if libary books returned early, can student receive points credits?

Thank-you for your query about credits for early return items. The current penalty points system is designed to penalise students who do not return library materials on time. Not returning items when they are due often inconveniences other students who may have placed a hold on the item or who may have been looking for material in that subject area. While it would be terrific to have a system that rewarded early return items, allowing the build up of points could work to disadvantage other library users. For example, if a student was able to build up credit points and then chose to use those to keep an item over an exam period or when there was heavy demand, this would have the potential to create problems for other students. At all times the library encourages students and other users to return material on time or to arrange for an extension of the loan period if needed.

I am very grateful to library staff for acting on requests for a quiet study area. It is my understanding that this area is for quiet, private study undefinedas opposed to group study, which tends to get noisy). However, there are some students who either do not understand this, or simply do not respect it. If my understanding is correct, can we please get some signs in the quiet study area asking students to please be respectful of other students by not talking in this area - or at the very least keeping conversations to a very low whisper. Also, that mobile phones are kept on silent and that mobile phone converstations should be taken outside. It's sad that we need signage like this at a university level, but it is proving necessary more and more everyday. Thank you for your time.

Thank you for your feedback about the quiet study area in the Mt Helen campus library. I have checked this area several times personally and have generally found it to be quiet. I would suggest that if you are in the area and students are not respecting the need for quiet study, that you either speak to those students directly or, if you are not comfortable with this, that you report the noise levels to staff at the Information Desk. I have passed your request on to campus library staff and asked them to monitor the area when possible and to consider the inclusion of appropriate signage on study desks. I hope that this helps.

I would just like to say thank you to the staff at the library. I have found them to be particularly helpful and always friendly. I would particularly like to say thank you to staff working yesterday who helped me in solving my computer issues. I found them to be much more helpful than the IT staff who seemed to make the problem worse. I would also like to comment that the refurbishments look amazing. The library is a much more enjoyable and open space to work and is much more inviting. Thank you once again to all staff, your help and support is much appreciated.

Many thanks for your feedback. It is great to hear that staff in the library have been able to help. I will pass your thanks on to staff who were working on the day. There may have been a number of reasons why you were not able to be helped by ICT staff and if you would like to forward me more details I would be happy to follow this up further. We have been very pleased with the feedback and comments so far in relation to the refurbishment. I am glad that you like the spaces, we did aim to create more open space and group areas and we are experimenting with a mix of furniture to see what works best for individual students and groups.

I just wanted to first mention that the majority of the work carried out to refurbish the library is fantastic. It is great having so many powerpoints around and the little rooms on level 1 to complete group work in, are really handy. I would like to mention though, that the wireless internet is a real problem, and something most students who bring in their own lap tops are talking about. It is very annoying to set up your work and then find that you cannot get internet service in the same spot you did the day before. It is difficult to get service in some areas in the little rooms on level one. I wanted to also mention that the two little rooms on level one, closest to the windows, are freezing - great lighting, but freezing. I hope this feed back is helpful.

Thanks for your comments. I am glad that you like the refurbishment. We did aim to put in a lot of additional power points and group areas and the rooms that you refer to have been heavily used since they were opened. I will ask staff in Physical Resources to check the temperature in these rooms to ensure that they are comfortable for working in. We have had several comments in relation to the erratic wireless access in the building. We are aware of the problem and ICT are working to improve it. Additional wireless points have been ordered for the library and we are looking to have them installed mid to late June (earlier if possible). It is a new wireless system that requires configuration and testing prior to install. This will improve coverage on level 9 and 1. Level 2 requires additional cabling to be installed and this may take longer. In the meantime we apologise for the lack of coverage throughout the entire building and we hope to see an improvement over the next few weeks.

The number of computer terminals in the library are insufficient for student demand. The terminals are constantly used, with a line of waiting students. The problem is exacerbated by the many students surfing Facebook, much to the frustration of waiting students, who may wish to do some work! Can IT block access to Facebook, or at least post signs forbidding/limiting Facebook, so that the computers may be used for their intended purpose - study!! Thanks.

Computers in the Mt Helen campus library are always in heavy demand and refurbishments over the beginning of semester have reduced the number available, adding to the problem. We anticipate that refurbished spaces will be open for student use from 19th April. These spaces will include additional fixed PCs on Level 1. In addition the training rooms on the entrance level will be used less by staff and will be open for students to access. If there are no computers free in the Library there may be others available in student computing laboratories. A list of labs and other study areas where open access computers are located can be obtained from staff at the Information Desk. I will pass your comments related to Facebook use on to staff in ICT Client Services. The University of Ballarat Use of Computing and Communication Facilities Policy does not restrict use of social networking and other communication websites, however it is expected that students will exercise consideration for others during busy periods and limit use of computers to research and study related purposes.

great facilities all round ,,,, except ararat , could we please have a library at ararat ?

Thank-you for your suggestion. The Library has undertaken assessment of the need for a library at the Ararat campus several times. In each instance it has been determined that the cost of establishing and maintaining a library is not feasible. This decision has been based on the number of staff and students studying at this campus and the limited range of courses and programs that are taught. Instead the Library encourages staff and students to access to books and journals online and to use the library catalogue as a means of identifying and requesting items for loan. Assistance from library staff is always available via our Ask a Librarian email service or by contacting one of the campus libraries directly. There are two PCs available for student use at Ararat with priority use given to students who are wanting to access and use library materials online, request help or use for other study related purposes. We are in the process of ensuring appropriate signage and information is placed at these PCs. As indicated, library staff are happy to assist Ararat based students with advice about requesting and obtaining material. I would encourage you to contact staff at either the SMB or Horsham libraries for advice and assistance.