We've had a fantastic response since we launched our online suggestion box in January 2008. We know we haven't always been as quick as we could have been in responding to your suggestions, but we're currently implementing strategies to improve our response time. Please keep your comments coming -- you help make us better!
10 Recent Suggestions
(May 4/19) I was very disappointed to see today that the Health Science Library will be closed every weekend (along with every other library on campus) over the summer. I find this to fall embarrassingly far below the standard of services expected at a world- leading medical school. It is well known that medical students and residents do not follow the traditional University calendar and often have many exams (ALL Royal College exams, MCCQE etc) taking place during the summer months. As such, the Health Science Libray plays a vital role to medical learners at McMaster, as residents and medical students continue to study, learn, teach, and work. I would also underscore this fact by highlighting that there are NO other dedicated study spaces at any of the other major teaching hospitals across the city. As such, the library has remained the only place for medical students and residents to study, collaborate, and advance their clinical knowledge. A quick online review demonstrates that this thrifty approach is unique to McMaster. In fact, there is no other medical school in CANADA that closes its health sciences library on weekends (this includes a review of all 14 English language medical schools health science libraries). This is for good reason - the medical community including medical students, residents, and faculty depend on the library as a space to work year round. In an era where our medical school has received some of the largest philanthropic donations in Canadian history, I find it puzzling that the very heart of any univerisy, its libraries, would be a place the University would try to pinch a few pennies. I wonder if the medical school/students, PARO resident representatives, or Post Graduate Medical Education, were consulted when this decision was made?
Answered by: Jennifer McKinnell (Director, Health Sciences Library)
(Apr 22/19) This library has wonderful study space, but its absolutely disgusting. Ive arrived, first thing in the morning (8:00, when it opens) and I had to visit the ladies washroom in the lower level. I havent been here in two or three days, but the washroom looks exactly the same as it did when I was last here - disgusting. Theres toilet paper in only one stall, but its all over the floor in every other stall (covered in feces). There is absolutely no paper towel to be found and the tiniest amount of soap in only one dispenser. Theres also barely any light, and this feels like it might be to cover up how disgusting the facilities are. If I didnt have to go so badly, I would have trekked over to the IAHS building to use their washrooms. The cleanliness isnt only in the washrooms, but obviously this is the most concerning. In the silent study area, there is garbage and dirt all over the desks. I understand that its exam time and the library is used more often, but wouldnt that warrant more cleaning? As I said - its 8:00 am on a Monday, which means that nobody has been here to make the mess since Saturday.
Answered by: Jennifer McKinnell (Director, Health Sciences Library)
(Apr 15/19) Hi! The Grad study room in Mills has some great high desks at the windows, but not enough high chairs to fill them - might it be possible to get a couple more?
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Apr 6/19) It is quite inconvenient that the library closes at 5:45 on the weekend. Shall we just stop studying at 5:45? Considering how few decent places with natural light there are on campus, this is just one more disappointment at McMaster. I dont understand why the library study areas cant be open 24 hours, as they should be at a major research university with 30 thousand students.
Answered by: Jennifer McKinnell (Director, Health Sciences Library)
(Mar 24/19) This year I have noticed an increase in 2 issues that have made Thode more and more unfriendly to study in. Number 1 There has been a huge increase in the lack of respect for the quiet study areas and staff are less and less responsive to complaints. Number 2 There has been an explosion in the number of people vaping inside the library. It was bad enough when people were doing it outside despite McMasters status as a non-smoking campus but for it to now have spread to inside a university building makes it look like the new rule only made things worst
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Mar 19/19) It would be helpful if the upcoming events were more visible on the library website.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Mar 19/19) There is an awful buzzing noise in Mills Commons which makes it quite distracting/annoying when Im trying to get work done there. The buzzings been going on for a couple of weeks and gives me a headache Im there for long - could you kindly look into remedying the situation?
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Feb 11/19) just posting this to recognize our awesome cleaners at Thode. First rate service.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Feb 4/19) Hi, I have noticed that multiple people continue to vape (smoke) in the middle of the library, especially all over second floor. It smells gross and I really would rather not breath that in. Please put signs or something saying no vaping or actually enforce the rules. thanks
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Jan 29/19) Thode and HSL are probably the best two libraries on campus. Thode because it services science and engineering students, who make up the majority of the population, and HSL because of its natural light and great study atmosphere. However, to a lot of students (mostly those who live on the side of campus near the football field) these libraries are very inaccessible/ inconvenient. It can take almost half an hour to get to these locations from Les Prince Hall and even longer in the winter. In the cold weather, it is especially brutal. There and back, its almost an hour of walking! Has the library considered running shuttle buses or golf carts from this area to the various libraries so students do not need to waste so much time and can make the most of what the library has to offer? It would be nice for students not be discouraged by a long trek in the freezing cold?
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)