Feedback

We would LOVE to add more group study spaces in the library, and completely agree with your observations that more assignments call for group work, and that current rooms are in constant good use. Adding such space is a high facilities priority for the library, and we have been working diligently to raise awareness of this need. The Board of Trustees recently approved the new college facilities master plan, and the need for renovation to existing space and the development of a Learning Commons, where such study spaces would be included, are included in the plan. So, we are hopeful that we'll be able to reconfigure and then design library's spaces in both near term and long term ways as the projects in that plan are implemented. Alas, this is not an immediate solution, and our physical realities of brick walls and the concrete slab allow for little “easy” additions of rooms. We do see the Media Room, the table in the legal area increasingly used for group study when noise levels can suit the groups’ tasks.

We're happy to look into ordering material suggested by students, faculty, or staff. If the suggestion fits into our collection development areas, if it's not out of print or unreasonably expensive, we'll certainly do our best to meet your needs.

Thanks for your suggestion. We do hear that the dorms can be lively places, and we like to be a relatively quiet alternative on evenings and weekends.

Over the past couple years we've added earlier opening times, and expanded service to 7 days per week by adding highly requested Sunday hours. We do offer extended hours (until 11:00PM) the week before final exams each semester, but we currently don’t have the overall level of demand or late night attendance to support a regular later weekday closing time. One late night per week is an interesting alternative, but I suspect it would be very difficult to find the "right" night to suit all. We will keep monitoring attendance and requests, and we work closely with the SGA (Student Government Association) to consider and discuss proposals for adjusting services to meet student needs.

Children are allowed in the library under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian. We interpret that to mean within your eyesight at all times. This is for their safety.

All individuals are expected to behave appropriately in the library, children included. Children (or any library patron) should not create a disruption for other library users, or engage in behavior that is a danger to themselves or others, for example, running or climbing on furniture or bookshelves.

The library’s practices are guided by GCC Campus Procedure 418, Children on Campus.

We understand your concern! However, libraries today are no longer silent. Students need to work on group projects, librarians need to give instruction, even checking out a book creates noise.

We have tried to provide areas for those who prefer quiet. There are individual study desks on the far side of the circulating book stacks (the area to your right as you enter the library). All those rows of books absorb the noise and it is very quiet back there. Try using one of those study desks.

There are four study rooms, too. Although group use takes priority, they can be used by an individual who wants less distraction. The rooms are available on a “first come first served basis.” Again, an individual would be asked to vacate the room if a group needed it.

If you experience students being loud and disturbing the work of others, please come to the Information Desk and report the situation. If you are reluctant to do this, you can go to the “Ask a Librarian” link on the library homepage, start a chat and let us know of the problem. A reference librarian will then quiet things down.

Please stop by the Information Desk the next time you are in the library and we will be glad to show you where we think are the quietest places to work. And please spread the word to your classmates that quiet spots exist.

Thank you for your suggestion! GCC puts a high priority on the health and wellness of the entire Genesee community, and the library is no exception. Your suggestion to sanitize the computer workstations throughout the day raises several important points. First, please be aware that there is no easy way to sanitize a PC. Disinfectant sprays cannot be used as the direct moisture can do serious damage to PC components. In fact, the only way to effectively clean a PC is to wipe every component (mouse, keyboard, monitor) down with a soap-and-water moist microfiber cloth. While we do strive to clean all our PCs before each semester and on a weekly rotating schedule, this is not a task that could practically be performed on a daily basis because all of the computers are in constant, heavy use.

As such, we recommend all public computer users take precautions to prevent the spread of germs. First and foremost, take special care to wash your hands before and after using any public computer workstation. At the very least, carry and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to reduce the risk of infection. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), handwashing is the “single most important factor in preventing the spread of dangerous germs.” Also, do not eat or drink while using any public computer workstations (library rules also prohibit this.) Physicians currently believe many germs also enter the body from eating or drinking in unsanitary conditions.

We share your concerns regarding the health of all library users and staff, and appreciate your comments. We believe following these guidelines can help reduce your exposure to harmful germs and bacteria.

We do offer extended hours (until 11:00PM) the week before final exams each semester, but we currently don’t have the level of demand or resources to enable a regular later closing time.

Over many semesters we have learned that printers must be turned off at least 15 minutes before closing to provide the best experience for all library users. This enables the students to finish any remaining computer work after printing and to pack up, without the stress of having to beat the clock. An agreeable end to a productive day!

Be it good or bad, the atmosphere of the library, on many levels, lends itself to dozing off. Should both couches be taken up by a sleeping student/patron you are more than welcome to let us know and we can wake them up for you.

Might we also suggest the individual chairs which are extremely supportive and are very comfortable. They are placed throughout the library giving you an option of a more private retreat.