Saint Xavier University Library The Xavierite
On Jan. 14, an email announcement from The Office of the Provosts announced a change in library operation hours beginning in the Spring 2025 semester. The library will now close at 10 p.m. Mondays through Friday. Its previous hours had it open until midnight. In the email, it stated that the change in the library hours would go into effect on Jan. 14. The hour change was made so library staff can better help students during peak hours when there is heavy traffic.
Alex King, PhD, MBA, CPA, Acting Assistant Provost stated, “The adjustment to the library’s operating hours was driven by both operational needs and student usage patterns. The library director analyzed card swipe data and conducted manual headcounts over eighteen months and ultimately determined that closing at 10 pm would best align with usage trends and operational efficiency.”
Many SXU students expressed concern about the new library hours.
Sophia Robledo, SXU resident, stated, “I don’t know where to go at night when I am finishing up an assignment that I have to print out. The Morris Hall printer is either jammed or out of paper.”
In the event that after the library hours students are seeking academic support, many articles can be found via the SXU library website. If students’ are looking for a specific book, the website lists the library’s catalog. There is also the Central Index, which can be accessed through the SXU library website.
The email announcement also included holiday dates when the library would be closed. These holidays include January 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and April 18-20 for Easter Break.
However, The library will be open during spring break, March 10-16, during the new operation hours.
As part of this pilot of changing the library hours, we have created a survey form to be completed by students who are inconvenienced by the change. A QR code to the form is on all library entrances.
King continued by saying, “The survey includes a few questions for students to answer. One asks students to specify which course they intend to use the library for. Another asks them to describe the different areas of the library they plan to utilize, such as study rooms or the book collection.
For further information on the library changing their hours please contact John McDonald, Interim Director of the Library, or Alex King, Acting Assistant Provost”.