Welcome to SFU.ca.
You have reached this page because we have detected you have a browser that is not supported by our web site and its stylesheets. We are happy to bring you here a text version of the SFU site. It offers you all the site's links and info, but without the graphics.
You may be able to update your browser and take advantage of the full graphical website. This could be done FREE at one of the following links, depending on your computer and operating system.
Or you may simply continue with the text version.

*Windows:*
FireFox (Recommended) http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
Netscape http://browser.netscape.com
Opera http://www.opera.com/

*Macintosh OSX:*
FireFox (Recommended) http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
Netscape http://browser.netscape.com
Opera http://www.opera.com/

*Macintosh OS 8.5-9.22:*
The only currently supported browser that we know of is iCAB. This is a free browser to download and try, but there is a cost to purchase it.
http://www.icab.de/index.html

Piping Up

SFU Library Feedback

Archive for April, 2010

Request for Journal Article

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Q: I need the following article “A genealogy of the chemical weapons taboo” by Richard Price published in International Organization (1995), 49 : 73-103 Cambridge University Press

A: Hello,
My apologies for the delay in responding to you, as I was away from the Library on Friday.

The journal you are requesting – v. 49 of “International Organization” – is available in paper format on the sixth floor of the Bennett Library in the Bound Journals area. A map of the sixth floor is here: http://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/floorplans/bound-journals

If you are a student at Harbour Centre or at Surrey, you can request that the article you need be sent to you by using the “Request Item” button on the tool bar of the catalogue record for the print version of International Organization – http://troy.lib.sfu.ca/record=b1646697~S1a

If you have any difficulties finding the journal, or require any assistance using the Library or the Library’s services, please use the “Ask a Librarian” Services – http://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/ask-us/ and you will receive immediate assistance, or near immediate assistance, depending on whether you choose in person, live chat, telephone, or email assistance.

Best regards,
Don Taylor

Donald Taylor
Assistant Head, Access Services

Books renewing themselves

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

I recently noticed a that when renew my library books online, and leave my current browsing tab open, my books mysteriously renew themselves up to the allowed limit. I figured it had something to do the page auto refreshing. After being told by a clerk that “websites like this don’t work like that”, I did some investigation, and I’m indeed right.

As the product of a bug in the Javascript code (common.js), and the fact that renewal page takes incoming data via a GET request, a tab/page, when left open after renewing a book, will auto renew after 20-minutes. This bug has cost me $20+ in library fees, so I’d like to see it fixed.

I can provide additional details if needed, but it shouldn’t be too hard to trace and fix.

A. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We will contact the vendor and have them check into this and if need be fix it.

take care

Scott Mackenzie
Library Loans

Library Fines

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Can I have a friend return my books and pay for my fines for me? Does it have to be me in person?

A: Hi,

Yes, a friend can return your books and pay the fines, however, we would ask that the charges be paid with cash (it is difficult to identify your account if they pay with their own credit/debit card and of course they may not pay with your debit/credit card)

thanks, Sherrie
Library Loans

Library Computer Workstations

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Hello,

I have noticed a lot of people leaving the computer work station they are sitting at unattended for long periods of time. On many occasions I have been patiently waiting in line for a computer in the library while there are at least 2 or 3 computers at any given time left empty for 15-30 minutes plus. This is absolutely unfair to those who need to use a computer for school work while the ‘user’ is out getting lunch or what not.

Some schools have an automatic log out system installed on their computers so if a computer is idle for more than 10 minutes it logs off automatically. I feel this is the appropriate solution so students waiting in line can move those persons belongs and actually use the computer the other person selfishly clogged up. Of course a notice should probably be put near the computer stations so people know this will happen and will not get upset with those who are now using the computer.

These computers are vital resources for students and are at a prime so students should not be able to horde computers. We pay our tuition to be able to have equal access to resources …hording work stations is excessive and unfair to others. Likewise students should not be able to ‘hold’ computers for others while there is a lineup of students present that need to use the computer. This is rude and inconsiderate and makes one dread coming to the library computer lab knowing that you’ll have to wait 15 minutes plus while computers sit empty!

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback. There is an automatic log off on these computers in the Bennett Library but it’s currently set at 30 minutes. I think it’s time that we review that time limit since as does seem to be an inordinate length of time. If changed some signage would assist in keeping students aware of the limitation.

The second problem you describe is more difficult to police. I totally agree that it is inconsiderate for one student to “hold” a computer for another. If you do witness this, please feel free to approach a staff member to come over and have a conversation with the offending student.

