01 PM
  
  Comment: Please check out the server in the main library. It has been malfunctioning latly. Thank you.
  
  Response: The campus experienced a major network problem during the second week of August. The problems you were having were not related to the library server. The network has been upgraded and problems are corrected.
  
  
  
• Computer Failures
  8/8/2002 2:06:50 PM
  
  Comment: Most of the time I have been here since 3-4 Years now the computers you get seem to have a crappy personality of not staying online. What does it possiblely take to get these things rolling again? I try not to be rude, But it does get annoying after all.
  
  Response: At the time your comment was received, the campus was suffering a major network problem. The network was very unstable for a period of about five days, which would explain any difficulties you were having at that particular time. It is more troubling that you allude to consistent problems for 3-4 years. We are not aware of particular problems with the library computers. It would be helpful in identifying the cause to know about a problem at the time it happens. Please notify a staff member at the Reference Desk. We are confident that the difficulties of the past couple of weeks are resolved.
  
  
  
• Shelving
  8/6/2002 1:57:35 PM
  
  Comment: hi, i wanted to let the library administration know that i cannot find most of the books that i look for in the non-fiction section, especially in the juvenille section. i used to work at a public library reshelving books and i know that it is a slow, boring, and tedious job. but it must be done, so the patrom can find their books fast and easily. i do not know if you empliment this or not but, when i worked at the library one of our daily tasks was called "shelf reading". this consisted of looking through sections of the library one at a time making sure that the books were in alphabetical and numerical order, as well as having the books line up to the end of the shelves nicely. i also realize that this library has a lot more books that a regular library, but the task that i have described should help witht he problem of books being out of order. maybe the people that reshelve the books do not understand how frustrating it is for the computer to say that the book is not checked out, but then you can't find it anywhere on the shelf or anywhere near the spot it is supposed to be. thank you for your time and consideration, i hope that the problem of the shelving can be fixed. thank you so much, teresa kegler
  
  Response: Hello. Thank you for your comment advising us of problems in the juvenile (and, I assume, popular reading) collection of the library. Shelf reading is a practice with which we are familiar and students in the Collection Maintenance department do shelf-read when there is time. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to employ enough students to keep the stacks in excellent order. We will, however, try to monitor the popular collections on the main floor more regularly. If you are unable to locate a book, you may fill out a search request for the item and a staff member will search for it and notify you when it is located.
  
  
  
• Request for headphones on NEON station
  6/27/2002 9:56:25 AM
  
  Comment: I wanted to read a news story on www.capradio.org (Sacramento's public radio station). Unfortunately the story was only available in audio. According to the reference librarian none of the Neon stations have audio capability. The Media office staff allowed me to listen to the story on a staff computer. Please attach headphones to a NEON station in Reference.
  
  Response: Your request inspired us. Our Systems Office will ensure that audio is enabled for headsets at the NEON terminals and Reference staff will order a few headsets to loan at the Reference desk. Hopefully, by the time fall semester begins it will be possible to listen to audio news stories at the public NEON terminals. Thank you for your suggestion.
  
  
  
• Catalog Down
  6/11/2002 12:51:09 PM
  
  Comment: What's up with the catalog? Can't access it online. Everything else is fine. Grrrr..
  
  Response: There was an unexpected hardware failure on the InnoPAC machine which hosts the online catalog. It was necessary to replace hardware with a new unit and reconstruct some data which caused the system to be down. Downtime for the catalog is extremely rare, except in cases where we perform planned upgrades and in these cases we will give advanced notice and plan downtime for non-library hours. We are sorry for any inconvenience it may have caused.
  

  Diana Zipkin
  UNR Library Systems Office
  
  
  

• Bad Visit to Main Library
  6/1/2002 1:44:42 PM
  
  Comment: Just had to complain about a visit to the main library I just had. Maybe better students should be hired to run the place! I went for one book and one reference. The book said it was not checked out, but of course it was not on the shelf. The reference was there, but none of the copy machines were turned on so I had to wait for 5 minutes will the kid turned them on and they warmed up. Then the machine ate most of the money I put into it. Terrible equipment and not very organized!!! Very unimpressive.
  
  Response: We regret that you had such a negative experience at the library. It is not uncommon for books to be misplaced by other users. We encourage you to check the reshelving areas and report the title to the Circulation desk if it is not found. Library staff will search for it. We will be replacing copy equipment this summer, but they must be used frequently in order to stay powered up. Hopefully, new equipment will alleviate some of the problems you experienced. I will share your message with supervisors in the Circulation and BGIC areas. Thank you for your comment.
  
  
  
• Thank you
  5/14/2002 4:15:42 PM
  
  Comment: Even thought i may not be a student at UNR i would just like to say that i am fasinated at how well managed this libray is. Although some things are hord for me to understand, i still enjoy coming here because i can learn. This is a healthy enviorment and the people here are friendly and welcoming. Thankyou
  
  Response: Thanks so much for taking the time to send a comment. One of our goals is to create a friendly, helpful atmosphere in which people are comfortable asking for assistance. It is a pleasure to hear that the effort isn't lost. I will share your comment with other members of the library staff.
  
  
  
• Book Recommendation
  4/16/2002 8:57:54 AM
  
  Comment: (Suggestion of purchase): Usually, God's name is presented as fundamental in the monotheistic religions, but its pronunciation is controversial. However, the key to unlock this mystery was provided by the famous Maimonides 800 years ago, when he wrote that the Name of God (the Tetragram YHWH) "is read as it is written". The paradox starts and ends here with these intriguing words... (See a complete study, published in a book on http://divinename.net ) University Press of America, Maryland, 2002, ISBN 0-7618-2204-6, $47
  
  Response: Your request has been forwarded to the appropriate subject bibliographer for review. Most monographic purchases for this fiscal year have already been made, so it may be July before your request receives the consideration it merits. In the future, you may use the "Suggest a Book" feature in the Comments section for more expeditious distribution of your requests. Thank you for your recommendation.
  
  
  
• Electronic Text
  4/2/2002 9:01:08 AM
  
  Comment: To the library staff: i would like to just stop and thank all those who are associated with putting all of the instructor's course reserves on electronic text. I cannot begin to emplain how helpful this is to those who work full-time and go to school. Stopping in the library is pretty much impossible due to schedule conflicts ie work and then go straight to school or the other way around. So I just wanted to take time to thank you for offering and providing this additional luxury.
  
  Response: One of the Libraries' primary goals is to make as much information as possible available remotely, so that students and faculty are able to accomplish much of their research and course assignments from home, office or while traveling. Continuous growth of electronic journal and book collections, development of electronic request forms, and the digitization of existing paper collections, as well as the development of library services, like electronic reserves, are all ways in which we accomplish this. We are pleased to hear about the results of our efforts and welcome your suggestions about how we might improve other library services or access to research materials through the use of technology. Thank you so much for writing.
  
  
  
• Internet
  3/19/2002 4:43:09 PM
  
  Comment: It would be great if you had some staff who were dirrectly responcible for maintaining the computers instead of letting them run into the ground
  
  Response: I've shared your comment with the Systems Office, the staff who are responsible for maintaining the computers instead of letting them run into the ground.It is difficult to address your suggestion in any fruitful way without more information.
  
  
  
• Lower Level Noise
  3/18/2002 11:52:01 PM
  
  Comment: Could the quiet area be patrolled a little better? The noise from conversations leaves something to be desired.
  
  Response: It must have been a very bad night! Please see responses below, and thank you for advising us of the problem.
  
  
  
• Talkers in Quiet Study Area
  3/18/2002 11:49:48 PM
  
  Comment: The lower level of the library seems to be out of control lately. I study later at night (7-12 pm) and the noise level in the lower level has been getting worse and worse over the semester. For example, tonight a study group broke out and they really didn't car who was around them. I have trouble telling people to be quiet, so I was hoping something could be done. Thanks!
  
  Response: Please see previous response.
  
  
  
• Noise in Quiet Study Area
  3/18/2002 10:30:01 PM
  
  Comment: The talking in the lower level of the library (purple carper with lots of tables) during the night has been getting out of hand. It used to be whispering conversations here and there, but recently there has been full on cell phone and social conversations occurring down there. In fact, tonight a physics study group formed and they had no regard for the quiet area or the other people around them. You can tell people to be quiet, but they are doing whatever they want to do. On behalf of the many night studiers, please do something to correct this problem. Thank you.
  
