In recent weeks, one of the issues debated at the Associated Students of Boise State University’s (ASBSU) meetings has been the issue of Albertson’s Library hours. Headed by ASBSU’s Vice President Nick Gaudioso, the current library hours are being pushed to change.
Currently, the hours of the library are from 7 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, with even shorter hours on weekends. The hours are simply not enough for students and their erratic schedules. An extension of library hours until 2 a.m. is certainly called for and should be implemented immediately.
It has been evident in the past few weeks as students prepare for midterms that the confines of the library schedule are difficult to work around. One must only take a stroll through the halls of the library near closing hours to notice how packed the study rooms and halls are.
It can be said the library is seemingly even more full of students at night as students with afternoon classes or jobs are forced to push their study hours late into the night.
“I feel they’re very lax and the fact that I have little access considering my schedule to actually go to the library and do both my research and check out books,” said Hunter Hall, a student studying at the library. “I feel like with my work schedule and school schedule, I don’t have enough time.”
Sentiments like these proved to be very common among the average Boise State student as he continued, “I work very late, so my (typical study hour) tends to be around 11 o’clock to whenever I feel like I need to go to bed. I feel an extension to 2 a.m. would be fantastic and work very well for me.”
Many universities across the United States have already embraced a 24/7 format for library hours, including many of the Ivy League universities, as well as many state universities, from Ohio State University to San Diego State
University.
Although the concept of a 24/7 university library is not on the table for Boise State, an extension of hours would be a welcome change of pace for all involved. The library is an essential component for all students, from a way to develop solid study habits for new students, to endless resources for upperclassmen and graduate students.
Study rooms are an invaluable tool for breakout sessions and brainstorming, and an essential component to building social and academic connections throughout a student’s career at the Boise State.
Following the model of other universities which have embraced extended library hours is essential to the growth and development of Boise State’s student experience. To follow ASBSU’s proposal would be a solid step in the right direction to accommodating the increasing needs of students as they are increasingly challenged to accommodate their class schedules.
Extending hours during finals week is simply not enough, considering the importance of all exams throughout a single semester. The university would do well to accommodate its students in this fashion, as it would benefit the success of all involved.
