Uris Library has extended service hours

Starting today, Aug. 26, the first day of classes, the clock on McGraw Tower will read 2 a.m. when Uris Library next door closes on Sunday through Thursday evenings. To better serve the needs of the campus community, Uris will close two hours later on weeknights and open two hours earlier on weekends.

The hours in Uris Library during the fall and spring semesters are now Monday to Thursday: 8 a.m.-2 a.m.; Friday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday: 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Library hours are adjusted during breaks in the academic year and during the summer. Current hours for all library units can be found at the web site http://campusgw.library.cornell.edu/about/hrs.html.

The extended hours in Uris come in response to repeated requests from students in recent years for safe, late-night places to study and for more access to library facilities. Spearheaded by University Librarian Sarah Thomas and Provost Don Randel, planning for the new schedule brought together representatives from the Student Assembly, Office of the Dean of Students, Cornell Police, Cornell Information Technologies (CIT) and the librarians and staff who work in Uris.

"It's very satisfying to extend the hours in Uris Library because students have asked for this service for several years," Thomas said. "This attachment to our physical facilities assures me that those who say the library will become obsolete in the digital age are wrong. We're glad to be able to respond, with the help of the provost, to this request."

In a meeting with the Student Assembly's Committee on Information Technologies and through user surveys and focus groups conducted last spring, students were earnest in expressing their desire for full access to library services in a late night facility. Thus, all of Uris Library's resources will be available during the extended hours, including full access to reserve materials and the collections in the stacks; to the recordings, films and videotapes in the Media Center and to the computer labs on the gallery level. Circulation staff will be on duty at all times, and a specially trained database assistant will be available to assist patrons in using the library's electronic resources.

Funding for the increased operating expense associated with the extended hours will be provided by a special allocation from the Provost's Office. Most of the costs are for staff salaries, including additional student employee positions in Uris. "Late access to study space has been a steady preoccupation recently, and I am very pleased that, with some additional resources, the library staff has been able to provide it," Randel said.

Speaking about the planning process, Thomas said, "Everyone involved put the interests of the students as a priority and worked amicably and constructively to develop an integrated support system that enables expanded hours."

Cornell Police were included to ensure that the Blue Light Escort Service would accommodate an anticipated increase in late night travelers. CIT is a partner with the library in operating the computer labs in Uris, both of which will remain open on the new schedule.

For the past three academic years, Willard Straight Hall has provided 24-hour study areas. Said John Ford, dean of students, "Now that full service, late night study is available in Uris Library, we don't know whether there will still be a need for the late night space in the Straight." To help in the transition and to provide an opportunity to evaluate the need, Ford said, "The Straight will continue to be accessible 24 hours a day, Sunday through Thursday, through the end of the fall 1999 semester. If usage declines, the service may be discontinued."