(Dec 25/25) I really like the individual study room offered at Thode library because it is excellent for hosting research meetings online that touch on confidential information, but also its just me, so I wouldnt need to take up a whole group study room. Below are my suggestions for improvement: - Lack of space and options since there is only one room and it is only offered at Thode Library - If there is limited space in libraries other than Thode, could we add another individual room on quieter floors, the walls arent soundproof unfortunately... - The policy around one booking per week isnt feasible for individual rooms because research meetings may be scheduled more than one time during the week. I really appreciate your time and understanding!

(Mar 28/24) We need a system to report conversations/noise in the silent study area like mills does.

(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.

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

(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.

(Mar 6/23) I am frustrated with the noise level in the library, which has significantly increased over the past few weeks. Despite the librarys quiet policy, it has become difficult to concentrate due to noise from group discussions, loud phone calls, and eating. This is affecting my academic performance and that of other students who also require a quiet environment to study effectively. I suggest the library management implement stricter measures, such as designated areas for group discussions or noisy activities, or hiring more security personnel to enforce the rules. Please address this issue promptly to maintain a conducive environment for studying and research.

(Feb 7/23) There should be an online-live chat or something where we can report if people in study areas are being inappropriate / loud. SO many times there are people who are extremely loud in the quiet areas which isnt fair for the many students who choose to sit in quiet areas to study.

(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.

(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?

(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?

(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

(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?

(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

(Nov 18/18) Hi! I have noticed that all other libraries have somewhere to report loud noise in quiet spaces. The health science library does not have this option. I find that the group study rooms near the silent study space do not have very good noise cancelling abilities and groups are often very very loud while they are using them. I was wondering why the health science library does not have a noise reporting system like the other libraries do.

(Apr 26/18) Thank you so much for providing a small and comfortable working space to focus on studies and learning. All the attention provided by the librarians towards the students is truly appreciated. McMaster is a better place with Innis library.

(Oct 26/17) The Health Science Library is great, and people love studying here, but recently (particularly during midterms) it has gotten to be very full all the time. The problem is, many students are coming early, and then taking very long breaks while leaving their books/notes on a desk for hours at a time, while there are students working on the floor because they cant find a desk. It might be useful for staff to go around at random times to check and make sure that people arent saving their spots for extended periods of time.

(Sep 18/17) The water bottle fill station/ drinking fountain on the lower level of HSL has very poor pressure. It took me 3 minutes to fill my water bottle. A possible reason for this could be that the filter is clogged/needs to be replaced.

(Apr 20/17) Emphasize the the Reading Pavilion is a group study space (as listed on the map on the website) rather than silent study. Most people are not aware of this and get upset at people using the space for group work as they are talking.

(Mar 20/17) Having Group study rooms in the basement of thode effectively defeats the entire purpose of the basement environment, which is supposed to be a quiet study area with no talking. When multiple groups get together in the rooms and talk/laugh very loudly it is disruptive to the outside environment, even though they may not realize it. Unfortunately, the only solutions I can think of that involves keeping these rooms as group study rooms is to properly and professionally sound proof the rooms to allow minimal sound to escape. Or, staff can conduct patrols to keep the noise down, however, this solution would waste staff time and resources. Quiet study is the main reason I come to thode instead of other libraries, but its becoming difficult with the level of noise in the basement. Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

(Dec 8/16) can we please get standing desks installed somewhere as it improves health and studying