(Apr 2/23) There is a squeaking noise at the healthsci library and it is making it impossible to concentrate. Every few minutes there is a loud squeak. This happens occasionally when I come here but not always (which adds to the ambiguity of it all). Could this please be stopped? Or at the very least could someone explain what it is?

(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 22/19) This library has wonderful study space, but its absolutely disgusting. Ive arrived, first thing in the morning (8:00, when it opens) and I had to visit the ladies washroom in the lower level. I havent been here in two or three days, but the washroom looks exactly the same as it did when I was last here - disgusting. Theres toilet paper in only one stall, but its all over the floor in every other stall (covered in feces). There is absolutely no paper towel to be found and the tiniest amount of soap in only one dispenser. Theres also barely any light, and this feels like it might be to cover up how disgusting the facilities are. If I didnt have to go so badly, I would have trekked over to the IAHS building to use their washrooms. The cleanliness isnt only in the washrooms, but obviously this is the most concerning. In the silent study area, there is garbage and dirt all over the desks. I understand that its exam time and the library is used more often, but wouldnt that warrant more cleaning? As I said - its 8:00 am on a Monday, which means that nobody has been here to make the mess since Saturday.

(Apr 6/19) It is quite inconvenient that the library closes at 5:45 on the weekend. Shall we just stop studying at 5:45? Considering how few decent places with natural light there are on campus, this is just one more disappointment at McMaster. I dont understand why the library study areas cant be open 24 hours, as they should be at a major research university with 30 thousand students.

(Nov 28/18) Fire alarm at 12:07 today: 55 LOUD bells & no announcement (as of 12:14) why ! ?? !! whos in charge ? and: has no one ever heard of / considered damage to hearing ? This is a hospital, correct ? ----

Follow-up Comments:

Thank you for your comment. Yesterday we had many complaints about the library being too warm AND too cold. We are not clear where the issues are. When you have a moment, please contact me directly to let me know the location in the library where the temperature was too cold so that we can investigate more thoroughly? Thank you. mckinn (2019-04-04)

(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.

(Jul 16/18) Chairs at HSL are not comfortable, there is no back support. The chairs are not ergonomically correct. Very uncomfortable.

(May 6/18) Can the female student working at the desk on the weekends please try to keep her volume down? She can be heard by everyone on the second floor and when approached about this issue, she is very apologetic and remorseful but still continues to do it after 30 minutes or so have passed. Please, I love HSL and this employee is making it hard for me to focus.

(Mar 23/18) I came into Health Sciences library with my broken laptop about two weeks ago and asked if I could borrow a mouse from either the library or take one from the computers. However, [one of the student library assistants] told me I could do neither. I was pretty upset, not at the library just at my self but then he proceeded to give me his personal mouse just to use, which I thought was AMAZING and I was able to work on my major thesis project rather than go home. I forgot to thank him but please let him know I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart and he really saved my day. It is the little things that count.

(Mar 20/18) I must say, the lower level womens bathroom (not too sure about the mens?) is probably the most unhygienic, grimiest bathroom on campus. Of course, this is as just as much the fault of those who use it, but is there anyway it could be cleaned more frequently throughout the day? I dont think there has been a time Ive been in there and the garbage wasnt overfilling, or the floor was flooded with water. Thanks!

(Nov 9/17) will u be bringing out more puzzles????

(Nov 9/17) KEEP BRINGING OUT THE PUZZLES. LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM. everyone is talkings abut it!

(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 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

(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.

(Sep 8/17) Of course it was too good to last ! 3 days of warm/hot water in the womens washroom (library entrance) for the first time in 1 year? 2 years? and today its cold again. This is pathetic.

(Jul 24/17) to all libraries: mills, thode, innis, and HSL. it is much preferred when students are at the desk. they tend to be able to realate more to students and are more knowledgable about research and mcmaster online tools. it is also more comfortable for students to approach students. they should be on the desk longer throughout the day. thanx a bunch

(Jun 1/17) Hello, Within the last three weeks, I have booked HSL 1B15 (the group study room with the Mondopad) several times. The Mondopad is an excellent resource that my group and I value. However, the USB receiver component of the keyboard and mouse is missing, effectively making the keyboard and mouse unusable. We made it clear to the library staff the first time we noticed and they made it clear that they understood the issue and said that they would fix it. A couple weeks later, we asked the desk to sign out the keyboard and mouse while asking them if it was fixed. They said it was, but unfortunately, it wasnt. If this resource is not repaired, why is it still available to be signed out? Please, I ask that this issue be remedied. Perhaps with a replacement, but this time, perhaps it would be appropriate to make it policy that the USB receiver stay plugged into the Mondopad all the time (even tape it so nobody removes it).