  Response: A night supervisor is assigned to make the rounds during evening hours to address minor situations and notify the police or other emergency personnel of serious incidents. Supervisors will be advised to monitor the Quiet Study Area more frequently and assertively to maintain the quiet study atmosphere. Please report problems to the Circulation Desk when they occur, and the night supervisor will be notified. Thank you for reporting the problem.
  
  
  
• Smoking
  3/5/2002 9:58:57 PM
  
  Comment: Many times I come to the library or go by it, but can't because of the smell. It is absolutely disgusting!! Is there anything that can be done about this. I know that there is that 25 feet rule, but personally that is not enough!!!!
  
  Response: The twenty-five feet rule is not sufficient to satisfy everyone who enters the building, but it is the law. The library is not in a position to dispute that, but we will continue to share your concerns with Facilities Management. Perhaps they can come up with an alternative that will be acceptable to everyone. Please feel free to share creative solutions. If you are committed to a smoke free campus, there are other forums in which it would be more appropriate to advocate.
  
  
  
• Food and Beverages
  3/5/2002 9:45:23 PM
  
  Comment: If no one who works in the library, then why are patrons allowed to drink and eat. It should start being regulated. And whoever sent the last complaint about food and drinks needs to learn how to write complete sentences.
  
  Response: It is reasonable to set a different standard of behavior for employees than for library users. There are issues of service and professionalism for employees that users are not obliged to recognize.

  
  One of the library's goals is to create a comfortable, friendly environment in which students can study, meet their friends, and work on group projects. We think that a relaxed food and drink policy contributes to such a comfortable, friendly environment. There are, however, some areas, such as the Computing Lab and Chase Study Area, in which food and drink are not allowed. There is little point in enforcing those restrictions throughout the entire building as long as the building is not trashed and a reasonable amount of courtesy is evident. But please keep in mind that the restricted areas are available to you, if the food and drink becomes too much of a distraction.

  
  This is not a policy about which we are adamant. In fact, we would be happy to tighten it if there was evidence that the majority of students wished us to do so. It isn't our perception that this is the case. Would you consider taking the issue to your college senator?
  
  
  

• Unpleasant company
  3/5/2002 9:17:58 PM
  
  Comment: Dear Sir, A problem I have noticed for quite awhile has recently frustrated me to the point of bringing it to your attention. I wish to complain about non student patrons of this library. While I most certainly have no objection to the general public using the library of my college, I must admit I find fault with them. The term "the great unwashed" springs to mind, but I must reject it, for it fails to deal with the obvious mental defects of such persons. While I of course understand that given the funds this university receives from both the state and federal governments it is impossible to bar such people, having spoken to the Circulation and Reference departments, it is my understanding that only the supervisors have discretion in removing or restraining such people. Why? I should heartily advise bringing campus security of some kind into the library. Not of course that the majority of the patrons are anything but pleasant, but some, do instill nothing but fear and loathing in me. God save the Republic.
  
  Response: The Library does not restrict access to the building based on a person's appearance, personal hygiene or harmless idiosyncrasies. We will, however, contact UNRPD when anyone is disruptive or threatening to library users, staff, or property. Screaming epithets may be disruptive or threatening. Please report behavior problems to library staff when they occur.
  
  
  
• Space or Locker
  3/1/2002 11:21:50 AM
  
  Comment: I, too, would like space or locker for books too heavy to carry around campus or while I am off campus to do an errand. Cost does not matter. University of New Mexico offers this to sudents and it is great. Also, they make a profit from it. Does not have to be in main library. Of course, we know we can leave everything on a desk while we are away on errand or some other part of campus. This takes up desk or space on table unnecessarily. IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL TO CHECK BELONGINGS, NO MATTER THE COST TO DO IT.
  
  Response: There are some security and liability issues that must be considered, but your suggestion has merit. We will share it with personnel in the student union and other areas of Student Services, even if it does not seem possible to provide the service in the library at this time. Thank you for writing.
  
  
  
• More on Food and Drinks
  3/1/2002 11:10:30 AM
  
  Comment: went to check our book. Person who checked me out had drink right on the check out counter next to computer. Do drinks have to be carried to the check out counter. Looks like an any goes library.
  
