ìIt is now 12:45 and the College of Wooster Library will be closing in 15 minutesÖ”
Ugh, this paper is due in less than eight hours!
As a senior at the College, struggling with what seems to be every minute, to deal with a full class schedule and the immensity of Independent Study, I find it baffling that the library closes at 1 a.m.
Many students, seniors especially, find themselves working late into the night ó far later than 1 a.m. The libraries of the College are an invaluable resource for students, many of whom rely heavily on the librariesí supplies to complete assignments for classes. Honestly, a large percentage of students not only need access to the library, but also end up working late into the night in order to keep up with the rigors of academia.
As a senior this is only heightened ó not having access to the library and especially our highly valued carrel puts our late night studies at a significant disadvantage. The numerous sources that are needed on a nightly basis while writing I.S. are generally stored at our carrels and become hostages of the libraryís hours. Short of shuttling a large duffle bag of texts back and forth from the library to the dorms, there is no way to have all of these sources readily accessible.
The alternative options for after hours studying are not sufficient. Momís is open till 3 a.m. but that space is in no way a good environment for scholastic achievement. Momís, though it has the table space necessary for effective studying, is often the late night destination of students in altered states and those who have given up on their work for the night in favor of fried food and trashy television.
The only 24-hour option for the students of the College is the Wired Scot. When the Wired Scot is functioning properly, this small area on the lower level of Lowry provides a place for students to print no matter the hour of the day. While this may be true the space is not good for much more than that.
The computers in the Wired Scot are not up to par with the computer resources of the libraries. Most are, to varying degrees, defective and barely function on a level that allows for limited internet access let alone for school work to be effectively done. The lack of table or desk space and the small size of the Wired Scot keep it from serving as an alternative for study of similar standards as the libraries.
Students can do work in their rooms, but sleeping roommates and rowdy residents complicate the option of studying at home. While it would be expensive for the College to extend the hours of the libraries, it hardly seems like too much of an expenditure considering that the majority of the lights stay on in the library all night.
It may be outlandish to ask for 24-hour access to libraries, but extending the hours of the libraries would be a step in the right direction. If Momís can stay open till 3 a.m., I see no reason why the library cannot as well.
In addition to the supplementary hours at night, the libraries should also open earlier during the entire week. Currently, the libraries open at 8 a.m. during the week, 10 a.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday.† Moving weekday hours to 7 a.m. and at least opening by 10 a.m. both weekend days is not too much to ask.