Menu

The LibVine

What's going on at Dalhousie Libraries

Category: Killam Learning Commons

Does Facebook use mean lower grades?

The use of Facebook, and other social networking sites, on the Learning Commons workstations has recently become a topic of discussion. Opinions range from one extreme to the other. Some view Facebook as an essential tool that helps a person in their day-to-day life (including school), whilst others feel it is an unnecessary waste of time and University resources, and should be banned in the Learning Commons.

I came across an interesting article regarding some research by Ohio State University.

Study finds link between Facebook use and lower grades in college

Interesting reading – the study doesn’t actually say that use of Facebook leads to less studying and lower grades, but that there is a relationship. Surely every generation has had their own distractions which affect their studies? Is Facebook any different, or are other factors involved? Has use of social networking sites had a detrimental effect on your studies? Should Facebook be allowed, or blocked, on the Learning Commons workstations?

How do I print single-sided?

All black and white printers in the Killam Learning Commons print double-sided by default.  To select single-sided follow these steps:

Click Print, then click the Properties button in the print dialog box.

On the Finishing tab uncheck Print on Both Sides.

Click OK twice to send your print job to the selected printer.

How do I print in the Killam Learning Commons?

Colour and black and white printing is available in all areas of the Killam Learning Commons. Follow the instructions below:

  • Click Print via the application you are using
  • By default, black and white double-sided printing is selected.  To change to single-sided, click Properties and uncheck “Print on both sides” on the Finishing tab
  • To print in colour select the printer named KIL_SLC_COLOUR.  By default this printer prints single-sided
  • At the chosen printer swipe your DalCard and double click your NetID
  • Insert a check mark for the required print jobs and then click Print
  • Sufficient credit is required on your DalCard in order for the job to print.  There are several ways to add credit to your Dalcard.

The South Commons workstations send jobs to the two black and white printers across from the Technical Desk.
The North Commons workstations send jobs to the lobby printer located outside the Administration Office.
The Upper Commons workstations send jobs to the printer located on the Technical Desk.
All Express workstations, upstairs and down,  send jobs to the ground floor lobby printer.
The colour printer is located on the Technical Desk on the ground floor.

Killam Learning Commons FAQs

There are lots of questions that we are asked frequently here in the Killam Learning Commons.  These questions can range from “how do I print?” to “how do I book a study room?” to “how do I get page numbers on my document?”  It seems logical to create a FAQ category to group all these questions together.  If you have any suggestions for the FAQ page, or need an answer to a problem, please let me know.

Check out Killam Learning Commons FAQs.

LC@aGlance

You may have noticed the large screens placed at the entrance to each area of the Killam Learning Commons.  These screens display a colour coded map showing which workstations are available, or in use, in that particular area.  When someones logs on or off, the map is updated so you can easily see what machines are available and exactly where they are.  No longer do you have to wander round looking for an empty seat.  Printer status is also displayed and will offer alternative instructions if there are problems.  Another useful feature is that each screen will display how many machines are available elsewhere in the Library.  If a location is full you can easily see exactly where you need to go.

I’m very happy with the latest addition to the services we offer here at the Learning Commons.  Next time you’re in the Commons make sure you check it out.  LC@a Glance is also available online so you can see how busy the Commons are before you leave home.

Make sure you take a look and you’ll soon realize how fantastic the system is.  Not only is it incredibly useful, but it’s also pretty cool!  Let me know what you think.

Welcome to the Killam Learning Commons

Hi, I’m Mick Bottom, the Learning Commons Technical Lead.  I am pleased to welcome you to the Killam Learning Commons category of the LibVine blog.  I created this category with a vision in mind – to be an informal platform for the sharing of information, ideas and initiatives in the Learning Commons.  I encourage you to bring forth your own ideas and thoughts for discussion.  I’d like to see us all working together to ensure that the Killam Learning Commons continues to advance and respond to the needs of its users.

Review of the past few months

Although we’re usually looking to the future of the Learning Commons it seemed appropriate to start things off with a quick review of what has happened over the past few months.  A lot of improvements have been made recently and I think they deserve to be discussed.

The biggest improvement is undoubtedly the replacement of the workstations and monitors in the South and North Learning Commons.  The new Lenovo desktops and Toshiba widescreen monitors are far superior to what we had before and these machines have understandably been very well received.   Not long after that 9 new, cool looking iMacs were deployed, replacing the three we had before.  All the Mac fans seem very happy with those.  Black and white printing is now also available for the Macs, a feature which wasn’t before.

The Upper Learning Commons has benefited from the installation of new tables and chairs.  Sure, it’s less exciting than new PC’s and Macs but I think the layout is nice and has helped make a great study space.

Another big step forward for us was the switch to double-sided printing by default for all PC’s.  It goes without saying why we took that step and most people are very happy with the change.  It was interesting to see that even though some people were unaware of the change when it happened, and as a result printouts were not what they expected,  many appreciated the importance of such a move and blamed themselves for not reading the notices!

I am always looking for new ideas to reduce our footprint – another step forward was that after closing all the PCs in the South and North Commons now automatically turn themselves off.  A simple change that collectively over a year will result in a considerable power saving.  If you have any ideas then don’t hesitate to let me know.

I’m very happy with our recent upgrades and with the services that we offer here at the Learning Commons.  Let me know what you think.  If you have an idea about something we’re missing then come on, lets talk about it!

TOP