Student union looking to expand 24-hour library system

Gleb Polstvin
Staff writer
If you ever find yourself on campus in the wee hours of the night with nowhere to sit and study, soon going to Scott Library – which provides 24-hour access to students – may not be your only option.
The York Federation of Students (YFS) is running a campaign to extend the 24-hour study area initiative to Steacie Science and Engineering Library by making the rounds with student petitions.
“It was a long process for us [to get the 24-hour system at Scott Library],” said YFS president Krisna Saravanamuttu. “It took us about three years, and it didn’t happen overnight.”
Saravanamuttu says that the lack of student workspace at Scott prompted the YFS to look into alternate options, and that Steacie Library’s science-oriented books should be more available.
“During exam period, I see too many students at Scott Library sitting on the floor because there aren’t enough seats,” he said. “I think it would be great for students – especially science students – to take advantage of those hours. Also, consider that Steacie Library holds certain literature that you can’t get at any other library on campus.”
Administrators at both Scott Library and Steacie Library agree that workspaces for students are absolutely necessary.
However, they are concerned demand for 24-hour library access may not be that high, and that spaces will not be filled.
“The real issue is, how many study seats does a university need at three in the morning?” asked John Dupuis, head of Steacie Library. “I think it would be great if all the libraries were open 24 hours […] I think it would be great to have the space available for the science students, but I’m not too sure that we have the [indication] that there’s a demand.”
Dupuis indicated that there have been discussions to synchronize their extended operating hours with Scott Library after the February reading week.
“We’ll be open until 1 am. five nights a week, starting after reading week,” he said.
Robert Thompson, director of library computing services, says that the library space occupancy fluctuates throughout the school year.
“It’s rare that we see many people, but it does get busier as the term progresses,” he said. “Very often, it’s the same people who are here every night.”
Saravanamuttu sees no harm in exploring new options for student study space.
“I know that administration doesn’t have any empirical evidence to see how many study seats will be filled. But we need to try and see if it works,” he said. “Everyone has work schedules, and everyone wants to put in extra hours for study. We want this to be in place by final exam time.”
Fourth-year business and society major Andy Choi thinks it would be a good idea to have the library open around the clock.
“I study a lot during the night time, because I can’t study at home,” said Choi. “I usually drive to school, stay overnight and finish up my essays.”
Graduate student Solomon Chan concurs.
“I think it would benefit undergraduates that live on campus,” he said. “There were times when I wanted to go to [Steacie Library], but it was already closed for the night.”
Though Thompson believes that a 24-hour system at Steacie Library would be a great opportunity, he is wary of security issues that may rise with the initiative.
“[Keele] isn’t a 24-hour campus. Scott Library has seven cameras, a full-time supervisor and three students,” he said. “ I’m concerned that at Steacie, the security isn’t as good as it is as [Scott Library].”