Extended library opening times on the cards

Edinburgh University’s main library opening hours are set to be extended following pressure from students and Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA).

Edinburgh’s Library and Information Services were forced to re-evaluate library opening times after a prolonged EUSA campaign for a 24 hour library, which included a ‘work-in’ attended by 700 students.

Vice-president of academic affairs, Evan Beswick has been in talks with both library and information services to renegotiate library opening times.

Mr Beswick said: “The library has finally acknowledged that the current hours just aren’t suitable for the students who want to study later than midnight, or early in the morning.”

The new proposals are set to change library opening hours to 7.30am-2.30am throughout the semester, with a 24-hour library for eight weeks to accommodate students in the exam period and at peak essay times. There will also be extended hours during the summer to meet the needs of post-graduates doing dissertations.

Mr Beswick is disappointed that Edinburgh university hasn’t committed to a 24-hour library, but said: “The university aren’t going to spend money on something they aren’t convinced of the need for, as that money would have to come from somewhere.

“We know that loads of people want to use the library between midnight and 2am. It’s harder to push for hours in the middle of the night when we aren’t sure of demand.”

Bryan MacGregor, director of Information Services said: “The reason we intend to go to 2:30 and not 24-hour every night is to gage if students really do want these hours in large enough numbers.”

Director of Library Services, Sheila Cannell told The Journal: “There will always be some students who would use the library at any hour for projects, essays or exams. At the moment we do not know how many that would be.

“Assuming we do find the funds for this... we will want to work very closely with the student population next year to see if there is an agreement that this is a good use of funds

“It is certainly the case that the same funds could be used in other ways, for example to buy more books, have more e-reserve items or more computers.”

The new proposals are to be discussed at the Library Committee meeting on 20 April and if implemented are predicted to cost £100,000. Ms Cannell insists, however, that this is a ballpark figure and in competition with other items.