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Temperature Suggestions for all Libraries

(Apr 14/26) Im not sure if the AC isnt turned on at the moment, but it is very hot (especially on the upper floors!). The people I were with also noted the heat, as it makes it difficult to study. Is there a way that the AC can be turned on?

Library response: Yes, it's hot and stuffy in Mills, especially in our upper floors. The university controls the heating and cooling system, and the switch to cooling typically does not happen until mid April. We know it's ideal for studying - our best advice is to dress cool. We are sorry for the hotter than normal building temperatures - thankfully, it's only temporary, and cooler air in on the way. (May 6/26)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Temperature, Mills  |  Permalink
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(Mar 31/26) As the weather warms up, Mills is becoming wayyyy too hot. Its extremely stuffy and hard to breathe, especially when its busy (always). Can we please turn on the air conditioning?

Library response: Yes, it's hot and stuffy in Mills, especially in our upper floors. The university controls the heating and cooling system, and the switch to cooling typically does not happen until mid April. We know it's ideal for studying - our best advice is to dress cool. We are sorry for the hotter than normal building temperatures - thankfully, it's only temporary, and cooler air in on the way. (May 6/26)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Temperature, Mills  |  Permalink
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(Dec 10/25) It is really cold at thode first floor:( when if heating going to be turned on? Last year it wasnt this cold and now I find myself wearing layers to thode

Library response: I am sorry that Thode was cold for a few days in December. We feel your pain - library employees were also bundled up! The heat was turned on, but it was not circulating well. Unfortunately, the building struggles to regulate temperatures when the external temperatures are really hot or cold. Sigh... (Jan 9/26)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Temperature, Thode  |  Permalink
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(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
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(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
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(Apr 13/23) The temperature in Thode is unbearable and makes it extremely difficult to concentrate. Would it please be possible to turn on the AC or implement fans on the second floor so there is some form of air flow.

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. There isn't a lot we can do but wait for a temperature drop - it is supposed to snow next Tuesday. Sorry. (Apr 13/23)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
Categories: Temperature, Thode  |  Permalink
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(May 2/18) Is it just me or has the 5th floor been super stuffy? I think MacPherson is an oven at this time of the year

Library response: Unfortunately the campus ha not yet switched over from steam to chilled water. That will happen shortly. (May 2/18)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature, Mills  |  Permalink
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(Dec 6/17) Hi! The 6th floor Silent Study area is very warm and none of the windows open.

Library response: Thanks for letting us know. We will work with Facilities Services to try to cool things down.   (Dec 7/17)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature, Mills  |  Permalink
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(Nov 14/17) The Innis study rooms are very warm and are not ventilated well. I would like it if you guys fixed it. Even fixing the ventilation would work.

Library response: Thank you for your Suggestion box submission and we apologize for the very warm temperatures at Innis Library.  We placed another call to Facilities Services and we're happy to report that as of today (Wednesday) air circulation has returned and the Library is feeling more comfortable.  Thank you again for your comments. (Nov 15/17)
Answered by: Ann Pearce (Supervisor, Information Services, Innis Library)
Categories: Temperature, Innis  |  Permalink
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(Oct 18/17) Both Innis and Mills are way too warm, especially in the silent study spaces. It is hard to concentrate because the temperature is just way too high and there doesnt seem to be a silent study space that has a reasonable temperature.

Library response: Thanks for submitting this comment. Unfortunately we are at the time of the year when the outside temperatures are fluctuating quite a bit, which makes it difficult to manage the inside temperature. We added some floor fans to the Silent Study room at Innis to help move the air around. This should help in the short term. Hopefully things will start to balance out over the next couple of weeks.     (Oct 19/17)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature  |  Permalink
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(Sep 25/17) Hello just curious on when the maintenance on the HSL HVAC system and downstairs washrooms will finish. (Logically it must be maintenance, right? Its just Mills that has the 1940s type system that cant quite handle September or April and it doesnt make sense that anybody would have increased the thermostat.) Are these generally one week jobs, or do facility services or the contractor often take longer? Thank you. <3 Mac libraries

Library response: Thank you for taking the time to raise your concerns.  It was indeed stuffy in the library on Monday however, by the following day, the library was more comfortable. The age of the building makes it difficult to regulate building temperatures, especially during extreme weather conditions.  In addition, there is a priority for moderating the temperature in patient care areas.  Similarly, the hospital oversees building maintenance.  Engineering Services has been contacted regarding the washrooms and we are following up for a status update. (Sep 27/17)
Answered by: Neera Bhatnagar (Head of Systems & Public Services, Health Sciences Library)
Categories: Temperature, Health Sciences  |  Permalink
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(Apr 25/17) Mills 6th is too warm again, and its very difficult to find comfortable quiet study space. Would very much appreciate if the temperature was dropped a bit!

Library response: I am sorry, but we are not able to control the temperature at this time of the year. It is all about fluctuating temperatures outside. The "heat" has been turned off, but the "cooling" isn't fully on since it has still been quite cool outside at times. Our apologies. (Apr 25/17)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature, Mills  |  Permalink
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(Apr 24/17) It seems like about 80% of suggestions on here deal with temperature issues. From what I gather the solution isnt as easy as setting a thermostat on the building, but rather that a/c and heating switch on and off at different times in the year. This doesnt seem to make any sense - some April days are very warm but a/c doesnt kick in until May? Isnt it painfully inefficient to be pumping warm air into an entire library when its already 20 degrees outside? Is there somewhere we could make a formal request or submit a petition for the university to update our heating/cooling systems? (if that is in fact the problem) Thank you.

