LMU Library News

LibCal vs. RoomWizard: the early results

Over the past two months, we've been testing out a new group study room reservation system called LibCal.

Although we have our own thoughts about the pros and cons of LibCal vs. the existing system (RoomWizard), we wanted to make sure that we gave all of you a chance to test it out, compare the two, and let us know what you thought.

A survey was sent to everyone who reserved a room at least once using LibCal, and we received over 200 responses. (Huge thanks to everyone who took the time to complete it!)

Here's what you told us:

It's clear that a) you guys really like the screens by the doors and b) neither system is perfect. But we've learned a lot about the pros and cons of each. We are still evaluating the free-form answers – in which we asked what you like best about each system, and allowed space to offer any other comments about the pilot or our group study room policies in general – and will use all of the thoughtful feedback to help us decide which way to go. 

Whichever system we choose, we'll be announcing it here, and will be using the feedback from everyone who completed the survey to make sure that we offer the best possible solution for all of our users before classes start up again in August.

Summer hours start 5/10!

Another semester has ended, and we're ready to switch to summer hours. Make sure you review these before planning your visit!

Friday May 10 : 8 am - 5 pm

May 11*-12 : 11 am - 2 pm

*Note that parking on campus may be challenging due to commencement!

Intersession May 13 - 19

Mon - Fri : 8 am - 5 pm

Sat/Sun : closed

Summer Sessions May 20 - Aug 9

Mon - Thu : 8 am - midnight

Fri : 8 am - 8 pm

Sat/Sun : 11 am - 8 pm

Exceptions:

5/31 Memorial Day : closed

7/4 Independence Day: closed

Intersession Aug 10 - 25

Mon - Fri : 8 am - 5 pm

Sat/Sun Aug 10/11 : closed

Sat Aug 17 : closed

Sun Aug 18 : 11 am - 8 pm

Sat Aug 24 : 11 am - 8 pm

Regular semester hours resume Sunday August 25.

Valid OneCard required for access to the library after 8 pm.

Image credit:

1916 postcard of the Plunge, from Long Beach California

Image courtesy of the LMU Department of Archives & Special Collections, Werner von Boltenstern postcard collection.

Keep your stuff safe in the library

 

We were dismayed to learn that one of our students had her laptop stolen from the library yesterday.

Although LMU is typically a pretty safe place, we thought we'd use this as an opportunity to remind everyone that our building is open to the public, and to take care to not leave your personal belongings unattended. The buddy system works well, and for those of you studying alone, we have lockers on the first floor to keep your stuff safe.

Ground yourself & get ready for finals. Free meditation classes Monday 4/29!

Finals are coming, and the Hannon Library has a series of things lined up to provide physical and mental breaks for everyone over the next couple of weeks. 

First up, we're offering free meditation workshops on Monday April 29.  (6:30 pm, 8 pm, or 9:30 pm - all in WHH 324 - the classroom on level 3. 20 spots are available in each workshop - seats are first come, first served!) 

Want to learn more? Read on... 

Did you know that there is a tool you can use to make yourself safe and relaxed, release anxiety, depression, stress, pain and fatigue, let go of the past, make your body happy and calm, and allow you to manifest what it is you want to create?

This tool is known as ‘grounding’, and it has been around for eons. Grounding is taught in many beginning meditation classes. Grounding makes things real, makes your body real, makes it possible for you to manifest what it is you want in your life. Grounding makes it possible to release energies that get caught in you that are not yours. This makes it easier to heal yourself, by letting go of harmful energies that can have a negative effect on your body. Having a tool that allows you to let go is nothing short of miraculous.

Grounding yourself can help you to:

• Protect yourself from unwanted energies
• Help your body to feel safe and well
• Release energies you are done with: stress, anxiety, etc.
• Make it easier to remember and keep track of information
• Heal yourself
• Stop being a pushover
• Create peace within yourself

The LMU community is invited to one of three free sessions on Monday April 29, hosted by Kris Cahill. Drop in to WHH 324 (level 3 classroom) at either 6:30 pm, 8 pm, or 9:30 pm. 

New group study room system pilot -- we need your feedback!

If you reserved a group study room in one of the 7 rooms currently testing the LibCal reservation system, you should have received an email with a link to complete a survey telling us how you feel about the new system vs. the old one. 

By completing this survey, not only are you entered into a drawing to win one of two $50 Amazon gift cards, but your feedback will determine whether or not the library moves all group study rooms to the new system. If you have an opinion about it one way or the other, please let your voice be heard!

We'll be sending out the survey to everyone who used LibCal one more time before finals -- so if you missed it the first time around, keep an eye on your inbox!

(And of course, you are always welcome to let us know what you think here!)

 

New Group Study Room System Pilot - March 15 through May 10

There's a lot to love about the ability to reserve a group study room in advance using our current system... but we know it's far from perfect.  

From 3 p.m. on Friday March 15 through the end of the semester, we will be conducting a pilot test of a new group study room reservation system called LibCal, and we need your help! 

The 7 rooms currently under the "4-person Group Study Room" link will be the test rooms for this pilot. (Rooms 205, 208, 213, 216, 304, 312, and 313.) The process for reserving one of of the other 24 group study rooms will remain unchanged at this time.

Reserve one of these rooms now!

After the pilot test for this system is over, everyone who makes a reservation with the new system will receive an email asking about their experiences, and everyone who completes the survey will have a chance to win one of two $50 Amazon gift cards. We appreciate your feedback, as it will help us pick the best possible system for our library and our users!

Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us at library@lmu.edu.

Avoid the lines with the Get Help Kiosk

Need research help at the library but the line at the Information Desk is out the door? Why not use our new Get Help Kiosk!

The Get Help Kiosk is meant for general library related questions and can be a time saver for that quick question you have about our library hours or finding out if the library has laptops to lend (spoiler alert: we do!). 

Use the Get Help Kiosk for the following types of questions:

• General Library Building Information (Hours, Service Info)
• Location of library equipment (Photocopier, Scantron, Headphones)
• For Information on requesting materials from another library (Link+, ILL)
• Basic Research Help (Libguides, OneSearch+)

You can also use the kiosk to chat with a librarian!

The Get Help Kiosk is located towards the back of the Information Desk, next to the library scanner.

LMU Spring Break / Library Hours & Closures

It's Spring Break!  

Although we will miss staying open all night for our library users, we know it's time to escape all those tests and classes...

The William H. Hannon Library's hours for the coming week are as follows:

Sat. 3/2:     CLOSED

Sun. 3/3:    CLOSED

Mon. 3/4 to Fri 3/8: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sat. 3/9: Open at 11 a.m. and back to our regular hours.

Don't forget to visit our Popular Reading Collection and collect some escapist reading for wherever your Spring Break takes you!

Image credit: Flickr / sergis blog

Used under a Creative Commons License

 

How to use the journals shelves

When you browse through the periodicals area on Level 2 (just behind the Popular Reading Collection) you'll see the most recent issues of all the journals and magazines, just like in a book store. Did you know there are older issues underneath those shelves? Check it out next time you go by. Just lift the front of the shelf to see the other issues.

 

This is what the shelf looks like

 

 

And here's what the shelf looks like raised

 

 

Action shot! How to raise the shelf to see the older issues of the journal.

Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Hours

In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this coming Monday, all three floors of the William H. Hannon Library will close at 2 a.m. (with no overnight hours) on Monday, and reopen at 12 noon. 

More information about library hours here.

We hope you have a wonderful 3 day weekend!