CalPoly

You:  Please allow use of the terminal on the library Macs.

Answer:   The Unix terminal is blocked on the Macs for security reasons. At this point there is not a good solution that can be deployed to all Macs that currently serve all users in the Library. CSC/SE/CPE students (who regularly need this access) should have access to the Linux computer science labs available 8-5 M-F.  We hope this helps.  Thanks for your feedback

Here’s what you said you like about the Library:

• new chairs
• the group study rooms
• the computers available to us
• the textbooks on reserve
• having more computers in the library!
• coffee!

You:  Please replace the keyboards.  At least clean them because many of them are sticky, greasy, and make the PC’s unusable.  Some keys won’t work anymore.  By the way, thanks for all your hard work!

Answer:  Thanks for letting us know about the computer keyboards. Yes, they do  get a lot of use and can get rather sticky. If they simply do not  work, please alert a computer support assistant at one of our service  desks (1st floor PolyConnect and 2nd floor Learning Commons) and they  will submit a repair request. If they just need a quick clean, there  are cleaning wipes available at both service desks. And, thanks for  saying, “Thanks,” - it’s always nice to hear!

You: I don’t like it when the computer labs in the library have classes taught in them, there never seems to be any available computers when this happens!

Answer:  Thank you for your comment, it is an understandably frustrating concern.  The Library labs are the only labs on campus available to all Colleges for hands-on instruction, so they are in high demand year-round.   Last year we started a new lab reservation system that keeps two labs free at any time.  Meanwhile we are adding computers in open areas to relieve some of the pressure on the labs.

We also encourage you to check out our the new PolyConnect Lab, with over 50 computers, which is located adjacent to the 24 hour study room on the 1st floor of the library.  This lab helps to meet your concern because not only is it is not reservable.  We plan eventually to keep PolyConnect open 24 hours and this may start as soon as Winter 2009.  Be sure and let us know what you think!

You:  The fifth floor is dark!  And please change the light bulbs in the TS-TX section!

 Answer:  We think we figured out what the problem is.  One of the light switches wasn’t getting turned on in the morning.  (That would help…..!)  We regularly check for light bulb outages and will double-check the TS-TX section.  Thanks for writing!

You:  There are not enough study rooms as well as not enough computers available to use.  And there are no vending machines on every floor.  Please beef up on computers, study rooms, and vending machines.  You know students get really hungry when studying.

Answer:   We have run out of space to have more study rooms:  until we build the planned Library extension we are really limited in what we can offer. We will continue to add more computers throughout as we get funds for hardware and network drops.  We have studied the vending machine issue and the only location in the Library suitable for vending machines is the 24-hour Study Room.  Sorry to disappoint you!  Meanwhile, please feel free to bring your snacks from home, and also enjoy the variety of food Julian’s offers when they are open.

You:  The 24-hr. quiet room ought to be closed off completely from the regular 24-hr. room so that it’s truly a quiet study room, not mostly quiet study room.

Answer:   Quiet study is the most frequent request we get from students, so we know how important this is.  We are unable to completely seal off the 24-hr. quiet room at this time because of air flow issues.  So for now it’s a “mostly” and “relatively” quiet study room.  During regular library hours, you may also try the quiet study room (401) on the fourth floor.  The fourth and fifth floors are also designated quiet study floors.

You:  We need a bus schedule!  I have never seen or been in a library without a bus schedule!

Answer:  That’s a great idea, especially now that the bus stop is next to the Library.  We contacted the city transit folks, who said they would have staff drop off some schedules.  All the buses also have them on board. They’re also planning to add large printed schedules at the stops as well; they are waiting for them to be printed.  Also coming:  two electronic bus arrival signs in the two Library bus shelters. They expect them to be in operation within the next 4 months. According to the city, “This system also has an Internet component that allows passengers to see their bus location on a system map in live time.”  Meanwhile, you can get a PDF of the bus routes and schedule http://www.slocity.org/publicworks/download/busmap.pdf  and get information as well on Facebook and Twitter by searching for SLO Transit.

Here’s what you said you like about the Library:

• The new red and yellow couches
• Self checkout
• 2nd floor children’s section
• The 24 hour room, wireless internet improvements
• Lots of quiet space and reasonable hours

You: There seems to be a lack of computers in the labs

Answer: We know this is a problem and are in the process of improving the situation. This summer we are adding more computers  and revamping the computer lab (Poly Connect Lab) on the first floor.  By this fall the lab will include 50 computers, including 9 Macs.  We’re also putting in more outlets for laptops, and will be lending laptops from a new service desk in the Poly Connect Lab.  This lab will be open 24 hours. Thank you for your suggestion and feel free to let us know what you think of this improvement.