The Otto G. Richter Library at the University of Miami began opening an hour earlier each day for the fall 2026 semester, a change one student senator spent nearly a year working toward.

Alexandria Espineira, an FEC senator in the University of Miami Student Government, authored the bill that led to the schedule shift. The idea started with her sister, Gigi, a pre-med student who struggled to squeeze in study time at Richter before 8 a.m. classes.

"The issue was that the library opened at 7:30 a.m., which only gave students a 30-minute window to study and walk to class," Espineira told The Miami Hurricane, the UM student newspaper.

Under the new fall 2026 schedule, Richter opens at 6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, up from 7:30 a.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the library opens at 9 a.m., an hour earlier than the previous 10 a.m. start.

Getting there took close to a full academic year. Espineira researched library hours at Clemson University and New York University, then worked with the Student Senate Academic Affairs Committee to draft the bill. During the spring semester, she met with Richter administrators and helped distribute a university-wide survey showing student demand for earlier access.

The bill passed the Student Senate and then cleared additional university approval.

It was her first bill.

Espineira said the earlier hours serve commuters, early-class students and those who want to finish work earlier in the day. She said the change may also create additional shifts for federal work-study students employed at the library.

In November 2023, UM announced Richter would no longer stay open 24 hours during finals, citing budget cuts. Students circulated a petition, and 24-hour finals-week access was restored, The Miami Hurricane reported.

New Richter Library hours (fall 2026):

• Sunday: 9 a.m.–2 a.m.
• Monday–Thursday: 6:30 a.m.–2 a.m.
• Friday: 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.–10 p.m.