Horry-Georgetown Technical College Library
Archive of Comments and Responses
HGTC Library appreciates your comments and suggestions regarding the Library. Please send your comments, concerns, or suggestions using the online Comment Form.

Here are previous comments and responses organized by date with the latest items appearing first. All names, addresses and other identifying information have been removed.

Date: March 2006

Comment: I feel that the library at Conway is an excellent resource that starves its students. The library keeps awful operating hours. The people that generally attend technical college have to accommodate school to their jobs and family. Not having access to the resources or to provide a quiet place to study cheats the student that wants to achieve. Please lengthen the library hours and open the library on Sunday. Thanks

Response: We do understand you need to have the library available on weekends. During the fall semester, the library added Saturday hours (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). We continue to examine the need for extending hours each semester.

Date: March 2006

Comment: Put a Clock in the Reading Room (Conway).

Response: Thank you for this great suggestion. A clock will be installed in the Reading Room as soon as possible.

Date: February 2006

Comment: The computers are slow

Response: We are constantly working to keep up with the technology our patrons need and equipment quickly becomes outdated. We have a variety of computer ages in the library. A group of new computers should be arriving very soon and we will be replacing some of the older, slower models. Currently, those at the circular carrels are the newest and fastest.

Another factor affecting network speed is what our users are doing while online. Downloading programs and music can take up a large portion of the limited bandwidth, slowing down the network for everyone. Neither of these activities is permitted in the library according to the HGTC Library Computer Policy. This policy is displayed throughout the library.

Date:  February 2006

Comment: Fix Copier-The copier is always broke. Please provide a working copier. (Conway)

Response: We apologize that the copiers were down-there was a period when both machines were in need of service and a part had to be ordered.  These machines are very heavily used and the wear and tear on them results in their breakdown. We do have a service contract on these machines and if the problem is more complicated than a paper jam, the Library staff will immediately call our service provider. We will also look into more regular maintenance calls which should reduce down time.

Date: August 2005

Comment: Why can't we eat and drink in the library?

Response: We are very proud of our beautiful library facilities at all of our campuses and feel that you should be too. Stains are appearing on our carpet and chairs and though most people don't mean to spill, it happens too often. There are many other places on campus that students can eat and drink but we have decided that the library will not be one of them. Please respect our policy and do not eat or drink in the library.

Date: August 2005

Comment: Why are we asked to leave the library to use our cell phones when library staff are using theirs?

Response: We attempt to make the library a place which is conducive to quiet study. Cell phone rings and conversations are disruptive to others using the library (yes, we do get complaints!). We have lobbies at both entrances to the library where you may use your cell phone, should you need to make or answer a call. Library staff have been instructed not to use their personal cell phones in the library. However, staff do have portable phones to answer the library's main number and these will ring at times. We have adjusted the ringer volume on these phones to reduce their disruption to library patrons.

Date: July 2005

Comment: I don't understand why we have to pay for printing in the library. Students pay a technology fee and I think this should cover printing.

Response: Realistically, your technology fee is not enough to cover unlimited printing for all students and still provide you with the most up-to-date equipment as well. The HGTC Libraries have a very high amount of traffic and experience a large volume of printing. Unfortunately, in the past when printing was free, there was much waste and printing of items that were not needed and a large burden was placed on our equipment. (We still experience this problem so please only print what you need.) We continue to look for a solution to this situation and are currently working with all the SC technical colleges on a group contract for a print management system that looks promising. Until then, we will continue to charge for printing to assure the best use of your technology fee.

Date: July 2005

Comment: Need better copier.

Response: We have found that we do not have a large enough demand to justify high quality or color copy machines in the library. However, we have signed a new service contract on the copiers that we have and we expect the maintenance to be done on a more regular basis. This should help the machines to produce consistent, good quality copies.

Date: July 2005

Comment: We have such a nice facility and it's a shame we have to go to Coastal on the weekends. As a nursing student, I have class/clinicals 5 days/wk. and need to [use library materials] on the weekends.

Response: Great news! Beginning September 10, Conway Campus Library will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays during the fall semester. We are excited to provide Saturday hours to all those who have been asking for them. Please check the library website at www.hgtc.edu for any exceptions. We will monitor usage and may adjust hours so watch for signage. We welcome your input and hope to see you on Saturdays.

Date: March 2005

Comment: Stay open later!

Response: Sorry, we won't be open later, 8:45 p.m. will be our closing time, but we are happy to announce that the Conway Campus Library will be open on Friday mornings this summer. In previous years, the Library has been closed along with the rest of the college on Fridays. However, this summer, in an attempt to increase our hours and make our collections, especially our Reference and Reserve collections that can only be used in the Library, available to students, we will be open on Friday mornings from 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Date: March 2005

Comment: Additional suggestions for improvement: Wireless Access Points

Response: The Library staff also feels that our students would benefit from having wireless access points in the Library. That is why we are currently working with the Information Systems Department to bring wireless capability to the Library. Be assured we will let everyone know as soon as it is available.

Date: February 2005

Comment: Books, Research Databases and Other Services: all up to date and feel I'm at home reading here. Staff: Very Pleasant

Response: Thank you for the positive comments. The Library staff works hard to keep our collection up to date. We are excited about the many new databases that we now have access to through our participation in the statewide consortium, PASCAL and their Collegiate DISCUS project. Our databases are available online 24 hours a day from any computer with internet access to our library patrons. Visit http://www.hgtc.edu/library/chooselogin.htm to get started using them.

Date: January 2005

Comment: More supplies needed, staplers, hole punchers, index cards

Response: The Library staff will make a conscientious effort to keep these supplies available to our patrons.

Date: December 2004

Comment: More Reference Materials

Response: We continually update and add to our Reference Collection to keep it current and supportive of the college curriculum. We welcome any suggestions for purchases in any area of our collection. Please access our online Library Materials Acquisitions Request Form to submit requests. Also, if you have difficulty finding information while at the Library, please see one of our staff members who will be glad to assist you. We also have many reference sources in our databases as well as in our e-book collection that they will gladly assist you in locating.

Date: November 2004

Comment: Too noisy-library staff and maintenance cleaning during peak hours.

Response: Library staff have been addressed concerning loud talking. However, business is conducted around the circulation desk and we would suggest tables and carrels away from this area for those requiring quiet study. We are also coordinating with maintenance staff to identify the times that would be most suitable to vacuum.

Date: June 2004

Comment: The Library should be open later on weeknights for students with night classes.

Response: Thank you for your comment. We are happy to inform you that beginning in July 2004, all three campus libraries will now be open until 8:45 p.m. on Monday through Thursday evenings.

Date: May 2004

Comment: The Library needs to be open weekends.

Response: The Library staff understands that our students need access to the Library on the weekends. We continue to work with the college administration on solutions to staffing and security issues that prevent the Library from being open on weekends. Your concern is one we have as well. However, we hope you are aware of the many library services that are available online, 24 hours a day. Please visit our Off-Campus Services page at http://www.hgtc.edu/library/offcampus.htm to access our services that are available from any computer that can access the Internet.