Library opening hours set to change in response to student needs

Monash University Library will adjust opening hours for the Matheson and Law libraries at the start of Semester 1, 2025 to reflect changes in demand.
Based on data, student feedback and working in consultation with our partners around Monash the following changes will be made from Monday 3 March 2025.

Pilot 24/7 study space for the Matheson Library

The Matheson Library will pilot a new 24/7 study space on the lower ground floor for students who need a safe study space at night. Access will be via the Eastern entrance via swipe card. A member of the security team will patrol the space.

This initiative was co-designed with the Monash Students’ Association and developed in partnership with the Buildings and Property Division including Monash Security.

Law Library will operate Monday – Friday

Due to low weekend attendance, the Law Library will close on Saturdays and Sundays. It will continue to open for extended hours from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday.

The Matheson Library will be available for the small number of people previously using the Law Library on the weekends. Lower numbers of weekend visitors have strongly driven our e-preferred collection strategy at the Library, with many law-specific resources now available on-line.

Supporting student experience

In 2024 more than 2.5M people visited our six library branches. They are more than just places to study – they are vibrant hubs where students can connect, collaborate, and find a sense of belonging. By making the changes to our opening hours we can:

  • Align our services to meet demand
  • Provide safe, secure, and welcoming spaces for a wider variety of people
  • Support sustainable work practices for our staff

Building on our work in 2024

In 2024, we launched the ‘Libraries for Belonging’ program to foster greater connection and well-being among our students. This included:

  • Redesigned after-hours service: 18 new Library Experience Assistants were trained in mental health first aid and allyship, and to provide more connected support.
  • Expanded program of events and activities: From wellbeing corners to interactive displays of Monash research we activated our spaces to boost belonging and enhance wellbeing

At the Law Library we’ve opened new teaching spaces, improved accessibility on Level 2 – 4 and upgraded to Lexis+, a powerful legal research tool with AI-driven features.

Feedback

We are committed to continuously reviewing and adapting our services to meet the evolving needs of our community. Your feedback is invaluable to us. We encourage you to share your thoughts about these changes to librarians@monash.edu.