News

Fondren Library Center 24x7 Study Hall

Update: The Fondren Library Center will continue the 24/7 study hall schedule for Fall 2007. Due to the success of the pilot project to have a 24/7 study hall in the Fondren Library Center, we have decided to continue 24/7 through the Fall semester. From September 17th when the pilot program was launched through December 9th—the end of exams—over 7,000 users were reported either studying or using computers in the library during the 24/7 study hall hours.

Fondren Library Center Open Around the Clock beginning Thursday, September 14, 2006

How does it work?

Fondren Library Center is excited to announce to SMU students, faculty and staff a new twenty four hours a day, seven days a week study hall schedule for the fall 2006 semester. Central University Libraries would like to express its gratitude to Provost ad interim Tom Tunks and the Student Senate for providing the additional funds needed for this initiative.

For many years SMU students have asked Central University Libraries to offer a library facility to accommodate students wishing to study later into the night. In spring 2006, CUL Libraries conducted an online survey of SMU students to determine the need for new library services. A 24 hour library study facility was the number one, most popular request.

Peruna studies in the library.

University and college libraries across the nation are beginning to provide study areas that offer computer lab facilities and work space in addition to regular library services. Whether they are called Information Commons, Learning Commons or Library Internet Cafes, the national trend to provide a safe place for learning whatever the time of day or night continues to grow.

Eight of SMU’s twelve benchmark institutions [Universities of similar size and mission to SMU] have 24 hour study facilities during the regular semesters. Five out of nine nearby Texas Universities including Texas A&M, UTA, UT Austin, UNT and Baylor currently offer 24 hour study facilities.

Fondren Library Center will conduct a pilot project to supply all night study space for SMU students this fall semester. 24 hour study hall will begin as soon as security officers and student workers are hired and trained and will continue through the end of exams (December 9). The new schedule will not include the University holidays of Labor Day (Monday, September 4) or Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 23). Library hours will be scaled back pre-24x7 level during Thanksgiving weekend (November 23 – 26) and Fall Break (Friday October 6 through Tuesday October 10).

During the semester, while the 24x7 hours are in effect, SMU students MUST enter the building with a valid SMU ID card and be prepared to show their ID to library security officers anytime after 10:00 pm.

In Fondren Library Center, the new 24x7 study hall spaces will include the first floor main entry, the Government Information Resources Department, the Reference and Information Commons area (not the two ACS computer classrooms) as well as the basement Student Lounge. All other areas in the Fondren Library Center Complex will be locked down and inaccessible during these hours. Students in the library prior to lockdown who want to remain in the building must move to the new 24 hour study hall areas. Faculty, staff and students may take any library materials they are working with into areas that will remain open.

Fondren Library Center will be staffed by a security officer and a student worker during the fall study hall hours. The SMU Police Department may be called on to escort students to their automobiles or residence halls during any time of the night.

Services Available during 24x7: Computers; Self Service Photocopying machines; Self Service Printing for $.10 a page from library computers via the SMU UniPrint system using copy cards or Pony Express; Reference collection; Browsing collection; Documents collection; Study areas; Vending machines for drinks and snacks
Services NOT available during 24x7 hours:: Circulation and reserve services.; Reference service; Access to Fondren collections other than the Reference, Browsing and Documents Collections.; Group Study Rooms
Policies in effect during 24x7 hours:: FLC Food and Drink Policy: Drinks are allowed only in spill-proof, non-disposable containers with screw on type lids. Food purchased from the vending machine in the Student Lounge located in the basement must be consumed in that room only. Users may not bring in any other food into the library.; Computer use policies posted throughout computer areas apply during 24x7 hours.