Talk Back

Talk Back is where you can ask a question or make a suggestion about library services.

So, please let us know what you think, and we will post your suggestion and an answer from one of our helpful staff members.

2009

Q. how do i renew books online
RC, Nov 16 2009
A.

Hi RC,

To renew books online, go to My Library Account and enter in your:

  • Id number (this is the number on the back of your Fenway card beneath the barcode)
  • Last name
  • PIN number (default PIN is fenway1)

Scroll down to the list of "Charged Items". Check the boxes next to those items you wish to renew and then click the "Request Renewal" button at the bottom of the list. The status of your request will appear to the right of the title.

If you have any questions about renewing items, please ask at the Circulation Desk or call 617-879-2220.


Ashley

Q. Hi, I was away from campus recently and I needed some help with Lexis-Nexis and when I tried to contact the reference desk via IM no one answered. I couldn't use my phone because it was dead and I thought email would be too slow. is there any reason why they would not have answered my IM's?
Emily, Oct 21 2009
A. Hi Emily,

I'm sorry you weren't able to get through to us when you needed to! We try to answer IMs quickly, but there are times when we have several IM conversations going at once, the phone is ringing, email is calling, and a real live person is in front of us asking for help. Or the librarian may have been away from the desk working with another patron and forgotten to put up an away message.

Next time do try email; we tend to have it open and an audible alert on most of the time. Or see if your question has been answered in the FAQs.  Sorry we missed you! 
Ann

Q. Hi! I am trying to log in (with my library card number) to an online journal (Reviews in American History) and it keeps telling me this: protocol error communicating with authentication server; please try again later I am unsure if I am typing my password incorrectly, or if there is something for Wheelock to do, or if its just a bad night? haha Please let me know what I can do! Thanks!
Alyssa, Oct 03 2009
A. Hi Alyssa,

This could be the result of a number of problems, possibly in combination.  We've checked the protocols and servers and authentication and they appear to be in order. 

If things still are not working properly please give us a call at 617-879-2296 so we can do more diagnosis.  One final cause of the difficulty could be if you are trying to get full-text from an issue of the journal that we do not have access to.  Be sure to check the dates in the Full Text Journal Finder results to confirm the coverage of our subscription.
Amy

Q. HI, I was just wondering about the writing center and whether or not we had to make an appointment to have them review a paper?
Erika , Sep 24 2009
A.

Hi Erika,
 
The Writing Consultants are available on a drop-in basis in the Study Lounge (Library 205) to help students with writing assignments. You can find a schedule of the writing consultants and their hours here.
 

Ann

Q. Thanks Brenda!!!! I have seen a huge difference in the library!!!!!
Anonymous, May 04 2009
A. You're welcome! I'm glad to hear that all our combined efforts have made a difference. And thank you for letting us know that it has worked.
Brenda

Q. It's the week before finals and the library is very loud and distracting. Is there a way that this can be resolved?
Anonymous, Apr 29 2009
A.

We will certainly try! We are posting signage around the library reminding people to work quietly. We will also encourage groups to use the Group Study Room on Floor 2, the Conference Room on Floor 2M, or the Viewing Room in the Lower Level. I have also emailed a request to all students to assist us in making the Library a quieter place. Hopefully, through a cooperative effort from everyone we can make this a quieter place to study.

Best of luck in your finals!


Brenda

Q. The library is my second home, which is why I think it would be fantastic if we got a water fountain in here! Is that possible? Also, it always seems to be that there is never any paper in the printer, which I know all we have to do is ask a librarian. Is there a way that paper can just be left out so that students can refill the printer when needed? I think we are all old enough to handle that type of job. Other then that, keep up the great work!
Super Sam, Apr 19 2009
A.

A: Thanks for the feedback, Sam!
The thirst for knowledge seems to translate into physical thirst at the Library – this is the second TalkBack message requesting water fountains.  (See Andrea’s post below.)  We will investigate the possibilities and see what we might be able to do.
 
