Maroon Opinions

Research and "Research"

There is a problem with the usage of computers in the library. It seems more and more people are using them to watch sports or TV programs. It is annoying to observe that when one comes to the library to work (for example I need a computer to work on my research so as to access the online Tibetan dictionary). There should be at least messages regarding the usage of the computers.

Back in May when the Champions League final was played, the Suggestions Office staff speculated the dozen or so people using the Reg's computers to watch the match probably were not engaged in scholarly research. (One staff member suggested that we set up a projector and screen for group viewing, to free up the computers.) On the other hand, at a university that has offered this course multiple times maybe we should be hasty about jumping to conclusions.

The Library does not have a formal policy on "acceptable" computer use. However, like all University departments we abide by the EAUP: NSIT's Eligibility and Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology. The EAUP distinguishes between"core" and "ancillary" uses of technology: the former are "clearly associated with the University's core education, research, or service," and the latter  "do not interfere with Core applications." (There is a third category of "Restricted" for uses that are prohibited.)

It is the feeling among the Suggestions Office staff -- and please note we are not speaking ex cathedra (or should that be ex libris?) -- that a patron needing to use a Library-owned computer to access Library resources is privileged over a patron watching YouTube as a study break. And we hope users taking study breaks will relinquish their chairs when the first floor fills up and another patrons asks if they might use the computer to translate some Tibetan.

Computers not working on 2nd floor

3 of the computers on the second floor haven't been working for a couple of weeks now. Is the library aware of this problem? There's always a big demand for the remaining few working ones.

There's problem with the electric circuit that those 3 computers draw power from, and we are working with University Facilities to get the power restored.

Webmail slowness

I am not sure if this is a problem regarding the library or just the University's webmail in general, but twice during the last week I have had problems logging on to my webmail in the library. Each time, I have logged on and checked the first few emails in my inbox and then when I try to move to the next email, it takes forever (perhaps 5 minutes) and eventually says that the connection failed. On one occasion I observed that the guy at the computer next to me was having the same problem, so it doesn't appear to be specific to my account.

This  sounds like a problem with the webmail system. If it were a problem with the Library computers, we think everything would be inaccessible - the catalog, Amazon, etc. - not just webmail. Consequently, it's something to bring up with NSIT (support@uchicago.edu).

this being said, we notice that xMail also has this problem. Suggestions Office staff sometimes work in our branch offices (i.e., the local Starbucks), and xMail reads the first couple of messages fine, but then just sits and hangs. Sometimes logging out and in fixes the problem, but other times we speculate the mail server is getting overloaded.

I miss Spell Check! (Also Library Barcodes)

1.The newly upgraded Word 2007 in Reg is really inconvenient to use. Most importantly, I can't find the word checking/proofing function. In Word 2003 I can see red line under misspelled words, but now nothing shows up. I press F7 to command a check but it says "cannot find proofing tool for English (US)". How can I rely on it to write a paper if it doesn't tell spelling error?? I have asked NSIT about it but it refers me to reference desk, which only says" go check out help document". It doesn't solve the problem in this way.

2. It is inconvenient to report a book that is not on shelf that you have to fill in your 7-Digit Barcode Number. Why not just student ID and email address? In a few times I am no longer interested in reporting a loss seeing the process.

Thank you for your comments. Regarding Word 2007, we are working on installing the Office Proofing Tools so that spell-check will work again. It may take us a little while, however.

On our "not on shelf" form and many other Library forms, we ask for your library barcode as way of uniquely identifying you. Many patrons have the same or similar names, thus we need the barcode.

We do use CNetIDs for identification when possible, but many Library patrons don't have a student ID or CNetID, including (for example) older alumni, visiting researchers, Northwestern students and faculty, or students from the Hyde Park seminaries. So if these patrons need to use a particular form, like the "not on shelf" form, we prefer to identify patrons via library barcode.

Additional printer in Crerar

Please consider moving more printers (especially those with cheap color and front-back printing) upstairs to accompany the recently relocated computers in Crerar.

Thank you for your suggestion - it's quite timely as we do have plans to move an additional printer to the first floor of Crerar. Barring any delays, I'm hopeful the printer will make an appearance this week or next.

Clean the Keyboards and Vacuum the Floor!

There is a strong, strong need to have a twice weekly (at a minimum)cleaning with a bleach solution of the desks, wiping of the keyboards and mouse, and have the housekeepers actually "wash" the plastic garbage containers. The garbage containers are filled with spilled coffee and other sticky beverages and is going to soon be the source of bug and possible rodent infestation if this issue is not soon addressed. Regarding the wiping down of the keyboards and desks, this is a basic public health issue as keyboards in libraries are now one of the major transmitters of bacteria as they are often overlooked for regular cleaning. And last but not least, at least weekly, the housekeepers need to do a more thorough job of vaccuming away the crumbs and related debris under the tables.

