Lamont will extend its hours during reading and exam periods, reversing a former decision eliminating the late times begun last spring, Lamont Librarian Philip J. McNiff announced yesterday.

Unlike last spring's experiment, however, the Library will not be open throughout reading period. Extended hours will begin Jan. 17 two days before the start of exam period, and will continue until Jan. 30, the day before the end of exams. The program will cost about $1200.

McNiff also announced the hours will also differ somewhat from those last spring. The Library will be open until midnight Monday through Friday, and from 2 to 10 p.m. Sundays. Saturday hours--8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.--will remain unchanged.

Metcalf Changes Stand

Earlier this fall, Keyes D. Metcalf, director of the University Library, said that hours would not be extended because of apparently little use last spring. Protest, especially from a student Council committee, led to re-examination of the problem, however.

The new fall terms are not a permanent arrangement. McNiff explained. "The extension is still an experiment, and the results will help us to determine whether to open late in the spring as well," he said.

After 10 p.m. and on Sundays the Library will offer only minimum service. Only a skeleton staff will be employed, and the Woodberry Poetry Room will be closed.

No change will be made in the Saturday checkout rule. "As a service to students, we will continue to allow checking out of books at noon Saturday for return Monday morning," McNiff said.

Steven Reynolds '55, head of the Student Council committee which investigated and reported on the library situation, interpreted the temporary extension of Lamont hours as proving two points: The University feels it is not yet qualified to make a permanent decision concerning the matter, and must therefore repeat the experiment. Also the University may be considering changes in the House libraries, or the possibility of a freshman library, as an alternative to the proposed Lamont changes.