Library keeps the OPEN sign lit

OU sophomore Cameron Nelson studies for his exams during finals week on the fourth floor of Kresge Library. PHOTO/MARA KOVAC

BY MARA KOVAC
OU News Bureau

Kresge Library’s transition into a 24-hour facility is a hit with Oakland University students.

“The change has significantly benefited the students,” said Naim Sahyoum, circulation weekend supervisor. “There were many complaints in the past about the library not being open 24 hours, so we have responded to those complaints.”

“It is a huge help for procrastinators, like me, to cram when necessary,” agreed sophomore Cameron Nelson. “Before, I would have to pack up all my stuff at 11:50 and leave and go find somewhere else to do my homework.”

Before the change, Kresge Library’s hours were 7:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Now, the hours are 24 hours Monday through Friday, then until 2 a.m. on weekends.

“I use the library all the time,” junior Matt Domagalski said. “It is like my second home. On the weeks I have a test, I am there more than my house.”

“When I need to do homework all night, I have a place to go and stay up all night if I need to,” he added.

The Kresge staff has seen a rise in the number of students using the library.

“Since the switch on Aug. 8^th, we have seen an increasing amount of students use the library during the new times,” Sahyoum said.

Matthew Domagalski

After midnight, only Oakland University students are allowed to enter the building. They must swipe their Oakland ID to enter.

“The most difficult thing we are working on is nonstudents staying after midnight and we have no way of regulating that,” Sahyoum said.

Kresge’s expanded hours has increased employment.

“Not only has it benefited the students, but we also received two faculty job openings and five student job openings,” Sahyoum said.

The yearlong experiment ends after the winter 2012 semester. The funding for the new hours was courtesy of OU Student Council, the medical school and university office donations.

“This was a pilot study to see if it was worth the money,” Sahyoum said.  “With all of the student compliments on the new hours, I would imagine it would continue.”

After the year is over, the student council, the medical school and the university office will decide if they want to keep funding the new hours and the extra $100,000 staff cost.

“They can’t get rid of the library being open 24 hours,” Domagalski said. “Students would not be happy.”

“It would be really upsetting if they changed it back next year,” Nelson added.  “They will get even more complaints because the students now know how convenient it is.”Tweet

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Posted by admin on Dec 22 2011. Filed under Featured article, Oakland U.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry