Jeff Koch/THE CHIMES

Adjustments in Biola University’s budget can be seen in the Library, where weekend hours have been changed in order to decrease expenses, according to John Redford, media and music Librarian and current co-director of the Biola Library.

At the beginning of the fall semester, hours of operation on Fridays changed to 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday hours changed to noon through 6 p.m., according to the Library’s webpage. Before, the Library was open until 10 p.m. on both days.

DECISION REFLECTS BUDGET GOALS OF UNIVERSITY

The Library tries to be as accessible as possible to the student body, according to Redford.

“It’s not that the Library is wanting to cut the hours, but they have to,” said library receptionist and senior film major Michelle Onuorah, noting that the decision to cut hours was a result of a verdict among university officials, including Patricia Pike, vice provost of undergraduate education.

As a university, Biola is on a tight budget, striving to keep tuition in check, according to Redford.

Librarians unanimously decided to decrease hours this school year to stretch resources. Despite increases in enrollment, university budgets have not increased beyond small allowances for inflation, according to Redford.

Gate count statistics showed that later hours on Friday and Saturdays were far from peak usage, Redford said.

LIBRARY SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH STUDENTS

Student workers are hired each year based on the number of hours available, the change in hours should not affect their pay, according to Redford. The Library hires fewer staff members who will each have a share of the available hours.

Junior biblical studies major Nicholas Ostby is one of many Biola students who did not know about the library’s change in hours.

“I’ve been able to find other places to study, so I’m not too concerned,” he said. Ostby also said that the Library’s method of letting students find out about the change for themselves was suitable.