The Library

[Grandpa]

Apologies for the child bit - it was rather rude.

The word I am talking about is the one you said I had used incorrectly - should I have said my last deploring post, instead of my deploring last post. Either way, the meaning is quite clear - to the non pedantic, I am sure.

Yes, I've emailed you, so that would make you the person I said you were before I edited this post

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[s]Cogitationis poenam nemo meretur, facias ipse quod faciamus suades - pax vobiscum.[/s]

[[James]]

Reading through this thread, I've almost forgotten what it is you were meant to be talking about. It sure as hell isn't the library any more. I can now understand why someone has started a new thread discussing the library. However ridiculous that particular thread may be, it simply isn't possible to talk about the library here. I've been reading the odd thread on the Sinner for a few months and it seems that Barry Joss seems to start, or get sucked into, an awful lot of these pedantic bitchfests.

[exnihilo]

What is with people and splashing my name around the place tonight???? And I hardly think I'm the only culprit, or that this has been a "bitchfest".

[[James]]

Sorry, didn't you want your name mentioned? I'll delete it for you if you like (I'm being serious here, if you don't want it mentioned that's up to you). And on the 'bitchfest' thing - even if you don't like the term, I think you understand what I'm saying here. This thread has gone a bit off topic and so have a few others I read in the past (I think around the time of the rectorial election). Not saying it's your fault exactly, just that maybe you get a bit too involved. Take a step back and cool off, you'll feel better and it's good for your health!

Edit: and I'm not saying there aren't other culprits. I probably don't read this often enough to identify them all, it's just that this reminded of that thread about the election...

[Grandpa]

with all respect to all parties, maybe we can return to the topic - the library.

Exnihilo, you said you might support the idea of a depository for books (such as old and rarely/not for a long time used ones). Would you still support such a motion - if only on the sinner?

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[s]Cogitationis poenam nemo meretur, facias ipse quod faciamus suades - pax vobiscum.[/s]

[exnihilo]

I don't need health advice, and if I've become irate it's possibly because I'm less tolerant than most.

Yes, I said I would support the idea on the very clear proviso that books requested from any such depository were easily accessible. Sadly, probably the only way that could happen would be to effectively make it a second library. It's not the main problem, even if there was vastly more space there isn't vastly more money with which to fill it.

[flarewearer]

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[Nessamelda]

Quoting queen of scots from 08:35, 22nd Nov 2005
I believe it was modelled on Bristol library as well - the uni was too cheap to draw up plans of its own. And apparently they never took into account the weight of the books, and it's slowly sinking!

As is Glasgow University amusingly enough.

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I can resist everything...except temptation!

[exnihilo]

Then Bristol has several quite different looking libraries, from very different periods of history.

[flarewearer]

Edinburgh's George Square library is also creepily like St Andrews, from the outside at least.

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[Grandpa]

Well then, maybe we should make this a multi-university issue...if the others feel the same about their respective situations.

But I think I'd rather just stick with st andrews for now...


[s][s]or would I????[/s][/s]

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[s]Cogitationis poenam nemo meretur, facias ipse quod faciamus suades - pax vobiscum.[/s]

[Grandpa]

Quoting flarewearer from 10:55, 26th Nov 2005


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not particualrly helpfull, flare.

please, keep your posts on topic and constructive.

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[s]Cogitationis poenam nemo meretur, facias ipse quod faciamus suades - pax vobiscum.[/s]

[Grandpa]

Quoting exnihilo from 09:49, 26th Nov 2005
I don't need health advice, and if I've become irate it's possibly because I'm less tolerant than most.

Yes, I said I would support the idea on the very clear proviso that books requested from any such depository were easily accessible. Sadly, probably the only way that could happen would be to effectively make it a second library. It's not the main problem, even if there was vastly more space there isn't vastly more money with which to fill it.

I see your point, but if one tries hard enough there's always money for those things which are important enough.

I'm not saying it would be easy but, practically, anything is possible.

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[s]Cogitationis poenam nemo meretur, facias ipse quod faciamus suades - pax vobiscum.[/s]

[M249]

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/its/newslet ... rcell.html

This is just a joke. The library is a disgrace to the university. According to the information sheets in the library, the staff are 'willing to help'. However, upon finding that all of the resources I required were missing, despite being logged as in the library on SAULCAT, I recieved next to no help from them.

