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Piping Up

SFU Library Feedback

Laptop Returns

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Q. I have been a SFU student for the last two years and have been using the Library services extensively. Last semester, I needed a missing page for the text and contacted a librarian at the check-out desk. She was so nice and helpful. I got the missing page almost immediately. MY experience at the Bennett library has been so good until today. Today, I was returning a laptop back to the library. The librarian asked for the plastic zip bag that goes with the cord, which I didnt have. I apologized and asked if I could pay for its cost. He was utterly rude and harsh about it, slamming on the laptop cord and refused to take back the cord. His behavior made me feel absolutely like I had just done something very bad and terrible. The issue here is the bag would probably cost 50 cents at max and I said that I was sorry and willing to pay for it back. Don’t get me wrong here, I am very appreciative of the Bennett library staff and how they have been treating me. But this one staff member should really re-valuate his actions since you are here to help us, the students, NOT to ’scare us away’ with your rudeness.

A. Hello,

We are very sorry to hear your most recent interaction with library staff was not as pleasant as previous occasions. I have spoken with the staff member and he does recall receiving a laptop and cord (sans plastic baggie) back from a patron. He also recalls asking the patron to remember in future to hang on to the bag so it can be returned with the cord (with the very high volume of transactions on laptops/cords, it could become quite expensive if we didn’t do this as a general rule) but it was never his intent, nor ours, to come across rude or harsh or to make you feel bad.

We appreciate that, heretofore, you have enjoyed good service and trust for the same in the future. We also appreciate that you have taken the time to express your concerns and remind us that sometimes our good intentions don’t always come across that way.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me direct if you have further concerns or questions

Sherrie Sutcliffe,
Supervisor, Public Service

Plastic Bags

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Q: I suggest that SFU provide plastic bags to library patrons in order to prevent damage to books caused by rain. UBC library continues to provide plastic bags (free of charge) mainly due to their concern of rain damage to books

A: Hi. SFU stopped providing free plastic bags a few years ago. The main reasons for stopping were cost and environmental concerns. Since that time the negative impact of plastic bags on the environment has become more of an issue making the reinstitution of this service highly doubtful. There are cloth bags available for purchase at the Loans counter, although our experience is that most people bring their own bags, packs or briefcases in which to carry books.

There was a box above the return chute in the Bennett library where people could leave plastic bags they used when returning items. This box appears to have been removed during the recent renovation of the area. I can see about putting a box back there again but as before this would be just a drop off place for used plastic bags – ie. not regulated by library staff, so there may or may not be bags there.

While your concerns about possible rain damage to books are valid I do not expect the library to reconstitute the policy of providing plastic bags for the reasons cited above.

take care
Scott Mackenzie
Head Access Services