  Response: We have requested that students not eat and drink at Circulation or other public service desks. Hopefully, the change will be noticeable.
  
  
  
• Need For Lockers
  2/27/2002 1:46:58 PM
  
  Comment: I think it would be a great idea to have coin operated lockers in the library. Just a small row close to the circulation desk. There have been many times that I would have paid anything to be able to lock up my belongings while I searched the jungles of the lower liberary. A possible benefit would be the profit from such lockers. Thank you so much for considering this request.
  
  Response: This is a good idea. We will definitely provide lockers in the new building, currently in the planning phase. It will, of course, be several years before a new building becomes a reality. It may not be advisable to install lockers in the present building, as we are already feeling a bit of a space crunch. But the idea merits consideration. We will discuss it further among library management and public service groups. Thank you for the suggestion.
  
  
  
• Building Temperature
  2/20/2002 11:32:37 AM
  
  Comment: To whom it may concern: Just to let you know that the main library 1St floor is extremely hot everyday. Is there anything you or anyone can do to adjust the temperature in the library? Thank you
  
  Response: Boy, we sure can't say you are imagining it. The building temperature has been painful lately. We are told by Facilities Management that a campus transformer blew out a couple of weeks ago. Apparently, they are not able to run fans in all parts of the building simultaneously. So, until the transformer is replaced, their strategy is to provide air to different building sectors on a rotating basis. It sounds like you may have discovered an area of the building that it isn't getting its share of air. There isn't too much we can do to control the temperature until the transformer is fixed, but, with your assistance, we can try to help ensure that all rooms get air some of the time. Your best bet is to report serious problems to the Reference Desk staff, who will share the information appropriately. Results will not be instantaneous. We do expect the transformer to be fixed soon.
  
  
  
• Helpful Circulation Desk Student
  2/17/2002 5:14:04 PM
  
  Comment: The other day, Saturday the 16th of February, I needed some materials about a certain artist, Warhol, perhaps you have heard of him. However, there was no one at the reference desk and I was informed that no one would be there until the afternoon, but I was in luck because the guy at the circulation desk, I believe his name was Aaron, helped me find the materials I was looking for. I was very glad to recieve his help, considering the fact I don't know how to use the library very well. I would like to thank him for going above and beyond the duties of his job. I appreciated it very much because now I will be able to do my art project. Can we have a book or two about him placed in UNR's library? Aaron is the kind of guy, not Warhol, that I really would like to know more about. Either way, I am glad you have employees like him (Aaron, not Warhol).
  
  Response: We are very pleased that the Circulation Desk staff was able to help. The library has some wonderful student assistants whom we depend upon heavily to keep the building open, especially during evening and weekend hours. We'll be pleased to share your comment with Aaron, and to buy any books about him that come to our attention. Thank you for your comment.
  
  
  
• Employee Food and Drink
  2/13/2002 2:57:18 PM
  
  Comment: do you think it is good manners or looks good for employees front desk circulation and documents eatting and drinking in front of students there to get something. Employees stop chewing and drinking when they see a student there for service. Point is the employee could wait for their break or do it not in the faces of students there to get something. Their head back drinking, frankly looks terrible in front sections of library.
  
  Response: Food and drink policies in the library are fairly relaxed for employees, as well as for library users. We do not object to them having a drink at the desk. But you are right that it is both rude and unprofessional for staff to eat and drink in front of users who are waiting for service. We will remind everyone to save their meals for breaks and to be more discreet with drinks in public areas. Thank you for your comment.
  
  
  
• Loud movies
  1/31/2002 3:27:05 PM
  
  Comment: I just used the rest room downstairs near the room where they show movies. There was a movie playing and the volume was blaring and the language was awful. Every other word was f*ck and it was loud and ugly. Please have them turn the volume down in that room if they are showing a movie with people screaming f*ck at eachother in every sentense.
  
  Response: The Projection Room walls are not as sound proof as one would wish. We have designed services so that activities adjacent to the room are not affected by noise, but you're right that films are overheard in the adjacent restrooms. Volume is adjusted for viewers, not for those passing through the area. However, the Multimedia Center staff may adjust the volume as long it still meets the needs of the viewers. Please share your concerns with the supervisor of that area when the noise becomes too instrusive.
  
