2008 Woodie Awards
Mullins Library offering later hours after student response
Tina Korbe
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: News
When students expressed the need for a place to study late at night, UA library officials responded with the decision to extend library operating hours - a decision that will reduce study distractions and stress for students, library officials and students said.
Extended library hours were a frequently-mentioned topic in the spring 2008 ASG presidential election and then, in surveys conducted during the spring and summer to gather opinions about library use, "students overwhelmingly requested longer hours," according to Jong Shin, ASG vice president, and Molly Boyd, public relations coordinator for UA libraries.
"During the campaign, we talked a lot about extending library hours just because it was something I was really, really passionate about because I use the library a lot," Shin said. "I just thought extended hours would be something that would benefit every single student who utilizes the library, and a lot of students do, especially during finals."
Survey responses confirmed students share Shin's opinion.
"In the surveys, students weren't particularly interested in any bells and whistles, all-night cafes, things like that," Boyd said. "They just wanted a way to be able to continue their studying, away from roommates and other distractions, until they were completely finished."
Shin met with Carolyn Allen, the dean of UA libraries, to discuss whether it would be possible to extend the library hours.
Ultimately, library officials determined extended hours would be helpful for students, so, effective this semester, Mullins Library will be open to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and final exam hours will include 24-hour service Dec. 7-11 and Dec. 16-17, according to a university press release.
These hours are being tested for a trial period, said Alberta Bailey, director for public services.
"The biggest obstacle was funding," Shin said. "We pay so many student fees, but we don't pay anything for the library. When I found that out, I just sat there in shock. I just kept thinking, 'I'm here asking for this huge favor and students don't even pay for the library.'"
Extended library hours were a frequently-mentioned topic in the spring 2008 ASG presidential election and then, in surveys conducted during the spring and summer to gather opinions about library use, "students overwhelmingly requested longer hours," according to Jong Shin, ASG vice president, and Molly Boyd, public relations coordinator for UA libraries.
"During the campaign, we talked a lot about extending library hours just because it was something I was really, really passionate about because I use the library a lot," Shin said. "I just thought extended hours would be something that would benefit every single student who utilizes the library, and a lot of students do, especially during finals."
Survey responses confirmed students share Shin's opinion.
"In the surveys, students weren't particularly interested in any bells and whistles, all-night cafes, things like that," Boyd said. "They just wanted a way to be able to continue their studying, away from roommates and other distractions, until they were completely finished."
Shin met with Carolyn Allen, the dean of UA libraries, to discuss whether it would be possible to extend the library hours.
Ultimately, library officials determined extended hours would be helpful for students, so, effective this semester, Mullins Library will be open to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and final exam hours will include 24-hour service Dec. 7-11 and Dec. 16-17, according to a university press release.
These hours are being tested for a trial period, said Alberta Bailey, director for public services.
"The biggest obstacle was funding," Shin said. "We pay so many student fees, but we don't pay anything for the library. When I found that out, I just sat there in shock. I just kept thinking, 'I'm here asking for this huge favor and students don't even pay for the library.'"
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