Over the past few weeks I have noticed that the library (second floor in particular) has been very dirty. I was in the children’s section on Friday afternoon and it was filthy. Spoiled food under chairs, goopy residue on tables, oily/wet/dirty upholstery on chairs, and very smelly. There were also several people sleeping up there, adding to the smell. I thought that maybe the dirtiness was from a busy week and that the issue would be resolved over the weekend. Today I came in to study and found a seat by the window after passing by several seats that were too dirty to sit on because they were covered in hair or dirt (actual dirt, like a plant would grow in). When I sat down I noticed a rotting apple core (actually rotting, it had definitely been there for several days) in the windowsill and debris all around. It just seems “trashy.” It smells and I feel like I have to wipe off the tables before I can set my computer down because it is so dirty and I don’t even have high standards of cleanliness! I try and pick up trash when I see it and I know that the janitorial staff has been cut with the furloughs but the library is becoming a very gross place. Thanks for listening to my concern. I love the library, just not the grime

We are sorry that the Library has not been as clean as any of us would prefer recently. The Library has been in ongoing discussion with the custodial supervisor in Plant Operations over the need for more janitorial help in the Library and will share your concerns with him. Two contributing factors are working against us at this point: 1) the State-mandated staff furlough days which you have already mentioned, and 2) the change in the work schedules of the campus custodial team from a daytime shift to a nighttime shift. Please continue to report issues that you might have in this regard, which will help us make our case for more daytime assistance in maintaining a clean and healthy Library environment.

Wayne Perryman
Library Dean

I would like to have new chairs since the chair in the library are breaking down and make my back hurt. It would be nice if there are some changes. Thank you, ~Mari

Thank you for your comment. There are many different styles of chairs in the Library, some of which have been in use for years. If you have a particular type of chair which has been giving you grief, we would appreciate that additional information so that we can investigate further. Likewise, if you are aware of any broken chairs, please bring those to our attention as well, so that we can remove them from the public area for repair or disposal as soon as possible.

In a related note, the Library is currently purchasing 48 new chairs for the Learning Commons student access computers and for the group study rooms on the first floor of the Library. That purchase will enable us to replace some of our less comfortable furniture elsewhere in the Library.

Thanks again for your feedback. We hope that your back feels better real soon!
Wayne Perryman