A PETITION for UST library to operate 24 hours on weekdays has circulated on social media, gathering more than 3,500 online signatories so far.
Initiated on the website Change.org by a Marie Rodriguez on Sept. 25, the petition claimed that extending library hours would enhance the safety of students.
“We wish that the UST Miguel de Benavides library would allow students to stay in the library for 24 hours every weekdays. This is for the sake of the safety and accessibility of the students. We propose that there be two to three security guards to take over the library and only limited space for students to occupy,” the petition read.
The chief librarian said the library administration would look into the proposal.
“Titingnan pa namin. Since 3,000-plus [ang signees], so we’ll look into it and then we’ll discuss,” Chief Librarian Ma. Cecilia Lobo told the Varsitarian.
In October, the library declined a petition for 24/7 operations during examination weeks.
READ: Librarians buck 24/7 service during exam week
In a previous interview, Lobo said demand from students and the sufficiency of human resources and material resources in the library were considered in making the decision.
The central library, a six-story building opened in 1989, operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It has 59 staff members, composed of three library administrators, 30 professional librarians and 26 support staff. There are also 80 San Lorenzo Ruiz scholars or student assistants working for four hours in three shifts. Neil Paolo S. Gonzales
