9:56 a.m., Feb. 29, 2008--Hours at Morris Library will be extended beginning Monday, March 3, with the main library building remaining open until 2 a.m. on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights and the library commons remaining open around the clock throughout the week.

Library services will not be available after midnight.

The extended hours plan was an initiative of the UD Student Government Association, which took on the project during the fall semester at the request of students seeking accessible and attractive late-night study space at the core of the campus. The plan developed by University Library, Public Safety and Transportation Bus Services staff in cooperation with the SGA.

In conjunction with the extended hours, Public Safety will provide additional security staff at the Morris Library and late-night express bus shuttle service will be extended. The bus will be available shortly after the library closes, beginning March 3. For late-night bus information, see [www.udel.edu/bus].

The extended hours will continue through the spring semester.

“As a student-centered institution, it is important that the University of Delaware provide increased opportunities for late-night studies in a pleasant and secure setting,” UD President Patrick Harker said. “Morris Library is an outstanding facility at the heart of our campus, and I am delighted that students will be provided additional access through the extended hours plan.”

“I know that our students will benefit greatly from the extended hours plan,” UD Provost Dan Rich said, “and I am pleased by the efforts of the SGA and University staff who worked cooperatively to make this happen.”

“This is definitely an exciting change for UD students and one that we believe will be beneficial to many. Students often prefer to do their work in the evening, and, given the library's substantial seating capacity and convenient location, we anticipate it becoming a popular late-night study spot,” Teagan Gregory, SGA vice president, said. “Instead of being forced to leave at midnight and return to their residence hall or venture off-campus, students will now be able to finish that paper or group project.”

Gregory said the extended hours represent “the culmination of months of work on SGA's part, as well as the careful attention that various administrators have given to this important concern. The cooperation of Public Safety and Transportation Bus Services were also integral to the implementation of the new hours. SGA is delighted to fulfill its role as the voice of a student body that has been in need of late-night study space for some time.”