Comments on: Tell us what qualifies as “good” library IT?

By: Thanks for your feedback re: “Tell us what qualifies as “good” library IT” post | Your Libraries at York

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 15:03:10 +0000

[...] your for the thoughtful feedback on library IT. I was on vacation up North (see photo) with very poor internet connectivity. I will respond to [...]

By: Cynthia Archer

Cynthia Archer — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:43:45 +0000

Dear Adverb:

Your observation that it take too many clicks to find articles on our web site is shared by a number of people in the library. We actually have a group working on this issue. Would you like an opportunity to talk to a member of this committee? I can also ask for brief reports from this committee to share with you and other students over the blog if you think it would be useful.

Cynthia

By: Danielle Cooper

Danielle Cooper — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 12:56:21 +0000

Scott needs an express printing station on the ground floor with a computer exclusively for accessing/releasing print jobs. Robarts’ ground floor printing stations is an excellent example of this can be created.

By: Sobia Ali

Sobia Ali — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 14:23:39 +0000

That is indeed a very complex problem Cynthia. We live in a world where technology is constantly changing and for the better. For me, good library IT is purely functional as well as user-friendly, brilliant with speed and one that works like an active fire hose. I agree with the students surveyed about the difficulty of accessing a library workstation. I usually come across a workstation that no one is using only to find out later that it’s not working, it’s frozen, or it takes forever to log me on it.

If there were improvements to be made to library IT issues in 2013/2014, I would almost suggest a regular maintenance to check on computers not working properly or up to the standard of users so it’s just not sitting there to give the idea of a free space. There can be a reporting booth or a contact person where I can report problems about a particular computer. Library visitors with vision and hearing disabilities find many of their needs met online these days so making sure they have access to resources while studying at home. Also, a computer beside each printing station which is faster and dedicated to printing only would help improve printing speed.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 20:43:49 +0000

I also want to add this: Some scanners can create only images while others can pick up texts and create PDFs. The scanners at the libraries should have a consistent policy and quality to them. The Map Library’s scanner has the best quality compared to the others; I recommend that the other scanners try to replicate the clear instructions and abilities of the Map Library scanner.

By: Adverb

Adverb — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 20:06:12 +0000

My two cents on improving York Library IT is the state of the website. At the risk of sounding disloyal, I’m going to say that what I would like to see in the York Library website can be seen in action at the U of T library website.

York’s web design requires too many clicks and choices — it is *not* user friendly. I have to state what my area of interest is first; then I have to pick a source for my articles. Only then do I get to search for an article.

I would prefer to just search for an article and then let the computer system do the work. If I’m forced to pick JSTOR first, then enter my search criteria, it means I have to repeat the search with Gale; then repeat it again with someone else.

Instead, let me enter my search criteria and let the system check all of the resources for me. This functionality exists at other libraries, so I know it can be done.

Even the catalogue doesn’t work as well as one might hope. The entire search process for articles and books is in need of an overhaul. It seems unwieldy and out of date.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 16:39:55 +0000

How many laptops does the library have available for checkout? Increasing these may alleviate some of the issues, also allowing the students to work in the areas of the library which they favor. The university I worked at while doing my MLIS had a laptop checkout program and it was EXTREMELY popular.

By: Pam

Pam — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:23:41 +0000

Having specific computers for Facebook, etc, with specific time limits, would be very useful. Currently, there are users who do not necessarily use the computers for academic purposes; other students then have to search for a free computer to do course work.

By: Lisa Chen

Lisa Chen — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 15:44:04 +0000

I feel that the computers themselves function well for student purposes. For me, the difficulty of learning how to navigate things such as printing or locating online articles was due to my lack of knowledge before I stepped into university. I feel that giving first year students a workshop/tour on how to use the library would make students feel more comfortable using it. While there are videos and online tutorials that can help students learn how to navigate the library, face-to-face instruction would help the adjustment of transitioning into becoming library users.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 13:50:23 +0000

Hi there!
I went to Brock before coming to York, and one of the things there that was amazing was that I could access course reserves electronically (and from home!). This would be so helpful if York had a similar offering. Otherwise at the top of my head, I’m pretty happy with York’s IT. The website could use some polish (not to the content or the catalogue, but to the framework and flow itself). Take care!