  
  
• Helpful Staff Member
  12/10/2001 9:31:16 AM
  
  Comment: I called the Reference Desk with a dilemma. I needed titles of journals, and years of publication, etc. A staff person named Richard took the time to help me over the phone, so I wouldn't have to make an extra trip to the library. I just want to commend him for his great attitude and helpful nature. Thanks Richard! What a super employee to have working for the university!!
  
  Response: Thank you so much for taking the time to express your appreciation. We'll share your comments with staff members involved.
  
  
  
• Unattended Computers
  11/26/2001 4:20:22 PM
  
  Comment: computer numbers one and two left with backpacks on computer table, unattended and over 20 minutes. Very considerate to other students who need to us the computer for a class paper.
  
  Response: First, it is never advisable to leave one's belongings unattended. Second, it is not appropriate, especially during high use periods, to "save" a computer. We understand that one might leave their computer for a couple of minutes to pick up a print out that was sent to the Print Station. But please notify a staff member at the Reference Desk if belongings are left at a computer for 20 minutes, as you report above. We will move those belongings to a safer place and free up the computer for others to use.
  
  
  
• Books out of order
  11/15/2001 12:15:31 PM
  
  Comment: sOME BOOKS ON SECOUND FLOOR ARE NOT IN CORRECT PLACE, THE TO BE FILED SHELF. kf CAN BE IN LS AND SO ON. Also true for the books on shelves to be checked out.
  
  Response: Our student employees in the Collection Maintenance department try to correct errors that they notice when they are re-shelving. Unfortunatley, there is little time to "shelf read", that is to check books call number by call number to ensure that they are in order. We will address particular problem areas when they are pointed out though. Thank you for the heads up on the K-L section. I will forward your message to the Collection Maintenance department.
  
  
  
• Missing Book
  11/14/2001 5:43:25 PM
  
  Comment: May It Please the Court has been missing for a week. It is not in place where it should be and is not in the books to be shelved. It is not on the main floor of the library any place, tables or books to be shelved. Need it for a research paper.
  
  Response: The Circulation Department is responsible for searching for lost books. Your request has been turned over to them, but you have not included contact information for them to notify you if it is found. It will be returned to its call number location in the stacks, if it is located. If it is not located, another copy may be purchased. For best results in the future, please submit your request for lost book searches to the Circulation Desk.

  
  If the book is needed by many students for one class, perhaps it should be placed on Reserves. We would be happy to discuss this possibility with the professor of your class, if you will provide a member of the Reference staff with more details.
  
  
  

• Use of Terminals
  11/13/2001 12:13:07 PM
  
  Comment: I want to complain about people playing games on the library workstations. I was told nothing could be done; yet all ports were full. While I'm at it, why does this library not enforce any other reasonable rules of conduct regarding eating and drinking in the library, noise levels, etc. I'm very discouraged that this library seems to have an "anything goes" policy. Could we please start enforcing some standards of reasonable behavior?
  
  Response: As a general policy, we do not wish to censor student use of library computers or to make value judgments about what is legitimate research. Clearly, some use appears to be pretty frivolous, so we have reconsidered these problems of late. To those staff who work in the area, it does not appear that the wait for a computer terminal is more than a couple of minutes, and there are nearly always computers available in BGIC, the Computer Lab, and DeLaMare Library for those who cannot tolerate a short wait. In our judgment, this is acceptable so we have not taken an extremely restrictive position with regard to computer use. Even so, we are taking several measures that will help, including adding more computers and instituting authentication procedures. This should improve availability in the spring.

  
  The Library does have designated quiet study and no food and drink areas located on Lower Level 2. At this time, we have not installed computers there because computer terminals themselves create some noise. When funds are available, we will place more computers on the top floor adjacent to the patent area. The area is not designated quiet study, but it is generally much quieter than the main level.

  
  The majority of students find a relaxed environment in which food, drink and conversation are allowed to be a better atmosphere for their study habits and more supportive of group studying. Because of the noise generated by public service desks, it would be ridiculous to impossible to try to create a quiet environment on the main floor. We have no plans to enforce noise or food and drink restrictions throughout the entire building, but we will maintain some quiet areas which you are encouraged to use for your quiet study needs.
  
  
  

• Billy Collins Titles Needed
  11/9/2001 3:44:21 PM
  
  Comment: How come you only have one book by the poet laureate of the United States, Billy Collins?
  
