Warwick SU campaigns for a new library

The Students’ Union of Warwick University has called for the construction of a second library on campus.

The proposer, Oliver Rice, denounced the ‘study place crisis’ which is currently happening on campus.

He proposed a new library with 2000 study places, more core texts, resting spaces and gender-neutral facilities.

One reason Mr Rice gave for the proposal was that the University has a duty to provide its students with adequate study spaces, and when term three arrives, students often compete for spots at the library.

Indeed, by combining all studying places, only 2781 studying places were available for a total of 23,570 students during the academic year 2014-15.

This means that the University provided one study place per 8.5 students, which, according to the proposer, is unacceptable.

Additionally, the 22 remaining Russell Group universities – excluding Oxford and Cambridge – have an average of 6 libraries per university. Warwick only offers one, which is not open every day of the year.

Mr Rice argued that students often have to study at home, which can lead to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or insomnia because there is no distinction between ‘rest’ and ‘work’.

The proposer also denounced the struggle to access physical texts necessary for courses, commenting that the main library was at full capacity and unable to meet demands.

The education officer and postgraduate officers will keep lobbying until the decision is taken.

Alice, a second-year Language, Culture and Communication student, argued: ‘I had to wake up at 6:30 every morning during term three, and I lived in Bluebell on campus.

“Now I live in Leamington … Term three will be a nightmare.”

However, Alp, a second-year Politics student, thought that a second library on campus might not be the solution.

He said: “The same funds could be used more efficiently by building another library in a student town like Leamington.

“[This would] ease the burden of overcapacity on campus during Term 3.”