PurposeAssessment is a driving force in the library and services offered are constantly evaluated for their merit. This study seeks to review student use of an academic library during late‐night hours to determine the effectiveness of the service.Design/methodology/approachLate‐night library users were surveyed about the frequency and reasons for their late‐night library use. They were given the opportunity to voice their opinions about the value of library services provided from midnight to 2.00 a.m. Face‐to‐face interviews were conducted. Numbers of users were tallied and student behavior was observed and noted. Websites were reviewed to determine open hours at other libraries.FindingsThe investigators found that the patrons viewed the library as a quiet, peaceful place conducive to study and placed high value on late‐night access to the library. This was confirmed by the fact that there were requests to further extend the late‐night hours and to offer access to more library space. The research established the library as a haven required by a dedicated group of students who greatly needed a late‐night place to work.Research limitations/implicationsThe investigators plan to extend the study of late‐night use to determine where the students go at 11.30 p.m., when all floors except first floor close. In addition, more questions will relate to student classification, area of study, late‐night safety, food, age, gender, mode of transportation, and housing. Participant recruitment will be enhanced to increase participation.Practical implicationsThese outcomes could result in changes to the hours and services provided after midnight and have an impact on other libraries following similar late‐night practices.Originality/valueThere is little information in the literature about student behavior during hours after midnight. No reference was made to investigators observing student behavior first‐hand during late‐night hours.
In the fall of 2004, the Academic Computing Center, a division of the Information Technology Services Department (ITS) at Minnesota State University, Mankato took over responsibility for the computers in the public areas of Memorial Library. For the first time, affiliated Memorial Library users were required to authenticate using a campus username and password, a change that effectively eliminated computer access for anyone not part of the university community. This posed a dilemma for the librarians. Because of its Federal Depository status, the library had a responsibility to provide general access to both print and online government publications for the general public. Furthermore, the library had a long tradition of providing guest access to most library resources, and there was reluctance to abandon the practice. Therefore the librarians worked with ITS to retain a small group of six computers that did not require authentication and were clearly marked for community use, along with several standup, open-access computers on each floor used primarily for searching the library catalog. The additional need to provide computer access to high school students visiting the library for research and instruction led to more discussions with ITS and resulted in a means of generating temporary usernames and passwords through a Web form. These user accommodations were implemented in the library without creating a written policy governing the use of open-access computers.
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