Tuesday, 22 December 2009

Putteridge Bury LRC

Self service is not working well. I have had a book on my ticket that i have never borrowed ( reliability and validity assessment) but nobody seems to want to resolve my problem. Students are taking good books and not swiping them out some are keeping books that are not on their tickets. i have seen people looking in reserved boxes for books they might need and have not requested. You must be losing lots of very expensive books.Also when returning books if they can not be scanned they are going in the return box and it takes ages for them to be taken from our tickets.


Thank you for your comment regarding "Reliability and Validity Assessment".
There is no note on your account regarding this book. I cannot check with the member of staff at Putteridge Bury as she is house bound because of the snow. I am instigating a shelf check at Putt initiailly and at all the other sites of the University to see if the book is on site elsewhere. I would ask you to talk to the member of staff at Putteridge Bury about this problem and see if you can help shed any light on the issue. I would also ask you to double check at home just in case it has been stored out of sight.
The book was checked out on 5.11.09 and has been renewed 4 times it is now due on 11 January. Did you report your concerns to library staff - Sylvia Thomson?
Thanks for your comments about your security concerns these will be investigated

I returned my books to the Putteridge Bury campus Library on Thursday 17th of December, as there was no one there and the books didn't have tags in them I could not return them using the new computer system put in place. I was told by a notice to place them in a returns bin and they would be returned as and when someone was present in the library. I thought I had given enough time for my books to be returned which were due back on Monday the 21st of December. But they are still not off my account, I am guessing this is due to the snow, but I am not happy that I can't take any more books out and will get a large fine over christmas as there are a lot of books on my account. Due to snow I understand if no one was there to take my books off my account, but on previous visits to the library there has always been a member of staff to man the desk and to help me return my books .
I suggest that there be a member of staff present in the Putteridge Bury Campus to deal with such problems and not a computer! The staff at Bedford Library were extremely helpful and I appreicate their help and I am looking forward to a reply.


Thank you for your email. I am sorry for the frustration caused by the lack of staff at Putteridge Bury during this time of disruptive weather.
You were correct to assume that no-one was at Putteridge Bury 17th or 18th Dec due to the fact that the staff member was trapped in their village. Eight of your books were found and taken off your account - for items remain on loan to you. Do you have these items at home? Your email did not specify how many items you returned. None of the books are due until January now and there are no fines owing.
In normal circumstances putting items in the returns bin would mean that they would be off your account the following day unfortunately due to the weather this was not possible this time.
You would need to return the books (when the LRC isn't staffed) via the returns bin as there is no self service returns unit (like there is at Park Square). You may return your loans to any site of the University.
Due to the re-designation of the space at Putteridge Bury there will not be a member of staff on duty throughout the building's opening hours - hence the investment in swipe access and self service issue equipment. There is a member of staff on duty each day there is teaching at Putteridge Bury however and so queries should be dealt with promptly.

Monday, 14 December 2009

Oxford House: Opening Hours

It is... inconvenient to study, practice and have a family whilst trying to use the library facilities in these times..it would be a great help to be able to use the facilities after putting kids to bed...Please can you campaign to have a more flexible arrangement with facilities. Studying is not only about being able to access, view and renewe resources, for some of us its about the space/environment in which to study as well.

Thank you for completing a feedback form expressing your views on the opening hours at Oxford House LRC.
You are correct in your assumption that we are bound by the opening hours of the building. We are equally bound by the prohibitionally expensive factors associated with considering additional or extended opening hours. Within our current range of resources weekdays 08.00 -18.00 are the best opening hours we can offer.
We do review opening hours each year in May and I will bring your suggestion to the meeting for consideration. Even though I know, that must seem a long way off. I cannot promise anything about the outcome but I do promise that it will be considered.

Bedford, Polhill Library

I would like to bring to your attention the staff at the bedford campus library. The service that they provide is above and beyond that which is required of them. They have helped me on more than one occasion with difficulties that lecturers could not overcome. They do not hesitiate to help even if doing so adds to their workload. Whether it be tracing quotes, internet help, out of print articles or archived pieces not available at this site they have been happy to help and never disappoint. They are a credit to this university and, for me, completing assignments and getting a degree would be impossible without their continuing help and support.

Thank you for your comments. I am very pleased that the professionalism of the staff at Bedford, Polhill Library is appreciated by our valued customers.