All Suggestions for Thode Library
(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! :)
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Feb 11/19) just posting this to recognize our awesome cleaners at Thode. First rate service.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(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
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(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!
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(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.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Feb 2/17) The Wi-Fi connection is terrible. Getting work done is impossible.
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.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Sep 30/16) Keep Thode open 24/7 all the time please.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Mar 23/16) While there are printers located outside of the library, can you place one in a space that is open 24 hrs for students, like the University Centre?
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Mar 2/16) The second floor on thode gets really loud, especially during exam time. I understand its a busy time of year, but sometimes there are people that crowd in big groups and talk really loud right beside people that are clearly trying to study. It makes it really hard to concentrate, even while wearing ear plugs
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Feb 1/16) Hello, Several suggestions related to the basement of Thode: There are many broken lights in the basement of Thode, especially in the study rooms. Would it be possible to repair these? The furniture (especially tables) in many of the Thode study rooms is decrepit and not terribly useful/flexible. Would it be possible to either find new tables or redistribute the existing furniture in a better way? The capacities of the Thode study rooms listed on the booking website are incorrect. For example, B106 is listed as 8 but comfortably seats 12. Would it be possible to update these? The appearance of the entire basement of Thode is rather depressing and looks terrible. Really, its the ceiling tiles that are the biggest eyesore.There are currently at least 7 missing and 10 with the skin removed that I can see from where I am sitting. Would it be possible to just remove them wholesale, as was done on the first floor? Instead of throwing good money after bad? I realize that this would be a significant investment, as the walls of the study rooms would have to be extended to the concrete ceiling, and the whole basement would likely have to be painted, but this seems to be the best long-term solution and it would give the library a more modern look (instead of the current 70s throwback). Thank you for your consideration.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Jan 20/16) Blinds should be added to the windows on the second floor, particularly along the south side. During the day, practically from 11:00 until sundown, the sun shines directly through those windows and the glare makes the desks situated along that side virtually unusable.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Feb 15/15) Hello, Would it be possible to change to Thode retrieve from storage functionality to work like the one for Mills/Offsite? For Mills/Offsite its one-click, so long as you are logged in, but with Thode you have to copy-paste and enter data that is already in the system elsewhere. The functionality has already been developped and implemented (and is already used at Thode for Recall requests), so why not tweak the few lines of code it would take to implement one- click storage retrieval for Thode?
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Jan 21/15) This is mainly an aesthetics problem but Ive noticed the majority of ceiling wallpaper have fell or are in the process of crumbling - thus exposing the ugly ceiling structure giving Thode a ghetto dilapidated look. Its prominent on all floors as well, and eventually, all ceiling wallpaper will rot, crumble, and fall down. I was wondering when this will be fixed - Thode could look better than it does right now!
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Dec 18/14) Love the Basement study space however can you add some comfy chairs like the ones in Mills to the study space, cause sometimes it is nice to get comfy when studying.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Dec 3/14) Ive noticed recently that there are not enough chairs on the second floor of Thode library. I was looking for a place to study, and, while there were perhaps a couple dozen empty desks, there was not a single unoccupied chair in the room. I know people tend to move chairs around without returning them, but it definitely seemed like there were not enough chairs to cover all the work areas.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Oct 24/14) It would be amazing if there was disinfectant/cleaning wipes available to wipe off a desk before sitting down to study (or even to clean up before you leave for the next person).
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Oct 21/14) Mac computer number 11041 has a clock that is 6 minutes fast. Please correct it.
Answered by: Dale Askey (Associate University Librarian, Library Learning Technologies)
(Sep 23/14) Noise restrictions are not respected in this library too often by a minority of students. However, this minority is enough to spoil the quiet. It is a huge pain to set up computer/book/paper/etc in a good spot, only to have someone else come into the proximity 10 minutes later when they clearly should have stayed downstairs. Too often do people come up with food/chums and begin with raucous laughter... even if they chose to whisper things would be much better. I know levels of respect seem to have declined over the years (I remember Thode having dead silence before in areas), but the noise restrictions must be made more apparent AND enforced somehow. With a new batch every year, they are either ignorant to the rules (unlikely due to the many signs posted) or just flat out selfish. I know its not fun for a librarian to play bad cop, but the message is not received by some who feel it is their right to act however they wish. The idea of a group study space/lounge/cafe on the first floor is great, and these people should be redirected there -- by official staff. I dont see what would be wrong with someone on duty to take a walk around every so often and remind people of the expectations. People would get the message after a while and the problem would improve significantly over time. Thode librarys 2nd floor in particular is a wonderful space: - open space - natural light - an interesting floor layout where you have enough privacy and still feel the energy of fellows around you doing work - comfortable seating/temperature/desk space - good coffee just downstairs Thank you for taking the time to read my comment.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Dec 11/13) In the basement, there should be power bars at every set of desks, not only the select few. The majority of people utilizing this study space use their computers, which results in significant crowding around those few desks that do have power bars.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Dec 2/13) Why were the plants along the curved wall of Thode taken away? Any chance of them coming back?
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Nov 7/13) The wifi internet connection in Thode is extremely problematic at times, unable to connect for several minutes. It may be an overload to the internet, is there any way the internet service in Thode can be improved? It makes hard to download assignments when internet keeps disconnecting and avenue keeps timing out.