Best regards,

Todd
Associate University Librarian

Suggestion for New Book Purchase: Business Communication: Process and Product

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Author: by Guffey, Mary Ellen (Author)
Title: Business Communication: Process and Product
Publisher & where & when published: South-Western College Pub; 6 edition (December 20, 2007)
Where you saw this item mentioned: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0324542909?ie=UTF8&tag=movide-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121 creative=390961&creativeASIN=0324542909
Acquire for which library?: Bennett (Burnaby Mountain)
Your affiliation: SFU Undergraduate Student

A: Hi,

Thank you for taking the time to suggest a book for the library.

To ensure that the majority of the book budget goes toward resources that will complement, rather than replace, books that students are already buying for their courses, I try to avoid buying many business textbooks, especially ones that are already a couple years old.

The main exception to this practice tends to be when an instructor requests that a textbook be put on reserve for a course. In such cases, the short reserve loan periods ensure that the book will likely be available to the whole class during the semester.

If you could tell me what course this text is being used for, I will speak to the instructor about possibly getting one or more copies for reserve. If you were just searching for books on business communication in general, I’d be happy to meet with you to help you find other resources in our collection. My contact information is below.

Regards,
Mark

Mark Bodnar
Business Librarian

Suggestion for New Book Purchase: Elements of Parametric Design

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Author: Robert Woodbury
Title: Elements of Parametric Design
Publisher & where & when published: Routledge June 2010
Where you saw this item mentioned: http://www.routledgearchitecture.com/books/Elements-of-Parametric-Design-isbn9780415779869
Acquire for which library?: Surrey (SFU Surrey)
Your affiliation: SFU Faculty

A: We have pre-ordered two copies of the title Elements of Parametric Design for the Surrey Library.

If you’d like notification when they arrive, please let me know.

Kind regards,
Nicole

Nicole Gjertsen
Liaison Librarian, Interactive Arts & Technology, TechOne
SFU Surrey Library, Simon Fraser University

Suggestion for New Book Purchase: A Laboratory Course for Programming with Java

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Author: by Dale, Nell B. (Author)
Title: A Laboratory Course for Programming with Java (Paperback)
Publisher & where & when published: Jones & Bartlett Publishing Co; 2 edition (Mar 3 2008)
Where you saw this item mentioned: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0763758272?ie=UTF8&tag=movide-20&linkCode=as2&camp=15121&creative=390961&creativeASIN=0763758272
Acquire for which library?: Surrey (SFU Surrey)
Your affiliation: SFU Undergraduate Student

A: Hi,

Thanks very much for suggesting this title. I’ve ordered a copy for Fraser Library (Surrey campus). You should receive an email when it is available for you to borrow.

Thanks again,
Shane
. . .
Shane Plante
Liaison Librarian for Business, Computing Science, Engineering, & Science (Surrey campus)
SFU Surrey Library, Simon Fraser University

Study Carrels

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Q: Hi there,
it’s really nice that we have new floor installed in 6th floor.

One feedback I would like to give is: could we get the study carrels cleaned up regularly? Not always, but often enough, I find eraser dust and garbage piled up and also chewed gums, which is totally disgusting.

thank you,

A: Hi,

Thank you for your feedback. I agree that the new floor on the 6th floor is a vast improvement. I’ll bring the state of the carrels to the attention of the cleaners.

Best regards,

Todd M. Mundle
Associate University Librarian

Suggestion for New Book Purchase: Extending ourselves : computational science, empiricism, and scientific method

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Author: Paul Humphreys
Title: Extending ourselves : computational science, empiricism, and scientific method
Publisher & where & when published: New York : Oxford University Press, c2004
Where you saw this item mentioned: UBC library catalogue
Acquire for which library?: Bennett (Burnaby Mountain)
Your affiliation: SFU Undergraduate Student

A: Hi,

Thank you for this book request. I’ve placed an order “on demand” for you, so you will be notified when it arrives for pick-up at the library.

Best wishes,
Yolanda

Yolanda Koscielski, MLIS
Liaison Librarian for Criminology, Engineering, and Computing Science

DVD Donations

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Q: Hi, I was wondering if the Bennett Library accepts DVD donations for their collection? I have quite a few DVDs in good shape that I am no longer using and some of which are not in SFU’s catalog (for example: Mad Men season one, Gosford Park, and some old 1960s films). If the library would like the DVDs, where should I drop them off? Thanks!

A: Hi

Thank you for enquiring about donating dvds to the SFU Library. We are always pleased to review all gifts.
The individual to contact regarding gifts is Eric Swanick, Head of Special Collections and Gifts Librarian, as he is the librarian who handles the initial reception of all gifts to the Library.

Eric’s contact information is:
eswanick@sfu.ca
778.782.4626

Again, thank you very much for your generosity.
Best regards,
Don Taylor
———————————————————
Donald Taylor
Assistant Head, Access Services