Maroon Opinions

I want a (student) job!

If I'm a student, and want to work in the Library over summer, should I apply now or in Summer Quarter? The website says that all applications are deleted at the end of every quarter.

Setting aside your overall chances of landing a summer job at the Library (which are slim), we encourage you to apply now. Hiring supervisors want to set their rosters as far in advance as possible, and often look at applications weeks in advance. Get that app in ASAP!

Meanwhile, our friends in Library Personnel tell us that applications filed during the last week or two of each quarter won't be automatically deleted; instead Personnel will send you an email asking if we should keep your app on file for the new quarter. If you submit earlier than the start of 10th week, though, you should reapply when the new quarter begins.

Where's the Batsignal when you need it?

Is there any way that I can get a hold of the front desk or library security personnel via email? I think there should. There have been people (I am not sure if they are students or prospective students) running around the fifth floor bookstacks. I think enabling students to contact the front desk (similar to ask/chat with a librarian) to inform them of distracting activity or for assistance would be very helpful. I hope to see some implementation of this in the future.

Although the circulation staff is available via email and tries to respond promptly to all inquiries, for immediate assistance the best method is simply to come downstairs and talk to the staff in person. The supervisor on duty can accompany you up to the scene and talk with the offending patrons.

Circulation can also be reached by phone [redacted for the web; look us up in the library directory], and I will pass along your suggestion for an IM/chat service, but if people are being noisy in the stacks -- and they haven't responded well to a polite request to take their games elsewhere -- it would be best to talk with circulation staff face-to-face.

We advise against using our present IM/chat service for location-specific complaints, because that service is staffed by personnel at Regenstein, Crerar, and Harper. So you may not always be interacting with librarians in the same building you are in.

Getting a Job at the Library

My name is [redacted]. I am a [redacted] in the College. I am looking for a job at any of the libraries here at the University of Chicago. I work quickly and efficiently and get along well with others. I am generally very amiable and helpful to patrons.

Most people suggest the Library fix something. Very few "suggest" the Library hire them. Bravo! Unfortunately the Suggestion Office staff have no influence on hiring decisions, so check out the the student employment page created by our colleagues in Library Personnel.

Proper Attire

It is XXX and one of your employees is dressed incredibly immodestly. I prefer to not see so much of the body displayed when I am at the library.

We forwarded this to the relevant department head, but can offer a few general comments. The Library does not have a formal dress code, and on any given day attire varies from coat and tie to T-shirt and shorts. (Indeed, the Office staff is divided on this question, with one so-called "18th century Brit" strongly preferring neckties and their equivalent, while others ardently claiming the right to dress in the most comfortable clothes possible -- after all, who cares what one wears when answering online suggestions?)

However, department mores often include customary apparel, with those in public services adopting a stricter (if still permissive) tone.  If you notice someone egregiously and repeatedly in different attire -- or lack of such -- than their colleagues, a quiet request to the chief of department would be in order.

Happily, the  Chicago climate is about to render such concerns moot for another 9 months.

Kudos to David Rockwell

I would just like to highly praise and commend Mr. David Rockwell for his extraordinarily helpful preofessional service and his kind demeanor at the Circulation Desk. I also think that the students who are working there are well-trained under him and have the same professionally helpful and friendly attitude.

Thanks! The Library is fortunate to have had David, whose steady hand guided Reg Circ for almost 10 years. Running Circ often resembles herding cats, but David made it look easy.

(UPDATE: David retired from the Library in Spring 2009. We wish him well here in the Office.)

Volunteering

Dear Library Staff at the University of Chicago:

Hello! my name is [...].and I would like to know what would a person have to do if they wanted to do volunteer work at the University of Chicago Library.(For in-stance, reshelving books in the University Library etc,etc....)

Although we would love to further the long-standing tradition of volunteer work in libraries, the University does not allow us to officially use volunteers.

However, if you are a library science student looking to do a practicum at the Library, by all means let's talk.

UPDATE: The University does permit volunteers, is working on University-wide policies and procedures for allowing volunteers to serve alongside regular staff. So if you'd like to volunteer at the University of Chicago Library, contact the Personnel Office.

Staff Directory

Some mistakes in our new library web page should be corrected in order to improve its quality. For example, you can not find my name in library directory, however I have been working in Regenstein library for many years. Qinghua Guo

Mr. Guo, my apologies-- you put in so many hours at Entry Control that we really should list your name in blinking lights! (For those who don't know him, Mr. Guo is the gentleman who swipes your cards in the 24-hour study space.) I will get Personnel to fix this.