Library InformationSuggestion Box
The Northark Library now has a suggestion box located right inside the door on the South campus. Feel free to put any valid suggestions or comments in the box. Derogatory remarks are not appreciated, will be destroyed and will not appear on this page. You can also send us suggestions and comments via our website. Just click on "Contact" in the column at the left of this page. Your suggestions make a difference!
1. Coca Cola in machines!
The library has no control over what vending products are made available in the machines. Students may want to contact Student Government or the college administration about this issue.
2. It is getting too noisy in here, because people are visiting and talking on their cell phones and are not considerate of those who are here to study.
The library staff sincerely wishes to apologize for the cell phone and talking problem. Because of the increasing problem, the library staff is going to be meeting with the student government to come up with a workable plan to solve the noise problem. Please be patient while this issue is worked out.
3. Enforce the no cell phone policy and discourage immature disruptive behavior and loud conversation.
The library does not have a "no cell phone" policy. The policy states that "Cell phones must be on vibrate. Cell phones may be used as long as calls are taken away from other patrons." We understand that this policy is not being followed. Please read number 2 for an explanation.
4. People and cell phones - Since the library has a turn down/off policy about cell phones, is there a way to maybe confiscate them from people that repeatedly break this rule or maybe ban the individual for a day for repeated disregard of those who truly trying to study?
We are working on this issue. Please read number 2 for an explanation.
5. Get some fiction books! Steven Brust, Hughes, anybody please!
Our fiction section is in the P section of the general collection. To find books by certain authors, please check our card catalog. We do have a lot of fiction that is used to support our current classes. The Northark library does not purchase popular fiction for pleasure reading. If we do not have the book, you may wish to check with your public library or order the book through Interlibrary Loan.
6. Classes of students from other schools that are coming into the library should be taken to a class room or study room and told the procedures of the computer. Instructors and faculty of the library should also go in a room and talk, not stand out in the middle of the library and discuss whatever. The signs everywhere state "QUIET." People are studying here. It should apply to everyone. We all pay tuition and have a right to work and study in this library. Please be polite and considerate of others...
The library does occasionally have a class that comes into the library and needs some orientation. When we are discussing computer issues, we either go to their classroom, or take them to the back study room. However, they do need a tour of the library, and unfortunately, this does involve talking. We try to be as respectful about it as possible and make is as quick as we possibly can. When these tours are going on, please be patient. We are only a couple minutes in any one area. As far as the problem with talking, please come to the desk and report and disturbance. The library staff is usually working in the back and cannot hear commotion that is going on in the main area. We will be happy to talk to anyone disrupting others. The library is a study area and does need to be quiet as much as possible, so please let us know when it is not quiet and we will do everything we can to take care of this.
7. On several occasions, I have come to the library to work, only to find all of the computers occupied. As I walk around, I notice that a majority of the students and guests are playing video games, building My Space pages, etc. Is there any way to suggest that people try to work on legitimate college work only during mid-term and finals? Maybe suggest that parents don't bring in several children and let each of them occupy a PC to play video games? I hate to sound harsh, but some of us have very limited time to come in and get our work done. It's not feasible to just "wait around" or "come back later" for those of us with hectic schedules.
First of all, we don't monitor what our guests do on the computer, unless someone reports improper use of a computer as outlined by the guidelines of Computer Support. Many come into the library between classes to have some down time or to kill time until their next class. Video games and personal emails are allowed to be used in the library. However, since the main priority of the computers is for school work, those using the computer for other things other than school, including any community members who have come in to use the computer, will be asked to give up their computer if they are all in use. So, if you come into the library and find all the computers full when you need to do schoolwork, get a staff member and we'll ask community members first, and students doing leisure activities second, to get off the computer.
FAQs
1. Why can't I have food and drinks in the library?
It is the policy of the college that no food or drink are allowed in any of the classrooms. The library follows the college's policy on this issue. Also, we have a lot of expensive computer equipment and books that are costly to replace and takes staff time to clean crumbs and stick computer screens. Some have suggested that we allow bottles with lids on them. Our answer to this is: if we begin allowing one thing, we would be forced to allow another thing. Before we know it, the no food and drink policy would become too lax. Bottom line: this is a library and most libraries do not allow food or drinks except in designated areas only.
2. What do I need to set up an account?
You will need a photo student ID card. These are made free of charged for you in the registrar's office. This card is used as your library card. We also need your driver's license or a state-issued id card the first time you sign up so we can get your information from it.
3. Why do we have to have a photo ID?
This is for your protection. Library staff will require any person needing to check out materials from our library to have a photo ID. Theft is a problem everywhere. Someone could steal your library card (community member's have non-photo library cards) or your student number and use it to check out books or a computer pass. Whatever is done while under your name is your responsibility. You will have to replace lost materials or may be responsible for computer content viewed. The library staff is just making sure the patrons are protected. If you do not have a photo ID when you are at the library, you will not be allowed to check out materials.
4. How do I sign on from home?
First of all, you must have an account set up in the library. This is not done over the phone - you must come into the library to do this. Only Faculty, staff and community members are allowed to view the various library databases from home. You must go through the off campus link on the library web page to sign in. Your user name is your student number and your password is the last four digits of your student number. A help sheet is available for you at the top of the database page.
Last updated: 10/3/07