Main Library to stay open round the clock

Dan Hoffman Arizona Daily Wildcat Electrical engineering junior Kwanduck Kim studies at the UA Main Library late Tuesday night. A pilot program beginning after spring break will allow students 24 hour access to the library's facilities.

University of Arizona Provost Paul Sypherd will fund the $15,500 program that will allow the library to keep its doors open overnight Sundays through Thursdays through the end of the semester.

The plan to keep the library open through the wee hours of the morning merged with an idea that Associated Students Sen. Mary Peterson spearheaded to keep a computer lab open throughout the night for student use.

"I circulated a petition to see how many students supported a computer lab being open 24 hours," she said. "I took it to the Information and Technical Council, and there the library and computer ideas got merged."

Some of the Main Library's ground-level computers will also receive updates so students will be able to use word processing and other Microsoft Office programs.

Along with paying for the three staff members who will troubleshoot in the library overnight, Sypherd also agreed to cover the cost of adding software to the computers.

The additional software will be accessible only between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. each day.

Janet Fore, team leader for undergraduate services at the Main Library, said that during the additional hours, students will be able to check out books through the automated "self check-out" machines near the circulation desk, but certain sections of the library will be closed, including the copy center, the reserved maps and media department, references and the periodicals section.

Fore also said the University of Arizona Police Department will be aware of the library's new hours and will work in conjunction with them for security purposes.

"We have traditionally been open 24 hours during finals, so we're approaching it as the same type of thing," Fore said.

Fore also said someone will staff the security desk overnight.

ASUA President Gilbert Davidson said he hopes the Escort Service will be involved in keeping the building crime-free, but doesn't expect any problems.

"I think usage will not be high between 2 and 5 in the morning," he said. "I don't envision any serious problems."

Business senior John Paul said he supports the new schedule and hopes it will benefit students with similar study habits.

"Sometimes you end up procrastinating a bit and you have to come in late and get stuff done," Paul said.

Laura Slater, a physical science freshman, said the additional computer availability will help students.

"I find it valuable, especially since other labs are closed," Slater said.

The new schedule will exist until the end of the semester, when the organizers will evaluate its success.

The Main Library will be open 24 hours between 11 a.m. Sundays and 9 p.m. Fridays. Saturdays the doors will open at 9 a.m., close at 9 p.m.