Tuesday, Oct. 7, Axe Library announced that its doors would now close at 11 p.m. starting Monday, Oct. 13. This is three hours earlier than the usual 1 a.m. weekday closing time. While this might seem like a small adjustment on paper, for many Pittsburg State students, it is a major setback.
The timing of this change couldn’t be worse. Midterms are in full swing, projects are piling up, and students are seeking quiet, reliable spaces to focus. Instead, the university’s central study hub has decided to cut hours right when students need it most.
The Axe Library isn’t just another building on campus. It’s a vital resource for Gorillas of all kinds. Whether you’re an on-campus resident, a commuter juggling work and classes, or even a professor preparing lectures, the library provides an accessible, focused environment that’s hard to replace. Closing earlier means students lose valuable late-night study time that many rely on.
A petition has been started by Luke Battagler, a sophomore, majoring in biology education, to advocate for the students and, in hope, revert the closing weekday hours of the library back to 1 a.m.
“My hope with the petition was to show (Student Government Association), and the President of the University that students are upset with this change and that we should switch back to the old hours,” Battagler said. “Alternatively, if we are unable to keep the whole building open till one, what options do we have for students who need a space to do homework other than their room? Taking away time hurts those students who are there that late every day. Students are here for many different reasons, but school is all of our number one reason and we should always focus on helping our students, not hindering them.”
According to Battagler, many students are in support of the petition. He has heard foremost from students.
“The petition ended last Wednesday (Oct. 15) when I turned it into SGA. At that time, I had gotten 359 signatures,” Battagler said. “(Students) felt that it was unfair to take away student resources during midterms without much warning. I had many students I had never met come and ask to sign the petition because of how upsetting the new hours were. Many, including myself at the time, didn’t even know why the hours were being cut”.
Hannah Gouvion, a sophomore majoring in Psychology, says she utilizes the library half of the day of the week.
“I am in the library probably four to five days a week, depending on the time of the semester,” Gouvion said.
When asked what time she is in the library during the day, Gouvion said she is there twice a day, often until closing time.
“Honestly, I am normally there two times a day. Normally from two to five, and then I come back from seven to close (1 a.m.).”
Gouvion said she is feeling unhappy about the new hours.
“I am not happy,” Gouvion said. “I meet with classmates who live on-campus and off for a study group.”
Gouvion said that with the new hours, she feels as though she has less understanding of her class work.
“(Without the library) I normally just end up going back to my dorm and studying on my own,” Gouvion said. “And I feel like I don’t understand it as much when I could be talking it through with my classmates.”
Her experience reflects a larger problem. Study groups, collaborative learning, and late-night research sessions are all essential parts of academic success, especially during demanding weeks like midterms and finals. Taking away these hours limits those opportunities and, frankly, sends the wrong message about supporting student success.
Budget cuts, staffing shortages, or operational reasons may be behind the change, but the university should prioritize student needs above convenience. A strong academic environment depends on access, and the library is at the heart of that access.
Students deserve spaces that support their learning, not barriers that make it harder. If Pittsburg State wants to promote academic excellence, it starts by keeping the lights on at Axe Library. Especially when those late-night study sessions mean the difference between stress and success.