Thank you to all who responded to my query about extended opening hours
in HE libraries.  I have summarised below the main points from the
responses I received.

*	All respondents were operating extended un-staffed hours or 24
hour opening, except one, who had found that reference only/self service
was unpopular with both staff and users
*	About half the respondents had separate evening and weekend
teams to extend library opening beyond normal core hours.
*	One Library was using a specially recruited team of staff to
offer 24 hour opening.  These staff are able to provide help with
directions, use of equipment etc plus help empty returns unit, and do
headcounts etc.  They are supported by university security staff.
*	Most HE libraries are using external security staff and
self-service facilities to deliver extended opening hours into the night
or to offer 24 hour opening. One library opened on Sundays just using
security staff & self-service. 
*	Some Libraries only offered 24/7 opening during key times e.g.
the main examination period. 
*	Only one Library was offering 24/7 opening for the majority of
the year, most offer variations of 24/5 e.g. Sunday - Thursday, and
avoid opening on Fri & Sat nights.
*	The issue of training of weekend and evening staff and any
security staff was raised by several libraries as was the problem of by
high turnover of these staff.
*	Most libraries had senior staff on call by phone or mobile to
deal with any emergencies when there were no senior staff in the
building.
*	One library who only offered 24/7 opening during exam periods
noted the need for additional shelving and cleaning.
*	One library had over 500 students in the building at 1 or 2 am!
( but didn't indicate what these students were doing)


Here at UEA we have 3 levels of service
8.30am-6pm Mon-Fri 
Self-service facilities with fully staffed helpdesk and support from
Faculty Librarians and other senior staff
6pm-9pm Mon-Fri & 11am-5pm Sat & 11am-7pm Sun
Self-service facilities with basic helpdesk support provided by a team
of evening & weekend staff, plus a senior member of Library staff on
duty in the building.
All other times
24/7 access to our IT Lab with 150+ PCs, printers & 2 group study rooms.
(Currently up to 1000 students use this each week)

We are keen to extend access to the main Library building and are
currently working closely with the student union to canvas opinion on
the preferred model of extended opening, bearing in mind that we know
that we will not have the resources to provide all that the students
would like!


While I am supportive of the idea of extended Library opening to give
students greater flexibility in when and where they study, I am also
concerned about the wider issue of student safety and support.
*	Are we encouraging poor study habits by extending Library
opening hours?
*	With the increased availability of electronic resources do we
really need to offer extended access to physical resources as well?
*	Are there appropriate facilities on campus to support 24/7 study
e.g. food outlets, lockers for personal possessions etc?
*	How safe is the campus for students leaving the Library in the
early hours of the morning?
*	What transport facilities are available?
*	With the increased availability of electronic resources do we
really need to offer extended access to physical resources as well?


Heather Wells
Head of User Services
The Library, University of East Anglia
Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ
Tel: 01603-593440 
E-mail: [log in to unmask]