Traffic remains the same at library

Closing and then reopening UK’s largest library had no significant impact on overnight attendance.
W.T. Young Library reopened to 24 hours a day, Sunday through Thursday, on Oct. 19. From the beginning of the semester until Oct. 19, the library was closed from 2 to 7 a.m. those days.

Gate counts, which monitor students going in and out of the library, counted 75 students between 2 and 3 a.m., up five from last year. Between 3 and 4 a.m., the number increased by one person from last year.

Some students who prefer working late at night said they enjoy the recently added late-night hours.

Biology sophomore Colby Kurkowski said she frequents the library during its late-night hours with a few of her friends because she does not have time during the day.

“Most students don’t have a place to go to study because of roommates or noise,” Kurkowski said. “The library is always crowded when I’m in there at night.”

But some students do not feel the extra hours will be used that much. Psychology freshman Jordan Osborn said closing at 2 a.m. was good enough.

“I feel like if you’re pulling an all-nighter, you’re screwed anyway,” she said.

Student Government gave the library $10,000 and the Provost allotted $20,000 to run the library 24 hours a day, five days a week for the rest of the academic year.

The money helps to pay wages to extra guards that are hired, as well as the five new student assistants and the temporary staff person.

“We had to hire more security to cover the later hours,” said Pat Wilson, associate dean of access and delivery for the library. “A temporary staff member was hired to help with the busiest hours while we realign second and third shifts.”

Every position required to operate the library during late-night hours has been filled.

“We put together a flier to hire student assistants,” Wilson said. “Then, we sent the flier to Student Government and asked them to advertise and post the fliers around campus. Within a week, our student positions were filled.”

Biology sophomore Katy Hall said sometimes, when big tests are coming up, she stays in the library overnight and goes to her 8 a.m. class.