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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!

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10 Recent Suggestions

(Mar 15/24) You should add the floor plan of the Health Sciences Library back onto your website. It is only present in-person now. It was very helpful when booking study rooms.

Library response: Thank you for this suggestion. The updated floorplans are now posted on our website: https://hsl.mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/2024/03/2022-11-29-HSL-Floor-Plan-for- website.pdf. We appreciate your feedback. (Mar 18/24)
Answered by: Jennifer McKinnell (Director, Health Sciences Library)
Categories: Other, Health Sciences  |  Permalink

(Feb 27/24) Do not send emails to group email addresses we have been added to without consent, which we have no way of removing ourselves from. Your library survey email was a disaster and has led to probably 100s of people receiving endless spam to email inboxes. An apology is certainly necessary and a fix immediately applied.

Library response: Thank you for your note concerning the library survey email message that resulted in an unfortunate flurry of spam-like content coming into your inbox. This issue has been resolved. Your email information remains confidential, and you should not receive any further spam-like messages associated with the survey. The technical issue caused no security, data or privacy breaches. We know some unintended recipients were also included on the distribution list, and we are working to resolve that in the future. Thank you for your patience and understanding, McMaster University Libraries (Feb 29/24)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Customer Service  |  Permalink

(Jan 27/24) The chairs/couches in Mills are absolutely filthy and smell. In one of the fourth floor chairs in Mills I found a used tampon wedged between the cushions. There are empty drink bottles, take out containers, used tissues, and chip bags littered in the book stacks that have been there for months. It looks like they are never vacuumed or cleaned in any way. Im concerned about bringing home bedbugs because of the lack of concern for cleanliness demonstrated at McMaster.

Library response: Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We can place a request to have our stacks area cleaned and vacuumed. (Jan 29/24)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Other, Mills  |  Permalink

(Jan 24/24) It would be good if they put notices in libraries so that people do not put their shoes on the sofas, chairs and tables. Well, many young people put their dirty shoes on the chairs especially and not only do they dirty the furniture but also damage it.

Library response: Thanks for sharing this with us! We do see students putting their feet up on furniture from time to time and this can cause damage as well as spread mud/snow/dirt. I can send your comments to our graphics team as an idea to share out on social media. (Jan 26/24)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Other  |  Permalink

(Dec 7/23) The 2nd floor commons and 3rd floor study rooms are always freezing. Especially 2nd floor commons, even with so many people around. I need my fingers to be able to type without getting frost bite, please consider increasing the temperature for winter!

Library response: Thank you for letting us know about the temperatures of our building. Brrr! That sounds cold. Unfortunately, we do not control the temperatures in our buildings - this can make things very uncomfortable when the weather turns unseasonably warm or when temperatures drop. I will pass on your feedback to our facilities team. (Jan 26/24)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Temperature, Mills  |  Permalink

(Nov 30/23) The Thode meditation room should be soundproof. It only slightly masks sound which is disappointing since its name implies that it would be silent. It’s not much different than just being in the first floor of Thode.

Library response: Thank you for letting us know. Unfortunately, we are unable to make this room completey soundproof but we have been considering renaming it to "Individual Study Space". You are correct in sharing that this room is not different from the rest of the first floor, which is labelled as "Collaborative Work Space". I appreciate your feedback. (Jan 26/24)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Study Space, Thode  |  Permalink

(Oct 15/23) How are there no libraries open during normal hours on weekends? Where are students supposed to study for a quiet space?

Library response: Thank you for reaching out. Thode and Mills Library are opened on Saturday from 10:30am to 5:30pm. On Sunday, the Learning Commons is opened from 8am to 11pm and Mills and Thode are opened from 3pm to 11pm. We are slowly rolling into extended hours and around mid-November, you will find Thode and the Learning Commons opened past midnight and then we move into 24/7 during exams. You can find more information on our Library Hours page https://library.mcmaster.ca/hours. During Reading Break, we shorten our hours as many students are not on campus. If you have suggestions on how we can improve our hours during the weekend, please let us know. We always love hearing from our students! (Oct 18/23)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Hours  |  Permalink

(Sep 26/23) The chairs on the second floor are very squeaky and make so much noise

Library response: Thank you for your comments. Since the 2nd floor is a very popular and busy study area I suspect the chairs are squeaking due to wear and tear. We can look into this and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Thank you again for your comments. (Sep 27/23)
Answered by: apearce,servisl
Categories: Study Space, Thode  |  Permalink

(Aug 14/23) 4th floor Mills - study space in the stacks near the window overlooking the centre plaza between MUSC and Mills - the outlets near the study desks are not working. Considering how limited study space is on campus, this becomes a problem for students who cannot reliably use these spaces to work when they need to charge their devices. Please address.

Library response: Thank you very much for letting us know. We will put in a call to the electrician to take a look at our outlets on the fourth floor. (Sep 12/23)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Study Space, Mills  |  Permalink

(Apr 13/23) Thode is way too hot, and it is making me feel light headed.

Library response: We apologize for the hot and humid conditions in Thode (and Mills). Unfortunately, we do not control the temperatures in our buildings - this can make things very uncomfortable when the weather turns unseasonably warm. The timing of this hot weather is not great as students are trying to studying for exams in our libraries. On Sunday the temperature looks cooler and snow is even expected next week. There isn't a lot we can do but wait for a temperature drop. Sorry. (Apr 13/23)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Temperature, Thode  |  Permalink