Library website is a Goddamn Joke

Boston

Divs all over the place in my version of firefox, I can't login, I can't renew stacks, I don't get emails informing me when books are due for renewal and the staff won't reply to emails I've sent them.

Useless.

Marvinthefish

I agree. It seems like they did a half-assed job when updating the website recently. Old-looking pages always turn up when I'm using the website and I think, "can I trust this info?".

Also sent an email there last Monday and no reply. This is very annoying as I can't get to the library atm.

Mark200

Have yous tried ringing them?

Boston

I'm not calling them from Asia.

Jonathan

Have you go a link to one of the pages that are messed up?

Boston

Here It looks ok in newer versions of firefox, but in my version (2.something) it's fuked. Words will be had upon my return.

Unregistered.

Hmmm, I'm sure somebody could interject and say you should just upgrade to a newer version, e.g. 3; but would it kill them to have a basic HTML view option?

lucernarian

It's at least partially true.

I have no problems on Firefox 3, but ironically enough the IS services computer rooms have great issues when using the library website on their decrepit 3 or so year old versions of firefox. 2.0.0.4 I think they use on their vista machines...

Boston

Unregistered. wrote: »

Hmmm, I'm sure somebody could interject and say you should just upgrade to a newer version, e.g. 3; but would it kill them to have a basic HTML view option?

Because writing software from the view point that all the users will be using the bleeding edge my up-to-date systems, is a genius idea.

I recall the bollocking the SU got for the Money it spent on the SU website before the current one. I wonder what this upgrade mess is costing the college.

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

It's at least partially true.

I have no problems on Firefox 3, but ironically enough the IS services computer rooms have great issues when using the library website on their decrepit 3 or so year old versions of firefox. 2.0.0.4 I think they use on their vista machines...

Legend. So the college computers can't easily access the college library.

Señor Juárez

divs everywhere, like

rjt

They've also stopped allowing more than 7 renewals (without anyone reserving the books)

Epic Tissue

rjt wrote: »

They've also stopped allowing more than 7 renewals (without anyone reserving the books)

That will be annoying!

Meeja Ireland

rjt wrote: »

They've also stopped allowing more than 7 renewals (without anyone reserving the books)

That seems like a pointless inconvenience. Do they give any explanation? I've always found the library staff exceptionally helpful in person, so it seems strange that the new website is so flawed.

Is anyone (or everyone) else having problems reserving books? I can log in to the new site, but when I try to reserve a book it tells me An Exception has occurred. It's not all that Exceptional, I tell it, given that it happens every damn time. But my desolate cries are ignored, and that rare Ed McBain book stays buried in Santry.

Unshelved

There are some glitches with the Library website and catalogue and we're doing our best to iron them out as soon as possible. Reserving (placing a hold on) books should be enabled this week.

Remember you should now use your College network username and password to access databases, e-journals and your own account. You will not be able to order books from Santry or Bookstacks if you have overdue books or if you have outstanding fines.

The maximum length of time that Students can hold on to books has always been eight weeks - so that's the reason behind limiting the amount of loan renewals to seven. After that, you need to bring the book in.

Sending out emails to Library users to remind them about due dates has always been a courtesy and nothing more. At the moment we're not sending them, so it's up to you to keep an eye on your account and make sure that the books don't go overdue.

We are aware of the problems with the new catalogue and website, but once it's fully functional it will be a big improvement on our old system.

If you're still having problems then contact the Duty Librarian's Desk - 01-896 1127, or if you're in Asia then contact your Subject Librarian directly.
www.tcd.ie/Library/support/subjects/index.php

Hope this helps.

lucernarian

The peculiar thing about the renewals is that, you get an email from "The -" lol, saying that there are books due to be returned. But that's a good 2 days before day they're due. So if I renew when I get the email, seeing as it's fresh in my head, and I keep renewing it after 5 days, I'll actually have the books out for less than 6 weeks. Not a big deal, but the point stands.

Unshelved

So if I renew when I get the email, seeing as it's fresh in my head, and I keep renewing it after 5 days, I'll actually have the books out for less than 6 weeks. Not a big deal, but the point stands.

This is a good point and sometimes catches people out. For example, if the due date for your books is a Saturday, but you renew the loan online the preceding Thursday, then the new due date is the following Thursday, not Saturday.

If you want to keep your books for the full eight weeks, then renew the loans on the due date, not before. Remember, your book goes overdue at 10pm on the date that it's due back, so be sure to renew the loan before that time.

Captain Flaps

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

The peculiar thing about the renewals is that, you get an email from "The -" lol, saying that there are books due to be returned. But that's a good 2 days before day they're due. So if I renew when I get the email, seeing as it's fresh in my head, and I keep renewing it after 5 days, I'll actually have the books out for less than 6 weeks. Not a big deal, but the point stands.

I hate people who hog books for weeks. "Oh boo hoo, I can't renew it a million times". I don't necessarily know that I'm going to need a certain book at a certain time, I might need to pop in during lunch and do a bit of work. Apparently that the book isn't sitting on somebody's desk in their flat not being read for weeks is too much to ask.

Use the book, and if you're not using it, bring it back so somebody else can. If you want the luxury of glancing through it at your leisure you should stop being such a scab and buy it.

lucernarian

I was only pointing out that the situation exists, not that I was doing it myself?! Your post is very unreasonable. College hasn't started since the changeover in systems, yet you feel aggrieved for the masses of people queueing up for a book out on loan??

ApeXaviour

Lads, keep it civil, let's not turn this into a flame war

Captain Flaps

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

I was only pointing out that the situation exists, not that I was doing it myself?! Your post is very unreasonable. College hasn't started since the changeover in systems, yet you feel aggrieved for the masses of people queueing up for a book out on loan??

Yeah, that wasn't aimed at anyone in particular, just a gripe I have with the library in general. I don't buy this long term loan thing, it's incredibly inefficient. I actually ended up buying a few books last year because I had at least a month to wait for the soonest return.

Jonathan

Captain Flaps wrote: »

Yeah, that wasn't aimed at anyone in particular, just a gripe I have with the library in general. I don't buy this long term loan thing, it's incredibly inefficient. I actually ended up buying a few books last year because I had at least a month to wait for the soonest return.

Exactly is the issue?

Did you place hold on those books? If you did you would get the next available one.