[queen of scots]

Another couple of moans about the library to add here:

1. The opening hours next week. Instead of staying open until midnight it will be shutting at 8pm. Then on Friday, which I don't think is any sort of uni holiday, it is shutting at 1pm! It's not Christmas Eve until Saturday, is it? Then, it's staying shut right up until the 5th January, so anyone hoping to get some work done during that time has had it. There could at least be some limited hours to borrow books.

2. Last night I was using the microfilm readers and someone has removed the extension lead and set of extra power sockets - this means there are 5 readers with only 4 power sockets, and no spare sockets for laptops. Yet some undergrads had taken out two of the readers, plugged in their own laptops, and were sitting there watching DVDs and stuffing their faces.

3. The library subscribes to electronic databases such as the Oxford DNB. The other week, access to this was suddenly denied - I emailed the library, and it turned out the incompetent staff hadn't managed to pay its subscription on time. The same thing happened again yesterday. It's really frustrating when you need these resources for work.



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Life is like a beautiful melody, only the lyrics are messed up.

http://standrews.facebook.com/profile.php?id=37100070

[flarewearer]

Quoting Grandpa from 22:36, 28th Nov 2005
not particualrly helpfull, flare.

please, keep your posts on topic and constructive.

It was extremely helpful, adding a light-hearted irreverent derailer such as this is always good, it makes people stop for a second before they spout forth a torrent of ill-concieved, spur-of the moment drivel.
And coming from someone who's posts are normally as off-topic and obstructive as yours are, I elect to take between no and less of your advice ;x~

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[Adam Fellows]

Quoting queen of scots from 10:11, 14th Dec 2005
1. The opening hours ...

I can raise the question of holiday opening hours at the next Library Student Users' Group if you like. Opening hours for PGs are a perennial problem and really need to be sorted, but holiday time is also the time they use for maintenance. However, in this case I agree - I don't think they have openly published reasoning for these altered times, so it's really unfair and, to be honest, a bit odd.

2. Last night I was using the microfilm readers and someone has removed the extension lead and set of extra power sockets - this means there are 5 readers with only 4 power sockets, and no spare sockets for laptops. Yet some undergrads had taken out two of the readers, plugged in their own laptops, and were sitting there watching DVDs and stuffing their faces.

I am sure that there must be some way to go to the library staff or the library porters and say that you need these things to do work, so the UGs not using the facilities for proper reasons should be moved somewhere else - every public library (and private ones too) I've ever been in has asked people to move or leave if serious users needed the facilities . I mean, eating and watching DVDs shouldn't be something that the library should encourage (unless it becomes a part of the Level 2 changes...)

3. The library subscribes to electronic databases such as the Oxford DNB. The other week, access to this was suddenly denied - I emailed the library, and it turned out the incompetent staff hadn't managed to pay its subscription on time. The same thing happened again yesterday. It's really frustrating when you need these resources for work.

Well that's just naff, really LOL. Something else that can be raised at the LSUG, I think. I have heard of similiar problems from students in a variety of disciplines at different levels of study.

[Guest]

The above is all being noted and shall be acted upon in the new year

[little headache]

Quoting M249 from 12:49, 8th Dec 2005
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/its/newslet ... rcell.html

From that article: "Library staff are also increasingly playing an active role in facilitating access to electronic information resources via WebCT, teaching students research and information skills and working actively with academic staff."

Can you imagine the looks (not to mention the laughs) I would get if I went up to one of the checkout desk ladies and asked for some help improving my 'research skills'?!

Also, is there an IR library? I assume not, but seeing as nearly every department has some sort of library... you never know. And on that topic, what about expanding departmental libraries? If the University gave a certain amount of funding to the departments for the purpose of keeping their libraries up to date, there would probably be better and more relevant resources at hand, seeing as the people in charge of keeping the libraries stocked would have better overall knowledge of the subject and its requirements.

Just a thought.

[exnihilo]

There used to be one, but it was only open for 15 minutes every third Tuesday in a month with an R. Or some such obscure time.