Dear RAE — I think it's just terrible that the library does not open before 1pm on Sunday. And I'm not the only one who feels that way.
Sincerely,
Not Alone
I know you're not alone. In fact, there are some who think the library should be open 24 hours a day, seven days aweek. I'm convinced, however that our present hours represent effective use of our staff and budget resources — and they also set aside at least some time for you Obies to relax and have some fun — like after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday nights. To respond to your specific question, the study areas open at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday and they provide ample space for those people who get up early at that time to study. As for library hours generally, the full building is open for various kinds of library use 96 hours per week and the study lounges are open 122 hours per week. I think that's pleny of time both for studying and for using the library for research.
—RAE 9/7/93
In response to repeated student requests, we have changed our policy for library hours. We've extended hours on Sunday mornings and we've also decided to keep the main part of the building open until 1:00 a.m. during finals whenever they occur on weekends. As has been past practice, the entire building will be open for 24 hours during reading period (to accommodate Computing Center needs) and the study lounges (including the fourth floor lobby) will be open 24 hours during finals. We think these hours provide ample opportunity for both library use and study. Does that mean everybody will be happy? I doubt it. To paraphrase old Abe, you can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.
—RAE 1/2/95