A recent student petition circulating Western is calling for the Allyn and Betty Taylor Library to remain open 24-hours, seven days a week during exams. Although the proposal may seem ideal for many, the logistics of putting the plan into action have some questioning whether administration should adhere to student requests, or if students should learn to cope.

Exams can be a stressful time for many students and the last thing anyone wants to worry about is finding a place to hit the books. While studying at home may seem like the logical choice, issues like noisy roommates can leave students searching for an alternative quiet study space.

The 24-hour University Community Centre is always an option for those who need to get out of the house at all hours of the night during exams, but it can sometimes be full of distractions. From dance groups to the newly licensed Spoke, finding a space to study quietly may prove difficult.

An all-night library would mean a more serious atmosphere for those who need to focus.

Furthermore, if students are asking for more space to study it would be in the best interest of the University to adhere to the request, especially if it ensures more students will be succeed. Western prides itself in providing the “best student experience” — if students think more study space would benefit their experience, why not give it to them? If the need is there, why not keep a library or two open longer?

However, the solution is not so simple. Running a 24-hour library — even if only during exams — carries a financial burden. Western would be required to hire more staff to secure and maintain the building, and if the UCC is already operating all night, why add additional costs?

Also, Taylor is not the best library on campus to operate all night being hidden in the back of the Natural Science Building, it poses more security risks if students are roaming the hallways at all hours.

The argument can be made that students should make the most of libraries when they are open. Exam schedules are available far in advance and if the home-front is not ideal for late-night cramming, then perhaps students should consider hitting the books earlier.

However, even with the best time-management skills, some still wish they could have had a few more hours to spend in the stacks. Since we’re paying Western to provide us with a good education, they should ultimately do what is necessary — within reason — to provide it.

A better solution might be the best compromise. Perhaps one or two floors of Weldon Library — a more central and larger study space than Taylor — could remain open 24-hours to complement existing study spaces.