Your library card has expired. What?
You enter 14-digit library card number again.
Your library card has expired. Huh?
If this looks familiar, you’re not alone.
Since the beginning of this semester, a bug in FAU’s computer system (possibly linked to the OASIS site) has been baffling students who try to access course reserves and other information on the library website.
In order to conveniently and easily access course reserves from any computer, whether it be on FAU’s campus or at home, students simply enter their library card numbers. An error message pops up that says the library card is expired even though the student is currently enrolled at FAU. The glitch in the computer system makes it impossible to use the website as intended.
For now, all the library can do is manually update cards in person or via the phone.
“We’re doing whatever we can to try to help until the problem is fixed,” said Selma Dinowitz, who works in the library’s circulation desk.
However, the updates only validate the card for one day and it is not known when the problem will be fixed. What initially may seem like a small problem makes it hard for students to obtain necessary materials for classes.
“I’m annoyed that I have to go to the library every week to update my card,” says biology student Jasleen Sohal.
Junior Nicole Sherman agrees, saying that “it defeats the purpose of having internet access at home, as well as e-reserves, if I have to go to the library to obtain them.”
Interestingly enough, students have found the problem to be kept fairly quiet around campus. “I didn’t know what was going on when I saw this message appear on my screen,” explains Sohal. “I knew my card was valid and I was enrolled. It was confusing.”
Sherman feels the campus should have been informed regarding the issue.
“They [FAU] should email everyone telling them what’s going on,” she says.
“An email sent to the mass mailing list would have let me know that it was a university-wide problem, not something to do with my card.”
If you need to validate your card or run into problems, call the library at 561/297-6911 or visit the circulation desk.
