Late Night in an Academic Library

What Academic Library Leadership Lacks: Leadership Skills Directors Are Least Likely to Develop, and Which Positions Offer Development Opportunity

“…This is likely due to the fact that heads of multiple departments that include public services are often responsible for billing library users for late or lost materials, collecting money, reconciling transactions to institutional audit standards, and ensuring that billing and collection practices comply with campus, state, and federal laws, as well as whatever audit requirements may exist (Harris, 2010). These positions are also likely responsible for safety compliance factors for those academic libraries open during late and overnight hours (Dimarco & Van Dam, 1998).…”

“…Heads of public services departments often have responsibility for: handling monetary transactions and money storage; managing the staffing of at least one public service desk; clearing the building both at closing time and during emergencies such as fire, earthquake, or active shooter incidents; interacting with the general public both for customer service and in enforcing policies and procedures, and handling safety issues related to keeping the library open during late hours (Dimarco & Van Dam, 1998). Given this information, the data for school safety issues skill development appear to align with the work responsibilities of the head of multiple departments and administrative positions.…”

The Relationship Between Academic Library Department Experience and Perceptions of Leadership Skill Development Relevant to Academic Library Directorship

“…Access Services departments often have responsibility for: handling monetary transactions; managing the staffing of public service desks; clearing the building both at closing time and during emergencies such as fire, earthquake, or active shooter incidents; interacting with the general public both for customer service and in enforcing policies and procedures; and handling safety issues related to keeping the library open during late hours (Dimarco & Van Dam, 1998;Harris, 2010a).…”

Mysteries in the Night: An Exploratory Study of Student Use and Perceptions of 24/5 Hours

“…Usage is only touched upon briefly with a description of its being predictable based on time of day and time of semester. DiMarco and Van Dam (1998) offer the perspective of the Access Services Department in response to extending the library's hours from midnight to 2:00 a.m. While staffing and security concerns were high, the authors highlight the impact of early planning and involving other parties such as Public Safety.…”