Denny’s. 7-Eleven. Wal-Mart. And now E.S. Bird Library.

The first three floors of Bird Library will be open 24 hours a day starting this semester between Sundays at 10 a.m. and Fridays at 10 p.m.

‘This was a collective decision by the university,’ said Pamela McLaughlin, director of communications and external relations for the library.

While the Student Association brought it to the administration’s attention in the past, it took some time for the university to secure funding and make sure there would be staffing at all times, she said.

The library will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Levels three through six will keep the previous hours, which can be found on the library’s Web site.

‘I think expanding the library’s hours is a great idea,’ said Nikki Magers, a sophomore advertising design major. ‘But as a VPA student, the books I would need would not be accessible.’

When staff members leave at midnight, a Department of Public Safety officer will be on site. Similarly to last semester, a valid Syracuse University or State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry I.D. will be required in order to gain entry after 9 p.m.

The administration extended the library’s hours during exams last semester.

‘Opening the library for those designated hours is great, but not enough,’ said Brown Bonsu, a sophomore business and information science and technology major. ‘Since it’s our main library, it should be accessible all the time.’

Students have come to library staff members to complain about the lack of accessibility throughout the year, said McLaughlin.

There are exceptions to the hours, including Labor Day and Thanksgiving break.

rseldrid@syr.edu

Published on August 27, 2008 at 12:00 pm