We do try to keep a little bit of paper around for patrons to use to fill the printers, and you all do a great job of it.  Unfortunately, we have found that leaving larger amounts of paper out seems to invite a few individuals to help themselves to the paper to use for other purposes.  Now that we are in the busy time of the semester we will store some paper closer to the printers on various floors so that when we do have to get more it doesn’t take as long to get it.

Ann Glannon

Q. Lately, I have been in library and it has been very noisy and distracting. A library is suppose to be a quiet and non distracting place. Is there any way that this can be fixed? Thank you!
Anonymous, Apr 15 2009
A.

Uh-oh, I think you’re talking about me! The Wheelock College Library staff can be a boisterous bunch. Please accept our apologies and always feel free to remind us to use our indoor voices!
 
It is also true that the Library building serves a lot of purposes, including providing space for collaborative work, and at this time of the semester especially there are many people with differing needs using the space. We encourage groups to reserve the Group Study Room on Floor 2 or use the Conference Room on 2M when it is free. 
 
Some parts of the Library (service desks on Floors 1 and 1M, the Lower Level) are expected to tolerate more noise than others (Floors 3, 3M, 4, and 4M). The higher you go the quieter it tends to be. We believe our community is well able to regulate itself, by choosing appropriate spaces for the tasks involved (larger groups who need to discuss a lot may not be well-suited to Floor 1M, and quiet study may not be readily accommodated near or overlooking the front desk) by respecting the needs of others, and by gently reminding our colleagues if their enthusiasm for learning is inhibiting our own scholarly pursuits. 

Ann Glannon

Q. I like the library and think you guys and gals are doing a great job. 3 suggestions for improvement: 1- The printer in the big computer lab is consistently breaking down. Is there any way to fix this or replace the printer? 2- The computer lab is always 20 degrees hotter than the rest of the library. Is there anyway that you could get air flowing through there? Or even an air conditioner? I always have to wear a tanktop while down there so I don't sweat to death. 3- I think the library desperately needs a water fountain. Thanks!
Andrea, Mar 21 2009
A. Thank you for contacting us, and thanks so much for the vote of support, Andrea!

We agree with your suggestions completely, and they are among those we have on our “To Do” list. 
 
1 – The printers drive us crazy too! We are working on a print solution for the whole Library, and hope to have a new system in place for the next academic year.
 
2 – When it gets hot in the computer lab please turn on the fan! We know that is hardly enough when it is late in the day and all the computers have been on for several hours in that low-ceilinged room.   We had some work done on the HVAC system recently, and will double check the settings now that that is done. 
 
You might try computers on Floors 1M, 2, or 3 when the lab is uncomfortable, or check out a laptop to use anywhere in the Library. If all else fails, perhaps you can view your time in the computer lab as a free Caribbean mini-vacation?
 
3 – We get this suggestion a lot. When the Library was renovated 25 years ago the restrooms had dual taps and you could get cold water to go in the little paper cups that you will find in dispensers below the mirrors. Now that we have automatic taps with tepid water this is not quite as appealing an option.  We will continue to include this on our list of requested upgrades to the building.
 
In the meantime there is cold bottled water in the vending machine, and bringing your own in a refillable bottle is a "green" approach.
 
Thanks for the feedback!
 

Ann Glannon

Q. Sorry to read accessing records off campus is a problem. I hope this is resolved in the near future. As an alumni, this type of service is quite helpful and variable.
Nancy-alumni, Mar 17 2009
A.

We're glad you find these resources valuable.  Access to databases from off campus locations is seldom a problem.  But because there are so many points of connection between you and the articles there is an occasional interruption in service somewhere along the way. 
If you cannot access any of the databases, here are the suggested steps:

  •  Restart your computer and try accessing the database again.
  • If you are unable to access the database once you restart, try using a different browser such as Firefox, Opera, or the latest version of Internet Explorer. Or try another computer, if possible.
  • If you are still unable to access the database, contact the Library for assistance at 617-879-2222, via meebo, or email.
If you can access some databases but not others, contact the Library for assistance and let them know which database you are having trouble with.

Amy Basque