When the consequences of a week’s worth of procrastination hit all at once, students can count on the library being open again for extended hours.
The late hours allow visitors to stay in the library until midnight Sunday through Thursday, until 8 p.m. Friday, and 4 p.m. Saturday all semester.
For students inclined to do their work early in the morning, even minutes before class starts, the library opens at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday during regular class weeks.
The decision was made to extend the hours last fall, after the library received many requests from students for more access to the computer lab.
More than 60 computers in the library are available with internet access, Microsoft Office Suite, and various specialized software requested by professors. Also on hand during all hours are 2 flatbed scanners and printers.
“They’re in high demand after hours…our traffic’s increased considerably,” Craig Wheeler, head of reference services, said.
During extended hours students will still be able to seek help from a professional academic librarian, a position which requires a master’s degree in library and informational sciences. The student workers are also trained to help at the collegiate level.
All of the books, computers, and study carols are available during the late hours; however, the special collection of historical documents and primary
sources still requires an appointment that must be made during
regular hours.
Students requesting books from other libraries through inter-library loan should do so before 5 p.m. as well.
The extended hours affect the library’s budget because the staff must be paid and utilities kept running, but Wheeler said that the extra cost is absolutely worth it.
“I see students completing their assignments. We’re here to help students be successful,”
Wheeler said.
Study rooms with Internet connection and dry erase boards can be utilized as space for groups to meet to exchange notes and ideas on projects. Some students get together with others in their class for cram sessions before tests.
“I like using the extended hours to study at night, because you’re less likely to become distracted by T.V. at the library,” Logan Kelly, senior, said.For other students, old habits die hard.
“With the library’s extended hours, it gives me more time to procrastinate,” Robert Reed,
junior, said.
From the library’s home page, any student or faculty member can log in to the database using his or her campus wide I.D. and access the library’s electronic resources right from the desktop.
Gee Library is providing more and more electronic resources such as newspapers, books, and journals.
“We have a really dedicated staff. They’re real experts,”
Wheeler said.