David Atkins, dean of University Libraries, addressed the discussions regarding Sherrod Library being open for 24 hours every weekday.

For the past week, students have been discussing on various social media platforms, such as Instagram and YikYak, about a potential change in Sherrod Library’s 24-hour access. Atkins shares the reason they are considering a change in their hours of operation.

“True, we are reviewing our hours, but we’ve made no decisions,” said Atkins. “We are reviewing building usage, working with the SGA, the Library Student Advisory Council, and administration to see if any changes are needed.”

The Sherrod Library administration is reviewing their operations to help address other student concerns.

“Students are also asking for more improvements to the library such as better Wi-Fi and cell service and raising student employee wages,” stated Atkins. “I’m working to find room across the whole library budget for these and other improvements. A review of our hours is part of that process.”

Atkins shares that if there are any changes to the Sherrod Library hours of operation, they will not be closing at midnight. Instead, he said that they are looking at building traffic throughout the late-night hours, specifically between 2 to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 8 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

“Our gate count data shows very few people in Sherrod during the early a.m. hours,” stated Atkins. “When that happens, we ask ourselves and the rest of campus, ‘What else could we do for the students with those funds?’”

With finals week approaching fast, students shared concerns whether the Sherrod Library would be open 24/7 during dead week and finals week.

“Our Dead Week and Finals 24/7 would never change,” stated Atkins.

At the beginning of February, a survey was distributed by Blair Jones, associate dean of Services, Technologies, & Collections, to a select group of students, staff and faculty members across ETSU. The Measuring Information Service Outcomes survey was shared to gain more insight into the use of different technologies and services that the Sherrod Library provides to students.

“We’re just now getting that data in,” said Atkins. “We do know that students value the hours and also value library spaces, so we will be looking at the MISO survey.”

In the State of the University survey conducted last year, the Sherrod Library was able to obtain data pertaining to the effectiveness of the library. From that survey, Atkins shared that they have begun working on projects to make gender-neutral bathrooms more accessible, improving study rooms and updating computer video monitors.

“We’ve made, just recently, $150,000 in cuts in our collection spending so we can have dollars to invest in the library,” said Atkins. “So, we’re looking at other operations, not just the hours.”

As of Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. a petition to keep Sherrod Library open for 24-hour access five days a week has obtained 1,530 signatures. The petition was started by junior Nick Crump.

CHANGE.org is the platform that the petition is listed on. (Contributed/change.org).

“This is not acceptable behavior of the Dean of University Libraries, or any other higher ups involved and it’s clear that the only way to revert this change before it happens is to speak up and let our voices be heard,” stated Crump.

“I ask people to engage in the conversations about what our proposal could be in terms of looking at the data [from the MISO survey], and then us making an informed decision about how we could use the few resources that we do have.”

At this time, there have not been any official changes to the Sherrod Library’s hours of operation. Atkins said that reviewing Sherrod’s entire operations is part of the decision-making process.

“I know that hours and accessibility are important, but there are other things that students are asking of us in the library,” said Atkins. “I want us to have open and clear conversations to help us make the right decision.”

For more information, please visit libraries.etsu.edu or call (423) 439-4307. To speak with David Atkins regarding changes to Sherrod Library, please email atkinsdp@etsu.edu or libadmin@etsu.edu.

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