For some students, a trip to the library can be like visiting a foreign country.
But with proper guidance from The University of Memphis staff and introductory English course visits, the Ned R. McWherter Library should be easy to navigate.
Now the library is offering students an opportunity to voice their opinions concerning what is good or bad about the institution.
The circulation department currently has a survey students can fill out until April 15. Students or any other users of the library can rate nine aspects of service within the circulation department as well as offer additional comments.
"We just want to know how well or how bad we're doing," said Stacey Smith, department head for the circulation department. "These are very important to us and they are definitely not for show because we will consider all responses from students."
So far, the two most common responses from the more than 100 students who have filled out surveys are a desire for longer hours and a way to pay fees in the library instead of Wilder Tower.
One student, who has a closer view of the library than most, offered his opinion.
"I think their service is very good," said Michael Harris, a junior finance and marketing management major. He spent his first semester at The U of M working in the periodicals section in the McWherter Library. Shayla Lawrence, a junior foreign language major, echoed Smith's comment on the fine process.
"The people there are nice, but I remember having to pay a $15 fine on a book I thought I returned on time," she said. Lawrence said she was not aware of the survey but was interested in it because of some of her experiences.
First-year English courses at The U of M can include teachers taking students to the library for lessons on how to do research and show students the features of the library.
"I think we have a good holding but there can always be more holdings," said English instructor Jim McClain. He said he routinely tries to take his classes to the McWherter Library to show them how to research better, but knows students are taxed enough for time.
"The library is really a great tool and a good service," McClain said.
Kara Wilber, a junior education major, frequently uses libraries but said she prefers the Memphis Public Library on Central.
"I have to go there for children's books and they have more of them than The U of M library," she said. "But (on campus) we have lots of research books about teaching and teaching methods books."
The circulation survey is open through April 15 and Smith said it is available online and in the Ned McWherter Library.
