Lamont Director Reduces Number of Night Staffers

The night staff at Lamont Library's main circulation desk has been cut, Theodore G. Alevizos, librarian of Lamont Library, said yesterday.

Alevizos said he cut his staff because he believed that the library was over-staffed last year. "Rather than have someone stand around or read on the job," he said, "we'd prefer to use that money for books or something useful for the library and the students."

Some members of the night staff, however, said that Alevizos had reduced their number by three this year, leaving five people on the night staff. When questioned about the staffers' statement, Alevizos said, "I think we've cut only one person from our night staff."

While Alevizos said that five people at the reserve desk is a sufficient number to handle almost any crowd, members of his night staff say they are under a lot of pressure and that they need more help.

No Sweat

Alevizos said that "from the library's stand point there hasn't been overly excessive pressure on the night staff." He added that "the library isn't heavily used yet." He said that he has been in Lamont at various times and has never seen the place filled, the desk over-flowing with people waiting for reserve books.

But Paul C. Krueger '70, who has worked in Lamont for the past two years said that there are definitely more students waiting for reserve books this year "They are sometimes two-deep on the busier nights," he said. "It's so bad my roommate is ready to quit."

Stephen C. Ming, catalog coordinator said that part of the additional pressure is due to the fact that Lamont now handles reserve books for graduate courses and tutorials. "There are probably 100 more reserve-book courses this year than last," Ming said. "From 6 p.m. until midnight there is no let-up of students waiting for reserve books," he added.

Alevizos said that the library has not received any complaints from staff members about over-work, or from students about inefficiency. But "a couple" members of his night staff have resigned, and Alevizos said he thinks it is "because they couldn't read on the job."

"If we find out from students using the library," Alevizos said, "that they aren't getting good service--if they have to wait more than two to five minutes for a book-- then we'll look into the matter." Alevizos said that Lamont has sufficient funds to hire additional staff if, and when, the student demand requires it.