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!
Add New Suggestion
10 Recent Suggestions
(Mar 31/25) Is it possible to restore open access to PLOS one? As a student I found it to be a very helpful resource and it was a very important journal for my work and I hope that when the time comes to reconsider if we should restore open
access to certain journals, that you take this into consideration
Library response: Thank you for your response. I agree that this service was excellent. However, the cost of maintaining it recently increased by 35%, pricing it well outside our budget. See https://hslmcmaster.libguides.com/publishing/plos for
more details.
I am excited to let you know that the SciFree database, an open-access publisher search tool, can help you find APC waivers and discounts to publish open access across all disciplines (https://search.scifree.se/mcmaster). Please
feel free to drop by any of the libraries' service desks to learn more about this database.
(Apr 2/25)
Answered by: Jennifer McKinnell (Director, Health Sciences Library)
(Jan 22/25) Is it possible to get McMaster students and staff access to the Endocrinology Journal of Oxford University press?
Library response: Good news! The Library has online access to the full run. Just put 'Endocrinology' in the library's 'Journal Search'
choose the first item, and go to the 'Oxford' link. If you ask library@mcmaster.ca, they can also help.
Direct link: http://libaccess.mcmaster.ca/login?url=https://academic.oup.com/endo
Cheers! (Jan 22/25)
Answered by: Janice Adlington (Head, Collections & Content Strategy)
(Jan 19/25) Before COVID, access to computers in the common area of the library was not restricted- no ID or password was required. Many health professionals used those computers. The terminals have diminished in number, and are now
password gated. At a minimum temporary day passes should be permitted (if not free access) just as they are given out at other Mc libraries. Restore number of terminals. Please & thank you.
Library response: Thank you for sharing your concerns about the public computers in the Health Sciences Library. We have changed computer access to require a username and password. We have added this layer of security to ensure we comply
with the Hospital's and the University's cyber security requirements. If you do not have login credentials, you may obtain a temporary username and password from the Information Desk at the library entrance. The number of public
computers is determined based on usage. We have installed software that monitors how frequently the computers are in use. This data is evaluated throughout the year and informs when to add or remove computers. Please feel
free to reach out directly if you have more questions about our library computers. Thank you. (Jan 20/25)
Answered by: Jennifer McKinnell (Director, Health Sciences Library)
(Jan 18/25) What is Mills policy on quiet study on the second floor in the public desktop PC area? A lady across from me has been participating - and that, very loudly - via speakerphone in a conference call of some sort for
some 30 minutes now. Would it not be prudent for the library to require people to use headphones in such situations? This area would be a veritable jungle if all users behaved similarly. Incidentally, I have not
confronted her as yet, nor have I as yet brought this matter to the attention of library staff. Please kindly advise. PS: Someone called me on my cell a few minutes ago and I disregarded it out of respect for fellow
patrons. I then played back the resultant voicemail later near the elevators. Im a Mac alumnus and this library was much more peaceful 25 years ago!
Library response: Thank you for letting us know, and we apologize for the disruption to your studying experience. The second floor is designated as a conversation-friendly group learning space, where ambient conversation noise is
expected. However, the noise level you described exceeds what is appropriate for this area.
If you encounter louder-than-expected conversations, please feel free to report them to the front desk. We can address such complaints immediately. Additionally, I have suggested creating digital signage to help
clarify the appropriate noise levels in our study spaces. (Jan 20/25)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
(Apr 3/24) Please fix the desk lights underneath the desk shelves. Im sure more than half of these desk lights are broken, and it is very inconvenient
for a student who has to look for desks with no working desk light.
Library response: Thank you for your comments regarding the desk lights. We apologize for the inconvenience caused. Some of our desk lights are
connected through a daisy chain system so if one plug is unplugged from the wall outlet to charge a laptop or phone that has a ripple
effect on the other desks connected to the chain. Please do not hesitate to let the staff at the Services desk on the 1st floor know there's a
problem with the desk lights and which location. They are more than happy to help out. Thanks again for bringing our attention to this
issue. Please do not hesitate to reply here if you have any further problems or questions. (Apr 4/24)
Answered by: apearce,servisl
(Mar 28/24) We need a system to report conversations/noise in the silent study area like mills does.
Library response: Thank you for your response. We are looking into the system at Mills to see how it works. In the meantime, feel free to drop by the Information Desk at the front of the
library at any time and report noise issues. You can also contact us via email at hslib@mcmaster.ca. We want to ensure the library is a welcoming place for everyone and
that you feel comfortable studying in our space. (Apr 1/24)
Answered by: Jennifer McKinnell (Director, Health Sciences Library)
(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)
(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)
(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)
(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)