Early weekend closing hours at Mervyn H. Sterne Library are a rising concern among UAB students.
As the main academic library for undergraduate students, Sterne provides quiet study floors, group study rooms, computer access and research support. When the building closes early on weekends, students often have to find alternative places to study, such as residence hall lounges, limited-access campus buildings, or off-campus locations.
According to posted hours, Sterne is open continually starting Sundays at noon through 6 p.m. on Fridays. The library reopens on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, leaving limited availability during a key end-of-week study window.
Jade Gouger, a freshman majoring in digital forensics, said that early closing hours create difficulty.
“Sterne is one of the main places students meet up, especially on the first floor. If the university is going to commit to being a full academic campus, it needs to think beyond just its medical programs. Sterne is a communal space for students. I love the study rooms, and a lot of students rely on them. When it closes early, it’s harder for students to find places to study or even connect with friends,” Gouger said.
Students living in residence halls may struggle to find consistent quiet spaces, while commuter students often rely on campus facilities to finish coursework before heading home.
Lina Jabr, president of the Off-Campus Student Council and a senior majoring in genetics and genomic sciences, said that the library is multifunctional and serves as a comfort space in her commute.
“As an off-campus student, there are days when I spend long hours on campus between classes and other commitments. Whether I have a 30-minute break or a three-hour break, I usually end up at Sterne. I can spend time with friends on the first floor, pray in the multifaith space in INTO on the second floor or get studying done in the cubicles on the third floor. Sterne Library isn’t just an academic space — it’s a second home for a lot of off-campus students,” Jabr said.
The Kaleidoscope contacted UAB Libraries to ask if Sterne will consider adjusting its weekend hours.
Patricia West, Associate Dean of Public Services for UAB Libraries, said the library could potentially test extended hours during busier academic periods. She explained that extending hours can require additional staffing and security costs.
“We go by the numbers, one possibility would be piloting extended hours during a midterm season to see what turnout looks like,” West said.
West also said the library’s priority is always supporting students while working within operational constraints.
“Our priority is always the students, and we strongly encourage feedback from students regarding how we can improve matters. We love hearing from students and encourage you all to keep giving feedback so we can continue making UAB a better place for you,” West said.
