Since the fire in 2018, Hale Library has constantly been working toward being fully functional again. Though more resources continue to become available, space is an issue as students flock back to the study spaces.
Lori Goetsch, dean of libraries, said an average of 20 to 25 students come into Hale each hour. This number typically drops off after 2 a.m., and picks up again at 7 a.m, but does not include finals week or mid-terms, which typically have more volume.
The first floor — the only open floor — had a total of 6,449 visits during the week of Feb. 16.
“It has been extremely popular and crowded,” Goetsch said.
Goetsch said it costs a little over $53,000 a year to keep Hale open Monday through Friday.
Related:
Revitalizing the ‘Ville: City plans to redevelop 12th Street, Bluemont Avenue
Payton Hybarger, sophomore in life sciences, said she typically uses the library three to five days a week to study. She said she is usually there until dinner and then comes back until around midnight or 1 a.m.
“There is not a moment when it is not busy in Hale and is sometimes quite hard to find a spot to sit with only one floor being open as of right now,” she said.
