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
(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: Ann Pearce (Supervisor, Information Services, Innis Library)
(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)
(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)
(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)
(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)
(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