Herman B Wells Library — Attraction in Bloomington

Called back as suggested--embarrassed for this library but not surprised at result--I do hope someone can actually do something , for the sake of future students---Dean Dallis-Comentale,

I hope you agree that to fulfill their purpose they a university needs to pair their commitment to research and the acquisition to knowledge with a willingness to serve the community. Over my seven years as an MA/PhD student and doctoral candidate, I have unfortunately had more negative than positive experiences with Wells Library and remained fairly successful at keeping away and using digital resources and other avenues to complete my research. While most of the people I encountered at Wells love their research, clearly, they resent having to talk to people, whether it be on the phone. Today, I called at 6:50 pm. The man I spoke to told me my concern was "not his problem" (believe it or not I am not paraphrasing). When I asked for his name, for my record, he flatly refused, told me to relax and then hung up the phone. Below I have included the original issue. I can, to an extent, understand the original issue due to bureaucracies and the fact that the university clearly has an interest in making it a challenge for me to register to conclude my PhD. But to leave work early--I head academic advising at one of the schools at Montclair State University, and so robbing my students of 10 minutes actually means something to me--to then have that exchange is unacceptable. I had already called on Friday at 4:38 pm, when I was told that they couldn't look into my account because the library was already practically closed--their listed closing time was 5pm that day.

When I had to return home during the pandemic to complete my PhD from NJ as I attended to my family during the pandemic, the library suggested that I could mail my books back with funding support. This was not the case--I paid $400 out of my pocket. Okay, perhaps this was a misunderstanding. My UPS package with all 48 books arrived Thursday the 18th at 10 am and was signed in my Jim at Wells Library. The books weren't checked in until 3 library business days later--longer than it took me to get the books from NJ to Bloomington. When I inquired about this the person I spoke to on 8/22 said this was not true. I said I had the picture copy of the receipt he again told me to relax. This is when he told me this was not his problem, to "try again Monday," and hung up.

Truly embarrassing.

Best,

Bianca Perez-Cancino Doctoral Candidate, Indiana University, Bloomington Head of Academic Advising, School of Communication and Media, Montclair...

Superb staff. Wonderful collection. I'm just confused as to why they allow people to eat pizza in the stacks, and why they allow the group study rooms to become party rooms. The areas around the computers on the 1st floor on both east and west sides of the building can become very loud. In the 1990s, if you wanted to eat, drink or socialize, you left your stuff and came into the middle of the building. When you were ready to go back to work, you went back into the east or west tower....

It's a good resource provided to the students. The East wing contains extensive collection of valuble books. The staff is usually very helpful trying to locate the book if you have trouble finding it. The facilities are reasonably up to date.

The west tower is all digital/modern technology. They have wonderful rooms for collaborative projects. There are multiple computers to help with a great veriety of projects. The 4th floor contains poster and...