Answered by: Dale Askey (Associate University Librarian, Library Learning Technologies)
(Apr 14/13) In a study room B113 of Thode, it would be very helpful to have a whiteboard. It helps to do questions together in a group, but it makes it harder to do so without a whiteboard. Thank you
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Apr 2/13) I always dread walking into Thode because of the smokers that seem to congregate right by the entrance (usually right in front of the sign telling them to stand at least 9m away). Can there be some more enforcement of this rule? To top it off, sometimes if people use the automatic door opener the lovely smell of second hand smoke wafts in towards the study section at the far curved wall since the door stays open longer.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Mar 13/13) Hello My friend, I and many people use the quiet section in the basement to study. However, someone has removed part of the ceiling near B116 and all the people who are trying to study quietly can hear every word and conversation coming from first floor, only from the section where the ceiling has been removed. This part of the basement is no longer a quiet study area and with exams coming up, as many people as possible need a good area to study guaranteed to be quiet.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Feb 10/13) 2nd floor is quite cold near and around the windows. Fingers and hands are so cold that its hard to type. the radiators lining the windows dont seem to work.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Feb 3/13) Ive been trying to write my thesis in the Thode library on the second floor. And my goodness it so darn cold. Fingers and feet are cold within an hour of sitting down. Had to abandon my favorite place to take refuge in a warmer lair. Can you please adjust the temperature on the 2nd floor?
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Nov 9/12) I bike to campus every day, and most days will spend a good amount of time studying in Thode. Ive noticed that finding a spot to lock my bike is nearly impossible. I think it would be very helpful to add more bike racks to the area outside of Thode to accommodate for the amount of study space available. Ive locked my bike outside and a number of times have come back to see my bike crushed underneath 3 or 4 others trying to get thier bike locked to the rack. I think that by adding 1 or 2 more bike racks right outside the library entrance it would reduce the amount of congestion at the one bike rack.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Nov 8/12) I love the change to the second floor of being converted to a quiet study area. This allowed students a great environment to study in. The first year this was implemented in, the dividers were all removed and vandalized, while this year they are all bolted down. It is great that the university took the effort to maintain the quiet study area. The only problem that exists is groups of students tend to group study and group work on the second floor. This gets quiet annoying to the students who are trying to study or work on assignments in a quiet area. People would ask them to keep it down, but some students do get intimidated by 10 obnoxious students socializing and studying together. As well students sometimes dont like to be seen as the jerk asking everyone to keep it down. My suggestion would be to get staff members to make hourly rounds on the second floor, and this will get the message through to those always socializing. While I do understand that there may not be enough staff to do this, a couple weeks of maintaining rules will get the message out. Another solution would be to put the THIS IS QUIET STUDY AREA, PLEASE TAKE ALL SOCIALIZING AND GROUP WORK DOWNSTAIRS posted on every pillar in the library will get people to keep it down. The cost of this is VERY MINIMAL,(a couple of dollars at most) and the signages dont even have to be fancy just needs to get the message across. Thanks
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Nov 7/12) Second Floor of Thode is more and more becoming a group study area. People blatently are talking in groups of 2 - 4 very loudly, without whispering... I think maybe if you print out half page sized this area is for quiet study posters that say please whisper and have them available near the top of the second floor, people could just pick one up and give it to a member of a group that is talking. That way you dont have to verbally confront them and you may feel more comfortable telling them to stop talking.
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Nov 7/12) The internet in Thode is virtually unusable. I love the second floor of the library, but I am unable to utilize this space because I cant get internet to do my research. Is there any way of improving this ??
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)
(Nov 6/12) http://www.pingtest.net/result/71866657.png http://www.speedtest.net/result/2290694081.png Im sorry but this is rediculous. I see that it was said this was going to be worked on during the summer but has anything been done yet? The internet is practically unusable.
Answered by: Dale Askey (Associate University Librarian, Library Learning Technologies)
Follow-up Comments:
Those results were gathered while connected to MacSecure wifi on the second floor (2012-11-09)
Thanks for letting us know where and how you were connected. Weve been conducting our own speed tests and have been able to corroborate your results quite easily. During peak times, upload and download speeds via MacConnect, MacSecure, and eduroam do indeed grind to a halt. We have shared these test results with UTS (they maintain both the wired and wireless networks on campus) with a request for their assistance in dealing with peak demand. This problem has grown more acute year by year as more people entering the building bring wifi-enabled devices with them (now, often two devices, both taking bandwidth). There are solutions, of course, but they do not come cheaply, and on a campus where there are entire buildings without wifi, it is hard to make a case that the library needs enhanced wifi capabilities. As I have suggested to other students who have noticed and commented on these slowdowns, please consider directing your feedback toward the MSU. They are an effective lobby when it comes to addressing these campuswide issues. D Askey (2012-11-09)
(Oct 29/12) The internet is pretty bad. The library is very crowded in the afternoon, which i think is causing this issue. I normally have to find somewhere else to study. Is this internet problem able to be fixed?
Answered by: Dale Askey (Associate University Librarian, Library Learning Technologies)
(Oct 11/12) Thank you for adding new study space on the second floor of Thode! Unfortunately it seems people dont know its a quiet study space and many conversations and group meetings are taking place. Is there something the library can do to raise awareness its a quiet study space? Its easy to ask one person to stop talking but when the whole floor is abuzz there isnt much an individual can do. Perhaps a large sign right at the top of the stairs? Or perhaps a regular patrol by library personnel would help spread the word. Thanks!
Answered by: Anne Pottier (Associate University Librarian, Library Services)