The Library Responds to 14 Days to Have Your Say!
The staff of the Bentley Library thanks everyone who submitted their comments, suggestions, criticisms, and compliments during the most recent installment of the 14 Days to Have Your Say blog (March 16 – March 29, 2010).
During the time that the blog was open, the library staff only read/listened to the conversation, hoping to encourage a free and open discussion. Now that everyone has “had their say”, we’ll address those issues that arose most frequently (though be assured that we read closely every comment made!). Rather than reply to the numerous posts/comments individually we have grouped similar posts together to allow for a more concise response.
Please use the links in the right sidebar to view our responses by category, or click here for the full document.
P.S. We’re still listening! We’d like to remind you that you don’t have to wait for the next 14 Days to Have Your Say! blog to voice your opinion or make a recommendation. Simply use the “Suggest a Purchase/Comments” link on the bottom of the library’s website and send us your feedback anytime.
Thank You for Your Feedback
The Bentley Library would like to thank everyone who took the time to visit the 14 Days to Have Your Say! blog. Between March 16 and March 29 we recorded 5,275 blog views and logged 103 posts and 70 comments.
You gave us much to consider, and over the next couple of weeks we will be reviewing what everyone had to say. Stay tuned….we promise to post our responses as soon as we possibly can. In the meantime, if you have additional comments, suggestions or feedback to make, please contact the Library at library@bentley.edu.
a few things
1. 24/7 open library
2. extended hours on einsteins or any place to grab a snack after 9 and not have to go to dunkin donuts
3. coffee machine
4. iced coffee in einstein’s
5. air fresheners in the study rooms
Cleaning Supplies
It would be fantastic if there were cleaning supplies provided on each floor, perhaps in the printing rooms. It wouldn’t have to be anything too specialized – just a bottle of all-purpose spray and paper towels. Often, tables both in the main area and in the study rooms have food spilled on them or pen/eraser shreds/etc. especially when the resource room reservations turn over and it would be wonderful if there were supplies provided so that the next people to use the resource rooms or to sit at the tables could clean them before they put down their laptops, books and papers.
HSLN
The four things I would like see improve at the library, include the hours, the study rooms, the lighting, and noise level.
First off, I am a transfer student from not one, but two different schools. It is crazy to me that the lib isn’t open 24 hours during the week, especially when there is only one. If we are paying as high as tuition that we are, we should be able to study past 2am. This also includes extending the weekend hours.
I like the option of study rooms especially for all our group projects. However, we all know that conversations can get a little heated at times. I think the rooms may need to be soundproofed so that others don’t get distracted by these conversations.
The lighthing needs to be improved. It needs to be BRIGHT please!
From day one, we’ve all learned that libraries are supposed to be quite. Ours isn’t. There should be at least one area where talking is not allowed. It would be helpful for those who do not like noise when studying!
Grad Student Suite
I think it would be beneficial to have a Grad Student suite similar to the ones PhD students have. Time and time again I have gone to the library only to find that it is one of the noisiest places one could choose to study. The common area is full of people eating, texting, talking, listening to music, etc. And while the group study rooms can offer several decibels of decreased ambient noise, I agree that one person taking up a room is not appropriate (unless it’s necessary due to noise). While some student might be able to shrug this off, it is apparent that the staff saw it fit to provide a PhD suite to offer a private place to study for those without typical, on campus access to around the clock facilities. Well, the same goes for grad students. Our schedules are not flexible and the small amount of time we have to study must be used effectively. I think a Grad Suite, accessible with a key, would be a great idea.
Einsteins doors
The doors that lead to Einstein’s need to be replaced with doors that don’t make noises when you push the handle and ones that actually shut and are sound proof, as the cafe is really loud.
FEBREZE THE STUDY ROOMS
PLEASE febreze the study rooms. there is no ventilation in any of the rooms and it’s just hot, muggy, smelly air every time you walk into a room. and it’s not like you can leave the doors open to air it out because people talk in study rooms.
Study Room cancellations/changes, etc.
It would be nice if the current study room system could be revamped so that you could easily change or cancel a reservation without having to call or email the library.
Also, a few of the study rooms can get quite hot — perhaps a small, cheap fan can be left in each room. If theft is an issue (of the fans), perhaps the ventilation system in the study rooms could be improved to circulate the air better.
Better cubicle lighting, please!
The lighting in the library as a whole is not the best. The lighting in the cubicle areas on the second floor in particular is terrible. These are very desired places to study; however my peers and I often express the fact that it is very dark, especially if you are stuck by the windows and not as close to the main ceiling lights as others are.
Hours
The hours of operation at the library must be expanded. Closing at 6pm on Friday is much too early. Not all Bentley students are 10 beers deep at this time. Liquidating some of those time machines that seem to be in every corner of the library would help provide funding for extra hours. I’m sure a few more pennies could be found somewhere in that hefty tuition price.
Purchase of books
Filed Under: books & popular reading, customer service, library policies
Besides the suggestions of better regulating the temperature in the study rooms and outside, I think the students should be able to give input on the purchase of new books. Maybe students can suggest new books and others could vote and in this way, you would have a better idea about the need for specific books.
Thank You for Participating
Thank you to everyone who participated in the most recent installment of the 14 Days to Have Your Say blog (March 16 – March 29, 2010).
You gave us much to think about! Please read our responses below. The blog is now closed, but you may send your comments and suggestions to library@bentley.edu.