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Dear ºÙºÙÊÓƵ Community Members,

This weekend's announced "study in" at Shields Library reflects a shared concern — the need for adequate student study space, especially during peak testing periods and despite significant budget cuts that have affected every corner of the campus.

With midterms pressing, and with the library's 24-hour reading room overly crowded, we have asked our head librarians to take steps to keep Shields open as a study hall throughout this weekend.

The extended hours — from 7:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, through midnight Sunday, Feb. 7 — will expand quiet study opportunities in designated areas of the library. Library services will be limited during the extended evening hours (for example, reserves, interlibrary loan, circulation and reference services will not be offered then), but some staff will be available to assist patrons.

The and our will apply throughout the weekend, helping to ensure for everyone a welcoming, comfortable and safe environment in which to study. If the weekend proves successful, we'll give every consideration to expanded hours during finals week, as well.

In addition, designated quiet space will also be available this weekend during the Memorial Union's and ARC's normal hours (MU: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 12-5 p.m. Saturday; ARC: 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-midnight Sunday).

We do understand the overall concerns that have been expressed about the library's funding. The library is the heart of an academic institution and a shared asset of inestimable value. While it's not been possible to completely protect the library from budget cuts — our budget challenges are simply too great — we have tried to shield the library by assessing cuts that are less than half those assessed administrative units. Looking forward, we are eager to receive the advice of a newly formed Joint Senate-Administration Task Force on the Future of the Library that will develop short- and long-term recommendations to ensure an intellectually vibrant library that serves our ºÙºÙÊÓƵ community well.

We wish you well in your studies this weekend and in the examinations that follow.

Sincerely,

Linda P.B. Katehi
Chancellor

Enrique J. Lavernia
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor