The NIU administration has reconsidered its attempt to ease the ever-increasing budget crunch by closing down the Founders Memorial Library over Christmas Break.

The NIU administration made a decision Tuesday to allow the library to keep its doors open for five days instead of shutting it down for the entire Christmas Break.

The original proposed closure was part of a two-week shutdown planned for all campus buildings. The shutdown was devised by the NIU administration as part of their campus-wide effort to put some slack into the university’s tight budget by saving on energy funds.

Ron Provencher, director of University Libraries, said NIU turned down an initial library plea to keep the library open over the break.

“If you wanted your building to be open, then you had to make a request to your department,” Provencher said.

The library submitted a formal request last month along with similar requests from several academic departments, but the Provost’s Office would not allow the exception, he said.

However, a request by NIU’s Faculty Senate pushed the administration to reconsider its decision.

Political Science Professor Lawrence Finkelstein brought the issue to the attention of FS members during last Wednesday’s meeting. Finkelstein argued that the shutdown would make it impossible for faculty members and graduate students to conduct research during the semester break.

“I understand resources are tight, but I wish that tradeoffs could be found to acknowledge that the library is the heart of the university,” he said. “We spend money on many things that are less central than the library.”

Several FS members backed Finkelstein’s position, and a motion was passed to send a memo to the Provost’s Office requesting the library stay open.

“I’m glad that the administration sees the point that people need to use the library during the break,” Finkelstein said. “Access to the library is necessary even during the holidays, and I wish the library could be kept open on a normal schedule during Christmas vacation.”

Jerrold Zar, associate provost for graduate studies and research, said he was pleased with the administration’s change of heart.

“The period of time when classes are not in session is an ideal time for students and faculty to do research,” he said.

“The more the library’s open, the better it is for the researchers. Even more time would be more desirable, but the time we have now is certainly an improvement.”

Provencher said faculty members helped open the administration’s eyes. “I think that the response of (NIU President John La Tourette) came in part from noticing that people were interested in the library staying open,” he said.

“We’re interested in being open, not closed. We were delighted by the decision.”

Provencher said he believes part of the reason for the administration’s initial rejection of the request might have stemmed from the lack of time the library was allowed to make its appeal.

Out of the 40 university departments notified of the impending closure, only nine rejected the proposal before the provost’s deadline. “However, about 25 to 26 departments eventually replied,” he said.

The library will close along with other university offices on Dec. 23. It will reopen Dec. 28 through Dec. 31 and operate on reduced staff and hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library doors will open on Jan. 5 to start off the spring semester.