Letter to the Editor: Library hours not determined by a dart board

In the most recent issue of The Colonnade, the Opinion cartoon “Thunder & Lightning,” by Zach Keepers, took a good-natured poke at the Georgia College Library’s hours of operation. Mr. Keepers is very adept at calling attention to issues that are focused on the library, and he does so in a creative way. I have to tip my cap to him. 

After I had a laugh at my own expense, I realized that perhaps I could shed some light on the actual process involved, and no, it doesn’t involve darts and a dartboard.

The main basis for the library’s hours come from the Georgia College Academic Calendar. At least a semester in advance, a library employee (myself at this writing) looks at the Academic Calendar and creates a baseline schedule that coincides with the start and end dates of the semester. From there, extended and/or shortened hours are planned based on midterms, finals and holidays. Once the semester hours have been crafted, they are presented to the Library’s Management Council for approval and then they are set, if approved.

Our students make tremendous use of the library’s facilities, and we want to make sure they have access. It’s no secret that most students would be happy to have library hours that are round the clock. Unfortunately, the budget can’t support that kind of service.

That’s not to say that we’re not looking to the future to someday make that happen; it simply can not happen from one semester to another.

In addition to the budget, we also have to very seriously look at usage statistics. We take hourly counts of library attendance, which are used to help gauge whether or not an increase in hours – whether for special hours during finals or for the academic year’s closing time – is something that is justified.

The library has extended its Sunday through Thursday open hours by one hour last academic year and again this year. In academic year 2010, the library was open until 11 p.m. In academic year 2011, that time moved to midnight. This year, we are open until 1 a.m.

I can’t end my response without mentioning Georgia College’s student leadership; to leave out their part as advocates for their fellow students would be a great disservice on my part. One of the most vocal proponents of expanded library service on the GC campus is SGA President Evan Karanovich.

I know from personal experience that he and other SGA leaders are advocates of the library on behalf of the student body for this and other important issues. Their discussions with us provide a voice for students and, in turn, they also know how hard your library works to give the best to our students.

In closing, I would like to extend my thanks to Zach Keepers and The Colonnade for stimulating this type of discussion. It’s great to have a newspaper that is able to stir our emotions and force us to address issues.

-Kell Carpenter, coordinator for Access Services, Library & Instructional Technology Center

Posted by gcsunade on Dec 1 2011. Filed under Letters to the Editor, Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.