Legislation has just been passed by the Associated Students of Cerritos College that will allow the extension of both library hours and tutoring hours at the end of the semester.

The extended hours will be in effect during the week before finals and the week of finals, April. 7 until April. 18.

The plan is to keep the library operating into the night to allow more students to use the library’s facilities and services. The extension will be from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Tutoring will also be available to students during these times. Math, English and ESL have already been confirmed as available.

Additional departments are being decided upon at a later date in the semester, with eight total plans to be available during the extended hours. A budget for snacks during the extended hours was also provided.

The legislation was passed after a presentation by Senator Kawthur Azzam during a routine meeting of the ASCC senate on Feb. 22.

After a few minor revisions to money allocation and cost, it passed with no objections. The estimated cost for the additional hours, tutors and snacks is around $11,500.

The extension was also passed to emulate larger colleges, according to Senator Christopher Rodriguez, who was a supporter of the legislation. “For finals week, we need to study more. Most college libraries are open 24 hours.”

Rodriguez was able to take advantage of the late library hours last semester, saying, “It did help me. It helped me out with math and physics, because of the availability.”

The extended library hours were also given to expand the availability of the services offered by the library to more students, according to Azzam,

“Having a quiet space, it gives them the help they need.” The library also gives students the “tools to excel,” said Azzam.

Similar legislation was passed during the previous semester, and this extension was in direct response to that.

Last fall, library hours were extended during finals week, with the closing time being at 2 a.m.

This semester, the extension was cut back by an hour. According to Rodriguez, this was a result of students leaving earlier than anticipated, around 1 a.m. instead of the closing time.

Both senators expressed joy at the legislation passing, and looked forward to seeing it being implemented for the benefit of the students.