24/7 After-Hours Study Area Access Has Been Restored

The San Diego State University Library is happy to announce that, with support from university leadership, we have restored 24/7 access to the After-Hours Study Area! 

In addition to the After-Hours Study Area being open around the clock, the entire library will also be open 24 hours a day beginning on December 5 and throughout the finals period. This adds seven days of full library access to allow students to prepare for final exams, presentations, and projects.

This decision follows thoughtful assessment of feedback from many of our students and campus partners – including our student-centered library faculty and staff – who emphasized the importance of late-night and early-morning access to study space and other library resources. 

Thanks to our ability to secure additional one-time funding support from the university, we are able to resume 24/7 access throughout the current academic year. However, we always suggest checking the library website for specific hours as they do change for holidays, school breaks, during the summer terms, and other special circumstances.

We heard clearly that extended access to the library supports student success and provides needed flexibility for those balancing work, classes, and family responsibilities. Restoring 24/7 operations reflects our shared commitment to providing equitable access to learning spaces and resources when students need them most. 

Library Dean Scott Walter expressed his appreciation for the advocacy provided by students, family members, and, especially, the leadership of Associated Students in communicating the value of library spaces and services to the student experience. “Students leaders in every academic college, as well as elected AS leaders, shared specific examples of the ways in which access to the library was critical to their success in the classroom,” Walter said, “and I am grateful that their advocacy provided an opportunity for the Library to collaborate with our colleagues in Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, as well as the Office of the Provost and the Office of the President to find a way to respond to their concerns.” 

“To all the night owls and early risers at SDSU,” Walter concluded, “Welcome back!”

We will continue to work with student leaders and with the university to identify financial solutions to sustain this change through future years, given our shared commitment to our students’ academic success.