Alden Library's new late-night hours have attracted more than just diligent students.
A few weeks ago, a man from the community was habitually spending the night on the second floor. After he refused to leave, John Lamborn, assistant dean for public services in Alden, instructed an overnight supervisor to call Ohio University Police Department, and they escorted the man out of the library. Later, the police discovered that the man had a warrant out for his arrest.
Sleeping in any type of public building is illegal
Lamborn said. We do allow 'power naps' every once in a while but spending the night sleeping in the library is not allowed.
The man who was escorted out was a repeat offender. Lamborn said employees saw him staying overnight on several occasions before they decided to involve the police.
Lamborn said there seems to be a lessened sense of security because more disruptions have occurred during the night.
Another case during the same week included a man who was exhibiting suggestive behavior which Lamborn said was making the staff uncomfortable. The police again were called, and the man was banned from the library.
The most common incidents the overnight staff deals with are people sleeping in the library, said Chad Rist, overnight co-supervisor.
If someone is sleeping
we first wake them and tell them that they have to work or do something or they have to leave; if we have to continue waking them up like after the second or third time
we call OUPD
Rist said.
Overnight Co-Supervisor Molly Stewart said there have not been any incidents since OUPD has been walking through the Learning Commons.
During the night shift, the library staffs the second floor with two supervisors and two student employees from the hours of 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Alden employees often refer to the late night staff as the zombi(e) squad.
I'm really glad to be working the night shift. Every night
someone asks me how I was able to get this job
said junior Sabrina Suri, a late-night student employee. I feel bad for those working during the day; we don't do a lot of the stuff they have to.
Junior Mike Obrock, a late-night student employee, said most students are there to finish last minute assignments so they usually only need technical help, giving him time to finish his homework.
Rist and Stewart said late night attendance has been improving steadily every quarter. During Fall Quarter exams, more than 200 people were in the library nightly between midnight and 2 a.m. Sunday attendance ranges from 50 to 100 between the same hours.
I would like to see course reserves offered overnight; I think that would be extremely helpful for doing last minute assignments
Stewart said.
Thursday nights, when the library closes at midnight, there are an estimated 30-40 people that are asked to leave.
We think an overnight shift on Thursday is needed and have told our supervisors we would be willing to work the shift
Rist said.
