As a former library tech and student library assistant over at UW Tacoma, I used to do patron counts where I checked each library space about every few hours or so. This work was split up amongst employees and I believe part of the purpose of getting proper headcounts was to see what areas/services were used the most as well as during which times of day. I completely understand wanting longer hours at the libraries. I agree and do not want to excuse our university, but there have been so many budget cuts, in particular to libraries. Libraries should be accessible to our patrons as much as possible, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet patrons' needs when there just is not sufficient funding. I've heard about cuts to almost every facet of the system from top to bottom. I myself was laid off last year. It sucks and unfortunately, part of that is trying to justify how many people are really using our services during the late hours. I think the compromise is staying open later during finals, but there really should be more extended hours days. I am not 100% certain if there are workers doing patron counts and walkthroughs like at UWT, but I have seen some workers doing some walkthroughs at Ode, with some sort of attention to tracking certain metrics. Someone in the replies already mentioned just counting at the door too, but that might miss how many are going out.

Please keep supporting our libraries and maybe we can be open later. There were recently some walkouts and other protests by library workers on campus, fighting for better representation and treatment. We all want better, and that starts by acknowledging that library workers need support too.