Mullen Library Is Open 24 Hours a Day
Image Courtesy of University Libraries
By Alannah Murphy
Unknown to many CUA students, the Mullen Library on campus is open 24 hours a day, Monday-Thursday, with limited services.
According to Stephen Connaghan, a University Librarian since 2010, Mullen first extended overnight hours during the regular weeks of the Spring semester in 2012. Before, Mullen only had late-night hours during exam periods.
“Students requested more late-night study spaces around campus. As an intellectually inspiring space equipped with many of the amenities for both group and individual study, it was only natural that the library accommodated this need,” Connaghan said.
The extended hours were paused during the 2020 Covid pandemic but they were restarted in the Fall semester of 2021. Connaghan sees the extended library hours as a positive thing for students.
“Mullen Library provides collaborative and individual study space in an atmosphere conducive to intellectual pursuits away from the distractions found in the dormitories,” Connaghan said.
The extended library hours but it still means that some parts of the library will close and not remain open 24 hours a day. All the reading rooms and study spaces are open during the overnight hours.
The Stacks, however, do close shortly before library staff close their circulation desk at 11 p.m. and reopen at 8 a.m. the next morning.
According to Connaghan, there is no library staff present during the overnight hours. Security is provided by a contract agency and coordinated with Public Safety.
Connaghan believes that students appreciate the overnight hours.
“Especially during midterms and the end of the semester,” Connaghan said.
MaggieMae Dethlefsen, sophomore politics and history major and pre-law minor, said that she enjoys utilizing the library’s extended hours.
“The extended hours are great because I don’t feel the pressure to rush my studying, I am able to take my time,” Dethlefsen said.
Mullen Library’s official hours change depending on the times during the year, although they are currently listed as being open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. on Sunday.For Mullen Library’s full schedule, including all exceptions, you can visit this website: libraries.catholic.edu/about-us/library-hours.html
