Frequently Asked Questions

The Library is grateful for all the suggestions made by its patrons, and from time to time will print the suggestions received and the Library’s response to them. The suggestions received so far include:

"Take drastic measures in controlling loud laughter and speaking in the Library."
We agree that the library is too noisy. Students, especially those in university, should be more considerate of others. Patrons who are being affected by the noise should feel free to ask the offending party to quiet down. If the offender does not lower his/her voice, the patron should report the incident to one of the staff members of the library. The library personnel will give the offender a warning. If the offender does not heed the warning, he/she will be asked to leave the library. If they do not comply with the request of the staff member, University security will be called in to remove the offender. In addition, a letter will be put on the offender’s file.
"You need to allow us to carry our school bags in the library, and also to stop checking our books on the way out."
That is not practical right now. The library’s electronic security system is not yet fully functional. Some of our patrons are not honest and considerate enough of others for us to forego a security check. Even handbags must be checked in the baggage area, as some patrons persist in tearing out pages from our books and journals.
"How is it that workers are allowed to take their bags into the library?
Can’t they take things out also?
They’re seen taking two to three bags out of the Library?
"Is there a different rule that applies to faculty where bags in the library are concerned?"
"There are still workers taking bags into the library, do you people check the bags?"
It is unclear which workers you are referring to, whether it is library personnel or other faculty and staff. Faculty and staff are asked to follow the same rules that students are asked to follow when entering through the library door. Their rules change slightly when they enter through the Faculty Lounge. Library personnel are permitted to carry their handbags and other material that they may be working on for display, or some other on-the-job/overnight activity. They carry these bags into their offices, and at the end of the day, depending on what it is, they take them home again. The security may randomly do a security check.
"Instead of using a cardboard box to make tickets, you can use the cards that the security issue at the gate so that time doesn’t waste doing tickets every week."
Each week, an inventory is done of the cardboard tickets. Lost or ripped tickets and broken clothespins are replaced. Although slightly tedious, this job creates work for our manual arts students, and it doesn’t cost our patrons or us much. If a cardboard ticket is lost, we charge the “loser” $20.00. If some one were to lose the security type tickets, we would be forced to charge a minimum of $250.00. In addition, if we were to change over we would need approximately 500 special tickets to start off.
"How can you have books listed in the catalogue that cannot be found in the library?"
There are several probable reasons that the book listed in the catalogue does not appear on our shelves. These include:
1. Someone has borrowed the book.
2. The book has been mis-shelved.
3. The book may be in the Reserve collection.
4. The book was weeded from the collection and the card has not been pulled as yet.
5. The book may be stolen.
When you are having problems locating a book, please ask one of the library personnel for assistance. Not only can we help you, but also you will help alert us to what may be a bigger problem.
"The photocopy machine should stay open later at night."
The hope is to one day put a card-operated photocopier on all the floors for patrons to make copies for themselves. Until then, the photocopy department closes at 9:00 p.m.