The University of Maine is considering changes to Fogler Library’s schedule that could reduce public hours, classifying circulation employees as non-essential and limiting operations on holidays and snow days. Some students have expressed worry that the pending adjustments could restrict access to one of the most important study spaces on campus.
The Raymond H. Fogler Library is the largest library in the state of Maine and serves as the primary academic resource for the University of Maine community. The library’s extensive collections currently consist of print volume, ebooks, digital government documents, online serials, online research databases and a variety of media titles.
Additionally, the Fogler Library provides a range of student focused services including opportunities to connect with research librarians, study room access, technology workshops and therapy dogs during midterm and final weeks. These resources and programs play an essential role in helping students achieve academic success during their university experience.
However, recently, there has been talk about changing some of the library’s operating hours that could impede students’ access to the library at certain times. In a Sept. 23 University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) meeting, President Keegan Tripp shared in his executive report to the Senate that Fogler Library staff could soon be classed as non-essential and will not be required to come in on days when most campus services are closed. He also shared that the library could have reduced operating hours and may be closed on all holidays during which the university is not holding classes.
The main adjustment that would be implemented is changes in operating hours, such as the library opening at 8 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. However, the hours during finals would still remain the same.
Circulation employees would also no longer be considered “essential staff,” meaning that when classes are canceled or other campus offices are closed for weather emergencies, the library will also close. This has been due to contract changes, according to the Dean of the Libraries Daisy D. Singh.
While some of these changes are still up in the air, this still impacts students and their ability to have access to the library. Derek DeMello, a member of UMaine’s Graduate Workers Union, mentioned that although he is not much of a stakeholder in using the library, he certainly stands with the library staff and their union members, whatever their stance may be.
Many students are unaware of the potential changes to the library hours. Second-year student Ava Burkes is a double major in Earth Climate Sciences and Marine Science. She pays frequent visits to the library and finds that it is the main way that she is able to focus on assignments and study for upcoming exams. When asked about how this potential change might affect her as a student and the rest of her peers she expressed concern.
“A lot of people do not like studying in their dorm and the library is the place where people get together and do group projects. Closing the library at 7 p.m. is unfair because it will limit students’ accessibility since a lot of people are trying to do their homework before the weekend,” said Burkes.
Once again, although these proposed changes are still being discussed by library staff and have not been finalized, it is important that students are kept informed. Several suggestions were offered by students interviewed, including providing an alternative place to allow students the opportunity to study when the library is closed.
