Category — Library Hours

Earlier this summer, I checked the MU Ellis Library summer hours online at http://mulibraries.missouri.edu/about/hours.htm.  I did not select the “detailed summer hours” link, because the summer hours are listed at the top of the page very clearly.  After checking the hours, I had the understanding that Ellis library would be open on Sunday until 9pm.  I stopped by on Sunday, only to find the library closed and locked.  The hours posted on the door indicated that the library would be open M-Th until 9pm (consistent with the hours posted at the above site).  When I stopped by on Monday after getting off work, the library again was closed!  You can imagine my frustration.  This time, the hours posted on the door had been updated to tell me that the library, as of that week, would only be open until 5pm.  Because I had research to do for a professor at the library, I had to take off my other job early the next day in order to make it to the library before closing time.  On Tuesday, I made it to Ellis at 4pm.  Because I had a lot of books to check out, as well as a microform to view, I collected all the books and then sought assistance with the microform.  The library assistance I received was pleasant, until I headed downstairs to check out.  It was 4:55, and the circulation desk was closed.  Fortunately, someone was still at the desk.  Unfortunately, she was obnoxious to me in telling me that she could not check me out, despite all my previous inconvenience, simply because I had arrived at the desk a few minutes too late.  She told me to return the following day.  I informed her that I had already taken off work to get to the library that day, and that I could not do it a second day.  She also would not hold the books for me, so that I could avoid the hassle of reshelving and refinding the books when I did return.  Consequently, I decided to stay in the library to complete my research.  I was approached by another individual who told me I needed to leave, because the library was closing, and that if I stayed I would have to take it up with security.

When I commented about the discrepancy with the hours, I was informed that “we” (I can only assume this means library employees) are not responsible for what is posted on the doors.  I apparently should have checked the website, because that was accurate.  First, I was put off, because I should not have to get online to confirm that the hours posted on the doors of an establishment are correct!  Second, I checked the hours online at the above website, which confirmed that the library should have remained open on Sunday and until 9 during the week.  The only way I was able to find the limited hours was by selecting the “detailed summer hours” link, which I was initially not inclined to do–after all, the hours were clearly posted right there, so I should have no reason to click on the other link.

My feedback is that the website and door hours should be more clear.  Also, your employees need to be trained on customer service.  Finally, the circulation desk should be open at least as late as the library itself is open, to allow people who are heading out at closing time to check out their books.

Thank you for your feedback. I will pass this along to the Libraries’ administration team. Ellis Library does have different hours of operation during different times of the year, which can be confusing. Last week we were operating on Intersession hours, which is why we closed at 5 pm. Also, there should have been an announcement letting you know that the Circulation desk would be closing before the Library was closed.

We will see what we can do to make the hours more clear on the door and on the website.

I have a suggestion regarding Library timings specially on weekends.On Friday and Saturday,because of having no classes at weekend,few people like me usually read late till night but as library closes around 8,it does not help any bit to people who prefer to read late till night.And Having time till 2am on Sunday does not make sense as most people have classes on Monday.Can library officials do something on this part?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We have copied two others who would want to be aware of your concerns.  Numerous factors determine when it is possible to have a large, complex facility open for public use.  Even though it might not be possible to accommodate everyone’s needs exactly, we endeavor to provide as much service as possible within budgetary, staffing and other constraints.  Even though it may not be feasible to change hours anytime in the foreseeable future, it is helpful to decision makers to know how their policies affect their stake holders. Please do not hesitate to contact us with your concerns in the future.

Additionally, it might be helpful to you to know that nearby Ellis Library,  the Memorial Union and the Student Center are open:

Building Hours:

Hours apply to both Memorial Student Union and the MU Student Center everyday of the week.

Fall & Spring semesters when classes are in session

7:00 am – Midnight

Summer and when classes are not in session

7:00 am – 8:00 pm

University recognized holidays

Closed

I checked with the Union and these hours include the weekend.

If you would like more information on these sites, please go to their URL http://www.unions.missouri.edu/hours

Additionally there are coffee houses nearby Ellis that likely are open later than 8 pm on Saturday.  Of course Hy-Vee is open 24/7 with a restaurant area.



The hours of operation for Ellis Library are extremely poor.  One of the three missions of the University of Missouri is that of education.  This past Saturday I ran into a problem regarding the libraries hours.  On Saturday evening I wanted to go to the library to study for a few hours because I had 2 tests and a final the upcoming week.  However, I was unable to, because on Saturday night the library closes at 7pm.  While I understand that it is the weekend and many people may be partying instead of studying, this is still ridiculous.  Even people who are going to party don’t start until 10pm.  Partying isn’t by any form endorsed by the University anyways.

The University of Missouri is one of the only major schools around the country with such poor hours for their main undergraduate library.  In fact, most major school’s libraries are open 24 hours a day (at least on the week days).

Thank you for your comment about Ellis Library hours. We do strive to be available to MU students whenever they need to study, and so it is useful to know that we may not be meeting this need on Saturday evenings. Hours are set for the library based on available resources (primarily money for staffing) and the needs of the students. We do have statistics on how many people are in the library at various times of the day during the week and on weekends. Our counts show that on Saturday nights the library is not heavily used.

But we are always looking at ways to increase service to patrons. We were able to use money that we make from the Bookmark Cafe to increase the library’s hours to 2 am during the week. And during this finals week we are open until 4 am most nights.

Your comment will be given to the Library Management Team, so they can keep this in consideration when planning the Ellis Library schedule in upcoming semesters.

Honestly, is this the University of Missouri or William Woods? The hours the library has are pathetic. Not opening until noon on the Sunday before finals? This is absolutely ludacris. There are very few public areas to study in the university during this time, and the amount of students waiting to get into Ellis is crazy.

Thank you for your comment about Ellis Library hours. We do strive to be available to MU students whenever they need to study, and so it is useful to know that we may not be meeting this need on the Sunday before finals. This comment will be given to the Library Managment Team, so they can keep this in consideration when planning the Ellis Library scheudule in upcoming semesters.