By Nella Letizia, WSU Libraries
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University’s Holland and Terrell libraries will permanently extend operating hours for the academic year after feedback and requests from the Associated Students of WSU.
Beginning Aug. 24, the libraries will be open 10 a.m. Sundays until 7:45 p.m. Fridays. Saturday hours will be 10 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Student leaders and others initially lobbied for the extension during dead and finals weeks last academic year.
“Establishing a 24/7 library during dead and finals weeks is a student service promoting academics at WSU and is instrumental to the success of students during a crucial period in the semester,” said ASWSU Sens. Dylan Heyne and LaKecia Farmer.
WSU Libraries Associate Dean Beth Blakesley said based on the extension’s success with students, the President’s Office gave funding to make it permanent year-round.
“Students made it clear that more access to Holland and Terrell libraries beyond dead and finals weeks was very important to them,” she said. “The need for research sources and quiet study spaces isn’t limited to the final two weeks of a semester. We wanted to do everything we could to support students any time they need our facilities and our staff.”
WSU Libraries will hire three half-time library and archives paraprofessionals to cover the extended hours, Blakesley said. During summers and intersessions, the employees will work daytime shifts.
Contacts:
Beth Blakesley, WSU Libraries associate dean, 509-335-6134, beth.blakesley@wsu.edu
Nella Letizia, WSU Libraries public relations/communication coordinator, 509-335-6744, letizia@wsu.edu