Mullins Library hours could be further extended
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Opinion
Finally, the hours of Mullins Library have been extended until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday for the fall semester.
And - even better - Mullins will be open 24 hours during eight days of that dreaded finals time.
Kudos to the UA administration for listening to students' voices. Though the hours are extended on just a trial basis, this is a great first step in putting the students' needs first.
But what more can be done?
Though longer library hours invariably will be cherished by many in the UA community - students can procrastinate even later than usual when it comes to doing homework, checking out books and working on group projects - the extension still doesn't accommodate all of the real-world needs of university students, faculty and staff.
For those who have families, full-time jobs or both, late nights - and early mornings - might be the only time studying can be finished and homework can be accomplished.
And even for those who don't have families or full-time jobs but are heavily involved in numerous student organizations or enrolled in multiple classes, a 24-hour library would be incredibly useful.
Of course, we understand the kinds of extra resources and money a 24-hour library entails, and we understand how large of a step library administrators have already taken in lengthening the hours as they have.
But perhaps a student fee might be worth keeping the library open all day and night. We're not afraid to put our money where our mouths are; a place to go whenever we need a little peace and quiet or study materials - no matter how obscenely late - is worth a few extra bucks to us.
A library that closed at midnight was handy, but certainly not ideal for many in the UA community. And while we thank library officials for keeping the students in mind and lengthening the hours this semester, we think a 24-hour library - even if it might mean another student fee - is a good option for administrators to keep in mind for the future.
And - even better - Mullins will be open 24 hours during eight days of that dreaded finals time.
Kudos to the UA administration for listening to students' voices. Though the hours are extended on just a trial basis, this is a great first step in putting the students' needs first.
But what more can be done?
Though longer library hours invariably will be cherished by many in the UA community - students can procrastinate even later than usual when it comes to doing homework, checking out books and working on group projects - the extension still doesn't accommodate all of the real-world needs of university students, faculty and staff.
For those who have families, full-time jobs or both, late nights - and early mornings - might be the only time studying can be finished and homework can be accomplished.
And even for those who don't have families or full-time jobs but are heavily involved in numerous student organizations or enrolled in multiple classes, a 24-hour library would be incredibly useful.
Of course, we understand the kinds of extra resources and money a 24-hour library entails, and we understand how large of a step library administrators have already taken in lengthening the hours as they have.
But perhaps a student fee might be worth keeping the library open all day and night. We're not afraid to put our money where our mouths are; a place to go whenever we need a little peace and quiet or study materials - no matter how obscenely late - is worth a few extra bucks to us.
A library that closed at midnight was handy, but certainly not ideal for many in the UA community. And while we thank library officials for keeping the students in mind and lengthening the hours this semester, we think a 24-hour library - even if it might mean another student fee - is a good option for administrators to keep in mind for the future.
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