  Response: I don't know, but it is a problem that is easily resolved. We will order other Billy Collins titles right away. Thanks for your suggestion.
  
  
  
• Book Sales
  11/9/2001 10:31:08 AM
  
  Comment: I have heard that University libraries have book sales at some point during the year. Is this true for your library as well? And if so when do you have these sales? Thanks for your time.
  
  Response: The Friends of the University Library support a used book store, the Book Nook. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday 10-4, on the main floor of the library. The books come from donations that are not used by the library, and the proceeds go back to the library. In the spring and the fall we hold an outdoor book sale on Barnes Plaza in front of the library. Book Nook prices are discounted even more during the outdoor book sales.
  
  
  
• Computer Questions
  10/31/2001 4:44:37 PM
  
  Comment: This is a 2 part question. 1. First off, good job on the extra computers. Having more workstations adjacent to the circular workstations on the main floor of Getechell is great. I've recently noticed that some people will leave their personal belongings at workstations to 'hold' them, until they get back, I saw one instance when this was done to hold it for a signifiant amount of time. (greater then 10 minutes) Is this allowable under library policy? 2. I have a notebook computer I'd like to bring. Is there any way for the library to offer internet access to notebook-toting patrons? I have ethernet adapters and such. Perhaps even wireless access could be considered in the future? Thank you for your time, I think that the overall quality of this library can't be understated, and it's appericiated by the student body very much.
  
  Response: 1. We will add even more computers soon... probably over the winter holiday. Our plan is to add another cluster of five computers. We do not have a library policy that prohibits anyone from "saving" a computer, but that is not to imply that we approve of the practice. Our preference, though, is to create as few rules as possible and to trust students to be considerate of each other and to some extent self-policing. We will be institituting a couple of measures this winter, including the addition of more computers, that should significantly improve the availability of library computers.
  

  Data drops for student laptop use will be activated soon... probably within a couple of months. In addition to those in Getchell, there will be drops in Education and several other buildings. We will try to remember to "advertise" this capability as soon as the drops are activated. Wireless, as well as all other possibilities, will be considered for the proposed new library building, but it is not an option that we are currently considering for Getchell.
  

  Thanks so much for the kind words about the library. We love it when it hops. Your suggestions are appreciated.
  

  Janita Jobe
  Assistant to the Dean
  
  
  

• Library
  10/16/2001 8:48:28 PM
  
  Comment: Explain to me the policy of only UNR students using the computer and printer. Im enrolled at TMCC now and to my knowledge their library is not open as long as yours. Also I would like to say that I appreciate the help I get when I have a question about something, staff seems to be well educated at times. Thank you for giving me a UNR library card as well. Even though I attend TMCC.
  
  Response: Hmm, I'm not sure to what policy you refer. NEON terminals in Getchell and other library branches are available to all library users. Computing Labs are open to UCCSN students and faculty, although not to the general public. A current TMCC validation sticker is required to be admitted to the labs. Do you have one? Many of the databases within NEON are restricted to UNR users because of licensing agreements we have with vendors. Often the community colleges have chosen not to be part of the subscription package. Thus, many of the journals and databases will be unavailable to non-UNR clientele from remote sites.
  
  
  
• 501 Spanish Verbs
  10/16/2001 11:38:45 AM
  
  Comment: Spanish 501 verbs is still missing. Going on the computer for the information would not be any good for a student taking Spanish. It is needed to do home work involing many pages, to be written with proper verbs. One could not sit at the computer writing sentences, taking too much time at the computer. In essence, they would be doing their homework at the computer. It is a month now that it is missing.
  
  Response: The title to which you refer has been found. It is located in the Reference area at call number Reference PC 4271 .K38 1996. Please ask a reference staff member for assistance if you are unable to locate the book on your next visit.

  The Libraries will order a second copy of this title and place it on Reserves. This should eliminate any future incidences of misplacing the book.
  
  
  

• Smoking
  10/15/2001 6:59:30 PM
  
  Comment: Indeed, it is tremendously annoying to exit the Getchell Library and find smokers smoking everywhere outside the doors within a cloud like environment. I find such activity to be repulsive. What can be done to clarify such matters? Thank You.
  
