Student Council's Student Life Committee is currently assessing data from last semester's final exam extended hours at Brown Science and Engineering Library before launching a similar effort this May.
Last December, the Committee, along with the Engineering Student Council and the Arts and Sciences Council, provided the funds necessary to extend the hours of Clark Library from 2 a.m. to 4, Committee Co-Chair Aagya Mathur said.
Library officials were pleased with the turnout, Mathur said. About 100 students took advantage of the library's extended hours each night, she said.
She also acknowledged, however, that less students went to the library toward the end of the exam period because many students had finished exams and left town, meaning there was less need for the extended hours near the close of the exam period.
The extended hours also created safety concerns, which had to be addressed before the library could open, said Laura Miller, the University library administrative and office specialist. Though Council agreed that library staff members would not be needed at the library during the extended hours, officials made sure security guards were present, Miller said.
"The security guards did a good job patrolling the building and closing the building. There were two people there at all times. One was at the desk at all times and the other was roaming through the building," she said.
The Committee also is looking into beginning the extended hours earlier to accommodate the library rush that traditionally occurs a few days before the start of the exam period, Mathur said. The Committee plans to publicize the hours more and promote the hours at other libraries if the program continues this spring.
"We did not publicize as much or as widely as we would have liked to," Mathur said. "Last time, we had a flyer out in Clark at the entrance, and it was up on the library Web site, so really, I feel like that would only attract the Clark Library-goers."
The extended library hours were particularly popular among first-year students, Mathur said. If the extended library hours continue this spring, the Committee plans to target other groups across Grounds, as well, she said.
"We want to publicize more widely," Mathur said. "Last year we focused specifically on first-year dorms but we also want to make sure the entire student body knows about it."
Though many students spent late nights studying at Clark, the extended hours may not have done much to alleviate overcrowding at Clemons Library, the only library on Grounds open all night.
Third-year College student Tai Ford said overcrowding at Clemons Library remained a problem during the exam period but does not think that overcrowding should discourage people from studying at that library. He added that if crowding is an issue, it is their prerogative to find alternative locations to study.
Second-year College student Atticus Hubert, however, thinks overcrowding at Clemons obscures the mind and thinks the Committee should publicize the program more.
"We always need late places," Hubert said. "I think overcrowded libraries have a negative affect on our ability to concentrate."
Meanwhile, other students wish to see the extended hours at libraries besides Clemons and Clark.
Second-year College student Lorenzo Paglinawan thinks other libraries should stay open later so students can access specific resources solely located at those libraries.
"I wish they would do that at Alderman because there are lots of materials at Alderman that aren't available at other libraries - especially in the humanities," Paglinawan said.
In any case, Arts & Sciences Council President Abby Adams is pleased with the results of the program.
"The Arts & Sciences General Body approved $300 towards the total cost of just over $900," Adams said. "Considering the late announcement of the program, a reasonable amount of students took advantage of the extended hours; we hope to work with the other councils to continue the extended hours for May and work to promote the program more widely to improve turnout"
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