SFU Library Feedback
Q. How about replacing the clunky and noisy copier/printer card readers with svelte ones?
A. I’ll have my technicians investigate and fix any problems regarding noisy equipment.
Thanks, Garth
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Garth Lauer
Simon Fraser University
Manager, Library Building and Equipment Operations
Q.Could you please turn the heat up on the 5th floor. It feels cold. Also, is the heat turned down in the evenings? It feels quite cold in the evenings.
A. Thank you for your feedback. As we head into the colder months temperatures tend to fluctuate to even greater extremes from day to day and daytime to evening. This presents quite a challenge to keep a building of this size and design heated properly.
Thanks, Garth
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Garth Lauer
Simon Fraser University
Manager, Library Building and Equipment Operations
Q. I had my phone stolen today from the fourth floor bathroom at around 2pm. If it is handed in please contact me by email. Also, if it is at all possible, could an email be sent to those who hired books today as one of them may have picked it up?
A. I am sorry that your phone was stolen. I checked our lost and found ledger but nothing was turned in. You should check with Campus Security as well, as many items are turned in directly to them. I am not sure what you mean by “those who hired books today”? I have copied Library Loans staff on this email in case one of them saw your phone however if they had found it I am sure they would have turned it in to the lost and found.
take care
Scott
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Library Loans
Q. I find the new library color very depressing. I don’t think it is a good idea to paint, probably the most visited place on campus, in a heavy dark color. Considering the upcoming depressing rain and intense school year, students need something brighter and happier.
A. Thank you for taking the time to comment. We’ve received a wide range of feedback regarding the new color scheme. The majority of the commentary has been positive. In all there are eleven new colors appearing on the seven floors of the Bennett Library including shades of yellow, green, blue, orange and red. We hope that the cumulative effect of freshly painted walls, a wide range of colors, replacement of missing light bulbs, and a number of other renovation activities will be a more enjoyable and successful experience of the facility for all its users.
Best,
Charles Eckman
Dean of Library Services, SFU
Q. I am puzzled by the decision to repaint the walls in the Bennett library in such a dark colour. While dark tones may be fashionable (in the view of some), they do nothing to lift the spirits of those who spend a lot of time in a dark place — especially in winter, when our days are short, and Burnaby mtn is socked in with cloud. Surely something like a sunny yellow would be much more agreeable, and serve to brighten the atmosphere!! Comments from students reflect a similar response.
A. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on the colour scheme that is being used as part of the Bennett Library overall renewal. The colour scheme for the Bennett Library was recommended by Stephen Emmerson of Raven Design who is working with Facilities Services and Associate University Librarian Natalie Gick on our overall renovation plan. The choice required approval by the University Architect since the building is considered an architectural heritage structure. The burgundy was chosen by the designer as the central of eleven colours in the overall palette because it complemented the architectural features of the building (the wood, concrete, wide range of flooring).
We have received a fair amount of feedback from students and staff thus far. The majority of comments are positive, with a number of negative comments that reflect your perspective regarding light and impact of the burgundy. We are working to ameliorate the effect of the burgundy with enhanced lighting where needed (many of the lights in the facility needed replacement). Renovation plans currently under development will also result in more exposed window areas, and more light, on the main, third floor. You might wish to take a look at some of the complementary colours that are going up on each of the floors — especially the variety of colours in the group study rooms on the second floor which have proven to be extremely popular. Natalie and I would be happy to discuss this with you.
Chuck
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Charles Eckman
Dean of Library Services, SFU
Q. Hi, Could you please clarify if the 5th and 6th floor computer workstations are quiet study areas or if light discussion is allowed. It seems this ambiguity makes it difficult to enforce quite study, especially on the 6th floor. This has been an ongoing problem for quite sometime and signs indicating quiet study would help CONSIDERABLY.
