Earl S. Richardson Library cuts operating hours during midterms week
The Earl S. Richardson library is open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. rather than its traditional 24-hour operation during midterms week.
Morgan State is currently the only public university in the state of Maryland not requiring a third COVID-19 vaccination, booster shot.
October 14, 2021
In accordance with the university’s COVID-19 safety protocol and the library’s statistical data, the Earl S. Richardson library has cut its hours for the week of midterms.
Traditionally, the university library remains open for 24 hours to give students access to a study space during the week of exams.
However, in observance of safety protocol along with the university library’s statistical data, the Richardson library will operate from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. from Oct. 11 to 15. The library will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 16 after midterms conclude.
This change may also be in effect for prospective graduates that begin taking final exams in late Nov. and during the customary final exam period in December.
“The COVID-19 situation has off kiltered a lot of things,” said Richard Bradberry, director of library services. “We just have to make decisions as we go.”
The university library conducted a study that determined, over the last three years, fewer than 10 students use the facility after 2 a.m. during the week of finals and midterms.
“We looked at it and did the average between 3 [a.m.] and 8 [a.m.] and there are 10 people here out of 8,000 students,” said Bradberry.
Based on this report and in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols, Kevin Banks, vice president of student affairs, and the university health and wellness team have determined the library will close at 2 a.m.
On the contrary, Christopher Jones, junior psychology major, feels the decision to cut the library hours takes away from the cultural experience at Morgan.
“It’s taking away from the culture that has been in place since I was a freshman…,” said Jones. “After finishing whatever assignment at 2 a.m. people usually chill in the library past that time.”
For commuter Aleisha Murdock, senior business and administration major, the library serves as an accessible facility to study away from home. However, the change in the hours has caused an inconvenience.
“…Because a lot of students don’t have housing on campus, it’s harder for them to focus outside of campus…,” said Murdock. “…for me I go to the library to work on my stuff, or study so it can be a different environment as opposed to being in my room.”
Julien I. Johnson • Oct 14, 2021 at 8:53 pm
Yes, I agree with my fellow Morganites. The library being open 24 hours is really a culture thing and a part of the Morgan experience. As Aleisha said, it’s a different and SAFE environment that we can chill at during a very stressful time. It matters.
My freshman year, I spent the whole night/morning in the library with my friends. It’s a great memory for me because i got work done and had fun, and I really hope that for Finals, for the many people that agree with me, that we’ll have a 24hr library once again.