1) There is no "sign in" bar on the homepage, please add one. This will definitely improve the efficiency of the website when searching/borrowing/reviewing/renewing books...

2) Having a link to sign in on the main page would make the site so much more user friendly to staff. I help about 15 physicians here in the Medical School. We seem to all have a book or two out at a time and in order to renew loans you must first log into your account. It is not obvious to most that they must first click on Library Catalog before they can go to the sign in link.

Response:

Thank you for sending in your comments concerning the Library Catalog's My Account. We have added a new link on the Library's homepage in the Services menu called My Account (Renew Books). This account can be used to renew books and check due dates. We appreciate your taking the time to let us know how we can make improvements to our website.

Thank you again for your feedback.

I am writing because many of the students, particularly those in the study rooms, have been incredibly loud despite repeated requests to be quiet. This is not only an issue I am having but one that several of my fellow students have had as well.

While I don't think it's possible to regulate a person's behavior, it seems to be a significant problem this semester, particularly on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors.

Is there any advice you can offer or something that you can do?

Response:

Thank you for sending in your comment concerning noise in the library. I appreciate your taking the time to let us know how we can make improvements.

The next time you are bothered by noise, please let someone know, either at the Circulation Desk or Reference Desk. We will follow up directly with the loud group. The third, fourth, and fifth floors, including the study rooms, are supposed to be quiet study floors. We may ask people to leave if they continue to disrupt the people around them.

We will be putting up signs within the library to remind people of the need for quiet - especially in our upper floors.

Thank you again for your feedback.

As I work on my PhD, these limited resources are hindering my completion. I am extremely disappointed in this aspect of the University of Maryland. I would think Interlibrary loan articles should be covered under student fees."

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. We value the input we receive directly from the community we serve and take it to heart. Our goal is to be an asset - not a hindrance - to our students as they pursue their education.

In reviewing your specific interlibrary loan requests, the reason for those cancellations was that the journal titles requested were not held in the USMAI system of 16 libraries across our 14 campuses. If they were, they would be provided free of charge as part of our consortial agreement. When we receive a request with the billing option, "Obtain at No Charge," we search USMAI holdings only and cancel the request if the article cannot be obtained through the consortium. When we borrow outside of the USMAI libraries, we will pay up to $20 per request so the $8.00 fee we charge for that service is actually subsidized.

You are correct that many universities are funded at a level which enables them to provide interlibrary loan service at no charge across the board. We aspire to be among them one day. Currently, the portion of instructional resource fees that the library receives covers only a fraction of our expenses. Thus, it is necessary for the HS/HSL to charge fees for certain services.

Thank you for your valued input and the chance to answer these important questions.

We're glad you think the Library is great, but very sorry you have had difficulties with our wireless connectivity. Your problem is not uncommon, as the increasing popularity of wireless computing has stretched our network access to the limit. Unfortunately, there is only so much wireless bandwidth to go around and, the more users there are on the system, the weaker and slower the connection becomes.

The good news is that the Library's wireless network is due for an overhaul. We are proud of the fact that we were one of the first campus buildings to install wireless over four years ago, and pleased to announce that we are not only planning to improve the strength of the signal, but also on connecting to the emerging campus wireless network. There are still a few technical issues to resolve, and we are awaiting a cost estimate. Our hope is that the wireless upgrade will take place along with our other Spring renovations, so stay tuned.

Sincerely, Concerned Student"

Thank you for your concern. Recently the campus approved funding to repair the chairs and I am currently working with the Library Director and fabric vendors to select fabrics to be used to reupholster the chairs. You can look forward to clean new fabric on these chairs within the next few months.

Assistant Director for Business Development & Operations