Library Extends Hours during Pre-Exam and Exam Weeks

The Cheng Library plans to remain open continuously during pre-exam and exam weeks of the fall semester.

Imagine wanting to come to the library at any time of the day or night.  Imagine wanting to stay in the library well past midnight.  Now imagine being able to do just that.  For some university students, 24/7 access to the campus library is an aspiration, and this wish was fulfilled at the Cheng Library during the final two weeks of the fall semester.

To accommodate students who prefer to study late and sometimes all night, the Cheng Library staff embarked on a new venture of remaining open 24 hours for the final two weeks of the fall semester.  Previously the Library had extended its hours until 2:00 a.m. during these two weeks. 

This fall, in response to students’ requests and to support their academic success, the staff decided to experiment with the Library’s schedule for these two critical weeks of the semester.  The extended hours allowed students who arrived after midnight to remain in the library well after the previous closing time of 2:00 a.m.  This schedule of extended hours also enabled students to arrive at the library to study and then go directly to their 8:00 a.m. exam if they desired.

Maurice Vacca, Cheng Library Evening Supervisor, who worked until 2:00 a.m. during this period, reported that students were observed streaming into the Cheng Library at 1:00 a.m. 

The headcount for the two hours between midnight and 2:00 a.m. was 131, which was nearly double that of the previous fall semester for these two hours.  The average number of students in the Library for each hour between midnight and 7:00 a.m. was 55.  

Staff were present to circulate books and reserve materials, and to assist with printing questions.  Snacks and coffee were available in the Friends’ Room every evening courtesy of the Office of the Provost, Commuter Services, Campus Activities  and the local chapter of the faculty labor union, the American Federation of Teachers.  Students were permitted to park their cars overnight in lots 4 and 5.

Clearly, the extended hours were a major success for the students who utilized the Library during this period.  Most of these students used the library as a quiet and friendly study space.  With its many different areas, students have a variety of study spaces to choose from: e.g., quiet areas, soft seating, carrels, tables, computer labs, and group study rooms.

The 24/7 schedule will also be in effect for the final two weeks of the spring semester during pre-exam and exam weeks beginning May 1, 2016. 

If you need a quiet place to study during these two weeks, whatever the hour . . .  the Library will be open!

February 29, 2016