ChapterZero

Caltech’s library system is disappointing. The technical books are split between two libraries in two separate buildings– one is for ‘engineering’, and the other is more theoretical– but there doesn’t seem to be a consistent criterion used in determining what books go where. For instance, the vast majority of the computer books are in the engineering library (SFL), but there is maybe half a shelf of (dated, almost useless) computer books in the Millikan library.

The math selection is small in comparison to the University of Houston’s or Texas A&M at College Station’s, but it is comprehensive enough that I can’t complain I can’t find some book on a subject I’m interested in. The situation is more dire with the computer books — there are some huge gaps in books on specific programming languages and tools, e.g. there are virtually no books on web application development. I believe we just started the popular fiction collection, so it’s small enough that at a leisurely pace I read all the available good science fiction within months of arriving here. Requesting books to be put on hold is not as convenient as it could be: instead of using a website, you have to call in or go to a librarian’s desk.

All these failing pale in comparison to the lack of a sane interlibrary loan system. I didn’t realize how sweet I had it as an undergraduate: if I came across a book not in our library, I could go the library’s website and submit an ILL request with no questions asked, and get the book in a week or so. All of this was no charge– I never questioned this; it seems like a reasonable service for a university or college to provide, considering their role in the dissemination of knowledge, and the amount of money you pay in tuition. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Caltech doesn’t provide ILL for free! Instead, it charges $6.50 per book. I’m (theoretically at least, since as a grad student, the institute comps my tuition) paying a heck of a lot more money here than I was as an undergrad, and they expect me to pay $6.50 per book?

A quick check verified that UCLA and USC provide ILL free to their students, and UC Irvine has a more complicated but still essentially free ILL policy. My question: what’s the reasoning behind CalTech’s ILL policy? And am I the only person who cares?

Not all things are bad about the library system here, though. The libraries are accessible until 1am; unless books are requested by other patrons, the borrowing period is the entire term; and as a consequence of that last fact, I haven’t had to pay a late fee, ever. Maybe the lack of late fees is the problem– revenue from those could help offset the logistical costs of ILL.