24 Hour Library Campaign
In February 2017, a motion for a ‘24 Hour Library’ was proposed by Kyle Williamson and seconded by Eliyahu Goldsobel at Birkbeck Students’ Union Student Council. This motion was passed with unanimous support. Subsequently Nicholas Baker was elected as 2017/18 Student Leader with a pledge to campaign for a ‘Twenty-Four Hour Library’.
As a result of long year of campaigning, the Students' Union is pleased to announce that it has successfully got the College to fund for a pilot of a 24 Hour Library - to commence either in the current exam period or subsequent next academic year's exam period between May19 - June19.
This came after a long consultation with stakeholders and students. Nicholas led on a survey where he found significant support for a 24-hour library: 73.4% of returning students and 68.2% of new students believed the library should be 24 hour and 69.2% of returning students and 50% of freshers’ believed they would personally benefit from the extended opening hours.
In February 8th 2018, both Nicholas and Eliyahu Goldobsel presented their reports to the College's Teaching and Quality Enhancement Committee. Nicholas argued that "Birkbeck’s student body is changing and Birkbeck must evolve to accommodate this."
Additionally, Nicholas noted that the last time the a 24 hour library was trialled, it did not reflect the substantial changes in public transport, with the introduction of night tube and overground.
This has successfully made the College rethink and has agreed to pilot a 24 Hour Library again in light of Nicholas' report.
Congratulations to 24 Hour Library Campaign Team on achieving their goal!
You can read Nicholas Baker, Student Leader, report here.
