Budget cuts are already affecting RWC library services and hours, according to Stephena Harmony, Library Director. The student assistant budget has been reduced by half, Harmony said, besides the fact that it has been very difficult to recruit a sufficient number of students.
“There are currently only three student assistants working in the Library,” Harmony said. “Usually we have seven or eight.”
At the end of the Fall Quarter, when Lisa Barnett will leave to take a position at Ball State, the Library will also lose a faculty position, which, according to Harmony, will not be filled any time soon.
As a result, the Library has had to adjust its hours. Here are the new Library opening times:
Remainder of the Fall Quarter:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday Noon-5 p.m.
Closed Sundays (except for Dec. 2 before finals week; Library will be opened Noon-5 p.m.).
Thanksgiving Holiday:
Wednesday, Nov. 21 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Closed November 22-25 (Thursday-Sunday).
New hours beginning Winter Quarter:
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday Noon-5:30 p.m.
Closed Sundays (except Sunday before finals week; Library will be opened Noon – 5 p.m.).
On the positive side, Harmony reminded everyone that, with the expanded space in the newly renovated library, there are now three small group study rooms for student use. These rooms may be reserved by students and by faculty who wish to meet with a small group of students (groups of up to eight people).
The policy and procedures are posted on the RWC Library Web Site http://www.rwc.uc.edu/library and by each of the study rooms.