From Dec. 12-16, Collins Memorial Library will be open 24 hours to provide students with a quiet place to study for finals.
At the request of students, the 24/7 service began in fall 2002 during finals. Then in fall 2008, there was a pilot project to extend the 24/7 service during midterms week and the last three days of classes before reading period and finals. However, in 2009, 24/7 service during midterms was dropped after reviewing the project data.
During the 24/7 service, students who work during extended hours do so on a volunteer basis, so they are not forced or required to work extremely late or early hours. This is good considering that those students are also preparing for final exams and projects.
Over the past three years, ASUPS has asked that the library consider extending the 24/7 service and altering the days it is enacted.
Although the library supports the service during finals week, Library Director Jane Carlin did not give any specifics about the library extending or altering the 24/7 service.
“The idea of the library being open all hours is great – but in reality, we know we get very little use of the facility during the extended hours portion (that is from 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.). We monitor library use during that time. Our data for the past three years confirms that use is low. I think it is a great service to have the building accessible to students for study, for access to the physical collections, and to the Learning Commons. I know that it is often a stressful time with many deadlines to meet and having a place to study and research is a huge service. But I do feel the building is underutilized during that time period,” Carlin said.
Interestingly, the library is open 24 hours not only during finals week but also during the last three days of classes. This poses the question as to why the 24/7 service is not available during reading period.
According to Carlin, last year students indicated that they would rather have the library open during the final days of classes because there are more deadlines to meet then compared to reading period. The 24/7 service schedule reflects that input this year.
“We have explored opening the library for 24 hours during at least part of reading period, but budgetary and staffing constraits have prevented it,” ASUPS President Dan Miller said.
“It is hard to find a time that meets everyone’s needs,” Carlin said.
Although it may be underutilized, the 24/7 service is a great resource for those who need it. The library also provides a selection of teas and instant hot drinks in the “Break Zone” for students in order to make those late nights a little more bearable.