Next month during finals week, students will be able to study at the University Library around the clock.
Doors will be open 24 hours a day, a change led by President F. King Alexander in conjunction with Associated Students Inc.
The new hours have been confirmed by Alexander and Roman Kochan, dean of Library Services.
Taking a cue from other schools with 24-hour facilities, plans for the library serve to ensure that Cal State Long Beach students receive adequate educational resources despite tough economic circumstances.
The 24-hour library will operate as a trial for the university, which is considering permanently adopting the practice for finals weeks in future years. CSULB must find out if it “would be fiscally prudent and realistic to have the University Library open continually during these hours,” as stated in the original resolution.
Extended hours will mean more operating costs for the university, and the level of interest and use demonstrated during finals week will determine if it is worth the price. If enough people make use of the library’s new hours, the CSULB administration will consider keeping the change.
“Due to budget cuts and restraints, the very fact that this is happening is a very great deal,” said Sen. Trevon Williams of the College of Liberal Arts. “Students need to be aware of this.”
Williams said the idea arose from several meetings with Alexander, in which they discussed the growing demand from students for longer hours. At yesterday’s ASI meeting, Williams, along with fellow CLA Sen. Jameson Nyeholt, sponsored a resolution in support of the 24-hour library. The resolution was approved for both its first and second readings this week, and ASI is adamant about getting the word out to students.
“They are really, really excited about this,” said Senator-at-large Ana Jamie on feedback she has heard on campus. “They’re saying they’re going to bring pajamas; they’re going to have a sleepover. I think this is a good way to unite the students.”
The 24-hour extension does not currently apply to the library’s neighboring Beach Hut, which is still in negotiation with Alexander for longer service hours. There are also no plans at the moment to change the finals week hours for the Starbucks located within the library.