  Response: Signs near the railing in front of the library prohibit smoking within 25 feet of the entrance, in accordance with campus policy. Unpleasant as it may be for some of us, most smokers are probably abiding by the policy. We will share your concern with campus police and facilities management personnel. Perhaps they can clarify where 25 feet is and drop friendly reminders during foot patrols.
  
  
  
• Electronic Reserve Articles
  10/1/2001 7:57:46 PM
  
  Comment: Could you please have whoever does the scanning try as much as possible to not leave a lot of black space on the scan? The reaswon: when the copies are printed out, it uses a LOT of ink for those of us with inkjets, and a lot of toner for folks with laser printers (including in the computer lab). I know this is a little thing, but with a bit of work, it would be appreciated. By the way, the articles being available is really great - thank you. This library continues to put the needs of students first, and it shows. There are folks in the library all the time, and the computers are constantly busy. Doing some things right!!!
  
  Response: Thank you for your comment. We are always trying to improve the electronic reserves, and the extraneous black edges is definitely one area we need to improve. Not only does it take a toll on your printer cartridge, but it makes the pdf file larger and more time consuming to download.
  

  Unfortunately, there is no easy way to get rid of the black edges once the page has been copied. We usually get the copies from the instructor, and the staff time to recopy, trim pages, or crop pages online is prohibitive. This is especially true at the beginning of the semester when we have hundreds of files to put up at once. We feel it is more important to get the readings up for student use in a timely manner.
  

  There is a way you can crop the pages on your computer. If you save it to your hard drive, then open it in a graphics program, such as Photoshop or Imaging (which should come with Windows) you can crop the pages. Most will have to be done individually.
  

  Please let me know if you have any further questions or comments about electronic reserves.
  

  Regards,
  Maggie Ressel
  Reference Librarian
  ressel@unr.edu
  784-6500 x291
  
  
  

• sign on computer
  10/1/2001 1:38:07 PM
  
  Comment: At 1:10 pm. sign on computer reads: "Gone to rest room." Books in front of computer. Another time there was a sign on computer reading computer in use and books were in front of computer. Not very considerate to others who need the computer for research and perhaps only for 15 minutes. Computers are usually in use. Right now person next to me is having a telephone cell phone conversation, social. More time is taken using the computer or not using it but taking up computer space.
  
  Response: Please see response to the previous question.
  

  You're right that it is not considerate to engage in extended social conversations at a computer terminal while others are waiting. We hope it isn't often that students have to wait long for a computer. We will be adding some computers to the Reference area in Getchell. It still won't be enough to accommodate peak use though.
  

  We do not wish to impose a lot of restrictions on noise or activity on the main floor of Getchell. It will help with planning for future technology, however, if the Reference staff is informed if waits exceed 3 or 4 minutes.
  
  
  

• Cell Phones in Quiet Areas
  9/29/2001 1:53:00 PM
  
  Comment: The cell phones have been in the designated quiet areas. quiet areas in computer areas would be a good idea. Reason people carry on conversations right in front of computer. Often just social. This holds up the computer for others waiting for it. This is just when they see a student they know at computer and go over to talk with them. Sad to say but often student employees working in quiet areas talk loudly to one another in areas designated to be quiet areas, signs in front of booths of quiet area stating be quietT
  
  Response: The only designated quiet study is on lower level 2, the Chase Study Area. We will make tent signs for tables in that room prohibiting the use of cell phones. We will also discuss again adding a couple of computers in the quiet study area.
  

  Conversation is not restricted at any of the computer terminals or in any part of the building except for the Chase room, thus cell phone use is not restricted in these areas either. Tying up terminals when others are waiting is a separate cause for concern though. It is the observation of the staff that computer terminals turn over pretty quickly, and that users seldom have to wait longer than a few minutes for a free computer. Please advise someone at the desk if you encounter a long wait.
  

  We have plans to add another bank of terminals which should also help somewhat. They should be in place near the end of the semester. Also, computers are often available in the E.L. Cord Computing Lab and in the DeLaMare Library. You might find the environment in DeLaMare more agreeable if you are seeking computers in a quiet area. It is not likely that the main floor of Getchell will ever meet that criteria, as we have no plans to restrict conversations, cell phone or otherwise, in that area.
  
  
  

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