Library Hours

Schaffer Library follows the Union College academic calendar and is open regular hours when term is in session: September-November (Fall), January-March (Winter), March-June (Spring).

Regular hours include:

  • Monday - Thursday: 8am - 2am
  • Friday: 8am - 12am
  • Saturday: 10am - 12am
  • Sunday: 10am - 2am

Schaffer Library follows an abbreviated break schedule when term is not in session. Breaks occur mid-March (Spring), July/August (Summer), and December (Winter). The building is open Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm during breaks.

Note: Building hours may vary during the transition periods between terms and breaks. Visitors are encouraged to check hours for the planned date of visit to ensure the building will be open.

Today's Hours

Check out today's hours for each of our library departments. Please scroll down for more information about each department and to view hours for the full week.


Weekly Hours

View weekly hours for each Schaffer Library department, which can differ from the main building hours.

Schaffer Library Building

These are the hours that the library is physically open. These hours may or may not match up with the Library Service Desk hours

Library Service Desk

The hours for service may be different from the library building hours. You can always check this page before you visit the library, to ensure that service at the front desk will be available.

ITS Help Desk / USTAR

The ITS Help Desk and USTAR support are located adjacent to the Library Service Desk on the first floor of Schaffer Library. The Help Desk is staffed from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and is supported by our USTAR staff from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday.

We remain available by ticket submission at helpdesk.union.edu, phone at (518) 388-6400 and email at helpdesk@union.edu.

This Week's Hours for the ITS Help Desk:


This Week's Hours for USTAR:

Library Administration

Schaffer Library's administration office is on the third floor, closest to the stairs / elevator by the building's main entrance.

Normal hours are Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 4:30pm;

Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED


Special Collections

The Department of Special Collections is an integral part of Schaffer Library. It includes the Union College Archives, special book collections, manuscripts, maps, photographs, sound recordings, ephemera, artifacts, and other primary source materials which document the College’s history, and support and extend its curriculum.

Normal hours are Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Please check the Special Collections site for special announcements such as department closures.

You can also schedule a special appointment for research assistance.

Request Research Assistance from Special Collections