Efforts to extend library hours falter

Pitt’s nocturnal studiers shouldn’t expect an all-night library any time soon.

The Hillman…Pitt’s nocturnal studiers shouldn’t expect an all-night library any time soon.

The Hillman Library won’t become a 24-hour study haven in the near future, despite multiple student efforts to change the current hours. Student Government Board members planted the seed for 24-hour library hours in 2010 under previous Academic Affairs Chair Alex Zimmerman. Zimmerman headed the efforts before passing the unfinished campaign down to the next chair, Pooja Patel, who lead a month-long trial period of 24-hour library operation last fall.

During the trial period, a security guard recorded the number of students utilizing the library at all hours, but the slight increase in student activity each night last October was not enough to make an impact.

Rush Miller, University Library System director, explained in an email that the Library System cannot permanently change Hillman’s hours to full-time instead of its current schedule — 7:50 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays and 7:50 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends — because it doesn’t have enough staff to work those times.

“For our finals extended hours, we have to shift staff and hire more students,” Miller said. “We can accommodate this for two weeks, but cannot permanently run the library 24/7 with existing staffing.”

He said that with the library open 24 hours, the library would need to hire a three-staff-spread made up of lending and building supervisors, plus another security guard. Miller added that the library has looked into extending hours for years, but he said with the economic recession, there is no financial support.

“We’re looking at probably $150,000 a year to keep the library open 24/7,” Miller said.

Senior Kevin Ott works the front desk on the first floor of Hillman and usually works until 1:30 a.m. He said that the number of students who stay late at Hillman varies. According to Ott, during some months the library resembles a ghost town, while at others it flourishes with students.

“Midterms — first week of October and second week of November — there are lots of kids on the first floor and ground floor,” Ott said.

Today, new proponents of the hour-extension campaign refuse to let the initiative falter, despite the opposition from Hillman Library administration and the inconsistency of students’ late-night library use.

Current SGB Academic Affairs Chair C.J. Stavrakos, who inherited the project this year, teamed up with Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey to come up with a solution that will accommodate everyone. SGB conducted a survey online last semester, and at least 85 percent of students who participated said they do their homework between midnight and 4 a.m.

“This isn’t really about hours, but it’s providing students with space conducive to studying,” Stavrakos said.

Humphrey and Stavrakos are still pushing for extended hours at Hillman, and are also discussing using the William Pitt Union as an alternative study space. Stavrakos said Humphrey asked him to look around for areas the University could add comfortable furniture.

“Humphrey has the power to extend hours here,” Stavrakos said, referring to the William Pitt Union. “If students were aware that’s an option, they’d utilize [it].”

All questions regarding extended study time at Hillman sent to Humphrey were redirected to Miller.

Alex Morgan, a senior pharmacy student, said that she would utilize the Union as a study space, especially on the weekends, when the library closes early. She said that it’s hard to study in her apartment with her roommates there, and she’s more likely to use Facebook in a non-academic environment.

“Sometimes, I have to work until 8 p.m. [on the weekend],” Morgan said. “It’s annoying to have to leave [Hillman] at 10.”

Miller said he has tried extending hours on the weekend, but he can’t satisfy everyone.

“I believe there are places on campus that are [already] open 24/7 for studying,” Miller said.