Follow-up Comments:

I am happy to report the problem is resolved. (2017-06-08)

(May 6/17) students at main desk in health sci are very polite and always welcoming. mills desk students are never a acknowledging me or being friendly. poor experience at mills.

(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.

(Dec 12/16) fire alarm: today at 1:09 - 31 rings, then a screech, 6 rings, 4 more screeches, 11 rings no message (and it is now 1:19) This is a hospital. Are there no audiologists on staff? Is there no concern about damage to hearing from high decibels? from prolonged and repeated noise? Why 31 rings? Why do 10 not suffice? Why the screeches? And - how about a location ???

(Dec 8/16) up the temperature, PLEASE. how long does it take until seasonal changes come into effect ? perhaps in March?

(Dec 2/16) re. the womens washroom, upper level at the entrance to the library: why is there no hot (or at least, warm) water in the taps? Last week: same problem.

(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.

(Nov 17/16) Can students please be reminded that the library is for studying and that talk should be kept to a minimum !! There are certain groups of students who are under the impression that the library is a meeting / social space and do everything but study there. These students are distracting to all of those around them and make it very hard for serious students to actually study. If students are participating in group projects study rooms are available, if HSL is busy other libraries also have these study rooms :)

(Apr 5/16) Would it be possible for the study cubicles on the lower level to be wiped down at some point during the day as they do at the Innis library? For example in the early morning, or right before closing the night before. Too many people keep eating and leaving residues of their food on the study surfaces. Thank You

(Mar 31/16) I am consistently surprised by how dirty HSL is, regardless of the time of day. I find garbage on the floor, hair in the cubicles, spilt drinks, used toilet paper on the bathroom floor. Its just disgusting. Students are of course part of the problem. Maybe posters in the cubicles reminding people to pick up after themselves would be helpful. But I am very doubtful that HSL is being cleaned regularly, especially the cubicles and washrooms.

(Mar 16/16) I love the new arrangement of bookshelves in the Reserve Room (2nd floor behind main desk)! I think moving some of the couches/armchairs from the Reading Pav to the new space, or some desks/tables would be an excellent use of the space. Thanks!

(Feb 24/16) I really love the new online room booking and was wondering if it will be permanent? It makes room booking and staying organized so much easier. Please keep it!

(Feb 13/16) I would like to thank the maintenance staff, administration and contractors responsible for getting the water pressure for the bottle refill station on the lower floor study area back up to normal. This is tremendously convenient and deeply appreciated.

(Jan 12/16) Hello, I would like to suggest that the reference manager, Mendeley, be installed on the computers and/or laptops of the HSL library. The software is very useful as it allows for the addition of citations and references quickly to Word, as well as their storage online so that they can be retrieved from any computer with the software. Its a great alternative to RefWorks, which has now be phased out. Thank You!

(Mar 30/15) More computers with SPSS would be fantastic. Kinda difficult when only 4 of them have SPSS on them. My stats class has 300 students so. And the labs are always in use for classes.

(Oct 9/14) Hello, I am curious if anybody has noticed a subtle vibration running through the lower floor of Health Sciences Library. I am trying to determine if there is actually a vibration or if I am suffering from a kinaesthetic hallucination possibly brought on by some kind of environmental factor. Its not quite people in the air conditioning, but neither is it particularly conducive to my studies. Thank you for your assistance.

(Sep 14/14) The vending machine downstairs does not work and when Williams is closed there is no way to get any water. Even if you walk to MDCL there are no machines that vend water (that I have seen). It would be nice to grab a bottle of water sometimes if possible. Thank you.

(May 20/14) I waited 10 minutes at the farther end of the circulation desk (the end which is near the reserve room) before the staff who was at the desk noticed I was waiting. Is there a way we can get around this issue? Thanks!

(May 20/14) Can there be more printsmart paystations please!

(Mar 31/14) If a fire is not an imminent danger, then why are we listening to shouted announcements about it? If a fire is an imminent danger, then why not word the announcement more clearly? Isnt there a bit of a logical discontinuity between cryptic and shouted?

(Feb 28/14) There is no water fountain in HSL. It is not good for our health

(Feb 19/14) The lighting on the lower level of HSL servicing the cubicles does not seem to be bright enough. Unless you sit close to the window you are forced to stare at an extremely bright computer screen and if you are using a hardcopy there is nothing you can do. One row of lights also tends to turn off periodically. When the lights are due for servicing a would suggest addressing this. Thanks.