Unfortunately our custodial contract does not cover keyboard cleaning, although you are welcome to bring your own wipes or gloves. However, they are supposed to be vacuuming (as far as we know), so we will ask University Facilities to take this up with the custodial company.

Wireless on Sunday

Wireless during finals week gets so incredibly slow in the libraries, that at times it's impossible to use. I was attempting to notify the library of a book off the shelf, but the wireless was running so slow, I couldn't even open lens. I know more students use the libraries during finals week than during any other time, but is there a way to allot a certain period of internet usage time per individual so that when we do use it, it's not running impossibly slow? I admit to being a culprit myself, but I feel like a standard put in place like this would go a long way.

My apologies for the belated reply. I asked NSIT about recent wireless usage, and they said that the wireless can get bogged down when a great number of people are connected, but didn't provide any specifics about Sunday. That afternoon, from my experience walking around the Reg, seemed< like one of the busiest times of the year, so I wouldn't be surprised if we maxed out the wireless that day.

We'd rather not place any limits/standards on the wireless if possible, just because it's really hard to draw those lines -- some people's research really does require a stable connection for several hours. (For example, someone reading a non-downloadable e-book.) However, NSIT (and us) do monitor network usage, and will try to ensure we aren't constantly hitting upper limits on the  system.

Computers on the A-Level

Will you please come and fix one of the Dell computers on the A level in the Reg? It is one of the four just inside the door. No one can log on.

We re-seated the Ethernet cable in the jack, and that seemed to solve the problem. (The cables often come loose because people kick them or step on them.)

Printing multiple pages per sheet

I wonder if there is a way to print two or more pages from a journal or web source. It was an easy way to have hardcopy reference for preparing a paper or talk. When I select print preview there seems to be fewer options than previously. As I recall the selection gave a choice up to 4 pages on a typical 8.5 x 11 paper. (one needed a magnifying glass to read the stuff but for graphs and maps it worked). By the way, I use the public computers, usually on the third floor.

The 2-up and 4-up options are still available, just not from the Print Preview box. Instead, hit  CTRL+P to bring up the "Print" dialog box, then look for the "Properties" button. (It's called "Preferences" in some programs.) One of the options should be "pages per sheet."

When is a computer fair game?

Dear Library Staff,
I have noticed that the computers on the first floor of the Regenstein library are in high demand and some inconsiderate patrons have a habit of staking out their spot by leaving their bags and coats on a chair and then wandering off to go and have coffee, chat with friends, etc. When they return, they expect that other patrons should just cede them the place them vacated. I would encourage the library to adopt a policy to prevent or at least discourage this selfish hogging of communal and scarce resources.

Today I approached a woman who seemed to be leaving the computer terminal she had been using. She was standing up to leave. "Are you leaving?" I asked. "No," she said, blatantly walking away. "Well, there are a lot of people who want to use these computers," I said, gesturing to all room in which as far as I could discern every station was occupied. "Well, you'll have to wait. I'm going to get some lunch," she said. I do not know who this person was, but her tone of address was extremely rude and entitled. She seemed to feel that she had the right to prevent others from using the computer, even when she herself was not using it. She continued, "if you want to use a computer, there are plenty of other computers on campus that you can use." And with that, she was off.

One suggestion of how the library might prevent this abuse of common resources comes by analogy from the Ratner gym. In the cardio rotunda there is a sign which stipulates that users of treadmills and other equipment will be granted a 5 minute grace period. In other words, even if you have reserved a piece of equipment during a certain time-slot, if five minutes go by and you are not on it, you must relinquish your right to use it and let other gym patrons use the equipment. I have found that the signs posted by the scanners on the first floor are very effective: when other patrons have not been using a scanner and I have needed to use one, they have always very graciously allowed me to do so. But for people to walk away from shared computers in order to go eat lunch perhaps for half an hour at a time, and for them to presume that they can return to the computers and repossess them at their pleasure is highly antisocial. I hope the library will take measures to discourage this antisocial behavior.

The first floor computers (indeed, all the Library-owned workstations) have a 15 minute timeout set - after 15 minutes of inactivity, the computer restarts.

We chose 15 minutes to allow people time to step away briefly to visit the restroom, take a quick call, and so on. Implicit is the understanding that if a user walks away for more than 15 minutes, they're probably done with the computer.

So what of those computers that have passed the 15 minute limit, but have books and coats strewn about? We don't have an official policy, and staff are reluctant to collect personal items. But I note that nothing prevents you from removing the items to a nearby table, and using the vacated computer.