Clemons Library will no longer operate 24 hours this semester and will now close at 2 a.m. on weekdays, aligning its schedule with the Edgar Shannon Library. Students say the change leaves them with fewer late-night study options, especially on weekends, when Shannon’s hours are particularly limited.
Both Clemons Library and Shannon Library function as central study spaces on Grounds, yet neither have late-night hours this semester. Other libraries on Grounds with more limited hours offer resources for arts and historical research as well as study spaces.
Shannon Library and Clemons Library are open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and then more restrictive for the rest of the week. Clemons is open from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays. Shannon Library is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays. Charles L. Brown Science & Engineering Library, located in Clark Hall, also shares Shannon’s hours.
Deputy University Spokesperson Bethanie Glover explained that Clemons Library hours were reduced due to budgetary concerns.
“The University Library reduced 24-hour access to Clemons Library this academic year, along with other reductions to library spending, to dedicate its budgetary resources to meet highest needs with the least impact on students and faculty,” Glover said. “Hours will be expanded in all locations during exam periods.”
Third-year Education student Shawn Ladhani expressed concern over Clemons Library’s reduced hours.
“[Clemons] has been my go to study spot since first-year to study late at night. Especially with the way my schedule is laid out and the way I work, I love studying in the early hours of the morning,” Ladhani said. “The fact that it's not 24/7, really hinders my studying.”
Ryan Buller, director of information services and spaces for the library department, noted that while Shannon and Clemons have largely the same hours, it would be difficult to have Shannon Library’s hours expanded as a replacement.
“Having Shannon available overnight instead of Clemons would require additional security persons,” Buller said. “The added cost of this would require the library to find cost-saving in other areas, which could significantly reduce hours of operation and/or public services for the other libraries.”
Buller noted that before this semester, University library hours had remained consistent since COVID-19 and Shannon’s renovation, and that they aim to provide students with the library availability they need.
“We try to have wide ranging hours that meet student, faculty and community needs based on historical data and how we see specific events affecting possible library use in the future,” Buller said. “We extend hours during finals at many of our libraries to allow students more time to study.”
Although it may be challenging for students to find study spots after 2 a.m. this year, Clemons Library will still be available during inclement weather days. Buller said that this library is the only library that stays open under the University Library's inclement weather policy because the building has a generator that can provide electricity to the building during power outages. This allows for the space to remain warm for students and faculty in case of emergency.
Third-year College student Monika Miranda also noted that as a resident advisor, Clemons Library was an important study space for her.
“I live in old dorms as an RA… there's not a lot of spaces there to be able to do work, because there's so many students and so little lounge space,” Miranda said. “So it's really important to me to be able to have a space outside of my room to do that.”
Clemons, Shannon and Clark Library are open longer than other libraries on Grounds. The Music Library in Old Cabell Hall and the Fiske Kimball Fine Arts Library located in Campbell Hall are only open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and have limited hours on the weekends. The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library closes between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays and is closed on Sundays.
Shannon’s hours on Saturdays have also been described as particularly inconvenient. Fourth-year Commerce student Sagar Murthy had tried to go to Shannon after 6 p.m. on Saturday, only to find the study spot already closed.
“Last week, I actually tried to go into Shannon on Saturday, and I made it there at 6:02 p.m., and … I was annoyed … I was expecting a place to lock in for the rest of the night.” Murthy said.
While Clemons Library is no longer open 24 hours, students still have access to several 24-hour study spaces on Grounds, including Nau Hall and the first floor of Gaston House.
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