Open all Night: 24 Hours of Information

Previous EDGE
Subscribe
Home (This Issue)

Open all Night: 24 Hours of Information
by Johlene A. Hess

Carrier Library's experiment with round-the-clock hours during Sunday through Thursday of Fall Semester 2004 exam week was a success, with moderate to heavy use during the trial period. Carrier Library initiated 24-hour access during last semester's finals.

Tom Culligan, current SGA President, made 24-hour library access during finals week a plank in his successful campaign for SGA President. He approached Provost Doug Brown and Ralph Alberico, Dean of Libraries with a request for all-night library access during exams.

During the experiment, Carrier Library's Public Services staff conducted head counts throughout the nights to determine the level of usage. Analysis of attendance statistics shows that the program was a success. Attendance counts indicated that peak usage hours were from 11 to 3 a.m. , when between 125 and 500 students were in the Library. Even the wee hours from 4 to 5 a.m. had a strong showing with between 80 to 100 people in the building.

According to Culligan, students need a quiet place outside of their dorms or apartments to study for exams. Responses from students indicated they enjoyed having more space to spread out to study, and access to the library's resources was an added benefit.

"It was really gratifying to see the positive student response to the extended library hours and I appreciate the SGA's work in advocating for and publicizing the extended hours," said Sandy Maxfield, Director of Public Services. "The library plans to offer the 24-hour schedule again during the Spring 2005 exam week. "

Library staff became familiar with many of the students taking advantage of the increased hours. History major Matthew Tremonte, shown below, moved in for the evening after a long week at the library.