Green Library installs turnstiles


Located in the center of Modesto A. Maidique Campus, the Green Library sees about 9,000 visitors a day. Every FIU student has probably set foot in the library at least once during his or her time here. But soon, getting into the Green Library will be just a bit different.

Turnstiles are being installed on the second floor, and beginning Monday, Feb. 20, FIU students, faculty, staff and alumni will need their OneCard in order to swipe into and out of the library. The east set of doors will be the entrance, and the west set of doors will be the exit.

Why add turnstiles? Many other universities across the state, including the University of Miami and Florida State University, have long had them in their libraries. Not only do they provide an additional level of security, but provide more accurate information on library usage, which in turn helps the library better meet the needs of its patrons.

For the last few semesters, the library has been open 24 hours, five days a week during pre-finals and finals week. This semester, beginning March 19, the week after spring break, the Green Library will begin an extended 24/5 pilot program. Because turnstiles provide detailed numbers on how many people are entering the library each hour, it will be easier to gauge student response to the new schedule.

What happens if you forgot your OneCard? Don’t worry, you won’t be barred from the library. There is a new Guest Services Desk (GSD) in place at the top of the escalators, where anyone without an FIU OneCard (or anyone who has forgotten their OneCard) can stop and check-in.

If an FIU-affiliated individual has forgotten their OneCard, they must present a driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID at the GSD, where staff will perform a manual lookup in PantherSoft, and temporary access will be granted for one week. Access to FIU-affiliated individuals will be allowed all hours that the Green Library is open.

The Green Library has always been open to community members, and that will not change. However, community members must also present a driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID at the GSD. If a driver’s license is presented, it will be scanned into the system with access privileges for one semester; if the patron does not have a driver’s license, a temporary card will be issued with access for one semester. Access for non-affiliated community members will be allowed only until 9 p.m.