Dear Editor:

During the fall and spring semesters, the Glendale Community College library is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, it is, unfortunately, closed on Sunday. Moreover, during the winter and summer sessions, the library is closed on Saturday as well as Sunday. The library schedule of many community colleges is similar to GCC. In contrast, many four-year universities have their libraries open on Sunday, even for 24 hours. Practically, it is not easy for community colleges to have libraries with these open schedules. However, as a community college student, I desire to have a library open as often as possible, and I believe it is at least possible for the GCC library to be open on Sunday.

Regarding this matter, this question naturally arises: how many students want the library open on Sunday as I wish, and is it needed by enough students who would come to the college on Sunday? First, if there are many demands for an open library on Sunday, it must not be out of the question that the library should be open on Sunday. In my memory, I used to observe many students coming on Sunday to the libraries of colleges which I have attended in the past. Although those colleges are remote from downtown or even a residential street and there are no any classes on Sunday, many students still come to the college to study. GCC is located just a few minutes from downtown and in a residential area. Also, the zone near GCC has a relatively well-developed and convenient public transportation system, as well as a freeway right next to the school. Therefore, I believe, once the library is open on Sunday, there will be many students and members of the public who will want to use the library.

Currently, the GCC library is being operated with one-hour extension to their open hours, due to final exams. For the same reason, I think that the library should be open on Sunday, and I hope these extended hours continue during ordinary times.

If there are expected obstacles, such as expenses or personnel, we can solve this difficulty by recruiting volunteer students or faculty members, or offering chances for part-time work on Sunday.

Most of all, when we deal with this kind of matter, the most important issue we should consider is what and who the college libraries exist for.

The GCC library main Web page reports that, “We are here to help you locate the materials you need, assist you in research strategy, and come to your aid when you are searching the computer system, whether you are in the library or accessing our Web site and materials from some other location. We hope you will find the library and its staff helpful in the successful completion of your coursework at Glendale College” (“General Information /Policies”).

I assert this idea is the answer for the question about library use on Sunday and is the reason why the library should be open on Sunday.

—Daewoon Um