Using the Commons in the Library Starting Saturday

Beginning Saturday, April 11 and running through the final four weeks of the Spring semester, we’re beginning an experiment at Bishop Payne Library. The library building allows for the possibility of key-card access to the commons area at the front of the building while the stacks and other floors remain closed. Given those features, we’re going to experiment with opening as usual at 9:00 on Saturday mornings, then having commons area only access on Saturday afternoons from 12:30 – 5:00 pm.

Patrons will be able to use the commons for study space, access the reference room, computers, printers, and bathrooms on the main floor.  Gate-count data show that while library traffic remains strong during the regular work week, usage drops significantly in the late evenings and on weekends. Opening only the commons during lower-use hours allows the library to continue serving the VTS community without requiring full in-person staffing.

By the end of the spring semester, we expect to know whether this model meets our users’ needs. If it is, we may be able to extend commons access during future semesters beyond the regularly staffed library hours. As always, I’m very grateful to all of people who work at Bishop Payne Library who do so much to support the work of theological education.