University students, faculty and staff are concerned about the reduced hours and lowered book and periodical budgets at University libraries.

"The library should be the last thing that the University should cut. The cutbacks are only hurting serious students and it's making Penn State a less academic place," Alex Gravesen (senior-political science) said.

Pattee and the branch libraries now close at 6 Friday nights and are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

Graduate Student Association President Ken Martin expressed mixed emotions about the cutbacks.

"I don't like it, but it's probably the best thing that could have been done," Martin said. He said graduate students and faculty members would bear the brunt of the cutbacks since many used the library during the evening hours.

Faculty members and library staff are concerned not only by the reduction in hours, but also by the cuts in the book and periodical buying funds.

"Those of us who are interested in the long-term quality of the library's collection are concerned, but we understand the position that the library is in," said Arthur Goldschmidt, University history professor.

"It's too easy to look at the problem as just cut hours," said Bruce Bonta, history area studies librarian.

"There is no question that when money is cut from the book-buying fund that things that are needed won't be there," Bonta said. Bonta's budget for materials for Middle East, East Asian and African studies was cut by 10 percent, a decrease he said could cause serious damage.

"We are trying to protect the student population and we hope that there won't be a large impact," said Torre Meringolo, assistant dean of Collection and Reference Services. The hours were targeted because they were when Pattee was used least.

But some students still are skeptical.

"I was suprised when I heard the news," said Tru Tran (senior-industrial engineering). "Penn State has the worst library system that I have heard of. Most college libraries are open 24 hours a day."

Other students said the cutbacks would not affect them.

"I guess people who have to do a lot of research for history or English will be affected, but the people that I associate with in the sciences won't be affected much," said Kevin Farrell (junior-computer science), adding that science students spend more time in the labs.

Darrin Good (senior-electrical engineering) said he lives off campus and only uses the library between classes.

"The library is still open plenty of hours so if you can't find the time to study, it's your own fault," Good said.

Cathie Fisher (freshman-elementary education) said she would rather see cutbacks than a tuition increase.

"We are very concerned about the quality of the library and we hope that we won't have to face this next year, but given the economy in Pennsylvania and the level of state funding, I feel that this will be an ongoing problem," said Diane Smith, chief of the Humanities and Social Sciences Department.