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
(Sep 12/22) Can we have a 24/7 place to study? right now anyone who wanna study at night have to place to go: class room(if lucky no one ask you to leave) and student centre(SC). But: Finding a suitable classroom was time-consuming; all the people were talking in the SC, making the place difficult to stay and study without headphones(and the light is broken, seat are limited). Also, most of the Universities have a 24/7 library/studyArea through the Fall/Winter term. So, could we have one at MacU?
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(Apr 19/22) Heyo! Since theres a sewing machine in the Thode makerspace, I think it could be cool to also have an embroidery machine! :)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(Apr 8/22) Itll be great if theres laptop charger service for an hour or 2, especially in mills, it helps a lot!
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(Feb 10/22) Hello, I wanted to know if there were any private 1-person conference rooms on campus (to hold meetings and such). When discussing sensitive research data, I want to ensure the privacy of participants in research studies but dont have a place to hold Zoom meetings with professors.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(Dec 13/21) Hello, can we expand the online database t to include lexis nexis and/or westlaw? The reason being that most of the health law articles and journals are published in the LAW journals rather than HEALTH journals. However these are very relevant articles to healthcare. Seriously consider. Thanks.
Answered by: Janice Adlington (Head, Collections & Content Strategy)
(Oct 3/21) I have a daughter who likes studying in libraries because it helps her focus and maximize her every minute of the time. But all libraries are closed during weekends and during fall terms they are operating with reduced hours, especially health science library is only open 11 am to 4pm Monday to Friday due to COVID. But most of students and staff got vaccinated and most of our lives are back to normal with safety measures. Even though the university wants to avoid congregations of students inside buildings by reducing hours, in really students are gathering outside of school, eg) having homecoming parties, watching foot ball games held by McMaster. Keeping libraries closed would prevent COVID spread? I dont think so. Students need a space to study. Its very frustrating. Closing libraries during weekends and 4pm during weekdays... where do you think Students should go and study?
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(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/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(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)