Both the LAC and PCC libraries have recently announced an extension to their hours of operation. Previously open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., the hours have been extended to 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The extension comes just in time for finals season, as the last three weeks of LBCC’s fall semester are quickly coming to a close.
Staff hopes that students will utilize the new hours of operation to find a place of refuge on campus to study. They are encouraging students to get ahead of their necessary studying for finals.
The spirit of supporting students appears to be strong among the student workers of the LAC library, who have to work extra because of the extended hours.
“I’m fine with it as long as it helps the students,” said Michelle Chao, a student worker at the library’s circulation desk. “Personally, I think 7:30 is too early, but if it’s to accommodate students I think it’s ok.”
Another worker at the circulation desk spoke on his thoughts on the hours as well but expressed concern for the late hours.
“I do feel bad for my friends who have to work late, some of my coworkers are staying until 9 p.m. and most of them are women, they have to do the buddy system when walking back to their cars late at night,” said student library worker Andrew Inda.
“As a student though, I think it’s cool because it’s better for those who want to stay late or earlier, and the school is accommodating that,” Inda said.
The hours are certainly being taken advantage of as early yesterday morning students could be seen in the library, typing away on laptops or phones, plugged in and ready to go.
It is still undetermined whether the extended hours will remain after the end of the fall semester or if the hours will go back to normal once the final week of the semester has concluded.
The change in hours may also reflect a shift to normalcy, as hours have slowly extended coming out of COVID-19.
Though masking is still encouraged, students have one by one removed their face masks. Only a small portion of the student population can be actively seen wearing masks on campus, adding to a returned sense of normalcy for the semester.