A. The computer areas on the 5th and 6th floors are quiet but not silent areas. It would be fair to say that light but not prolonged discussion is allowed. Of course, this is ambiguous and will be interpreted in various ways. The NW corner of the 6th floor is Silent, as is the Silent Study Room on the 5th floor. No discussion is allowed in these areas and peer pressure has been quite successful. “Silent” is unambiguous.
Rather than more Quiet signage, it may be that we need to explore creating a Silent computer area, something we don’t currently have.
In the meantime, if you are not comfortable asking people carrying on prolonged conversations to move elsewhere or to desist, please feel free to ask a staff member at a 3rd floor service point to do so. If you don’t want to leave your workstation, send a request via the Feedback link. We monitor these regularly, although we can’t promise an instant response.
Thanks for raising this concern and we will factor it in to our regular reviews of space/facilities in the Library.
Best,
Elaine
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Elaine Fairey
Associate University Librarian, Learning & Research Services
Q. What is the address of the Technical Services department at the SFU library?
Thanks!
A. Hi,
The address is:
c/o WAC Bennett Library – Library Management Office
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
SFU Library Management Office
Q. people in offices on 5th floor are being rude. There being loud.
A. Thank you for your feedback.
I agree that it’s not an ideal situation, having staff offices right next to areas where students are trying to study quietly. We used to have signs posted which explained that carrels next to librarians’ offices can be noisy as librarians conduct their work, however it turns out that these have disappeared over time. We are going to have new signs put up, and in the meantime perhaps I can suggest trying out other spaces in the building, such as the recently renovated 6th Floor Study Area (west end), or Room 5102 which is designated Silent Study.
If you have any further comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Janis McKenzie
Head, Information and Instruction
janis@sfu.ca
Q. Hi, People are talking in the 5th floor room for silent study. its hard to study.
A. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. The room is not quite finished including the signage that will indicate more strongly that it is a silent study area, which means no talking.
Todd
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Todd M. Mundle
Associate University Librarian
Q. Dear SFU Burnaby Library,
Why are there no quiet areas to study in the library? Everywhere one goes, all one hears is chatter.
Why did you convert the 5th floor quiet study area into a group study area? I know it’s “supposed” to be for silent studying, but who ever designed that room should realize that now it’s easier to talk to people, beside you and in front of you. Just take a look sometime, and you’ll see people chatting in there-You’ve made it easy.
Why would the library spend money taking away what was a very good space for studying silently? Before there were study carrolls, now there is just a conference room, albeit what looks like a nice looking one. That room has now become another group study area, like the so many others you have in thelibrary. It’s horrible!
The library should be silent in some areas. I find it very difficult to learn. I am a SFU scholarship student and am now seriously considering switching universities, because there isn’t anywhere I can go to quietly, silently learn at SFU Burnaby.
I take learning very seriously. I just hoped that the SFU did, too.
Sincerely,
Soon-to-be former SFU student.
A. Thanks for your feedback. I can’t say that I’ve had the same experience that “everywhere one goes, all one hears is chatter.” At various times of the day in my travels through the Bennett Library I’ve experienced quiet areas on floors 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7. I’ve no doubt that some talk does occur in these areas but it’s just not been my experience.
The room which you describe is the only “silent” study area in the Bennett Library and it certainly was not our intent to make it a group study area. The area previous was dark and dingy and grossly underutilized. As the signage states, it is currently still being renovated but when completed it will be signed to best assure that no talking under any circumstances is to take place there. I’ve just gone by the room again (4 pm on a Thursday) and the 5 people in the room are not talking.
It is unfortunate that you are considering switching universities based on the circumstances here. I do hope that you reconsider. I can tell you that from conversations with colleagues from other academic libraries here in the lower mainland, noise levels is an issue at all of them.
We do take learning very seriously but unfortunately we cannot police noise levels in all areas of the library. Short of bringing the carrels back to the silent study room, I’d be happy to discuss other options with you as to how we can improve the room so that it has the best shot at being what it is intended to be. Please feel free to contact me about this.
Best regards,
Todd M. Mundle
Associate University Librarian