Q. is there a way to turn the heat down? it is hot in here, and when i open a window and get a lovely breeze, the heater just kicks on full blast :(
hot stuff, Mar 02 2010
A.

Some like it hot, some like it cold, and few people will agree on which is which… Thermostat Wars is a popular indoor winter sport in New England, and in the Library building the architecture, weather, and the HVAC system all together create prime conditions to play. 

Next time you find your microclimate too much like the Mojave Desert first try turning the heater blower OFF (look inside the little door on the right of the unit).  You may also want to try turning the overhead fan ON.  If after a while it is still too hot open the window a bit. Having the blower off will prevent the heater from blasting away the lovely breeze.  If an area of the building seems bizarrely un-temperate, let one of the staff know so we can contact the Facilities Department for help.

Q. The librarian on the third floor is incredibly loud, all of the time. There is not a moment in the day when this woman is not on her cell phone talking loudly and disrupting not only the students on the 3rd floor but on 2m and 3m as well. Is there anyway that she could possibly go into the stairway or other area when she feels the need to talk so loudly? It would be appreciated.
-, Mar 01 2010
A. Oops!  Sorry about the noise.  I am working on my inside voice, but clearly there is still room for improvement.  I would encourage you (and all students) to introduce yourself and feel free to politely shush me should I get too loud on the phone.  You're also welcome to stop by any time if you have a question or need assistance with finding a book or journal.   

I do keep phone calls to a minimum and will try to make them quieter as well.  Since most calls are actually on my desk phone, it's not possible for me to move to a more sound-proof area for them. 

Even when I am quiet, Floor 3 often isn't.  Students tend to talk to each other while they work on the computers on this floor and the table here is frequently used for group study.  If you need a quiet place to work, you will have better luck on the top three floors of the library (there is glass separating 3 and 3M, so luckily the noise from this floor doesn't travel up there) or in the computer labs in the lower level.  

Amy

Q. (anonymous message)
, Jan 31 2010
A. We would like the Wheelock community to know that we will not be posting any Talk Back comments that are exceedingly rude or profane because that attitude does not align with the Wheelock spirit. We will, however, address the issues that are raised. If anyone feels strongly upset or angry about an issue, I encourage you to contact me directly, and in person, so that we can address the issue in an appropriate manner. My office is on the 2nd floor of the Library or I can be reached at x2225.

Brenda E., Director

Q. Will the copy/printer in the resource center be up in running soon?
Anonymous, Jan 28 2010
A. Yes!  There are just a few things we need to take care of in order to get this up and running, but we hope to have the color printer/copier over at the Resource Center available for use by next Friday (the 5th of February) at the latest.  Until then, color printing is available on floor 2 of the library.  

Amy

Q. Honestly, The new printing system SUCKS! Bring back the old one and stop hassling us with this new one.
Anon, Dec 17 2009
A. I agree, we have not had a good print solution so far this year. Trust me, we are as frustrated as you are! We are working to resolve this so that everyone can take full advantage of all the high quality, environmentally-friendly machines.
Brenda

Q. Why is it never enforced that the library is supposed to be a quiet place? Every time I am in here it is super loud. And usually the librarians are the loudest ones!!! Honestly though, if people want to be noisy and study with friends at the same time, they can bring their laptops a couple feet over to the student center next door. There is also students computers there that they can use. This is getting ridiculous.
Anon, Dec 17 2009
A. Anon -

Whenever a noise issue is brought to our attention we do try to address it. The problem this year might be that we are undergoing a renovation on the first floor during the break and the planning and moving has kept us all hopping (noisily)! When you return to see our wonderful first floor area, you will see that we have addressed some of the noise issue by adding glazing on the 1M alcove area. This will stop a lot of noise from just funneling up to the higher floors.
If you find that the library is too noisy, please bring it to the attention of a staff member right away. Particularly if it is staff that is loud! And remember that the higher you go in the library, the quieter it gets.
Brenda

Q. The 2nd floor colored printer isn't working:(
Sara, Dec 02 2009
A. Hi Sara,

We have been working on a new printing system this fall, and sometimes the printers don't behave as we expect them to.  From your message it's sort of hard to tell what exactly is wrong.  It's best to find a librarian or other staff member at the front desk or at the desk on Floor 1M to let them know if there is a problem when you are trying to print.  That way we can figure out what is wrong and how to fix it at the time.  Thanks for your patience.


Amy Basque

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.