Facebooking & Game Playing on Computers

Why does the library…. Allow people to be on facebook & play games when students need the computers for school work. All computers were used I see 5 people on facebook.

We’re sorry that you had difficulty using the library computers for your work. The primary function of the Evans Library is to support the academic work of students, faculty, and all other patrons and it’s disturbing when any user feels they can’t get their work done.
At this time, the library allows for more ‘non-academic’ use than we would normally do, due to the fact that there are no other places on campus for students to connect with family and friends, check their email, watch the latest game, or even to play games. There is also a “gray area” in terms of social networking sites -- more and more instructors are taking advantage of such tools to enhance their courses and to provide alternate means of communication between class members.

Social use should never, however, interfere with students’ and other users’ ability to use the library’s resources for academic purposes.

In the future if you can’t find a computer, please go to one of the service desks which are located on the first floor; the Reference Desk is in the back and the Circulation Desk is at the entrance. The Library staff will help you locate an unused computer on the first or second floor or make a general announcement directed at those users not doing academic work. We commonly make such announcements and have found our users to be very accommodating (you will often see several users immediately closing their sessions and handing over their computers!). There are also several laptops available for use inside the building that may serve your needs.
We can also tell you that the campus is currently looking for areas outside the Library that will have ‘social computing’ equipment for students who primarily want to play or socialize. If you believe this kind of space is needed (and we here at the Evans Library do!), please share your story with your student government representatives and/or the College’s administration.

THANKS!

2nd Floor Door in Library

Why does the library not place an 'open door slowly' sign on the upstairs door that goes down to the rest rooms? Even better, would be to place a small window down low on the door so both sides can see what is going on. This is an extreme hazard because there is no way to catch yourself if pushed backward by the opening door. An Open Door slowly sign or a window would help make the library safer. :)

Excellent idea, there should be a sign to warn people entering the stairwell to open door slowly. Also we all must use common sense when entering the library’s second floor from the stairwell to be prepared for the door to open—as with many doors. What do you think of the signs that we put up? :)

Power source for Laptops

Why does the library have... so few locations with power for laptops?

I wish I had better news for you. The lack of power is due both to the age of the building (1968!) and the difficulty with retro-fitting it for current needs. In order to provide the kind of power required by today’s tech-savvy students, there would have to be a major renovation of both floors, which would involve asbestos abatement, relocation of furniture and people, and more time and money than the campus can devote at this time. Such a renovation is in the preliminary planning stage, but will probably not occur in the foreseeable future.

That being said, we’ve done our best to provide electricity in as many places as we can. If you are looking for power and don’t see any available, please ask one of our staff members; perhaps we can find a spot that you hadn’t noticed. One area that seems to get overlooked is our “Silent Study”, the red zone located in the corner on the second floor. There is power along two walls and in the center area – and that room has the added benefit of being one of our quieter locations!

Graphic Novels

I wish the library would…

Have more graphic novels on display like Maus, Scott Pilgrim or Persepolis.


The library actually owns Maus I (Call #D810.J4 S643) and Maus II (Call #D804.3 S66). We have Persepolis too (Call #PN6747.S245 P4713). And while they are not on display downstairs; they are on “display” upstairs in the book stacks. Unfortunately we don’t own any of the Scott Pilgrim series, but you can request that we get them from another library for you via interlibrary loan (affectionately known as ILL in the library world). A quick search of the SUNY Catalog shows several Scott Pilgrim titles and that a few different libraries own them. To use the SUNY Catalog go here: http://search.sunyconnect.suny.edu/. Do your search & click on the title you want. Next click on the “Request item” link, find your campus and you’re well on your way. If you need help completing the request – just ask one of the library staff. And, we do buy books “on request”, so if you have any additional titles you would like to see, please let us know and we’ll consider them for purchase.

Computer Help

I like that the Library…Has Great Computer Help! :)


Thanks! The Evans Library staff, including Librarians, Support Staff and Learning Commons Assistants (LCAs) work very hard to make sure that you have the skills and “know-how” when it comes to using our computers for your courses and academic needs.
Don’t forget that we also offer some other really great services in the Evans Library & Learning Commons to support your learning:

• Reference Librarians who can work with you to get your started finding useful resources (books, articles) for your research assignments
• Silent and Group study areas thorough the Library
• Writing Center on the 1st Floor where one-on-one tutoring helps your improve your writing
• And remember, if you're taking a computer class and need more help, the Learning Center provides peer tutors!
• Math Lab on the 2nd Floor where one-on-one tutoring services are available for Math, Statistics and Physics courses
We’re so much more than computers! Get to know us!

More Library Space...

I wish the Library would…Get Bigger


Thanks for your suggestion! Unfortunately we don’t know of any plans in the near future for the expansion of the Library. We are however planning some changes over the summer months that will let us (and you!) take better advantage of the space that we have.
Besides the most obvious change, the new entrance to the Library, over the summer we’ll be:
• Re-locating circulating books (R-Z) from the first floor to the second floor
• Re-arranging and moving numerous computers on the first and second floor and
• Moving the Reference desk to a more central location on the first floor
Let us know what you think!

Quiet Study

I wish the Library would…have more quiet places to work in! With dinos :)

We could not agree more!! One of the most consistent suggestions we receive is to reduce the volume in the Library (particularly during the Common Hour). While we’re hard at work on possible solutions (and welcome your suggestions), for the time being, here’s what you can do:
· Take advantage of the Silent Study Room, Dorn Room and Group study rooms on the second floor (if you’re unsure where these are, just ask)
· Remember that the Information Literacy classroom (L-207) is open for Academic work during Common Hour. The schedule is posted to your left, as well as at the Circulation Desk, Reference Desk and door of L-207
· Let us know! Despite our best efforts, we’re often unaware of disruptions/noisy areas that crop up during the day. So, don’t be afraid to speak to a Librarian or any of the Library staff.
· Be heard – student voices make things happen. Voice your concerns elsewhere – at Student Government meetings, with teachers, administrators, etc. You can help!