VCU James BranchCabell library suspended its Lite All Nite 24/5 open door policy during exams for the fall semester to meet budget requirements.
According the Cabell library Web site, documented minutes from a Sept. 18 meeting of the Library Advisory Committee state university librarian John Ulmschnieder reported the 24/5 program consisted of more than just leaving the lights on and the door open but having staff available and meeting the budget.
The library is investigating an alternative way to provide the program, a solution that will not require library staff, according to Ulmschnieder.
“Even when we did (the 24/5 program), it was a fragile system,” said Patricia Flanagan, associate university librarian for public services. “We were stretching our staff.”
Erika Del Cid, a political science major and library employee understands the high cost of having the library open 24 hours with library staff and security. Del Cid said she will look for study alternatives from local businesses.
According to Commons Director Timothy Reed, students can spend study hours in the student commons, while on-campus students can opt to study in community rooms in residence halls.
There are plans to extend normal commons hours for two additional hours on Sunday, Dec. 6 through Thursday, Dec. 10 and again Sunday, Dec. 13 and Monday Dec. 14, Reed stated in an e-mail.
“We also set up meeting rooms and the James River Terrace as expanded study areas,” Reed stated. “Final details will be marketed later in November.”
Flanagan said even with the library program cut to meet budget requirements, the library has been able to keep its regular hours, instructional programs and collections available to students.
According to Student Government Association President Gabriel Walker, the SGA is meeting with library administration to further understand the library’s financial situation.
The 24/5 program was introduced by the SGA in 2005 to provide students with 24-hour service to the library and staff during exams. During the program’s first semester, more than 4,500 students took part.
Walkers said the library administration understands how essential the extra hours are during exam time.