SG library act proposes extended hours

Student Government senators are in the middle of heated debate about the Student Library Act, the latest major legislation from the 40-member house of student leaders.

The act is composed of two resolutions. One would call for UT to investigate extending library hours from their current midnight closing time until either the early morning or all 24 hours from Sunday through Thursday, depending on the outcome of that vote. The second would propose the “protection and prioritization” of the computer labs during any library renovations.

Vice Provost of Academic Operations Margaret Traband and Interim Director of University Libraries Marcia King-Blandford have been working closely with SG President Clayton Notestine on the resolution.

“The idea that Student Government is very interested in the success of their fellow students is what speaks volumes for the Student Government activity right now,” Traband said. “That they’re advocating for the student success, creating the environment for the student success.”

King-Blandford added that the library is an important academic resource for students.

“We have a very diverse population of students that we’re trying to serve, and they all have different patterns and different study styles,” King-Blandford said. “We want to find a way to support the students in achieving their academic goals.”

The extension of the library hours involves more than just keeping the building open longer. According to Notestine, either two additional staff members would have to be hired to work the shift or current employees would have to be paid to work the extra time in order for the proposed changes in the resolution to happen.

The cost would be “at least $100,000” a year, Notestine said, with $50,000 as the salary for each worker hired.

King-Blandford and Traband said a cost estimate could not be made at this point.

Notestine said paying full-time workers or overtime pay for current workers would require an increase in the library budget, which would mean taking the money from another area of UT’s budget.

“As of right now, we are currently fighting a losing battle on campus,” Notestine said. “We’re going to have to lose some resources. Whatever victory we make is basically deciding what we’re going to keep, and what it is we’re going to lose. I think, and I believe that many other students believe, that the library is one of those resources we shouldn’t lose.”

While the technology resolution did not prompt any questions with the senators, the library hour extension plan met a considerable amount of debate on the senate floor from senators with numerous concerns.

When asked about the accuracy of the statistics given the increased traffic during finals and midterms week, Notestine said, “I agree with you about finals week, that statistics are accurate. However, as for the midterms, I purposefully gave them, the library staff, the wrong weeks for midterms. Two weeks after actual midterms happened … it’s closer to an accurate statistic than anything else.”

In a follow-up interview after the meeting concluded, Notestine said he had not intentionally given the wrong dates.

“I told Peg Treband and Marcia King-Blandford after the fact once I got the data that I wasn’t entirely sure it was actually midterms, and they expressed that it didn’t really matter because it was accurate results more or less,” Notestine said. “I used the phrasing to go and keep their [SG’s] attention, and because I didn’t want to go over it a whole lot.”

Some senators voiced concerns about the budgetary effects and the relevance of extended hours.

“I actually don’t have a problem with them wanting to extend the hours to 24 hours, my only issue being the actual cost effectiveness of what the actual plan is going to be,” said SG Senator Eric Skaggs.

Michael Peachock, also an SG senator, expressed a similar sentiment.

“Overall, I support the idea. My main concern is that what’s going to happen because of all the new building projects on campus, and because of the more open occupancy of the residence halls, we’re going to see utilization of the library actually decrease,” Peachock said. “And then with the increased cost of operating the library, they’re going to increase fees on students.”

Both resolutions are due separately for voting at next week’s senate meeting.