(Feb 19/14) Please add the journal of Medical Internet Research to our access. High relevance and many articles support my research interest. Many thanks, MSc candidate(eHealth)

(Feb 12/14) Ive noticed that for about 1 year now, the internet connection offered in the Health Sciences library (be it MacSecure or MacConnect) displays extremely unstable behaviour. The connection is constantly dropping, which can be quite irksome at the high rate at which it happens. I thought the issue could be a system overload, especially now with the boom in smartphone use. I am wondering if the library is aware of the issue and if so, are there any plans in the near future for improving wireless capacity/stability? Thank you.

(Jan 29/14) Hello, I frequently study at the HSL and have noticed that the Silent Study Area gets cold that I see some students wearing their jacket to study. With the increasing lower temperature outside, my hands and body are still cold at the end of the day when I leave from the library. Is it possible to perhaps turn up the heat as sometimes its hard to concentrate due to the area being a bit cold. Thank you!

(Jan 26/14) Please fix the rattling intake fan on the ceiling of entrance level of the library. It is on the west side of the floor near the lounge chairs. It is quite annoying. Thanks

Follow-up Comments:

The fan is not near the entrance. It is near the area where the leather lounge chairs are on the same level as the library checkout desk. (2014-01-28)

Thank you for responding. We will investigate. Please contact me directly (mckinn@mcmaster) so that I can gather more precise information about this problem. Regards, Jennifer McKinnell, Director, Health Sciences Library. mckinn (2014-01-28)

(Jan 17/14) Can we download Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome as an alternate web browser onto the computers in HSL? The entire school is now using google for our McMaster email and I know many students use google docs for group work. Every time I use either of these services they prompt me to download a modern web browser as the website wont work properly on IE. At first I thought this was just a competitive strategy from Google but google docs seems to experience a lot of lag when Im using IE. Additionally, Ive tried to access OscarPlus from IE and been unable to connect- when I called UTS they suggested I try it on Mozilla and sure enough it worked fine.

(Dec 4/13) There should be available water fountains in HSL or the surrounding area. For students studying in the library for long periods of time this is very inconvenient. The water fountain on the first floor has been out of service for a very long time, and has shown no improvement. Every other library on campus has a water fountain on each floor.

(Nov 17/13) Please clean the downstairs and upstairs washrooms more often. There is often litter on the floor and an unhygienic scent when you enter.

(Oct 23/13) I have 2 issues with the Health Sciences Library the WIFI delay and the lack of seating around the midterm season. 1.The WIFI is very slow in the Health Sciences Library to the point of being unable to access Avenue to Learn. I prefer to use my laptop because I am able to study without any distractions in the private cubicle type desks. I am requesting that the WIFI slow down be addressed or that some desk top computers be placed in the cubicles so that students that require less distraction may study productively. 2.It has become difficult to find a cubicle during and after midterms when studies increase concequentially the cafeteria use as study space has increased. I am requesting more cubicles in the HSL and more access to electrical plugs in the cafeteria for times when the HLS is full.

(Sep 20/13) Could the web browser in HSL be replaced by Firefox or Chrome? Firefox is the default browser in Innis and it would be great if HSL had a better option than Internet Explorer. It would also be nice if Avenue and Student Mail were bookmarked since nearly all students use those sites.

(Sep 15/13) Hi, The computers in HSL have been freezing with almost every PDF that I open. Is there anything that can be done to ensure that the software operates correctly? Also, the web browser freezes when more than three or four tabs are open. If youre trying to reference multiple resources this can get very frustrating. Is there anything that can be done? Thanks!

(Aug 26/13) I think that the No smelly food or meals in the library rule needs to be better enforced. Ive seen the signs around the library, however I dont think they are effective. I was studying in the Reading Pavilion when an older woman (didnt look like a student) came in to have her lunch. She proceeded to open up and eat a can of sardines. The smell was distracting to say the least, and it lingered in the air for some time afterwards. As a student, I have no problem with people eating lunches in the library, and although it should be common sense not to eat such odorous food in a public space dedicated to quiet study, the reality is that some individuals remain oblivious to the way others are affected.

(Aug 1/13) Hi there, Would it be possible for the newest Java Update to be installed on the computers in HSL? Certain online learning systems employ Java and they are currently nonfunctional on the computers without the installed update. Many thanks!

(Jun 27/13) It is mind boggling how McMaster does not invest in internet access to the library. I have read complaint after complaint about the speed of access to library, and yet, nothing seems to be done to fix this problem. I have spent countless hours trying to get work done off campus. The access to library on -line is simply impossible. I have to be on campus to get my work done. This defeats the purpose of working from home. The cost to me is taking a day off work plus travel and parking. I know that this problem can and should be solved so that students can do their work from home. I cannot get access from my work-place nor from home. Magically, I can get access to almost any other website. There is a severe bottleneck in the McMaster sysemt and I would like to know what is being done to fix this serious problem