University Librarian's Student Advisory Committee

October 21, 1997 5:30 p.m.

The students on the committee expressed strong agreement that the new VIRGO is a vast improvement. E-mail notification is working, but there are some reports that e-mail notifications are sometimes slow in arriving. Also, sometimes cross references do not work as they are supposed to. One student reported searching unsuccessfully for items in VIRGO, which are then found in VIRGO by the interlibrary loan office.

When asked about databases, the students were positive, but some specific problems were noted. Anne Rubin reported that the Power Trak feature was not working with the Infotrac Searchbank. Meg Buchanan asked if there was an easier way to find reserve articles. Anne Rubin reported that faxes from Uncover cannot be sent to the History department. Tony Pisani reported that Ovid is wonderful; we need more of it.

There was general agreement of the need for more library instruction and orientation. The Library short courses should be offered more often. It was suggested that library orientation should be part of the standard orientation program which first year students receive before classes begin. The ENWR instruction program needs to be updated.

Recall wars are again common in Fine Arts and within the English department; we need more additional copies of high use books. How to request orders is not well known among patrons. A suggestion was made to reduce the recall period from ten days to five days. Others thought this was too short. There was an apparent consensus that seven days would be reasonable compromise.

Martha Sites solicited student input on how the intersection of the library and technology will affect them in the next few years. Students interested in participating in future discussions on the topic were asked to send email to mrs@virginia.edu.

Tony Pisani reported that he asked the Library to purchase an interdisciplinary journal, but it was not ordered. It seems that we may need to do better job in accommodating requests for interdisciplinary, inexpensive serials.

Several students commented that a DART machine in Alderman is desperately needed! Diane Walker reported that a DART machine is scheduled for installation in December.

Jim Self announced that the library home page will be revised this year, and he asked if any students would volunteer to assist in this effort by serving as an informal advisory or focus group. Anne Rubin, Meg Buchanan, and Anthony Foster so volunteered.

Jim Self also announced that Clemons Library will undergo renovations in 1998 to greatly expand the media center, thanks to a gift from Tim Robertson. Clemons is scheduled to be open 24 hours a day during much of the exam period in December.

The vending machines do not seem to be causing disruptions in Clemons, other than an occasional spill. It was announced that an ATM machine will be installed in Clemons this fall.

The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Students Present:

Ezekiel Healy
Anthony Foster
Meg Buchanan
Anthony Pisani
Marcia Pentz
Wendy Hyman
Kristina Perea
Anne Rubin

Librarians Present:

Karin Wittenborg
Kendon Stubbs
Diane Walker
Martha Sites
Karen Marshall
Jim Self

Notes by Jim Self