Extended West Library hours will begin on Wednesday, May 6 and will end on Monday, May 11. [File photo]

Starting Dead Day, May 6, West Library will extend its hours to midnight to meet increased academic need during finals exams. 

Extended West Library hours are as follows:

• Wednesday, May 6: 7:30 a.m. – midnight
• Thursday, May 7: 7:30 a.m. – midnight
• Friday, May 8: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday, May 9: 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday, May 10: 1 p.m. – midnight
• Monday, May 11: 7:30 a.m. – midnight 

The library will return to normal hours for the last day of final exams, Tuesday, May 12.

To help facilitate this, there will be staffing of the reference desk during the hours of 4 p.m. until midnight, meaning that librarians will be able to assist students in research and homework help during prime study hours. Assistance is also available via email and online 24/7 chat on the West Library website. 

“Don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions. Come talk to us. We’re here,” Library Director Elizabeth Howard said. “If you don’t reach us by midnight, we’re monitoring our emails and our chat service 24/7.” 

Though this change might be new to some students, Howard says extended final hours were never new at the school; they simply went back to their usual level of access. 

“Even before we extended all library hours to midnight, we always had special access at finals time,” she said. “And we just want to continue doing that and make sure our students have access not only to the study space but also the ability to get their questions answered.” 

Evening Circulation Assistant Jasmine Davis looks forward to working with her colleagues in helping the students who need extra assistance. 

“I think it will affect me positively because I will be able to assist any students or staff members who come to me,” said Davis. “The extra hours will enable the students to concentrate on their last-minute assignments.” 

According to Davis, additional library access can also motivate students to utilize the library more often. 

“It is always nice to spend some extra time at the library,” she noted. “Extended hours will also allow students to come in and check out more books.” 

Student patrons are already enjoying the new library schedule. First-year psychology major Rita Shuman, a women’s basketball player, believes that additional library hours are timely. 

“Juggling academics with my sports activities is always tough, but having extra library hours makes things easier for me,” Shuman said.