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All Suggestions for Thode Library
(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)
(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
(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)
(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
(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)
(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)
(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.
Library response: I am sorry that Thode has been so loud that you have not been able to study. This is indeed frustrating! Staff respond to noise complaints
sent via the form or the Quiet email very quickly - you
are welcome to use either of these reporting tools when you notice students being too loud. You can also speak to staff at the front desk.
From the staff side, I can encourage staff to make more frequent walk-arounds in the library as this does help with noise control. We are
also looking at making some improvements with our Quiet signage (adding more signs and making them more visible). We are also
working with a group of students who are investigating alternative ways to report noise complaints. Hopefully these solutions will help
with the noise. Thank you for bring this issue to our attention. (Mar 7/23)
Answered by: Lynne Serviss (Associate University Librarian, User Services and Community Engagement)
(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! :)
Library response: Great idea! I will pass this along to our new Makerspace Coordinator. (Apr 19/22)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(Feb 11/19) just posting this to recognize our awesome cleaners at Thode. First rate service.
Library response: Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful compliment with us. We will forward this along to the custodians and their manager! (Feb 11/19)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(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
Library response: Thank you for your comment. We were not aware this was happening.
We will not post signs since we are at a Smoke Free Campus, so there should be no need for the signage, but we will start monitoring the area on a regular basis and will call Security Services to deal with any offenders who are contravening this policy.
Please do let us know if this continues to happen.
Anne Pottier, Associate University Librarian (Feb 5/19)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(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)
(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.
Library response: Thanks for sending your comments in.
You are correct, it is not ideal to have Group Study Rooms situated next to Silent Study. We did do some soundproofing in these rooms a couple of summers ago, which helped a bit, but given how the rooms were built we can't do anything more at this point. We have posted signs in these rooms reminding the students using these rooms that they need to keep the noise down.
As you may have noticed, we are starting to do some renovations on the lower floor. When this work is completed there will be an enclosed large Silent Study room on the lower floor. The plan is to build many group study rooms on the 2nd floor. You might consider working in the area outside the Makerspace on the far side of the floor. It is quite quiet there.
Please report any loud groups to
quiet@mcmaster.ca - this email is read by the staff at the service desk on the 1st floor and they will come speak to any groups who are making noise.
Our apologies that there is nothing more immediate we can do at this time, but this is a problem we are very much aware of and are working towards resolving as we move forward. (Mar 21/17)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)
(Feb 2/17) The Wi-Fi connection is terrible. Getting work done is impossible.
Library response: Hello!
Thank you for your feedback. We are nearing completion of our wireless upgrade to Thode Library: enhancing overall density and throughput. We're actively seeing you feedback and information as we go through this process, but will require more information.
Please fill out this form so we can properly investigate:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekO_CYAIRlv6OgQQPrTJlMx-uKG00HqMaH0m0msZp6npM17A/viewform
And thank you for taking the time to let us know things weren't running the way you needed them to - we'll work on it. (Feb 3/17)
Answered by: mcallic
(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)
(Sep 30/16) Keep Thode open 24/7 all the time please.
Library response: Thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately we don't have the budget nor the staff to keep any of our libraries open 24/7.
You can use the Mills Learning Commons 24/5 after the Fall Recess period. At the same time Innis Library will start remaining open Monday through Thursday until 3am for Silent Late Night Studying.
The week before exams the Mills Learning Commons and Thode Library move to a 24/7 schedule.
More information about Library Hours, including those at the Health Sciences Library, can be found at
http://library.mcmaster.ca/hours-info/day
(Sep 30/16)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services/Facilities/Learning Support/Collections)