Library doesn't always open on time on weekend!
Beth Burton of Circulation and Information Services replies....
The Circulation and Information Services Department of VCU Libraries is responsible for opening Cabell Library at 10:00am on Saturdays and 11:00am on Sundays. Upon opening, both the outer lobby doors and the inner entrance doors of the library should be open and you should be able to enter the building. The Circulation and Information Services Desk should be staffed, and you should be able to check out and return items, have questions answered, and get change.
Other public service areas in Cabell Library open at different times; for example, the Media and Reserve Services Department opens at 10:15am on Saturdays and 11:15am on Sundays. Currently, Reference and Reserve Services and the Academic Technology Computer Lab in the basement also open at 10:00am on Saturdays and 11:00am on Sundays, but these hours are subject to change. Cabell Library's hours of operation are posted at http://www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/hours/.
Hours for the Cabell B-8 Computer Lab are posted at http://www.at.vcu.edu/faq/class/b8.html#regular
When the Circulation and Information Services Department hires staff members who will open Cabell Library ("openers"), we tell them that being on time is their highest job priority. Indeed, they understand that if they fail to open Cabell Library on time, their jobs may be at risk. While we understand that emergencies can happen, we have created a backup plan for weekends, so that there are always two opening staff members scheduled to work any opening shift.
On December 12, 2004, this backup plan failed, and Cabell Library opened approximately 45 minutes late. This failure was documented by our openers, who failed to follow procedure and prepare for scheduling changes. At that time, the VCU University Librarian was notified, the Associate University Librarian in charge of Public Services completed an investigation, and consequences were put in place for those openers. This is the last instance of late opening of which I have been made aware.
In March, 2005, I asked other public service colleagues who open on the weekends to notify me immediately if there is an incident of late opening by Circulation and Information Services. I have not received a call since this plan was created, but the plan may not be completely error-proof.
If you have experienced a late opening on any day, please feel free to contact me with the details and I will ask our Associate Librarian for Public Services to investigate the incident.
In the future, if you encounter a late opening, please call VCU Police at 8-1234 immediately. VCU Police can then notify the University Librarian directly. You are also always welcome to notify me personally at eeburton@vcu.edu.
Beth Burton
Manager, Circulation and Information Services
James Branch Cabell Library
804/828-1111