SFU Library Feedback
Q. Hello there,
Could the library please install bag hooks under the computer lab stations like at Harbour Center? This is a great addition because it keeps students belongings off the floor and out of the path of students walking by.
A. Dear Anon,
Thanks for your suggestion. We’ll look into the feasibility of putting these in at the Bennett Library computer areas.
Todd
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Todd M. Mundle
Associate University Librarian
Q. Hi there, I would like to give some feedback/comments on the renovation of the bennett lib 3rd floor. I hope this gets passed down to the appropriate person/place. Could the library consider building some study area in the reserve items section? This way, 1. there could be more studying area in the library and 2.we have the option to not check out items that are only needed for short period of time. 3. if a material is in high demand, students can share if there is a study area in the reserves section. If there’s a study area in the reserves section, it’s highly likely that people will use the material right then and there as opposed to checking out and go to some other place else to study. This is from my experience. UBC has study area inside the reserves section and so students often study the reserve materials right then and there as opposed to checking it out. UBC actually has reserves and media resources in one place so it’s quite convenient also. This is not to compare SFU to UBC. My intention is to give you my opinion on how to improve since there will be a renovation. And also because there was a survey on this topic a few weeks
ago. I hope that this goes to the appropriate place.
thank you for your time,
SFU student
A. Hi
Thanks for your email. I have copied the 3rd floor Task Group that is soliciting feedback on 3rd floor renos on my response.
The suggestion to add a study space in the Reserves area is a good one and has been made by others as well. Whether that will be possible waits to be seen and will depend on the final reorganization of the floor.
Thanks again for your thoughtful response re the reorganization of the 3rd floor.
Scott Mackenzie
Head Access Services
Q. The Belzberg library needs a few more big green chairs to comfortably and casually read on Hastings street.
A. Hi,
You’re right – Belzberg does need more comfortable seating. In fact, we need more seating and study areas of all types. Unfortunately, the library’s furniture and renovations budget is very limited and our priority this summer was to add some additional shelving so we could move some collections to Belzberg to support the School for the Contemporary Arts in its new home at SFU Woodward’s. However, we hope to do further renovations to create a Student Learning Commons interactive student space and additional seating during the semester break or Spring semester. Many students seem to like the large comfy chairs so we will try to incorporate similar types of seating in the renovation.
Thanks very much for getting in touch and please don’t hesitate to contact me directly if you’d like to discuss further.
regards,
Karen
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Karen Marotz
Head, Belzberg Library
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
Q: Hi Todd,
Thank you for responding to my feedback regarding the replacement of chairs in the Bennett library. I see your point about the need for high-quality chairs that last as well as the substantial cost this would incurr. Perhaps the library can start planning for this eventuality and find a creative way out. Chairs, while not seemingly as important as other priorities such as collections and numerous other investments that might be necessary, are an important aspect of a conducive learning environment. Neverthless, thank you for listening.
Bravo to the person who suggested auto-logoff and to the library for following up rectifying the situation. It goes to show just how valuable this forum can be.
Happy holidays.
A: I agree that chairs are conducive to a good learning environment. Thanks for your understanding. We’ll do what we can.
We are pleased to see that this forum is proving useful. It’s good to have many eyes and ears (and typing fingers) out there.
Best regards,
Todd
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Todd M. Mundle
Associate University Librarian
Q: The chairs in the library are old and so bent as to be ergonomically deficient. Most pose lower-back injury risk. Could you not find the budget to replace these clunkers? By my estimate, at 300 chairs per floor, you would need approximately 2100 new ones. In this economy, I’m sure you could find a decent wholesale price. A fringe benefit is that it would go a long ways aesthetically towards bringing the library into the 21st century.
A: Thank you for your feedback. We too would love to be able to replace the aging chair population in the Bennett Library. While the current economic environment might suggest that we could get a good wholesale price, it also means that in a publicly funded institution, we don’t have the budget to do the replacement. It’s been our experience that if we cheap out on the furniture it quickly deteriorates and needs to be replaced. The chairs take a beating over the year and need to be of a certain quality to be useful. Even at $50 per chair ($80 is the more likely price), replacing the chairs in the building would cost over $100,000! However having said that we do try to replace some per year.
To help avoid back problems, have a look at Health and Counselling Services’ web page at http://students.sfu.ca/health/healthpromotion/illnessprevention.html . They suggest you try the following:
Stretch every 20 to 30 minutes, moving your joints through their normal range of motion–try one of HCS’ online stretching videos!
Move – take short breaks to promote blood flow every 20 to 30 minutes. This will also help increase your energy, alertness and concentration.
Best regards,
Todd M. Mundle
Associate University Librarian