TO THE EDITOR:

I write to thank THE HOYA and our students for their interest in the Lauinger Library (”Library Renewal Overdue, Some Say,” THE HOYA, Jan. 15, 2008, A1). We fully understand the frustrations that our users can experience, especially when space and seating are limited in contrast to the extraordinary use of our building. However, please permit me to clarify some points and correct a few misconceptions found in the article:

1. The new University Information Services Lauinger Library network improvement project that began in mid-December is extensive: There have been construction workers and network engineers working in every corner of the building. When the project is completed in early February, all network equipment and some of the existing wiring will have been replaced. The result will include a state-of-the-art wireless capability. We are grateful to UIS for their efforts to improve network and wireless access in Lauinger.

2. All of the outlets on the fourth floor carrels are now working; a circuit breaker had been switched off, possibly during a phase of our network upgrade project.

3. Our printers receive very heavy use, particularly at the beginning of each semester when students print very large course readings that require high resolution. At such peak times, printing can slow down, and I believe it was these situations to which our reference librarian referred. This year we will be installing new printers that should help during peak usage. In addition to the improved printers, we’ll be adding a new feature that allows users to print directly from their own laptops.

4. By now, users of Facebook will have seen our librarian’s posting that we do indeed receive both Roll Call http://www.rollcall.com/ and CQ Weekly http://library.cqpress.com/cqweekly/ in digital form, and have for some time. Please ask at the Reference Desk or online at http://www.library.georgetown.edu/resource/ref.htm if you are unable to locate a resource.

5. Georgetown’s library is a development partner with a prominent library systems vendor, and we are preparing to release a new GEORGE catalog interface called Encore on Jan. 22, 2008. Some of the displays, though not the functionality, of GEORGE were altered during this development phase. Please watch for the debut of Encore next week.
Finally, we always seek to improve our services and welcome your feedback. Please stop by or send your comments to: http://www.library.georgetown.edu/webmaster/web.htm.

Artemis G. Kirk
University Librarian
Jan. 17, 2008