Extended opening hours satisfy student needs

Since April 2009, our customers have enjoyed the extension of our Main Library Whiteknights opening hours until midnight http://www.reading.ac.uk/library/about-us/news/lib-news-2009-extended-hours.asp  in term and Easter vacations.

Following a popular pilot using library staff volunteers last session, endorsed by a preceding Students' Union campaign, the University paid for new dedicated teams to make this possible. Additionally, during the 2009 April/May exam period another volunteer pilot project kept the Main Library open later at weekends in response to further student requests. We hope to continue this on a more formal basis in future. This reorganisation necessitated a reduction in service levels after 19:30. We balanced early evening demand by the bulk of visitors for staffed services against the need to reduce the cost of more highly graded of staff nearer  closing time. It was accepted by library users.

Rachel Redrup
Marketing Co-ordinator
University of Reading Library

Content of M25 e-bulletin Summer 2009 Edition