Library response: Good morning. Thanks for your submission. This is a tricky time of the year, where the outside temperatures move between cold and hot, and sometimes back to cold again. The campus switches from steam heating to cooling once in the spring, and back again in the fall. This switchover started to take place on campus a week or so ago when the temperatures appeared to be more like summer than spring. Some of the libraries have been switched over already, but not all. It takes quite a bit of time to make this switch, Once the switch has happened, it cannot be reversed. Likewise it may remain warm in some buildings until the switch has happened. The campus is looking at upgrading their equipment to give them better control over the systems in general, but I think the heat or cooling issue will remain. Good luck on the rest of your exams. (Apr 25/17)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature  |  Permalink
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(Apr 17/17) Its too cold on the third floor of mills...it never used to be this cold the entire year but during exam season the temperatures are too low.

Library response: Unfortunately Campus Facilities started converting buildings from heating to cooling last week, and Mills was one of the first buildings to be converted. While we don't actually have a/c running, we are not able to turn heat back on. (Apr 17/17)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature, Mills  |  Permalink
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(Apr 16/17) Its burning in Thode on the basement floor. Im dying of heat and trying to concentrate but I just cant! Please, save me from this boiling hot room and turn on the air condition. Please dont make me choose between my love of studying in silence and my other love of not dying from heat. Thanks!

Library response: Our apologies about the warm temperatures in Thode. Campus Facilities started switching buildings over from heating to cooling last week when the outside temperature started soaring, but they have not yet completed this work. We will see if they can move Thode up higher on the list to get switched over. Good luck on your exams. (Apr 17/17)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature, Thode  |  Permalink
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(Apr 6/17) Please turn down the temperature in Innis, particularly in the quiet section. It is almost always boiling hot and very uncomfortable in Innis. I complained to the front desk and they said they have had many complaints but are unable to fix it for some reason. Please fix this as Innis is one of my favorite libraries and I really like the hours to 2:45 am.

Library response: Thanks for sending your comment in.  This area can be a problem since it has it's own perimeter heating, but this is controlled by the outside temperature, which was quite cool last night. It is going to get warmer this weekend, so the temperature should be more acceptable after today. We are going to move a couple of floor fans into the room to see if moving the air around helps at all. Hope this helps. Good luck with the studying! (Apr 7/17)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature, Innis  |  Permalink
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(Feb 28/17) Can you please improve the air circulation in Innis library? I often find it hot here and some disgusting smell.

Library response: Thank you for your comments about the air circulation and odour.  We apologize for the uncomfortable conditions in Innis Library.  The unusually warm temperatures has lead to the fluctuation of temperatures in our Library.  If you could provide us with more information such as the area you were in we can let McMaster Facilities know.  If this happens again please let the staff at the Services desk know as soon as possible and they can investigate the area and especially the smell.  We can place a service call in to McMaster Facilities.  I've walked around the Innis this morning and the air flow seems to have improved.  We'll monitor the conditions today and keep Facilities updated on any changes.  Thank you again for your comments. (Mar 1/17)
Answered by: Ann Pearce (Supervisor, Information Services, Innis Library)
Categories: Temperature, Innis  |  Permalink
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(Dec 8/16) up the temperature, PLEASE. how long does it take until seasonal changes come into effect ? perhaps in March?

Library response: We have contacted building maintenance and they are working on a solution. We expect to see a difference in the library temperature very soon. It would be helpful if you contacted me directly so that I can learn more about where in the library you are working so that we can concentrate our efforts on that particular area. Thank your for sharing your concerns.  (Dec 8/16)
Answered by: Jennifer McKinnell (Director, Health Sciences Library)
Categories: Temperature, Health Sciences  |  Permalink
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(Nov 28/16) Could the heating be turned on (up??) in the library please? Its unreasonable to expect one to wear coats and hats! The Media room is comfortable - the other areas arent. thanks.

Library response: Thank you for taking the time to raise your concern.  Regulating the temperature in the library is always a challenge during seasonal changes.  The temperature is controlled centrally and can vary between areas in the library, times of day, and day of the week.  We have contacted Engineering Services to follow-up.    (Nov 28/16)
Answered by: Neera Bhatnagar (Head of Systems & Public Services, Health Sciences Library)
Categories: Temperature, Health Sciences  |  Permalink
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(Oct 5/16) I find it hot in the silent study room at Thode (B115) and I am not sure if the fan control switch is working properly.

Library response: Thanks for your message. We have reported this problem to campus facilities since it is very hot in all areas of Thode. (Oct 5/16)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature, Thode  |  Permalink
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(Oct 3/16) 6th floor Mills is boiling right now. Its really hard to focus when I feel like Im melting. Please turn on a/c!

Library response: Thanks for your message. We have reported this problem to campus facilities services. It is very warm in many areas of Mills. We appreciate your patience while we get this worked out. (Oct 5/16)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
Categories: Temperature, Mills  |  Permalink
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