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Less Wired Libraries? It’s All Good.

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Breaking news from the “We Hear You” department.

In November 2009 we ran a laptop/workstation survey in the Killam Learning Commons. We asked students who were at the workstations if they had a laptop and if so, why they were using the workstations. Difficulties connecting to the wireless network and the inability to print from laptops were identified as major obstacles to laptop use in the library. We’ve now addressed both of these issues.

Students working in the Killam, Kellogg and Pharmacy libraries can now print directly from their Windows or Mac laptops to the black and white printers in the Learning Commons. (Wireless printing was previously available only in the Sir James Dunn Law Library). For instructions on installing the iPrint software you’ll need, go to the Campus Printing webpage (on campus only at this time). As always the Help Desk staff are on hand if you’re having any problems.

In addition, the recent campus wireless upgrade now means you should be able to find wireless access throughout the Killam Library, including those pesky cold spots that used to send frustrated people divining through the halls, laptop in hand.

We hope these improvements make your life in the libraries a lot easier, and ease pressure on the demand for LC workstations. Please let us know how it’s all working out for you!

Killam Learning Commons Workstation Survey

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Results are in! From November 26 to December 2, 2009, the Killam Library ran a survey in the Learning Commons to learn more about demand for our workstations. A whopping 946 workstation users responded to our pop-up invitation (a 40% response rate) and told us all the reasons why they prefer to use our workstations rather than their own laptops.

The biggest issues keeping people from using their laptops were inadequacies of the wireless signal and the inability to print from laptops, rated 3-5 on a scale of 0-5 by 52% and 57% of respondents respectively. The good news is that Dalhousie is installing a new wireless system across campus. By this summer, Killam library users should have much better wireless service, with wireless accessible in the stacks where there are more workspaces with electrical outlets. We are also working with our campus partners to enable laptop users to send print jobs to the Learning Commons printers.

Despite these improvements, however, respondents have indicated that they may still prefer to use the workstations due to the better ergonomics, great atmosphere and convenience of the Learning Commons.

We want Killam Library users to be able to choose the computing method they prefer. The excellent insight provided by these survey respondents means we are better able to ensure that they have these options. A big thank you to everyone who participated in this survey!

Borrow a Laptop at Kellogg

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The Kellogg Library has initiated a laptop lending service. Upon presentation of a card and signing of a waiver form, students will be able to borrow a laptop for up to 3 hours at a time. The laptops will provide wireless access to the Internet and will be loaded with the same software as on the Library’s Learning Commons computers, including the complete Microsoft Office Suite and some statistical packages. When used in the library, printing is available via our library print station. This is set as the default.

For more information and our policies concerning use of these laptops, see our FAQ webpage.