Home → University Services → Library → Responses to Feedback → Responses to Suggestions to 4 August 2008

Responses to Suggestions to 4 August 2008

All orders for new library material will be forwarded to the Acquisitions Librarian for action. Please check NEWCAT over the next few weeks.

UoN107277
The download rate of the computers at the library is really poor. This morning it was taking 2-3 mins. to load the main library page. It's been like this, off and on, for a while.

Networks are currently investigating the slowness of the network in the Library, hopefully the problem will be rectified shortly.

UoN107278
Adding a small search window for a 'quick search' of the catologue to the library homepage would be really handy. Thanks Sarah.

Thank you for your comment. That is one of the things we are looking at putting on the Library page when it is redesigned later this year. In the meantime, the catalogue is just one click away from the link in the left side menu.

UoN107282
Are there any plans to upgrade the computers for general student use in the library? The Dell machines running Windows XP have been there the whole time I've been a student (coming up to 3 years now), and although they've been adequate thus far, they really aren't getting any younger. It's only this semester that I've started having problems - once you've navigated the entire library looking for an unoccupied computer, it seems to be pot luck as to whether or not it will be connected to the right printer, have Word installed, accept USB drives, or even allow you to log on at all. I assume the IT dept can track which computers are being used at which time, so perhaps the plasma screen in the foyer of the Auchmuty library could display a list of locations around the campus with unused computers - it would save students trekking around the library, the CT labs, the Physics computer room etc. etc. just to find a computer. SciFinder Scholar is also running very slow - in 75 minutes today, I only managed to succesfully print two journal articles - I found plenty, but most full-text versions are inaccessible because the Uni doesn't subscribe to all the publications. It is then even more frustrating to find a full-text article, only to have the computer take 10 minutes to open the PDF before packing it in altogether and giving me a "This page cannot be displayed" message. I know this is a funding issue, but if the uni administration can't scratch up a few dollars to improve their academic resources, then they really need to reconsider where the money's going. If you could pass this feedback on to the IT department, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank for your feedback. The computers in the library are on a 3yr replacement cycle, different areas of the library are at different stages of the cycle. There are known problems with the Library Network ( including access to databases and the library server) added to this are problems with the IT network and also internet access. Providing information on vacant computers is a good idea and is something the Library & IT have thought about , however specific software is required and IT are investigating the options. I've passed your comments on Scifinder Scholar content onto the Collection Development group.

UoN107320
It just took me TWO MINUTES AND FORTY FIVE SECONDS to open a PDF file from Wiley Interscience, only to be told that the library doesn't subscribe to this content. THEN, my connection timed out trying to make this complaint. A SHORT, 1000 WORD ASSIGNMENT IS TAKING WEEKS BECAUSE ACCESSING DATABASE MATERIALS ON CAMPUS IS NIGH ON IMPOSSIBLE. This is not a one-off, the speed of your IT facilities has been abysmal since the start of this semester. If a university can't provide the resources and facilities students need to complete their coursework, I'm going elsewhere, so you better start scraping up some more funding from somewhere.

You are right the response time in the library is terrible at the moment. There have been problems with access speeds in the library. The IT staff are currently investigating possible causes. We understand and share your frustration , the problem will be fixed as soon as possible. Thankyou for your feedback